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Horatio Hornblower - Prisoner Of The French On The Peek
About this Episode
Presents tales filled with suspense and intrigue, each episode unraveling mysteries that keep listeners engaged and guessing until the end.
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Transcript
Hmm.
One iced coffee?
99 cents please.
For real?
No way.
Hmm.
One iced coffee?
99 cents please.
For real?
No way.
Hmm.
What a deal!
Your new morning groove.
Ice coffee from McDonald's,
any size for just 99 cents to 11 am.
Pricing participation may vary.
Cannot be combined with any other offer.
What a bum bum bum.
Hey I'm Josh Spiegel, host of the podcast,
Lunatic in the newsroom.
If you enjoy journalism that drifts into mild panic,
wild overthinking and a guaranteed nervous breakdown,
Lunatic in the newsroom is for you.
It's news like you've never heard before.
The only newsroom with a panic button.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, and gasp and horror
as the show spirals completely out of control.
It's not just news, it's emotionally unstable.
Lunatic in the newsroom.
Listen today.
The sun shining, birds are singing
and all feels right in the world.
Until the season changes,
and suddenly you lose your motivation to get out of bed.
In fact, one in five people experience some form of depression
no matter the season or time of year.
At the American Psychiatric Association Foundation,
our vision is to build a mentally healthy nation for all,
because we want you to live your best life
and be your best you all year round.
Please visit mentallyhealthination.org to learn more.
Call all hands, beat the quarters.
Run out of guns, turn by, let's have a better.
One broadside in order to please get in bush.
Point is on target.
Then stop ready.
Eyes are ready.
Presenting Michael Redgrave as CS foresters
in dominant land of the sea,
Horatio Hornblore.
I shall never forget my 18th birthday.
Usually when a man's young,
birthdays are joyous occasions.
But there I was in the year 1794,
young midshipman Hornblore,
and I was a prisoner on board of French privateers.
I was the saddest birthday I ever had.
And here's the way it began.
A week before my birthday,
I was adrift on the Bay of Biscay
in an open boat with four British sailors
and ten captured Frenchmen.
Midshipman Hornblore had lost his first command.
Don't take it to our Mr. Hornblore, sir.
We're bad to get picked up sometime.
Not even be by our own ship, the Indivatiable, sir.
Wish we'd never left the Indivatiable matters.
It wasn't your fault.
That blasted brush ship flanted under us.
I don't remember to patch up that hole in the whole matter.
It was if I'd remembered in time.
It was below the waterline, sir.
It was below our above.
I should have had my wits above me.
It was that cargo riced on the damage, sir.
So can I be able to drop a water that come in?
By the time we realized it, it swelled all up.
Spit that cargo ship apart like it was a pea part.
The Maddie Galant.
My first command.
I didn't think it'd happen to anybody.
The old man.
Big of a garden.
Captain Falu won't blame you for it.
I blame myself.
But don't you see matters?
I was ordered to take over the Maddie Galant
after the Indivatiable stopped.
She was a prize of war.
I had orders to sail at Ringland not to the bottom.
I blame myself and I shall tell Captain Falu, sir,
when I make my report.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Rollblower, sir.
But come!
The wind's back here.
Yes, I know his matters.
We'd better take in the Ciancronoi sail, sir.
If it holds, we may manage to clear Ashlands
and set a true course for Ringland.
Hunter!
Hunter!
All in that, Ciancron.
Hunter!
Call our prisoners to attend to me.
You're still rated my petty officer, you know?
I work there, fodder!
Human shears!
Wake up on your feet!
Well, what is that need?
We're hoisting sail.
Have your men stand by the Halliards.
Violinar!
Abyansun!
Abyansun!
Abyansun!
Abyansun!
Abyansun!
Don't seem to want to, sir.
They're arguing with their officers.
So I know.
Here he comes, huh?
Now, that's far enough, sir.
Oh, sir, I...
I asked Sergeant...
...in this small open boat...
Yes!
...the people from where you are!
I ordered your men to make sail.
We...
We may eat up fear as you are.
Letting us train course.
And what's strange about it?
You have time, the killer, to wait west.
That is no way to reach the coast.
It is.
The coast of England.
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
I'm here to wait for England.
This is insane.
A small open boat...
...it is under the miles.
Yes, it is.
French coast is no more than...
...30 or 40 miles.
No, I'm not a lieutenant.
I'm a gentleman.
Yes, sir.
Keep your distance.
This is madness.
My men will not obey.
Pest.
Hope.
How old are you?
16, 17.
I shall be 18 next week.
A child?
Any of child?
How can you give orders?
I am more than twice your age.
A seasoned mariner.
There is only one cross.
To head for shore.
France or whatever, it matters not.
One step further than this pistol will go off.
Are you?
You order, shoot.
One step and I'll pull the trigger.
You order him and the horse sail.
The first one in the disobeys will be shot.
I refuse to give that order.
Yes.
Is it a word?
Hey.
Hey.
Wow.
That's that.
I, Mr. Ornblower, sir.
A proper ferocious you'll look for that pistol.
Mind if I make one suggestion, sir?
Yes, sir.
Next time, you better cock the pistol, sir.
Wait.
It is now.
It wouldn't even fire.
Yes.
Many things I had to learn when I was young, midshipman, Ornblower.
I remember how my knees shook as I sat in Mr. And Sheetland.
I'm furious I was with myself forgetting to cock a pistol.
Well, the tiny open boat sailed westward.
And for two days, there was no sign of a sail anywhere except mine.
Then, at dawn of the third day.
Mr. Ornblower, sir.
Wake up.
Oh.
There's a sail there and down on the sail.
Where?
Off the port quarter.
Well, you might be out on ship, Matthews.
I...I... I print that the Indifatricle will pick us up at...
Oh, yes, sir.
It's still far from full daylight.
But the top end of that vessel is clear to make out.
It ain't the Indifatricable, sir?
Well, sorry.
No, it's not.
Still and all, there might be other British ships standing block-head off this coast.
Might be French.
All right, sir.
It might.
We'll know soon enough.
It's coming right down on us.
Welcome aboard, sir, to the French Privatier Peak.
I am copied on New Zealand.
And you?
I am midship and hornblower.
This Britannic medicine ship, interpathicable.
You were in an open boat?
We kept the surprise.
I was put aboard in command.
It sank.
Remegletable.
Now the tables are turned.
The queue of your pies are free.
It is you who are pleased with this.
No, no, no.
Your pistols, please.
And that, dear, I have sure show you to your quarters.
Will you come?
Well, now this ain't bad, Mr. O'Blower, sir.
You like the quarters, Matthews?
Come in.
Oh, Captain Nervil.
You are surprised, Mr. Ron Blower.
There is a reason for my quick return.
Two of your crew are proving difficult.
Carson and Hunter, perhaps, whatever their names.
They have been ordered to do work aboard the peak
and they are refused.
A wine blind skate shouldn't they refuse?
That's enough, Matthews.
Captain Nervil, my man and I are prisoners
by the international code governing treatment of prisoners.
I am not concerned with the code.
You forget.
I am a privateer.
I set my own rule.
But there are no buts, my dear young man.
They shall work, or I will have them thrown over the side.
You wouldn't dare.
I assure you, it is highly probable.
And this man also.
His name?
Matthews.
Matthews.
Well, Mr. Ron Blower.
Matthews.
You will go between decks and tell Hunter Carson
and Smith to comply.
And you also.
Hi, I say.
I make an exception only in the case of officer.
It's my thanks.
How old are you?
What's that?
You never mind.
Very young, I am certain.
But you will become more ardent with age.
Now, my friend.
Is there any courtesy I can extend?
I don't know what.
Perhaps some.
Well, reading matter?
My fear.
I have only profession books.
Ranges, principles of navigation.
And librarians.
Unbook on Siemenschi.
The French.
You cannot read French.
I have lived.
Well.
I might as well learn.
Yeah.
You shall have them.
And you shall also have the freedom of the ship, Mr. Ron Blower.
But do not attempt anything.
My crew have moved sharp eyes.
Please.
It's not like the lamp, sir.
Yes.
Well.
Well.
I might as well read.
Yes.
My despair was as deep as the pit.
As wide and endless as all solos of use.
And I felt most particularly low-spirited on that one special day.
Today's date, sir.
And did you lie the fall?
Well, congratulate my Matthews. It's my birthday.
Now.
Born 18 years ago, July the 4th, 1776.
Do you ever have a birthday cake, Matthews?
Me, sir.
No.
I did every year that I can remember until I joined the Navy.
A cake now.
Better than ships biscuit any time, I'd say.
Was it a good cake, sir?
Oh, always.
My mother baked it.
Must have been then.
And one year she put candles on it.
Candles?
Is on top small candles.
And light it, then, one by one for each birthday.
Oh.
Oh.
Well.
You don't sound impressed, Matthews.
Don't know, sir.
Who can enjoy a cake with candle drippings all over it?
No, you blew them all out before they dripped it.
It was good luck, Matthews.
Lighted candles meant good luck.
Hmm.
Well.
No candles today.
No, sir.
No cake, either.
Mr. Ormler, it's all full-stuff.
It cooped up in this cabin.
Hmm.
Why don't you spend some time on deck?
I will, Matthews.
Tomorrow.
Well.
On deck today, Mr. Ormler.
Yes, sir.
And how do you like our good-ship peak?
Oh.
Well.
Your ship's better, yeah?
Yeah.
Yes, sir.
It means she handles well, Captain.
Oh, sir, she does, Mr. Ormler.
Extremely well.
Fast and light.
And there is none better before the wind.
Hmm.
Now make yourself a river deal.
Oh, hurry.
Hurry and go.
Any tail, no tail.
Morning, Matthews.
Morning, sir.
No, no.
Keep on working.
I bought this vessel.
You take orders from them.
Hi.
I only stone the deck and pick oak them.
Well, you had the same duties aboard the Indus Atticable.
Hi, I used to swear at about them.
I wouldn't swear now.
Even though our ship's got twice the deck this has.
At least you're kept busy.
I don't know which is worse.
Being busy.
Oh, sorry, the deck.
Say the whole thing.
Say the whole thing.
Say the whole thing.
Matthews.
Look, I pointed towards the starboard bar.
I said.
Look, I'm pulling the shoves.
Quick, man.
Well.
Well, Matthews.
Speak up, man.
Is it British?
It's head in this way.
It's the Indus Atticable, sir.
Or I'm a blind man.
I swear it's the Indus Atticable.
It's more years now than I care to count.
But I remember that moment well.
Myself as a midshipman.
One day, beyond my 18th birthday.
A prisoner aboard the French privateer of Peek.
I blamed myself for being a prisoner,
but my heart jumped at the prospect of rescue.
A sail had been sighted.
It was only a speck on that distant horizon
that it was instantly recognizable as a glimpse of home.
It's indefatigable.
It's caught sight of us and said,
of course, this way.
It's her own ship, Matthews.
Sir, I might have been mistaken.
All that's shown is the top camera.
The enemy's taking Matthews.
I'd recognize that cut anywhere at any distance.
He could make out more of her now.
Yes.
Yes.
Captain Polly was loosing her royals.
All sail set.
Both Matthews will be back on board in time for grog.
Do not set your hopes too high in this your own earth.
Captain Melville.
Wait.
Your late ship, I understand.
Yes, I...
Possibly.
A frigate or should not.
A British frigate.
Without guns, you three to one.
First, it must come within range.
What is our best point of sailing?
I had a few to answer that question.
Oh, please don't look so noble, Mr. Ombler.
I could induce you to give the information there are ways.
Unfortunately, for you, it is unnecessary.
There is no ship on earth,
especially none of his Britannic majesty's clumsy frigates.
They can outsell the peak running before the wind.
I don't believe it.
Then you shall see.
Where's the ship?
Steady bike!
Come on up!
We've arrived!
Come on up!
We've arrived!
We've arrived!
Well, your sea, Mr. Ombler.
Yes.
Already your indefatigable is falling for a turn.
Yes, I can see.
Just two more hours, and we shall have one armastate under us.
Very likely, for certain.
Close that door.
Quick!
Aye, sir.
Catch those mattresses off the cots.
The mattresses?
Aye, aye, sir.
Paper, paper.
I need paper, boy.
Oh, the box.
I hate to tear up grandsons' principles of navigation.
Don't stand there, Matthew.
It was over here.
Here.
Aye, sir.
Mr. Ombler, I know.
I haven't taken leave of my senses if that's what you're thinking.
I'll rip those mattresses open.
Rip them?
Yes.
Here, ma'am.
It's tall.
Good.
Pull it out, Matthew.
Pull it out.
Pile the straw up, young.
I'll stop with the paper.
Huh?
That's it?
Hold on.
Now fetch me the lamp.
Aye, sir.
Careful of it, sir.
It's fair.
The horse of the better has grease inside.
Hot grease.
And luckily it's lighted.
And the grease goes over the straw.
Like that.
Now, Matthew, we'll take one page from principles of navigation
and make a paper of it.
So?
Aye, the Lord, aye, sir.
Aye, sir.
You know what's behind that wall?
Yes, I have a paint locker.
There's nothing burnt like paint.
A paint or a dry wood or a cordage soaked with pitch and tile.
That paper I gave you quick.
Here, Arthur.
The peak is sailing before the wind.
And this cabin's in the stern.
We'll be low decks.
If it gets started, the wind will blow the flames forward.
If I don't discover it, sir.
Yeah, we'll not talk about that.
You better start it, sir.
Yes.
Looks like a candle, doesn't it?
Sir.
A small flickering candle for a birthday cake.
Well, a little.
Make a brighter flame by fire.
I hope.
All right, Matthews, we got that one deck.
You have started a bonfire, sir.
No, no, no.
Leave the door open and stay behind us.
My dear ones, it's about the fires.
Well, I can't have a fire without a decent draft.
And either way, it's a gamble now.
Come on.
Up on deck now.
I'll do your best to act as if nothing were to miss.
Fire!
Fire!
We ran forward.
Five desperate men.
It was a reckless sortie, but well, completely hopeless.
The bio-gun was well-attended.
As I led the way, I came full face against Captain Nervil.
Sir, you cannot shoot us in co-blood.
Cold, I boil with despair.
My beautiful ship peak.
You shall be far outside.
You shall be.
I advise you to put up that pesto and surrender, Captain Nervil.
Those are the guns of the Indypathicables.
The old town looked.
And I remember how I looked.
I stared at my heart in my eyes.
The peak lay idle, wallowing in a smoke and ruin,
and bearing down with all sail-setter away,
screaming white under her bicep,
became the Indypathicables.
She rounded to her capable length to winwood.
Her gunports opened at the ready.
First came launches to fight the fire,
and then, swarming over the side,
came an armed party with Lieutenant Mason in charge.
I shall never forget the amazing ones of his eyes,
with a cold side of us.
Oh, God!
You hung up!
What are you doing here?
Well, sir, you should have our mind now.
You'll make your report to Captain Perlil.
Now, where's the captain of this wreck?
I am the captain, sir.
Uh, extremely bad luck, sir.
Lieutenant Mason of his majesty's ship been departicable.
I will accept your surrender, sir.
Come in.
Bishop and Hombler are reporting to Captain Perlil.
I told you in for some further questions.
Hombler, it's not entirely clear.
What, sir?
You divert most of your report to the right ship.
From the Marigalon?
Yes.
You appear to blame yourself for looting her.
It was my fault, sir.
I will assess responsibility.
You mean, I'm not to blame.
I believe I have already so stated.
Go along.
Horatio Hornblower, starring Michael Redgrave,
is based on the novels of CS Farster.
Music composed and conducted by Sydney Torch,
produced by Harry Allen Towers.
Hey, I'm Josh Spiegel, host of the podcast,
Lunatic in the Newsroom.
If you enjoy journalism that drifts into mild panic,
wild overthinking, and a guaranteed nervous breakdown,
Lunatic in the Newsroom is for you.
It's news like you've never heard before.
The only newsroom with a panic button.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, and gasp and horror
as the show spirals completely out of control.
It's not just news.
It's emotionally unstable.
Lunatic in the Newsroom.
Listen today.
