16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
'You are in a brown study, I find,' said Eduardo,
whose spirits had revived with the altitude.
'I was contemplating on the physiology of
animals that live in a rarefied atmosphere,'
said Stephen. 'Surely the exact dissection of a
vicuña would show some very remarkable adaptations?'
'There can be no doubt of it,' replied Eduardo.
'And at present we too mean to adapt
our own persons for the last stretch with a
draught of maté. Do you choose to dismount?'
Stephen did so, very carefully avoiding the
least hint of unsteadiness. He could scarcely
see, but he was most unwilling to show any
sign of the mountain-sickness that had certainly
come upon him. When his head cleared
from the effort of swinging out of the saddle
he looked up and saw to his relief that they