How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
This was the sort of thing that made my terrifically whiskered mate tap his forehead with his forefinger. (2.82)
The captain hates the way his chief mate taps his forehead behind his (the captain's) back. The gesture is meant to tell other crewmembers that the captain is either crazy or dumb, which no doubt leaves him feeling more isolated than ever.
Quote #8
Already the ship was drawing ahead. And I was alone with her. Nothing! No one in the world should stand between us. (2.204)
By the end of the book, the captain embraces his isolation and takes charge of his ship in a confident, "don't mess with me" sort of way. It looks like his experience with Leggatt has made him a new man.
Quote #9
The wind fanned my cheek, the sails slept, the world was silent. (2.173)
The captain wants to make sure he can get Leggatt to safety. But there's a price to be paid for Leggatt leaving the ship. The captain will be lonely again, and you can already sense this loneliness coming in the way he describes standing alone on the ship's deck.