Hornblower and Noah's Ark Summary

Acting-lieutenant Hornblower takes a boat ashore with Mr. Tapling. They land in the Gulf of Oman with a load of golden guineas to exchange the money for cattle and ships' stores with which they will resupply the English fleet. The local potentate is far removed from commerce and thus they anticipate lengthy delays and political intrigue. As they await an official messenger, they observe the super-heated dock areas. A rat emerges in broad daylight and staggers briefly about—they consider the behavior insolent. Later a man staggers by and collapses, apparently drunk. Meanwhile, for several hours they engage in conversation with Mr. Duras, the fat and sweating official representative of His Highness the Bey. Tapling refuses to release the money to Duras until the supplies are delivered. Duras worries about losing his head if he offends...