16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
nodded. No word passed but all moving together
they carried out the perilous manoeuvre
of wearing, carrying the launch back into
the lee, there close-reefing the main and foresail,
sending up a storm fore-staysail and
creeping out to sea again.
For the rest of daylight – and brilliant daylight
it was, with never a cloud to be seen – this answered
well enough and they supped by
watches on biscuit and oatmeal beaten up
with sugar and water: grog, of course, served
out by Captain Aubrey. There was even
enough of a pause for Killick to dress Jack's
eye and to tell him he would certainly lose it if
he did not put back to the barky, where it
could be kept dry.
'Nonsense,' said Jack. 'It is much better. I can
see perfectly well: it is only the bright light I
cannot stand.'