Chapter 9, pgs. 208 - 232 Summary

The blockade continues during Christmas. Their Christmas meal consists of seafood Jack tells Stephen that he is interested in the proposition of the procedure for his obtaining a flag, as proposed by Blaine.

Stephen performs an operation on Bowden. After the surgery Stephen walks on deck. Jack in on deck also and both men are wet from the spray. They both change into dry clothes for dinner, where the talk centers on ships and shipbuilding. While talking, they hear what is either thunder or gunfire and run up on deck. They identify the sound as gunfire. Jack feels the French are taking advantage of the weather to engage in a sortie. He gives orders for the ship to head to the area. Stephen goes to check on his patients.

At daybreak, they meet the Ringle and talk to Reade. Two of the ships...