 Call all hands, speak to quarters. Sir, please Captain Bush. Pointes on target. Link's tough, ready? Hereby see as foresters, indomitable man of the sea, a ratio of hornblower. We turn on the open sea, where our enormous superiority and firing force must give her the advantage. That was bad enough. The additional responsibility of our high-born and influential passenger, Lady Barbara Wellesley. When I returned to the ship after calling on the viceroy at Panama, I summoned Bush, my first lieutenant, to my cabin. Mr. Bush, where's Lady Barbara? She's all recorded, sir. I had the carpet to knock up her habit chair. I had a bit of awning rigged, so she'd give us some shakes. Mr. Bush, the Lydia is a frigate, but to go into action, not an Indian man with nothing to do but pamper passengers. No, sir. If Lady Wellesley takes advantage of her position and forces me to carry her to England, I cannot refuse, but this is no reason why my ship should be turned into a... A boudoir. No, sir. Confront your Bush. Can't you say anything but no, sir? Yes, sir. A ship just for a lay ship, as spreading as it is. So she seeks safety by coming aboard a ship which is about to fight an enemy twice its size. I can't give Mr. Bush no good or gum with this. If we win the battle, we shall be censored for exposing her leadership to danger. If we lose it, we shall not imagine you losing any battle, sir. Not if it was a whole Spanish fleet, instead of just one ship. When I want your opinion, Mr. Bush, good, or otherwise, I will ask for it. Place my quarter deck with a woman sitting there. The thing I just thought is my shower glass under the pump on deck. Look, um, have a screen rigged. See that the crew are warned about dress, too. Um, this heat most of them work half naked. Goodbye, I, sir. It was still on the quarter deck when I went to attend to the business of getting the ship underway. Sail forward, I must do so dead in line with the anchor, with no slack in the gavel. Well, we might well bring the masts and rigging about our ears. Hi, Mr. Starman. We shall see how well you've drilled our crew. Those sails must come off like lightning, or they're not to be taken aback. Thank you very much. The Jedi broke off the conversation and moved away, as I approached. Oh, it's heavenly to be at sea again, Captain. And may I congratulate you on your amazing theme and ship in raising your anchor. Also, you've given me no opportunity to tell you how grateful I am to you for taking me away from Panama. I was treated well enough, but, well, I was in charge of her excellency. An admirable woman, but oh, so dull. In Spanish America, women are treated like Mohammedans. And Spanish-American food. Oh! On the latter point, I agree, heartily, your ladyship. Well, will you not sit down, Captain? Sit down on my own quarter deck. Thank you, your ladyship, but I've never done such a thing in my life. If you'll forgive me, I prefer to stand. I came to give you good news. Your brother, Sir Arthur, has won a great victory over the French in Portugal. A great victory? Oh, that is very good news. I've always been proud of Arthur, and it makes me proud as still. Well, I am happy to be the first to congratulate your sister. Oh, Captain, just look at that setting sun. One almost expects to hear a hiss as it sinks into the sea. Yes, I am never, never to miss the sunset in these waters, your ladyship. It's a daily miracle. Beautiful. I hope your ladyship was well provided for during my absence ashore. If there's anything further that lies within my power... Well, there's just one thing, Captain, that I should like to ask as a favor. What is that? That is that you do not call me your ladyship. Call me Lady Barbara, if you will. Certainly, Lady Barbara. And if Lady Barbara doesn't come into you and you wish to attract my attention, you can always say... Oh, Captain, I'm so sorry. Please accept my apologies. I realize now that to mock you was quite unforgivable. There is nothing to forgive, ma'am. And now, if you will forgive me in your turn, I must attend to my duties. One moment, please. Captain, I know that you have much on your mind. I know that before you sail for home, you must fight the Natividad. Will you tell me what are your prospects in that battle? Well, the Natividad, ma'am, is a two-decker with 50 guns against my 36. She is commanded by Vice Admiral de Crespo, a ruthless and blood-thirsty man who will never surrender. Whatever his faults, he's no coward. But against his force, I have perhaps a little experience. Capable and loyal officers and a very well-trained crew. And they are English. That counts for much. You may be frank with me, Captain. What will happen if we should be? If I or my crew are taken alive, we should be hanged or tortured. El Supremo will show no mercy to us for having turned against him. And you, it shall be my last care to see that you do not fall into the hands of de Crespo. Thank you, Captain. But you're not to worry about me, nor to allow my presence to influence you. Should it come to the worst, I, too, am English and a Wellesley. I know how to die after the heat. It's your health, ma'am, about which I'm anxious. I thought water was harmful. Sayers would die young. Well, it's not really. Every man knew his job and did it swiftly and well. The decks were suspectly watered and strewn with sand. The bulkheads were knocked away. The fire parties took their places at the pumps. The boys ran with cartridges for the guns. Down below, the acting surgeon was dragging the midshipman's chests together in the cockpit to make an operating table. Yeah, better like the map. Hands are full to waste powder and shot at such range. Never forget, Mr. Bush, the first broadside discharge in coast water. My cruise with time to think is worth ten under an hour's circumference. Yes, sir. We'd be partially mighty close, sir. If we both stay on this course, in fact, we'll meet out of bow. Seeing sea of the Nativity Dam, I could see de Crespo up on the poop. The fellow actually had the insulence to weigh barely, hadn't it? We'd have the advantage from our maneuver. Two broadsides into under close range with only one shot in reply. I saw the rudder of our appointment kick over, and the next one with a two-decker had swung round and was hurtling down upon us. A broadside from her, too? Well, too. At intervals, as the sea permitted, her lower deck ports were opening like clockwork. Her big 24-pounders were vomiting, playing, and smoking. What work did you say? Yes, the air force is too great for us to continue this close work. We shall have to use running if we have to survive. Answer the voices! Now, Mr. Bush, back the main tops of the trifle to take way off this. And let them give you a jacket ahead. Aye, aye, sir. Now, tack ship for Ronacosa Stern. Approach, aye, Mr. Jordan. I know what he about to receive. She was free of the wreckage. Round and round again. I forced my mind to concentrate on the problem of how I can maneuver my crippled ship and continue the fight. The ship which is ready for action... Sir, I'll get that bush. Pardon me, sir. That asking questions like a fool, I'm staring, aren't I? Get this deck cleared up so we can move by. Lady Barbara, who gave you permission to come on deck? My order's for you to stay below. The deck is no place for you. I can see that, Captain. I have no intention of obstructing you. I propose to lock myself in my cabin. Oh, your cabin! Yes, please allow us to go to my cabin, sir. There's no cabin left for you, ma'am. Four broad sides of 24-pound softened women. Twenty-four pounds off of them and it's a bit out of path to your cabin, ma'am. And what is left of it wouldn't sell to the fly. Oh, dear. And we've much to do to make our ship ready to fight again. I... Very well, Captain. But... Your coat is torn, sir. You're bloody. Can I help you at all? Yes, ma'am. You can help me and all of us by going back to the cable here. I offer my humble apologies, Captain. No doubt, appreciate the situation. Yes, sir. Miss Brigadier, they must and get back into battle. As soon as possible and impress on the men, Mr. Bush, of their lives and liberty depend upon speed. The first ship ready for action is going to win this battle. Conducted by Sidney Torn.