16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
their fish they did not see us till a moment
ago. The boats in the north-north-east have
not seen us yet. But look at the men on board
the ship – parcel of old women.' He passed
the telescope and at once that remote deck
sprang close, sharp and distinct, visibly dirty
and disordered even from here. Not many
people still aboard, but those few running
about with great activity and little apparent
purpose, while a person in the crow's nest
waved his arms with uncommon vehemence,
pointing to the south.
'Mr Grainger,' called Jack, 'pray explain the
situation to the Doctor.' He took back his telescope,
slung it, and ran up to the masthead
like a boy.
'Why, sir,' said Grainger in his comfortable
West Country voice, 'those far-off boats away
to the eastward are fast to a gurt old bull,
running like a coach and six on a turnpike.