Lieutenant Hornblower by CS Forester
Second (or seventh) of the Hornblower novels. They just keep getting better and better. Lots of adventure here. This Hornblower is assigned to the HMS Renown where he first meets Mr. Bush, who is destined to become (as far as I’ve read) a lifelong friend. Unfortunately, the Renown’s captain is insane and, for reasons never adequately explained, he befalls a mysterious accident which leaves him incapacitated for the rest of the trip to the Carribean. Could Hornblower or Mr. Midshipman Wellar have thrown him down the hatchway so as to become too injured to command the ship? One thinks not, but we will never know for sure.
As said, this adventure takes Hornblower and the crew to the Santo Domingo where they confront the Spanish and capture their fort there, taking prisoners and three prizes. Hornblower saves the ship no less than three times.
At the end of the adventures, peace is declared and all of them find themselves out of work and down on their luck as Hornblower tries to make a living by playing whist.
A ripping good book.
