Chapters 8 and 9 Summary

Atropos takes to the sea but is forced to swing at anchor at the Downs due to thick fog. Many ships drop anchor and wait for clear skies. Hornblower uses the time to relentlessly drill the men on seamanship. While the drills are proceeding, an oar floats by Atropos, and Hornblower orders it to be drawn on board. He notes it is numbered '27' but that the 7 has a crossbar in the European style. From off in the foggy distance a shot or sharp bang is faintly heard. Something tickles at Hornblower's imagination, and he takes a bearing on the current and orders his gig lowered. He arms the gig crew with muskets and cutlasses and then proceeds carefully along the bearing line. He comes to Amelia Jane, a London brig, lying at anchor. The officer of Amelia Jane responds...