Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters Page #4

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-Very well, my lord.

-My lord, is everything well?

-Well?

Look at this place, Mr. Hornblower.

No artillery would dare to cross here

and if they tried,-

my mama could beat them off

with her parasol.

-They may send infantry as well.

-They may.

But to be plain with you,

Mr. Hornblower, my greatest fear is-

that the enemy will ignore

this place all together and-

concentrate on the bridge.

If they should cross

-You do not trust my men, my lord.

-I do not doubt-

your men, Mr.Hornblower

but, I have no confidence-

that the Frogs would stand firm

and support you.

-I see, but General Charette

-General Charette isn't here.

Our commanding officer is

Colonel Moncoutant.

And from his earlier exhibition,

it is clear that whatever his rank,

he is no soldier.

Never underestimate the enemy,

Mr. Hornblower,

but never overestimate an ally,

particularly one who is caught up

in his own affairs.

I better go and report to him.

See what he's up to.

I think this is a good place to

make camp, Monsieur Bowles.

The men, they can rest; and tomorrow,

tomorrow we take Quiberon.

Darn this animal, what it

needs is a rudder.

Show it who's master, Mr. Hornblower.

I don't need to, it knows.

I've heard it said that

the guillotine is as effective-

at subduing trouble as an army

of 5,000 men.

I don't think it would take 5,000 men

to subdue these people.

By the look of it, a handful

could do it.

Ah, messieurs.

Just the men I need.

Gentlemen, I trust I will have

the pleasure-

of your company at dinner tonight.

-At dinner?

-We look forward to it, Colonel.

Excellent. Shall we say,

eight o'clock?

Come, Mr. Hornblower.

Our men will be expecting us.

There is nothing we can do here.

-Message from Mr. Bowles, sir.

-Well?

General Charette has made

camp for the night.

-Has he met any resistance?

-No sir. That's good, surely.

Yes. But why is it so easy?

The Republicans could have put

up lines of defense anywhere.

-Unless

-Unless what, sir?

Mr. Bracegirdle, have you

wondered why-

it is we have been ordered

to remain here.

I had assumed it was to provide

a place of retreat for-

General Charette should circumstances

have turned against him.

Aye, but in one ship, when it

took four to bring him here.

So, if General Charette is

indeed forced to retreat

It is not expected that he will

return with more than-

a quarter of the men

he set out with.

The mathematics of defeat,

Mr. Bracegirdle.

You see, gentlemen, a Republic,

a country run by peasants, is

a contradiction-

of all the natural laws.

Observe,if you will,how my house

has suffered during my absense

The peasants could not look after

it because they have-

no breeding and thus no intelligence.

Entrust them with fine furniture,

paintings,-

they see only firewood.

They probably used-

my best brandy to ignite the blaze.

Forgive me, sir,

but I have always held it true that

any man may better himself,

-however humble his situation.

-But to what purpose?

Monsieur, I remember I once

had a horse, which-

for amusement I taught to count

off the days of the week.

Did this make him a scholar?

Naturally, it remained a horse.

And so, with the peasant.

Surely, Colonel, given

a chance to learn

No, Monsieur Hornblower,

I think you are-

a revolutionary at heart yourself.

-Indeed I am not, sir.

-I began to suspect it in the square-

-this afternoon, actually.

-I take offense at that, sir.

But, I tease you, of course.

But, monsieur, my country is

the farce you see today-

precisely because certain good souls

like yourself believe-

they can teach the peasant to think.

Major Edrington,-

like myself, you hold

aristocratic title.

Surely you will support me in this.

Colonel,you have obviously given

the matter more thought than I

However, you may be sure

that I thank God-

daily for the good fortune of

my birth for I am certain-

I would have made

a miserable peasant.

Take this woman, she is a peasant.

She works in my house, as

her mother did before her.

But, in the days of the Republic,

they made her a teacher.

Was this simple creature put on

this earth to teach grammar?

It's much better to leave her

free to do what she does best.

Oh, she says she is not an animal.

There is no need to translate

her words, sir.

I understood her French,as she

clearly understood your English.

-Have a care, Mr. Hornblower.

-So it is self-evident, sir,-

she cannot be as ignorant as

you are so anxious to make her.

Once again, monsieur,

I hear the rebel in you.

Then you mistake yourself again,

sir, for I am no rebel.

I hope I am a gentleman

and that I will always-

-treat any woman with respect.

-Enough! Allez!

I will not argue with a common sailor

in the British Navy.

Before you slight a common sailor,

sir,-

may I remind you that the British

Navy and its common sailors-

have conveyed your grace's person

thus far-

without incident or injury.

Goodnight, gentlemen.

Now, where is our dessert?

Mademoiselle...I beg your pardon.

So, we are no more than the animals.

I assure you mademoiselle, it is not

a view I share,

nor would wish to hear expressed.

You have been kind. Once again,

you have tried to help me.

I did no more than my conscience

dictated.

But now, I am afraid there is nothing

more you can do for me.

Mademoiselle, at least allow me

to escort you home.

There is no need to trouble yourself.

I assure you, it is no trouble.

It would be a pleasure.

Very well. Thank-you.

Today, I think there is only one

lord and master in France.

-Mademoiselle?

-That machine.

For Moncoutant or the Republicans,

it is the same.

Does he think he will make

us love him this way?

I'm afraid I am not privy to

the Colonel's plans.

Then what are you doing here?

I'm here to do my duty.

And what is that...your duty?

We will hold the bridge until

we are told to leave.

Or, until you are forced to leave.

So, the children have an

unexpected holiday.

I'm sure once the colonel is

more settled

For twenty years, I lived like a

dumb farm animal.

-I have no desire to live like

that again.

-Nor will you.

I will not let it happen.

You have my word on it.

I accept your kindness, monsieur;

but not your word.

You do not know what

you are talking about.

Whilst I am here you will

come to no harm, I swear it.

-And when you are gone?

-You do not know me, mademoiselle.

If you knew me, you would not

be so quick to doubt me.

It is not you I doubt.

It is this place.

I will protect you.

On your way.

Back to the bridge, both of you.

I'm sorry, monsieur. Officers first,

naturally. Apres vous.

I do not think they will be back.

But, at least allow me to

protect you from them.

I would be glad if you did.

Beggin' your pardon, sir.

-Is everything all right, sir?

-Yes, fine.

Fine, thank-you, Matthews.

-What is it?

-The bridge. Stay here.

-Reload!

-Quick!

Fire!

Reload and come starboard by a point!

-But sir, we can't see anything, sir.

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