Chapter 6 Summary

A levanter (Easterly wind) arises and the Surprise battens down for the blow. Daniel falls during a roll of the ship and possibly re-breaks his collarbone. Maturin is concerned with sounds from the young man's lungs. The Surprise makes good time and arrives west of Pantellaria several days ahead of the original estimate. The Captain of the port at Pantellaria has no knowledge of any vessels passing recently and doubts many will come for several days since the wind is calm after the levanter. The winds finally pick up again and the Surprise continues sailing as Mr. Daniel seems to be recovering. Maturin or someone else sits with Mr. Daniel at all times, which is how Maturin learns much about the young man's background. Maturin is called in to examine Captain Hobden, who Mr. Jacob believes has fallen in a fit; the man is merely drunk and...