16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
and for ever rising with tall, very tall, many
branched columnal cactuses on either hand
and little else apart from smaller cactuses with
even crueller thorns. This was the first time in
Stephen's life that he had ever ridden in a
strange country paying so little attention to his
surroundings; and although on occasion he
had had a hand, even a directing hand, in
matters of great importance, this was the first
time that so much depended on his success,
and the first time that the crisis, the decision,
was drawing so near with such speed. He did
not even notice two barefoot friars though the
mule had been pointing his ears in their direction
for a quarter of a mile until he was almost
upon them and they standing on an outward
corner, their beards streaming in the wind,
looking back to the sound of hoofs. He pulled
off his hat, called out a greeting and pushed
on, hearing their 'Go with God' as he turned