16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
The coldness grew to strong disapproval
when Dutourd, coming aboard in the traditional
manner with the side-men offering him
hand-ropes, failed to salute the quarterdeck.
He had also failed to put on a sword to make
his formal surrender. Jack at once retired to
his cabin, saying to Pullings, 'Tom, pray bring
that man below, with his papers.'
He received Dutourd sitting, but he did not
tell Killick to place a chair for the gentleman,
while to Dutourd himself he said 'I believe, sir,
that you speak English fluently?'
'Moderately so, sir: and may I use what fluency
I possess to thank you for your humanity
to my people? Your surgeon and his assistant
have exerted themselves nobly.'
'You are very good, sir,' said Jack with a civil
inclination of his head; and after an enquiry
about Dutourd's wound he said 'I take it that