 Tired of the everyday grind? Have a dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all? We offer you escape. Escape, designed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure. In command of a ship sailing with sealed orders into an ocean fraught with danger, while the enemy whom you'll seek is lying in wait for the moment when they will close in and strike, leaving you no escape. Listen now, as escape brings you Anthony Ellis' exciting story clear for action. I know the Caribbean as well as my own quarterdecks. Somewhere in these waters, there is the French loop of war, the Harfleur. From all available reports she carries 20 guns more or less, and she has taken or sunk at least 10 of our merchant men. She has to be stopped. A week and up at this time afford war with either France or England. Therefore, you will under no conditions attack, unless absolute proof is offered of an aggression against one of our ships or your own. Exactly. But she'd hardly be likely to open fire on a merchant man under our noses, sir. She was not captain or your orders. Yes, sir, when do I sail, sir? You will proceed with all haste to the Bahamas Group vicinity. The Harfleur seems to operate from a base situated near there. Very well, sir. Wish you luck, sir. Thank you, sir. Good afternoon. Good morning, sir. Mr. Quinn. Morning, sir. Mr. McCracky, you've charted the course. Aye, sir. Good. We'll get on the way immediately. Square away. Aye, sir. You will have a look out, keep a sharp watch. Aye, sir. Now thank you to order gun crew exercise again this morning. Aye, sir. Good afternoon, sir. Jonathan. Making about seven knots, sir. Excellent. At this rate... He's a big one, sir. Close hauled coming up fast. Better than a frigate, I'd say, sir. Master! Mr. McCracky. Aye, aye, sir. If you carry one... Ah, that's what I like. Close on. I want no trouble with him, Mr. McCracky. But we'll have gun crews to the rest station. I'll attend to it myself, sir. And I believe that she's partisan. I don't like it, captain. She must have seen our colors by now. She's laying a course to pass within range. Probably wants to hail us. Nothing more. Mike, hold that quarter, Jack, if you'll please. Are you shortening sail? Yes. We'll come about, helm. Aye, sir. Mr. Quinn, may I speaking trumpet, please? Thank you. Sir, if they let go with a broadside we're done for. Those must be 42 funders. Mr. McCracky, I'm aware of that. Set us back on course, captain, and I'll blow on the kingdom counter. Mr. McCracky, unless you have a desire to join the midshipmen, you will allow me to give the orders. Back to the main capsule! We'll leave to you, Mr. McCracky. But, sir, we... Eve, too, Mr. McCracky. I tell you, he's flagship of the West Indies squadron, huh? You'll no doubt be wanting to put a press gang aboard us. Don't worry, Duncan. I served with them once, and I'll happily kill the first man who tries to make me do it again, sir. The only way any of my men leave this ship is over my dead body. Have the men stand a quarter, Jonathan. Aye, sir. You're not going to pipe them over the side, are you, sir? I am not, Duncan. Here they come. Will you look at that pipsqueak standing at the stern? That Duncan is an officer of His Majesty's Navy. Hey, he looks as always been glued together. Duncan, control yourself. Not a word out of you. That's an order. Aye, sir. Captain Steele? Yes. Lieutenant Simpson of His Majesty's ship, Princess. What can I do for you, Lieutenant? I shall come to the point, sir. What are you doing in these waters? I do not see that that concerns you, Lieutenant. England is at war, sir. Any ship concerns us. So I have noticed. Exactly what you mean by that, Captain? Only that my government has been well aware of your impression of American seamen and of the British Navy. That is a lie. We impress only English desserters. A questionable point, Lieutenant. As a matter of fact, Captain, I have ordered to search your ship for just such men. Impossible. I beg your pardon. No, Lieutenant, you may not search. This is a warship of the United States Navy, and may I remind you that only by my courtesy are you at this moment aboard? I am. The interviewer is other, Lieutenant. You may return to your ship. Why? Mr. McCrack, you will escort Lieutenant Simpson over the side. Aye, sir. You warn you, Captain. Come along, Lieutenant. In this position, Lord Rose, this person is kindly with Admiral Grave. Please send my compliments to the admiral and tell him that if I ever catch him molesting American ships, I shall consider it an act of piracy. And we'll see that he hangs from his own yard arm. Well, we shall deal with that. I'll have you there. You must take your hands off of me, my lord. Our guest is away, sir. Yes, Mr. Quinn, yes. All right, squad away. We're wasting time. Aye, sir. Right, sir. Right, sir. That's me, sir. And now you're out. Right, sir. Disappointing. We have to open fire. She's a wonderful target. Yes, but so are we, Duncan. You'll get your fight all right, but with a higher floor. Aye. Now I don't want to miss my breakfast. Call me when the islands are sighted. These islands were two days now. You think she'd be lying in so close? The British would have spotted her. I will take no chances, Johnathan. Well, shot and sail again. She shows her dangers here, but, sir, I wonder if... Now there, Johnathan, there. Beyond that sand spec, is it? Yeah, I see her. Yes, but that's not the high floor. On the cut, I would judge she's a brig. Rolling fast, sir. Whatever she is, she must be at ground. We'll run in as close as possible. I want to look at it. Sir, don't you think it... Don't you think it... Yes, Johnathan? Nothing, sir. Aye, sir. Catch the cutters! You will keep us covered with a bow, Chaser. Aye, sir. You think it might not be a trap? Well, it might, but we'll chance it. Watch for my signals. If you cite the Frenchman, put out immediately. Aye, sir. Duncan! Leave your sea legs here. We're going ashore for our little walk. Into escape in just a moment. But first, tomorrow night, the Lux Summer Theater stars Fred Mac Murray. Listen on most of the same CBS radio stations tomorrow night. The Lux Summer Theater. And now, back to escape. Making as peaceful a voyage as you could wish for. Bound home for Providence. Let me run into a Frenchie. Ah, Fleur. We've been searching for her. She hit her mizzen when we refused to heave, too. Luckily, a squall came up and we lost her. Ah, you were fortunate, Captain. Ah, I put in here for repairs. We hit the shores and run aground. We're in a mighty fix. How are your repairs proceeding? As you see, rigging a jewelry mess now. Bottom sound riding up. But what's a peaceful ship to do, I ask you, sir? Ah, being neutral these days. Well, they are difficult times, Captain. However, rest assured you will reach Fort Sacred. I hope so, sir. I hope so. Mikako is valuable. Ah, she certainly looks trim. She is, sir. Sweet crap. I wonder, sir... Oh, just a thought, McCracken. Just a thought. Ah, there's my daughter. She'll be happy to see you. Your daughter, sir? Certainly. Always sales with me. Fine sailor. Ah-ha. Jennifer! Yes, colonel? I want you to meet Captain Steel of the Panther. My pleasure, Captain. Miss Matthews, this is Lieutenant McCracken. You gentlemen are a welcome sight. Great. Thank you, ma'am. The Panther's after that Frenchie, the half-law she's got. Your father tells me you had a brush with her. Oh, yes, that scurvy, blasted daughter. Forgive me, Captain. I forgot that, sure, I am a lady. Or at least supposed to be. Ah-ha. Why, ma'am, I hadn't noticed otherwise. That, sir, is the prettiest speech I have heard, and I am to eight months. Captain Matthews, may we go aboard your vessel? Of course. I shall like to further discuss the situation with you. Thank you, yes. Your help, sir, and yours, sir. Now, sir. Captain, how would you like to square a count with the half-law? I should like that, sir. I should like that very well. Well, a plan occurred to me, you're sure? I must warn you, though, that there's an element of danger both to you and your ship. Without your presence here, we'd probably never see America again. The Frenchman's still searching for us, there's no doubt. Yes, exactly. But let us suppose that you became a decoy. The bait in a sea trap. Go on, sir. Go on. I think we may safely presume that half-law does not know of the existence of my ship here in the Caribbean. Now, with your permission, I propose... Oh, we're not done. Sidi, Sidi Bosun. All right, lash him down, Bosun. Clear. That's it, sir. Thank you, Mr. McCrick. Handsomely, Mr. Handsomely. A round of grog for your men with my compliments. Aye, sir. Thank you, sir. I'll see to it. Four guns, Captain. Four guns where there should be none. Yes, but they must remain well-hidden until needed, sir. I couldn't have believed it. Four guns from your own ship to the old Salem. Oh, that Frenchman. Oh, we shall see, sir. And now I suggest that we observe Miss Jennifer's progress below. Aye. What a tale this will make. Oh. Sir, you make a powerful-looking woman, Lieutenant. Father. There. How do you like it, Captain? A delightful sight. Mistress Quinn, my compliments. No, sir. Miss Jennifer, there is no seamstress in Boston to equal you. Why, thank you, Captain. We shall go over the plan again. Mr. McCrick, below, if you please. Aye, sir. Ah, now then. Mr. Quinn and I will stay aboard the Salem with Captain Matthews. Well, it shall secure Gundex, then. Hey, Mr. Quinn. What a perfectly beautiful gun. Mr. Quinn is aware of his beauty. We have business, Mr. McCrack. Aye, sir. Now we shall need twenty good men from the Panther besides the gun crews already with us aboard the Salem. Mr. McCrack, you will be in command of the Panther. If possible, remain within masthead's side of us. Aye, sir. Miss Jennifer will sail with you. Aye, aye, sir. Yes. Mr. Quinn and the gun crews will be dressed in female costume and will make themselves plain to sight on deck. I hope that will lull the Frenchman into a sense of security and trust that they will not run out their guns. Good, good. Go on, sir. Salem's forecannon will be hidden. And to all appearances, she is still the peaceful merchant. And this time, when the half-lure cites us, we heed too. Yes, correct. You'll no doubt send a boarding party. And then our ladies engage the boarders, supported by myself and the rest of the men. And I think that is all. It is to be hoped, gentlemen, that after these preparations your enemy obliges with her bread. Yes, ma'am. Now, Mr. McCrack, we'll catch Salem off the shore immediately. If you please. Aye, sir. Mr. Quinn, you may remove your gown now. Oh, thank you, sir. And give the men from Panther their orders. I should like to get underway as soon as possible. Everything clear, Mr. McCrack? Aye, sir. Very well. And, uh, good luck to you behave yourself. Aye, aye, sir. Good luck to you. Captain Matthews, thank you, lad. Goodbye, father. Captain Steele, would you honor me by wearing this ribbon on your sword? All right. I would be honored, ma'am. Thank you. Goodbye, Captain. Mr. McCrack? Aye, sir. Uh, Miss Jennifer, would you allow me to assist you over the side? Thank you, Lieutenant. I'll take good care of it, sir. Mr. McCrack? Yes, sir. Well, Captain Matthews, will you give the order to make sail? Aye. By the way, the bonus to the first man to set the plenchment. Fill in these waters, Captain. We'll find it. Never thought I'd be praying to see a Frenchie but at this minute, I'll give it. There you go, Helm. Mr. Quinn? Aye, sir. Get your men into their costumes lively now. Aye, sir. Yes, that's her. That's our ship, all right. Mr. Quinn, keep the men away from the guns. We want to arouse no suspicion. She's seen us. She's tacking over. Aye. You men below, we've said it. Make her think we're rattled and clumsy and trying to put her out. Aye. That'll bring our guns to bear on her starboard side, Captain. All right, let her fall off, Helm. All right, pour it a little. Well, most fetching will turn it. Here, let me adjust your bonnet for you. There, that's better. Thank you, sir. That pistol, Lieutenant, makes a bulge where it seems to me no bulge should be. Oh, well, we... Better, sir? You're a picture of femininity. Now, as soon as the half-lure comes up, we need to. Have your men very distracted. In other words, behave like women, Mr. In the line of duty and seeing you order it, sir, I'll do it. Thank you, Jonathan. You know what to do when they board. Aye, sir. All right, take up your station. I bet he's a Frenchman who comes over the side to meet Mr. Quinn. And I, sir, and I. Back you sail, we're heaving through. He's on, Mr. Beam. Don't worry, Captain. They want this ship as a prize. He's already put over a long boat. Another one's coming around from the port quarter. I'd be obliged, sir, if you'd go to your cabin. This is our work. No, sir, this is my ship. I'm not young any more, but I won't miss this fight. Very well, sir. Then I suggest that you look to the priming of your pistol. Who is your captain? That's the meaning of this. We're a neutral vessel, American. This ship is a prize of l'empereur Napoléon. You will strike your color. Not while I'm alive. Mr. Quinn, report! Have them taken below. We'll transfer them to the panther. The floor's wearing into rakers. We'll be in trouble if she can. Captain, that's your ship closing in. Yes, the Frenchman's seen her too. Mr. Quinn, aim for a mass. We might get a lucky hit. Captain Steele, did you enjoy it, too? Yes, of course, Miss Matthews. Very tasty. Very. Well, I was just thinking it's getting late. Oh, no, Captain. You don't have to go yet. Well, I, of course, not my own. I'm afraid so. Mr. Quinn stands watch aboard the panther tonight, and you, Mr. McCrack, have repairs to make on the hot floor. Aye, sir. We'll stay home, too, tonight. Well, good night, Miss Matthews. Good night. I'd willingly join the crew of Salem for such cooking as you're. Thank you, Lieutenant. Good night, ma'am. Good night, Lieutenant Quinn. Hey, how are you coming, sir? Yes, gentlemen, of course. But, Captain, don't you remember? You promised to tell me of your exploits at sea. Oh, yes. Good night, Duncan. Aye, sir. Good night, sir. Jonathan. Good night, sir. Well, Miss Matthews, I... Jennifer, Captain. Jennifer. And now, supposing you start by telling me of your exploits. Escape has brought you clear for action, written and directed by Anthony Ellis, starring William Conrad as Captain Steele. Featured in the cast were Ben Wright, John Daener, John Stevenson, Tudor Owen, Vivi Janus, Richard Peele, and Dave Young. The special music for Escape is composed and directed by Leigh Stephen. Next week... You are running from an unseen enemy, frightened and alone, living from day to day. While your pursuer, unrelenting and murderous, is gaining on you, ready to trap you in a place from which there is no escape. So listen next week, when Escape brings you Charles Smith's exciting story, of Far Away Island. Tomorrow night, where CBS Radio has been bringing you its productions of suspense, listen for the gripping new mystery called Crime Classics. Premier performance this Monday night on most of the same CBS radio stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking. And remember, for Mystery Mixed with Merriment, Joy and Mr. and Mrs. North, here's the evenings on the CBS Radio Network.