Horatio Hornblower - The Duel

0:00Call all hands, big to quarters. One broadside in order to please Captain Bush. Point of some target. Windstuff ready. Eyes are ready. Fire! Presenting Michael Redgrave at C.S. Faresters in Domitable Man of the Sea, Horatio Hornblower.

2:00We had halted the French advance at Wieger, but now both they are near the dug-in there, Stubbendly. Unfortunately, Faresters meant a stale mate. A summer faded into water, and flurries of snow had it as torn as one of those early Russian winters. Wieger Bay, where my squad in lab was covered with a thin film of ice. I don't like it at all, Bush, not at all, with winter coming. I know, sir. You've been staying here for a long time, and you've been sitting to be frozen in. And yet the atmosphere in my orders is not explicit. The remain here at all costs give every support within our power. Wieger must be protected to the last man and ship. There were. Yes, sir. If only we could be sure that Alexander would hold first if he didn't have a reputation for a constancy, I'm afraid. Oh, well, at least we're helping to block the French path to St. Petersburg.

3:00I said, Bush, what are they doing up for at Midshipman's class? Yes, we've all this recent activity. Our youngsters needed some work. I've ordered regular assumption of all peace-time instruction under the sailing master, Mr. Tux, excellent idea, Bush. Midshipman are the curious breed bush. I'm afraid that a lot is not a happy one. Did I have a tell you of my first dubious distinction in the service of his majesty? But there I came aboard the old Justinian, his Midshipman. She lay just off portements. And I was seasick, Bush. Seasick in spirit and all. I was too thin, too tall, too young, too shy, too gorky, not long out of a quiet country village. Nervous, but deeply conscious of my new estate in life.

4:01Poor old king, Captain, the Justinian, already a sick man, very, very morose. Yet he was not unkind that day when I reported to his cabin rather shaggyly. Mr. Fonda, I'm glad to welcome you on board my ship. Yes, sir. That is my eyes, sir. Your age is, let me see, 17. Is that correct? Yes, sir. The birth date of life, 4th, 17, 76. I've been six years as left tenant before you were born, Honda. Yes, sir. Dr. Sane, how far did your education go? I studied Greek at school, sir. I read Cicero, too. Better if you could for serious fall in time to get the to-gallons in with no use for ablative absolutes in the Navy. Yes, sir. I mean, yes, sir. Did you bring your Donnage aboard with you?

5:02My seatchester, oh yes, sir. It's at the entry port. I'll get a boy to show you down to the midshipman's quarters. Well, obey orders, forn blower. Learn your duties and no harm can come to you that will do. Thank you, sir. Despite the captain's words of a bush, harm began to come to me almost at once. I was let down latter after latter, into the twilight of the tween decks, and came at last to an especially gloomy recess. There, half a dozen shits, leave young men. All the good deal, olders in my field, sat around the table, lighted faintly by a candle, and I entered, rather hesitantly. Well, well, who's this? Oh, is this? Can it be our ranks of swelling? Simpson, look at him. Look, he's positively greener. No, no, no, I'm quite all right. It's just...

6:02Well, that sure, but it does toss quite a bit in the way out, man. Do you know what it is, Simpson? I do believe you see sick. What will we send us next, Simpson? See sick in spithead? Oh, we're still at ankle, shall we? Do you know it? See sick in spithead. I thought to myself that I was now labeled for life, but I'd soon cease to care. A moment later, I was prone in my hammock. In the days that followed, I learned a great deal more about the arrogant, Mr. Simpson. Then he goes now. Notice that struck? I've let him in, he has a handsome beard. Yes, a high spursup. You see, home blossoms and mountains angry at himself and at the world. He had high hopes, but just before you came aboard, you sent back here to senior war end officer of Mitchitt.

7:02Oh, Mr. Commission. Exactly. Two week in mathematics, captain's board turned in down. So acting at turn in Simpson is now a Mitchittman game. Maybe for years. Simpson must be 35 at least. I understand him better, though. Make sure, well, almost sorry for him, doesn't it? Don't stress him, does it? Well, thank you, gentlemen. You know, you're the first aboard who's taking time to say a word to me on any subject just keep out of his way as much as you can. Any time anyone rebels, he just pans in senseless with those big fists. He did not a good prize fighter. It's always the other who has the black eye and gets the captain's mast for fighting. All of us hate the man on lure, and that's an understatement. All of them did aid Simpson here, and some of them even showed it. But when the first, this didn't prevent him singling me out as his favorite victim. His tyranny is one petty, but in genius.

8:07Mr. Holder, don't put on your coat. You haven't finished here. But you said that my sense swore down our birthday. You called out a clean dick from the Simpson if you haven't just tracked down. There's only a hint on me, Holder. Put some gristle into it. You're telling it? Yes, sir. I've never forgotten how to give you a beating yet, do you have yet? No more miserable lonely midship, whenever wrote a British ship. We hadn't even said say, we're here. Weeks passed, and we stood lay and spithead, awaiting the rest of the channel freed. Fine has kept me from making friends, Simpson's persecutions mounted daily. I even sought a death as one way. In my black despair, the waters of spithead promised a fenty escape. And often at night I made elaborate plans for suicide. And then, one afternoon, some of us had surely been portements.

9:09My chance, I wanted into the Georgian, three of our ships company, were looking for a fourth of that card, table. Why, it's young Holder. I say, young Stir, do you play whist as a means of passing the time? I guess, sir. Left-end masters, yes I do. Ah, you're just the man we've all been. Have you been able to find anybody else? Come over here. We barely need a fourth. Mr. Simpson, Mr. Graves, and I... Simpson? Well, I... I like whists, sir, but... Well, I just remember that. I have an appointment. No, no, no, no. I shall not let you escape now. Do my Simpson. Ha, ha, ha. As senior left-end, I could warn you to say, young man. Now come along, come along. Yes, sit down, hon. Simpson, then, to give me a curt nod, as I said, then. He and Graves have been drinking wine. Their faces were quite fresh. I had happened, but I did like whist for years. I made a fourth at home, and I even had a kind of passion for it.

10:10Excellent, excellent. Now we've been caught for places and borders. Ah, Simpson and Graves, because you and me hold on. Shilling the trickest steaks, is that too steep to them? As you wish, Lieutenant. Well, again, it's all of gambling. Good, good. You already heard, Mr. Graves? Let us be added. It soon appeared that Simpson was a very poor whist player. Those shaky mathematics, possibly. On the other hand, I was a... Well, a good, rather experienced. Masters and I took the first game, and the second, Simpson grew more and more solid than an angry one. Then, in the end, the third game. But the rest of my... What do you mean? I got a king of halts still in my hand? Five tricks, game and rubber. But then I take... All right, hon. Blair. You know too much about this game, my cutie friend.

11:11Now, the backson records a little of the front, Stinger. Simpson was muddled. I'm quite sure he spoke without intention, but suddenly a plan occurred to me in Stark Island. His life, oh, my... Patrick was my only escape from an intolerable existence. That's a... That's a very insulting remark, Mr. Simpson. Huh? I should... I should have to ask that as a satisfaction, I'm afraid. That is... Faction! No, no, I see here. Honour your copy. Now, look, look. Gulling's a serious business. I'm sure, Mr. Simpson will explain that he was merely joking. He accused of cheating at cards, Mr. Masters. That's a hard thing to explain away. Mr. Honour, I must insist. Oh, no. Now, now, come. The wine was in and the witch was out. Let's forget this. Well, with pleasure, sir, if Mr. Simpson will apologize at once and forget that he spoke in a man or most ungent from a myth. I apologize, say you, your little whipper, Snapper. Say you! I'll see you in the next one, Jim.

12:11Let us, gentlemen, go! Here is the second laugh, now, at that solemn, desperate lad who wore my name, but then there was a life for death issue. Listen to me. The early half is age. You're hardly more than a boy. Are you determined to press this murderous business? Yes, sir. But why? I've weighed the person, sir. Well, I'll be frank. Simpson has the advantage, Physic Lim. These conditions are the only ones that give me an even chance.

13:13Mathematically, one shot from each of us is better. Oh, right, all right, I understand. Well, since you won't call it off, you'd better know. The captain's ordered me to attend the dual in person. Mr. Hiproy White, the surgeon, will also attend. Hi, sir. Hey, well. The place selected is the small Heath North of Port Smith. The hour had torn tomorrow. The two parties will go separately, of course. Mathematically, I trust you've made the right decision, Mr. Hornblower. I hope you'll get some sleep tonight. Good luck. Only one yard between, that means there are distances to be raised off. When you stand here, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Hornblower, yeah. The Rome is best, best, yet even. The last time, can you not be reconciled?

14:15Well, then, so be it. We haven't settled. Who's to give the word? Let Mr. Masters give it, Grace. Why not? Well, I'll say one, two, three, and five. The last word you can fire as you will. Are you ready? Ready. Yes? Ready. One, two, three, five. I pulled the trigger. There was a click, and that was all. Mine was the unnoted pistol. A half-second barstrummed Simpson fire. Another click. On both of us still stood there stiff and daised. A misfire by heaven. A misfire, Hornblower. Give me those pistories. The only one might still be hanging fire. Which was the loaded one. That's better not to know. I'm shuffling them.

15:15But, sir, why not? A second shot. There will be no second shot, Mr. Gerard. Honor is satisfied. No one can now think that a little, Mr. Simpson, if he regrets his hasty words. Honor, Mr. Hornblower, if he accepts those regrets graciously. Their faces, their faces, your young fools. You ought to see how you all look. So almost now, Mr. Hippel White, your behavior is ridiculous. Our coaches are waiting on the road. The cutter is at the jetty. And, in all of us, can do with a little breakfast now, including Mr. Hippel White. That should have ended the affair, of course, but aboard the Justinian, there were whispers. Whispers had circulated forward and after.

16:15At last, I decided to speak privately with Captain Keane. I'm so hurt and so angry, I beg your pardon, initially, I'm afraid. Sir? Now, keep your head young, man. I can guess what you're going to say to me. Those pistols in the duel were not loaded. Neither of them. Hippel White, blabbed, diced at her. The man, to understand that, was by your orders. And that is correct, I gave those orders to Mr. Loster. It was no morning for boldly, but it certainly was. But I saved a life for the king's service, a young life. Both you and Simpson have had your courage, amply proved, and no one's harm. You'll touch my personal honor, sir. Do I understand that you are now issuing me your challenge? Let me remind you, Mr. Honda, of one useful regulation of the Navy. No junior officer may challenge his superior to a duel.

17:16Indeed, it is a court martial offence. Yes, I know, sir. Now, here is some good choice, advice. You have fought one duel with honor, that is good. Never fight another. Some men acquire a taste for dueling, they're never good officers. It seems to become a habit to occupy the center of the stage. I understand, sir. But as another matter, I wanted to take up with you, Mr. Honda. Captain Pallur of the Figur in the Fatigawa has a room for another midshipman. Perhaps you haven't been too happy here, and Pallur is partial to a game of whist. Has no good forth on body ship, in fact. He and I have agreed to consider favorably your application for the transfer, if you should care to make it. Figur, sir? Well, I would be... Well, anybody, jump at the chance of... Well, what were you about to say? Is it settled in? It's very good of you, sir.

18:16I don't know how to thank you, but you accepted me as a midshipman, sir. Of course, I should have made it with you. I appreciate your saying that I know the heart burning is entails. But I think I'm going to insist on your accepting Pallur's offer. This ship is not the place for you. The ship with her ailing, outworn cattle. Sir, please. Don't interrupt me. I have the good of the service in mind, Mr. Hornblur, when I suggest you go. And, uh, might be less disturbing for us if you did. Oh, well, well. Our poor little Keena. I never saw him again. He's been dead a long time now, I've been... I've always thought of him no one I... When I became a captain and learned of Uncle Lose extra burdens that go with the command. There. Well, at least we've passed a little while away from a Russian winter. And we've still got regated to the end of the morning.

19:18It must be the rings up there. The tenon go must be worried. Now, kind of make up our signal if you please. I'm not sure if you're going to be here. I'm not sure. I'm not sure if you're going to be here. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. Okay, kind of make up our signal if you'll please, Captain Bush. Come at all on board. Or, as well. Horatio Hornblower, starring Michael Redgrave, is based on the novels by CS Farrister. Music composed and conducted by Sydney Torch, produced by Harry Alan Torres.

20:26Music composed and performed by Michael Redgrave, starring Michael Redgrave, is based on the novels by Harry Alan Torres. Music composed and performed by Harry Alan Torres, is based on the novels by Harry Alan Torres. Music composed and performed by Harry Alan Torres. Music composed and performed by Harry Alan Torres. Music composed and performed by Harry Alan Torres.