August 15, 2025 • 20 mins
https://www.solgoodmedia.com - Listen to hundreds of audiobooks, thousands of short stories, and ambient sounds all ad free! "Old Time Radio Horatio Hornblower" brings the timeless naval adventures of Captain Hornblower to today's audience in this engaging podcast series. Experience the drama of historical sea battles and strategic maneuvers, all through the classic format of old time radio shows.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hold all hands back the quarters.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I'm after good. Stand by this carbon battery one broadside
in put it to please Captain Bush pint us on
pocket didn't stop ready, I saw.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Already possessing Michael Redgrave as Forester's indomino man of the Sea,
Oratio Hornblower.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
The whole.
Speaker 5 (01:38):
Lasting along.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
I had had brief snatches of command before, of course,
a quarantined cattle boat, a cargo ship groaning with tons
of water logged rice. But this was the first time
a presentable craft smaller she was, had been entrusted to me.
Aged barely twenty one, I felt as if every telescope
in our Mediterranean fleet must be trained on me as
(02:21):
I sailed our little prize ship La Mouche into Gibraltar's harbor.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Oh it's too bad, sir.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
I can't quite understand what's too bad, mister win It Why?
Speaker 6 (02:30):
I don't think she's in herself yet, Sir.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
I've been using my glass all.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
The way up the anchorage. Not a sign of the
indefatigable mm. Perhaps you put in at Malta after all. Well, anyhow,
our crew won't mind a little rest. I know I won't, sir,
that's certain I'll confronted it with Captain Peliu not yet returned.
I suppresents my duty to report to the Port Admiral
fairly quickly.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
I should rather catch up on my sleep.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Welcome back aboard, sir, they've already come for the prisoners.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
You look a little weary, mister Varnbler. I am win it.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Three hours wait after I had reported in, and then
three minutes through the admiral the warm enough over there
today too winter or not in this dress uniform. I've
got some news for you there, you, sir, are we
going to have sorely well tonight?
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Perhaps? But not tomorrow we'll be too busy.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Lamouche is to be commissioned into the service without delay,
into the British Service.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
That's the idea, good good. We never have enough swift
vessels for dispatches.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Then he gave orders for all the proper transfer papers
and and all that, and I had to wait around
for another hour. She is, but surely we're not going
out at once, not before our own captain comes back.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
I've got our orders here.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
You are hereby requested and required to take His Majesty's
sloop La Mouche under your command. So soon as the
latest dispatch is destined for England shall be put in
your charge. You are commanded to proceed to Plymouth with
the most expedition to plumber Well sounds better to you, eh,
Yes it does.
Speaker 6 (04:04):
I haven't been home for more than a year.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
If I can understand that I last set foot on
Engrish soil three years ago, we thank your pardon, mister Hornbler.
Speaker 6 (04:11):
I just remembered while you were gone a catch some
sword delivered to this letter a half far ago.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
It couldn't be the dispatches, well how they happened, let
me see. It shouldn't be so forgetful when you had
to Oh, no, can find it.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I'd rather it were the dispatches with orders to sail
at once in this or God listen to this.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Their excellencies, Major General Sir Hugh and Lady Dalrymple request
the pleasure of Acting Lieutenant Horatio Hornbler's company at dinner
today at five o'clock at Government Housing.
Speaker 7 (04:48):
My name is Alexander, Sir Lord Phillip Alexander.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
You Horatio Hornbler, Acting Lieutenant aboard the end of fat No,
I suppose I should say, commanding the new Stoop with
my first independent command.
Speaker 7 (05:02):
Let's see and their excellence is a most happy that
you could dine.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
To Dames Hombler. Well, thank you away. Now if I.
Speaker 7 (05:09):
May present to sir, will you come this way, your
excellency is this is mister Hornbler, the new captain of
lam Moose.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Sir, we're pleased to see you. Mister Hornbler makes sense
the kind of.
Speaker 7 (05:25):
And now mister Hornbler, Now I present to the Duchess
of Wharfedale, your grace.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
This is mister Hornbler of.
Speaker 7 (05:31):
La Moush, the Duchess Wharfdelle, mister horn Bler.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Your grace.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
So this is the fellow in question, your excellency. Oh now, really,
my dear, you got to my trust me to an
infant in arms, young fellow, you look exactly like a
gander on the green aspected to his.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
At any moment.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
And then and there she didn't imitate of me, sticking
her chin out and dangling her arms, which brought a
roar of laughter from the whole room. I just just
stood there in red faced confusion.
Speaker 8 (06:12):
Now, don't be odd on the young fellow.
Speaker 5 (06:14):
You people very so awfully young, and starting to be
ashamed of something to be proud of. For that matter,
I think it's wonderful, mister Ornblower, to be trusted with
the ship at your young eyes.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
Oh yes, indeed, your grace, May I give you my
dear duchess?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Oh child, I'm sure, I confess I'm suddenly misterified, Lord Philippo.
What does she mean about interesting her?
Speaker 1 (06:48):
To me? For instance?
Speaker 7 (06:49):
As usual, the man most concerned has been your last.
Know what is it when you sail tomorrow with dispatches home.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
We're going to have the honor of bearing her grace
with you to England. I cannot see it. But but
who is she? I mean?
Speaker 7 (07:05):
She doesn't hurt my introductions, didn't you?
Speaker 1 (07:07):
She's the Duchess of wolf Dale.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
But I don't like to sound as if I you know, well,
she doesn't talk like the duchess.
Speaker 7 (07:18):
No old duke was in his dirtes when he married.
He was She was a tavern keeper's widows. Her friends said,
imagine if you like what her enemies.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Said, mister is she doing? Enterpreter?
Speaker 7 (07:30):
She was Abslorence when the French marched him, and she
got to Leghorl and bribed the coast her to bring
her hair. She asked Hugh to find her passage hungry England,
the hugs the Admiral, and that's where you come in
for a fellow.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
I was up at dawn the next morning to see
that my precious ship, my first independent command, was in
condition to face the sea and our enemies sailing the sea.
I had exactly four pop gun, four punders his arms,
and my crew numbered only eleven, so I knew our
only safety lay in flight if we ran into trouble.
(08:22):
Towards noon, the despatches arrived, and then came the Duchess
and her maid, accompanied by Sir Hugh and Lady Dalrymple.
Welcome aboard your extacies. I deeply regret that I can
muster put two persons pipes in your eye.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
You see that, Michael, I went up to a bull.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Mister horn Blower, as governor of you, brought her one
tired the cetimonials enough well well.
Speaker 5 (08:50):
As a young man, how sweet you are to bother
with two extra passengers, mister John Blower. Yes, my maid.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Mary oh wellow a great honor or grace, Sir. I
must apologize to her grace in advance for her somewhat
cramped quarters. Your exceency, you see in so small a sloop,
ma'am her, your cabin will be well minute.
Speaker 5 (09:12):
Oh Mary, and I can live through it.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
As soon as the Governor had gone ashore, we brought
Lamuse up to her anchor.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Anchor, the wars are in hell.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Lam Moose came round before the wind began her course
for England.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Several hours wore on.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
We ranted Cape Merrokey, set of course for Cape Saint Vincent.
Speaker 9 (09:54):
That sounds bearing visible on your rising over there, queer
n I don't.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Need to Yes, it's coming up quite thick. Well, that's
the price you have to play for a fair wind.
In winter time, the cool land breeze strikes the Atlantic,
and a fog as the result.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
The thicker still be mourning. I wouldn't wonder, sir.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Yes, I think I shall revise my night orders. We
must be sure of keeping clear of capes and Vincent
and the fog. Yes, sir, I've set a course due
west instead of west.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
But north? Is that you said?
Speaker 6 (10:31):
I can't see for the fog?
Speaker 1 (10:32):
What's wrong with it?
Speaker 6 (10:33):
Don't speak too lud, but simply listen.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
I don't hear anything. Set the sea at our bars
and our blocks clattering.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
And wait, wait, we did listen do I?
Speaker 2 (10:50):
Yes, do I hear the sea breaking under someone else's bars?
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Is that it?
Speaker 6 (10:56):
There's a ship close alongside in the fox said, I'm
almost positive kind of ship.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Got any idea?
Speaker 6 (11:01):
After I send below for you, Sir, I heard an
order given in in Spanish.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
I haven't been We have listened to all those bells
were in the middle of any middle of the whole fleet.
Leig ships too, sir as, since the dons are out
in force, sir, and my change of course had brought
a smack into the midst of them mid the night,
of course, had only held my first course.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
It's too late for that night.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
Listen, nonsense, what's going on now?
Speaker 1 (11:57):
It's positively uncanny.
Speaker 8 (12:00):
We're within arm's lengths of each other and they don't
know it.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
They're setting more sail now that dawn is coming. Spaniards
always snug down at night, don't set there together untill
they break and they make enough noise about it.
Speaker 9 (12:13):
Let's hope that on a different course from us, and
we'll throughly beyond them through them.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
I've visit so, yes, but well, it's hardly likely.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Win. It was right, it was uncanny.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Assumes to win it if we were crossing their course,
we'd have passed some ship very close where we haven't.
The thing that wor is me is how long will
this fog hold?
Speaker 6 (12:44):
The light's growing?
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Can't be all a course? Wait, look look forward there
it's a clear patch of sea.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
We're almost into it, Sir, sir, I can see the
shape of the deep spanny stands Stilson. Tell those men
forward the stands there two, No panic, no running, we go,
attention to our souls.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
We're done.
Speaker 8 (13:03):
Oh, thank you f't at least I may understand there
no more of that bustle on deck.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
You must behave as if we had every much of
right to be here as any of them.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
My taught is another bank of mist are bearing straight
through into it?
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Thank the law?
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Yes, hands where ship Jackson?
Speaker 1 (13:19):
They are on the port deck. Oh oh, it's just
a juvenal look. Don't you think your grace had better
go below?
Speaker 7 (13:25):
No?
Speaker 5 (13:25):
Please, I did go below before when you ordered me
so sharply. But I had to know what was happening,
so I came up again and stood way after you
to be out of your way.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
I'm sorry I've had no time to a conversation. Now,
good lauder, I forgot the dispatches, what, sir, the dispachase
that just had?
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Yeah, you take over the quarter deck when you're time.
I've got to go run down to my cabin find them, sir,
and did indeed? Now hand me that relaying. And I
want a bit of line. When these go overboard, they've
got to sink.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Please please just stolle Blower, do tell me what you're
doing and.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Thinking our dispatches your grace.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Two envelopes of like then they'll be lost for good.
I have no idea what they contained, but I don't
want the Spaniards to read them.
Speaker 5 (14:08):
I could look after them for you, Indeed I could, mister.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Honblow, don't know they'd search your baggage.
Speaker 8 (14:13):
If i'd put them in my baggage. I'll put them
next to my skin, That's what I'll do.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
They won't search me in any case.
Speaker 8 (14:19):
Remember, after all, I am a duchess and the Spanish
are nothing if not gentlemen.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
Oh, don't stand there staring, young men. If they should
capture us, they won't.
Speaker 8 (14:29):
But if they should, they'll never.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
Keep me prisoner.
Speaker 8 (14:31):
They'll send me back to Lisbon or put me aboard.
Speaker 5 (14:33):
A British ship as soon as ever they can, so
I could deliver your dispatches better late than never, possibly.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Help them like my life, I swear I will.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
I'll tell no what I happened till I haanda to
a king's officer in England.
Speaker 9 (14:47):
Fog sing, quick, give them here, hand me a yard
of that rope.
Speaker 8 (14:50):
You turn your backs, now you do, young men, I'll
have them stowed in no time.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
The son's coming out said full this time, I'm afraid
we're going to lose that fog.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
For good, dissolving fast.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
That port look as a Spanish flags.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
How many ships are I see three or four?
Speaker 1 (15:07):
At least a dozen? Man seems we're surrounded.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Tell the helmsman starboard two points, starboard two point, sir,
it's cannon shot here this they've seen us finally for
what we are. Those aren't simply warning shots.
Speaker 6 (15:24):
We could beat them off once at least, sir.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
No, no play that order in the guns.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Look over there, twenty guns plain honors to port, and
fifty orders tarbus, and we.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Are the size of a pleasure yacht.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
No, don't fire, but sir, no point in dying eustas them, Matthews.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
We have women aboard.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Remember they could sink us in ten seconds.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
The frigate's putting two bolts into the water to the porters. Yes,
your grace are better. Look to your baggage. You'll be
leaving as soon for while other quarters with the dons.
I hope more comfortable your first.
Speaker 8 (15:54):
I wish I could tell you how sorry I am.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
If I do only hold my.
Speaker 5 (15:56):
Course, you see, don't ever blame your I'll promise you Wilks,
to hold Come over here a moment.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
There's something I'm gonna say to you in private.
Speaker 8 (16:07):
Yes, now stop your gracing me. I'm no duchess.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
What do you mean?
Speaker 1 (16:11):
No time to turn it all?
Speaker 9 (16:12):
Now?
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Those Spanish boats are almost here.
Speaker 8 (16:14):
I'm Kitty Cobboon.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Never heard of me, Kitty cobb them? Well, I may
have done them somehow somewhere, I think, never.
Speaker 8 (16:21):
Mind, you're too young for the name for me much anyhow.
But five years ago I was playing at Drill in
theater and Dick.
Speaker 5 (16:27):
Sheldon himself said he'd never had a better Lydia language.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
I'm actress.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
That's it, Yes, Kitty Cobon.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
So the John's boats are looking on.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Yes, yes, come and meet vis. Do you speak Spanisher?
Perhaps three words? Ringer b Senor Spaniel. We have ladies
aboard ladies.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
All proper consideration must be asked for Senora lad duquezad
Ward Duquesa Duquees Senor, she shall.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Be very great to respect.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Captivity is the best and dreadful thing. A few weeks
at Cadiz, when I was transferred to the Spanish naval
prison at Ferral, an empty sail left when I lived
with other captive offices. Four months of this, then one
day I was escorted to the office of the commandant
who had his aide, a renegad irishman named O'Brien.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
You've been promoted. I have been promoted, well promoted. Here's
the letter.
Speaker 9 (17:57):
The Spanish authorities are in formed that, on account of
his meritorious service, the acting Commissioner, mister Horatio Hornblower, Midshipman
and acting Lieutenant, has been confirmed. And here's a letter
for your lieutenant. Must have come in the same dispatch.
Letter looks like he's been readdressed all over Spain there,
(18:18):
neither of you all.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
You could read it on the corridor outside.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Thank you, mister Brown. A letter, my first letter since
my capture. What's it, darling boy? Well, this would start
(18:41):
a letter to me, calling me darling boy. I hope
it will make you happy, little man.
Speaker 8 (18:48):
That what you gave me has reached his destination. They
told me at the Admiralty when I delivered it, that
they were very pleased with what you've done. And just
imagine one of those admals. He's an old deer. He's
a shareholder, druy Lane.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Whoever would have thought of.
Speaker 8 (19:06):
Such a thing. And he smiled at me, and I
smiled at him. I didn't know he was a shareholder then,
and I only smiled out of the kindness of my heart.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
That's a big heart, kitty couple.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Horatio Hornblower starring Michael Redgrave, is based on the novels
by C. S.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Forester.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Music composed and conducted by Sydney Torts, produced by Harry
Alan Jowers,
Hold all hands back the quarters.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I'm after good. Stand by this carbon battery one broadside
in put it to please Captain Bush pint us on
pocket didn't stop ready, I saw.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Already possessing Michael Redgrave as Forester's indomino man of the Sea,
Oratio Hornblower.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
The whole.
Speaker 5 (01:38):
Lasting along.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
I had had brief snatches of command before, of course,
a quarantined cattle boat, a cargo ship groaning with tons
of water logged rice. But this was the first time
a presentable craft smaller she was, had been entrusted to me.
Aged barely twenty one, I felt as if every telescope
in our Mediterranean fleet must be trained on me as
(02:21):
I sailed our little prize ship La Mouche into Gibraltar's harbor.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Oh it's too bad, sir.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
I can't quite understand what's too bad, mister win It Why?
Speaker 6 (02:30):
I don't think she's in herself yet, Sir.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
I've been using my glass all.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
The way up the anchorage. Not a sign of the
indefatigable mm. Perhaps you put in at Malta after all. Well, anyhow,
our crew won't mind a little rest. I know I won't, sir,
that's certain I'll confronted it with Captain Peliu not yet returned.
I suppresents my duty to report to the Port Admiral
fairly quickly.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
I should rather catch up on my sleep.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Welcome back aboard, sir, they've already come for the prisoners.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
You look a little weary, mister Varnbler. I am win it.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Three hours wait after I had reported in, and then
three minutes through the admiral the warm enough over there
today too winter or not in this dress uniform. I've
got some news for you there, you, sir, are we
going to have sorely well tonight?
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Perhaps? But not tomorrow we'll be too busy.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Lamouche is to be commissioned into the service without delay,
into the British Service.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
That's the idea, good good. We never have enough swift
vessels for dispatches.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Then he gave orders for all the proper transfer papers
and and all that, and I had to wait around
for another hour. She is, but surely we're not going
out at once, not before our own captain comes back.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
I've got our orders here.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
You are hereby requested and required to take His Majesty's
sloop La Mouche under your command. So soon as the
latest dispatch is destined for England shall be put in
your charge. You are commanded to proceed to Plymouth with
the most expedition to plumber Well sounds better to you, eh,
Yes it does.
Speaker 6 (04:04):
I haven't been home for more than a year.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
If I can understand that I last set foot on
Engrish soil three years ago, we thank your pardon, mister Hornbler.
Speaker 6 (04:11):
I just remembered while you were gone a catch some
sword delivered to this letter a half far ago.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
It couldn't be the dispatches, well how they happened, let
me see. It shouldn't be so forgetful when you had
to Oh, no, can find it.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I'd rather it were the dispatches with orders to sail
at once in this or God listen to this.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Their excellencies, Major General Sir Hugh and Lady Dalrymple request
the pleasure of Acting Lieutenant Horatio Hornbler's company at dinner
today at five o'clock at Government Housing.
Speaker 7 (04:48):
My name is Alexander, Sir Lord Phillip Alexander.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
You Horatio Hornbler, Acting Lieutenant aboard the end of fat No,
I suppose I should say, commanding the new Stoop with
my first independent command.
Speaker 7 (05:02):
Let's see and their excellence is a most happy that
you could dine.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
To Dames Hombler. Well, thank you away. Now if I.
Speaker 7 (05:09):
May present to sir, will you come this way, your
excellency is this is mister Hornbler, the new captain of
lam Moose.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Sir, we're pleased to see you. Mister Hornbler makes sense
the kind of.
Speaker 7 (05:25):
And now mister Hornbler, Now I present to the Duchess
of Wharfedale, your grace.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
This is mister Hornbler of.
Speaker 7 (05:31):
La Moush, the Duchess Wharfdelle, mister horn Bler.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Your grace.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
So this is the fellow in question, your excellency. Oh now, really,
my dear, you got to my trust me to an
infant in arms, young fellow, you look exactly like a
gander on the green aspected to his.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
At any moment.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
And then and there she didn't imitate of me, sticking
her chin out and dangling her arms, which brought a
roar of laughter from the whole room. I just just
stood there in red faced confusion.
Speaker 8 (06:12):
Now, don't be odd on the young fellow.
Speaker 5 (06:14):
You people very so awfully young, and starting to be
ashamed of something to be proud of. For that matter,
I think it's wonderful, mister Ornblower, to be trusted with
the ship at your young eyes.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
Oh yes, indeed, your grace, May I give you my
dear duchess?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Oh child, I'm sure, I confess I'm suddenly misterified, Lord Philippo.
What does she mean about interesting her?
Speaker 1 (06:48):
To me? For instance?
Speaker 7 (06:49):
As usual, the man most concerned has been your last.
Know what is it when you sail tomorrow with dispatches home.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
We're going to have the honor of bearing her grace
with you to England. I cannot see it. But but
who is she? I mean?
Speaker 7 (07:05):
She doesn't hurt my introductions, didn't you?
Speaker 1 (07:07):
She's the Duchess of wolf Dale.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
But I don't like to sound as if I you know, well,
she doesn't talk like the duchess.
Speaker 7 (07:18):
No old duke was in his dirtes when he married.
He was She was a tavern keeper's widows. Her friends said,
imagine if you like what her enemies.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Said, mister is she doing? Enterpreter?
Speaker 7 (07:30):
She was Abslorence when the French marched him, and she
got to Leghorl and bribed the coast her to bring
her hair. She asked Hugh to find her passage hungry England,
the hugs the Admiral, and that's where you come in
for a fellow.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
I was up at dawn the next morning to see
that my precious ship, my first independent command, was in
condition to face the sea and our enemies sailing the sea.
I had exactly four pop gun, four punders his arms,
and my crew numbered only eleven, so I knew our
only safety lay in flight if we ran into trouble.
(08:22):
Towards noon, the despatches arrived, and then came the Duchess
and her maid, accompanied by Sir Hugh and Lady Dalrymple.
Welcome aboard your extacies. I deeply regret that I can
muster put two persons pipes in your eye.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
You see that, Michael, I went up to a bull.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Mister horn Blower, as governor of you, brought her one
tired the cetimonials enough well well.
Speaker 5 (08:50):
As a young man, how sweet you are to bother
with two extra passengers, mister John Blower. Yes, my maid.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Mary oh wellow a great honor or grace, Sir. I
must apologize to her grace in advance for her somewhat
cramped quarters. Your exceency, you see in so small a sloop,
ma'am her, your cabin will be well minute.
Speaker 5 (09:12):
Oh Mary, and I can live through it.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
As soon as the Governor had gone ashore, we brought
Lamuse up to her anchor.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Anchor, the wars are in hell.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Lam Moose came round before the wind began her course
for England.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Several hours wore on.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
We ranted Cape Merrokey, set of course for Cape Saint Vincent.
Speaker 9 (09:54):
That sounds bearing visible on your rising over there, queer
n I don't.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Need to Yes, it's coming up quite thick. Well, that's
the price you have to play for a fair wind.
In winter time, the cool land breeze strikes the Atlantic,
and a fog as the result.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
The thicker still be mourning. I wouldn't wonder, sir.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Yes, I think I shall revise my night orders. We
must be sure of keeping clear of capes and Vincent
and the fog. Yes, sir, I've set a course due
west instead of west.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
But north? Is that you said?
Speaker 6 (10:31):
I can't see for the fog?
Speaker 1 (10:32):
What's wrong with it?
Speaker 6 (10:33):
Don't speak too lud, but simply listen.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
I don't hear anything. Set the sea at our bars
and our blocks clattering.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
And wait, wait, we did listen do I?
Speaker 2 (10:50):
Yes, do I hear the sea breaking under someone else's bars?
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Is that it?
Speaker 6 (10:56):
There's a ship close alongside in the fox said, I'm
almost positive kind of ship.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Got any idea?
Speaker 6 (11:01):
After I send below for you, Sir, I heard an
order given in in Spanish.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
I haven't been We have listened to all those bells
were in the middle of any middle of the whole fleet.
Leig ships too, sir as, since the dons are out
in force, sir, and my change of course had brought
a smack into the midst of them mid the night,
of course, had only held my first course.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
It's too late for that night.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
Listen, nonsense, what's going on now?
Speaker 1 (11:57):
It's positively uncanny.
Speaker 8 (12:00):
We're within arm's lengths of each other and they don't
know it.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
They're setting more sail now that dawn is coming. Spaniards
always snug down at night, don't set there together untill
they break and they make enough noise about it.
Speaker 9 (12:13):
Let's hope that on a different course from us, and
we'll throughly beyond them through them.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
I've visit so, yes, but well, it's hardly likely.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Win. It was right, it was uncanny.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Assumes to win it if we were crossing their course,
we'd have passed some ship very close where we haven't.
The thing that wor is me is how long will
this fog hold?
Speaker 6 (12:44):
The light's growing?
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Can't be all a course? Wait, look look forward there
it's a clear patch of sea.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
We're almost into it, Sir, sir, I can see the
shape of the deep spanny stands Stilson. Tell those men
forward the stands there two, No panic, no running, we go,
attention to our souls.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
We're done.
Speaker 8 (13:03):
Oh, thank you f't at least I may understand there
no more of that bustle on deck.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
You must behave as if we had every much of
right to be here as any of them.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
My taught is another bank of mist are bearing straight
through into it?
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Thank the law?
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Yes, hands where ship Jackson?
Speaker 1 (13:19):
They are on the port deck. Oh oh, it's just
a juvenal look. Don't you think your grace had better
go below?
Speaker 7 (13:25):
No?
Speaker 5 (13:25):
Please, I did go below before when you ordered me
so sharply. But I had to know what was happening,
so I came up again and stood way after you
to be out of your way.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
I'm sorry I've had no time to a conversation. Now,
good lauder, I forgot the dispatches, what, sir, the dispachase
that just had?
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Yeah, you take over the quarter deck when you're time.
I've got to go run down to my cabin find them, sir,
and did indeed? Now hand me that relaying. And I
want a bit of line. When these go overboard, they've
got to sink.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Please please just stolle Blower, do tell me what you're
doing and.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Thinking our dispatches your grace.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Two envelopes of like then they'll be lost for good.
I have no idea what they contained, but I don't
want the Spaniards to read them.
Speaker 5 (14:08):
I could look after them for you, Indeed I could, mister.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Honblow, don't know they'd search your baggage.
Speaker 8 (14:13):
If i'd put them in my baggage. I'll put them
next to my skin, That's what I'll do.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
They won't search me in any case.
Speaker 8 (14:19):
Remember, after all, I am a duchess and the Spanish
are nothing if not gentlemen.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
Oh, don't stand there staring, young men. If they should
capture us, they won't.
Speaker 8 (14:29):
But if they should, they'll never.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
Keep me prisoner.
Speaker 8 (14:31):
They'll send me back to Lisbon or put me aboard.
Speaker 5 (14:33):
A British ship as soon as ever they can, so
I could deliver your dispatches better late than never, possibly.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Help them like my life, I swear I will.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
I'll tell no what I happened till I haanda to
a king's officer in England.
Speaker 9 (14:47):
Fog sing, quick, give them here, hand me a yard
of that rope.
Speaker 8 (14:50):
You turn your backs, now you do, young men, I'll
have them stowed in no time.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
The son's coming out said full this time, I'm afraid
we're going to lose that fog.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
For good, dissolving fast.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
That port look as a Spanish flags.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
How many ships are I see three or four?
Speaker 1 (15:07):
At least a dozen? Man seems we're surrounded.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Tell the helmsman starboard two points, starboard two point, sir,
it's cannon shot here this they've seen us finally for
what we are. Those aren't simply warning shots.
Speaker 6 (15:24):
We could beat them off once at least, sir.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
No, no play that order in the guns.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Look over there, twenty guns plain honors to port, and
fifty orders tarbus, and we.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Are the size of a pleasure yacht.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
No, don't fire, but sir, no point in dying eustas them, Matthews.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
We have women aboard.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Remember they could sink us in ten seconds.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
The frigate's putting two bolts into the water to the porters. Yes,
your grace are better. Look to your baggage. You'll be
leaving as soon for while other quarters with the dons.
I hope more comfortable your first.
Speaker 8 (15:54):
I wish I could tell you how sorry I am.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
If I do only hold my.
Speaker 5 (15:56):
Course, you see, don't ever blame your I'll promise you Wilks,
to hold Come over here a moment.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
There's something I'm gonna say to you in private.
Speaker 8 (16:07):
Yes, now stop your gracing me. I'm no duchess.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
What do you mean?
Speaker 1 (16:11):
No time to turn it all?
Speaker 9 (16:12):
Now?
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Those Spanish boats are almost here.
Speaker 8 (16:14):
I'm Kitty Cobboon.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Never heard of me, Kitty cobb them? Well, I may
have done them somehow somewhere, I think, never.
Speaker 8 (16:21):
Mind, you're too young for the name for me much anyhow.
But five years ago I was playing at Drill in
theater and Dick.
Speaker 5 (16:27):
Sheldon himself said he'd never had a better Lydia language.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
I'm actress.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
That's it, Yes, Kitty Cobon.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
So the John's boats are looking on.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Yes, yes, come and meet vis. Do you speak Spanisher?
Perhaps three words? Ringer b Senor Spaniel. We have ladies
aboard ladies.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
All proper consideration must be asked for Senora lad duquezad
Ward Duquesa Duquees Senor, she shall.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Be very great to respect.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Captivity is the best and dreadful thing. A few weeks
at Cadiz, when I was transferred to the Spanish naval
prison at Ferral, an empty sail left when I lived
with other captive offices. Four months of this, then one
day I was escorted to the office of the commandant
who had his aide, a renegad irishman named O'Brien.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
You've been promoted. I have been promoted, well promoted. Here's
the letter.
Speaker 9 (17:57):
The Spanish authorities are in formed that, on account of
his meritorious service, the acting Commissioner, mister Horatio Hornblower, Midshipman
and acting Lieutenant, has been confirmed. And here's a letter
for your lieutenant. Must have come in the same dispatch.
Letter looks like he's been readdressed all over Spain there,
(18:18):
neither of you all.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
You could read it on the corridor outside.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Thank you, mister Brown. A letter, my first letter since
my capture. What's it, darling boy? Well, this would start
(18:41):
a letter to me, calling me darling boy. I hope
it will make you happy, little man.
Speaker 8 (18:48):
That what you gave me has reached his destination. They
told me at the Admiralty when I delivered it, that
they were very pleased with what you've done. And just
imagine one of those admals. He's an old deer. He's
a shareholder, druy Lane.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Whoever would have thought of.
Speaker 8 (19:06):
Such a thing. And he smiled at me, and I
smiled at him. I didn't know he was a shareholder then,
and I only smiled out of the kindness of my heart.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
That's a big heart, kitty couple.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Horatio Hornblower starring Michael Redgrave, is based on the novels
by C. S.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Forester.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Music composed and conducted by Sydney Torts, produced by Harry
Alan Jowers,
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