Walt Whitman's Quote

I feel that Kerouac chose this quote because not only does it speak about travel but it also emphasizes on the bond that is made between someone and their travel companion. This bond cannot be broken because this companion has been chosen because of the loyalty that one has for them and the loyalty that they have for their companion as Whitman states. I feel that this is a topic the author will begin to cover as the book goes on whether or not he has a companion(s).