Chapters 9 and 10 Summary

Cornwallis joins the fleet, Tonnant summons all captains in the fleet, and Hornblower is welcomed aboard. It is the first time in eight weeks that he has left Hotspur. Although by far the most-junior captain, Hornblower is received with enthusiasm. Dinner is served and the food is extravagant, fresh, and plentiful. Amidst general talk, Cornwallis announces that all ships will be routinely re-provisioned at sea. Normal custom would allow individual ships to return to England for a week or two to re-provision as appropriate. Cornwallis' order means that the men in the squadron will perhaps not return home for years. Hornblower mulls over how this will impact Maria, as he will likely not see the child until it is older. At the end of dinner, Hornblower subtly locates Côtard, an English officer who speaks perfect French—he says only...