Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant Page #4

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- Mr. Hornblower

- Bad news, I'm afraid, sir.

The Black Death is at Oran.

It could only

- have struck today, sir

- Then they are already dead, sir.

Enough of that!

Keep to leeward, Mr. Hornblower.

Aye, aye sir.

I have a suggestion, sir.

- Yes, what is it?

- The fleet needs the supplies, sir.

We could serve our three weeks

at sea

- on the Caroline to preserve them.

- Waste of time, sir.

One moment, Mr. Hornblower.

You have something to say

Like as not, they'll all be dead

in a week

- and you'll lose the Caroline.

- True, but I must weigh

that fact against the chance

of supplies, Mr. Bracegirdle,

and at this moment, that is of

far greater importance to this fleet.

Very well. I appoint you in command

of the Caroline.

Thank-you, sir.

- Where's Mr. Tapling?

- He's ashore, sir;with the marines.

- He may continue as your passenger.

- Very good, sir. And sir?

- Yes, what now?

- My books, sir.

- Books?

- For my examination, sir.

Yes. Right.

See to it.

I hope...

- I hope you find time to study them.

- Thank-you, sir.

She's like the blooming

Noah's Ark, sir.

Noah's animals walked in two by two

Matthews. We're not so lucky

And we have to get the grain

on board first.

Now, rig those tackles there.

Rig tackles!

Step alive, there!

He'll be all right.

Man the capstan and get us underway,

if you please, Mr. Bowles.

Good-luck, Mr. Hornblower.

Report in three weeks at Gibraltar.

Very good, sir. Thank-you, sir!

Beg 'pardon, sir,

Can't you hear those

cattle bellowing?

- It's terrible hot. They need water.

- Darn.

We'll never be able to get them

on board before nightfall.

Very well, Styles.

Take some men from the loading

- and get the water set up.

- Aye, aye Captain.

Easy, Matthews.

We can't control the flow, sir.

That's enough.

We'll start afresh on the morrow.

Well done, men.

Thank-you for your efforts.

Well, Bunting, was this

what you had in mind when

you made your bid for freedom?

Please, spare me the wise words.

You're short of crew and

you need my help SIR.

It's you who needs my help, Bunting.

You have a choice.

You can lie here and rot until

we reach Gibraltar,at which time

- you will answer for your crimes

- We'll never see Gibraltar.

or you can return to your duties.

In which case I might be prepared

to speak for you

- at your trial.

- Why would you speak for me?

Each of us can find

a maggot in our past,

which will happily devour our futures

I give you the chance

to reclaim yours.

What if there is

no future to reclaim?

Then pray that death is swift.

Wait

- I spoke in haste, sir.

- Are you prepared to work?

Yes, sir.

Cross me, Bunting,

and you will regret it.

Heave, heave, heave.

Ease on the guide there.

Lower away.

Steady, steady.

Bring her in. None of that.

Heave! Heave!

We have visitors, sir.

And they carry an

evil breath, Matthews.

- Where's Mr. Tapling?

- He refuses to rise from his bunk,sir

Does he, indeed?

Good morrow, Mr. Tapling.

When can we expect your

presence above decks?

Never. There is no point.

- The Moors have come to fetch their gold.

- The Moors?

Don't let them aboard.

Set sail at once.

- The gold is theirs by right.

- I will not see them.

- Send one of the men.

- I need my men, Mr. Tapling.

I have pains in my body.

I cannot move.

The hand of death is upon me.

In that case, you shall have

no need for rations.

You would withhold rations

from a dying man?

I would consider it my duty

to help speed your release

from this world, sir.

The admiral will hear of this.

And what did they give us in return?

- Last one, men!

- Thank-you, sir.

- What's that smell, Matthews?

- What? Oh, it's the cattle sir.

They haven't got the sense to get

their rear ends over the side

Well, get some men on it.

- Not a job for volunteers, sir.

- No, but at least they're busy.

It takes their minds off

other matters.

There's truth in that, sir.

We'd best get out to sea, away

from this infernal wind.

Get that forecastle bent on.

And then send the hands to stations

for weighing anchor.

Lively now!

What is the meaning of this?

A problem, Mr. Tapling?

Did you give orders that I should be

assigned cook's mate?

- Are you a carpenter?

- What?

- Or a surgeon? Are you qualified for that?

- Oh, now look here

We have no need for a wordsmith

on this voyage, Mr. Tapling.

We're short on crew, and

each must pull his weight.

But cook's mate. I am not bred

for such a task.

If you can show me a job for which

you are better qualified,

I'll consider it.

We should beat a path close up

to the straits, Matthews;

'lest this Westerly and

the current takes us

- out of reach of Gibraltar.

- Aye, aye, Captain.

She's not cut out for this kind

of work.

Let's hope she hangs together.

- And slaughter a bullock for the men.

- A bullock, sir?

Each meal might be our last.

Let's ensure it's a feast.

This is, without question,

the most revolting experience

of my entire life.

- It has its advantages, sir.

- None that I can see.

The man with the hatchet gets

to pick the choicest cuts.

Indeed. Show me.

Let us pray

that we live in quarantine

for the rest of our lives.

- Does it taste as you remember?

- It does.

There's a certain satisfaction

in seeing

one's efforts appreciated.

Not half as satisfying

as a nice bit of fillet.

Ah, for heaven's sake.

- What do you want?

- It's happened.

What's happened? Talk sense, man!

The plague.

Get away. Don't touch him.

Stay away.

Get back. Huh? Here. Got him, right.

- Now, now get him overboard.

- Belay that, Styles!

- But, sir!

- Belay that. Put that down.

I warned you, Hornblower!

I warned you this would happen!

We're all dead!

Control yourself, if you please,

Mr. Tapling.

Straighten yourself up, man.

Put him where he belongs

in the hold with

the rest of the stinking beasts.

The man is drunk!

Very noble of you, Mr. Hornblower,

I'm sure.

- What?

- To risk your life so.

There was no risk, Mr. Tapling.

If the man had been carrying

the plague, we were all done for

anyway.

What's up with our guests,

Mr. Matthews?

- These animals are thirsty again,sir.

- Then water them.

Trouble is, sir, we have but

three days' water left.

Three days? We've still a week to

serve with the quarantine.

Cattle - thirsty brutes, sir.

Very well. When the wind picks up,

we'll stand into the coast

and look for a stream in a quiet spot

A small town, about half

a mile inland, sir.

Spied a few guards but there's

nothing going to worry you.

They must have followed you.

Over there!

Fire!

Bunting!

Take charge here, Matthews.

Get down.

Get into the trees!

Get into the trees!

Don't move! If you run,

I will kill you.

Then why did you save me?

To hang?

You will return to Gibraltar

to stand trial.

Stand still!

Better the speed of the bullet than

the slow agony of the rope.

If you have your heart set

on dying, I will oblige.

Then do it, and I will be

forever in your debt.

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