August 20, 2025 • 21 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.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hold all hands back to quarters.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Oh, for good, stand by, let's tab a.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Better one broadsideedn't worry to please Captain Bush.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Wint us on target. This stops ready.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
Eyes already possessing Michael Redgrave as Forester's indominant man of
the sea.
Speaker 5 (00:39):
Ratio hornblower, the.
Speaker 6 (01:32):
Smout s.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Now that I'm much older than I was then. I
looked back on myself in those days with amazement. The
island of Haiti was beautiful, a paradise of blue water,
green hills.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Parrots and cockatoos flashed brightly all around us, But I
gave them no heed.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Standing on the ramparts of that captured fort, my whole
attention was centered on the telescope, which Lieutenant Bush held
tight to his eye.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
I yearned to have a chance it did myself, but
he was my superior.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
A man can't thrust himself forward, even at such a
time as that, Lieutenant Bush. Eh, if you're not using
the telescripture, eh.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Oh yeah, much good? It does.
Speaker 7 (02:43):
Anything.
Speaker 8 (02:44):
Now what are the Spaniards across the channel?
Speaker 2 (02:48):
I can make out no activitism. Who's in command there?
Home Bler, you speak their lingo.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Our prisoners have told you the Captain General is named
billan waver second in commander a colonel or two.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Fine kettle of fish.
Speaker 8 (03:02):
The dom's holding one side of the entrance to the bay.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
And with the other. Whatll we do now? Captain Buckland
ought to be here.
Speaker 8 (03:09):
He's the one to say, yes, sir, eh, oh, yes,
I don't say very much dizzy.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Well, oh, I know what's in your mind as well
as mine. He's shilly, shallis sir? Yes, there's a sale.
It's an answer. How soon will she make the channel?
Speaker 3 (03:24):
No, it's going up. I'd say for a matter of
two hours possibly.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Letter and push, sir. Mister Davis sends his confidence.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
He says, the Spanish vessels up there in the bay
are growing busier than ants. Rander, honeypot the merchantman this way, sir,
we can get a clear of you from over here. Sir,
he's right. They're going to try to step past us.
Once clear, they'll scatalac sheep. Oh, why doesn't Captain Buckland
gets here?
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Who lively there? Right out?
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Don's count out falls sis guns, But.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
The firm makes it.
Speaker 8 (04:04):
Nay to mister David, they'll range across the channel almost
the other four not fright, just as well.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
They're cats. There's the duns and we will be battering
it additive bit, sir, Hornblower, what are you doing here?
Your orders we to keep an eye on the city. Yes, sir,
I detailed Mitchip and Brown. So do you think we
could use hot shot? Hot shots?
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Heat the cannon balls red hot, start fires aboard the Spaniards?
Too much more damage that way We've done.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
To think, sir.
Speaker 8 (04:30):
Well, we'll be fortunate to hit them at all as
it is, So that's it exactly, heat them red hot,
hey lit.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
He's never done at sea. There's too much risk, could
see so wooden ships. There is the risk of setting.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Yourself on fire, but there's the furnace for it. But
the Duns make it a customer season, special metal baskets
to carry the ball in and then transfer it to
the guns.
Speaker 8 (04:48):
Horn blow, if you any idea out of load hot
shots that one such cannon ball touched the patron will
all be blown sky high.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
We could use wet words as well as drybds. I've
done it before. Well, no, sir, never you did a
Google blowser. What is it?
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Dawson Richard Brown center, He says, to tell you one
of them vessels is up anchor.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
She's heading for the channel. Now Bush, please let's try.
There's time.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Very welcome, Blair. Tell off of detail to hit the canniballs,
if you please. Number four, number six con over, mister David.
(05:53):
Number three is short.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
I just swam out the guns, am I? What what
have been the ball?
Speaker 1 (06:02):
I'm not careful?
Speaker 2 (06:03):
There?
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Number three guns for elevation there then start ready.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
It's all good. It's hard glass. Something's gonna miss.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Number four gun? Number four gun? What's his cannon ball
doing on the ground. It weren't frending the muscles or nonsense.
Why shouldn't it fit?
Speaker 1 (06:31):
There's another same thing that happened with number four.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Hold glass, That's all my thoughts. Those pessive cannon balls
are overheated.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Oh vashets ese are too long in the furnace. They've
lost their shape. They won't fit the ball play anymore fighting.
It's so use. I'm sorry, Lieutenant Bush, Oh a young Yes,
I overreached myself. Maybe not, But what do you mean?
Speaker 8 (06:51):
You stop looking at the guns and you'll see it
for yourself, Damniard.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
These last headways swung around across the tail. Look is
that smoke. It is. He's on fire. Ay, that is
they are the sails. Some of the others have turned back.
They are afraid of vents of the channel, red hot
cannon balls. I shall report this to Captain Bucklunt.
Speaker 8 (07:12):
And by the speed they're returning, I should think they'll
be here in under an hour.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
It's very good, mister Bush. Another a young hornblowers bright schemes.
I understand quite sir. I only made mention of it,
and proper that you did.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
But a man can become a bit tired of Oh well,
never mind.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
My commendation's hornblower, like, I said, what's that? That's someone
at hard said, no Spanish people, but.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
The Lord Harry. If it's in attack, quickly outside we mus.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
See, Oh on the Pope there an attack over?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
What is it? Then?
Speaker 3 (07:54):
What is it?
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Well, I'll be dacked.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
A small boat is coming over from the Spanish side,
using them bugles, so we won't open fire on them.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
And why not, mister David, if you please. They're flying
a white flag. They must want to parley. I suppose
they do.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Oh very well, mister ornblower, you speak Spanish, Take an
escort and meet whoever it is outside the fall has.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
If you must fetch him in, be certain he's blindfolded.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
I have no wish to have the dons know all
about us. You bring an offer of surrenders, surrender. My
terms are unconditional, sir.
Speaker 7 (08:33):
You mistake me. Surrender yes, but of us no. I'm
yet to accept yours, surrender.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Our surrender, Colonel, I have no time for it. Is
not a jest, sir, nonsense all the same.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Look about your colonel, You said yourself two days ago
this fortress was yours, and now it's ours.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
See the fortunes of war exactly, it's in our hands.
Your shipping is bottled up, sir, if the captain will permit.
You are not used to this climate, are you? What's
that to do with your request?
Speaker 7 (09:01):
A great deal? Believe me, one must be accustomed to
this climate to stay alive.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
What are you driving at?
Speaker 7 (09:09):
I speak of the dreaded vomit on negro?
Speaker 2 (09:11):
What's that? Vomito negro? The ooh? How do you say, lieutenant?
If you would be so good? My english fails me well, sir.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Kennel ortega means yellow fever, yellow fever, leverson, vomito negro,
the colonel says, they are used to the climate, but
we are not.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Yellow fever, he says. He says, it's bound to strike
a seam most certain, a most dangerous illness.
Speaker 7 (09:35):
There is much here among the natives. The Captain General
Villan Weaver suggests that you abandon this potress at once.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
We shall no attempt to stop your withdrawal.
Speaker 7 (09:45):
But believe me, Captain, if you stay within a very
short time, you will all die of yellow fever.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Even now, so many years later, I can close my
eyes and see it before me again, high noon on
that fabulous islum.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
There was no wind.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
The Spanish flag across the bay hung idol on the
flag staff, just as I was did. Colonel I Taker
had long since returned across the water, and nothing moved
except the birds, the black butcher birds wheeling above us,
and cockatoos and parrots. Even they, like us, seemed to
be panting under the heat, the tremendous noonday heat of
(11:07):
the tropics.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
That a lot of men will be on the paravish.
It looks like one of them is gone. Bearser well,
we best get over there.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
No, I don't you only stop your mouth?
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Yeah, what's going on? You have a fever? That's what
must take us to we stay. You have a fever silence,
mister David. You should have quieted him before I find
it necessary to do so myself. Have him put under
god Ey.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Sir, mister Hornber, Sir, yes, is it true what he
said yellow fever?
Speaker 2 (11:39):
There's no sign of yellow fever.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
The men say that Spanish colonel said it's bound of hitters.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
They say, never mind what they say. You've been given
an order, mister Davey, Sir.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Brothers turn, take his arms and legs lively?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Now corn blo.
Speaker 8 (11:56):
How did they find out rumor like that will lead
to panic? How did they find anna?
Speaker 3 (12:00):
How do they always find that? Mister Bush, this might
be serious? Do you think we should inform the captain?
I stood by as the captain and Lieutenant Bush talked
it over, their faces, grave and worried. Something had to
be done. To withdraw would mean defeat, more than defeat, disgrace.
(12:26):
From a narrow, barred window that overlooked the bay, I
could see the Spanish vessels at anchor. We were on
the tip of a narrow peninsula that jutted out to.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Form one horn of the bay. The ships were far
back at the base of the headland.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Now if there were only well, it's perfectly clear to
me what we have to do.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
I know, sir.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
But if they're up Hornblower, pray do not interrupt now,
but sir, if you please, mister.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Hornblower, Yes, sir.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
Bush, I'm afraid we're done. Now that the men are aware,
there's no hope for us. We'll have to do as
the Spaniards of Will you please make the appropriate signal
to them? We shall embark for the renown. Captain Butler, well,
what is he now? We could move a gun over land?
A gun, yes, sir, oh, not one of these from
the fort I should hope not twenty four pounders two
(13:15):
and a half tons each.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Garrison carriages practically move. But we could use one from
the renouncer, one of those long nine pounders we've got
mounted as bow chasers. They have a range near as
good as the You wait a bit.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
The Renown's up here with us. The Spanish vessels are
far in the rear of the bay, and a good.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Four miles, sir. We needn't drag it from here, sir,
So okay, I hold up my my thumb and forefinger.
Now the bay is the space in between. We're here
out where the thumbnail is. No need to tell me
what I know full well a.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Good four miles, sir. But if the renowned sails run
the headlands and around the thumbnail, is that it Homeline
line Pounder sway it up to the top of the
cliff and across the base of the thumber.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
I mean the land, you know. And we have the
done ships under fire, sir, we'd be filing.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
I see, yes. Question of whether it's a do any good?
They need those ships, sir. If they see they're going
to be destroyed, they'll be frightened. They'd rather surrender to
us than be marooned on this island at the messy
of the natives.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Possible, That's more than possible.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
So it could be done, or blur, don't over reach
your olvery turn the tables, eh, I've done on the
head levels, mister Bush.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Do you think it might succeed? I suggest we try it, sir.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
We had to wait till dark so the Spaniards wouldn't
guess what we were up to. The days seemed endless,
but finally night came, the sudden.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Black, deep night of the Tropics.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Lieutenant Bush was left in command of the captured fortress
vernand picked up a vagrant breeze, and silently we slipped
around the headland until we reached the proper spot.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Oh one more point, sir.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
One of the men was in a panic this morning, donnelly,
I believe, Yes, sir, I understand you took him with you.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Well, I made a particular point of it.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Safe he's ashore with David Nas but by him, the
man's in a panic. Well, I thought it best to
keep him active, sir. He'd be much too busy to
be concerned about yellow fever. Then, sir, oh, I see, Oh, well,
off you go, Hornbler. Good fortune. It needed more than
(15:24):
good fortune. In the darkness, it was hard, cruel work
with slings and ropes. We swayed the gun up from
the launch and the man handled it over towards the bay.
There were swarms of gnats and mosquitoes of every sound,
and the thick, heavy growth around us made us worthy
of natives and savage beasts, but we saw none.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
By dawn the gun was in position, and we waited
seven bells. Sir, Yes, so it is. They've no idea
where above them they sell. Soon enough, you've sighted that
gun yourself, dawn't sir, first shot, don't hit that vessel square.
You can flog me a good dozen of the main masts.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
I believe we can open fire, mister David, I have
open fire.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Check the target, mister David.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
File fir, yes, square on board.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Proceed mister David. Nine more runs. The gun crew sweated
as they fired. The sound of the shot seckered off
the hills, but it was more than an echo below us.
On board. The Spanish vessel's.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Men struggled frantically to sever anchor cables and get out
of range. The ship on which our gun boll came
smoking wreck, a mess of cordage and shattered timbers.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
The firing went on six seven, mister Davy. What in
the devil was that?
Speaker 1 (17:01):
The guns on Buster and bush Tizer, the plug round,
the touch hole, the powder blast, and seated.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yes, yes, I see it can't fight another round to that?
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Shall we jet us in the guns and retire back
to the ocean side.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
No, but we haven't got another plug, mister David. The
fort expect us to fire ten rounds. Those were Captain
Buckland's orders. Ten rounds, and.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
All we've done is oh, you're donelly.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
I have a spare plug with me, Sir. I can
get it fitted in with a bit of time, good man,
you can.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
It's no more, no more worry about yellow fever. Then
he do no sad, only about the gun nan, Sir.
Speaker 7 (17:34):
Here it is, sir.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
It may take a little while after I'd have to
find it down. Hold your far why is the fellow bush?
(18:15):
Hold your fire?
Speaker 8 (18:16):
Captain Buchan's compliments, and I shall have volunteers around four
miles at that place.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
What is its bush?
Speaker 5 (18:22):
I don't understand that.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
Don't your horn blur? It worked. The Spaniards have capitulated.
No sooner it you opened up.
Speaker 8 (18:29):
The Ortaka came flying across the channel.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
You should have seen his bumboat.
Speaker 8 (18:33):
Spaniards ever used their ow so fast, Aye, capitulation and
abandon the fort and blow it up. We'll take them
as prisoners to Jamaica. There's not enough room aboard the Renawan, Oh,
said the Renawan. We'll use their own craft as prison ships.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
The ships are included.
Speaker 8 (18:49):
Don't look so surprised to horn blow your idea to
begin with, wasn't it ay?
Speaker 2 (18:54):
The three that are left prizes are war prizes. We'll
get prize money yesterday. Today we take care of that gun.
Speaker 3 (19:03):
I must be back up ordering on before sunset.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
It worked, I was now I had my doubts too,
May I say guess what I'd like to say.
Speaker 8 (19:20):
I've been envious of you before, now before if you're superior,
well I've resented this and I can resent you no longer.
You're brilliant and I'm not. And that's the ways you've
deserve credits. And I'll not pratic hone bla, I call
you Horatio. I'd like to be your friend.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
On flatida m H. I don't know what to say,
mister Bushy. Do you realize that I don't even know
your first name?
Speaker 3 (20:10):
Ratio Hornblower, starring Michael Redgrave, is based on the novels
by C. S.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Foresters.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
Music composed and conducted by Sydney Court, produced by Harry
Allen Towers
Hold all hands back to quarters.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Oh, for good, stand by, let's tab a.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Better one broadsideedn't worry to please Captain Bush.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Wint us on target. This stops ready.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
Eyes already possessing Michael Redgrave as Forester's indominant man of
the sea.
Speaker 5 (00:39):
Ratio hornblower, the.
Speaker 6 (01:32):
Smout s.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Now that I'm much older than I was then. I
looked back on myself in those days with amazement. The
island of Haiti was beautiful, a paradise of blue water,
green hills.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Parrots and cockatoos flashed brightly all around us, But I
gave them no heed.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Standing on the ramparts of that captured fort, my whole
attention was centered on the telescope, which Lieutenant Bush held
tight to his eye.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
I yearned to have a chance it did myself, but
he was my superior.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
A man can't thrust himself forward, even at such a
time as that, Lieutenant Bush. Eh, if you're not using
the telescripture, eh.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Oh yeah, much good? It does.
Speaker 7 (02:43):
Anything.
Speaker 8 (02:44):
Now what are the Spaniards across the channel?
Speaker 2 (02:48):
I can make out no activitism. Who's in command there?
Home Bler, you speak their lingo.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Our prisoners have told you the Captain General is named
billan waver second in commander a colonel or two.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Fine kettle of fish.
Speaker 8 (03:02):
The dom's holding one side of the entrance to the bay.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
And with the other. Whatll we do now? Captain Buckland
ought to be here.
Speaker 8 (03:09):
He's the one to say, yes, sir, eh, oh, yes,
I don't say very much dizzy.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Well, oh, I know what's in your mind as well
as mine. He's shilly, shallis sir? Yes, there's a sale.
It's an answer. How soon will she make the channel?
Speaker 3 (03:24):
No, it's going up. I'd say for a matter of
two hours possibly.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Letter and push, sir. Mister Davis sends his confidence.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
He says, the Spanish vessels up there in the bay
are growing busier than ants. Rander, honeypot the merchantman this way, sir,
we can get a clear of you from over here. Sir,
he's right. They're going to try to step past us.
Once clear, they'll scatalac sheep. Oh, why doesn't Captain Buckland
gets here?
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Who lively there? Right out?
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Don's count out falls sis guns, But.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
The firm makes it.
Speaker 8 (04:04):
Nay to mister David, they'll range across the channel almost
the other four not fright, just as well.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
They're cats. There's the duns and we will be battering
it additive bit, sir, Hornblower, what are you doing here?
Your orders we to keep an eye on the city. Yes, sir,
I detailed Mitchip and Brown. So do you think we
could use hot shot? Hot shots?
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Heat the cannon balls red hot, start fires aboard the Spaniards?
Too much more damage that way We've done.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
To think, sir.
Speaker 8 (04:30):
Well, we'll be fortunate to hit them at all as
it is, So that's it exactly, heat them red hot,
hey lit.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
He's never done at sea. There's too much risk, could
see so wooden ships. There is the risk of setting.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Yourself on fire, but there's the furnace for it. But
the Duns make it a customer season, special metal baskets
to carry the ball in and then transfer it to
the guns.
Speaker 8 (04:48):
Horn blow, if you any idea out of load hot
shots that one such cannon ball touched the patron will
all be blown sky high.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
We could use wet words as well as drybds. I've
done it before. Well, no, sir, never you did a
Google blowser. What is it?
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Dawson Richard Brown center, He says, to tell you one
of them vessels is up anchor.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
She's heading for the channel. Now Bush, please let's try.
There's time.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Very welcome, Blair. Tell off of detail to hit the canniballs,
if you please. Number four, number six con over, mister David.
(05:53):
Number three is short.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
I just swam out the guns, am I? What what
have been the ball?
Speaker 1 (06:02):
I'm not careful?
Speaker 2 (06:03):
There?
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Number three guns for elevation there then start ready.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
It's all good. It's hard glass. Something's gonna miss.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Number four gun? Number four gun? What's his cannon ball
doing on the ground. It weren't frending the muscles or nonsense.
Why shouldn't it fit?
Speaker 1 (06:31):
There's another same thing that happened with number four.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Hold glass, That's all my thoughts. Those pessive cannon balls
are overheated.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Oh vashets ese are too long in the furnace. They've
lost their shape. They won't fit the ball play anymore fighting.
It's so use. I'm sorry, Lieutenant Bush, Oh a young Yes,
I overreached myself. Maybe not, But what do you mean?
Speaker 8 (06:51):
You stop looking at the guns and you'll see it
for yourself, Damniard.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
These last headways swung around across the tail. Look is
that smoke. It is. He's on fire. Ay, that is
they are the sails. Some of the others have turned back.
They are afraid of vents of the channel, red hot
cannon balls. I shall report this to Captain Bucklunt.
Speaker 8 (07:12):
And by the speed they're returning, I should think they'll
be here in under an hour.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
It's very good, mister Bush. Another a young hornblowers bright schemes.
I understand quite sir. I only made mention of it,
and proper that you did.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
But a man can become a bit tired of Oh well,
never mind.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
My commendation's hornblower, like, I said, what's that? That's someone
at hard said, no Spanish people, but.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
The Lord Harry. If it's in attack, quickly outside we mus.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
See, Oh on the Pope there an attack over?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
What is it? Then?
Speaker 3 (07:54):
What is it?
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Well, I'll be dacked.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
A small boat is coming over from the Spanish side,
using them bugles, so we won't open fire on them.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
And why not, mister David, if you please. They're flying
a white flag. They must want to parley. I suppose
they do.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Oh very well, mister ornblower, you speak Spanish, Take an
escort and meet whoever it is outside the fall has.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
If you must fetch him in, be certain he's blindfolded.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
I have no wish to have the dons know all
about us. You bring an offer of surrenders, surrender. My
terms are unconditional, sir.
Speaker 7 (08:33):
You mistake me. Surrender yes, but of us no. I'm
yet to accept yours, surrender.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Our surrender, Colonel, I have no time for it. Is
not a jest, sir, nonsense all the same.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Look about your colonel, You said yourself two days ago
this fortress was yours, and now it's ours.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
See the fortunes of war exactly, it's in our hands.
Your shipping is bottled up, sir, if the captain will permit.
You are not used to this climate, are you? What's
that to do with your request?
Speaker 7 (09:01):
A great deal? Believe me, one must be accustomed to
this climate to stay alive.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
What are you driving at?
Speaker 7 (09:09):
I speak of the dreaded vomit on negro?
Speaker 2 (09:11):
What's that? Vomito negro? The ooh? How do you say, lieutenant?
If you would be so good? My english fails me well, sir.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Kennel ortega means yellow fever, yellow fever, leverson, vomito negro,
the colonel says, they are used to the climate, but
we are not.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Yellow fever, he says. He says, it's bound to strike
a seam most certain, a most dangerous illness.
Speaker 7 (09:35):
There is much here among the natives. The Captain General
Villan Weaver suggests that you abandon this potress at once.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
We shall no attempt to stop your withdrawal.
Speaker 7 (09:45):
But believe me, Captain, if you stay within a very
short time, you will all die of yellow fever.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Even now, so many years later, I can close my
eyes and see it before me again, high noon on
that fabulous islum.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
There was no wind.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
The Spanish flag across the bay hung idol on the
flag staff, just as I was did. Colonel I Taker
had long since returned across the water, and nothing moved
except the birds, the black butcher birds wheeling above us,
and cockatoos and parrots. Even they, like us, seemed to
be panting under the heat, the tremendous noonday heat of
(11:07):
the tropics.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
That a lot of men will be on the paravish.
It looks like one of them is gone. Bearser well,
we best get over there.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
No, I don't you only stop your mouth?
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Yeah, what's going on? You have a fever? That's what
must take us to we stay. You have a fever silence,
mister David. You should have quieted him before I find
it necessary to do so myself. Have him put under
god Ey.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Sir, mister Hornber, Sir, yes, is it true what he
said yellow fever?
Speaker 2 (11:39):
There's no sign of yellow fever.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
The men say that Spanish colonel said it's bound of hitters.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
They say, never mind what they say. You've been given
an order, mister Davey, Sir.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Brothers turn, take his arms and legs lively?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Now corn blo.
Speaker 8 (11:56):
How did they find out rumor like that will lead
to panic? How did they find anna?
Speaker 3 (12:00):
How do they always find that? Mister Bush, this might
be serious? Do you think we should inform the captain?
I stood by as the captain and Lieutenant Bush talked
it over, their faces, grave and worried. Something had to
be done. To withdraw would mean defeat, more than defeat, disgrace.
(12:26):
From a narrow, barred window that overlooked the bay, I
could see the Spanish vessels at anchor. We were on
the tip of a narrow peninsula that jutted out to.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Form one horn of the bay. The ships were far
back at the base of the headland.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Now if there were only well, it's perfectly clear to
me what we have to do.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
I know, sir.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
But if they're up Hornblower, pray do not interrupt now,
but sir, if you please, mister.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Hornblower, Yes, sir.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
Bush, I'm afraid we're done. Now that the men are aware,
there's no hope for us. We'll have to do as
the Spaniards of Will you please make the appropriate signal
to them? We shall embark for the renown. Captain Butler, well,
what is he now? We could move a gun over land?
A gun, yes, sir, oh, not one of these from
the fort I should hope not twenty four pounders two
(13:15):
and a half tons each.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Garrison carriages practically move. But we could use one from
the renouncer, one of those long nine pounders we've got
mounted as bow chasers. They have a range near as
good as the You wait a bit.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
The Renown's up here with us. The Spanish vessels are
far in the rear of the bay, and a good.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Four miles, sir. We needn't drag it from here, sir,
So okay, I hold up my my thumb and forefinger.
Now the bay is the space in between. We're here
out where the thumbnail is. No need to tell me
what I know full well a.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Good four miles, sir. But if the renowned sails run
the headlands and around the thumbnail, is that it Homeline
line Pounder sway it up to the top of the
cliff and across the base of the thumber.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
I mean the land, you know. And we have the
done ships under fire, sir, we'd be filing.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
I see, yes. Question of whether it's a do any good?
They need those ships, sir. If they see they're going
to be destroyed, they'll be frightened. They'd rather surrender to
us than be marooned on this island at the messy
of the natives.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Possible, That's more than possible.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
So it could be done, or blur, don't over reach
your olvery turn the tables, eh, I've done on the
head levels, mister Bush.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Do you think it might succeed? I suggest we try it, sir.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
We had to wait till dark so the Spaniards wouldn't
guess what we were up to. The days seemed endless,
but finally night came, the sudden.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Black, deep night of the Tropics.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Lieutenant Bush was left in command of the captured fortress
vernand picked up a vagrant breeze, and silently we slipped
around the headland until we reached the proper spot.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Oh one more point, sir.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
One of the men was in a panic this morning, donnelly,
I believe, Yes, sir, I understand you took him with you.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Well, I made a particular point of it.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Safe he's ashore with David Nas but by him, the
man's in a panic. Well, I thought it best to
keep him active, sir. He'd be much too busy to
be concerned about yellow fever. Then, sir, oh, I see, Oh, well,
off you go, Hornbler. Good fortune. It needed more than
(15:24):
good fortune. In the darkness, it was hard, cruel work
with slings and ropes. We swayed the gun up from
the launch and the man handled it over towards the bay.
There were swarms of gnats and mosquitoes of every sound,
and the thick, heavy growth around us made us worthy
of natives and savage beasts, but we saw none.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
By dawn the gun was in position, and we waited
seven bells. Sir, Yes, so it is. They've no idea
where above them they sell. Soon enough, you've sighted that
gun yourself, dawn't sir, first shot, don't hit that vessel square.
You can flog me a good dozen of the main masts.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
I believe we can open fire, mister David, I have
open fire.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Check the target, mister David.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
File fir, yes, square on board.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Proceed mister David. Nine more runs. The gun crew sweated
as they fired. The sound of the shot seckered off
the hills, but it was more than an echo below us.
On board. The Spanish vessel's.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Men struggled frantically to sever anchor cables and get out
of range. The ship on which our gun boll came
smoking wreck, a mess of cordage and shattered timbers.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
The firing went on six seven, mister Davy. What in
the devil was that?
Speaker 1 (17:01):
The guns on Buster and bush Tizer, the plug round,
the touch hole, the powder blast, and seated.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yes, yes, I see it can't fight another round to that?
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Shall we jet us in the guns and retire back
to the ocean side.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
No, but we haven't got another plug, mister David. The
fort expect us to fire ten rounds. Those were Captain
Buckland's orders. Ten rounds, and.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
All we've done is oh, you're donelly.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
I have a spare plug with me, Sir. I can
get it fitted in with a bit of time, good man,
you can.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
It's no more, no more worry about yellow fever. Then
he do no sad, only about the gun nan, Sir.
Speaker 7 (17:34):
Here it is, sir.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
It may take a little while after I'd have to
find it down. Hold your far why is the fellow bush?
(18:15):
Hold your fire?
Speaker 8 (18:16):
Captain Buchan's compliments, and I shall have volunteers around four
miles at that place.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
What is its bush?
Speaker 5 (18:22):
I don't understand that.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
Don't your horn blur? It worked. The Spaniards have capitulated.
No sooner it you opened up.
Speaker 8 (18:29):
The Ortaka came flying across the channel.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
You should have seen his bumboat.
Speaker 8 (18:33):
Spaniards ever used their ow so fast, Aye, capitulation and
abandon the fort and blow it up. We'll take them
as prisoners to Jamaica. There's not enough room aboard the Renawan, Oh,
said the Renawan. We'll use their own craft as prison ships.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
The ships are included.
Speaker 8 (18:49):
Don't look so surprised to horn blow your idea to
begin with, wasn't it ay?
Speaker 2 (18:54):
The three that are left prizes are war prizes. We'll
get prize money yesterday. Today we take care of that gun.
Speaker 3 (19:03):
I must be back up ordering on before sunset.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
It worked, I was now I had my doubts too,
May I say guess what I'd like to say.
Speaker 8 (19:20):
I've been envious of you before, now before if you're superior,
well I've resented this and I can resent you no longer.
You're brilliant and I'm not. And that's the ways you've
deserve credits. And I'll not pratic hone bla, I call
you Horatio. I'd like to be your friend.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
On flatida m H. I don't know what to say,
mister Bushy. Do you realize that I don't even know
your first name?
Speaker 3 (20:10):
Ratio Hornblower, starring Michael Redgrave, is based on the novels
by C. S.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Foresters.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
Music composed and conducted by Sydney Court, produced by Harry
Allen Towers
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The Charlie Kirk Show
Charlie is America's hardest working grassroots activist who has your inside scoop on the biggest news of the day and what's really going on behind the headlines. The founder of Turning Point USA and one of social media's most engaged personalities, Charlie is on the front lines of America’s culture war, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of students on over 3,500 college and high school campuses across the country, bringing you your daily dose of clarity in a sea of chaos all from his signature no-holds-barred, unapologetically conservative, freedom-loving point of view. You can also watch Charlie Kirk on Salem News Channel