In which a tumultuous voyage reveals the indefatigable spirit of the ship’s company amid tossing seas, and the raconteur's tales of frontier derring-do unravel the fragile fabric of belief once more. Meanwhile, the relentless struggle against disease and decay in a sun-scorched land exposes the stubbornness of nature and man alike, even as the Englishman strives with dogged resolve to impose order upon chaos.