16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
for their instruments Jack said no more than
'Bonden, Plaice, pull them over. And you had
better pass that raft a line. Mr Reade, take
possession.'
Ever since this chase began Stephen had
been considering his best line of conduct in
the event of its success. His would have been
a delicate mission in any event, since it presupposed
activities contrary to Spanish interests
in South America at a time when Spain
was at least nominally an ally of the United
Kingdom; but now that the British government
had been compelled to deny the existence of
any such undertaking it was more delicate by
far, and he was extremely unwilling to be recognized
by Dutourd, whom he had met in
Paris: not that Dutourd was a Bonapartist or in
any way connected with French intelligence,
but he had an immense acquaintance and he
was incurably talkative – far too talkative for