Chapters 3 and 4 Summary

Much of Chapter 3 is devoted to a recap of the series' prior novel. Aubrey and Maturin had conveyed Edward Fox to the fictional island of Pulo Prabang where a treaty was arranged between the Sultan of Pulo Prabang and Great Britain. Aubrey had then conveyed Fox toward Batavia before Diane, their ship, ran aground on an uncharted and submerged reef and was lost. Fox survived the wreck but shortly thereafter departed for Batavia in the ship's boat. A sudden storm passed through the area and the open boat was never seen again—Fox being presumed lost at sea. Fox took the precaution of leaving a copy of the treaty with his clerk, Edwards, on the island. As noted, Fox had become increasingly irrational and haughty. Most of this recap has little to do with the current novel aside from positioning...