Chapters 3 and 4 Summary

Boadicea reaches Cape Town and Aubrey calls on Admiral Bertie. The Admiral re-states much of the same information as Maturin has provided, notes that several additional Indiamen have been captured, and tells Aubrey that the island of Rodriguez, near Mauritius, has been garrisoned by British soldiers. Bertie is generally polite to Aubrey and gives him several official honors. He gives Aubrey permission to hoist a commodore's broad pendant aboard Boadicea and entrusts Aubrey to execute the naval portion of the military campaign. Needless to say, Aubrey is very pleased. Aubrey immediately tours the fleet, inspects the various ships present, readies the fleet for the sea, and interviews his captains and officers. He finds Clonfert and Corbett feuding, and finds Clonfert's ship heavily decorated in bizarre fineries.

Meanwhile Maturin travels widely ashore and makes the acquaintance of Dr. McAdam, Clonfert's personal physician...