16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
launch appeared, sent in to carry out a large
number of men for the short-handed Franklin.
'We had foreseen it, in course,' said Pullings,
receiving Stephen on the sloping deck, 'The
Captain would not have had enough people
to send a prize in, else. But it came at an
awkward moment, before we could arrange
for a gang of dockyard mateys. As soon as I
heard we could dock well before our time, I
hauled alongside the Alastor and shifted all
your things and the sick-berth into her: and
then when we were in dock and barely half
stripped, the launch brought her orders and
everything had to be changed. She also
brought a hand by the name of Fabien, who
belonged to the Franklin and who helped Mr
Martin when he was aboard; the Captain had
meant to send him across before we parted
company, but he forgot. Oh, Doctor,' he
cried, striking his forehead, 'here am I, forget-