Episode 2 - The Examination for Lieutenant

[Full Synopsis]

Anchored In the Bay of Cadiz, The Indefatigable is approached by a Spanish eight-oared pinnace. Its formal captain informs Pellew that Spain has made peace with France. Spain is therefore now neutral rather than Britain's ally, and will be entitled under the rules of neutrality to fire at the Indefatigable if she remains at anchor off Cadiz. Pellew is livid, but he has no choice but to make sail.

Meanwhile in the Straits of Gibraltar a Spanish frigate has fired a warning shot at a British transport ship. Unaware of Spain's new neutral status, the captain of the ship advocates surrender, But his passenger, the legendary and fearsome Captain Dreadnought Foster, pulls rank assumes command, and fires on the Spanish ship, which fires back....

When the Indy arrives at the scene it finds a wrecked ship, dead men and cattle floating on the surface, and just three survivors - one of whom is Foster. He tells his rescuers he was en route to resume command of his ship HMS Dreadnought.

Foster and Pellew are old colleagues, but there's no love lost between the two captains. Hornblower, however, is greatly impressed by Foster, and vice versa. While slightly worried and annoyed by Hornblower's hero worship of Foster, Pellew nevertheless puts forward his prot�g� for the examination foe lieutenant. Foster disembarks and heads for the Dreadnought.

Now that the Spanish have deprived them of supplies, Pellew has to halve all the rations on the Indefatigable. Bunting sacrifices his meagre ration to Finch, who is seriously ill with a fever - and later dies. Bunting, who served with Finch on another ship, is devastated. The men are cheered by the arrival of a supply ship, but the Spanish send fire ship straight into its path, destroying it.

Pellew tells Hornblower they are to accompany another transport ship, the Caroline, on a mission to Oran. The pompous and pedantic Mr Tapling, from the diplomatic service joins them in order to conduct negotiations. Convinced that the officers are getting more than their fair share of food, Bunting decides to steal some rations. He is caught by Hornblower who reports him to Pellew. To Hornblower's horror, Pellew orders that Bunting be made to run the gauntlet.

When they reach Oran in a longboat Hornblower discovers Bunting has stowed away, intent on desertion. But they discover that Oran is in the grip of the plague, and Hornblower and his men have been exposed to the infection, so they must stay in quarantine for three weeks. To guard the supplies, and keep separate from the others, Hornblower and his men crew the Caroline, and head for Gibraltar in the wake of the Indefatigable. The Caroline stops to take on more water, and Bunting seizes his chance to escape. He is killed, accidentally, by Hornblower, who feels he has failed, and questions his readiness for command.

On his return to the Caroline, Hornblower finds Foster and the Dreadnought have paid them a visit, and stolen some of their cattle. Hornblower is horrified, apart from the theft itself, the Caroline is still a plague ship.

Back at Admiralty House in Gibraltar, Hornblower sits his exam for lieutenant. He is so nervous when he finds Foster on the examination panel, he is virtually speechless. He is saved from almost certain failure by a commotion outside Admiralty headquarters.

Everyone rushes outside to see a Spanish fire ship heading straight for the Indefatigable. Hornblower and Foster immediately leap into a shore boat, board the fire ship, and steer it away from the Indefatigable, saving the entire crew from almost certain death.

Pellew is greatly impresses by Hornblower's courage, and urges him not to worry about the exam. He says he has "already tasted the bitter brew that is a captain's life", and will be better prepared for the next exam.

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