Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant Page #4

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- You need it more than me.

Boswain's not half-rations.

Over here, lads! Lend a hand.

- What's happened?

- Fallen.

- Is he all right?

- He's weak, sir

too weak to climb the ratlines.

- Lack of decent grub, I reckon.

- Take him to the sick berth.

We sit around doing nothing

while the Spanish

- pick off our ships.

- At your ease, there, Mr. Hornblower.

We should be out there, following

Captain Foster's example.

Captain Foster failed,

as I remember it.

Better to try and fail than

to sit and rot in disease

and starvation.

I believe you have overstepped

the mark, Mr. Hornblower.

I apologize, sir.

Well, Finch, you seem to have landed

yourself a comfortable position.

- How soon before we're home?

- Home?

- Mr. Hornblower?

- Yes, that's right.

At your ease, Man, at your ease.

It's the old muscles is letting

me down a bit, sir.

- How long have I been here?

- A few days now.

It seems... This darn fever.

- I can't rightly remember.

- You'll make it through.

How long now till Portsmouth?

Not long now.

'Reckon he's getting worse, sir?

- He seems confused.

- Fever, sir.

I've been trying to keep him going,

keep him awake,

and thinking.

But, he just drifts off.

I don't know that he'll make it.

Finch! How's your reading, Finch?

- Reading, sir?

- Can you read?

Finch!

- Aye, sir?

- Can you read?

I... I can read the Bible sir.

Here... Clarke's Complete Handbook

of Seamanship.

That's mighty kind of you sir.

I'm sure I'll enjoy it very much

No, no, no, you don't understand.

I want you to test me.

Test you, sir?

I might have my examination for

lieutenant coming up shortly,

I need someone to test my knowledge.

I'd be honoured if you'd help me.

Come on man, clear your mind.

Ask me a question.

- Question, sir?

- I want you to test me.

Come on, think!

I reckon I don't need no book

to test you, sir.

Right then, give me your best.

A supply ship.

A supply ship coming in!

- Pass the word, Mr. Cleveland.

- Right, sir.

A supply ship!

A supply ship's been sighted.

Easy there, Cleveland.

Where's the fire?

Sorry, sir, but it's a supply ship.

- Spread the word, Mr. Cleveland.

- Aye, aye, sir.

A supply ship. A supply ship's

been sighted.

A supply ship! A supply

ship's been sighted.

A supply ship.

A supply ship's on its way.

Fisherman's bend, you say?

Finch!

- Yes, sir?

- How do you tie a fisherman's bend?

How is he, sir?

I can't keep him awake.

Perhaps this will.

There's a supply ship in sight.

You hear that?

Finch!

A fine sight, Mr. Hornblower.

Indeed, sir.

What's that light, Mr. Bracegirdle?

It looks like a flame, sir.

Oh my God.

- What is it?

- A fire ship, sir.

- A fire ship.

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