Chapters 13, 14, and 15 Summary

Turner and some assistants go ashore and make purchases from the local market. There is not much to buy, and the Mudir suggests that Atropos will have to remain for quite some time to fully provision. Hornblower believes this to be good news as it will justify an extended stay. Turner otherwise brings back little information but obtains Hornblower's permission to bribe the Mudir for further assistance in purchasing foodstuffs. Meanwhile, the wreck is located and marked with a buoy, and Hornblower begins to discuss the salvage operation with McCullum. McCullum is deliberately rude and obstructionist, but a patient and self-effacing Hornblower cajoles information in bits and pieces. Hornblower returns to the site of the wreck with Looney and the other Sinhalese divers, and they make initial exploratory trips to establish the exact location and condition of the wreck. The ship...