When a black sailor with tuberculosis boards the `Narcissus`, the shadow of death falls across the ship and the lingering gloom brings out both the best and worst in the crew The harsh endurance test of survабъсдival at sea, magnified by the dying sailor`s condition, sends the crewmen through an emotional gamut, ranging from pity and selfless compassion to fear, resentment and a profound hatred that boils perilously close to mutiny.