Brian Withecombe

The Greek Warrior Brian Withecombe

July 1801. Not long back from Copenhagen, Courtenay is given command of the Hercules, another 74 gun ship of the line and sent on blockade duty off the French coast, where he falls foul of his old enemy Spencer-White, who accuses him of fighting under French colours. An old friend comes to the rescue to prove otherwise. The Peace of Amiens is signed, but rather than be thrown on the beach, Courtenay is sent on a mission to the Barbary Coast of North Africa where he effects the rescue of one of his enemies. Following this, Courtenay is sent with his ship as an 'Observer' to the French invasion of their island of Saint Domingo. There he plays a cat and mouse game with the French who seize the Royal Navy sloop which patrols the Islands. Courtenay is faced with the awkward situation of getting the sloop back, then, on his way to Antigua, he is faced by two French ships who are determined to stop him, even though they are not at War.