16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
carpenter, he brought Martin back. The medical
men had no place on the crowded, busy,
anxious deck: ropes ran in every direction,
and wherever they stood they were liable to be
in the way: in any case since those Franklins
who had been left in the ship were now either
healed or buried, Martin's duty there was at an
end.
The frigate's cook, a fine great black man
with one leg, and a bearded Thraskite helped
them up the side, Martin carrying his mended
viola; and leaving the boat to more skilful
hands the medicoes leaned on the rail for a
while, watching the operations over the water.
'I wish I could explain what they are about,'
said Stephen, 'but this is so much more complex
than the business with the sheers that with
your own limited command of the seamen's
language you might not be able to follow me.
Indeed, I might even lead you into error.'