16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
weakening the Surprise too much. I mean they
should be able to fight at least one side, not
merely carry her into port. Most of the Franklins
understood some English so I told them
the usual things: those that saw fit to volunteer
should berth with our own people on the
lower deck, have full rations, grog and tobacco,
and be paid off in South America according
to their rating, while those that did not
should be kept in the fore-hold on two-thirds
rations, no grog and no tobacco and be carried
back to England. One of the ransomers,
a boy, spoke French as brisk as the Doctor,
and what they did not understand from me
they understood from him. I left them to think
it over, and there is not much doubt about the
result. When we have rearmed her with our
carronades she will make an admirable consort.
You shall have command of her, and I
will promote Vidal here. We can certainly find