Clarissa Oakes by Patrick O’Brian Read Free Book Online

stood away from the pump-brakes and nodded to one another, breathing hard. 'The water came out as clear and sweet as Hobson's conduit,' said one of his neighbours.
       'So it did,' said Jack, and he looked about him. The Surprise , still on the same tack, but under topsails alone, had drawn in with Norfolk Island, so that the nearer shore could be seen on the rise, and along the heights the outlines of monstrous trees stood sharp against the sky—a sky that was as pure as ever, apart from a low cloud-bank right astern: the lightest night-blue overhead changing imperceptibly to aquamarine in the east, with a very few high clouds moving south-east on the anti-trade, much stronger up there than its counterpart below. Down here the breeze was much the same as before: the swell if anything heavier.
       'Good morning, Mr West,' he said when he had examined the log-board. 'Are there any sharks about?' He handed the log-board back—it had told him exactly what he expected—and tossed his sodden nightshirt on to the rail.
       'Good morning, sir. None that I have seen. Forecastle, there: are there any sharks about?'
       'Never a one, sir: only our old dolphins.' And as the cry came aft so the sun sent up a fine brilliant orange sliver above the horizon; for a moment it could be looked at before eyes could no longer bear it, and a simile struggled for life in Jack's mind, only to be lost as he dived from the gangway, utterly forgotten in the long bubbling plunge with his hair streaming out behind in the pure water, just cool enough to be refreshing. He dived and dived again, revelling in the sea; and once he came face to face with two of the dolphins, cheerful creatures, inquisitive but discreet.
       By the time he came aboard again the sun was well clear of the sea, and it was full day, glorious indeed, though lacking that sense of another world entirely. There was Killick, too, standing by the stanchion with a large white towel and a disapproving look on his face. 'Mr Harris said it would close the pores, and throw the yellow bile upon the black,' he said, wrapping the towel about Jack's shoulders.
       'Is high water the same time at London Bridge and at the Dodman?' asked Jack, and having stunned Killick with this he asked him whether the Doctor were about. 'Which I seen him in the sick-bay,' said Killick sulkily.
       'Then go and ask him whether he would like to have a first breakfast with me.'
       Jack Aubrey had a powerful frame to maintain, and this he did by giving it two breakfasts, a trifle of toast and coffee when the sun was first up and then a much more substantial affair shortly after eight bells—any fresh fish that happened to be at hand, eggs, bacon, sometimes mutton chops—to which he often invited the officer and midshipman of the morning watch, Dr Maturin being there as a matter of course.
       Stephen came even before Killick's return. 'The smell of coffee would bring me back from the dead. How kind to let me know: and a very good morning to you, my dear sir. How did you sleep?'
       'Sleep? Lord, I went out like a light, and remember nothing at all. I did not really wake up until the ship was pumped almost dry. Then I swam. What joy! I hope you will join me tomorrow. I feel a new man.'
       'I might, too,' said Stephen without conviction. 'Where is that mumping villain Killick?'
       'Which I am coming as quick as I can, ain't I?' cried Killick: and then, putting down the tray, 'Jezebel has been rather near with her milk.'
       'I am afraid I shall have to leave you very soon,' said Stephen after his second cup. 'As soon as the bell strikes we must prepare two patients for surgery.'
       'Oh dear,' said Jack. 'I hope it is not very serious?'
       'Cystotomy: if there is no infection—and infection at sea is much rarer than in hospital—most men support it perfectly well. Fortitude is called for, of course; any shrinking from the knife may prove fatal.'
       The bell struck. Stephen