Courtenay's Mission

March 1815 and Napoleon Bonaparte escapes from Elba to where he has been exiled, and lands on the French coast where thousands of his old soldiers rally to his banner and he begins the long trek north to where, in June of that year, he will eventually meet in final confrontation with Arthur, Lord Wellington. Shortly after news comes of Bonaparte being again on French soil, a small French naval squadron slips out of Toulon and makes for the Atlantic. She is shadowed by a British frigate, Avenger, still carrying The Hon. Edward Courtenay as an Acting-lieutenant, until the Captain is certain of the French ships' destination. Admiral Lord Maltravers, on receiving the report of the French movements, sends for Giles Courtenay and orders he goes, with a small squadron, to look for the French in the Caribbean, as he is certain they intend to support an effort to re-take the important Island of Martinique. Courtenay is informed, on arrival at Antigua, there are more French ships loose in the Caribbean, but his force prevails. Bonaparte having been finally defeated at Waterloo, Courtenay returns home for some leave but is then ordered to support the attack on Algiers being planned by Lord Exmouth, although not until his acumen for effecting daring rescues is once more required....


Genre: Historical