After Horatio comes onboard the Justinian (his first ship) he meets Clayton, who tends to him after Horatio throws up all over the Midshipmen's Mess. Horatio offends Jack who starts to beat him up and Clayton aims a pistol at Jack threatening to shoot him if he doesn't let Horatio go. Jack complies and knocks the gun from Clayton's hand, threatening him. Later, Horatio challenges Jack to a duel and Clayton, knowing that he could never win, knocks Horatio out and goes to fight the duel for him. He shoots Jack in the shoulder and is himself shot in the stomach. He dies in an inn a little later with Horatio at his side.