16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
for nursing, and he is much loved by the people.
I should add that he is enormously strong,
and although mansuetude, although gentleness
is written on his face, he is capable of
terrible rage if he is provoked. To offend him,
and thus to offend his friends, in a ship like
this would be mortal folly. Come with me till I
show you our sick-berth. There are only three
amputations left, and they are in a very fair
way, they will need dressing for a week or two
more, and some physic and lotions written on
a sheet with their times. You will meet Padeen
there, and I am sure you will conciliate his
good will.'
'I certainly shall, sir. Anything for a quiet life is
my motto.'
'And yet you were in a privateer.'
'Yes, sir. I was running away from a young
woman: the same as when I left the Charles-