In a six months flashback, Hornblower is third lieutenant aboard HMS Renown, under the command of the famous Captain James Sawyer, a hero from the Battle of the Nile and one of Admiral Nelson's band of brothers.
After a trip to Plymouth, Renown is sent on a mission to Santo Domingo, then undergoing a slave rebellion, in order to deal with Spanish privateers that threaten British trade in the West Indies.
Later, Sawyer gives the crew an extra ration of rum, which leaves them slow to respond when they suddenly sight two French frigates which threaten to rake Renown.
Hornblower frightens them off by firing a stern chaser loaded with only powder and wadding, but Sawyer is again angry at what he sees as an unauthorized act.
Renown arrives at Santo Domingo, only to find that the Spanish fort sits too high for the ship's guns to reach.
She suffers heavy damage and casualties from the Spanish cannons but Sawyer insists on remaining and returning fire even though it is ineffective.
Renown is grounded, the hold begins to flood, and Matthews releases the imprisoned lieutenants to save them from drowning.