The Happy Return
First edition cover
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| Author | C. S. Forester |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Horatio Hornblower |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Michael Joseph, London |
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Publication date
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February 4, 1937 |
| Media type | Hardcover & paperback |
| Pages | 287 pp |
| OCLC | 752876668 |
| LC Class | PZ3.F75956 Hap PR6011.O56 |
| Preceded by | Hornblower and the Atropos (1953) |
| Followed by | A Ship of the Line (1938) |
The Happy Return (Beat to Quarters in the US) was the first of the Horatio Hornblower novels published by C. S. Forester. It appeared in 1937. The American name is derived from the expression "beat to quarters", which was the signal to prepare for combat. This book is sixth by internal chronology of the series (including the unfinished Hornblower and the Crisis). Hornblower's past history as narrated in the book does not entirely accord with his history as revealed in the books of the series written later, but Forester never revised the book.
It is one of three Hornblower novels adapted into the 1951 British-American film Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N..
In June 1808, Hornblower is in command of the 36-gun frigate HMS Lydia, with orders to sail to the Pacific coast of Nicaragua (near modern Choluteca, Choluteca) and supply a local landowner, Don Julian Alvarado ("descendant" of Pedro de Alvarado by a fictional marriage to a daughter of Moctezuma), with muskets and powder. Don Julian is ready to revolt against the Spanish (at this point allied with Napoleon). Upon meeting Don Julian, however, Hornblower discovers he is an insane megalomaniac calling himself El Supremo ("the Almighty") who views himself as a deity, and who has been killing (by tying to a stake and leaving until death by thirst) all those who are "unenlightened" (that is to say, all those who do not recognise El Supremo's "godhead"). El Supremo claims to be a descendant of Moctezuma, the holy god-made-man of the Aztecs, and also of the Alvarado who invaded Mexico.
While Hornblower replenishes his supplies, the 50-gun Spanish ship Natividad is sighted off the coast heading his way. Unwilling to risk fighting the much more powerful ship in a sea battle, Hornblower hides nearby until it anchors and then captures it in a daring, surprise nighttime boarding. El Supremo demands that it be turned over to him so that he may have a navy. After hiding the captured Spanish officers to save them from being murdered by El Supremo, Hornblower, needing his ally's cooperation, has no choice but to accede.
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Wikipedia