Chapters 19, 20, and 21 Summary

Atropos travels to Gibraltar without incident and discharges the treasure for later transport to England. Atropos then sails east in search of Collingwood's Mediterranean fleet. To make the most of the transit, Hornblower sails by the Spanish coast and reconnoiters harbors. At Cartagena, Atropos sees numerous ships, including a large Spanish 44-gun frigate, the Castilla. Much to Hornblower's surprise, Castilla quickly puts to sea and gives chase. Atropos is no match for the much-larger Spanish ship, which bears twice as many guns and throws three times the weight of metal, and Hornblower runs. But Castilla improbably pursues into the open ocean. Hornblower is largely unconcerned, knowing that Atropos can easily outrun the Spanish ship. Hornblower is hoping to encounter a British fleet, so he slows Atropos to bait Castilla onwards. About 150 nautical miles from Cartagena, the weather thickens and both ships...