He was offered his own territory by the Union, like a state, with his own laws and all. Just to keep him away...He has an army of cliff dwellers in the cañon country waiting for his return.
-- Sailors (Prologue)

Importance: In the prologue, the sailors on the Impeccable discuss various outlandish rumors that have spread about Håkan. The rumors seem to illustrate Håkan as a larger-than-life figure. This scene creates general interest and intrigue about Håkan's actual personal story.

His brother was gone…He got on a crate, short-breathed and trembling, screamed his brother’s name, and looked down at the torrent of people.
-- Narration (chapter 1)

Importance: This line of narration describes the moment that Håkan finds himself separated from Linus in Portsmouth. This is the last time that Håkan ever sees Linus in the novel, and the description of this moment emphasizes a sense of dread and hopelessness...