fleet won't have us back, not until we've served three weeks of quarantine. Now, that is three weeks after the last case has occurred. -We shall have to stay here in Oran. -Nonsense, no one -would order that. -Have you seen an epidemic in the Fleet? Have you seen 9 out of 10 men die of putrid fevers, Mr. Hornblower? I have. I have seen the Plague in Smyrna in '86. Now, no captain would run that risk for a crew of twenty men. We have been here for hours. We have been close to that. To him. To hear him speak. -To catch his breath. -Control yourself, Mr. Tapling. -Which of us will be first? -Please, bite your tongue -for the sake of the men. -And, there is the fleet. Those supplies would have been a godsend. Darn it,we can do something about it. Mr. Bowles! -What is it? -I must speak to the captain! Come aboard and speak to him, then. What's going on? Please tell the captain I must speak to him. -Mr. Hornblower… -Bad news, I'm afraid, sir. The Black Death is at Oran. It could only -have struck today, sir -Then they are already dead, sir. Enough of that! Keep to leeward, Mr. Hornblower. Aye, aye sir. I have a suggestion, sir. -Yes, what is it? -The fleet needs the supplies, sir. We could serve our three weeks at sea -on the Caroline to preserve them. -Waste of time, sir. One moment, Mr. Hornblower. You have something to say… Like as not, they'll all be dead in a week -and you'll lose the Caroline. -True, but I must weigh that fact against the chance of supplies, Mr. Bracegirdle, and at this moment, that is of far greater importance to this fleet. Very well. I appoint you in command of the Caroline. Thank-you, sir. -Where's Mr. Tapling? -He's ashore, sir;with the marines. -He may continue as your passenger. -Very good, sir. And sir? -Yes, what now? -My books, sir. -Books? -For my examination, sir. Yes. Right. See to it. I hope... -I hope you find time to study them. -Thank-you, sir. She's like the blooming Noah's Ark, sir. Noah's animals walked in two by two Matthews.We're not so lucky And we have to get the grain on board first. Now, rig those tackles there. Rig tackles! Step alive, there! He'll be all right. Man the capstan and get us underway, if you please, Mr. Bowles. Good-luck, Mr. Hornblower. Report in three weeks at Gibraltar. Very good, sir. Thank-you, sir! Beg 'pardon, sir, Can't you hear those cattle bellowing? - It's terrible hot. They need water. -Hell. We'll never be able to get them on board before nightfall. Very well, Styles. Take some men from the loading -and get the water set up. -Aye, aye Captain. Easy, Matthews. We can't control the flow, sir. That's enough. We'll start afresh on the morrow. Well done, men. Thank-you for your efforts. Well, Bunting, was this what you had in mind when you made your bid for freedom? Please, spare me the wise words. You're short of crew and you need my help … SIR. It's you who needs my help, Bunting. You have a choice. You can lie here and rot until we reach Gibraltar,at which time -you will answer for your crimes… -We'll never see Gibraltar. …or you can return to your duties. In which case I might be prepared to speak for you -at your trial. -Why would you speak for me? Each of us can find a maggot in our past, which will happily devour our futures I give you the chance to reclaim yours. What if there is no future to reclaim? Then pray that death is swift. Wait -I spoke in haste, sir. -Are you prepared to work? Yes, sir. Cross me, Bunting, and you will regret it. Heave, heave, heave. Ease on the guide there. Lower away. Steady, steady. Bring her in. None of that. Heave! Heave! We have visitors, sir. And they carry an evil breath, Matthews. -Where's Mr. Tapling? -He refuses to rise from his bunk,sir Does he, indeed? Good morrow, Mr. Tapling. When can we expect your presence above decks? Never. There is no point. -The Moors ------------------------------ Читайте также: - текст Командир эскадрильи на английском - текст Идентификация на английском - текст Реквием по Мечте на английском - текст Зависть богов на английском - текст Приключения Шерлока Холмса и доктора Ватсона: Король шантажа на английском |