16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
It is true that we could get along a little faster
ourselves, but clearly we cannot leave the
Franklin behind; and with her present rig she
is but a dull sailer.'
'I noticed that you have changed her elegant
great triangular sail behind.'
'Yes. Now that we are making progess with
her lower masts we can no longer afford that
very long lateen yard: we need it for pole topgallants.
Presently you will see that twin jury
mainmast of hers replaced by something less
horrible made up from everything you can
imagine by Mr Bentley and that valuable carpenter
we rescued: upper-tree, side-trees,
heel-pieces, side-fishes, cheeks, front-fish and
cant-pieces, all scarfed, coaked, bolted,
hooped and woolded together; it will be a
wonderful sight when it is finished, as solid as
the Ark of the Covenant. Then with that in
place, and the respectable fore and mizen we