Hornblower: Retribution Page #4

Perhaps your wife would like to join us?

She'd be delighted, sir.

And then to business.

Of course, Colonel.

It's all right, Sergeant,

I'll take care of the captain from here.

- If you're sure, Mr Hobbs.

- I'm sure.

But...

Sergeant.

All right, Jones.

What are they up to, those lieutenants?

My own ship.

My own men.

The usual, sir.

Just playing at command.

All packed and ready to go, sir.

Well done. Styles, keep that head

of yours out of trouble.

- Yes, sir.

- Styles?

- Any sign of Hobbs with that gunpowder?

- Er... no, sir.

Sir.

- Your orders were to remain with him.

- Very sorry, sir.

On deck, if you please, Mr Hobbs.

I said...

Off came the cage!

Up leapt the tiger.

Stand aside.

I'm going on deck now.

Stand aside.

Mr Hobbs, the captain will remain

confined in his cabin.

- He will do no such thing.

- Think of the crew, sir.

If they were to see you now. You're

down, sir. But you still have your name.

My name?

What do you know of my name?

I know that once Captain James Sawyer

overcame three French frigates

in a single morning.

The men who were there that day

said they had never seen such courage.

I think he has paid the price

for that courage

and is paying for it even now.

You're a danger to yourself, sir,

and I would not see you harmed.

Sir.

Mr Hornblower, we must leave.

Now.

Damn you.

Ready?

Ready, sir.

Forgive me, sir.

I have yet to congratulate you

on your fine work in the tunnel.

Thank you, Mr Hobbs.

Though the way you held that gun

was like you'd never fired at a man

in your life.

Well, it had a light trigger.

Have you? Ever shot a man?

No.

You might find a knife easier.

Stab a man.

Especially in the back, sir.

That is an easy one.

Or just push him...

.. down the hold.

- "Sorry about the captain. "

You little snot. - I did not push him.

Of course you did. You were so out

of your head on laudanum,

you don't remember a thing,

do you boy?

KENNED Y:
Mr Wellard.

We need a man to fend the gun off the cliff.

You were small enough for the tunnel,

Mr Wellard.

Are you light enough to ride the gun?

I can do it.

Well done, Mr Wellard.

Hang on tight, Mr Wellard.

I want to see you safe in Kingston.

Ready, all?

- Ready, sir.

- Haul away!

- Handsomely, now.

- Heave. Heave.

Liffing a ship's cannon

to the top of the cliff,

under the enemy's very nose.

It was the only way of getting

within range, sir.

The Spanish ships had sailed

beyond the reach of the fort's own cannon,

and the bay was too shallow for the Renown.

Quite an enterprise.

It was an opportunity, sir.

You speak of opportunity,

yet only you seem the opportunist.

- I don't follow, sir.

- I think you do.

PELLEW:
This piece of derring-do,

Mr Hornblower, was your idea?

It was authorised

by the acting captain, sir.

And conceived by the third lieutenant?

Come, sir. You're under oath.

Never mind, Mr Buckland.

My idea, sir.

Yes. I'll bet it was.

Thank you, Mr Hornblower.

So how long have you been

in command, Captain Buckland?

I am the first lieutenant of

the Renown, Madam.

Captain Sawyer is indisposed.

Oh. Not too serious, I hope.

Captain James Sawyer.

I did not realise we were fighting

so distinguished an adversary.

Yes, I'm afraid he's not quite himself.

A minor ailment.

I am sorry he cannot join us.

It would be an honour.

In due course, perhaps.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Your health.

Heave!

Heave!

Keep it moving. Keep it moving.

Heave!

Stop! Stop!

'Vast hauling there and make secure.

- What's the matter, Mr Wellard?

- The strop, sir. It's parting.

Styles, make me a sling.

How much do we need, sir?

- Five fathoms should do it.

- Five fathoms, Styles.

- You volunteering, Mr Hornblower?

- I am, sir.

- It's a good knot for the job, sir.

- Yes. Thank you, Styles.

- All right, are you, Horatio?

- Yes, thank you, Archie.

I remember when you used to be

scared of heights, Mr Hornblower.

Nothing's changed, Mr Kennedy.

- They say one should do what one dislikes.

- Oh, yes?

When I was a boy I had to eat turnips.

Eat them now, do you?

Never touch them.

Come on! Ortega won't wait all day.

Sir. Help me.

Hold on, Mr Wellard.

The young officer - Mr Hornblower.

- A man of promise, I suppose?

- I hope we are all men of promise.

Of course, but young officers

have such schemes and such little experience.

- Yes, I am with you there.

- More wine, sir?

Sawyer:
(sing)We'll rank and we'll roar

like true British sailors

(sing) We'll rank and we'll roar...

If you'll excuse me.

(sing) Until we strike soundings

in the channel of Old England

(sing) From...

(sing) Ushant to Scilly

(sing) Tis 35 leagues...

No, sir!

There you are.

I told you. We won't let you down.

Thank you.

Sir? Have you ever done something

and forgot you did it?

All the time.

Now fend off.

Haul away, there!

Heave! Heave!

Heave!

(sing) Farewell and adieu

(sing) To you Spanish ladies

(sing) Farewell and adieu...

It is your choice, sir.

I thought you were with me.

I was ever my own man.

If I could cure you,

even now, I would.

But you have fallen too far.

Now, I beg you.

No more singing.

(sing) We'll rant and we'll roar

- As you wish.

(sing) Like true British sailors

(sing) Like true British sailors

(sing) We'll rant and we'll roar

- Ready, Mr Hobbs?

- Aye aye, sir.

Your officers, where are they, sir?

Colonel, I must protest.

I know when a man is deceiving me,

First Lieutenant.

I assure you, Colonel,

whatever may happen on dry land,

we in His Majesty's navy

are men of honour, sir.

Whatever you may think of us,

we are men of our word. And...

(Cannon shot)

Ah.

- What is this?

- Ranging shot, Colonel.

On whose ships?

Yours, Colonel.

What?!

You!

You know, Dr Clive,

I actually think we might be winning.

50 yards short, Mr Hornblower.

Aye aye, sir.

- Right. Full charge, Mr Hobbs.

- Full charge, it is.

Mr Buckland!

Do you realise what you're doing?

- Without our ships...

- You have no escape.

Either from us or the rebel army.

And in all probability

will be dead by the end of the week.

Be not aggrieved, madam. You and your

husband had no less a fate in store for us.

This is madness.

Fear not, Colonel.

Your ships are safe, if you wish it.

As British prizes of war.

And may I humbly extend to you an offer

of safe passage to Kingston, Jamaica,

as His Majesty's prisoners?

- Sergeant.

- Sir.

Colonel. Your sword, if you please.

PELLEW:
A complete surrender.

No mean achievement for a first lieutenant.

Thank you, Commodore.

Pity you weren't able to

savour your triumph.

- Sir?

- The rebel slaves, Mr Buckland.

They already had the island in their grasp.

But you'd already encountered them.

It was a desperate affair, sir.

One of our boats was stolen,

two of our men taken hostage.

One had no inkling of what

lay behind it.

So you fired on them.

And in hindsight it was unfortunate.

In hindsight it was a blunder, sir,

that later made short work of

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