Beauvallet · Chapter
III explained
On the second day at sea, Don Manuel remains ill with fever, attended by Joshua Dimmock who prescribes a cordial and superstitious remedies.
What happens
On the second day at sea, Don Manuel remains ill with fever, attended by Joshua Dimmock who prescribes a cordial and superstitious remedies. Joshua warns Sir Nicholas that Don Manuel is dying and suggests setting him ashore at the Canaries, but Beauvallet insists on Spain. Dominica, scornful of her captivity, challenges Beauvallet on deck, who teases her and vows to make an Englishwoman of her, sealing his promise with a kiss. The chapter also provides background on Beauvallet's reputation as a daring privateer and the licensed piracy against Spain.
Themes in this chapter
Adventure and Risk
Beauvallet's daring privateering and his vow to make Dominica an Englishwoman reflect his reckless, adventurous spirit.
Cultural Clash
Dominica's disdain for Beauvallet as a pirate and enemy of Spain highlights the conflict between English and Spanish identities.
Love and Romance
Beauvallet's teasing and kiss mark the beginning of a romantic pursuit, despite Dominica's initial hostility.
Characters to notice
- Sir Nicholas Beauvallet
Teases Dominica, vows to make her an Englishwoman, and kisses her. Discusses Don Manuel's illness with Joshua.
- Doña Dominica de Rada y Sylva
Scornful of her captivity, challenges Beauvallet on deck, and is kissed by him.
- Joshua Dimmock
Attends to Don Manuel, prescribes a cordial and gallows chips, warns Beauvallet about the ill omen of a death aboard.
- Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva
Lies ill with fever, shaken from previous day's exertions, and is attended by Joshua and Bartolomeo.
- Mr. Dangerfield
Records the inventory of the Santa Maria's cargo on deck.
Key passages
“I will make you an Englishwoman before a year is gone by. And so seal my bond.”
Beauvallet promises Dominica that he will transform her into an Englishwoman within a year, and seals this vow with a kiss.
Beauvallet's bold declaration of intent to win Dominica over.
“A death portends disaster. I do not speak of such willy-nilly deaths as might chance in battle. That is understood. A lingering sickness is another and quite different matter.”
Joshua warns that a death from illness aboard ship is a bad omen, unlike deaths in battle, and suggests setting Don Manuel ashore to avoid misfortune.
Joshua's superstitious belief about the consequences of a lingering death at sea.