Chapter 8 Summary

Maturin tends to Aubrey's wounds as Leopard is maneuvered through very high seas. As Aubrey is incapacitated, Grant takes charge of the operation—although his combat performance was severely lacking, he proves an excellent seaman and handles the ship well. The chase has driven Leopard beyond 43º south latitude and the wind and waves are formidable. Talk runs through the ship about Aubrey's prospects; his head wound is said by some to be debilitating. Maturin is quickly convinced that Aubrey will entirely recover and within a day his assessment proves correct. Aubrey takes the deck briefly and announces—much to Grant's dismay—that Leopard will not stop at Cape Town as the distance to backtrack is too great; Aubrey instead heads for Port Jackson. Nevertheless, Aubrey is seriously wounded and cannot remain on deck for long. During his convalescence Babbington repeatedly...