Chapter Eight Summary

The squadron arrives in Freetown and Jack makes a show of firing off his guns and sinking the now empty Nancy in the channel. The following morning, the Aurora, one of Jack's ships who had conducted a midnight raid on the river that adjoined the town, returned escorting at least five schooners, two brigs, and a ship, all slavers. The men in Jack's command are thrilled at the prospect of the prize money to share, there was a bounty on freeing slaves, and on the perceived chance of shore leave in Freetown and Sierra Leone. They are greatly disappointed to learn that the Stephen has forbade shore leave to all.

Mr. Whewell describes for Jack and Stephen the events of the raids. Jack is glad to learn that the slave ship fired upon his raiders. This was good news as international law would then consider...