Stephen Maturin leaned over the railing of the captured French ship, the Caniche. It was a cool night, with a nice breeze blowing and plenty of glittering stars decorating the heavens.
Stephen gave a contented sigh and searched the open seas for the ship of his best friend, Jack Aubrey, who commanded the HMS Surprise. It was too far away to see, but Stephen knew they would see it in the morning, probably. Jack wouldn't want his prize getting too far ahead.
Stephen liked the ship. It was well-built and fast, and the captured French crew was always polite to him, calling him capitaine and assisting him on deck.
A cracking sound rang out behind him. Stephen spun, alarmed, and watched in mute horror as a body fell out of the main hatch. Judging by the body's size, it was Mr. Lamb, the Surprise's carpenter.
Stephen ran to him and felt for a pulse. The man was still alive, but he had a nasty gash over one eye and was unconscious. Stephen slid him gently out of harm's way and dove below, pistol in hand.
A full-fledged fight had broken out between the Surprises and the Caniches. They had weapons out and looked ready to do murder. Stephen shouted, "Stop! Lay down your arms, all of you!"
A French voice growled, "Shut your mouth, doctor. We take orders from you no longer."
Mowett, the Surprise's first lieutenant, was staring at something over Stephen's shoulder. "Doctor, look out!" he cried.
Stephen was turning when the belaying pin crashed down on his head. Everything instantly went black and he sank to the floor.
Mowett roared with anger and charged at the man who had hit him, the Surprises following him with yells and threats. However, the French leapt on Mowett and pinned him to the deck. He struggled heroically, but to no avail. After all, ten men were holding him down, and he wasn't exactly a block of solid muscle.
The ringleader, a big Frenchman named Michelle, (pronouned MEE-kel, not mi-SHELL) drew a dirk and placed it on Mowett's throat. Instantly, the Surprises halted their headlong charge. Michelle said in accented English, "If anyone moves, he dies. I swear it on the life of my captain." He glared at Stephen. "My real captain."
No one moved. Michelle gave a horrible grin and said, "Put them belowdecks. The officer can stay in the brig, and the doctor in my cabin. Remember, someone complains, he's dead."
The shocked and quiet Surprises allowed themselves to be herded below, too stunned to do anything.