About this story
A lieutenant's temper and messmate Gascoigne's practical jokes teach you the gap between a principle and a rigged pistol duel faster than your father could. Given your own boat in a night raid on a Spanish convoy, you take one prize, then sail past the recall signal toward five more ships anchored under a shore battery, backed only by Mesty's approval.
How it opens
Nicodemus Easy raised his only son on arguments about equality and the natural rights of man.
Nicodemus EasyJack, authority is an error maintained by people who profit from obedience.
Mrs. EasyMy son may have every wish his father's philosophy has not excused already.
Doctor Middleton recommended school after discovering that reason had not taught you ordinary restraint.
Nicodemus EasyAt seventeen you have chosen the navy, the institution most in need of equality.
If rank rests on reason, an order should survive one honest question.