16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
A straggling line of newcomers, pale pink,
scarlet and black in the declining sun, passed
over to join the rest; and Stephen, watching
them as they crossed from left to right, observed,
'For me flamingoes belong essentially
to the Mediterranean lagoons, by definition at
the level of the sea; and to find them up here,
in an air so thin it is a wonder that their wings
can bear them, gives the whole landscape
something of the qualities of a dream. It is true
that their voices are slightly different and that
their plumage has a deeper red, but that if
anything strengthens the impression, like losing
one's way in a familiar town – a sense of...'
He broke off as a little band of teal came racing
across well within range and both men
cocked their fowling-pieces.
Eduardo was poised, but seeing Stephen
lower his gun he did not fire. 'How absurd,'
said Stephen, 'I quite forgot to ask you how