Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil Page #4

What's that got to do

with attering course?

Nothing, sir.

Aye aye, sir.

(breathing heavily)

(whispers):

Mr. Hornblower, sir.

Sir, Mr. Hunter asks won't

you come on deck, sir.

Good morning,

Mr. Hunter.

Shh, quiet.

Listen.

(men shouting in Spanish)

Dagoes, sir.

Shh.

We're in the middle of a fleet,

by God.

You should never have

attered course.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Hunter.

Call all hands.

Quietly.

(shouting continues)

So, the dons have left Cadiz.

(bell ringing)

Sir... Starboard.

There.

(bell ringing)

Styles:

It's a two-decker, sir.

The San Nicolas.

84 guns.

Mr. Hunter,

find the French colors.

Sir?

Le Reve's colors, man,

run them up.

The dons might not wish

to fire on their allies.

Aye aye, sir.

It's a poor ruse,

but it might buy some time.

This fog could hold for

five hours or five minutes.

Mr. Hunter, what sail did

the San Nicolas have?

T'gallants

and topsails, sir.

Very well,

take in the topsail.

But the wind is fair, sir...

And ease the sheets.

I wish to slow her down,

Mr. Hunter.

Aye aye, sir.

Keep her steady, Matthews.

Aye aye, sir.

You're hoping the Spaniards

will pass us by.

Hope is the word, Matthews.

Hope and a prayer

that this fog holds.

Styles, in the stern,

if you please.

Inform me if any don

sniffs us too close.

Sir.

(whispers loudly):

Sir!

Ship dead astern, sir.

Course?

Straight for us

and gaining, sir.

Matthews, three points

to windward.

Aye aye, sir.

She's passing us starboard, sir.

Abeam, sir.

Sir.

The sun.

Matthews:

It'll burn off

the fog, sir.

Your hat.

Hmm?

Your hat, Mr. Hunter.

That must be the Oriente.

(man shouts in Spanish)

How many guns would you say,

Mr. Hunter?

Oriente...

Guns, 74, sir.

So if it came to matching

broadsides

I expect we would lose.

But it would be

a damn close-run thing.

Don't you think, Styles?

Damn close, sir.

Take 'em at least a minute

to sink us.

Mr. Hunter.

Go below, find what

French clothes you can.

Pass them round the crew.

No man is to show his face

above decks

Unless he looks like a frog.

Aye aye, sir.

Oldroyd, get aft.

Mr. Hunter

has clothes for you.

Aye aye, sir.

Duchess:

Oh, I wouldn't say no

To that dinner now.

Shh!

What? Have I said something?

It appears we are surrounded by

the Spanish fleet, Your Grace.

I would respectfully suggest

that you keep to your cabin.

What? And miss all the fun?

For your own safety, ma'am,

and, dare I say it, for ours.

What is it, Oldroyd?

You might want to put these on.

Very well.

Take it to the quarterdeck.

Tell Mr. Hunter

All men to keep their

own clothes beside them

in the event we are taken.

I don't want us all

to be hanged as spies.

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