16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
a 'By the head, mate. Handsomely, now,' they
unshipped Martin's cot, carrying him forward
in it at a soft barefoot trot to the empty larboard
berth, where Padeen had cleared the
deck and hung a lantern. They were of opinion
that 'the Doctor's mate was as drunk as
Davy's sow, and indeed the inert relaxation,
the now-stertorous breathing, gave that impression.
It was not the case, however. Nathaniel Martin
had lain down in his clothes and now as
Stephen and Padeen undressed him, as limp
as a man deeply stunned, they saw the recent
and exacerbated sores over much of his body.
'Would this be the leprosy, your honour?'
asked Padeen, his low, hesitant speech made
slower, more hesitant by the shock.
'It would not,' said Stephen. 'It is the cruel salt
on a very sensitive skin, and an ill habit of