Book 7: Chapter 26 Summary

Sophia, mouth of the Thames, July 29, 1714

An English naval brig forces the Sophia, the ship that Caroline is aboard, to run aground in the mouth of the River Thames. Caroline raises her Hanoverian flag and watches as the officer aboard the brig contemplates sending a boarding party to the Sophia. Before they have had time to decide, an East Indianman, another large sailing vessel, sails into the river mouth and raises her flag. This ship appears to also be Hanoverian and turns out to be the Minerva.

Book 7: Chapter 26 Analysis

The appearance of the Minerva puts Caroline's mind at ease. Though she perceives the incident as uncanny, she is also relieved and hopeful that she still can leave the hostile shores of England and return home safely. Johann, however, is more skeptical but feels that Caroline has admirably displayed loyalty to...