Chapter 5 Summary

Aubrey and Maturin reach Gibraltar and take passage on a returning Indiaman. Aubrey is delightfully surprised to learn that the first lieutenant of the Indiaman is Tom Pullings. Pullings, a stout sailor and exceptional junior officer, has taken private company work as no military service has been available for the past few years—Pullings has previously served under Aubrey in various successful operations. Aubrey, Maturin, and Pullings exchange news and gossip.

The Indiaman Lord Nelson is commanded by captain Spottiswood and crewed by a sparse set of rough-looking sailors. The ship has several passengers beside Maturin and Aubrey, including two young women. As the ship travels from Gibraltar to England, a finback whale is seen. As all eyes watch the whale the lookout fails to see a ship on the horizon. Soon Lord Nelson is closed by a French privateer—the...