16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
saw the calm, doom-like motion of the iceisland.
The vast bulk moved with the apparent
ease of a cloud and the slight expanse of safe
water to the windward of its tip was narrowing,
narrowing every minute.
'Sir,' said Wilkins, 'the brig has altered
course.'
Certainly: Jack had expected it. These turns
and her own manoeuvres had brought the
brig to the westward of both ships, on the Surprise's
quarter and somewhat nearer to her
than the heavy frigate; and for the last two
miles she had been losing steadily. Now, in
answer to a signal, she was bearing up with
the evident intention of crossing the Surprise's
stern and raking her, firing a broadside that
would run the whole length of the ship. It was
a bold move, since Jack had only to make a
slight turn to larboard to bring his own broadside
to bear and quite possibly sink her. But