Hornblower: The Even Chance Page #5

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No.

When we reach shore, anywhere

you choose, we will land,

- and you may continue your journey.

- No!

- I said no!

- Shall I clout him on the jaw for you, sir?

Not unless he misbehaves himself.

Put that pistol away,

it's dangerous.

I will do nothing to interfere with

your command of this boat.

Do you swear it?

- I swear it.

- And your men?

- Well, what do they say?

- They swear it too.

Very well.

Both hands, you fool!

That water has got to last until

we reach England.

Or do you want us all

to die of thirst?

Lay down your arms!

Now!

- Do as he says.

- Sir.

Do it!

- I'm sorry, sir.

- It's all right, Finch.

Thank-you,

sir, thank-you.

My men are in mind of throwing you

overboard, monsieur.

But,I think you deserve some time

- to reflect on your own stupidity.

- Monsieur?

As I told you, I have spent

5 long years

in one of your country's

fine prison hulks,

and I am grateful now for

an opportunity.

to return the courtesy

The chart and compass,

if you please.

Fish for it.

As you were, Styles!

That was a foolish thing to do, boy.

I might have killed you.

And forgo the pleasure of crowing

over my discomfort?

I think not.

Nevertheless, it was a futile act.

All I have to do to gain France is

to turn this boat about

through 180 degrees and

then sail southeast.

- If you can find it.

- Oh, I can read a chart, monsieur.

I only need the sun and

the pole star for reference

a feat of navigation that even

you might manage.

- What's to do, sir?

- A crisis of confidence, Styles.

Forget's men are complaining,

and rightly so,

that we should be in sight of

the coast by now.

And where is it, though, sir?

He said he had only to

follow the charts.

So he did.

That would presuppose that our

position upon the chart

was accurately plotted.

Nine against five, the odds of them

gaining the upper hand

were always favourable.

It would be a poor captain that did

not take precautions

against such an eventuality.

So, where have you got our

true position, then, sir?

In my head, Matthews.

We were sailing north, not northwest,

when they seized control.

Forget's simply turned us about.

Then we're headed south,

not southeast.

Indeed, Styles.

We're rowing parallel with the coast,

we're getting no closer.

Now you may see how the tree

of indiscipline bears fruit.

An interesting situation, Monsieur.

Sail to windward!

The Indy!

It's the Indy, sir!

Thank goodness, it is!

Right, that's the last one, lads.

Take him away. Lock him up!

So, I'll tell you what he does.

Listen to this.

He drops the compass over

the side,

"Fish for it," says he,

bold as brass.

- He did!

- And him with a pistol in his face.

- And so the frog captain

- Here he comes lads.Step lively now.

Well done, sir.

Mr. Hornblower!

The Marie Galante was damaged

when you boarded her.

And had you had a larger prize

crew you might

have been able to save her.

No, better by far that France was

deprived of her cargo

than England should benefit by it.

Still,

it's fortunate for you her captain

was so poor a navigator.

else we might never have found you.

- No, sir.

- Sail to larboard!

Make sail before we lose her!

Darn this fog.

That's one of ours.

By God, a Frenchman!

Ship to starboard!

She'll hide in the fog.

After her, Mr. Bowles!

Starboard two points.

Starboard two points, sir.

We're losing her,

darn it!

Silence!

Where is she?

Where is she?

There she is!

Now we have her!

Mr. Bowles, we're in over our heads.

Take us out of reach of their

shore batteries.

Mr. Eccleston, what was the ship

you saw afire?

I couldn't see, sir. One of ours,

though, certainly.

Launch boats. Pick up survivors.

Over here!

Help us!

Courage boys, you're safe now.

Keep shouting, we'll find you!

There they are, sir.

Hold water.

Give him this. Keep him warm.

Well, Mr. Hornblower.

The Papillon jumped us from the fog.

Every time we thought we knew

where she might come from,

she came at us from somewhere else.

It was like there were

four ships, not one.

Poor Captain Keene. I was standing

with him when he was hit.

Tore his insides out and

Yes, all right, Mr. Simpson, please,

do not distress yourself

even further.

Mr. Bowles, the chart if you please.

The mouth of the Gironde,

the Papillon lies just here,

between the shore batteries

of St. Dye and Blaye.

You gentlemen, will go in with

the boats and cut her out.

Lt. Eccleston will be in general

command. Mr. Eccleston

As you have seen at first hand,

she is a ship of war,

well-armed and fully crewed.

But, we will be attacking her

at night, taking her by surprise

Kennedy, you'll acquaint Snotty

here with the way of things.

Mr. Chadd will command the gig,

Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Hornblower,

the jollyboat.

- Mr. Bowles

- High water tomorrow is at 4:50. Dawn is at 5:30.

- The attack will

- So,what's your dirty little secret?

Is it that your mother earns

her living on her back?

Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Hornblower,

board as you see fit, and at once

ascend the main rigging.

You will ensure that the main

topsail is loosed

and sheeted home, on receipt

of further orders.

I myself,or Mr. Bowles, in the event

I'm killed or wounded

Hornblower! I'm not finished

with you yet, boy.

I'm going to flay you alive!

Kennedy, I said 'Wake Hornblower,

not the whole darn ship.

You mean the coward has wet himself,

has wet himself.

So much for the theory.

Any questions, gentlemen?

Sir, I would like to volunteer

to go in with the boats.

If you think you're up to it,

Mr. Simpson.

- Lt. Eccleston?

- We will be glad to have you, Mr. Simpson.

You will go in with Mr. Hornblower

and Mr. Kennedy.

Hello, Archie.

It's been a long time.

Jack's missed you, boy.

We were just catching up on

old times, Mr. Hornblower.

These are new times, Mr. Simpson.

- You have no hold over us here.

- No.

No, I see that.

Time we were away, Archie.

Nervous?

Archie?

Boat crews away.

Mind what you're doing, sir!

Mind what you're doing!

- What's going on?

- It's Mr. Kennedy, sir. He's having a fit!

Mr. Hornblower, can't you keep

your boat quiet!

Shut up.

Archie, for mercy, shut up!

- Do something!

- Sir!

I know, I know.

Mr. Hornblower!

Mr. Hornblower, get your men

aloft quickly now.

Loose the mail topsail.

Styles, Matthews, lay aloft.

Come on men!

- Follow me boys!

- Stevens, wait!

There are no foot ropes.

What'll we do, sir? What'll we do?

Mr. Eccleston, the fos'cle is

secured, sir.

Thank-you, Mr. Chadd.

Darn it, why does he delay?

If Hornblower doesn't loose

the sails, the attack will fail.

Styles, Matthews, starboard yard.

Finch, Oldroyd, follow me.

- Drat! Drat! Drat!

- God Blood

Quickly, now, quickly!

Well done!

Archie?

Mr. Chadd's complements, sir,

the ship is ours.

Christ. My compliments

to Mr. Hornblower.

I'm afraid Mr. Hornblower

is dead, sir.

I saw him fall from the yard myself.

Ahoy there, Papillon!

Help! Help!

Papillon!.

No sign of the Papillon?

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