Acclaimed, award-winning author James L. Nelson - praised as a master of both his period and the English language by Patrick OBrian - returns to the world of sea and sail in this page-turning historical novel.Jack Biddlecomb has much to live up to, being as he is the eldest son of the esteemed Captain Isaac Biddlecomb, wealthy merchant captain, leading light of the War for American Independence, and newly-minted congressman. Jack finds himself off to a promising start, however, when hes given command of the merchant vessel Abigail bound from Philadelphia for Barbados.But even before the docklines are cast off, the voyage, which should have been routine, begins to look like a stormy passage indeed. Jack is saddled with two passengers, one as unpleasant as he is highborn, the other a confidant of the Abigails owner who cannot help but meddle in the running of the ship.
