Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hold our hands back the quarters. Oh for good stand
by this talbot battery one broadside.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Din't want it to please Captain Bush light us on pocket.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
This stops ready eyes already fire.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Pressentsing Michael Redgrave at SS.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
Forester's indomitable Man of the Sea, Horatio Hornblower. Even now,
(01:56):
so long afterwards, it's difficult to see how I could
have acted otherwise. And as I did, I was still
a naval officer. It was my duty to harry the
enemy of my country as far as lay within my power.
Yet this pitiful little guerrilla war of mine in the
forests in the valleys of the.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Upper Luire was obviously a losing battle.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
And as we plotted through the sullen heat over the
forest track, I felt that the end was near. Of
our gallant army, there were only thirty men and two
women lift, and the men that as exhausted and dispirited
as myself.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Or issue.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
Your feet are so blistered you can hardly walk.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Why do you not take buy off for a while?
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Oh no, my friend, Michelle of Court, here you're more
exhausted than I am.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
I am younger.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Besides, it's not fitting that the King's lieutenant General should
hobble through the forest.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Like a woodcutter.
Speaker 5 (02:51):
First time yonder where the tracks crossing art one one
of the advanced guards.
Speaker 6 (02:57):
He is pointing.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
What is this but one I can see. It's a
peasant I hanged from a tree. Here's a black card
on his chest.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
It is a proclamation by General Clausen, calling on old
frenchmen of the nivell Net to rally to Buonaparte.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Now it's worse. Do not let the men read it.
Speaker 4 (03:17):
It offers pardon and freedom to any who desert the
King's cause.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
I'm afraid they already know, my friend, they found a
similar proclamation while we were ahead yesterday. The amnesty lasts
for three more days, after which any rebels will be
shot at sight. Any village offering us help will be burned,
and its inhabitants shout somehow.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
We must keep them together for three more days. After
that they will fight for their lives. Are you and
I am, monsieurlar Comte included in the amnisphere.
Speaker 5 (03:44):
We are expressly excluded. The last sentence reads. Exceptions to
the amnesty are the Comte de Grasse, his daughter in law,
the Vicomtes de Grasse, and the Englishman known as Lord Hornblower,
who is required to pay for a life of crime.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I forced my aching feet to quicken his stride to
catch up. Mabi.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
She was a vastly different Marie from the happy young
vicomtesse who had laughed and loved with me at the
Chateau Dence. She had thawn off her hair with a knife.
She was wet with sweat and streaked with dirt.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
She carried a musket slung across her back. Yep.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
When she had insisted on joining us, she had claimed
to be as good as any man, and.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
She'd fulfilled that boast. She was still fresher and more
determined than many of the men.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
The four begins by those trees eating a leg, unding
the surface.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
But I feel it is too deep already.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
I will take the house horse and try me. This
is no task for lady.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
No, I am a lady no longer.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Hey, I'm a sorgia of the king. It helped me
into my study, my habit.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Eating's away, she says Bran.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
I'm is fresher than me and the good rider. Good luck, Marie,
m h. I am sorry we were impassible.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
It is lucky the hearse was strong enough to soon
a sure.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
I could not have thought the curriage.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
I did not wish you to try, but it would
have been useless to.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Argue with you.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
Maraba, Well, there's nothing to do but follow the ribbon
until we find a boat.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
We cannot stay here.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Very well.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Then then it's here we we say goodbye.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
You are not leaving how you said, No, I'm not
leaving you your you're leaving me.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Your lives are safe.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
You've alread close EN's proclamations.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
But Madame and the content and I must go on.
For go on. We must, and we'd still go on
even if we need not. But we shall return.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
Remember us when you're in your homes. One day we
shall call on you again to thrust down the tyrant.
Speaker 5 (06:26):
And no.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
One last year for the king leave.
Speaker 5 (06:41):
No.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
I tried to keep the party on the same level.
I knew in my bones that we were going to die.
My hardest task was to poth Brown to leave his wife.
It was the only way to save her, and in
the end he bowed to the inevitable, with many odes
to return. But Marie could not stay. My life was
swarp it. She must come with us, even though death
(07:03):
lay at the end of the ride. Harry, the count
is almost at the end of his temper. I must
make plans, think how to escape.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
What is the position?
Speaker 5 (07:17):
Is there a columns close to us?
Speaker 4 (07:19):
As far as I've gathered from our scouts, clothes ends
columns are spread around us in a half circle.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
So there are troops behind and to the side, and
the river in.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
Front of Yes, Yes, behind us is a half column
of fourteenth leasure. They must have been order to pursue
us direct while the others head us off. Let us
keep along the river bank a little longer, and then
we will rest till.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Dawn and try to make a crossing. Later. We slept
in fits and snatches until dawn.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
We lay on the wet ground in saturated clothing, and
it seemed the most natural thing in the world that.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Marie and I should lie in each other's arms.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
It was warmer, that's in any case, a surge of
love and tenderness which swift me.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
It had nothing to do with passion. War was behind us,
and death before us. Nothing could come between us in
these moments. For half an hour before dawn, I slept
tranquility with my head on her shoulder.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
Perhaps that was the happiest half hour I've ever given
poor Madie. Her love for me had brought her little happiness.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
But the rest bit was brief.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
When the first light we were off again on horses,
which seemed wearier than ever.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Well the rhine.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Stopped anywhere, my lord, Oh, it looks like being hot.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
When it's miss clears off. Yes, surely we must reach
a farm soon where they'll have a boat. Then we
can cross the river, steal some fresh horses and shake
off the pacuity.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
If quick hold left, will up behind those those willows there,
behind those willow.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
But what is it a issue? Look those out buildings
below the ridge? Is it a farmer? Schlugger and spy
out the landlord?
Speaker 4 (09:10):
Yes, I'll watch you for any signal my Eyesah, we
must lie low. If there's any troops around, they'll be
courted here. But I can't see a name. Wait a minute.
Look there's a young woman and an old man.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
And look ye ready, water's edge. Brian has attracted the
girl's attention. We're talking. He's reading to us.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
It is safe.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Come on, we must lose no time.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
It's all right, my lord. The frogs viz here yesterday
cavalry them same. Who's ours we beat last week?
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (09:55):
They left here yesterday morning.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
So the old man is very well. Well them. There's
no time to lose her. Let's get the boat launched.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
The boat less mill, Lord, I wish you could launch it.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Why, what's the matter with it?
Speaker 4 (10:07):
Just look at this, milord. Someone's been at this boat
with an axe. The bottom smashed in in four places.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
Lord, how shall I get.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
My boat back?
Speaker 4 (10:56):
If you take it?
Speaker 2 (10:57):
So, we shall only cross the river. You can come
with us and bring back yourself.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Oh hi, I shall be shocked for helping you. Those
stars will come back. They always do.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
Required you a personalists, we're busy.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
The effect is out copped.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
You can't help yourself. You might get shot if you
help us, but you will get shot if you don't. Now,
this is war, and don't you forget it. Hello, Hello,
here's my dam riding back.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
What is it? Marie?
Speaker 6 (11:21):
Who's that coming along the way?
Speaker 2 (11:23):
You heard from yourself about twenty of them.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
I could think.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
They'll come down here. They always do. We must ride
off and hide.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Come on, put the repairs on the boat and they'll
see them. There's no time we must risking, all right, sir.
Now listen, olden, if he was ours, come here you
tell him it was you that was repairing the boat. Say, oh,
come along, come back to the hollow behind the willows
where we hid before God swift enough. You must hide
around the rocks and watch this will rude.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
I'm afraid this is our last step. Here they come.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
Well, there are only three men and a woman with pistols.
But we must make every shot. Tell we are four men,
four determined men behind the rocks. Oli of you face
in different directions so that they cannot flank as here
they come. They're firing already, but they they're only wasting
part of her at this reint, Marie, save your shots
(12:23):
for God.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Marie, Marie, what is it?
Speaker 4 (12:30):
But even as I spoke, I saw Marie fall over
from the impact of the bullet which had struck her
and caused it to fire involuntively. I saw the puzzle
look on her face changed to agony. Then I was
at her side. She had been struck on the sigh.
I felt for my pen knife to rip off the clothes,
but at that moment a shattering blow on my shoulder
(12:52):
flung me to the ground. In my anxiety, for Marie.
I'd heard nothing of a zzaar's charge or the shots
of brine and the and sick and dazed. I struggled
to my feet, ignoring the carbine. But above my head
all that matter to was Marrie. I tore open my nne,
(13:13):
but Mary was limp and lifeless at my feet.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
He's dead. A pity.
Speaker 5 (13:19):
It is over, my friend.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
We are disarmed and catch.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
The court marshal will try.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
You this evening. Wait this man, Brian, he is a
prisoner of war. You cannot try him.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
He is a sailor of his Britannic metas his navy,
doing his duty under my order. He fought on the
side of the world under my orders. He's not amenable
to court martially whip.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Does you credit for speak for him?
Speaker 5 (13:47):
I will take this matter into consideration.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Damned cold, more pain, then blessed sleep.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
When I woke, my head was clear, and I amazed
the captain by demanding a bath in a shave. If
I was to be sentenced to death, I intended to
appear as a British officer and.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Not as a tramp.
Speaker 4 (14:14):
When I was clean and shaved, they brought me food
and wine. The Emperor won two great victories. Last week,
your Wellington has met his destiny.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
At last General Neay beat him at a place called
Les cat And on the same day the Emperor destroyed
Bruchier and his prassions at LENI indeed, and how did
this news reach you by official bulletin? O my felicitations, monsieur?
Speaker 4 (14:39):
But is there not a saying in your army about
lying like a bulletin?
Speaker 5 (14:44):
Mm enough, the court is waiting. They have already tried
the conte decrasse. He is to be shot at dawn tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
See prisoner has already admitted his identity. He is a
ratio lord on Blower, commodore of the British Navy. It
only remains to submit to this court the verdict of
a court martial held on June the tenth, eighteen hundred
and eleven, wherein this said a racio armblower was condemned
(15:18):
to death for parrasy and violation of the laws of war.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
I must request that the death sentence be in first,
lord on't Blow. It is the sentence of this court
and the order of this military Commission, that two shall
shuffer death by shooting a dawn tomorrow immediately after the
execution of the webbel class. I fig your Excellency's pardon.
(15:44):
But parrots are hanged, not shot. Is the order of
the commission that he is shut Remove the prisoner.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Thank you, your excellency. I'm ready.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
My cell was dark. I sank upon my attress. There
it was I was to be shot. This was the
last round of a struggle. I had waited against Bonaparte
for twenty years. There was no arguing.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
With bullets.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Our pitiful little rebellion, our army scattered the Count condemned
to death.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Now he dead? Or now he my little Mary? She
had loved me, and my folly had killed her and Barbara.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
What would she think of her late husband? She would
guess why I had come to France, would guess at
my infidelity and to be hurt. What her shambles I
had made of my life? What had I brought to
all my friends and loved ones but pain and dishonor and.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
And death?
Speaker 5 (17:03):
What is it?
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Huh? What is it? Dawn? Already? It is Monsieur la kappannin.
Good morning, Lord don Blois, good morning. You need not
force yourself to smile, Sir, I do not need your sympathy.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
Your words are tour than you know.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Sir, You do not need sympathy. Indeed, it is not death.
What do you mean? Is this some new form of torment? No, sir,
there is news from Belgium.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
It says that the Emperor has been defeated in a
great battle.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Defeated. But what what about the defeat of Wellington and
Bluchi that you told me of?
Speaker 5 (17:40):
It seems we were misinformed. Now we hear that the
Emperor has been defeated in a great battle at a
place called Waterloo. It is said that Wellington and Blucher
are already over the front here and marching on Paris.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
God and and Bonaparte where is he?
Speaker 5 (17:57):
He is in Paris, already the Senator manding that he
abdicate again.
Speaker 6 (18:16):
Horatio Hornblower, starring Michael Redgrave, is based on the novels
by C. S.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Forester.
Speaker 6 (18:23):
Music composed and conducted by Sydney Torch, produced by Harry
Allen Towers,