Chapter 6 Summary

Aubrey explains to Maturin that Waakzaamheid so entirely outclasses Leopard that his obvious duty is to avoid confrontation. Nevertheless, Aubrey devises a new watch bill with his much-reduced crew and practices gunnery extensively. Aubrey has his cabin reworked to house his two brass long nine pounders as stern chasers. Maturin resumes his promenades with Wogan even as he begins to dwell upon her physical charms. Aubrey, as well as the remainder of the crew, also note her presence with a studied indifference. Many of the crew resort to taking welcome but illicit liberties with Peggy Barnes, Wogan's servant, and thus venereal disease runs rampant through the crew. Meanwhile Boswell, a pregnant gypsy woman, begins to spread gypsy foretunetelling among the crew and she predicts an unhappy voyage. Maturin counters both situations by various means.

On one occasion Herapath and Maturin sit and talk...