Hornblower is introduced to his shipmates, including his superior, Midshipman Jack Simpson, a bully quick to single him out for abuse and scorn.
Hornblower embarrasses himself when he becomes seasick while the ship is at anchor in calm waters, and he finds life under Simpson unbearable.
Midshipmen Kennedy, Hether, and Cleveland go with him; Pellew's fury over the duel leads him to appoint Hornblower as commander of Simpson's former division.
Hornblower's decision to place his trust in them and refusal to permit the laziness and unruly behavior fostered by Simpson, as well as his capability in battle and concern for their wellbeing, wins him the division's respect and loyalty.
When Indefatigable captures the French merchantman Marie Gallante, Hornblower and his division are tasked with sailing the ship to port as a prize.
In close quarters on the lifeboat, the French captain and his men quickly overpower the prize crew, and Hornblower surrenders his navigational chart, but drops his compass overboard.
He later informs Matthews that in anticipation of the French prisoners gaining the upper hand, he deliberately mispositioned their location on the chart.
By posing as a French vessel, he launches a surprise assault on the fleet attacking Indefatigable and succeeds at driving them off.
He asks that only one of the duelling pistols be loaded, the combatants having to toss for it and then stand a yard apart and fire at each other at point blank range.
As it turns out, the captain has secretly given orders that neither weapon be loaded, the resulting lack of a shot blamed on a misfire, and Hornblower comes out of the duel unscathed.