MP to alter the sentence of death to that of transportation to Botany Bay. Introduced in The Far Side of the World. Sam Panda: Natural son of Aubrey; Maturin speaks with the Patriarch of Lisbon in his favor and he writes from Brazil that he is ordained. He was introduced in The Reverse of the Medal. Lord Melville: First Lord of the Admiralty. Sir Joseph Blaine: Head of Intelligence at the Admiralty, entomologist and good friend to Maturin. He was introduced in Post Captain. Aboard SurpriseCaptain Tom Pullings: a volunteer and First Lieutenant on the Surprise, who later takes over as captain for the South American mission. He was introduced in Master and Commander. Barret Bonden: Coxswain to Aubrey since his first command, who follows Aubrey to HMS Diane. He was introduced in Master and Commander. Preserved Killick: Steward cum butler to Aubrey, also aids Maturin, who follows Aubrey to HMS Diane. He was introduced in Master and Commander. Mr Nathaniel Martin: Unbeneficed clergyman and natural philosopher; surgeon's mate to Maturin aboard Surprise. Introduced in The Ionian Mission. Mr Standish: Purser new to the sea and new to the Surprise, violin player and a friend of Martin from Oxford university days. Seasickness overwhelms him, so he leaves the ship in Santiago to become Colonel Lumley's secretary. Orkney men: Group of seamen picked up sailing back from the Baltic Sea aboard Surprise, who do not yet meld with the rest of the ship's crew. They have a unique cadence to their singing. Awkward Davies: able seaman aboard Surprise; a brute of a man whom Aubrey saved from drowning often. Robert Gough: Member of the United Irishmen, known to Maturin but differing in some key views. Maturin sees him aboard a snow which the Surprise chases in the Irish Sea. The snow is abandoned, to Maturin's relief, as Gough would be hanged if taken. Aboard HMS DianeEdward Fox: Foreign Office envoy to Pulo Prabang, carried on HMS Diane, always insistent on his privileges. Mr David Edwards: Fox's secretary, a man of pleasant personality. Loder: Member of Fox's retinue, joining the ship at Batavia. Johnstone: A Judge and a member of Fox's retinue, joining the ship at Batavia. Mr James Fielding: First Lieutenant aboard HMS Diane, who has long sea experience but none in battle. Mr Bampfylde Elliott: Second Lieutenant aboard HMS Diane. This voyage is his first sea service as an officer.