2. Where is Aubrey to recover?
(a) In the Naval hospital.
(b) Aboard the Constitution.
(c) Asclepia, a sanitorium run by Evans' relative Dr. Choate.
(d) In prison in Boston.

3. What about Maturin's collection most interests the crew?
(a) The spirits in which the specimens are soaking.
(b) The life 10 foot boa constrictor.
(c) The stuffed Komodo dragon.
(d) The stuffed gorilla.

4. Of what are some American agents accusing Aubrey?
(a) Executing an American soldier on the Leopard.
(b) War crimes.
(c) Sedition.
(d) Lying.

5. Why does the Leopard make quite a stir when entering the port?
(a) She was thought to be long lost at sea.
(b) She is flying Dutch colors.
(c) She is listing badly to starboard.
(d) She is the first English colors seen there in years.

Short Answer Questions

1. What civilian is on board the ship?

2. How does what the Leopard men do help the Java?

3. How does Maturin arouse humor among the cricket players and audience?

4. What happens the first time they sight a vessel?

5. Who rescues Aubrey from making a serious faux pas?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Aubrey depressed at the news of the war?

2. Why do you think Aubrey argues so strenuously to retain his lieutenants and midshipmen?

3. Who is Mrs. Wogan and how does she figure in the previous novel, which is mentioned in the initial chapters of this novel?

4. What do you think it means that Raikes' body was gnawed upon and do you think that is acceptable?

5. Do you think it is helpful for the author to present some background information from other books in the series, particularly the one just preceding this one?

6. Why do you think it would be a serious faux pas to not attend the Captain's table to which one is invited in order to manage one's specimens as Maturin almost does?

7. What are a couple signs that things are not going well for the men in the boat?

8. Why do the boats become separated and what are the advantages and disadvantages of that happening?

9. Why do you think the USS Constitution leads the Java on a long chase to sea?

10. What does Maturin learn that explains the Navy's treatment of Aubrey?

(see the answer keys)

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