this. The Republicans, they have no stomach to fight. That's right… bit more, Styles. That's three barrels already placed, sir; and this will be the fourth. I reckon that'll be enough- to bring this down when the time comes. I think we'll put two more barrels over the side here, -just to be sure. -Beggin' your pardon, sir, but- if the enemy's expected from that side; and when we blow- the bridge up, we're gonna be that side, -how do we get back to the beach? -We don't. Our orders are to hold this position at all costs. Surrounded by frogs and nowhere to go. Yes, sir; sorry, sir. There's more than bloody frogs down here, sir. -Carry on then. -Yes, sir. Archie! Yes? I think I'll go see how Major Edrington is faring at the ford. -Will you take charge? -Yes. Yes, of course. Matthews is right, though, Horatio. If we have to blow up the bridge, we will be cut off. -I know. -A fine thing, to die in someone else's war. Sargent, send pickets at front and flank and across the river- -to act as lookouts. -Very well, my lord. -My lord, is everything well? -Well? Look at this place, Mr. Hornblower. No artillery would dare to cross here and if they tried,- my mama could beat them off with her parasol. -They may send infantry as well. -They may. But to be plain with you, Mr. Hornblower, my greatest fear is- that the enemy will ignore this place all together and- concentrate on the bridge. If they should cross… -You do not trust my men, my lord. -I do not doubt- your men, Mr.Hornblower but, I have no confidence- that the Frogs would stand firm and support you. -I see, but General Charette… -General Charette isn't here. Our commanding officer is Colonel Moncoutant. And from his earlier exhibition, it is clear that whatever his rank, he is no soldier. Never underestimate the enemy, Mr. Hornblower, but never overestimate an ally, particularly one who is caught up in his own affairs. I better go and report to him. See what he's up to. I think this is a good place to make camp, Monsieur Bowles. The men, they can rest; and tomorrow, tomorrow we take Quiberon. Darn this animal, what it needs is a rudder. Show it who's master, Mr. Hornblower. I don't need to, it knows. I've heard it said that the guillotine is as effective- at subduing trouble as an army of 5,000 men. I don't think it would take 5,000 men to subdue these people. By the look of it, a handful could do it. Ah, messieurs. Just the men I need. Gentlemen, I trust I will have the pleasure- of your company at dinner tonight. -At dinner? -We look forward to it, Colonel. Excellent. Shall we say, eight o'clock? Come, Mr. Hornblower. Our men will be expecting us. There is nothing we can do here. -Message from Mr. Bowles, sir. -Well? General Charette has made camp for the night. -Has he met any resistance? -No sir. That's good, surely. Yes. But why is it so easy? The Republicans could have put up lines of defense anywhere. -Unless… -Unless what, sir? Mr. Bracegirdle, have you wondered why- it is we have been ordered to remain here. I had assumed it was to provide a place of retreat for- General Charette should circumstances have turned against him. Aye, but in one ship, when it took four to bring him here. So, if General Charette is indeed forced to retreat… It is not expected that he will return with more than- a quarter of the men he set out with. The mathematics of defeat, Mr. Bracegirdle. You see, gentlemen, a Republic, a country run by peasants, is a contradiction- of all the natural laws. Observe,if you will,how my house has suffered during my absense The peasants could not look after it because they have- no breeding and thus no intelligence. Entrust them with fine furniture, paintings,- they see only firewood. They probably used- my best brandy to ignite the blaze. Forgive me, sir, but I have always held it true that any man may better ------------------------------ Читайте также: - текст Элвин и бурундуки 2 на английском - текст Легион на английском - текст Каменный цветок на английском - текст 72 Метра на английском - текст Дни юности на английском |