Hornblower: The Even Chance Page #3

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Don't you understand?

It means war.

- Well, what's the word?

- Do we transfer?

A third of the crew are to remain

with Justinian.

A third will go to Arethusa

under Black Charlie Hammond.

And we few,

- we fortunate few

- Don't keep us on tenterhooks!

Keene has recommended our

transfer to Indefatigable!

- Yes, a frigate!

- You hear that, Horatio?

It means prize money.

Horatio!

Poor old Clayton, he always

wanted to serve on a frigate.

It is a sure opportunity

for advancement,

for distinction, for prize money.

It is the opportunity of a lifetime,

sir.I thank you for it,but

Any ambitious young officer

would jump at the chance to serve

on a frigate!

I know, sir. But, you accepted me

here as midshipman and

of course, I must stay with you.

Not many young men would have

said that, Mr. Hornblower.

I am very touched by your loyalty,

even though I won't live to

appreciate it.

No, please, don't interrupt.

Youth and quick wits

belong where they can be rewarded,

not on a channel groper with

a dying captain.

Sir?

A midshipman's share of prize

money is not much,

I grant you, but at last you

can start to repay

the debt that you owe your father.

It is the good of the service I have

in mind, Mr. Hornblower,

when I insist that you take

up this posting.

Aye, aye, sir.

My name is Captain Sir Edward Pellew,

and I am here to tell you that your

days of idling are over!

You have in mind to fight?

That is well, for you shall

have your fill!

Yesterday, His Majesty received

a communication from Paris.

The Revolutionary Government

in France

has declared war on Britain.

The old adversary may wear

a new face, but whatever mask

he choosesto hide behind, a Frenchman

is still a Frenchman, and

we will beat him as we always

have beaten him!

For there is no power on earth

that can withstand

the might of the British Navy!

God Save The King!

God Save The King!

Midshipman Hornblower, sir.

You sent for me.

Mr. Simpson, as I am sure

you will be glad to hear,

shall recover and rejoin the service.

However, he is to remain with

Captain Keene aboard Justinian.

You should know, Mr. Hornblower,

that I do not think much of men who

let other's fight their battles

for them.

No, sir.

But, neither will I base my opinion

of an officer on hearsay.

I judge a man on what I see him do,

not what

- others tell me he has done.

- Yes, sir.

Doubtless, had you been properly led,

this situation would not have arisen.

Captain Keene bears no blame

It's not your place to condemn

him or defend him.

No, sir, I meant only that what

befell was outside his control.

Aboard his ship, sir,

there is nothing outside

a captain's control

- and you would do well to remember it

- Yes, sir.

England is at war, Mr. Hornblower.

You have already cost this navy

two midshipmen

one injured, one dead.

No one mourns Mr.Clayton's loss more

than I, sir,and I resent

You resent?

Darn your impudence, sir.

I will not lose men to no better

cause than

the satisfaction of their own vanity.

Whilst under my command,

you will issue

no further challenge,

is that understood?

- Aye, aye, sir.

- Very well.

I have it from Lt. Eccleston that

those hands formerly

of Mr.Simpson's division

are something

of an ill-disciplined rabble.

- Would you concur?

- Yes, sir.

They are now your division.

We sail to battle, Mr. Hornblower.

I cannot afford to feed men

who do not pull their weight.

You will make them work

- or you will answer for it.

- Yes, sir.

Division line up for inspection.

Name?

What's the matter with

your face, Styles?

Oh, he gets bi...

Boils, sir, awful bad.

- Have you done anything about them?

- Oh yes, sir.

- Well?

- I've put plasters on them, sir.

Very well. What's funny, Oldroyd?

- Nothing, sir.

- Matthews?

Nothing, sir.

All right, carry on.

Be about your work, now.

Aye, aye, sir.

Break his back. Break his back.

Time! Time, Styles!

Five dead, pay your bets,

evens or better.

- Six!

- Five!

- Where?

- There, that one's dead.

- No, he ain't. Come on

- Look, yes he is, his back is broken.

Oh, f***!

Who's in charge, here?

- We're not on watch, sir.

- No, you're gambling.

This is now't but a bit of fun, sir.

It's hardly what you could

call gambling.

There are other charges possible

here, Matthews.

Other charges?

A member of His Majesty's forces

can be charged

with rendering himself unfit

for service.

Similarly, there could be charges

of aiding and abetting,

which might include you.

I should consult the Articles of War.

Punishment for such an offense is

- flogging around the fleet,I believe.

- Really, sir.

I could bring charges against

every man jack of you.

You could be court martialed,

dis-rated, flogged.

By God,one more look like that

from you, Styles,and I'll do it.

Belay that, mate.

You'd be in irons five minutes after

I've spoken to Lt.Eccleston.

Mr. Simpson had no argument

with our sports.

Mr. Simpson is no longer in charge

of your division.

I am.

And I'll have no more of these

filthy games,do you understand?

The next hint of misbehaviour and

you will be at the gratings.

- But, sir

- I've said it and I mean it!

After this, I want to see you in

the dogwatches,

sky-larking on deck,

not skulking in the cable tiers like

a lot of darn Frenchmen.

Are you going to tell Mr. Eccleston?

No, not this time.

I'm giving you a chance to prove

yourselves worthy of my trust.

Aye, sir.

Right, now. Get rid of

those rats there.

Styles, get your face

plastered up again.

Matthews, coil these cables

down properly

before the boatswain sees it.

Oldroyd, it was six.

Hands to quarters! Hands to quarters!

Enemy ship to larboard!

- Fire as they bear, Mr. Eccleston.

- Aye, sir.

Fire!

Lay us alongside, Mr. Bowles.

We can carry this action

by boarding her.

Hard a larboard!

Styles,help me get him

to the surgery!

Come on, Davey.

- This man needs help.

- I'll tend to him presently.

Lt. Chadd, may I inquire as to

the extent of your injuries,sir?

- Splinter.

- Sir, this man is from my division

He'll take his turn like

all the rest.

Well darn it, if he's not seen to now

he'll bleed to death!

Mr. Hornblower! It's all right,

Hepplewhite, I can wait.

Very well.

Come on Styles, let's return

to our station.

Did you see me? Did you see me?

Well, where were you?

We carried her by boarding.

I killed two.

Well, one certainly. Oh, you should

have been there, Horatio.

You should have been.

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 submit

all things to himself.

Therefore,in the sure and certain

knowledge of the resurrection

- we commit the body of

- Davey Williams.

Davey Williams to the deep,

amen.

May God have mercy on his soul.

Mr. Hornblower.

What is it, Styles?

The lads have...

asked me to say they value the effort

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