16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
He pushed through to the quarterdeck; and
there were the same grave faces, grey with
cold and discouragement, looking fixedly to
windward, that is to say a little south of the
ship's modest wake. 'What is afoot?' he murmured
in Reade's ear.
'Stand over here, sir,' said Reade, guiding
him to the rail, 'and look out to windward.'
A topsail schooner sailing large: and some
miles beyond her a ship, also standing northnorth-east
with topgallants and studdingsails
abroad, a glorious sight; but one that gave no
pleasure.
'It is that brutal great American, come to snap
us up,' said Reade.
'Shame on him, after such a handsome message,'
murmured Wedel.
'Where is the Captain?'
'Aloft, sir; but,' Reade whispered, 'he don't see