Patrick O'Brian · 1977 · sea
The fourth novel finds Jack ashore and short of money until Maturin brings him secret orders: to take a frigate to the Indian Ocean and wrest the French island bases of Reunion and Mauritius from the enemy. This route follows the campaign from England around the Cape to the islands, where Commodore Aubrey commands a squadron through the hard-fought actions, including the British disaster at Grand Port, that end in the capture of both islands.
- 1England
Beached on half pay, with a growing family and an empty purse, Jack is rescued by the arrival of Maturin bearing orders from the Admiralty. He is to be made a commodore and sent to the far side of the world to lead a campaign against the last French strongholds in the Indian Ocean.
- 2Cape of Good Hope
Sailing the frigate Boadicea south, Jack rounds the Cape of Good Hope and presses on to gather his small squadron for the work ahead. The task is delicate as well as dangerous, for he must blockade and reduce the islands while installing a British governor and keeping his captains in hand.
- 3Reunion
The French island of Reunion, then called Bonaparte, falls to a combined assault, a first success in a difficult campaign. But the fighting in these waters is bitter and uncertain, and a worse blow is coming at the anchorage of Grand Port, where a British squadron is trapped and destroyed.
- 4Mauritius
Despite the defeat at Grand Port, Jack outmanoeuvres the French commander Hamelin, and the great prize, the Ile de France, now Mauritius, at last capitulates. The islands are taken, though the credit is claimed by his superiors, and Jack sails for home having done the state real service.