Excerpt from Blue At The Mizzen by Patrick O'Brian, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

'We are very fast to the mole, my Lord; and we keep the pumps going watch and watch.'

'Yes, yes: I dare say: but what worries me is this. Having fulfilled—and very handsomely fulfilled—Lord Keith's orders, you now revert to your former status: a dydrographical vessel—I think a hired hydrographical vessel intended by the appropriate department for the survey of Magellan's Strait and the southern coasts of Chile. You are completely detached form my command in the Mediterranean; and although I should like to—what shall I say?—to virtually rebuild your ship, if only in recognition of your most spirited capture of that damned galley, I cannot wrong my men-of-war who are waiting for urgent repairs, by giving a hygrographer precedence. A man-of-war must come first.'

'Very well, my Lord,' said Jack. 'But may I at least beg for a somewhat less exposed berth?'

'It may be possible,' said the Admiral. 'I shall have a word with Hancock about it. But now,' he went on, rising, 'I must say good-by until dinner-time.'

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