16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
wich Islands are much too far. I think he will
put before the wind at about ten o'clock,
meaning to slip past us with all lights dowsed
during the graveyard watch – no moon, you
know – and be well to the west of us by dawn,
while we are still cracking on like mad lunatics
to the eastward. My plan is to lie to in a little
while, keeping a very sharp look-out; and if I
do not mistake she will be in sight, a little to
the south, at break of day, with the wind on
her quarter and all possible sail abroad. I
should add,' he went on after a pause in
which Stephen appeared to be considering,
'that taking into account her leeway, which I
have been measuring ever since the chase
began, I mean first to take the ship quite a
long way south.'
'The very same thought was in my mind,' said
Stephen, 'though I did not presume to utter it.
But tell me, before you lie in, do you not think