16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
many, many thanks to you, my dear sir.'
For days the wind had kept in the east, and
by now there was a considerable sea running
across the northward current, causing the
Franklin to roll and pitch rather more than was
comfortable, rather more than was usual for
mustering the ship's company by divisions; but
this was Sunday, the first Sunday that Jack had
felt reasonably sure that his wounded leg
would bear the exercise, and he decided to
carry on. At breakfast the word had been
passed 'clean to muster' and now the bosun
was bawling down the hatchways, 'D'ye hear,
there, fore and aft? Clear for muster at five
bells. Duck frocks and white trousers,' while his
only remaining mate roared, 'D'ye hear, there?
Clean shirts and shave for muster at five bells.'
Many of the seamen were of course old Surprises:
for them all this was part of immemo-