Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant Page #2

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- You're ready to take your examination for lieutenant?

- Yes,sir.

Good. Then I shall put you forward

for next month's round.

- I would be honoured, 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.

- Well, you'd better spend

- your spare time in study.

- Yes, sir.

You're on a run, Mr. Bowles.

I do believe your hands are

tied, Mr. Bracegirdle.

No prison's held me yet, sir.

Yes!

Your throw, sir.

The tables are turning.

Hold still lad.

Don't want to waste it.

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.

Oh 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 alternative 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.

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.

What of the captain?

Is he on half-rations?

That's dangerous talk, Bunting.

You'd better bite your tongue

to save it.

Styles.

Oldroyd.

Finch.

And that should just leave

Bunting and me.

For what we are about to receive,

let us thank the good Captain Pellew.

It's a gallant British man-of-war

lies in Gibraltar Bay,

And the jolly jacks aboard her wish

that they could have their say.

But, they must keep

their mouths tight shut although

their thoughts be dark.

- Cleveland!

- Yes, sir.

See if you can't put an end to

that infernal racket.

Cleveland, the nightingales are

in full voice tonight,

- are they not?

- Yes sir,

but Mr. Hornblower

has little time for birdsong.

It is a clear and cloudless night

and the wind

was steady and strong.

And we have laid in Gibraltar Bay

for many a day too long.

Biscuits one, pease pudding none,

- "and salt beef only half"

- 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 salt beef only half.

Our rations will not feed a man but

our officers only laugh.

It's a gallant British man-o-war

lies in Gibraltar Bay,

And the jolly jacks aboard

her wish that

- "they could have their say. "

- A moment, Mr. Hornblower.

- Sir?

- You sent a message to quiet the men.

I merely wish to concentrate

on my studies, sir.

Is something troubling your mind?

I fear there is 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.

Out or down, Out or down.

Up and out.

You look like I feel, Finch.

It's just me lungs has caught

a wind.

Pull me up.

- I can't take your ration.

- You need it more than me.

Boswain's not half-rations.

Over here, lads! Lend a hand.

- What's happened?

- Fallen.

- Is he all right?

- He's weak, sir

too weak to climb the ratlines.

- Lack of decent grub, I reckon.

- Take him to the sick berth.

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... This darn 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, no, no, you don't understand.

I want you to test me.

Test you, sir?

I might have my examination for

lieutenant coming up shortly,

I need someone to test my knowledge.

I'd be honoured if you'd help me.

Come on man, clear your mind.

Ask me a question.

- Question, sir?

- I want you to test me.

Come on, think!

I reckon I don't need no book

to test you, sir.

Right then, give me your best.

A supply ship.

A supply ship coming in!

- Pass the word, Mr. Cleveland.

- Right, sir.

A supply ship!

A supply ship's been sighted.

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.

A supply ship.

A supply ship's on its way.

Fisherman's bend, you say?

Finch!

- Yes, sir?

- How do you tie a fisherman's bend?

How is he, sir?

I can't keep him awake.

Perhaps this will.

There's a supply ship in sight.

You hear that?

Finch!

A fine sight, Mr. Hornblower.

Indeed, sir.

What's that light, Mr. Bracegirdle?

It 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.

She's gone, sir.

Thank-you, Mr. Bracegirdle.

Get these men belowdecks.

Mr. Harris, get them below!

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.

All right then, lads. Come on.

Gather round, now,gentlemen.

Dig in your pockets. Dig deeply.

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