16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
they were drinking their coffee Stephen said, 'I
made a remarkable discovery this morning. I
believe it will make a great stir in the Royal
Society when I read my paper; and Cuvier will
be amazed.' He described the extraordinarily
unyielding nature of the frigate-bird's bosom,
contrasting it with that of other fowl, no more
rigid than an indifferent wicker basket, and
spoke of its probable connexion with the creature's
soaring flight. As it was usual with them
when they spoke of the lie of the land, naval
manoeuvres or the like he traced lines on the
table with wine, and Jack, following with keen
attention, said, 'I take your point, and I believe
you are right. For this, do you see' – drawing a
ship seen from above – 'is the mainyard when
we are close-hauled on the starboard tack. It
is braced up sharp with the larboard brace –
here is the larboard brace – the sheet hauled
aft, the weather leeches hauled forward with