Mr. Midshipman Hornblower

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In this story, a clumsy and seasick Hornblower comes aboard his first ship, HMS Justinian. He immediately earns the contempt of the other midshipmen by, among other things, overtaking them in their required mathematical studies. The young Hornblower is particularly hated by a midshipman named Simpson. Simpson had failed his examination for replacement too many times to ever expect promotion and he took out his anger on his juniors. He is said to be "diabolically clever at making other people's lives a burden to them". Hornblower, who was extremely unhappy, is affected and becomes suicidal. He takes the first opportunity for death presented to him by challenging Simpson to a duel. Hornblower finds that the most mathematically good method for the duel is to take an "even chance" by having the duelists select from two pistols, only one of which has been loaded and taking fire a few feet apart. The captain secretly messes this up by having the officers of the duel load neither weapon and by claiming a misfire when neither one shoots. Hornblower later discovers the trick and angrily attempts to challenge the captain to a duel; the captain scolded him that this is both an offence and a bad idea. The captain later has him transferred to the command of Edward Pellew on HMS Indefatigable after war is declared with France. On the ship the Indefatigable, the newly positioned Midshipman Hornblower seizes the French ship Marie Galante, carrying a load of rice from New Orleans, by order of Captain Pellew after winning it in battle. It is Hornblower's first time in command of a ship since joining the Royal Navy. He is instructed to take the captured French ship and the crew to a British port where he receives his next orders. Sailing is smooth for Hornblower and his four seamen, until Matthews, one of the crew, tells him that the ship is taking on water from somewhere.

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