"Hornblower:" "Visitors, sir." "Spanish colors." "A captain among them." "Inform Captain Pellew, Mr. Hornblower." "Aye aye, sir." "Officer:" "Sideboys!" "Bosun's mates!" "Drummers!" "Man the sides!" "A captain, you say?" "Full dress uniform, sir." "Then fear the worst, Mr. Hornblower." "(mooing)" "Man:" "Commander Morris." "A fair wind at last, commander." "In our favor, Captain Foster." "You'll see Gibrattar and the Dreadnought before midday." "Not before time, commander." "Not before time." "Man:" "Deck there." "Sail fine off the starboard bow!" "Allies, thank God." "A Spanish frigate." "Spanish?" "Never trust the Spanish, Commander Morris." "Steer well clear of her, Master Figgis." "(whistles and drums playing)" "(drum roll halts)" "Captain Pellew?" "Oui... si." "How's your Spanish, Hornblower?" "Not good, sir." "(clears throat)" "Then he'll surely understand French." "Ask him below for a glass of wine." "Le capitaine sera honoré par votre compagnie dans un verre de vin comme un expression d'amitié." "Informez, s'il vous plait, votre honorable capitaine que je dois décliner son amiable invitation." "J'agis en qualité de envoyé de Duke de Belchite et je dois insister que la lettre soit ouverte immédiatement." "He declines the offer, sir, and says the letter is from the Duke of Belchite." "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm." "He insists you open it at once." "Oh, does he?" "Does he indeed?" "(opening letter)" "(clears throat)" "Yes... (mumbling)" "I suppose this means that the Spanish have made peace with France?" "They want us to heave to." "I don't like the smell of this." "Luff and touch her, Master Figgis." "Aye aye." "Foster:" "We might be able to outrun her windward." "Outrun her!" "Are you mad?" "She'll be on us in minutes." "(cannon fires)" "His excellency, the Duke of Belchite grandee of the first class commander-in-chief of his Catholic majesty's forces by land and by sea knight of the Most Sacred Order of the Golden Fleece." "First minister of his most Catholic majesty" "Captain General of Andalusia..." "Yes, all right, Mr. Hornblower." "I think we've quite established our friend the duke's eminence." "What else does it say?" "Morris (yelling):" "Hold your luff" "Master Figgis." "We may outrun them yet." "Belay that order!" "She'll blow us out of the water." "We must turn and defend ourselves." "Let her go off!" "I am in command of this vessel, sir!" "And I am of superior rank and assume command of this vessel!" "Hard up on the helm!" "We're outmanned and outgunned." "This is sheer madness!" "(cannon fires)" "D'ici... six heures si vous êtes toujours à la portée des batteries là-bas à Puntalees il sera donner I'ordre d'ouvrir le feu." "What?" "What is he saying?" "Um, according to the rules of neutrality we have six hours before the Spanish start firing on us, sir." "You tell him, sir... damned if I'll let him see he's made me angry." "We must surrender before it's too late!" "Hold your course!" "(men screaming)" "You tell him, sir..." "You know the kind of thing" "I want to say, Hornblower." "Yes, sir." "We... uh..." "Le capitaine regrète beaucoup les circumstances qui vous sépare de lui et il... espère toujours avoir le plaisir de votre amitié personnel quelque soit le relation entre de nos de pays." "(chuckles)" "Get him over the side... with dignity." "(whistles, drums resume)" "Mr. Bowles, I want to be underway within the hour!" "Go and jump, men!" "(yelling)" "(men screaming)" "(boatswain's whistle blowing)" "Wind of change, Mr. Hornblower." "Sir?" "How quickly friends become enemies in the teeth of war." "Enemies, sir?" "The duke said they were to be neutral." "A meaningless word." "A short step from there into bed with France." "(ship's bell ringing)" "I foresee a day when the whole of Europe will be arrayed against us." "We will prevail, sir." "They say we have God on our side." "Really?" "Then let us pray the Almighty never chooses to become neutral." "(panting)" "Where's the frigate?" "Where's the frigate?" "!" "Answer me!" "You killed us all!" "(grunts)" "(grunting)" "Anybody else?" "(shouts):" "Anybody else?" "!" "Hah?" "Sailor:" "Wreckage in the water to larboard, sir!" "Inform the captain, Mr. Cleveland." "Aye aye, sir." "(whistle sounding signal)" "Sailor:" "Poor devils." "Looks like one of ours." "Supply ship, sir." "Must have been returning to Gibrattar." "The work of a neutral power, Mr. Hornblower." "The Spanish, sir?" "That would be an act of war." "I expected nothing less." "(men yelling in distance)" "Over there, sir." "Survivors." "Let me see." "(men yelling)" "Goodness gracious." "Unless my eye deceives me..." "Yes, we have an honored guest." "Sir?" "Captain Foster, I believe." "Dreadnought Foster, sir?" "I do not care for such overblown titles, Mr. Hornblower." "Mr. Bowles, bring us up to windward of them." "Aye aye, captain." "Man braces, stand by to luff up!" "(whistle sounding signal)" "Sailor:" "You're all right now, lad." "That's it." "There you go." "Come on, then." "Captain Foster." "Captain Pellew." "Welcome aboard, sir." "I congratulate you on your impeccable timing, sir." "An honor to be of service, as ever." "Forgive me if I forego the usual pleasantries, captain till I have, uh, discovered my limbs." "Of course." "Mr. Hornblower." "Have quarters prepared for the captain here." "And pass word on to my servant to find him some old clothing of mine." "Aye aye, sir." "I would welcome your presence at dinner in my quarters, captain." "I shall be honored to attend, sir." "Pass word on to the other officers, Hornblower." "Yes, sir." "Oh, get that off me, man." "Take me to the rum." "I fear our captain is not counted amongst our guest's admirers, Mr. Hornblower." "But the man is a legend." "Indeed." "But there are some who might consider his methods reckless." "Foster:" "Well, I was merely a passenger on the schooner on my way to Gibrattar to resume command of the Dreadnought when this, this Spanish frigate blocked our path." "We were outmanned and outgunned and should we have run we should certainly have been outpaced." "Did they fire without warning, sir?" "Oh, they had the... decency to fire a warning shot." "The audacity of them." "Three supply ships taken by the French in as many weeks." "And now the Spanish think they can do the same?" "Well, this was one ship they would never take." "So..." "I assumed command of the schooner gave the order we should attempt to rake her." "Now, of course, I knew our chances were slim but I took comfort from the fact they'd be forced to destroy their prize." "Had I not acted, the schooner and her supplies would at this moment be in the hands of the Spanish." "What of the crew?" "You have a question, captain?" "I was merely wondering how many of the crew did the Spanish take from the sea?" "Foster:" "I have no idea." "At the time, my mind was engaged in more important matters than arithmetic." "Am I to presume, Captain Pellew that you would have surrendered?" "This is neither the time or the place, sir, to discuss tactics." "Nonsense." "We're all men of the sea here." "You." "Yes, sir?" "How would you have reacted in such circumstances?" "I think perhaps..." "Come on, man." "Out with it." "I am..." "I am pleased the Spanish have been deprived of our supplies, sir." "Ah." "(clears throat)" "I take my leave, sir." "I fancy you shall go far, young man." "I fancy you shall." "Algeciras." "Sir?" "A cruel hand deatt by the Almighty to set a Spanish anchorage six miles off Gibrattar don't you think?" "(inhales deeply)" "Report, if you please." "Eight ships, I think, sir." "Nine... with their yards crossed." "Thank you." "Captain Pellew, sir?" "I believe I might have offended you earlier." "Yes, Mr. Hornblower?" "Might I offer my apologies, sir?" "Your apology is noted." "Thank you, sir." "Mr. Hornblower." "Sir." "When we next meet you will have your commission, sir." "Sir?" "Well, I presume you're putting yourself forward for examination for lieutenant." "That is my captain's decision, sir." "The port admiral awaits." "(whistles continue)" "You're much taken with our famous Captain Foster and he with you." "He's a truly great man, sir." "To be half the man that he is would see my life fulfilled." "Careful, Mr. Hornblower." "Such greatness always has its price." "(ship's bell rings)" "(knocking)" "Come." "You wished to see me, sir?" "Ah..." "Mr. Hornblower." "Yes." "I hope you consider this good news." "You're ready to take your examination for lieutenant?" "Yes, sir." "Good." "I shall put you forward for next month's round." "I would be honored, sir." "Should you do well you will already have two months' seniority." "Do badly, and it's back with the midshipmen for six months at least." "I understand that, sir." "Good." "Well, you'd better spend your spare time in study." "Yes, sir." "(dice rattling)" "You're on a run, Mr. Bowles." "I do believe your hands are tied, Mr. Bracegirdle." "No prison's held me yet, sir." "Yes!" "Oh, ah!" "Your throw, sir." "The tables are turning." "Still, lad..." "don't want to waste it." "(men talking, laughing)" "Spin it, spin it... (laughter continues)" "I see you've taken me at my word, Mr. Hornblower." "But could you not find a place to study below decks?" "No, sir, I was searching for some peace and quiet." "Ah, yes, of course." "I apologize for disturbing you." "No, sir, I, I didn't mean..." "As you were, Mr. Hornblower." "Yes, you'll find time to study when these high spirits are dulled." "Why is that, sir?" "Captain Foster's recent engagement with our Spanish friends has deprived the fleet of its regular supplies leaving me no atternative but to cut the rations... by half." "Half, sir?" "Indeed, Mr. Hornblower." "No doubt Captain Foster will be forced to follow a similar prudent path." "Yes, sir." "I'll have a side of beef and a gallon of rum, if you please." "Sounds like you've been at the rum already." "What's this?" "Half rations." "Captain's orders." "On account, Bunting there's been no supply ship for seven weeks." "And what of the captain?" "Is he on half rations?" "That's dangerous talk, Bunting." "Better bite your tongue to save it." "Matthews:" "Styles." "Oldroyd." "Uh, Finch." "And that should just leave Bunting and me." "For what we are about to receive let us thank the good Captain Pellew." "Men:" "It's a gallant British man- of-war lies in Gibrattar Bay" "And the jolly jacks aboard her wish that they could have their say" "But they must keep their mouths tight shut atthough their thoughts be dark..." "Cleveland." "Yes, sir." "Put an end to that infernal racket." "Aye aye, sir." "(boisterous talking)" "The nightingales are in full voice tonight, are they not?" "Yes, sir." "But Mr. Hornblower has little time for bird song." "It is a clear and cloudless night and the wind blows steady and strong" "And we have lain in Gibrattar Bay for many a day too long" "Biscuits one, pease pudding none..." "You men!" "I said, "You men!"" "Acting Lieutenant Hornblower requests a little less gusto in the chorus if you please." "Biscuits one, pease pudding none and satt beef only half" "(others join in loudly):" "Our rations will not feed a man but our officers only laugh." "Ha-ha, hee-hee, ha-ha." "It's a gallant British man-of-war lies in Gibrattar Bay" "And the jolly jacks aboard her wish that they..." "A moment, Mr. Hornblower." "But they must keep their mouths tight shut..." "You sent a message to quiet the men." "I merely wish to concentrate on my studies, sir." "Is something preying on your mind?" "(song continues)" "I fear there's..." "too much to learn." "I can't help but question my readiness." "Yes, I remember my examination." "Like you, I spent weeks with my nose in a book and was fortunate to be tested on a subject I knew well." "But it's after the examination that the real test begins." "Sir?" "A book can teach you how to steer a ship but it can never show you how to manage a starving crew." "The men are afraid, Horatio." "Many have seen before the effects of prolonged rationing." "They fear a future of disease and death." "But why are they singing?" "Given the choice between singing and weeping which would you fancy?" "A good lieutenant gets to know the ways of his men." "If you wish to test your readiness... begin there." "(ships' bells ringing)" "(wind blowing)" "(whistle blows)" "(coughing)" "Out or down." "Out or down." "Up and out." "(coughing)" "You look like I feel, Finch." "It's just me lungs has caught a wind." "Pull me up." "(coughing)" "(men talking quietly)" "(coughing)" "I can't take your ration." "You need it more than me." "Bosun's not half rations..." "(groans)" "(groans)" "Over here, lads." "Lend a hand." "What's happened?" "Fallen." "Finchy." "Is he all right?" "He's weak, sir." "Too weak to climb the ratlines." "Lack of decent grub, I reckon." "Then take him to the sick berth." "Come on." "(groans)" "Careful." "Hornblower:" "We sit around doing nothing while the Spanish pick off our ships." "At your ease there, Mr. Hornblower." "We should be out there following Captain Foster's example." "Captain Foster failed, as I remember it." "Better to try and fail than to sit and rot in disease and starvation." "I believe you have overstepped the mark, Mr. Hornblower." "I apologize... sir." "Well, Finch... you seem to have landed yourself a comfortable position." "How soon before we're home?" "Home?" "Mr. Hornblower?" "Yes, that's right." "At your ease, man, at your ease." "It's the old muscles is letting me down a bit, sir." "How long have I been here?" "A few days now." "It seems..." "Oh, this damn fever." "I can't rightly remember." "You'll make it through." "How long now till Portsmouth?" "Not long now." "Reckon he's getting worse, sir?" "He seems confused." "Fever, sir." "I've been trying to keep him going keep him awake and thinking... but he just drifts off." "I don't know that he'll make it." "Finch!" "How's your reading, Finch?" "Reading, sir?" "Can you read?" "Finch?" "Aye, sir?" "Can you read?" "I, I can read the Bible, sir." "Here." "Clarke's Complete Handbook of Seamanship." "That's mighty kind of you, sir." "I'm sure..." "I'll enjoy it very much." "No, you don't understand." "I want you to test me." "Test you, sir?" "I might have my examination for lieutenant coming shortly." "I need someone to test my knowledge." "I'd be honored, if you'd help me." "(sighs softly)" "Come on, man." "Clear your mind." "Ask me a question." "Question, sir?" "I want you to test me." "Come on, think." "I'd reckon I don't need no book to test you, sir." "Right, then, give me your best." "A supply ship." "Supply ship coming in!" "Pass the word, Mr. Cleveland." "Aye aye, sir." "A supply ship!" "A supply ship's been sighted!" "(men laughing, talking)" "Easy there, Cleveland, where's the fire?" "Sorry, sir, but it's a supply ship." "Spread the word, Mr. Cleveland." "Aye aye, sir." "A supply ship!" "A supply ship's been sighted!" "A supply ship!" "A supply ship's been sighted!" "(men cheering)" "A supply ship!" "A supply ship's on its way." "A fisherman's bend, you say?" "Finch!" "Yes, sir?" "How do you tie a fisherman's bend?" "A fisherman's... bend." "(men talking excitedly)" "How is he, sir?" "I can't keep him awake." "Perhaps this will." "There's a supply ship been sighted." "You hear that?" "(men cheering)" "Finch!" "(cheering, shouting)" "A fine sight, Mr. Hornblower." "Indeed, sir." "(cheering above continues)" "Pellew:" "What's that light, Mr. Bracegirdle?" "Looks like a flame, sir." "Oh, my God!" "What is it?" "A fire ship, sir." "A fire ship." "A Spanish fire ship." "What about the guard ship, sir?" "Too far astern." "(exploding)" "(men shouting)" "Bracegirdle:" "She's gone, sir." "Thank you, Mr. Bracegirdle." "Get these men belowdecks!" "Mr. Harris, get them below." "Men (shouting):" "Belowdecks!" "Right, down you go." "Belowdecks." "It's the first time I've seen the Spanish use a fire ship." "Perhaps they take their example from us." "The student outstrips the master, eh?" "Finch, I've brought you some food." "Finch." "Matthews:" "All right then, lads." "Come on." "Gather round now, gentlemen." "Dig in your pockets, dig deeply." "Generosity for the dead man's widow." "Who'll give me a start?" "A penny..." "for the lot." "(laughter)" "Matthews:" "Come on, gentlemen, this is serious." "Now we've got a good sturdy pipe here." "Who'll offer me five pence?" "Ten shillings for the lot." "What?" "That's more than a week's pay." "Are you sure, man?" "(objects rattling)" "(murmuring)" "(man yells)" "Sailor 1:" "Bunting?" "Sailor 2:" "Bunting?" "A black day, Matthews." "He was a fine man, sir." "And as such he will be remembered." "Yes, sir." "This, uh, fellow, Bunting, seems to be taking it bad." "Yes, sir." "They were mates on another ship when Bunting was first pressed." "The way I heard it" "Finch helped him to settle down." "I see." "Thank you, Matthews." "Aye aye, sir." "We are to accompany the transport brig Caroline on a supplies mission to Oran." "My compliments to the master." "Please inform Mr. Bowles to ready the ship for sail." "Aye aye, sir." "Oh, we are to be joined by a Mr. Tapling of the diplomatic service who will conduct negotiations." "Uh, see to it he's comfortable." "(man grunting)" "(yelling):" "For God's sake, man, keep it steady!" "(grunting)" "Swing him inboard and lower it away." "Man:" "Careful!" "Man:" "Steady with those ropes." "Steady, man!" "(winches creaking)" "Welcome aboard, sir." ""Welcome aboard"!" "?" "I've never been so mishandled in my entire life." "Do you know who I am, sir?" "Mr. Tapling, sir, of the diplomatic service." "Well, at least that's something." "Pellew:" "Mr. Hornblower!" "Get that raffle cleared away immediately." "(chuckling):" "Aye aye, sir." "Well, help me." "They have their own secret store of supplies." "Who told you that?" "Dine like kings." "Away with you, man." "True as I'm pressed here." "That's why we're on half rations to keep them in their kingly ways." "If it weren't for the officers we'd be on two-thirds at least." "Bunting!" "Mr. Hornblower, sir." "A word." "Sorry, sir." "Didn't mean no harm." "Just idle talk is all." "Idle talk will get you hanged, man." "What if I'd been the captain?" "And where did you hear such stories?" "Just men talking, sir." "Talking in general." "I can't rightly remember where." "Very convenient." "Do you require assistance, Mr. Hornblower?" "No, sir." "I will deal with it." "These, uh, stories... do you take them to be true?" "No, sir." "I'm sorry, sir." "I was out of place in what I said." "Indeed you were." "I understand that Finch was a close friend." "I owed him much, sir." "I, too, was in his debt." "And that is why you're not already in irons." "But you must understand there can be no excuse for mutinous talk." "Yes, sir." "I shall be watching the men closely." "If morale sinks, I'll know who to blame." "Return to your work." "We take what's ours." "Steal it, you mean?" "How can you steal something that rightfully belongs to you?" "You're talking mutiny, Bunting." "And what if I am?" "How else can we put a stop to this injustice?" "I won't be party to this sort of talk." "Nor I." "Come on." "Nor I." "You'll think differently when you're spitting out teeth!" "(ship's bell ringing)" "Ah, Mr. Hornblower, a word, if you please." "My quarters are entirely unacceptable." "They are the best we have to offer, sir." "They smell of sweat and worse." "See to it that I am moved immediately." "Thank you." "(sobs quietly)" "(sobbing quietly)" "I came back to find the lock burst." "I'm sure he's in the hold." "(weeping)" "Bunting!" "What the hell do you think you're doing?" "(crying):" "I'm hungry!" "I'm hungry!" "(sobbing)" "What kind of man are you?" "!" "Huh?" "That would steal food from his shipmate's bellies." "Have you no shame?" "I despair, I really do." "Very well." "(sniffs)" "We must follow example with example." "Mr. Hornblower." "Let the crew show their disgust for this creature." "Sir?" "The gauntlet, Mr. Hornblower." "Please, sir, it was a moment's madness." "Quiet!" "The punishment shall fit the crime." "If I may interject, sir." "I should bear the responsibility for Bunting's actions." "You?" "I earlier overheard him goading the crew with rumors and lies." "I should have deatt with him more firmly." "Very well, Mr. Hornblower." "You shall make your amends... by leading him yourself through the gauntlet." "(drum roll)" "Man:" "Bring him out." "This man is a thief." "A man caught stealing food from the hold steals it from each and every one of you." "Make sure you teach him his lesson." "Any man going easy on him will be implicated in the theft." "Carry on, Mr. Hornblower." "(drum roll)" "(Bunting groaning throughout)" "Pellew:" "Enough!" "Enough, I say!" "I think the lesson is well taken." "From this day forth the next man stealing food from the hold shall hang from the yardarm." "Mr. Hornblower, about these new quarters..." "Well, sir, it's a pretty sight from here but a closer inspection will show that the eye is deceived." "Sir?" "You'll soon regret volunteering, Mr. Hornblower." "I doubt that, sir." "Right, sir." "Lay alongside the jetty there, would you?" "Very good, sir." "One and two steady!" "Lay on your oars!" "Toss your oars!" "What do we do now, sir?" "We wait." "Our presence has been noted." "Steady." "Rig that sail so that it gives us some shade, Matthews." "Aye aye, sir." "What the..." "Stop him!" "Stop that man!" "(groaning)" "Have you lost all sense, man?" "Theft and now desertion." "Are you determined to hang?" "The captain will decide your fate." "Secure him in the boat." "I will not live with injustice!" "Wait!" "If he makes another sound... gag him." "Aye aye, sir." "Bring him aboard." "I fancy he would be at home here amongst the heathen." "Oh, no, look at that." "(squeaks)" "Looks like a man who's taken a drink, sir." "Muslims don't drink, Styles." "It's illegal, unlawful and impossible to obtain." "He's managed somehow, sir." "(murmuring in Arabic)" "His Majesty's consul, I believe." "Your servant, Mr. Duras." "May I present" "Acting Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower of the frigate Indefatigable." "(sneezes)" "(donkey brays)" "May I introduce the treasurer of His Highness here to fetch the gold." "The gold, sir, is there, in the sternsheets of the longboat." "You will have a closer view of it when we have a closer view of the stores." "(speaking Arabic)" "Now the gold." "Mr. Hornblower." "Very good, sir." "Bring out the gold, Matthews." "Aye aye, sir." "(groaning)" "Come on." "Down." "Well, cook?" "Very good, effendi." "(man issues order in Arabic)" "(yelling)" "(cattle moo)" "Are you unwell, sir?" "It's this infernal heat." "(coughing)" "(moans)" "Sir, what's happening here?" "(coughs)" "Oh, my God." "What is it, sir?" "It's the plague, Hornblower." "It's the black death." "The plague..." "By Saint Peter, it's the plague!" "Stand still there!" "(cattle moo)" "Marines, stand to!" "Charge bayonets!" "I must report this to the ship." "The fleet won't have us back not until we've served three weeks of quarantine." "Now, that is three weeks after the last case has occurred." "We shall have to stay here in Oran." "Nonsense." "No one would order that." "Have you seen an epidemic in the fleet?" "Have you seen nine out of ten men die of putrid fevers?" "Mr. Hornblower, I have." "I have seen the plague in Smyrna in '86." "Now, no captain would run that risk for a crew of 20 men." "We have been here for hours." "We have been close to that, to him to hear him speak to catch his breath." "Control yourself, Mr. Tapling." "Now, which of us will be first?" "Please bite your tongue for the sake of the men." "And there is the fleet." "Those supplies would have been a godsend." "Damn it, we can do something about it." "Hornblower:" "Mr. Bowles!" "What is it?" "I must speak to the captain." "Come aboard and speak to him, then." "What's going on?" "Please tell the captain I must speak to him." "Mr. Hornblower." "Bad news, I'm afraid, sir." "The black death is at Oran." "It can only have struck today, sir." "Then they are already dead, sir." "Enough of that." "Keep to leeward, Mr. Hornblower." "Aye aye, sir." "I have a suggestion, sir." "Yes, what is it?" "The fleet needs supplies, sir." "We could serve our three weeks at sea on the Caroline to preserve them." "Waste of time, sir." "One moment, Mr. Hornblower." "You have something to say?" "Like as not, they'll all be dead in a week and you'll lose the Caroline." "True, but I must weigh that fact against the chance of supplies, Mr. Bracegirdle." "And at this moment, that is of far greater importance to this fleet." "Very well, I appoint you in command of the Caroline." "Thank you, sir." "Where's Mr. Tapling?" "He's ashore, sir, with the marines." "Good." "He may continue as your passenger." "Very good, sir." "And sir?" "Hmm?" "Yes, what now?" "My books, sir." "Books?" "For my examination, sir." "Yes... right." "Um, see to it." "I hope..." "I hope you find time to study them." "Thank you, sir." "(cattle mooing)" "Huh, she's like the blooming Noah's ark, sir." "Noah's animals walked in two by two." "We're not so lucky." "And we have to get the grain on board first." "Now, rig those tackles." "Aye aye, sir." "Rig tackle!" "Step alive, there!" "He'll be all right." "Man the capstan and get us underway, if you please, Mr. Bowles." "Aye aye, sir." "Man the capstan!" "Good luck, Mr. Hornblower!" "(whistle blows)" "Report in three weeks at Gibrattar!" "Very good, sir!" "Thank you, sir!" "(cattle bellowing)" "Beg pardon, sir." "Can't you hear those cattle bellowing?" "It's terrible hot." "They need water." "Hell." "We'll never be able to get them on board before nightfall." "Very well, Styles, take some men from loading and get water set up." "Aye aye, captain." "(mooing)" "Whoa!" "Steady!" "Whoa!" "Easy, Matthews." "We can't control the flow, sir." "(yelling)" "(laughing)" "(hollers)" "Hell!" "(man coughing)" "Hornblower:" "That's enough." "We'll start afresh on the morrow." "Aye, sir." "Well done, men." "Thank you for your efforts." "(door creaks)" "Well, Bunting, was this what you had in mind when you made your bid for freedom?" "Please." "Spare me the wise words." "You're short of crew and you need my help... sir." "It's you who needs my help, Bunting." "You have a choice." "You can lie here and rot until we reach Gibrattar at which time you will answer for your crimes..." "We'll never see Gibrattar." "Or you can return to your duties." "In which case, I might be prepared to speak for you at your trial." "Why would you speak for me?" "Each of us can find a maggot in our past which will happily devour our futures." "I give you the chance to reclaim yours." "What if there is no future to reclaim?" "Then pray that death is swift." "Wait." "I spoke in haste, sir." "Are you prepared to work?" "Yes, sir." "Cross me, Bunting..." "and you will regret it." "Matthews:" "Heave." "Steady, steady, steady." "Heave." "Heave." "Heave." "Heave." "Heave." "Heave." "(cattle bellow above)" "Matthews:" "Ease on the guide there." "Styles:" "Lower away!" "Steady, steady." "(moos)" "Bring her in." "Hey, hey, hey!" "None of that." "Whoa!" "Heave." "Heave!" "We have visitors, sir." "Hornblower:" "And they carry an evil breath, Matthews." "Where's Mr. Tapling?" "He refuses to rise from his bunk, sir." "Does he, indeed?" "Good morrow, Mr. Tapling." "When can we expect your presence above decks?" "Never." "There is no point." "The moors have come to fetch their gold." "The moors?" "Don't let them aboard." "Set sail at once." "The gold is theirs by right." "I will not see them, send one of the men." "I need my men, Mr. Tapling." "I have pains in my body." "I cannot move." "The hand of death is upon me." "In that case, you shall have no need for rations." "You would withhold rations from a dying man?" "I would consider it my duty to help speed your release from this world, sir." "The admiral will hear of this." "(men speaking Arabic)" "(laughter)" "And what did they give us in return?" "(laughter stops)" "Last one, men." "Thank you, sir." "(crew cheers)" "What's that smell, Matthews?" "What?" "Oh, it's the cattle, sir." "They haven't got the sense to get their rear ends over the side." "Well, get some men on it." "Aye aye, sir." "(cattle mooing)" "Not a job for volunteers, sir." "No, but at least they're busy." "It takes their mind off other matters." "There's truth in that, sir." "We'd best get out to sea, away from this infernal wind." "Get that forecastle bent on and then send the hands to station for weighing anchor." "Aye aye, sir." "Oldroyd, Styles, forecastle." "Matthews:" "Lively now." "What is the meaning of this?" "A problem, Mr. Tapling?" "Did you give orders that I should be assigned cook's mate?" "Are you a carpenter?" "What?" "Or a surgeon?" "Oh, now, look here..." "We have no need for a wordsmith on this voyage, Mr. Tapling." "We're short on crew;" "each must pull his weight." "But cook's mate?" "I am not bred for such a task." "If you can show me a job for which you are better qualified, I'll consider it." "We should beat a path close up to the straits, Matthews lest this westerly and the current takes us out of reach of Gibrattar." "Aye aye, captain." "She's not cut out for this kind of work." "Let's hope she hangs together." "And slaughter a bullock for the men." "A bullock, sir?" "Each meal might be our last." "Let's ensure it's a feast." "Aye aye, sir." "This is without question the most revotting experience of my entire life." "Has its advantages, sir." "None that I can see." "The man with the hatchet gets to pick the choicest cuts." "Indeed." "Show me." "Let us pray that we live in quarantine for the rest of our lives." "Does it taste as you remember?" "Mmm, it does." "There's a certain satisfaction in seeing one's efforts appreciated." "Not half as satisfying as a nice bit of fillet, eh, sir?" "(seagulls cawing)" "(crew chatting, laughing)" "Ah, for heaven's sake." "What do you want?" "It's happened." "What's happened?" "Talk sense, man." "The plague." "Don't touch him." "Stay away." "Get back!" "Get back, get back!" "Huh?" "Here." "Get away." "(crew shouting)" "Got him, right." "Now, now!" "Get him overboard." "Hornblower:" "Belay that, Styles!" "But, sir!" "Belay that!" "Put that down!" "I warned you, Hornblower!" "I warned you this would happen." "We're all dead!" "Control yourself, if you please, Mr. Tapling." "Straighten yourself up, man!" "(sniffs)" "Put him where he belongs in the hold with the rest of the stinking beasts." "The man is drunk!" "Sailor:" "No." "(laughter)" "(crew cheers, laughs)" "Very noble of you, Mr. Hornblower, I'm sure." "What?" "To risk your life so." "There was no risk, Mr. Tapling." "If the man had been carrying the plague we were all done for anyway." "(seagulls cawing, cattle mooing)" "(mooing grows louder)" "What's up with our guests, Mr. Matthews?" "These animals is thirsty again, sir." "Then water them." "Aye aye, sir." "Trouble is, sir we have but three days' water left." "Three days?" "We've still a week to serve of the quarantine." "Cattle... thirsty brutes, sir." "Very well, when the wind picks up we'll stand in to the coast and look for a stream in a quiet spot." "Aye aye, sir." "A small town, about half a mile inland, sir." "Spied a few guards, but there's nothing going to worry you... (grunts loudly)" "They must have followed you." "Over there!" "Fire!" "(screams)" "Bunting!" "Take charge, here, Matthews!" "Aye aye, sir!" "Get down!" "Bunting!" "Get into the trees...!" "Get into the trees!" "(panting)" "(gunfire)" "(bird screeching)" "(gasps)" "(strangled yell)" "Don't move!" "If you run, I will kill you." "Then why did you save me?" "To hang?" "You will return to Gibrattar to stand trial." "Stand still!" "Better the speed of the bullet than the slow agony of the rope." "If you have your heart set on dying, I will oblige." "Then do it." "And I will be forever in your debt." "My duty is clear." "Your duty?" "To save a man so that he may be killed more slowly?" "You will return with me to the ship." "Never!" "I believe... your duty is fulfilled, sir." "Three killed, two fled, sir." "Very good, Matthews." "What of Bunting, sir?" "We'll take him aboard, bury him at sea." "Aye aye, sir." "The man was beyond saving, sir." "I should have found a way." "Hornblower:" "What in God's name?" "The Dreadnought, I believe, sir." "What the hell is that boat doing?" "They've got a couple of sides of beef in there, sir." "Quick, after her!" "Boats crew!" "Pull away!" "Pull for all you're worth!" "Heave to!" "Heave to, God damn you!" "Return those supplies to my ship!" "You have a problem, Mr. Hornblower?" "With respect, sir" "You have no right to these supplies." "Indeed, and by whose judgment, sir?" "We are a plague ship, sir." "I'm aware of that, Mr. Hornblower." "But your quarantine's almost over." "I'm sure you can spare me a few head of cattle." "The quarantine has a week to run, sir." "We cannot be certain we are clear." "The cattle must be returned to my ship and these hands should accompany them!" "Now, surely you can give me these two scrawny beasts, Mr. Hornblower." "My duty is to see that the fleet is protected from the black death, sir." "And what about your duty to a superior officer, sir?" "I know my duty, sir." "And it also lies with the lives of the men." "I will not barter with you, Mr. Hornblower." "You will surrender your supplies or I shall take them by force, if necessary." "Then the supplies are yours, sir." "And the responsibility is yours also." "Pull for the Caroline." "I will see you in Gibrattar, Mr. Hornblower." "Hornblower:" "We therefore commit his body to the deep to be turned into corruption" "looking for the resurrection of the body when the sea shall give up her dead and the life of the world to come through our lord, Jesus Christ who at his coming shall change our vile body that it may be like his glorious body" "according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself." "Amen." "Crew:" "Amen." "(seagulls cawing)" "Such a senseless waste of life." "Your grief is admirable, captain but I fear you take it too much to heart." "I killed him, Mr. Tapling." "The man had long since lost his respect for life." "But your courage in command of this ship will save the lives of many." "I feel certain Captain Pellew would have found a solution." "I fear I must question my readiness for command." "(laughter)" "Tapling:" "Well, Captain Hornblower" "A sight to gladden the heart, is it not?" "Indeed, Mr. Tapling." "(shouting)" "You've served us well, sir." "Oh, no more than my fair share, and I've gained much in return." "A new acquaintance with the cuts of a bullock and the worth of full bellies for the men." "Such knowledge will serve me well." "(men talking loudly)" "(clears throat)" "(cheering, whistling)" "What is the meaning of this commotion?" "There, sir." "Good heavens." "Hello, Noah." "How are Shem and Ham?" "Shem and Ham have brought home the supper." "Well done, Mr. Hornblower!" "I regret that Mr. Bracegirdle can't say the same." "Mr. Tapling has already informed me of the man Bunting." "You carry the weight of his death on your shoulders." "A month ago" "Mr. Bracegirdle bade me test my readiness for office with the men." "I failed that test, sir." "Mr. Hornblower men like Bunting choose to cast themselves adrift." "You attended to your duty as an officer." "I failed to find a way inside the man." "You have nothing to reproach yourself with." "One man has died." "Others may live, thanks to you." "Yes, sir, but his death was needless." "That is the price of command, I'm afraid." "And it doesn't do to dwell on the past." "Besides, you have much to prepare." "Sir?" "The examination for lieutenant takes place tomorrow, at admiratty house." "I presume you still wish to present yourself." "Good!" "Then advise Mr. Bracegirdle that I have given you permission to take away one of the ship's boats." "Aye aye, sir." "That'll be all." "One thing more, Mr. Hornblower." "Sir?" "I understand you allowed your men to feast on fresh beef." "In the circumstances, I thought it best." "You thought it best." "You thought it best, sir." "Fresh beef when there were other provisions on board." "Wanton extravagance." "I'm surprised at you." "Sorry, sir." "Good to have you back on board, Mr. Hornblower." "(bell ringing on deck)" "Can anyone lend me a clean white shirt?" "(knowing laughter)" "What's so funny?" "You can have one of mine, lad." "This will never do." "I hear the steward has a flatiron." "Thank you." "Steward:" "It is not a simple request." "I've got one pair of hands." "I've got better things to do with my time than iron your neckerchief, Mr. Hornblower." "I'll do it myself." "Just give me the iron." "I'll have a queue at my door every morning." "I'll give you my spirit ration." "Well, at least you won't disgrace the ship." "Thank you, Mr. Bracegirdle." "My hat!" "Yes." "Well..." "Take it off as soon as you can, and, uh... carry it under your arm." "Maybe they won't notice." "You're as ready now as you ever will be." "Thank you, sir." "Matthews:" "Here he comes, lads." "Three cheers for Mr. Hornblower!" "Hip hip!" "Hooray!" "Hip hip!" "Hooray!" "Hip hip!" "Hooray!" "And another three!" "Hip hip!" "Hooray!" "Hip hip!" "Hooray!" "Hip hip!" "Hooray!" "Good luck, Mr. Hornblower." "Acting Lieutenant Hornblower, sir." "Reporting for the examination." "(muffled snicker)" "(general conversation)" "Man:" "There's 40 of us." "How many of us will they pass, do you think?" "Five?" "(whispers):" "Here they come." "(chuckles):" "It's black Charlie Hammond" "looking as if he's lost a guinea and found a sixpence." "Harvey of the dockyard." "And Dreadnought Foster, no less." "Man:" "First young gentleman." "Three more months at sea, be damned." "I was told to send the next man." "What did they ask you?" "They began by asking me to define a rhumb line." "Man:" "Rhumb line?" "Well, don't keep them waiting, I advise you." "You were there ten minutes." "40 of us, ten minutes each." "Why, it'll be midnight before they reach the last of us." "They'll never do it." "If time runs out, perhaps they'll try you in batches like the French tribunals." "Man:" "Next." "How did you fare?" "Bad luck." "Man:" "Next." "Well, if it isn't Pellew's young upstart." "Hammond:" "Well, sir?" "Report yourself." "We've no time to waste." "H-Hornblower, sir." "H-H-Horatio Hornblower, midshipman." "I mean, acting lieutenant, Indefatigable." "Certificates, please." "Well, sit yourself down." "Foster:" "You're close-hauled on the port tack, Mr. Hornblower beating up channel with a nor'easterly wind blowing strong with Dover bearing north two miles." "Is that understood?" "Yes, sir." "Now, the wind veers four points, taking you flat aback." "What do you do, sir?" "What do you do?" "By now, you are dismasted." "Dismasted, sir." "Cliffs of Dover under your lee." "You're in very serious trouble, Mr., uh..." "Hornblower." "(explosion outside)" "Are we to receive the fountain of your wisdom, Mr. Hornblower?" "Or did you perhaps leave your tongue on the plague ship?" "I... uh... dismasted, you say?" "Indeed." "Uh..." "Dover..." "Dover Cliffs." "(explosion)" "What's going on?" "(flares whistling, exploding)" "It's the general alarm." "See?" "There." "(flares whistling, exploding)" "(men shouting)" "Hornblower:" "Sir..." "There, sir..." "A fire ship!" "If it touches a ship, she'll go up like paper!" "We must get back to our ships!" "They're firing on it, sir!" "(cannon fire)" "Pray they sink it." "You, you, shore boat!" "Come alongside!" "Come alongside, blast you!" "Come alongside or I'll fire into you!" "You, sentry there, make ready to give them a shot!" "(cannon fire, bells tolling)" "Come along, Hammond, for God's sake, man!" "Hammond:" "Move yourself, sir!" "Damn it, Harvey." "For God's sake, what are you doing, man?" "She's heading for the Indefatigable, sir." "Pull for the Dreadnought!" "Hammond:" "I'm the senior here!" "Pull for the Calypso!" "Pull, men, pull!" "Pull for your lives!" "Hornblower:" "There she is!" "She's swinging right." "Hammond:" "God help them aboard there." "She'll be alongside her soon." "With a man at her wheel she could be steered clear." "Are you mad?" "Sir, nobody could survive on that." "The boy's right, we should try." "Pull." "Pull away." "Pull away, God damn you and you may live through this!" "Pull!" "(men yelling, whistling)" "The heat is too great to board her!" "Now, lay her under the counter." "Jump for it." "Let me go, sir." "The Indefatigable is my ship." "Be my guest, Mr. Hornblower." "Be my guest." "(grunts)" "(grunting with exertion)" "(loud creaking)" "(men yelling)" "Use spars to fend her off!" "Man:" "Hand pump!" "We've got to get to that wheel." "Here, sir, take this!" "Right." "Hard-a-port." "Hornblower:" "The wheel's jammed, sir." "Here, cast off this lashing." "Cast it off." "Now, hard over!" "Hard over!" "Hard over it is, sir." "She's answering the helm, sir!" "Fend her off there!" "Hornblower." "Foster:" "Our stern will touch her." "Hard-a-lee, hard-a-lee!" "Hard-a-lee, aye aye, sir." "Put out that fire!" "Put that fire out!" "Midships." "Midships." "Aye aye, sir." "We'll lay her ashore over neutral ground." "The tiller ropes have burnt away, sir." "She can't be steered!" "Right, Mr. Hornblower, abandon ship." "Aye aye, sir." "(yells)" "Captain Foster..." "Captain Foster!" "Save yourself, man!" "Jump!" "(grunting)" "(screams)" "Into the water!" "(gasping)" "Captain Foster?" "Captain Foster?" "Captain!" "Captain!" "Mr. Hornblower, are you all right, sir?" "A little singed, sir." "Where's the boat?" "It's supposed to be following us... to take us off." "I can't see it, sir." "Ahoy!" "Ahoy, Hammond!" "Ahoy!" "Damn it, they should have been following us!" "Over there, sir." "Captain Foster?" "Hammond!" "We have you, sir!" "Come on!" "Over here!" "Quickly, man!" "Here, sir." "I'll have your hand, sir." "Your hand, sir." "Well done, sir." "Hornblower!" "Thank God, sir." "Yes, but no thanks to you, sir." "We followed as fast as we could get these rock scorpions to row." "Mr. Hornblower, come aboard, sir." "Mr. Hornblower, sir." "You were supposed to be following us to pick us up, sir." "I thought I could rely on a brother captain." "What are you implying, sir?" "I make no implications, sir." "But others may read implications into a simple statement of fact." "I consider that an offensive remark, sir." "I congratulate you on your perspicacity, sir." "Would you care to withdraw your statement with an apology?" "I would not!" "Very well, we will continue this further when we reach shore." "We will, sir, when I shall expect an apology from you." "By God, sir, I will not stand for this!" "I shall have recompense in a duel at first light!" "I shall look forward to that with pleasure, sir." "I shall send a friend to wait on you!" "He will be most welcome." "What are you staring at, man?" "Nothing, sir." "My life is in your... debt, Mr. Hornblower." "But not for long, it would seem, sir." "What?" "Pellew:" "In all my years at sea" "I have witnessed many an act of courage." "But that, sir, must rank amongst the most memorable." "My men owe you their lives and I... owe you my ship." "These events will be noted in your records." "Thank you, sir." "Might I inquire about my examination, sir?" "That particular examination board may never reassemble, I fancy." "Look here, Hornblower." "From what Harvey told me, you were flat aback about to lose your spars with the Dover Cliffs under your lee." "One more minute and you would have been failed." "Hmm?" "It was the warning gun that saved you, was it not?" "Yes, sir." "Hmm." "I think in the last few weeks we've seen you face and pass a much sterner examination." "Sir?" "I think you've tasted the bitter brew that is a captain's life." "I think next time, sir, you'll be better prepared." "Yes, sir." "Mr. Hornblower." "Sir?" "It has been an honor to serve with you." "And with you, sir." "Mr. Hornblower." "Mr. Bracegirdle, sir." "The officers would appreciate your attendance in a celebratory tot of rum." "I shall attend, presently." "Something disturbs your thoughts, I fancy." "Just thinking of the distances we travel... and yet how far we've still to sail as men." 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