16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
the alpaca, the llamas being bred for riding
and carrying burdens, and the alpaca, smaller
animals that we keep higher up, just for wool.
Both give quite good meat, of course, though
some say not nearly as good as mutton. In my
opinion, mutton...' He coughed, blew his
nose, and rolled another ball of coca-leaves;
but to a reasonably attentive, sympathetic listener
it was clear that the Inca – for Eduardo
was of the pure blood – regarded sheep as an
unwelcome Spanish introduction.
This became more apparent later in the day,
when they rode eastward across the plateau,
and rounding a knoll studded with the tallest
many-branched cactuses Stephen had yet
seen, came upon a flock gathered in a sheltered
hollow, grazing close together, all facing
one way. For the last few miles Eduardo had
been talking away with the greatest animation,