Chapter 5 Summary

The voyage continues as Aubrey hopes to find and take a prize or two. His desires are answered when a sail is raised. It is an American whaler from New England, returning home with a nearly full load of whale oil. As Surprise closes the ship, Maturin watches the whaling operation with much interest. Surprise flies the British flag while Franklin flies the American flag—the whaler runs for Franklin, fooled by the deception. The whaler leaves her boats behind, and when they eventually regain the ship, one incensed harpooner kills the whaler's sailing master.

Edward Shelton is an Englishman who is serving aboard the American whaler. Shelton explains that he had joined the American ship prior to the outbreak of war between America and England and is thus not in legal trouble for being a traitor. Shelton knows who Aubrey is...