16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
home, above all as we had not long since
been beaten in America; people were furiously
angry – my cousin Edward stood up in Parliament
beside himself with rage and said England
was going to the dogs and the House
cheered him – and when the Spaniards would
not listen to reason the Ministry began hurrying
ships out of ordinary, manning them with
a hot press, and laying down new ones. Lord,
we were so happy, we sailors turned ashore
after the American disaster! One day I was
only a wretched master's mate with no half
pay, glum, blue, hipped, sitting on the beach
and adding salt tears to the bitter flood, and
the next I was Lieutenant Aubrey, fifth of the
Queen, covered with glory and gold lace, or
at least as much as I could get on credit. It
was a wonderful stroke of luck for me; and for
the country too.'
'Who could deny it?'