16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
Stephen looked at Martin curiously. This was
the first time his assistant had spoken to him in
a disobliging if not downright uncivil manner
and some brisk repartees came into his mind.
He said nothing, however, but sat wondering
what frustrations, jealousies, discontents had
been at work on Nathaniel Martin to produce
this change not only of tone but even of voice
itself and conceivably of identity: the words
and the manner of uttering them were completely
out of character.
When the silence had lasted some heavy
moments Martin said, 'I hope you do not think
there is anything personal about my remarks.
It was only that your mention of coca-leaves
set my mind running in another direction...'
The shattering din of the Franklin as she fired
first her starboard and then her larboard
broadside and as her captain desired his men
to 'look alive, look alive and bear a hand', in-