Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters Page #2

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Almost too good for battle.

Really? I usually find that

the more able the officer,-

the better-turned out the men.

Battalions...

-At least in the army.

-...right face!

Charette! Charette!

Bloody Frogs!

-Any idea what the general's saying?

-He's saying today-

is a great day.

They are on a crusade-

to free their beloved France.

Together we will fight, perhaps

to the death

But it will be for the greatest cause

in the world

Every one of us

Will be remembered by history as

men who were not afraid-

to lay down their lives

For France.

Yea! Vive le roi!

I suppose what the men lack

in discipline, they make up for-

-in enthusiasm.

-Major,

if you would like your personal

baggage transferred-

to the jollyboat, I'll see it reaches

the Indefatigable.

Very well. By the by, it might

be better-

if you were to address me as,

"My lord."

I am, in fact, the Earl of Edrington.

You see, Horatio, had you been rich

enough to buy a commission,

as well as a new uniform,

you could have joined the army

instead.

Please monsieur, I have, I think,

English sufficient-

to the task before us.

Colonel, Marquis de Moncoutant.

I have been charged with conducting

your troops aboard, sir.

Very good. My men are prepared.

I'm looking forward to our trip,

monsieur.

I have always enjoyed the sea air.

Be careful, that is my personal

baggage.

Don't drop it! Idiots!

It is yours, sir?

Indeed, Mr. Hornblower. It is mine.

Shoulder arms!

All men and supplies secured, sir.

Very good, Mr. Hornblower.

Signal the convoy.

-Mr. Bowles, prepare to weigh anchor.

-Aye, aye, sir.

Prepare to weigh anchor!

Man the capstan!

Quiberon...

-See this? Not yours!

-Not yours!

No steal-ee. Savvy? You steal-ee,

get chop plenty darn vite.

-Understand?

-Oldroyd! What's going on here?

Ah, this jerk was after pinching

this chicken, sir.

They're the officers' chickens and

we caught him red-handed.

-Stealing's a hanging offense.

-Yes, Matthews,-

I'm aware of the articles of war on

the subject. Thank-you.

Well, it's the rope for you,

then, Frog.

However, this man may not be.

Has anyone taken the trouble of

explaining messing arrangements

-to these men?

-Not as such, sir.

Let him go.

You're letting him go, sir?

Styles, these people are our guests,

and as such,

you will extend to them every

courtesy and kindness while-

they're aboard.

I mean, playing piggyback with

the Frogs sir.

The Frog is the enemy, sir.

These Frogs, Styles,

these are the good Frogs.

A Frog is a Frog,sir;and the only

good Frog is a dead Frog,sir.

This'll end badly, Mr. Hornblower,

sir. You mark my words.

All right, that's enough!

-Now back to your work.

-Aye, aye, sir.

Styles...

-Sir?

-Put the chicken back, Styles.

-But, sir!

-Styles!

Yes, sir.

Come.

Report from the quarter deck, sir.

Wind's still from the north.

-Course steady.

-Thank-you, Mr. Hornblower.

-Mr. Hornblower

-Sir.

A word, if you please.

How are the men taking to their

new travelling companions?

As one might expect, sir.

They have a few misgivings

about their presence,

- but nothing untoward.

-Misgivings? What kind of misgivings?

I think they have a little difficulty

in seeing-

the general's troops as allies;

when only yesterday,

any Frenchman was the enemy.

But, you have made it clear to them

that they are to give-

-the general their full support?

-Yes, sir, very clear.

Good, good.

And yourself,

what do you, um..., think of

the general and his plan?

I think he is bold, sir.

Bold? Is that all?

Without knowing either the general

or his plan in detail,

I wouldn't presume to judge, sir.

Ahhh, a prudent enough answer.

There is also some speculation

about our destination, sir.

What would you say if I were to tell

you we were heading for-

the coast of Brittany?

What would be your guess then?

In that case, I would say

Quiberon Bay, sir.

Would you?

Why?

From my recollection, Quiberon

affords a good landing.

-It is the logical choice.

-Your deduction is correct.

Let us pray, Mr. Hornblower, that

the French Republicans-

don't share your logic.

Otherwise, Quiberon Bay-

may not be such a welcoming spot,

afterall.

We have to stop the artillery of

the Republic here,

from moving against us

through Muzillac,

west to Quiberon, here.

Alors, le Colonel Moncoutant,

he will lead a group of men-

to take control of the bridge

at Muzillac, here.

The colonel is Marquis de Muzillac.

He is the lord of that village,

-so he knows the region very well.

-Ah, you must be glad to be-

returning home to Muzillac, Colonel.

No doubt,

-the people will welcome you

-Most of them will,Mr.Bracegirdle.

Some will be sorry to see me, but-

I shall be glad of the encounter.

Colonel Moncoutant requires

the company infantry to secure-

or destroy the bridge at Muzillac.

Uhh, Major Edrington

I believe my men are up to

the task, Captain.

Monsieur, I protest.

As Lord of Muzillac,-

the honour of defending the bridge

should fall to my men.

With respect, Colonel, your men

have not seen action-

-for several years, whereas my men...

-You question-

the competence

of our French troops, Major?

Colonel, I merely point out their

lack of recent experience.

So, you do question it.

No, I will not allow it.

Gentlemen, surely we are

all allies here.

As long as our campaign

is successful,

-we will all share the honours.

-Mr. Hornblower is right.

To restore the king,

that is our only concern.

As you wish, Colonel.

May I suggest, Colonel, that one of

my officers act as liaison-

between yourself and Lord Edrington.

You seem to have a grasp of

the situation, Mr. Hornblower.

Perhaps you'd like to volunteer.

Yes, sir.

We'll be taking 2 twelve-pounders

and enough powder-

-to destroy a bridge.

-What size is the bridge, sir?

Well, I'd imagine it's a bit bigger

than the river, Matthews.

Sir?

Ah, never mind.

Take 10 extra powder casks

to be sure.

Begging your pardon,Mr.Hornblower,sir

but why can't the French-

-use their own cannons?

-Styles...

It may have escaped your notice

Styles,

but General Charette's troops

don't have any cannons.

Well, I don't mind letting them

take ours sir.

Yesterday you were prepared to

hang a man for taking a chicken.

But, today you're willing to give

them our guns.

Very generous. Decided the French

are all right afterall,-

-have you, Styles?

-No.

Your men are reluctant to go

ashore with us?

On the contrary, sir, they are

all quite eager.

I am happy to hear it.

With the help of your men

I hope to see my home restored

to something of its former glory

They will do everything in

their power, sir.

I think you are a stranger to

my country, Mr. Hornblower.

You cannot imagine what these

Republicans are capable of.

There is no place they would

not defile,

nothing they would not besmirch.

Let us hope your fears are unfounded.

You do not know these people.

They are barbarians.

But order will be restored, monsieur.

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