The ship drops anchor in Bombay. Mr. Hervey's uncle, an admiral, immediately appoints him command of another ship and appoints Mr. Stourton as H.M.S. Surprise's 1st lieutenant—an appointment which surely leaves Pullings disappointed. Because of the replacement of first officers, the admiral seeks to mollify Aubrey by instructing the local shipfitter's yard to offer unlimited assistance and render preferential treatment. Aubrey is thus constantly engaged in refitting the ship and rarely steps on land. Maturin on the other hand spends the entire period ashore, exploring the natural world and investigating local custom. He learns that a hostile French armada, led by Rear-Admiral Charles-Alexandre Lyon Durand Linois, is rumored to be in the general area, a fact which has driven shipping insurance rates very high. Maturin knows that Diana lives in Bombay with Canning,.....
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