Replacing 'mutterings' with 'conversations' alters the tone of the excerpt, highlighting a shift towards formal discussions and away from discontent.
Mutterings vs. Conversations: Mutterings imply low murmurs or complaints while conversations suggest more formal discussions. In the context of the excerpt, if 'mutterings' were replaced with 'conversations,' it would indicate a shift from discontent to a more structured and collaborative decision-making process among the ship's crew.
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