Dispatched by Commodore Horatio Nelson to carry messages to Gibraltar while transporting the Italians refugees rescued in Ramage.

Though Kathleen is captured, Ramage, with the help of Jackson, passes himself off as an American sailor pressed by the British, and receives liberty from the Spanish.

While in Cartagena (with other foreign and non-foreign refugees from Kathleen who had fake Protections) Ramage spies on the Spanish admiral José de Córdoba, stealing several official documents from his house.

The Commissioner of the port then sends Ramage to find Sir John Jervis and warn him of the battle.

"[3] Kirkus Reviews reported that "Mr. Pope is as good at detail as Ramage is at tactics and it's for those who like their cutlasses sharp and their romance romantic.