Hornblower: The Even Chance Page #2

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alone successful

among this crowd of

intellectual giants.

If you double your attainment while

you double your years,

I'm a-feared you'll leave

the rest of us behind.

Well done, Mr. Hornblower.

Mr. Bowles! Be so good

to see that Mr. Simpson

pays even further attention to

his mathematical studies.

Good day, gentlemen!

I've been thinking, gentlemen.

It's time to reconvene the

proceedings of the Inquisition.

Who shall we question? There can

only be one candidate

who else but the captain's favourite

Mr. Hornblower. Cleveland,

Hether table.

- Jack...

- Do it unless you want to take his place.

Leave me go!

Quiet boy!

You're a bit of a dark horse,

aren't you, Snotty?

Showing us all up in front

of Captain Keene. Turn him over.

Come on!

Now, the purpose of this Inquisition

is for me

to get to know you better.

You see, I know these dogs.

I know what gnaws at their

souls at night

things they'd rather no one knew of.

So, what's your dirty little secret?

A fancier of other boys, perhaps?

Or is it that your mother makes

her living on her back?

You filthy!

Come on, Snotty! Get up!

You've won, Jack! He's finished!

This little whore's son needs to

learn respect for his betters.

Come on, Snotty, get up!

Enough Jack, you'll kill him!

Stay down, boy, for goodness sake.

Stand off.

Clayton, my bold friend.

I've no quarrel with you.

Stand off Jack,

or by cracky I'll trim the

wall with your brains.

Take him to Dr. Hepplewhite.

My, but how bold you are

with a pistol in your hand.

But I know you for the coward

you are, don't I?

Hornblower! Mr. Hornblower!

What is the matter with you this day?

I gave orders

Man, what happened to you?

I missed my footing in the dark

last night and fell, sir.

Onto both sides of your face

at once? Hmm?

Come, no more of this nonsense.

With whom did you fight?

Well, answer me!

Quickly now and you may be dealt

with more leniently.

I fell, sir.

Very well. We shall see if a

spell in the rigging

can't teach you to tread

more carefully.

Dearest Father,

I am pleased to tell you that

everything is going along

splendidly.

I count myself fortunate indeed to

serve under Captain Keene

and with so fine a body of men as

are to be found here in Justinian.

I am very happy here.

I trust this finds you as it leave me

well and in good spirits.

Your affectionate son, Horatio.

A drop of grog in it to

warm you through.

Horatio?

Death.

I was thinking on death.

- Whose?

- Mine.

Darned unsporting of the Everlasting

to fix his canon

against self-slaughter,

If you ask me.

You could always desert.

I'd never be free of him then.

He'd have won,

and that should be worse than death.

Someone should stand against him.

The beating he gave you

that was nothing, believe me.

You don't know half what

he's capable of.

The East India convoy is

expected today.

Mr. Simpson will take a party

of men ashore

and report to Lt. Chalk

of the Goliath, who is in charge

of the press gangs.

- Mr. Hornblower shall accompany him.

- Aye, aye, sir.

Some of the hands of the East India

convoy

may try to sneak ashore

to escape being pressed

for further service.

It's our business to cut off

their retreat.

- Mr. Simpson and

- This is Mr. Hornblower, sir,

distinguished as the midshipman who

was seasick in Spithead.

You shall arrange a cordon along

the waterfront

to sweep up any absconders.

I leave the details to

you, Mr.Simpson.

Aye, aye, sir. Thank you, sir.

Rendezvous is back here

at "The Lamb."

Why aren't you on watch

where I left you?

The convoy has not yet signaled.

Then all is well with the world.

Here's to the East India convoy

long may it be delayed.

Come on Hornblower, give us a toast.

Come on!

Confusion to Robespierre.

Your men are all properly placed,

Mr. Simpson?

Indeed they are, sir.

This is Mr. Caldwell,

also of the Goliath.

Mr. Simpson and Mr. Hornblower

of the Justinian.

We have a long wait

before us, I fear.

Will you gentlemen join me in a glass?

- Yes, sir.

- And a game of cards to pass the time.

- Gladly, sir, gladly.

Excellent. Potman! Cards and a light!

And the rest are mine.

What do you mean the rest are yours?

- Five tricks. Game and rubber.

- I might take another.

I trump a lead of hearts

with diamonds

and make three more clubs.

- You're very sure.

- It's a mathematical certainty.

You know too much about this game.

He seems to know the backs of

the cards as well as the fronts.

That is an insulting remark,

Mr. Simpson.

For that I shall have

to ask satisfaction.

Come,Mr. Hornblower. Mr.Simpson had

a momentary loss of temper.

I am sure he will explain.

I have been accused of cheating

at cards, sir.

That is a hard thing to explain away.

The wine was in and the wit was out.

Mr. Simpson was speaking in jest,

I am sure.

Let's call for another bottle and

drink it in friendship.

- With pleasure

- Excellent.

if Mr.Simpson begs my pardon at once

before you two gentlemen,

and admits that he spoke without

justification and in a manner

no gentleman would employ.

Apologize to you?

Never this side of hell.

You hear that, gentlemen?

I have been insulted.

Mr. Simpson refuses to apologize,

while insulting me further.

There is only one way now in which

satisfaction can be given.

A duel? Are you mad?

Tomorrow sees an end to it, Archie.

One way or another, I shall

be rid of him.

I have an even chance.

An even chance?

Simpson is reckoned one of the best

shots in the navy.

He'll kill you certain sure.

I'll act as your second, of course.

But, have you ever fought

a duel before?

You ready?

I can't prevail upon you to

change your mind?

Very well. Hand me my cloak.

Where is he?

I regret my principal has met

with an accident,

which prevents his attendance

this morning.

The coward has wet himself.

As his second, I am willing

to stand proxy.

- Proxy?

- I shall fight the duel in his stead

unless Mr. Simpson is willing to

withdraw his accusation,

of course.

- Never.

- Wait a moment Mr. Clayton,

I'm not sure if that's legal.

Legal or not, Dr.Hepplewhite,

it would settle the matter,

I am here.

And you're not afraid of me,

are you, Jack?

I will say, "One, two, three, fire."

At the last word gentlemen, you

can fire as you will.

- Are you ready?

- Yes.

Yes.

One, two, three,

Fire!

Got you, bastard.

Upstairs.

Clayton?

I'm sorry. I didn't kill him.

What is it?

What are they shouting about?

I don't know.

Archie, see if you can't quiet them.

Why?

You were right, Horatio.

Someone had to stand against him,

but not a boy.

You shamed me.

Even a coward can't run forever.

I thought I could beat him

I had an even chance.

Horatio, is it evening?

Hornblower!

I'm not done with you yet, boy.

Im going to flay you alive!

- He's dead.

- Yes.

No, you fool, not Clayton.

Louis.

The frogs have murdered their king.

Tried and executed for crimes

against the people.

It means war, Horatio.

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