Chapter 6 Summary

One morning Hornblower reports on deck and requests permission from Roberts to take a seawater shower. Roberts grants the unusual request and Hornblower takes a shower—a peculiar spectacle in the royal navy of the time. Bush watches the other lieutenants and contemplates the subtle interaction of personality and rank in the service. As he thinks, Buckland and Hornblower become deeply engaged in a quiet conversation that lasts for some minutes. Bush and Smith watch Buckland and Hornblower and wonder what they could be discussing so earnestly. Suddenly Buckland goes below.

Later, Buckland calls for Roberts and orders a change of course. Eventually the gossip circulates that Buckland finally has unlocked Sawyers desk, read the secret orders, and determined to accomplish them. In the evening Buckland confirms the gossip; he will not disclose the ship's orders, but he states their destination to...