They were believed to be dead, buried forever at the bottom of the southern seas. But, thank God, Jack Aubrey and his accomplice Stephen Maturin are alive and have managed to reach the East Indies. Shortly after this event, Aubrey receives orders to return to England. He embarks with Maturin aboard the "Arrow" for a crossing that promises to be calm. Too calm. Soon, fate intervenes and disasters follow one after another. Fire, shipwreck, drifting... Exhausted, half-dead from hunger and thirst, they are picked up by a Royal Navy frigate. They are not out of the woods yet, however, because, in the meantime, the American colonies have just launched a war of independence against England and are waging a merciless struggle. The first ship that appears on the horizon flies the banner of the insurgents... Also available at Pocket, the first five parts of Patrick O'Brian's great maritime saga: "Master on Board", "Captain of the Ship", "The Surprise", "Expedition to Mauritius" and "The Island of Desolation".