Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant Page #3

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to cut the rations...

- by half.

- Half, sir?

Indeed, Mr. Hornblower.

No doubt Captain Foster

will be forced to follow a similar

prudent path.

Yes, sir.

A side of beef and a gallon

of rum, if you please.

Sounds like you've been

at the rum already.

- What's this?

- Half rations. Captain's orders.

On account,Bunting,there's been no

supply ship for seven weeks.

What of the captain?

Is he on half-rations?

That's dangerous talk, Bunting.

You'd better bite your tongue

to save it.

Styles.

Oldroyd.

Finch.

And that should just leave

Bunting and me.

For what we are about to receive,

let us thank the good Captain Pellew.

It's a gallant British man-of-war

lies in Gibraltar Bay,

And the jolly jacks aboard her wish

that they could have their say.

But, they must keep

their mouths tight shut although

their thoughts be dark.

- Cleveland!

- Yes, sir.

See if you can't put an end to

that infernal racket.

Cleveland, the nightingales are

in full voice tonight,

- are they not?

- Yes sir,

but Mr. Hornblower

has little time for birdsong.

It is a clear and cloudless night

and the wind

was steady and strong.

And we have laid in Gibraltar Bay

for many a day too long.

Biscuits one, pease pudding none,

- "and salt beef only half"

- You men, I said you men!

Acting Lieutenant Hornblower requests

a little less gusto in the chorus,

if you please.

Biscuits one, pease pudding none

and salt beef only half.

Our rations will not feed a man but

our officers only laugh.

It's a gallant British man-o-war

lies in Gibraltar Bay,

And the jolly jacks aboard

her wish that

- "they could have their say. "

- A moment, Mr. Hornblower.

- Sir?

- You sent a message to quiet the men.

I merely wish to concentrate

on my studies, sir.

Is something troubling your mind?

I fear there is too much to learn.

I can't help but question

my readiness.

Yes, I remember my examination.

Like you, I spent weeks with

my nose in a book,

and was fortunate to be tested on

a subject I knew well.

But, it's after the examination that

the real test begins.

- Sir?

- A book can teach you how to steer a ship,

but it can never show you how

to manage a starving crew.

The men are afraid, Horatio.

Many have seen before

the effects of prolonged rationing.

They fear a future

- of disease and death.

- But why are they singing?

Given the choice between

singing and weeping,

which would you fancy?

A good lieutenant gets to know

the ways of his men.

If you wish to test your

readiness, begin there.

Out or down, Out or down.

Up and out.

You look like I feel, Finch.

It's just me lungs has caught

a wind.

Pull me up.

- I can't take your ration.

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