16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
Martin, Reade and Plaice boarded the Franklin
on three successive swells, Bonden fending
off; and in a high clear voice Reade, taking off
his hat, said, 'Monsieur, je prends le commandement
de ce vaisseau.'
'Bien, Monsieur,' said Dutourd.
Reade stepped to the stump of the mainmast:
Plaice lashed a stray studding-sail boom to it
and amid the heavy indifference of the Franklin's
crew they hoisted British colours. There
was a modest cheer from the Surprise. Dutourd
said 'Gentlemen, most of the wounded
are in the cabin. May I lead the way?'
As they went down the ladder they heard
Reade call to Bonden, who had an extremely
powerful voice, telling him to hail the ship and
ask for the bosun, his mate, Padeen and all
the hands who could be spared: the prize was
near foundering.