Chapter 5 Summary

It is late 1823, and Hornblower looks forward to his release from service with equal parts expectation and trepidation. Barbara, his wife, is sailing out from England to accompany him on the return voyage from the West Indies. He has served nearly three years there and looks forward to a period of idleness, even as he wonders what life will bring. He goes about his various duties and undergoes typical periods of self-critical introspection. His staff, Gerard and Spendlove chief among them, is by now proficient and adept at understanding Hornblower's foibles and quirks. His squadron is drilled and disciplined, and there is little left that he can achieve.

Then Drum-Major Cobb proffers charges of mutiny against musician Hudnutt. While rehearsing a new cornet-and-drum-only piece of music, Hudnutt, on cornet, had declined to play B-flat. Cobb tried and tried again, and then simply ordered...