Favier refers to Sharpe's surrender to Killick as "cynical expediency" (p. 291) while Sharpe considers it a valid ruse de guerre. How do you view Sharpe's decision to surrender, on pre-arranged terms, to the American privateer?

Through much of the first part of the novel, Sharpe worries that being happily married will make him less effective as a soldier. As if to drive home the point, he spends much time worrying about his distant wife instead of worrying about potential tactics. Do you think that a professional soldier, such as Sharpe, can allow room for a personal life without becoming less effective?

Harper uses a seven-barreled gun to great effect in the novel, yet such guns were exceptionally rare and definitely not standard issue. As the gun is so effective, why do you think they were not standard-issue for the British forces?

A musket was...