It would be strange if the weather-gage had to be explained to so old a sea-dog; though I must confess that there was a time when I confused it with that thing which creaks on the roof, showing which way the wind is blowing. Yet could you not obtain this valuable gage by some less arduous means than running a hundred miles and hiding behind a more or less mythical island which no one has ever seen, and that in the dark, a perilous proceeding if ever there was one?
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The passage reflects on the concept of the weather-gage, which is the position of a ship relative to the wind and is crucial for naval tactics. The speaker humorously admits to once confusing this technical term with the common creaking noise that indicates wind direction. This self-reflection highlights a disconnect between experienced sailors and complex nautical terminology.
Furthermore, the speaker questions the necessity of the elaborate maneuvering required to gain the weather-gage, suggesting that such actions seem unnecessarily risky. By expressing a desire for simpler methods, the narrative critiques the hardships sailors endure while engaging in such daunting tasks, revealing a deeper contemplation about the nature of maritime practices.
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