Stephen looked at him curiously. He was bolt upright, larger than life, and he seemed fairly to glow with light. ‘It was a necessary stroke,’ said Stephen.
‘Indeed it was,’ said Jack. ‘I do not know much about politics, but it was a damned necessary stroke for me. No, I don’t mean that,’ he cried, seeing Stephen jut out his lower lip and look away. ‘I mean she let fly at us, and if we had not replied, why truly, we should have been in a pretty mess.’
-Post Captain, Patrick O'Brian
















