Ira Riklis knows that the “first” book in the series on Hornblower (although not the first written) is “Mr. Midshipman Hornblower”. Its first chapter is entitled “The Even Chance”. As the story opens Horatio Hornblower is a young man of seventeen. He is described as thin, gawky, and dressed in an ill-fitting uniform. He is taken to his first ship assignment, the Justinian, in a large row boat powered by oars in the hands of two sturdy women (?more of a 20th century idea than an 18th century one). Hornblower is very seasick from the ride in choppy waters.

Hornblower meets with the lieutenant of the watch, Mr. Masters and then is shown  to his quarters on ‘tweendecks. The accommodations  are rough and add insult to injury so to speak considering his seasickness. Additionally he is summoned to the captain’s cabin and we learn in that interview that Hornblower is the son of a doctor and has received a classical education having also been an accomplished mathematics student.

The Justinian not being fully manned was to stay in port until more seaman could be recruited. Meanwhile a thirty-something midshipman, Mr. Simpson, joins the crew of the Justinian after having been passed over for promotion to lieutenant. Mr. Simpson quite ill-tempered to begin with is now mad as hell and ready to take out his anger on younger midshipmen as he takes his place as senior of the bunch. (Ira Riklis can see trouble coming for our hero.)