Hornblower: Retribution Page #2

What's going on?

I'll call that a yes, then, shall I?

Oi! Where do you think you're going?

Cartridges and powder. A musket a man.

Come on. Cop hold of these. Quickly!

I wondered where you'd got to.

I can't leave him.

Sawyer?

The man can't remember his own name.

I haven't sailed with him all these years

to leave him now.

I'll get to Kingston,

and see them hang for what they did to him.

This is goodbye, then?

Something to remember me by.

PELLEW:
The captain injured,

the crew deserting in droves,

and yet Mr Buckland

chose to press on with his mission.

Indeed, sir. With our full support, sir.

- May I ask why?

- It was our duty, sir.

Duty.

Duty to whom?

To our captain, sir, while he was...

Indisposed. Yes.

A happy day for James Sawyer

when you four gentlemen came aboard.

Thank you, sir.

(Chuckles)

You speak of duty, Mr Hornblower.

And I would speak to you of ambition.

For a man of your years

you have risen smartly through the ranks.

Certainly I hold myself fortunate

in my position, sir.

Mm-hm. And hungry to climb higher,

I dare say.

Not unless my service should warrant it.

Come, sir. We can hardly condemn a man

for proving his ability.

Nor do I wish to, Commodore.

But how offen can a young man shine

on a slow voyage far-

from the front line of battle

unless he spies an opportunity?

A vulnerable captain.

A First Lieutenant preoccupied with

the burden thrust upon him.

A chance to leapfrog the chain of command.

- Sir, I protest...

- I apologise, sir.

I merely put the question.

What would this young man do

if he was hungry enough?

And I will have my answer.

You can depend on it.

MATTHEWS:
Out or down!

Come on! Show a leg.

(Groans)

Come on!

Out or down!

What the...

They've run.

The buggers have run!

Styles!

On deck! Move yourselves!

Stay away from the side there!

Any man so much as looks at the water

will be shot.

- Sergeant.

- Aye aye, sir.

Keep away from the side!

You heard the officer.

Well, Mr Matthews?

We're missing 34 men, sir.

Sorry, sir. That's 33 men missing, sir.

I'm...

not entirely sure how best to proceed.

Sir, if I may suggest.

I believe the crew is afraid.

Afraid of what awaits them in Kingston.

What awaits all of us.

They need something to rally behind?

You think I should attack the fort?

Action may raise spirits, sir.

But we have to do it quick, sir.

And if we fail, I am double damned.

To be damned once will settle for us all.

Do it, Mr Bush.

Let's try and save ourselves.

We attack the fort!

ALL:
Hooray!

We'd best make haste.

I fear daylight's upon us.

- If Mr Buckland had decided earlier...

- I'm partly to blame for that.

Put that behind us. We can still rely

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes