Chapter 17 Summary

Bush spends weeks recovering and reading Renown for sea. He occasionally sees Hornblower preparing Retribution for departure. Bush contemplates his experiences and realizes he has recently learned a great deal about human nature and personalities; he attempts to codify his experiences for later use. He bids Hornblower goodbye, noting that unless peace is established, the admiralty will confirm the appointment to commander; Retribution sails. Days later Renown leaves the harbor with a convoy. After a few days a sail is raised on the horizon and then closed. The squadron heaves to with the convoy scattering abroad when a boat crosses from the new ship. After a strangely long meeting, the admiral emerges and announces the dreadful news—peace has been declared. While the sailors shout and cheer, Bush considers his own likely fate of near unemployment ashore, receiving only half pay. The...