16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
very well today. Both eyes water so in the
cold.'
'It is cold, sure,' said Stephen. He focused his
best newly-cleaned glass, a superlative piece
made for him by Dolland with a somewhat
greater magnification than was usual in the
Navy, for identifying birds; and presently he
said, 'Tell me, Mr Reade: frigates have but one
row of guns, have they not?'
'Yes, sir. Just one,' said Reade patiently, holding
up a single finger.
'Well, this boat, or vessel, has two; as well as
some each end.'
'Nay, sir,' said Reade, shaking his head: then
urgently, 'Please may I have a look? Oh sir,'
he shrieked to Pullings at the taffrail, 'she ain't
the Yankee. She's a two decker. A sixty-fourgun
ship – the Doctor saw her.'
'On deck, there,' came Jack's voice from on