16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
to time or at all events a boat. But without we
spread more canvas we shall never get there
before we die of thirst and starvation: that is
why I am so eager to see the Franklin fully
masted and looking like a Christian ship at
last, instead of a God-damned curiosity.'
'So am I, upon my word,' said Stephen, thinking
of his coca-leaves. 'I can hardly wait.'
'Possess yourself in patience for a day or two,
and you will see her set her royals. Then that
evening we shall have a concert – we may
even sing!'
At the time Stephen wondered that Jack
should speak so thoughtlessly, tempting a Fate
that he almost always placated with a perhaps
or if we are lucky or tide and weather permitting;
and Stephen being by now a thoroughgoing
seaman at least as far as weak superstition
was concerned he was more grieved than