Horatio Hornblower is introduced as a gawky midshipman aboard the third-rate HMS Justinian, part of the Channel Fleet which hadn't succeeded in completeing its crews and lay at anchor in the lee of the Isle of Wight.
Due to loneliness and the return of the leading midshipman (failed exams for lieutenant) Simpson, becomes suicidal. After a game of whist in which he is accused of cheating, Hornblower challenges Simpson to a duel, so that one or the other may go.
The aggrieved party sets the conditions, in a way which aren't 'unfair'.Hornblower's idea is to best chance is an 'Even Chance'. He decides that one pistol will be loaded, and the other is not loaded.
Fortunately, the loaded gun misfires (the captain's design). Hornblower is summoned to a chat with the captain, where upon learning this challenges the captain, but the captain points out the folley in this.
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Mr. Midshipman Hornblower Published 1950. 1 of 11 chronologically
11 months, 1 week ago by Brz
CHAPTER 1 - THE EVEN CHANCE
11 months, 1 week ago by Brz
Horatio Hornblower is introduced as a gawky midshipman aboard the third-rate HMS Justinian, part of the Channel Fleet which hadn't succeeded in completeing its crews and lay at anchor in the lee of the Isle of Wight.
11 months, 1 week ago by Brz
The 17 year old is homesick, and to start with is known for being seasick in Spithead (a roadsted).
11 months, 1 week ago by Brz
He is unfamiliar with the naval parlance, and is using words he has only ever heard before.
11 months, 1 week ago by Brz
Due to loneliness and the return of the leading midshipman (failed exams for lieutenant) Simpson, becomes suicidal. After a game of whist in which he is accused of cheating, Hornblower challenges Simpson to a duel, so that one or the other may go.
11 months, 1 week ago by Brz
The aggrieved party sets the conditions, in a way which aren't 'unfair'.Hornblower's idea is to best chance is an 'Even Chance'. He decides that one pistol will be loaded, and the other is not loaded.
11 months, 1 week ago by Brz
Fortunately, the loaded gun misfires (the captain's design). Hornblower is summoned to a chat with the captain, where upon learning this challenges the captain, but the captain points out the folley in this.
11 months, 1 week ago by Brz
The Captain transfers Hornblower to the frigate HMS Indefatigable (apparently a famous name in the British Navy).
11 months, 1 week ago by Brz
CHAPTER 2 - THE CARGO OF RICE
11 months, 1 week ago by Brz