Horatio Hornblower - Fighting The Spanish On The Renoun

Call our hands, beat the quarters.

Come out again, stand by, let's cover better.

One broadside into it, if you please, gap in bush.

Point is on target.

Wind stops, really.

Eyes are ready.

Fire!

Resetting, Michael Redgrave at C.S. Foresters in dominant land of the sea, Horatio Hornblower.

The

wind stops, really.

Fire!

Resetting, Michael Redgrave at C.S. Foresters in dominant land of the sea, Horatio Hornblower.

The wind stops, really.

Fire!

The wind stops, really.

Fire!

The wind stops, really.

Fire!

The wind stops, really.

Fire!

The wind stops, really.

Fire!

The wind stops, really.

The feeling of success was strange and new on that eventful voyage of my younger days.

Yet it was unmistakably in the air for all of us, officers and men alike.

The new year of 1800 and two dawned with a brighter promise, even there in the West Indies far from home.

We had taken two Spanish fortresses, destroyed a nest of privateers, and gained security for future convoys making use of the Mona Passage.

Now wonder my new friend, Bush, now a second in command of the Renault, stood grinning to himself there on the portodeck as he applied his eye to the ship's telescope.

Morning, Miss Bush.

Happy New Year.

Surely I'm right this is New Year's Day, despite the temperature.

Hornblower, happy New Year to you too.

I hope you've lost your service.

You look happy enough what you've trained on.

On the sea.

On the second fourth year of the harbour, our party's leaving there.

Hope's putting off from the landing right now.

Yes, there'll be some fireworks any moment then.

Oh, not sure they've got a little farther off.

Tell me.

Does Captain Buckham seem at all elated to you, Bush?

Not particularly.

No, well to me it's strange, isn't it?

Three price ships lying off our stern that go with us to make a five hundred pounds prize money for our good captain.

People in the nose, the hands are pleased enough with the five shillings, they are true.

I hope she's only thinking of the fourth private year we had to see.

I don't suppose I'll ever understand that, man.

Two Spanish fortresses taken, one of them already destroyed them.

There's a second though, come on.

Our boat party's safely away.

Now all we do is Spanish guns rule the entrance to Semana Bay,

when she's sentenced of smoke and flying basement.

I have two tons of gunpowder with quite sufficient worth it.

If we're losing sail now, as soon as he's nibbled, sends up word for his cabin.

And with four ships, three price ships and we're ourselves,

jammed full of prisoners and their women.

The least our voyage to Jamaica won't be boring.

The women must be watched, I'd say.

Coming aboard, I thought the men seemed tractable and I've even resigned.

Not probably had enough of that weird island there.

Tropic heat, rebellious natives, yellow fever.

Some of them have been stationed there in garrison for years,

but their southern wives and daughters.

If bailful looks could kill, they'd have willed every man of us.

They don't mind showing, they can aid through there.

Well, separating them in the way we have ought to take care of that.

Only about 50 women and their children,

batten down in our midshipmen's birth,

and marine sentries always on guard, remember?

Paying its fixed and muskets led here.

Well, and all four hundred of their men,

stowed on our lyrgum deck.

Every half-sweighed guarded by six prisoners,

aboard each of the three prizes to remember.

Yes, but not as many.

And we've got good men of our own aboard those prizes.

Look, there goes herfins marrying Captain Buckman's gig.

He's boarding the one they call...

...larged-gaddy Thomas.

Yes.

You've shown us if I still haven't convinced you.

I'll be convinced once we're safely in Kingston, Harbour.

And that's a four-week away.

You'll have to let them up, you know, for exercise and air,

conditions down there, and no better than doing a slave ship.

Oh, aren't you, Vassen?

Look here, on blower.

I'll be a bit more cheerful, will you?

Oh, you mean nightmares?

Well, isn't sending word this time?

Our captain comes himself.

The captain's voice.

Now, captain?

It's a...

It looks as if the damage ashore is complete enough, isn't it?

Yes.

We'll get underway just as soon as the shore boats hoisted in.

If you please.

I accept.

All I have stand by to get underway.

All I have stand by on the way.

All I have.

And host that shoreboat line that I'm into, you know?

Yeah!

A bush was entitled to feel satisfied,

as opposed to one day followed another without event.

There we were.

A small armada.

One British ship, shepherding three Spanish prizes.

Four specks alone, and tiny, in a vast, sun-wrenched sea.

On the renown, we will have short-handed, both as two officers and men.

Though each of the prize crews was small enough in all conscience, this fact produced no crisis.

Watch succeeded watch and always calm.

A tight and proper routine seemed to have been established.

Yet I still couldn't avoid a slight uneasiness.

Exercise period beginning.

Yes, the regular hour after room no doubt.

Bus, look, am I seeing things again or am I right?

That woman over there by the head square beside the sentry.

She doesn't look exactly solid.

No, she's fine.

Sure, she's flirting with one of our Marines.

Sergeant Billings, come here please.

Sit down gentlemen. Sit down.

Thank you for coming.

Shut the door please, Lieutenant Bush.

Certainly.

Tomorrow afternoon we should reach Kingston.

I haven't tightened up too much on sailing orders during the voyage.

So long as we could keep the three prize ships under surveillance.

But now that we'll be entering a British harbor, some changes are called for anything.

Are changes? Yes, Mr. Bush.

Don't have those Spanish vessels straggling along in any fashion.

You won't do.

Must keep at least a trim formation.

Understood, gentlemen.

Yes, sir, of course.

But may I respectfully suggest that in this instance,

well, appearances aren't really as important as Mr. Orbla, you may not.

And listen if you please to my instruction.

Yes, sir.

Mitcherman Brown will replace Mr. Orbla,

a temporary second lieutenant of the renown under Lieutenant Bush.

Mr. Orbla, this afternoon, well before night four,

you will transfer to the first of the privateiers, Magaditana.

Yes, from there, in consultation with the other prize crews,

you will please organize a more efficient disposition.

Bring all three into port in an orderly manner.

Sir, may I be permitted to point out that,

well, we're already shorthanded aboard renown.

I don't know why it is that certain officers feel called upon to offer me advice

when I don't ask it.

Very well, gentlemen.

That will be all I think for the moment.

That statement I almost cleave myself.

Once aboard Gaditana, I set about hoisting signals

so our other two prize crews pursuing Buckland's instructions is best I could.

As Bush told me his story later,

I was able to piece together pretty clearly

much of what had happened aboard the renown in my absence.

It was a dark and lovely Caribbean night

under bright stars when Bush completed his last evening runs.

He was dog tired and soon asleep.

The usual ship sounds did not disturb him in the least,

but sometime after midnight, Bush became suddenly awake.

His ears told him that something was amiss.

There was a loud cries.

There was a rock of heat on deck.

A woman screamed.

When there was another rock of heat,

Bush had left from his cot.

Snatched his sword and fist was in my blanket

against the cabin bulkhead.

We win!

Kill and kill and kill each other!

They were upon him in an instant.

Anne's grabbed his sword,

and he fought to tear it from their grip.

Struck widely as a pressing mob.

Kicked out of his bare feet at the attack.

The dogs!

The dogs!

This way!

This way!

Come on!

We'll make a scare!

I'll hide with you, sir!

And all that was so fast,

none of us knew enough to land it!

The dogs!

This way!

We can stop him!

Over here!

Come on!

Come on!

Sir, look!

That's what shit is it!

Here comes some more of our crew, sir!

We'll try and tear it together, mate!

Together!

We'll make a couple of pieces of it, don'ts!

Bush struggled to relearn them.

A few more of the crew were now unfortunate to his side.

And suddenly he found himself sprawled on the deck.

He had been struck down.

He was bathed in blood.

His own and out of others.

His head swam.

He was weak, beyond belief.

And then the two mouths seemed to die away.

Oh, Bush, sir!

Mr. Bush!

They've come from that their Spanish drive!

Who's come?

I do believe it's Mr. Longblower, sir!

With his drive, it's true!

That's all it is!

All you're allowing so can still walk!

This way, now, we can drive them back!

This is Mr. Bush, sir.

What?

They might never know him at the moment.

We might plan.

He's fear trampled, too.

Yes.

Bush.

Bush!

Are you conscious?

Of course!

Bush, speak to me!

Bush!

One blower.

Did they...

They'd take the shovel.

I thought you were not.

I'm glad to say it.

Thank God that you and a few others held them off too.

We got there.

They never reached the quarter-deck.

Where was Captain Buck?

Well, they took him prisoner while he's too late a bit.

Oh, he's alright.

We released him as soon as we got the Spanish under control.

And he...

Bush!

Bush!

Yeah, man, he's unconscious again now.

Lift him gently now.

Gently?

Every minute is kept in him no time.

Hello, Bush.

I want to have some fresh food, too.

First, eh?

Lemonade, eh?

That's...

There's a lot of your own, though.

You know this.

There's a very great deal, though.

I'd like to say to you in...

In gratitude, though.

Left-to-laid.

What's lemonade?

Bamboo from shores already been alongside.

Port some lemons for you, though, too.

I...

I didn't mean lemonade, you know.

Last night, though, this...

This is no time for you to talk.

How you feeling, anyhow?

Movement not very easy, eh?

Well, I should think, no.

Crive tells me he had to close a lot of gashes in your body.

Oh, 50s for you stitches, though.

I have to.

I'm seven-up like a crazy...

Well...

That'll mean some mending up in base hospital ashore and not bad.

I hear a feature quite well up there.

I...

Rather angry at the moment.

Things are going to be slightly difficult aboard him.

Was I dreaming last night?

Or did you tell me that they'd taken Captain Butler in his bed?

Oh, it's true enough.

I found him with his bedding and he lay there helpless throughout the battle for the ship.

I...

Of the West Park.

Or she's his...

His hand dog looked this morning, eh?

I...

Poor old buckled.

Oh, capture the sleep in bed.

I suppose you'll never live that down.

Will there be a court of inquiry?

Do you imagine it's bound to be?

You see, Boshu?

You are lucky to be here.

Whatever happens, it's going to be embarrassing.

Own blower.

How the devil should those prisoners escape from?

Come in.

Oh, right, you, sir.

Nice to be able to stop in and see Mr. Bosh.

Afternoon, Captain.

Good afternoon, Mr. Bosh.

All right, just looking on you for a moment before going ashore.

You were going ashore to make your reports?

Yes.

Well, it's...

It's a beautiful afternoon, sir.

As far as I can charge it.

And you do look much impressive, sir.

There's spotless white trousers and uniform coats.

And your sword?

Oh, yes.

I've dressed with the utmost care.

And the finest I could find.

I've carefully prepared my reports.

And I wish to have an hour dead.

Oh, sir.

I don't say that, sir.

I wish I were.

Your gig's alongside, sir.

And the three prizes are just anchoring as therapists.

Thank you, Mr. Brown.

Nice to be offered in a moment.

Hi, Isaac.

Yes, remember the Spanish prizes, Captain?

They'll bulk very large to the gold braid ashore.

Oh, well, I...

How in heaven's name did those Spanish maniacs escape?

Well, it must surely have been due to the...

Well, carelessness of the marine guards.

Certainly, it was well planned.

Perhaps none of the women...

Well, quite so themselves in exchange for a portrayal.

But they're seeming complacency.

And some of our men to leave a hatchway unforeseen.

Yes, I...

We must institute an investigation at one point.

Sergeant Billings has already reported, sir.

He seems quite certain, after much enquiry,

that two Marines were responsible.

And both of them died in the fighting last night.

Well, at any rate, I want you, gentlemen, to know...

I've treated you well in these reports.

For instance, Mr. Hornblower, I've given you a full credit

that you did at Haiti and for boarding the ship

when the prisoners rose.

Thank you, sir.

More than I deserve.

Well, I'll be off.

Good fortune to you, Mr. Bush,

if you've been taken ashore before I'm back.

Oh, thank you, sir.

And good luck to you, sir.

Well, ashore.

A man on his way to the gallows might look rather like that.

Don't you think, Pushk?

Yes.

Well, get some sleep now, if you can, sir.

I'll attend to my other duties, and then we'll see that you get ashore.

After we'd piped, capped in Buckland off,

there was much else to be seen to...

...for the stretcher bearers from Kingston.

Meanwhile, up on deck, I asked Sergeant Clive about Bush.

Yes, Mr. Hornblower, his condition is rather serious.

Well, you didn't tell me that this morning.

He grew feverish, and with so many wounds, both large and small,

I fear infection.

Oh, well, he's not in such bad shape as those three seamen who stood with him.

Don't worry.

They've a really excellent naval hospital here, I have informed.

I do believe that's the hospital lighter now.

Oh, am I mistaken?

I think you're not mistaken, Doctor.

Dawson!

Stand by to receive those stretcher men from the boat coming alongside.

There should be stretchers for six men in all.

Are you rising up?

Here we are, Mr. Bush.

Sounds a bit blinding, isn't it?

Hornblower, I knew there was something I had to ask you.

What's that?

I kept coming back to bother me all morning.

When you recaptured the renon, that's not you.

Came all the way from the garage on.

Well, yes, naturally.

How did you know that anything was wrong, you were so far away?

Oh, I heard a couple of musket shots at first, and then I saw the renon come up into the wind,

and that seemed aimless and peculiar.

Or you collected all three prize crews together.

Was that his guess?

Well, the thing that puzzles me is to be more three of our seamen.

Were you afraid of losing the prize?

Yes, Hornblower.

You all carried prisoners aboard.

Better to lose the prizes than the renon, Bush.

Beside.

Beside what?

Well, I had every sheet and heliod cut in the prizes before we left them.

I took them so much time to read new ones that we had no trouble at all, retaking them.

Oh, so that was it.

And you had two retake them.

Yeah?

By the holy, you had a busy night all in all.

Well, yes, rather.

These are the voters of the moment, and watch those things.

Oh, I saw it.

Oh, steady ramen.

Pull first off.

Goodbye, Hornblower.

Good luck, and carry on.

Goodbye, Bush.

We will be waiting for you here in the renon.

A ratio hornblower, starting Michael Redgrave, is based on the novels by C. S. Farnister.

Music composed and conducted by Sydney Torch.

Produced by Harry Allen Towers.