16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
deck. Mr Grainger, sir. Right on the beam.
Captain Pullings is trying to tow the Alastor's
launch. Launch all mangled: something cruel.
They are bailing: in a bad way. Captain is
pulling, and I can make out Bonden, but...'
The rest was drowned in the vehement cry of
all hands and the launching of boats regardless
of new paint not yet dry.
The Alastor's launch and the skiff came
alongside under the larboard chains, Bonden
mechanically hooked on; and as hands ran
down with the man-ropes Pullings came
scrambling aft to help his Captain go aboard.
'Where is the Doctor?' asked Jack, looking up
at the rail.
'He's ashore, sir, and has been these five or
six days: he sent to say he was a-naturalizing
in the mountains.'
'Very good,' said Jack, strangely disap-