As Hornblower grows as Lieutenant, the reader views his exploits through the eyes of Lieutenant Bush. A tyrannical and eventually crazy Captain falls, or is helped, through a hatch while chasing suspected mutineers, his officers. Upon the incapacity of the Captain, Hornblower, still the most junior lieutenant, suggests and directs shore invasions in the West Indies, captures enemy ships, and recovers escaped Spanish crews. Upon being cleared at a court martial, Hornblower is sent to England with dispatches as Commander of Retribution. Then Peace is declared so his promotion is not confirmed, and he is forced to earn his keep playing whist in a club. With this view of Hornblower through Bush's eyes we enjoy discovering more about these two characters and their very different personalities.