Hornblower's Temptation Summary

The Channel Fleet shelters in Tor Boy through a period of dirty weather. Hornblower, at about twenty-three years of age, is the most-junior lieutenant aboard HMS Renown, commanded by Captain Sawyer. Prior to the foul weather Renown had captured a French ship, and the prize is anchored nearby. When the weather moderates, signals bloom out all around the fleet. Hornblower, as the signal lieutenant, is responsible for communications. He is therefore very aware when the lieutenant of the prize crew comes aboard and speaks to Sawyer. Within minutes, Sawyer summons Hornblower, and many signals are hoisted. Renown's recent prize, the French brig Epérance, held one Barry I. McCool. Hornblower quickly learns that McCool was an Irish revolutionary who escaped hanging by joining the Royal Navy under the alias of O'Shaughnessy, only to subsequently desert and join the French Navy. Sawyer...