Hornblower and the Penalty of Failure Summary

Having lost his first independent command, Hornblower finds himself adrift in the Bay of Biscay, seasick, and supported by four English sailors opposed by a French captain and about a dozen French crewmen. Hornblower keeps his pistol handy, confines the French to the bow of the boat, and points a course for England, despite the strong remonstrations of the French captain. The situation escalates into a shouting match and Hornblower flatly states that any Frenchman interfering with the operation of the boat will be killed. The French captain then agrees to a shaky truce and everyone stands down—somewhat. The small boat travels for many hours and then sights a ship which bears down on them. It is the French Pique and within moments Hornblower, Matthews, and the other three Englishmen find...