 Call all hands, speak to quarters. One broadside into it, if you please, Captain Bush. Point to some targets! Binstops ready? Aye, aye sir! You bad CS foresters, indomitable man of the sea, a ratio hornblower. It makes all such days memorable, as one looks back on them after a space of years. But one particular late autumn day comes back to me with living clarity, for it was the first time I set eyes on my old friend William Bush. A meeting which, as things turned out, had lifelong consequence for both of us. The old renown, Captain Sawyer commanding, lay at anchor in spithead, completing to sea. As luck would have it, I was officer of the watch, when the new lieutenant reported aboard. Lieutenant Bush reported aboard, sir, here are my waters. Pleased to have you aboard, sir. My name is Hornblower. Have you got your gear with you? My C-Tress for it, yes, by the Larbett Hatchway. Good. I'll see that it's sent to your quarters, sir. Mr. Arms! Lay out here immediately! Speak into me, sir. Mr. Arms, that powder's got to get aboard before nightfall in tonight. And don't use that tone of voice when replying to an order. If you sulk, how are you going to get your men to work? Well, I ought to be working. That's up to you, Mr. Arms. Now please get back for it and see to it. Aye, aye, sir. I'm not quite as fierce as I sound, Mr. Bush, but if once they start sulking, no ship can maintain discipline. Mr. Arms is about the worst of the lot. Acting gunner and no earthly good at it. Favourite of the captain, I'm afraid, and therefore very... Well, of course, I have no right to pass along ship's gossip. Of course, I rather wish you would. Man, can't help feeling strange in a new bird. No, no, I can't hold with any breach of discipline, Mr. Bush. I was wrong even to mention it. Boss' mates! Side boys! Aye, sir! Aye, sir! Captain's gig approach in men! Aye, sir! That young midshipman seems a little nervous. Young well-arge, I mean. That was a nice lad, barely sixteen. The captain's a trifle. Well, inconsiderate of midshipmen. All hands! Attention! Careful, Mr. Bush, the captain's coming on board. Oh, and who is this officer? Our new third lieutenant, sir. Lieutenant William Bush. Bush? Bush? Oh, yes, I see. Came aboard in my absence, did you, Mr. Bush? Ah, yes, sir. As Mr. Hoonblower has just explained. No, no. Who told you I was on shore, eh? Well, no one, sir. I didn't even know you were ashore till Mr. Hoonblower informed me. So you and Mr. Hoonblower know each other already, do you? Well, no, sir. I merely reported to him when I came aboard, so that you and he could have a few private words together without my knowledge. Oh, no, sir. Of course not, I merely... No, no. I'll have you, though I allow no one to conspire behind my back, Mr. Bush. You may report to me in my cabin in an hour. Say, Hoonblower, what's up with you? He's as likely as not to pop straight back up that companion way. He always hopes to catch us discussing him. Tell me, is he quite sane? I... I hope so, Mr. Bush. We've a long voyage, as I said. I begin to feel it may seem very long, Mr. Hoonblower. If I'd realized... Mr. Hoonblower! Aye, sir! Bring two hands at once and see to Mr. Bush's sea chest, please. Look right in there. He puzzling, even cold and forbidding that first day. But ever since my first year as a midshipman, I had drilled into me the strenuous sense of an officer's duty, his obligations to his captain. The renown was certainly not a happy ship far from it, but I felt that Bush must find out for himself how things stood. It wasn't long before he did, unfortunately. We'd only been at sea two days when he came looking for me. Mr. Hoonblower. Oh, good morning, Mr. Bush. You sleep well? Possibly. I... Well, you won't approve of what I'm going to say, but... I've been talking with young Wellard. Is it possible the captain treats his midshipman so brutally? I could scarcely... Captain Wellard talks too much. No, no, I assure you I'm the guilty one. He shared a watch with me last night. I made him talk. Midshipmen are impressionable, young scamp. Surely you've remembered that from your early years. The stock complaints, the... Of course, but I never had a captain who indulged himself in such caprices or such malice. Mr. Bush, you and I are hardly in a position to judge what... Nonsense. I'm talking to you because you're the first man I met aboard this ship. And because... Well, because I hope you'll be friends. Friendships aren't entered into casually on this ship, Mr. Bush. Like it or not, I'm going to speak my mind. Doesn't anyone, not even butchland feel as I do, doesn't anyone consider Captain Sawyer a... a brutal tyrant? What would any of us do about it, if by any chance we did, Mr. Bush? Confound it, Hoonblower. It isn't even Navy justice. And Navy justice can be very blind sometimes. At least a delegation of officers could call on him. Ask him to temper some of these cruelties he inflicts on his midshipmen. You haven't been aboard long, have you, sir? Do you know what would happen to that delegation, you suggest? Within two minutes, every officer in it would be put on watch and watch till further orders. Four hours on duty, four hours off day and night around the clock. Now, no, Mr. Bush, we need our sleep too much. Oh, I suppose so. Young Wellard seems well... very much impressed by you, if I may say so. Oh, Wellard's a nice boy, but I... Mr. Hoonblower! Oh, Mr. Wellard. Mr. Buckland's compliment, sir, and will you and Mr. Bush join him below on the gun deck? Practice drill in running out gun carriages, he says, sir. Oh, it's a good idea, don't you think so, Mr. Bush? Our gun crews need some exercise. They've been in too long in port. Oh, what such a good day, Mr. Wellard? Oh, I took the liberty of stopping by your quarters, Mr. Hoonblower. Just brought up your old uniform coat. I noticed you were wearing your new uniform today. Well, that work down there is going to be hot and dirty. You thought you might want to change. Sir, I never asked... Oh, all right, sir. All right, Mr. Wellard. Very considerate of you, I'm sure. Give me my coat. Oh, and go and tell Mr. Buckland we'll be with him immediately. Well, sir, first, I just reminded the men of accidents. In my last trip, I'll remember the wheels of a 24-pounder came unleashed. Nearly killed two men before we made it fast. We've had experiences of our own with the runaway guns, eh, Hoonblower? Yeah, sir. But repetition doesn't have harm. By all means, warn the men again. Yes, sir. Attention now, all hands. You can expect some warm work today, men. Before we roll a wheel or untie a single gun carriage, remember this. A loose cannon can be a dangerous thing. I advise you never to leave a gun without some tackle for the sports going on here, Mr. Wellard. Ah, a gun practice, sir. I received your permission, sir, if you'll recall. And Mr. Hobbs are acting gunner. What of him? He's only this instant arrived down here with me. Mr. Hobbs, where are you all? Where are you not informed of this exercise? I was not informed, sir. Indeed I wasn't. It was as much a surprise to me as it was to you, sir. Please, sir, I expect it was most in my fault. I looked for Mr. Hobbs when Mr. Buckland announced the drill. I looked from everywhere in the ship. I don't know. Sir, may I make a request? What is it? That you hear the midshipman answer. I feel certain that Mr. Wellard can explain it. Thank you, Mr. Hornblur. I don't require any explanation. You may be sure I've taken note of your insubordination, Mr. Wellard. Mr. Wellard, I believe, knows about beatings from past experience. Eh, Mr. Hobbs? I may perhaps let him off one on this occasion, but the next time that any sign of disobedience, Mr. Wellard, beware, briefed topsoils, the heavy seas of the Atlantic rose majestically to meet us. But discipline dropped low every day. You want to take in another reach, Mr. Bush, with your permission, sir? Hmm, yes. Oh, very good, Mr. Bush. Turn out both watches. Aye, sir. Wilson? Aye, sir. Better to do than to stand there merely watching, Mr. Hornblur. I'm sorry, sir. I was only waiting until my men reached their station in the midship, sir. All hands to reef topsoils. All hands. Now man those harriots and reef turkeys. Be quick about it. I think they're ready to haul now, sir. Yes, Mr. Bush, I have eyes. All of those reef tackles, men. Let's be lively. Those men at the main mast have seized trawling, Mr. Bush. Yes, sir. Something's wrong, apparently. They're in the waist. Who's that come commanding my order? Come here, Mr. Wellard. Come here this instant. Hey, you wish you an order without my permission. Sir, I-I sure am sorry. It was quite necessary. Well, no, Mr. Wellard. You'll be sorry for this young man. Mr. Wellard was merely doing his duty, sir. He was the first to notice what had happened. There's a reef point caught in the reef tackle block, weatherside. If the men had continued to haul, the sail would have been torn. There doesn't any least excuse, Mr. Wellard's accent. No, sir, if the sail had been damaged... Thank you, Mr. Hornblur. Well, there's no need for you to intervene between myself and the junior officer. It's useless to try to protect Mr. Wellard this time. Useless, Mr. Hornblur. This is my station, sir. I'm responsible for it. Kindly stand aside, Mr. Hornblur. And you too, Mr. Wellard. I'll deal with you in a few minutes. Do you hear me? Stand aside. I'll have no conspiracy aboard my ship. Aye, aye, sir. Stand aside with me, Mr. Wellard. Hello, Mr. Hobbes. Yes, sir. I am here, sir. You have your retin' cane with you, I trust. Oh, yes, sir. As you say. Ah, yes. Ah, yes. Quite beautiful too. Mounted with silver. Ringed every few inches by a large joint, I notice. Have you observed Mr. Hobbes' beautiful cane, Mr. Wellard? I have, sir. Pick the two studious of your mates, Mr. Hobbes. This young gentleman may need pilling down. Then take him into the main cabin there under the pope and see to it that justice is executing. But Captain Sawyer... Silence, Mr. Hornblur! Are you ready, Mr. Hobbes? I'm ready, sir. Take him away. I saw a cruel smile on the captain's face as the rest of us waited on the quarter deck. But if he hoped to hear a scream or cry from Wellard, he was disappointed. A quarter of an hour passed. The captain went to his cabin. And at last, Wellard came back again, walking stiffly. His face white and set and strained. There was compassion in Bush's eyes as the boy saluted him. I began to like Bush better than that moment. A savage business, Hornblur. That poor lad's been badly used. Oh, Captain Sawyer, sir, I didn't see you. We're still freshening, sir. Sir, I observe. Well, well, Mr. Wellard at work. Is he? Yes, sir, checking on our passage. Possibly, Mr. Wellard has learned better than to conspire against his captain. Lawfully said over him by his Majesty King George. You make no reply, Mr. Wellard. Oh, Mr. Hornblur is still here, too. Mr. Wellard seems to be sulking, Mr. Hornblur. I don't think so, sir. He probably didn't know what to say, sir. Perhaps Mr. Wellard's mind is dwelling on what lies behind him. Behind him, yes. All the good. Mr. Wellard? Yes, sir. Mr. Hobbs's cane did its work well, but possibly not well enough. We'll see. Sir, wind's coming off. Do you think perhaps another read? Don't interrupt me, Mr. Bush. Tell me the truth, Mr. Wellard. You sought to hold me up to the rich and before the hens, did you not? No, sir, indeed not. You and Mr. Hornblur together. You plotted a new plan, so that my lawful authority should be set at naught. No, sir. To make a figure of fun to undermine my influence of the crew. Confess, Mr. Wellard. Confess. No, sir, I didn't, sir. I swear it. Then who was it planned to catch that reef point in the reef tackle block? No one, sir. No one. Who put me to shame before both watches with every hand on deck? It was a deep-played plot. Answer me, Mr. Wellard. Or do you pretend to be so busy with that slate because you know your guilt? Sir, I get, Mr. Wellard, orders to test the glasses. That's all he's got. Thank you, Mr. Bush. I'll handle this. We'll get the truth out of this young conspiracy. Mr. Holmes! Oh, my God! Lay off! Yeah, Mr. Holmes! Oh, my God! Mr. Hornblur, sir. I like Mr. Wellard. Sir, you don't mean that you intend not against her. From now on, Mr. Hornblur, consider yourself on watch and watch around the clock till further orders. Aye, sir. Ah, there you are, Mr. Hawks. Take Mr. Wellard in charge again and summon your mates. We'll have him punished on death this time up for a day at the main mast. I'll have a confession out of him or I'll have it out of you or you'll jump overboard, Mr. Wellard. Take him in charge, Mr. Hobbs. Aye, aye, sir. I think I'll come with you this time to see that my orders are properly executed. Oh, no, we can't. Bush, remember, man. Captain's orders. Where are you going? Never mind. Don't ask and you'll never need to know. Captain Sawyer, sir. The gun is loose. What? Where? Below on the gun deck, sir. Did you hear it, sir? Bunking and plunging, too, in this here scene. I came as fast as I could. I hear it, too. Mr. Hawks, put down that cage and get below. Aye, aye, sir. Call the off-watch. Ring our canister. Hurry, you're acting kinder on to Mr. Hawks. Have they finally secured the gun? Yes, I think so. Why? Oh, well, I was only thinking. A lucky accident for young Wellard, wasn't he? Hobbs hadn't laid on many cane stakes before he had to run below. Yes, sir. I noticed that. And once young Wellard got out from underfoot, he appears to have been forgotten in the commotion. At least for the time being. At least for the time being. Most peculiar happening. Still, accident or not, a heart beat somewhere in that gun. What do you mean? A heart that was averse to a boy's suffering. I find it's better not to ask too many questions in this life, Hornblower. All the same. I wonder where you went to when you left this quarter deck. Do you, Bush? Well, we are friends, aren't we, Bush? Yes, it's better not to ask too many questions. Even of a friend.