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For the Justinian was not a happy ship during those gloomy January days. Captain Keene--it was when he came aboard that Hornblower first saw the pomp and ceremony that surrounds the captain of a ship of the line--was a sick man, of a melancholy disposition. He had not the fame which enabled some captains to fill their ships with enthusiastic volunteers, and he was devoid of the personality which might have made enthusiasts out of the sullen pressed men whom the press gangs were bringing in from day to day to complete the ship's complement. His officers saw little of him, and did not love what they saw. Hornblower, summoned to his cabin for his first interview, was not impressed--a middle-aged man at a table covered with papers, with the hollow and yellow cheeks of prolonged illness.

"Mr. Hornblower" he said formally "I am glad to have this opportunity of welcoming you on board my ship."

"Yes, sir" said Hornblower--that seemed more appropriate to the occasion than 'Aye aye, sir', and a junior midshipman seemed to be expected to say one or the other on all occasions.