Hornblower and the Man Who Felt Queer Summary

Indefatigable has chased Papillon, a French corvette, into an estuary. The smaller French ship anchors under the protection of a powerful battery of shore guns, safe from English attack. Indefatigable cruises back and forth beyond the range of the shore guns. After several hours, midshipman Kennedy informs Hornblower that he has been summoned to Captain Pellew's cabin.

In the captain's cabin, Captain Pellew lays out a plan for capturing the Papillon by a surprise attack using the ship's boats acting in concert. In brief, the larger ship's boats will carry in assault groups assigned to specific objectives. The ship's jolly boat has a different mission. It will be commanded by Hornblower and will arrive after the assault has gained a sure foothold on deck. Hornblower will board Papillon at the main...