All language subtitles for 05-Horatio Hornblower.S3E01.Loyalty

it's definitely
the hotspur, sir.

yes, matthews.

styles, put a ball
close to her stern,
but not too close.

aye, aye, sir.
close but not
too close it is.

but it's--
it's the hotspur, sir.

aah!

styles,
for god's sake, man.

sorry, sir.

look, sir.
now she shows
her true colors.

i thought something
was wrong.

well, if the frogs have
taken the hotspur, sir,

it's only proper
we should take it back.

indeed, matthews.

lay us alongside.
aye, aye,
sir.

mATTHEWS: gunners, stand by!
contact at the next head!

[men shouting]

[crash]

[shouting]

mATTHEWS:
come here!
look at that!

that's their idea
of the cavalry?

pity the poor bastards.

why has he
got the flag down?

where is your captain?

i don't know, sir.
it's to me.

oh, yes.

and do you surrender?

well done, sir,

and, uh, i just thought
you ought to know, sir.

there's a cutter
headed this way.

and do you suppose
this cutter to be
a threat, matthews?

no, sir.

i don't quite know
what it is, sir.

i just thought
you ought to know, sir.

look at this, sir.

he served
the victory, sir.

are you british?

irish, sir.

and proud
to be, sir.

english rule
is ireland's curse,

and if the french
offer us a hand,
we'll take it.

the irish rebellion
was crushed years ago, man.

it's not
finished yet.

mAN: ahoy!
peace, lads!

dIFFERENT MAN:
it's peace with france!

it's peace!
it's peace, lads!
lads, it's peace!

ahoy, the ship!
can you hear us?

it's peace!
peace with france!

it's peace?
it's peace!

[cheering]

leave him, matthews.

killing one more poor devil
won't change the world.

the war is over, man.

yeah. yeah!

the war is over!

[cheering]

the war is over.

mAN: lay on your oars!
homeward a larboard!

mAN: all right.
mind your back.
coming through.

mAN:
all right, missis.

what can i do
for you today?

dIFFERENT MAN:
mr. hornblower,

you're here to redeem
your gray coat, no doubt.

the weather
is most inclement.

alas, no.

ah.

i can offer you
15 shillings.

15?

alas, mr. hornblower,
with the peace,

there's little demand
for naval swords.

watch where
you're headed, man.

beg your pardon, sir.
sir?

sir.
mr. bush?

it's good to see you.

it's good
to see you, sir.

you needn't call me sir.
look. no epaulet.

but you're a commander.

you're captain
of the retribution.

i was a commander.
now that we're at peace,

i'm once again
a mere lieutenant.

infernal luck.

and what's more,
lieutenant without a ship.

me, too.
well, it's cold.
where's your coat?

why don't we go
to my lodgings?

we can talk there.

i come every month,
collect my half pay,

stay wherever
it's convenient.

cheap,
in other words.

well, why not
lodge with me?

it's cheap here,
i assure you.

[footsteps]

oh, it's you.

lieutenant bush,
mrs. mason,

the lady
of the house.

mr. bush will be
my guest tonight.

you're very free
with your hospitality,
mr. hornblower,

for someone whose rent
is so far in arrears.

i don't mind paying
in advance, madam.

it'll be a shilling
for the bed.

i can't wash the sheets
for less than that,

not with soap,
as it is.

and that just leaves
mr. hornblower's 15
that he owes us.

oh, uh, sorry, mother.
i forgot.

mr. hornblower gave me
half a crown this morning.
it's up in my room.

[sigh]

if you spent
less time
daydreaming...

you're just like
your father--
head in the clouds--

and look where
that got him.

i want that balance
by the end of the week.

this way.

i'll be up
presently.

she doesn't mean
to be so hard on you.

i think she does,
maria,

and with
good reason.

i'm not a good lodger,
not by any means.

oh, please don't, sir.
i know you're good for it.

but your mother
will expect to see

this mythical
half crown.

i can handle my mother.

i have something put by
for my teaching,

and you have more need
of the money than me.

you truly are
a good friend, maria.

i thought i had none
left in the world.

i hope i'm more
than that, sir.

maria, don't pin
your hopes on me.

i'm but a penniless
sailor with few
connections

and fewer prospects.

i know you are
a true gentleman,

and a gentleman...

needs his sword.

well, thank you.

please, sir.

you have an admirer--

your landlady's
daughter.

i saw the way
she looked at you.

maria? no.

no, no, no.
nonsense.

how could you
possibly afford

to come here
on half pay?

follow me,
and i'll show you.

mAN: ah,
mr. hornblower.

are you well, sir?

admiral pellew, sir.
yes. very well,
thank you.

you remember
lieutenant
william bush.

we served together
in the renown.

to great effect,
as i recall.
thank you, sir.

you joining
us for cards,
mr. bush?

mr. bush is purely
a spectator
this evening,

but i shall be
honored, as always.

then allow me
to introduce

an old acquaintance
to the table.

i think you'll find
this a very stimulating
contest.

you earn
your living here?

well, my winnings
usually outweigh
my losses.

ah, hornblower.

good evening,
captain hammond.

a humble sloop
takes on two ships
of the line. hmm.

now, we shall soon see
if that is valor

or mere foolhardiness.

gentleman,
my nephew jack hammond.

well, step up, lad.
step up.

good evening, gentlemen.

on his first visit
to the fleshpots
of portsmouth,

hoping to be posted
to a ship.

you're in good company.

some of the navy's
finest captains come here.

pELLEW:
so, mr. hammond,
given the choice,

with whom
would you serve?

though, naturally,
i can make
no promises.

well, come along.
come along.

you study
the naval gazette.

well, there is
one man, sir,

but he's not a captain.

i've read much
of your exploits, sir.

what? horn--

well, i'm sorry.

i'm in no position
to offer you
anything.

indeed. you should think
more carefully, sir,

before you nail
your colors to the mast.

well, if he wishes
to go into battle
with mr. hornblower,

there's always
the card table,

but i warn you,
mr. hammond.

the lieutenant
is an exceptionally
gifted player.

my trick again,
by god.

one more trick,
and the game is ours.

well, you and your nephew

have all the luck
of the devil,
captain hammond.

[chuckles]

mr. hornblower,
why are you
a lieutenant again

and no longer
a commander?

because my promotion
was disallowed

when the retribution
was laid up.

the country
can't afford to keep
a wartime navy.

otherwise, we'd be paying
this damned income tax
every year.

let's hope
england's haste
to decommission

does not prove
to be premature.

what do you think,
mr. bush,

or do you decline
from speculating

as well as gambling?

i'm equally poor
at both, sir,

but if i were
a gambling man,

i'd wager
that this peace
won't last long.

whatever bony's planning,

we'll be ready for him,
won't we, uncle?

this is hardly
the place to gossip

about military
matters, boy.

it's an officers club.

even in such
illustrious
company, sir,

the best part of valor
is discretion.

and for all we know,
mr. hornblower here

might be sharing
his berth

with some republican
strumpet.

oh.

indeed,
i'm not, sir.

oh, no,
not mr. hornblower.

unlucky with women.
unlucky at cards.

trick and rubber,
i think.

i think not, sir.

so. so we're down
to the last trick, then.

which, i believe,
is mine, also.

you hold but a 7,
do you not?

[pellew chuckles]

i did warn you.

his talent
is quite formidable.

well, gentlemen,
this evening

has been quite
an education.

hmm. a damned expensive
education at that.

thank you, lieutenant.
i hope you and i--

hAMMOND: come, jack.

sir edward.
mm-hmm.

gentlemen.

here's your winnings.

use them wisely.

i'll see you
aboard the flagship

two bells tomorrow
forenoon. mr. bush.

what do you think
he wants?

well, i doubt he wants
to play whist.

no, but you--

you risked everything
on one hand.

my chances had
to right themselves
mathematically.

don't you see?
of course.

no. no, i don't.
ha ha!

aha.

good evening,
mrs. mason.

oh, it might be
for young rakes

squandering
their rent money

on dissipation
and drink.

by the scent
of gin, madam,

it's plain you've had
a head start.

such insolence...

and those that
can't even pay
their reckoning.

if mr. mason were here,
he'd throw you out!

please, mother.
don't.

you can shut your mouth.

it's because of you i've let
this young spark run on.

there's hardly a shirt
in his chest,

and his chest will be
at the pawnshop, too.

hORNBLOWER:
mrs. mason.

25 shillings.

what i owe you
plus a week's
notice.

a week's?
mother.

please,
mr. hornblower,
you can't leave.

oh, now, sir,
you wouldn't leave us

on account
of a misunderstanding.

no. we understood you
very well, madam.
come on, horatio.

mr. hornblower,
don't go,

not on such terms.

well, i suppose
it is rather late

to go seeking
new lodgings.

william?

come, mother,
you should be in bed.

i don't need
your ministrations,

thank you, miss.

you wouldn't
really have left us,
would you, sir?

no, maria. i don't
believe i would.

good night, sir.

good night.

[bell rings twice]

pELLEW: ah, hornblower.

admiral pellew, sir.

how's your head, man?
hmm?

you spend the night
celebrating your
good fortune?

alas, no, sir.

i had some debts
to settle.

do you recognize
that 20-gun sloop?

hotspur, sir?

hmm. needs a captain.

a man of intelligence
and ability.

i was wondering
if you could suggest
anyone suitable.

well, i, uh...

as you were.

your promotion
to commander
has been confirmed.

you are now captain
of the hotspur.

she must be ready
to sail in two days.

thank you, sir.

this is not
idol favoritism,
hornblower.

well, a little tiny.

i need you to be
my eyes and ears.

no one trusts
our new friend bonaparte.

[knocks on door]

enter.

[door opens]

ah, captain hornblower,
this is major
andre cotard,

recently secondered
to the admiralty.

major cotard,
it's an honor
to meet you, sir.

this is the captain
of the hotspur?

major cotard
is of a noble french family,

who paid dearly
for their opposition
to bonaparte.

but i still have
many well-placed
contacts in france.

i have had word
sent--

well, thank god not all
frenchmen worship

that corsican upstart, huh?

may i continue,
admiral?

of course.
carry on.

i have had word
sent to me

that an old
and trusted
friend of mine

needs to speak to me
most urgently.

he insists
on meeting
face to face.

it must be important
to warrant the risk.

exactement.

in 7 days, he sails
from brest

on a british
merchant ship,
the eleanor.

your ship
is to take me

to rendezvous
with him at sea.

no doubt attracting
the attentions

of the french,
i take it.

quite so.
we don't want to give
bony the satisfaction

that we violated
the peace treaty.

right. you'll report
to the hotspur in two days

at 3 bells
in the forenoon watch.

uh, 3 bells?

9:30 a.m.,
major cotard.

the major may appear
a little impertinent,

but i have it
on good authority
he's a faithful ally,

and i have no reason
to question the veracity
of that information.

but?
but...

men like cotard
have their own agenda.

i understand that,
sir.

remember, hornblower,
there's folly

and foolhardiness
on one side,

daring and calculation
on the other.

you make
the right choice,

and i'll see you
through any trouble
that might ensue,

and remember...

do nothing
to provoke war

before war is declared.

your mission is vital
for england, sir.

mAN: lay on your oars.

so what did
the admiral want?

a commander...

for the hotspur.

congratulations,
horatio.

sir.

they couldn't have
chosen a better man.

thank you.

she's hardly
the renown.

bUSH: but she's
a fine ship, sir.

do you think so?

yes. i think so.

and do you also think,
mr. bush,

that a lieutenant
who served in a 74

might be happy
to serve as a lieutenant
in a mere sloop?

if you were captain,
sir, i believe
he might.

then would you do me
the honor of being
my first lieutenant?

it is i who would be
honored, sir.

i feared
you wouldn't want to.

i feared
you wouldn't ask.

[chuckling]

well, we have
a ship to rig.

aye, aye, captain.

mAN: lower away.

handsomely now.
handsomely.

dIFFERENT MAN:
steer it
down a jot.

that's it.
over here.

that's the last
of the water, sir,

but we're still
waiting on cordage.

cannot afford to wait,
mr. prowse.

i'm the master
to the ship, sir,

not superintendent
of the dock.

fetch the superintendent
down here.

sir?
he'll answer
to me,

or he'll answer
to the admiral.

it's his choice.

aye, aye, sir.

bUSH: name?

wolfe, sir.
thomas wolfe.

experience?
5 years
as coxswain

on the northern
convoys.

what brings you
to portsmouth?

uh, a young lady
in leeds, sir,

with a swollen belly
and an angry father.

sign here, wolfe.

books are full.
no more men.

mAN: oh, not again.

i hear there's
an india one due in
next week.

wait.
matthews. styles.

captain hornblower,
sir.

good to see you
back in command.

she's a fine ship,
sir.

uh, we can always find
a place for matthews, sir.

thank you, sir.

sir?

you want to add
to our troubles,
do you, styles?

well, i don't have
a steward yet.

i've been working
in kitchens

these last 3 months, sir.

[clears throat]

styles, you never cease
to amaze me.

thank you, sir.

very well.
i'll take a chance,
mr. bush.

make your mark, styles.

aye, aye, sir.

thank you, sir.

mARIA:
mr. hornblower.

you're not
leaving us so,
surely.

my mother's tongue
sometimes runs
away with her.

i've been given
command of a ship.
i sail tomorrow.

then let me pack
for you, sir.

that's very kind,
but there's
precious little here.

maria...

i'm sorry.

i told you not to pin
your hopes on me.

i shall never forget
your kindness.

for a long time now,
no one ashore
has cared much

whether i lived
or died.

i care, horatio.
my heart leaps

when i hear your
footstep on the stair,

and when
i hear your voice--

please, maria.

i know i shouldn't
say these things,
but i must,

for i shall
never see you again.

i'm sorry.

i have my duty.

mAN: come on,
you marines.

get bellied
by the rail there.

come aboard, sir.

come aboard, sir.

bUSH: names?

charles orrock, sir.
midshipman.

john hammond, sir.
midshipman, sir.

well,
as midshipmen,

i'll expect you
to know this ship

like the back
of your hand.

otherwise, you'll know
the back of mine.
is that understood?

sir.

i would like to speak
to the captain, sir,
to thank--

you shall speak
to the captain

when you're
spoken to, lad,
and not before.

now go on below,
both of you, and store
your dunnage.

aye, aye, sir.
aye, aye.

ahem.

sir.

maria.

mr. hornblower,
i'm sorry.

i'm sorry
for what i said.

there's no need to,
truly.

i couldn't bear for us
to part on such terms,

so i...

you...

i made you these, sir.

gloves.

gloves,
mr. hornblower.

a small token
that you might think
of me sometimes.

i need no token, maria.

i...

must get back
to the ship.

farewell,
mr. hornblower.

maria...

thank you...

for the gloves.

[bell rings 3 times]

good morning, major.

mAN: you there!

sail up and clear
that bunt line!

dIFFERENT MAN:
aye, aye, sir!

you are...

william bush,
first lieutenant.

have my bag
put in my cabin, bush,

and take me
to the captain.

may i see
your orders, sir?

your captain
will not like to be
kept waiting.

neither do i.

show me your orders, sir,
and he won't be.

you're a frenchman.

you object?

no, sir.
we all serve the king.

matthews,
have the major's dunnage
stored in my quarters.

aye, aye, sir.

mAN: boat ahoy!

dIFFERENT MAN:
hotspur!

captain's
coming on, sir.

very well.
boatswain's mates.

side, boys. lively. ho!

[whistles blowing]

mAN: present. hut!

god's blood,
what has he got
in here?

provisions.

provisions?
where are we going,
the west indies?

will that be all, sir?

for the present,
styles.

i didn't catch
your name.

uh, wolfe, sir.
your coxswain.

worry about where
we're headed when
we get there, wolfe.

major cotard, captain.

ah.

you are welcome
in this ship, major.

glad to hear it.
that will be all.

slack water now, sir.
first of the ebb
in 10 minutes.

anchors offshore.

thank you, mr. bush.
i shall be up
presently.

i was expecting
a somewhat larger vessel.

don't judge
a ship by the number
of its guns, major,

but by the skill
of its crew.

the hotspur
is more than equal
to the task.

you will make
your rendezvous.

ahem.

stand by there
at the capstan!

thank you, mr. prowse.
mr. bush will take her out.

bUSH:
aye, aye, sir.

loose the headsails!

mATTHEWS: loose
the headsails!

haul away there!

come on!
put your backs
into it!

stand by to loose
the topsail!

stand by to loose
the topsail!

heave away
at the capstan!

come on!
do it now!

loose the topsail!

let go!

[men shouting]

mr. bush, we'll have
an hour's exercise
at the guns

as soon as we're out
in the channel.

you never know.
one of these days,
we may have to use them.

aye, aye, sir.

hands to quarters!

mATTHEWS: hands to quarters!

[whistle blows]

sir.

i'd like some breakfast,
please, styles.

two fried eggs,
a sausage,

and some black pudding.

oh, and some coffee.

coffee, sir?
yes. coffee.

you do know
how to make coffee?

oh, yes, sir.

bUSH: cast loose your gun!

cast loose!

cast loose.

cast loose! come on!

best bawl your lungs out,
mr. hammond, sir.

you won't be heard
otherwise.

ahem. how do you
make coffee?

ha! do i look
like a cook?

you and your big mouth.

run out your gun!

run out!

[voice breaking]
run out!

run out your guns!
jump to it!

oRROCK: run out!

fire!

fire!

oRROCK: cease fire!

stand by
your guns.

mr. orrock,
what are your orders

regarding lanterns
during a night action?

i'm to wait until
mr. bush expressly
orders them, sir.

then i send
mr. hammond.

where do you go,
mr. hammond?

for the lanterns?

i...i...

don't look to mr. orrock.

[clears throat]

forward, sir?

yes, mr. hammond.
forward.

thank you, matthews.

sir.

bUSH: rest assured, sir,

mr. hammond will be
warmly reminded
of his duties.

i won't have to speak
to you again, will i,
mr. hammond?

capitaine hornblower,

if this is a joke,
it is in poor taste.

sir, only the captain's steward
may enter without knocking.

what's the problem,
major cotard?

do you seriously
expect me to sleep

in a mildewed
canvas bag

with the common crew?

i thought he was
sharing your berth.

he is.

behind
a filthy curtain.

i have shared a berth
with lieutenant bush,
major cotard,

and i consider it
an honor.

the admiral
required you to show--

on this ship,
i am the admiral.

if you are not
satisfied with
your quarters,

you have my permission
to sleep on deck.

your breakfast,
sir.

now, major,
will you join us?

i am not hungry.

good day
to you, sir.

sorry about
the delay, sir.

still finding me way
around the galley.

bUSH: styles,
what's this?

uh, fried eggs, sausage,
and some lovely black pudding.

as ordered, sir.

i'm just boiling
the coffee now, sir.

i'll go fetch it.

but coffee
shouldn't be--

boiled, william?
i know. i know.

bUSH: raise up
that main yard!

aah!

damnation.

hmm.

you worked in a kitchen
for 3 months.

yes, sir.

don't lie to me,
styles.

i'll string you up
by your thumbs.

it were a prison
kitchen, sir.

i were doing 3 months
for fraying.

did you think
to make a fool of
the captain, styles?

no, sir.
learn to cook,

or i'll cook you.
you understand me?

sir.

were your customers
this fussy
in the clink?

put it this way.

i never got flogged
for me cooking it,
if that's what you mean.

oh, there's worse
than being flogged.

mr. bush might
make you eat that...

and then flog you.

pROWSE: that sail
is set, sir.

very good, mr. prowse.
again, please.

again, sir?

mr. prowse, how long
have you been at sea?

30 years, sir,
12 as master.

good.

i respect
your experience
and your skills, sir.

in return, i'd like you
to respect mine.

one more exercise
at the headsails,

and then put the ship
abound, please.

aye, aye, sir.

strike the headsails!

aah!

aah! aah! aah!

[men shouting]

god almighty!

wOLFE: get overboard!
get overboard!

leave him! leave him!
get overboard!

hORNBLOWER:
stand fast there!

major quarters!

mr. prowse,
get a team on the pump!

aye, aye, sir!
below there, man the pump!

hold that aside,
mr. bush!

matthews!

mATTHEWS:
aye, aye, sir!

finish pumping!

mAN:
finish pumping!

[cough]

the doors
to the stove, sir.

they've been left
wide open.

[coughs]

i secured
the range, sir.
i swear, i did.

then how did hot coals
get scattered all over
the deck?

i don't know, sir.

take him below.

i hope this will not
delay us, captain.

it almost delayed us
permanently, major.

[sigh]

but we are
still afloat.

let us at least
be grateful for that.

the cook.
he should hang.

that's for the captain
to decide.

all hands
to witness punishment!

[crew murmuring]

mAN: this is silly.
it wasn't his fault.

well, styles,

you have endangered
his majesty's ship

and the lives
of your fellows.

what do you
have to say?

wasn't me, sir.

does anyone have
anything to say
on his behalf?

hORNBLOWER: if he
is found to have
acted maliciously,

the articles of war
provide for only
one sentence...

death.

bUSH: i believe it may
have been an accident, sir.

he was negligent,
not malicious.

very well.

seize him up.

hats off.

hORNBLOWER:
"article 36--

"all other crimes
not capital
committed

"by any person
or persons
in the fleet

"which are not
mentioned in this act

"or for which
no punishment

"is hereby directed
to be inflicted

"shall be punished
according to the laws

and customs
used at sea."

3 dozen,
mr. matthews.

[drum roll]

[drum stops]

uh!

i've never seen
so much blood.

bUSH: 3 dozen, sir.

take him down,
mr. bush.

take him down!

thank you, mr. bush.
dismiss all hands.

all hands dismissed!

i didn't do it, sir.

mAN: clear that mizzen
coming in!

land ho!

there is no sign
of the eleanor,
captain.

is your contact
reliable?

my contact
is the duke
of montreuil.

he has always been
a man of his word.

hORNBLOWER:
our arrival has been noted,
judging by that semaphore tower.

it was not there
6 months ago.

it'll be part
of a chain.

by now,
they will know of us

in brest
and in paris
within the hour,

and that battery
will have been reinforced.

hold on.
this'll sting.

[panting]

hold fast.
hold fast.

just vinegar
and brown paper.

it'll help
your wounds heal.

why are you here?

nothing cheers me up

like seeing another
poor bugger in pain.

i didn't do it.
i told them.

styles, you've served
the crown long enough.

what did you expect?

sail ho!

flying on
the larboard bow!

glass.

is it the eleanor?

mr. orrock, we'll hoist
our colors, if you please.

aye, aye, sir.

should you not
signal to them?

i would, major,
were she a british ship.

she's a french
frigate, sir.

in the very place
at the very time
of our rendezvous?

it may be a coincidence.

she's closing fast, sir.
shall i alter course?

keep her steady
as she goes,
mr. prowse.

clear
for action, sir?

we're at peace
with france,
mr. bush.

or we were
when we left england.

40 guns to our 20, sir.
18-pounders.

thank you,
mr. prowse.

she's have us in range
in two minutes, sir.

thank you.

you don't trust her,
do you sir?

in range of her broadside
in one minute, sir.

so she has twice our guns,
4 times our firepower.

we must clear for action.

no, mr. bush.

we will render
passing honors.

passing honors
to a frenchman, sir?

hORNBLOWER: there's
a first time for
everything, mr. bush.

you do remember
the procedure.

aye, aye, sir.

all hands man the sides!

sergeant of marines,
parade your men!

mATTHEWS: all right!
man the sides!

jump to it!
pick those feet up!

quietly now,
drummer on the right.

boatswain's mates,
pipe on my command.

aye, aye, sir.

bUSH: toe the line there.
toe the line.

heads up. keep still.

show these frogs
how a british crew behaves.

let them have it,
mr. bush.

drum.

present...arms!

pipes!

[man shouting]

for what we're
about to receive...

[band playing
"god save the king"]

bUSH: order...arms!

cOTARD: the loire.

well, i'll be damned.
i never thought i'd get

a salute from
a french frigate.

question is,
what was that french
frigate doing here?

and what has happened
to your friend the duke?

oh, sheer folly.

hORNBLOWER: major cotard
was supposed to meet
his contact

on board
a british ship.

now there's
no sign of either.

bony is up
to something
along this coast,

and we must find out
what it is.

yes, but i'm not sure
i trust major cotard

to be the one
to investigate it.

nor me.

not enough to let him
go alone, anyway.

now...

how do i look?

like a pale,
thin englishman
with a poor tailor.

sir, if they catch you,
you'll be shot as a spy,
peace or no peace.

i know, mr. bush.

[knocks on door]

[door opens]

johnny boat
is ready, sir.

she's rigged with
nets and floats.

she should pass
for a fishing boat.

thank you.

i'll just
get aboard.

oh, there's no need.
we'll row ourselves.

begging
your pardon, sir.

just you
and that frenchman?

oh, the exercise
will do us good.

aye, aye, sir.

[door closes]

if i'm not back
by the second dog watch,

you are to sail
to portsmouth

and see that this report
gets to the flagship.
sir...

you are in command,
mr. bush.

now take
good care of her.

aye, aye, sir.

you said the captain
was a clever man.

he is.

not bloody clever
going ashore

with only that frog
dandy for company.

better tell him that
when he comes back.

you mean,
if he comes back.

maybe he'd rather have
a frenchman in front of him

than an irishman
behind him.

matthews, half
this navy is irish.

if we were
all disloyal,
you'd be sunk.

wasn't so long ago
i came across a paddy
serving on a french ship.

fancied himself
as a rebel.

hope you won't tar all irishmen
with the same brush, matthews.

sir, no, sir.

sorry, sir.
no offense.

carry on.

all this coastland
used to belong to
the duke of montreuil.

i spent my childhood
playing here.

this must
be a bitter
homecoming.

it breaks my heart
to see a noble nation

debase itself before
a man like bonaparte.

you find it strange that
i should love my country

and still
fight against it?

as long as you fight
against it, major,

that's all
that concerns me.

[men speaking french]

bonaparte has been busy
during the peace.

peace?

this camp is for
an invasion force,
major.

we must get word
to admiral pellew.

[men shouting in french]

for god's sakes,
major!

[gunshots]

[bullets ricochet]

[gunshots continue]

aah!

[shouting]

hORNBLOWER:
you wait here.

[soldiers shouting]

half an hour
into the second
dog watch, sir.

i can tell the time,
mr. prowse.

now is not the time
to make a stand, major!

damn semaphore has
started up again.

mAN: deck there! sail ho!

where away?

coming down
the fairway, sir!

it's our old friend
the loire.

we better get
underway, mr. bush.

we've stayed
too long already.

mr. bush?
i heard you,
mr. prowse.

she's altered course
towards us, sir.

sir.

very well. come
onto the larboard tack.
set a course for home.

we'll show them
a clean pair of heels.

we'll be lucky
if we can do that.

set the headsails!

brace up the mainmast!

capitaine, look.

the hotspur
is still there.

thank god
for english
inefficiency, huh?

she's heading
out to sea.

hey!

ahoy!

hey!

ahoy!

pROWSE: they're
catching up, sir.

sTYLES: sir.

sir.

not now, styles,
for god's sake.

not bloody now?
styles!

sir, it's them!
it's the captain.

on the larboard
corner, sir!

hORNBLOWER: ahoy! ahoy!

bUSH: my god,
it is them.

all hands
to wear ship!

mr. prowse, we'll
stand in towards.

the frigate is cleared
for action, sir,
if we're at war.

bUSH: hard aport!

they've seen us.

capitaine...

the loire.

put your back
into it, major.

for a moment there, sir,
we wondered which ship
you were headed for.

still here,
then, mr. bush?

thought the hour glass
was running
a little fast, sir.

we're in range
of her bow chasers,
sir.

raise her hard up,
mr. prowse.

mr. bush,
clear for action.

aye, aye, sir.
clear for action!

pROWSE: raise up
the mainmast!

[men shouting]

thank you, styles.

begging
your pardon, sir.

on behalf of the hands,
are we at war, sir?

the frogs know,
and we don't yet,
matthews.

very good, sir.

they're catching us
fast, sir.

we'll have
to come about, sir.

we'll be on the shore
in 5 minutes.

as soon as we
come about,
they'll have us.

[cannon fires]

[cannonball whizzes]

hORNBLOWER: mr. matthews!
get those halyards reroped!

aye, aye, sir!
and matthews,

if you think it proper,
you can tell the hands
that we are at war.

[laughter]

come on.
move yourselves.

mr. orrock, i want you
to take 4 men up forward.

i shall be
going about shortly,

but then i shall
change my mind.

when i signal,
you are to run the jib up

and flat it out
to starboard.
understood?

aye, aye, sir.

stand by to go about!

standing by, sir.

now, mr. prowse,
keep an eye
on that frenchman.

i want to know
exactly what he does.

aye, aye, sir.

helms alee!

mATTHEWS:
helms alee!

he's following
us, sir.

avast!

brace all back again!

rrgh!

mr. orrock!

aye, aye, sir!
set the headsail!

hard aport!

mATTHEWS:
hard aport, sir!

oRROCK:
drop the headsail!

hang the headsail!

volley fire!

make ready!

they tried to follow us,
sir, but he's been
taken all aback!

he's helpless!

present!

we'll render passing
honors, mr. bush.

aye, aye, sir.

gunners, hold your fire
until the mainmast
is in your sights!

run out!

mATTHEWS: run out!

run out,
mr. hammond!

sTYLES: thought
you might use a hand
with the guns, sir!

good man,
styles.

rather see you
on the gundeck
than the galley.

come on, sir,
unless you want to get
your leg blown off!

stand by!

fire!

[whoosh]

mAN: fire!

damn!

she's coming
round, sir.

aah!
aah!
aah!

wOLFE: oh, god.

[wolfe shouts]

reload!

mAN: powder monkey!
over here!

aah! aah! aah!

[screaming]

shut your face!
shut it, damn you!

waah!

come on. you're all right.
it's not your blood, sir.

what is it, matthews?

aah! mmph!

it's all
under control, sir.

one more peep out of you,
and no one can save you.

you'll be going
over the side
with that lot.

do you understand?
do you understand?!

come on, you bugger.

aah!
aah!
aah!

hooray!
yay!
hooray!

[cheering continues]

do we come to the wind,
sir, and finish her off?

[cannonball whizzes]

let's not
overplay our hand,
mr. prowse.

we'll have drifted in range
of those batteries
within 5 minutes.

every shot tolled, sir,
every single shot.

indeed they did,
mr. bush.

i think we've overstayed
our welcome here.

mr. prowse,
plot a course for home.

[cheering]

pELLEW: you had no business
to take on the loire, man!

she might have blown
you out of the water!

it would have been
folly not to, sir.

oh, there's folly
and foolhardiness
on the one side

and daring and calculation
on the other, eh?

something
like that, sir.

very good.

you made
the right choice.

i'd like to know
what the loire

was doing there
in the first place.

one french ship
outside a french port?

that's hardly rotten.

at the exact
hour and place
as our rendezvous

with the duke
of montreuil?

well, the only one privy
to that information
was myself

or major cotard
or some good men
of the admiralty.

perhaps you should talk
to those good men, sir,

or major cotard.

i will not doubt
major cotard because
he's a frenchman.

god, he risked his life
for england, damn it.

nevertheless,

i feel we must
doubt someone, sir.

indeed, if we
have agents familiar
with our enemies' plans,

it seems reasonable
to assume that
the enemy has, too.

hmm.

i'll make some
discreet inquiries.

in the meantime,

i want you back
watching brest

until i get
the channel fleet
to sea.

you sail
on the morning tide
first of the ebb.

aye, aye, sir.

well, there's hours, yet.
come on. finish your wine.

i, uh, beg
your pardon, sir.

i had hoped to visit
a friend before
i embarked.

a friend?
a lady friend?

you do know,
hornblower,

that in time of war,
a captain may not

sleep out of his ship
without his admiral's
permission.

i hadn't intended
to sleep, sir.

oh, well--

i didn't mean--
well,
permission granted.

thank you, sir.

well, maybe you
won't sleep ashore for
the next couple of years,

maybe more if bony
fights it out.

i certainly think
he'll fight, sir.

in that case,
we'll meet again

all flushed.

victorious war...

and beauty ashore.

you, sir,
what are you doing?

what does it look
like i'm doing?

oh, sorry, sir.

well, they're
bankrupt, sir.

seems the old girl
drank the rent.

[cell door slams]

[babies crying]

mRS. mASON: well, well...

if it isn't
the grand sea captain

come to sneer
at our misfortune.

mr. hornblower, sir.

maria.

i'm ashamed, sir,

that you should
see us like this.

oh, don't be,
i beg you.

it happened
so quickly.

i didn't know
we were in arrears,

and the bailiff
did not listen,

and now we can't
earn our release.

we wouldn't have been in arrears
if he'd paid his rent.

i did pay my rent,
madam.

i can see what
you did with it.

i never thought
i'd see you again.

you were my friend
in the time
of need, maria.

allow me to be yours.

mARIA:
no, mr. hornblower.
you mustn't.

it's too late, maria.
it's been done.

i don't know
what to say.

you could ask him
what he wants
in exchange.

mother!
say nothing.

just go and pay
your debts.

thank you,
mr. hornblower, sir.

if mr. mason
were here,

he would not
accept your charity.

but he is not here
and seems conspicuous
by his absence.

he died, sir,

fighting for king
and country.

he served in hannibal
at gibraltar.

i will not allow
my maria

to suffer as i
have suffered, sir.

oh, you may be
heroes to your ship,

but then you
are but dead men
to your women.

i can assure you--

oh, you can
assure me, sir.

can you assure me
that come the morning,

you will not be
back at sea fighting
death itself?

can you
assure me of that?

no, madam, i cannot.

there goes
the signal tower
again, sir.

i'd pay good money
to know what they're saying.

lOOKOUT: deck there!

sails, sir!

a whole crowd of them
on the starboard beam!

that's what
they're saying,
mr. bush.

bUSH: the fleet.

hORNBLOWER:
flagship signaling?

mr. hammond?

sir?

bUSH: the flagship
is signaling, sir?

hAMMOND: yes, sir.
it's, um--

it's our number
followed by--

followed by 2-1-3,

which is--
which is, um...

mr. orrock.

that's captain report
aboard flagship, sir.

learn your signals,
you little...

gentleman.

the book is useless
in a battle.

a fair and a fine dinner
awaits a man
aboard the talon, sir.

fine food
and fine wine...

but not that you're there
to enjoy yourself,
of course.

planning a little surprise
for bony, no doubt.

and--
wolfe...

why must you speak
when you have
nothing to say?

sorry, sir.

hORNBLOWER:
the french fleet are at anchor
in the outer harbor,

and the entrance is protected
by the battery here,

and all our movements
are immediately reported

by the semaphore here.

and thanks to
captain hornblower,

we now know that
bonaparte has 50,000
men encamped here

ready to embark at
a moment's notice.

and should the weather
turn foul and our fleet
be dispersed...

the french will need
less than two days
to cross the channel.

so despite all
of hornblower's heroics,

bonaparte will be issuing his
edicts from windsor castle
instead of versailles.

not without
his fleet, he won't.

without ships,
he can't launch
an invasion,

which is why
i intend to make
a preemptive strike.

tomorrow i will
lead the squadron
into brest harbor

and destroy
the french fleet
at anchor.

we will have to do something
about the semaphore
and the battery first, sir.

may i volunteer
the hotspur for--

god save us
from young men

eager for glory.

sir, i must insist
that you send a more
experienced officer.

insist,
captain hammond?

no, sir.
it is i who insist

that you listen
to the plan.

captain hornblower
will indeed attack
the semaphore

with a small party
and signal his success
with a blue rocket.

might i suggest that
i launch the attack
today at dusk,

making the most
of the evening mist?

good.
then as dawn breaks,
captain hammond,

you will lead
a party of marines
and storm the battery

and indicate
that it is taken
by two red rockets.

will be an honor, sir.

mmm.

prodigious, doughty.

i trust this is more
to your liking, sir.

yes. well, i don't think
it's quite that simple,
doughty.

we have to mount
the attack first.

come on,
captain hornblower.
fire the first broadside.

let's see what lies
below in the dungeon, sir.

thank you.

hAMMOND: well, it's easy enough
to demolish a pie crust

or burn a signal tower,
come to that.

you'll include my nephew
in your shore party, no doubt.

well, your man is so
eager to serve with
captain hornblower?

oh, he's destined
for great things, sir.

i trust you'll allow
him to temper his steel
in the fires of combat.

oh, i shall
certainly consider
him, sir.

well, while you're at it,
you might consider taking
someone else.

your raiding party
is gonna need
a good french speaker,

and i know
just the man.

[speaks french]

allo, monsieur bush.

[speaks french]

save your
linguistic skills
for the action, major.

[speaks french]

as you wish.

mr. matthews, you will
stay at the boat
with the marines

once we've landed
to cover our retreat.

aye, aye, sir.

mr. orrock,
you'll be in charge of
the demolition party.

you better call
for volunteers

to carry
the explosives
and the fuses.

i'd be glad to, sir.

good man.

better find somebody
to give you a hand.

carry on,
mr. orrock.
aye, aye, sir.

you heard
the captain, wolfe.

aye, aye, sir.
now then...

who wants to volunteer
for the nice little job

of carrying
the explosives?

hORNBLOWER:
mr. hammond,
report to my cabin.

come on, lads.
explosives are nothing
to worry about

unless you're careless.

then your worries
are over.

you worried, styles?

yes.
good man.

then you won't
be careless, will you?

hORNBLOWER: you asked
to serve with me,
and you have.

should you now
request a transfer,

it will not reflect
on your character
or reputation.

i don't want
a transfer, sir.

i don't know
why you should
think otherwise.

my family has high
expectations of me, sir.

i'm not asking
your family,
mr. hammond.

war is
a bloody business...

and any man
in his right mind
would avoid it,

given
half the chance.

with respect, sir,
no man would avoid it

who cared
about his character
or reputation.

please take me
with you, sir.

[man shouts in french]

[speaks french]

[man shouts in french]

he wants a password.

damn his eyes.

tell him we've got
a lobster for his
officer or something.

[speaking french]

bien!

unh!

unh!

quietly there.

matthews, you're in
charge here.
aye, aye, sir.

ready party,
follow me.

[click]

bonsoir, monsieur.

oui?

unh!

aah!

aah!
aah!

right. mr. orrock, get
those charges placed.

styles, stop hiding
behind that woman's skirt

and lend a hand, man.

give me the fuse.

well, i haven't got it, sir.
wolfe's got it.

there's no sign
of wolfe, sir.

[bugle playing]

sir!

listen.

[bugling continues]

mr. hammond.
sir?

run and tell
mr. matthews

we'll be returning
directly. go.

and get him out
of here.

and everybody out.

[bird squawks]

but how do we
ignite the charges

without a fuse, sir?

styles...

aim the rocket
at the doorway.

ready, sir.

that was
signal enough.

come on.

mATTHEWS: present!

hold your fire.

where's
the captain, sir?

they've been cut off.

give me 6 men.
tell them
to fix bayonets.

no. there's a company
of soldiers

headed up there
and more on the way.

we must do
what we can, sir.

no. no. we must rejoin.

if we stay on this beach,
we'll be cut down
where we stand.

we can't leave without
the captain, sir.

for god's sakes, matthews,
the captain's been cut off.

get the men
into the boats.

not without
an order, sir.

those are his orders,
damn you!

[man shouting in french]

we'll descend the cliff
to the beach.

i need two men here
to slow their advance.

i will stay.

i'd rather have you
with me, major.

trust me.
i'm right behind you.

and i will stay,
too, sir.

very well.
you two, give them
your pistols.

don't leave it
too late.

we'll see you
at the bottom
of the cliff.

follow me.

aah!

[man shouts in french]

[speaks french]

sTYLES: where are
the bloody marines?

[man speaking french]

mATTHEWS: all right, lads.
well done.

and he ordered you
to withdraw the marines?

he saw the french
reinforcements

advancing
on the signal
post, sir.

he told me
to run ahead

and evacuate
the jetty.

matthews?

we wanted to wait
for him, sir.

thank you, mr. hammond.

return to your duties.

aye, aye, sir.

dismissed, matthews.

sir.
yes?

nothing, sir.

orders, sir?

signal to the flagship,

"captain taken
in shore action.
report to follow."

aye, aye, sir.

sTYLES: ohh. chained up
in a bloody store room.

hORNBLOWER: there could be
worse prison cells, styles.

[splat]

there's no way to break
out of this, captain.

so we'll be
prisoners for
the rest of the war.

cheer up,
mr. orrock.

if the admiral
prevails,

it will be
a very short war.

mAN: le commandant.

hORNBLOWER: wolfe.

eat, captain.

my cook is
a french chef,

not an english
jailbird.

he can prepare
a meal

without setting fire
to the galley.

you set that fire
on the ship.

i did all
i could as
a humble coxswain.

i do not eat
with traitors.

i'm no traitor.

you fight
for bonaparte.

i fight for ireland.

bonaparte is merely
a means to an end.

he's a tyrant, man.

why does an irishman
put his faith in him?

to save ireland
from worse tyrants.

you english have
been lording it over
us for long enough.

you'll hang, man.

bonaparte has used
irish rebels in the past,

and every time,
he has failed,

and every time,
they have died
on the gallows.

i won't hang,
hornblower.

but you will.

sneaking ashore
dressed as
a fisherman

in search
of military secrets.

now, i believe they
call that spying.

then you are
as guilty as me.

you passed word
to the loire

about our rendezvous.

how could i?

i was on board
the hotspur
the whole time.

so your task
was to delay us

long enough
for the loire
to intervene.

well done, captain.

so there must be someone
more handily placed
within the fleet.

i bet you'd love
to know who he is.

if i'm to hang,
it'd cost you
nothing to tell me.

it would be
a cruel fate indeed

to go
to the gallows

tormented
by the fact

that you have
no idea who
betrayed you.

guard.

enjoy your meal, wolfe.

once admiral pellew
is done,

you won't be dining
on breton lobster.

when we're done,

breton lobster
will be dining
on admiral pellew.

bUSH: sir, i could
sent a party ashore
to look for him.

no, mr. bush.

hornblower may have
destroyed their
communications,

but captain hammond
still has to cripple
their defenses

by taking the battery,

and nothing must interfere
with his mission.

but, sir, it
need only be
a small party.

we could even create
a diversion.

sir, i owe it
to him.

we owe it to him.

damn it, bush,
do you think
i don't know that?

do you think i wouldn't--

hornblower may be lost,
but the war goes on.

you will take command
of the hotspur

and stand by ready
to support the action.

aye, aye, sir.

come on, man.

we mustn't allow
our judgment

to be clouded
by sentiment

and wishful thinking.

will that be
all, sir?

sentiment
and wishful thinking.

no use at all.

i should have
spotted wolfe
for what he was.

he took me
for a fool.

the closer the enemy is,
the harder he is to see.

i carried
that traitor
aboard my ship,

and i had
you flogged
for his crime.

that's all right, sir.

it's wolfe who'll be sorry.

he'll have the skin
off his back

if i ever get
the chance.

hORNBLOWER:
and wolfe is not
our only concern.

hammond's attempt
on the battery
will fail,

and the fleet
will sail right
under its guns.

how do you know?

because wolfe
has a contact
in the fleet,

a well-placed
officer,

who will have
betrayed
every detail

of this attack
to the french.

and you still
suspect me.

so when will i
earn your trust,

when they hang me?

sir.

stay close by me.

all ready to go
ashore, mr. bush.

stand the men down,
matthews.

the admiral has
other plans for us.

but, sir, we could
be there and back

before he even knew
about it.

are you suggesting
mutiny, man?

no, sir.
i just wish--

so do i, matthews.

mr. prowse will
support the action.

stand by to go in
with the squadron.

aye, aye, sir.

hAMMOND: marines
will fix bayonets.

fix bayonets.

advance arms.

[creaking]

you will never move it.

you haven't served
in his majesty's navy.

you'll be surprised
what's possible.

orrock, styles.

sir?
sir.

time to weigh
anchor.

captain of marines,
carry on.

cAPTAIN OF mARINES:
right wheel, quick, march.

to the battery, men.

by the left...
quick march.

left wheel.

all ready,
are we, sir?

nowhere to run
to now.

a word if you please,
mr. matthews.

i'll have you know,
matthews,

i don't much care
for your tone.

well, sir, i must say,
i don't give

a tinker's cuss
what you care for.

captain hornblower
never ordered you
to clear that jetty.

you weren't there.

he would never have
given up that easy,

though you might.

you don't know
what happened.

i know he gave you
a chance to prove yourself.

he's done that
for many a man,

for me, for styles,

and nobody's ever
let him down till now.

if that's all
you have to say, sir,

i've got work to do.

stop there, captain hammond.

halt!

halt!

surrender your sword

and tell your men
to lay down
their weapons,

or would you see them
all slaughtered?

are you ready, gentlemen?

2, 6.

[rocket whistles]

ugh!

[rocket whistles]

damn it!

2, 6, heave!

[wood creaking and cracking]

aah!
unh!

shh! quiet now.
quiet.

right. a volunteer to be
first down the privy.

styles?

[rocket whistles]

i love fireworks.
don't you, captain?

when the english
fleets sail
under the battery,

you'll see
plenty more.

signal to squadron,

"all ships form
line astern
to flagship

with standards
abreast."

handsomely there.
we don't want
to drop him.

gonna smell like tea

and have a nice,
soft landing, sir.

sir.

ooh!

[coughs]

there's a tunnel, sir.

where does it lead?

to the outside, sir.

where outside?
i don't know, sir.

well, go and have
a look, man.

right. take my weight.

i don't much like
this, sir.

relax, matthews.

captain hammond
has seen to the guns.

let's hope we can
count on your
uncle, sir.

signal all ships to engage
the enemy, damn it!

[cannons firing]

well?

we're on the outside
by the shore, sir.

perfect. i'll get
the others.

fire!

fire
as you bear!

[cannonball whizzes]

the hotspur, sir,
she'll be matchwood.

aah!

mr. prowse,
alter course
to port.

if we do, we'll
run aground, sir.

if we don't,
we'll be smashed
to pieces.

alter course.

we'll run in
under the guns

and storm ashore
in the boats.

aye, aye, sir.

hard aport!

sir, i--

i'd like to come
with you, sir.

they'll never
do it.

not unless
we help them.

mr. orrock,
what do you
have there?

a handy billy, sir.

good man.
come on.

you intend to attack
the battery

with nothing more than
a block and tackle?

well, rather that
than stand idly by

while the fleet
is destroyed.

come on!

mr. orrock.

mr. orrock.

[man shouting in french]

on my signal.

2, 6, heave!

unh!

aah!

come on, men.
it's now or never!

on my signal!
2, 6, heave!

huh?

aah!
unh!

[man speaks french]

aah! aah!

hey!

aah!

unh!

[man shouts in french]

aah!

unh!

hORNBLOWER: we'll have
to put those guns
out of action.

swing the cannon
round this way.

load it with
grapeshot in case.

[screaming]

that'll learn them.

sir, we should
spike the guns.

we need a more
permanent arrangement,
major cotard.

to me!

steady as she goes.

[men coughing and groaning]

pELLEW:
they've stopped, by god.

signal all ships
to withdraw.

flagship signaling,
sir.

all ships then
withdraw, sir.

are you sure?

yes, sir.

better check it.
look it up
in the book.

aye, aye, sir,

but i am sure, sir.

he is right, sir.

yes. i know
he's right,
but by the time

he's looked it up
in the book--
ahh.

a la batterie!
a la batterie!

oui?

ahem.

[speaking french]

[gunshot]

i do not always
miss, captain.

i'm glad
to see it, major.

get back!
clear the battery!

you go on, sir.
i'll do--

oh. shut up, styles!

wOLFE: hornblower!

give me your musket
and run!

hornblower!

my god!

belay the last order.

signal the squadron,
"engage the enemy."

you all right, sir?

i'm a bit singed,
styles.

oh, no, sir.
you're done
to a turn.

trust me.
i'm a cook.

merde!

evacuent! evacuent!

[bugle playing]

take my arm, sir.

cOTARD: thought
you must be dead,
captain.

not yet, major.

sTYLES: quickly, sir.

good luck don't
last forever.

aah!

damn!

aah!

i should have
stretched your neck

when i had the chance.

i shall surrender

if you vouch my men
shall not be harmed.

no bargains,
hornblower.

captain hammond.

so much for his
dazzling insight.

you thought
your enemy within
would be a frenchman.

i thought you, sir,

had sworn an oath
to serve your king.

he's no king
of mine, sir.

i serve ireland
and her people.

yet all these years,
you've played

the loyal british officer.

what better way
to serve my country?

i knew my opportunity
would come,

and you, hornblower,

very nearly
ruined it.

commandant wolfe.

sir!

these men
were escaping
from custody.

deal with them.

[shouts in french]

orrock here
is irish.

for god's sakes, man,
you gonna shoot him, too?

all these others--

thank you, sir,
but i'll stay
with you.

that goes
for me, too, sir.

aye!
aye!

and i will stay
with my comrades, also.

you are, all of you,
damned sheep,

and like damned sheep,
you will be slaughtered.

[shouts in french]

[screaming]

bUSH:
hotspurs, with me!

[yelling and moaning]

charge!

ohh!

well, you bastard,
i owe you one!

aah! aah!

don't want to
kill you, young lad.

then fight me, sir!

[screaming]

aah!

for france, sir.

unh!

aah!

good man, jack.

[gunshot]

come on,
you damn bugger.

you'll get
yourself killed!

aye?

aah!

you devil!

enough, hornblower,
enough.

[cannons firing]

mAN: see to the wounded.

we've done our bit.

now it's up
to admiral pellew
and the fleet.

oh, god.

no.

oh, jack, lad.

oh, my god.
what have i done?

why--

[cough]

why was i
so frightened?

i wanted you
to be taken
with hornblower.

i wanted you
off the hotspur.

uncle? uncle,
is that you?

i didn't disgrace
the family name,
did i?

they would have been
proud of you, jack.

ohh!

stop, sir.

stop where
you stand, sir.

captain hammond!

don't make me
shoot you, sir!

i will not
hesitate, sir!

[click]

you say in your report
that captain hammond
blamed himself

for the failure
of his assault
on the battery.

yes, sir.

and despite
your entreaties,

he insisted on dying
with honor.

yes, sir.

you do know
i've spoken

with major cotard?

i imagined
you would have, sir.

there was a time,
hornblower,

when you would have
needed some convincing

about the merits
of any economy
with the truth.

yes, sir,

but these are
uncertain times
in ireland,

and more than
a quarter of the men
in the fleet are irish.

hmm, and the truth
about hammond

could spread
disaffection.

yes, sir,

which would
only serve
bonaparte's cause.

bonaparte has nothing
to offer ireland

but misery
and bloodshed.

ha! that's why england
has a right to demand
irish loyalty.

yes, sir, although--
huh?

it is perhaps
better to earn
loyalty

than to demand it.

when i was a child,
i spake as a child,

i understood as a child,
i thought as a child;

but when i became a man,
i put away childish things.

sir?

well, you know,
hornblower...

it's very hard
for a father to see
his children grow up.

i'm not sure i
understand you, sir.

i dare say, you will.

mr. hornblower, sir.

i saw the hotspur,
sir, in the harbor.

i hoped it might
signal your return.

it must be good for you
to be home again.

it is.
thank you, sir,

and also good
to see you.

come in.

you, uh, have enough
for the rent?

oh, um, i hope
to get a position
as a governess.

i can't be a burden
on your charity.

you're no burden,
i assure you.

no, mr. hornblower,
i can't.

maria, you are
in greater need
than i.

i have no
living relatives,

and you're
the closest thing
i have to--

to a family.

yes, but i'm not
your family.

maria.

there's a word
for a woman

who accepts money
from a man.

yes, and that word
is friend.

i treasure
your friendship,

but i cannot keep
both your money
and my reputation.

my apologies.
of course.

i should have--

no. i didn't mean
for you to leave, sir.

i can see that
i have imposed
upon you, maria.

i've been
thoughtless.

no. that's not
what i meant, sir.

you're not dead
then, sir?

it would
appear not, madam.

she wept when you
were gone, sir,

my maria.

i'd hate to think
how much she'd weep

had you not
returned.

she wept?

she wept
for you, sir,

and why
she bothered,
i don't know.

maria, please don't cry.

if i were your family,
would you let me help you?

i don't know
what you mean, sir.

what i mean is, uh...

if i were to ask,
maria, would you--

would i?

would you marry me?

say yes.

oh, horatio!