Jack Aubrey is pursued through the South Atlantic by a powerful Dutch warship whose 74 guns threaten to blow HMS Leopard out of the water.

As the Leopard tries to out-run the enemy, Jack and Stephen have to contend with a fever that lays waste to the crew and an unexpected childbirth. A confrontation with the Dutch ship leaves Jack seriously wounded - and a dangerous situation turns to disaster when his first officer takes command and runs the Leopard into an iceberg.

Conclusion of Patrick O'Brian's novel dramatised by Roger Danes.

Jack Aubrey ...... David Robb
Stephen Maturin ...... Richard Dillane
Louisa Wogan ...... Teresa Gallagher
Michael Herapath ...... Samuel Barnett
Barratt Bonden ...... Sam Dale
Preserved Killick ...... Jon Glover
Lt Grant ...... Jonathan Tafler
Byron ...... Nick Underwood
Jedediah Wilbey ...... Gerard McDermott
Josiah Plaice ...... Lloyd Thomas
Sir Joseph Blaine ...... Michael Bertenshaw

Producer/director: Bruce Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2013. Show less