Against All Flags (1952)

[bunniefuu]

That's the full 20.
Take him to his cabin.

Don't trouble to rise, Hawke.

I deeply regret the necessity
for this flogging.

Thank you, sir.

I don't think the flogger needed

to carry it out with such gusto.

You requested
the customary lashing.

I know, sir.

Of course, you could have
done me the favor of denying it.

I swear he took
a particular pleasure

in having an officer
under his cat.

Should you fail,

you'll look back on
Flogger Flower's lashing

as a pleasant
afternoon's pastime.

That's another reason, sir, why
I've not the least intention of failing.

Is the longboat ready?

You'll put off at dark.

You should reach
Diego Suarez within 10 days.

Jones and Harris
will accompany you.

Good. And when do you meet
with Sir Cloudsley?

We sail immediately to
rendezvous with him off Cape Town.

I will join him
aboard his man-of-w*r,

and we'll cruise outside the
northernmost tip of Madagascar

the week agreed upon.

I'll send you the rocket flare
as we arranged.

Should the week pass
and there be no signal,

well, since I've no kin,
there'll be none to mourn me.

Brave men are not forgotten.

Thank you, sir, but...

Sometimes they don't
live long enough to be remembered.

Longboat approaching.

We'll take them to
Captain Roc Brasiliano.

He'll know what to
do with them. Move.

Swaine.

What's this I hear?

There's no truth to it, sir.

Now, you know the punishment
for concealing booty.

I swear, Captain Brasiliano,
I hid no booty.

I took only my share.

You lie!

Belike you'll
tell the truth now.

You best speak the truth

or the carrion will feed on your guts
before the sun sets.

I took no booty.

Now, place the truth
on your tongue

or I will place this Kn*fe
between the other two.

No, don't!
I did take some.

But I meant no harm.

I'll show you where it is.

All right, tie this
foul-smelling pig below.

BRASILIANO:
Hey, Spitfire!

Keep your distance, Captain Roc.

That's a terrible
hard thing to do.

Then you'd better learn
or I'll have to teach you.

You were never offended before
when I took a fancy to you.

After last night,
I'll do my own fancy and when the time...

Come on now, Spitfire,
let bygones be bygones.

GOW: Captain Brasiliano!

Caught these cullies
coming ashore in a longboat.

BRASILIANO: Well,
what have you to say?

We're deserters from the East India
Company ship Monsoon.

Brian Hawke at
your service, ma'am.

This is Jones, topman.

Harris, gunner's mate.

Deserters, huh?

Well, what do you want here?

Why, to sail against
all flags, naturally.

You're an officer, aren't you?

You'll excuse our appearance,
I trust, ma'am,

surely, after a week
in an open longboat.

Strip me.

If I'd expected to meet
somebody like you here,

why, I'd have brought
a valet along with me.

I'm not exactly dressed
to meet distinguished company myself.

Blast your guts!
I asked you if you were an officer.

Well, the answer, sir,
should be obvious even to you.

He was an officer,
a lieutenant, sir,

afore they broke him
and give him 20 with the cat, sir.

Got in trouble with
a passenger, he did.

Oh, a passenger, eh?

I don't like
the cut of your sail.

Well, now, come right
down to it, Captain,

I don't much care for
the cut of your own.

Batten your mouth or
I'll batten it for you.

You have the stink
of a spy to me.

Know anyone here
who can vouch for you?

No, sir. We was just
in irons for stealing rum.

Met up with him
in the brig, we did.

Take them to the auction block.

Bring him tonight before
the Captains of the Coast.

Captains of the Coast?

What do they have
to say about us?

Not much.

Only whether you'll go pirating
or have your throats cut.

Oh.

Well, if there's any
chance of that, ma'am,

I'd like to have
mine shaved first.

You're a regular rooster,
aren't you?

And why not, ma'am?

You seem to be a high-spirited
chick yourself.

I hopes you're finding
the edge smooth, sir.

Smooth as silk, surgeon:

Usually I uses this one
for throat-cutting,

but seeing this is
a special occasion...

Well, sink me.

You mean to say that
you're the executioner,

as well as the barber,
as well as the surgeon?

Bless me, sir,
if it weren't for the hangings

and the throat-cutting,
I'd starve to death.

Hangings is for crimes
committed aboard ship.

Throat-cuttings is for
the molesting of females

or the hiding of loot.

Course, I don't make
nothing on the spies, sir.

They goes to the tide stakes.

What a pity.

What are these tide stakes?

Just some poles they've stuck
in shoal water on the reef, sir.

Gives the crabs
a chance to get at them

afore the water
comes in to drown them.

Crabs are as big
as coconuts here.

I've seen blokes' bones
a-stripped to the hips

afore the water had a chance
to reach their heads.

Archimedes, hand me that towel.

You seem to lead
a very interesting life.

Oh, yes, sir.

It's barbering
I hankers for, though.

Gets in a man's blood,
it does, sir.

That's why I'm thankful
to Spitfire Stevens for sending me to you.

Spitfire, huh?

There must be
a reason for that name.

You'll find out, sir,
if you ever tries to lay a hand on her.

Not much chance of it.

Might be worth it, barber,
it might be worth it.

That's better.

Thank you, Master Cruikshank.

Your servant, Mistress Stevens.

Come along, Archimedes,

and don't forget to tip
your hat to the lady.

How can I tip me hat
with my blooming hands full?

Come on, me lad.
Come on, come along.

I'm much beholden to you,
Mistress Stevens.

So, you had trouble
with a passenger?

A female passenger, no doubt.

No, ma'am, my oath on it.

I had no trouble with her,
merely because of her.

I never have trouble
with women, never.

You don't?

I've got a feeling
that you're going to and soon.

But I think you'd be a bad
judge of that, ma'am.

I'll warrant, I'll wager that
you've never even kissed a man

without a great bushel of
whiskers on his chin.

Perhaps not,
but it's easily remedied.

I lost.

Well?

I'll survive.
I'll survive.

Of course, if I didn't
have my hands tied...

Of course, of course.

But don't get any
wrong ideas about me.

I may have use for you
when I know that I can trust you.

Otherwise, you'll find
your hands tied again

and not to an auction block
but to a tide stake.

But then that's for us
to decide tonight.

Us?

Tonight?
What do you mean?

You're one of the
Captains of the Coast?

And why shouldn't I be
when I own a ship?

No reason at all, ma'am.
Except that...

If the Captains do
decide to dispose of me,

I shall only regret that I didn't
have the honor of serving under you.

Harris, who are these Captains of
the Coast that have the say about us?

The same crew of cutthroats that
sailed the Spanish Main out of Tortuga.

JONES: That right, sir?

Oh, yes. Yes.

Seems that times
are changing, though.

You say you were broken from your rank
as lieutenant on the Monsoon?

HAWKE: Yes, sir, formally broken
before passenger and crew.

But it is a simple affair,
monsieur,

to tear buttons
from a coat, is it not?

So say I.

Why waste our time listening
to his foul-mouth lies?

We'll find out soon enough
whether he lies.

I remember well, Captain Kidd,

when you'd let the crabs
have their fill of them first

and find out if they told
the truth after.

And well I do, too.

But I was younger then
and consumed with the impatience

and the injustice of youth.

It was during your youth
that your name

was to be feared
along the seven seas.

Meaning, of course,
that I am to be feared no longer?

You can take it as you wish.

Better to die while
you're still a legend

than to live long enough
to make a mockery of that legend.

Is that what you imply,
Captain Brasiliano?

Don't you think
you're getting a little...

It's not Captain Kidd
who is on trial here,

but these three men.

CAPTAINS: Aye.

Proceed, Captain Kidd.

You say you had 20
at the grating?

Yes, sir.

We've only got
your word for that.

I can show you
if it's the truth or not.

KIDD: Go ahead then, Gow.

Who did you have
20 from on the Monsoon?

From the boatswain, Flower.

Right. I sailed on the Monsoon
meself, gents.

And I knows that when Flogger Flower
lays 20 to a man's back,

he signs his name with
the last four lashes.

So let's have that shirt off
and see if it's there.

Now, wait, gentlemen, please.

In the presence of a lady?

GOW: He ain't lying, gents.

Leastways not about
having them from Flogger Flower.

ROBERTS: Look you now,
Captain Kidd,

a man with the guts
to spy upon us

would have the guts to take 20
on his bare back,

would he not, whatever?

Indeed to goodness.

Undoubtedly, Captain Roberts.
Undoubtedly.

I say we take no chances.

To the tide stakes with him.

We may be making a mistake.

Nothing has been
proved against him.

If there's any mistake
to be made,

I aim to make it in our favor,
not in his.

Nobody asked him to come here.

There might be a way
of testing the fellow.

Bring Swaine, Captain Brasiliano's
sailing master, from below.

Aye, aye, sir.

Mr. Hawke, it's apparent
you're a gentleman.

I've had considerable experience
of your kind.

Now, this fellow Swaine's been convicted
of concealing booty.

You must know
what that means here.

k*ll the scoundrel
in any way you please

if you'd have us believe
you've a stomach for pirating.

Belike I've
a stomach for pirating,

but I'm no hangman
to k*ll a man unarmed.

You've the choice of it.

Or a slow death
along with your mates.

CAPTAIN: So say we all.

Well, belike I've no stomach
for that, either.

But if it narrows down
to a choice of evils, why then,

I'll fight any man here
with any w*apon he wants.

Then fight the sailing master.

Aye, we might k*ll two
birds with one stone.

An excellent suggestion,
Captain Roberts, excellent.

What have you to
say to it, Mr. Hawke?

As I said, sir,
any man, any w*apon:

k*ll him and I'll
give you your life.

I'll fight him.

With what?

Any man, any w*apon is what you said,
if I remember correctly.

Well, Swaine,
what w*apon do you want?

Boarding pikes.

Take them to the main deck,
get pikes.

Three to one on
Swaine for 100 moidores.

I lay you threes.
Hawke for 50 reals.

100 guineas on the Englishman.

Done.

Stay in close, sir.
He's got too much reach for you.

A fool he is to fight you with
a lower-deck arm.

KIDD: Are you ready?
Aye, aye, sir.

Aye, ready.

Then would you be good enough
to give them the signal, Captain Death?

Stay in closer!
Stay focused!

I'll wager you 20 moidores
and take your pick.

Mercy, sir, mercy.

I distinctly heard him
choose boarding pikes, not rum bottles.

Mercy it is,

since it was Mistress Stevens
gave me this advantage.

KIDD: Take Swaine below.

Well, Captain Brasiliano,
are you satisfied?

I still put no trust in him.

Well, I do, and enough to give
him my ship as soon as she's re-rigged.

BRASILIANO: No man is taking
your ship out of here

unless he has a rope around his neck
like any known pirate.

All right, if he wants to sail,

let him sail on the Scorpion
as my navigator.

I have need of one and at once.

When he comes back
with blood on his hands,

then he can hoist his own black flag,
but not before.

Your pardon, sir.
I didn't hear you come in.

That's all right,
master gunsmith.

For a moment there, I thought I was getting
a warm reception.

I'm in need of a good blade
and a brace of pistols

to be charged to
Captain Brasiliano.

I'm only Williams
the foreman here, sir.

I can show you the arms,

but Mistress Stevens will have to
give her word about the charge.

Mistress Stevens?
Is she a gunsmith?

In a manner of speaking,
sir, she is.

And a good one, too.

But her father was the smith.

When he passed away,
the business came to her,

along with his ship and his rating as
a Captain of the Coast.

That's very interesting.
How'd they come here in the first place?

Try this one for balance, sir.

Thank you.

Her father was sentenced
for transportation to the Virginias

as a bonded laborer, sir.

Seems hard to think of a man and
his child being sold to sl*very

for no more than the poaching
of a rabbit in Windsor Park.

It doesn't quite
come to hand for me.

Maybe the blade's a little long.

Try this Toledo, sir.

When Captain Roberts
took their prison ship

and gave all as wanted
the chance to come here,

it was the best day's work
he ever did.

Yes, this is much better.
It's a beauty.

I'll take it. Why do
you say that, Williams?

It was Master Stevens
who fortified this port.

I didn't see any fortifications
when I came in.

Naturally not, sir.

Master Stevens did a right clever job,
he did.

Masked batteries, sir.

Every pair of them
set to cross fire.

I see.

That must be why the Portuguese lost
three ships of the line

when they tried to come in.

You heard about that, sir?

What sailor hasn't?

This place is said to be
a veritable deathtrap.

That it is, sir.
That it is.

That's why Master Stevens was made
a Captain of the Coast.

If you've
a liking for these, sir,

we'll try them in the clamps.

I don't think the clamps
will be necessary.

Got himself a ship, too.

Said a captain
ought to have one.

Of course, he never went to sea.

Only had his share
in her ventures,

same as
Mistress Spitfire does now.

So that's how it was, huh?

They're all right.
I'll take them.

You've a hand, sir, and an eye.

Thanks, Williams.

I've also an eye to inspect those
batteries one time,

having once been
an engineer myself.

You'll need permission
from the Captains of the Coast, sir,

seeing as how they're
guarded at all times.

If you could only see
the map of the port

in Mistress Stevens' bedchamber,

you'd get an idea
of the master's cleverness.

It were the original plans
for the fortifications

which Mistress Stevens,
sentimental-like,

had framed after
her father passed on.

Williams,

if I'm ever permitted the honor

of Mistress Stevens'
chamber, I'd...

Well, hello.
What are these?

Belonged to
Mistress Stevens, sir.

Not the ones
she carries, though.

I should think not.

They're much too heavy for her.

Satin Jack Sabin wouldn't
agree with you

if he were here,
which he ain't, sir.

Stood back-to-back
with him, she did.

Walked 10 paces,
turned and sh*t him through the head.

You mean they fought
a formal duel?

That's impossible, man.

Spitfire's a proud gal, sir.

Could have had his throat cut
for molesting her if she'd wanted to.

But instead, she asked for her rights
as a Captain of the Coast.

And it being the law
of the brotherhood,

there was none
that could deny them.

Satin Jack had to fight her.

Blew his head off, she did, sir.

I suppose you might say that

there was a man who really
lost his head over her, huh?

Yeah.

I'll thank you
not to fire those.

As you wish, ma'am.

Can it possibly
be 6:00 so soon?

What do you...

I should like to have a word with you,
Mr. Hawke, in private.

Your servant, ma'am.

Perhaps it would be
more private in your private chamber.

STEVENS:
Won't you sit down?

Why did you ask me
if it was 6:00?

Because, ma'am,
surely nobody wears

a dress like that
before 6:00.

Captain Roc brought it to me
from New England.

It's beautiful.

With other things.

I wanted to ask you if...

lf...

If you knew what this is.

Surely, ma'am.
It's a patch box.

What are they for?

If you care to sit in front of the mirror,
I'll show you.

A patch, ma'am, is worn by a lady
to point up her best feature.

The arch of an eyebrow,
the curve of a chin,

the line of a throat,
the roundness of her shoulder.

And why does she do that?

Why, to attract the attention
of the gallants, naturally.

I should think that a dress like this
would do it sufficiently.

Yes, but not amongst
a dozen others.

Now, I should say that in your case,
let me see...

I think on the left cheek
would be the place.

Thus.

You see?

I like that.

My word on it, ma'am,

a lady attracts attention to herself
wherever she may be.

For instance,
if she's getting into her sedan chair,

she's always very careful
to show a leg.

A discrete amount, of course,

and it must never
look deliberate.

Everybody knows
it is deliberate,

but it must never
look it. Thus...

Try it.

Uh-huh.

Excellent, ma'am.
Excellent.

I've rarely seen better.

Then, when she's
dining at the Swan,

she always curses the waiter
in her loudest voice.

And, of course,
at the dances at Vauxhall,

she curtsies lower than anybody else
in the room. This way.

Try that.

Oh, no.
No, strap me, ma'am.

Sink back on your heel.

Try that all over again.

Way low.

Now, that's excellent.
I doubt if I've ever seen better.

The next thing, of course,
is when she goes to the theater,

her box at the theater,

she screams so shrilly
that not even the actors

can hear what they're saying.

And at the gaming tables later,

she laughs louder than
any other female present.

If she wins.
Of course, if she loses,

why, she puts her
little hands together

and pouts so winsomely

that, of course, you want to give her
her money back

to start all over again.

And what then?

Well, by then, it's late.

Well, it's about
2:00 in the morning.

Late, and...

Pardon me.
My blunder, ma'am.

Of course, I was only demonstrating,
wasn't I?

You are a very
beautiful girl, you know,

and I was simply
carried away, ma'am.

You're lucky that
you weren't blown away.

I kiss when I feel
like kissing, Hawke.

And see that you remember that.

Oh, I will, ma'am.
Now.

I said that I might
have use for you

when I knew that
I can trust you,

which isn't yet,
Mr. Hawke, by a long way.

But when you return,
I'll give you the Shark

for a venture
that I have in mind.

The Shark?

She's a brigantine of 20 g*ns.

And now, perhaps you'd
better get your arms.

I'd deem it
another favor, ma'am,

if you'd do what you can
for Jones and Harris, my shipmates.

For instance, Harris might be very
useful to you for an odd day's work.

He's a fine gunner's mate.

I'll keep them in mind.

And now I suppose
it's goodbye, Mr. Hawke.

Keep an open eye while you're sailing
with Captain Roc.

Oh, yes. Thank you,
ma'am. I will, indeed.

But I have a feeling
that the good captain

will be as gentle
as a mother's kiss.

After all, he can't
navigate back without me.

Your very humble servant, ma'am.

You've been a Jonah
to us so far.

Cargos of spices,
cocoa and cotton is nothing to brag about.

You never know your luck till the ball
stops rolling, Captain.

MAN: Deck ahoy!

Ship five points
off the port bow.

Here.

What do you make of it?

Why that's...

What is it?

That's the Qutabuddin.

Aurangzeb's own ship of state.

Who might be this Aurangzeb?

He might be the Grand Mogul,
the Emperor of India.

She's heading out
for the Red Sea.

On a pilgrimage to Mecca,
doubtless.

Bunged to the hatches
with offerings, I'll wager.

Jewels, moidores,
plate, carpets!

Looks like you brought us luck
after all, cully.

Are you insane, Captain?
You so much as train a g*n on that boat,

and you'll have John Company's Army
down here

and half the British Navy
to blast us all out of Madagascar.

Batten your lip.

Who's to know
if we sink or burn her?

The devil with Madagascar.

There's enough treasure
aboard that ship

to keep us rotten rich
for the rest of our lives.

Standby to man the ship.

Standby to man the ship.

MAN: Pirates! Pirates!

Memsahib! Memsahib! Memsahib!

Memsahib!
Memsahib MacGregor.

Memsahib MacGregor!

Silence, you hussies!
Silence!

Stop that screaming till I can hear
what Hassan's saying.

Pirates? You lummox.
Quiet, all of you!

What pirate would dare to harm
the Great Mogul's own ship?

Call yourself a man, do you?

Come in here to terrify
these poor lambs.

Pooh on you and your pirates.

The nerve of the monsters.

Unspeakable effrontery
of the scoundrels.

Stay where you are.

Princess. Princess.

What is the matter,
MacGregor memsahib?

Patma, my lamb,
listen to me carefully.

I will, MacGregor memsahib.

Go into the prayer closet.

Take off your pearls, your ring,
your robe, everything that shows

that you're the daughter
of the Emperor of India.

Hide them and wear this instead.

You know I love you,
me lamby, so don't ask me why.

I will do what you say,
MacGregor memsahib.

Stay in the prayer closet
till I come for you.

Now, go, and be quick about it.

And who might you be, ma'am?

Who might I be?

I am Molvina MacGregor,
governess to these lambs.

And if you lay a finger on them,

I can scratch your eyes out

with me own hands, Captain Brasal,
or whatever your name may be.

You will hang in chains with the rest of
your monstrous breed,

if it takes every man
in John Company's Army

and every ship
in the British Navy

to smoke you out of your rat hole
in Madagascar.

See, Captain, she took the very words
right out of my mouth.

Well, cast off and
be quick about it.

What do you intend to do
with these lambs?

Now, ma'am,
I don't mean them no harm.

They'll bring fancy prices
as lawful wedded wives.

Of course you've got
nothing to worry about.

And may I enquire
of you, sir, why not?

Set the torches to her.
Burn her down.

Close haul the starboard lines.

Close haul our starboard lines.

My lamb, my lamb.
Wait.

There's nothing to...

Let me go, you m*rder*r.
Let me go!

What, you mean there's a girl
aboard that ship?

In the prayer closet
with a carpet over its door.

In the small cabin.

You may be a pirate,
but you look like a man to me.

Save her, the Lord
will reward you.

Save her!

Well! Come.

No.

I am afraid.

I am very much afraid.

Don't be, little one, don't be.

There.

My lamb. My lamb.

Is she... Is she...

Oh, no, ma'am.

Merely swooned away.

I'll take her, Tom.

South-southwest, sir.

South-southwest it is.

And a fair night.

Never saw her fairer, Tom.

Why don't you turn in?

No point in both of us
being on deck.

That's very good of you,
Mr. Hawke.

Thank you, sir.

Psst!

What are you doing here?

I came to find you.

All right, little one.

I'll take you back
to the rest of the girls.

Again.

No, no. You must not
come on deck alone.

Again.

Again what?

I will give you the Kohinoor.

Oh, that.

There. Now, come on.

Are you a prince
from the Arabian Nights?

No, little one.
No, I'm just a man.

I've known but two men.

Hassan has no hair on his head,

and my father has
hair on his face.

Do you mean to tell me that

I am the third man
you've ever seen in your life?

Tell me,
what was that you said you'd give me?

The Kohinoor.

Do you mean...

Do you mean
the Grand Mogul's big diamond?

Yes, he will give it to me,
and I will give it to you.

He'll give it to you?

Tell me, little one,
what's your name?

I do not remember what
MacGregor memsahib said.

But I must not say that I am Patma,
Princess of Hormuz.

Princess of...

No, no, little one.
No, you must not say that.

No, we'll find a name for you.

Something easy
for you to remember.

A lovely name,
as lovely as you are yourself.

Yes, but first, again.

Anything to keep you happy.

Curse him. I've searched
everywhere for him and no sight of him.

Has he been here?

Has who been here,
Mistress Stevens?

Who? His Royal Highness
Brian Hawke.

You go get your dinner.

I'll take care
of the shop myself.

Yes, Mistress Stevens.

Rot him. Blast him.

Spitfire!
How's the flower of Diego Suarez?

So it's you.

Well, you could
look more delighted

seeing as I come
to bring you a favor.

Indeed.

Here.

There weren't nothing finer
in all the loot we took.

You don't have to tell me that.

Yeah, I'd like to see it
around your neck.

Look here, Spitfire,

there's no future here
for a girl like you.

I've got all the riches
a man could want.

Come with me to Genoa or Venice,

outside the reach
of English law and...

Oh, by Judas,

I'll even marry you.

Why?

There'll be plenty
of fine women for you

in Genoa or Venice, won't there?

Yeah, but could I trust them not to
vanish with my treasure some night?

So it's because you can trust me
that you're asking?

Well, there's only
one thing wrong with that,

and that is that
I can't trust you.

No, thank you, Captain Roc.
I'll go my own way.

I've told you
I've a fancy for you.

Now, I'll remind you,
I am a man that gets what he wants.

Tell me where you want it.

It's this popinjay Hawke
that's turned your head.

The last time I saw him,
he got a muzzle in his belly,

and the next time he'll get a b*llet in it,
if there is a next time.

Because anytime I see him again will
be too cursed soon.

You won't set
eye on him so soon,

seeing as I gave orders
for him not to leave the ship

till he finished the accounting.

Psst!
Lieutenant, sir.

We took this job of painting ship
to reach you, unseen belike,

seeing as how we had no idea
how long you'd be kept aboard.

I have no idea myself.
I've been confined to ship.

Were you able to get
a copy of the map?

Aye, sir. Harris has it.

Better open the other port, sir.

He'll be along any minute now.

Happy to see you, sir.

Thanks.
Have you got the map?

Aye, sir.

Here it is.

Good man.

That's excellent, excellent.

Have you memorized
the positions of all the g*ns?

Aye aye, sir.
We can find them in the dark.

That's when we're gonna
have to find them.

Come in.

I'd expected to see you
before now, Mr. Hawke.

I seem to remember having
offered you the command of a ship.

Yes, and so you did, ma'am.

But, you see, I've been
confined aboard this one

to make an accounting
of all the treasure.

As I am sure that Captain Roc
must've told you.

How did you know I saw him?

Well...

Let's see. "One necklace, pearls, rubies
and sapphires, to value 5,000 guineas,

"delivered to Captain Roc."

I hardly thought the Captain would want
to wear it himself.

Well, you can put it
back on your list.

I will.

Won't you be seated, ma'am?

Smells like
a joss house in here.

Yes, it does a little,
doesn't it?

But there's something
oddly fascinating

and exotic about
those Eastern perfumes,

don't you think?

You can put these back
on your blasted list, too.

Yes, of course.
Of course.

Rather nice quality
though, isn't it?

You see, we had
to give this cabin

to Miss MacGregor and all the young
ladies because...

Incidentally, what did the captains decide
to do about the Scotswoman?

They put her in my keeping.

Oh, good.

Then perhaps you could
return these to her.

I have a venture for you
on the Shark.

Oh? When?

In about two weeks.

Oh, I know you've taken
a rich spoil, but...

Would it interest you
a little more

if you knew that I was going to be
aboard her myself?

Yes. Yes, it would.

I told you that I would kiss

when I had a fancy for
kissing myself, didn't I?

Well, I have a fancy now.

You boasted about what you could do
with your hands untied.

So...

Get to it, Mr. Hawke.

Well, I hope you'll forgive me,
Mistress Stevens,

but, you see, as you see, I am very
much occupied at the present moment.

What?

Yes, I regret that
I cannot put pleasure

before the press
of business affairs,

but I had strict orders
from Captain Roc

not to let anything whatsoever

interfere with the accounting.

First things first,
I always say.

I never in all my born days...

But, of course,
if you wish to put a ball between my eyes

merely because I'm trying to be
conscientious...

Blast you.
Are you trying to say

that it will take a thr*at
to compel you to...

Oh, no. By no means,
Mistress Stevens.

I'm merely trying to
say that I should be

most happy to accede
to your request

at some more favorable time.

Some time when I can put myself fully
to the task at hand

without all of this
ridiculous accounting.

And I am so bad at figures, too.

Come to my house
when you've done here,

and we will talk of
the venture on the Shark.

Oh, again you must
forgive me, ma'am.

When I am done here,
I shall be otherwise engaged.

With a woman?

With a woman?

No.

Not with a woman,
with 10 of them.

Hear ye, hear ye!

By order of the Brotherhood of the Coast,
these Moorish females,

well-found and fully rigged,

will be sold here and now
without inspection

for lawful wedded wives.

What do I hear
for this little rig?

MAN 1: 50 moidores.
50 moidores.

MAN 2: 60.
60.

70.
70 moidores.

Do I hear 80?

Speak up, my lonely lads.

80. 80.

GOW: 80, 80.
Do I hear 90? 90?

80 it is, then.

To Crop-ear Collins.

Going to
Crop-ear Collins for 80.

Going, going, gone.

Come up here and get her.

I now opens the lucky bag.

Take her away, me boy,
and be happy.

Now that I got her,
what does I do with her?

What does he do
with her he asks!

Take her away before I gives you

a mother-in-law to go with her.

GOW: Well-found and
fully rigged, me boys.

That will be 80 moidores,
103 guineas or 540 reals.

You got a real bargain there, Crop-ear.
A real bargain.

And now, gents,
as you knows well,

fine goods comes
in small packets.

So, speak up, me lucky lads.

What am I bid
for this trim little cloth?

Do I hear 50 moidores?

30.
I'll make it 50.

There ain't enough beam to her.

50.
GOW: 50. Thank you, sir.

Going at 50.
Do I hear 60?

Going at 50.
Going, going...

100.

200.

300.

HAWKE: 400.

STEVENS: 500.

700.
1,000.

Must be quite a prize if she be worth
that much, laddie.

At 1,000 moidores,
first and last call.

Going, going, gone.

I will send Williams
over with the payment.

I think I'd prefer you
as a bachelor.

Curse me if I can
blame you too much.

Miss MacGregor.
Your servant, ma'am.

It's you, Mr. Hawke.
You startled me.

Mistress Stevens and her men
are away today.

Yes, I saw them
rowing out to the Shark.

As a matter of fact,
that's why I'm here.

Indeed, Mr. Hawke?

Tell me, Miss MacGregor,
do you know how to fire a p*stol?

How would I know that?

That's what I was wondering.

What possible use can you make

of the one you've got
in your underwear?

Underwear?

I'll have you know, I've no p*stol
concealed in my underwear.

Of course, if you wish to be technical,
your petticoat.

I think you better
let me have it.

It's liable to go off
at any moment, you know.

Aha! Bad girl.

I suggest that if you must carry a w*apon,
you make it a Kn*fe.

It's far less likely to explode.

Where's the Indian girl's
bedroom?

Bedroom.

You philandering scoundrel.

You make the slightest attempt
to approach her

and I will put her beyond the reach
of you and your kind.

I suppose you'll tell the Captain
she's the Princess?

Merciful heavens.

Miss MacGregor,
you've got to trust me.

You've got to help me
get her away from here.

You were trying to buy her.

I'd no more trust that lamb to you
than I'd trust myself

to Captain Brasiliano.

Ah, me. If only I had as much of the game
as you give me the name.

Let's be forthright.

I'm the only one you can trust.

Well?

Well, I'll trust her to you.
But not alone.

Wherever you take her,
you take me, too.

Agreed. There are certain
details to be completed.

I'll let you know
when all's ready.

Well, I hardly expected
to find you here.

Why not, ma'am?

Since it's by your invitation
that I am here.

Of course, there may be
another reason for the honor.

Has he seen the girl,
Miss MacGregor?

He has most certainly not.

That seems very unkind.

After all, he did save her life.

Besides, I have a fancy
to see them together.

This is the gentleman
who tried to buy you.

Yes.

It's the same gentleman
who saved you on the ship.

I know.

You must thank him for it.

Thank you very much.

Again.

No, no, not again, my sweet.

Yes, again.

Mercy honest!
That's enough.

Quite enough, Miss MacGregor.

Take her to her room.

Why do you think
you can talk to me like that?

I'll have you...

No, no, lamby, she's being kind to us.
Come now.

Sweet child.

Let me see. There was...

Oh, yes, there was to be some word
of the venture, ma'am.

Yes, there was.
Sit down.

To what port can I go

from which I can reach England

as a passenger on a lawful ship?

Why, Rio, Bahia, Pernambuco,
any port in Brazil.

I've come to the belief that
there's nothing left for me here.

Why, ma'am, that's
very sound of you.

Why, in London you'll have
every gallant in town

at your feet in no time.

And I'll warrant before the rest of
the season's out,

a fine, handsome husband, too.

If you'll take me to Brazil,
I'll give you the Shark.

And then you can go pirating
to your heart's content,

until they hang you in chains
from Execution Dock,

for which occasion
I shall have a front seat.

Ma'am, I shall be delighted
to toss you me garter from the scaffold.

The hangman will
charge you a guinea.

And I'll give you the girl, too.

Now, what would I do with her?

Put her on the mantelpiece
under a glass cover like a Geneva clock?

What did you intend
to do with her

if you'd succeeded
in buying her?

I was a fool to think that you
might be different from the others.

Swaggering, misbegotten bullies

who think that a girl is
without pride of her own.

Just something to satisfy
their selfish lusts and vanities

because she's weaker.

Well, I'm not weaker!

I go after what I want,
just like they do.

And I can defend
my own self-respect.

And if any man dares
to damage it,

I'll sh**t the eyes
out of his head.

Both of them, Brian Hawke,
both of them!

I'll accept the venture, ma'am,
but I'm warning you,

you draw one more p*stol

and you're going to find yourself
across my knee.

Why did you try to buy the girl?

Maybe because I wanted to keep her
out of rough hands.

My father taught me how to
defend myself against rough men.

But he told me that he could only
warn me against gentlemen.

He said that a girl like me
should never put her trust in one.

And now it seems
that I'm about to.

Whoever said that
I was a gentleman?

It might be an opportune time
tonight, sir,

seeing as how most of the
pirate ships put out to sea.

I'll signal the man-of-w*r just as soon
as we fix the cannon.

If all goes well,
she should sail in at dawn tomorrow.

First, we have to get
the Princess aboard.

If I may be so bold, sir,

why can't we put the Princess aboard
after she comes in?

No, no, no. We can't
take a chance on that.

If any of these cutthroats
were to find out

that she's the Mogul's daughter,

they'd hold her to hostage, do away
with her, anything could happen.

It'd mean the death of
every Englishman in India.

So you two see that the longboat
is ready by night.

It ain't my affair, sir,
but what's to become of Miss Spitfire?

She treated us
most kind, she did.

Yes. I'll come ashore
with the landing party.

See that no harm comes to her.

Now, pretend to go about
your business as usual.

Aye, sir.

Hawke!

Early this morning I saw Mistress Stevens
and her hands

putting off with the Shark.

Yes. She's outfitting for a new venture
in two weeks.

Rightwise, I've no cause to keep you
from sailing on it.

Certainly not.

Providing you sail on it alone

without Mistress Stevens.

Come now, Captain, claw me.

I was never much of a one
for me own company.

I'm giving you
fair warning, Hawke.

That's very generous
of you, Captain.

I'll give it the fair attention
it deserves.

No, no, wait.
It's Crop-ear.

COLLINS: Hold there!

Well, Crop-ear.

Split me sides,
I never expected to see you out tonight.

I'd have wagered you'd be home,

finding out if that little bride of yours
could cook or not.

Rot me for a two-headed baboon,

but it be my turn
to guard the cannon.

Though why it need be guarded
is for someone

with more wit than me
to figure out,

since there ain't no possible way
a spy could get here

without getting his
throat slit first.

Of course not.

It does seem a shame, though,
and such a pretty little thing, too.

It's not fair to that poor girl
to be left at home.

Not fair to her?
Well, what about me?

Well, it's not fair
to you, either.

By thunder!

Look, I've no wench
to entertain tonight.

Why don't I stand guard for you?

Then you can go home
and give her an extra kiss for me.

Would you, Hawke?
Would you?

Why certainly, old friend.
It'd be a pleasure.

Of course, if I'm on guard
the night I get married,

I'll expect you to do
the same for me.

That I'd be most happy to do, Hawke.
Most happy.

You are a friend,
Hawke, a real friend.

Do a good job, me lads.

HARRIS:
These are cared for, sir.

HAWKE:
Then tend to the others.

I'll go tell the MacGregor woman,
then give the signal.

Hurry!

Strike me if it ain't Hawke.

Where's Crop-ear?

I thought that a man's place

on his wedding night
should be with his bride,

so I offered to take his place on guard
and sent him home.

Well, now, that's the very same reason
that brought me up here.

My old shipmate
Crop-ear and me is...

Hello, what's that?

What's what?

I'd swear I heard
some hammering.

Hammering?

If you heard any hammering,
it must be the rum pounding in your ears.

I suppose that's it. I...

Now, don't be telling me
that's the rum pounding in me ears.

I'm gonna have a look.

By all means, take a look.

Take a look at this.

Well, skulk me if you ain't
a blasted spy.

Be at the gate at midnight.

We're leaving here
tonight in a boat.

I do not want to go tonight.

None of your nonsense, girl.

And you can save your deceptions

for you'll have no need of them.

He's going with us.

Then I will come, too.

You'll do as you're told.

If you try any more
of that "again" business,

I'll box your ears.

If you do,

I will have you thrown in the pit
with the cobras.

You and your cobras.

The kisses you've had from me,

you've had freely
because I wanted them myself.

So there's no need
for lies between us.

There's no need for you to say

that you love me
if it isn't true.

Because if you lied to me now
when you don't have to...

But wait.

How can I say I love you
when I don't even know your name?

What is it?

You won't laugh, will you?

Laugh?
Why should I laugh?

Because it's...

It's Pru. Prudence.

Prudence?
Mmm-hmm.

Sweet darling, Pru,
I do love you.

And you've a lovely name.

Why, it's as lovely as
the dew on primroses in the morning.

I'm sorry for what I said.

It's just that I'm not used
to trusting anyone.

Then I'll just
mention one thing.

That the time for trusting
is when you've a doubt in your mind.

Promise me you'll remember that?

Good night, my love.
Sweet dreams.

Answer him.
Aye, aye, sir.

Midnight.

They should be here.

I hope there were
no slip-ups, sir.

So do I. I have no desire
to visit those tide stakes.

The best we can expect
is to have our throats cut.

No question about that.

Harris, got everything ready?

Aye, sir. All seen to.

The longboat's
ready to cast off, sir.

Good.

You wait here.

Hawke.

You needn't bother. No one's
coming through that gate tonight.

Keep those two covered.

I'll take care of him myself.

Don't be a fool, Roc.
Listen to me.

I've listened to you
for the last time.

Now, will you listen?

It's not Spitfire I want.
It's the Indian girl.

Why?

You Judas.

Now, where were you going?

I don't know.

In a boat.

I thought he was taking you
on the Shark.

Where were you going?

She doesn't know
and I don't know.

You're a liar.

I'm not one that lies,
Mistress Stevens.

I wanted to get her away from you and
your men of blood,

as any decent woman would.

I had a feeling I could put my trust
in Mr. Hawke.

So had I, Miss MacGregor.

Now, now, Spitfire,
a man's fancy falls where it will.

There's no holding of it.

Let him have the girl
and forget him.

Give her to him?

After I told him that he had no need
to lie to me.

After I told him
that I'd sh**t the eyes

out of his head if he
dared to. And he did.

And for what?
So that he could steal her?

Blast and curse him.

So that he could steal a china doll,
a porcelain puppet,

who is no more use to herself

than she is to any other man.

Give her to him and forget him?

I will have you thrown
into the cobra pit,

bound before a buffalo
and torn into four pieces,

trampled under the feet
of the Great Mogul's elephant

for putting your hands
on the Princess of Hormuz.

Princess of Hormuz?

The Mogul's daughter.
And you knew it.

So it was a ransom
you were after?

Miss MacGregor,
you'll bear witness to this,

that neither I nor
neither of me two lads

had any knowledge
of this from you.

That I'll swear to,
Mr. Hawke.

Then I'll swear
it came as just as big

a surprise to me as
any one of you here.

And as big
a disappointment, too.

Why, that little baggage,
she's just bewitched me.

She must have
if you couldn't wait

two weeks to get her
and the ship.

What was that, my lass?

I offered him the girl and the Shark
if he'd take me to...

To Brazil in two weeks' time.

What was your hurry?

I don't know, just springtime.

There's more to this
than we know,

much more I'm thinking.

Take them into the shop.

I'll loosen their tongues.

Keep him here.

BRASILIANO:
Where were you going?

For the last time,
where were you going?

Must we put the coals to you?

Wait.

We found a map
of the fortifications on him.

Curse you.
So you are spies.

Just like I said when
I first laid eyes on you.

So you came here to
spy out the batteries?

Cut them down!

Take all three
to the tide stakes.

You, take the MacGregor woman
and the Princess to the Scorpion.

Keep them under guard.

It may never matter, ma'am,

but some time, amid all the hate
you say you're cherishing,

I hope you'll remember
a promise you made to trust me.

Trust you?

The only thing
I'll ever remember

is that I didn't k*ll you
with my own hands.

Louder, me hearties, louder.

Soon enough,
we will be screaming in earnest.

Curse him.

Now, now, now, Spitfire.

There's no need to be put out.

You'll be taken care of.

Now, it's not
a fair sight to see,

so we best go and
leave him be, huh?

Give me your Kn*fe.

Well, if that's the only way

you can get him
out of your skin,

I'd just as soon
leave you do it.

I never thought
I could hate you more

than when I heard
what you said at the gate.

But I was wrong,
I hate you more now.

Not because of what you did to me,
curse you,

but because of what
you're making me do now.

Sag down, you fool.

Don't move until we leave.

Get to the cannon at once.
Hurry, hurry, my lads.

Let me have that.

It's a British man-of-w*r.

She's a fool, she is.

She'll end up like
the other ships

that tried to come in,
at the bottom of the sea.

So that's why Hawke
was putting out in the longboat.

To meet the man-of-w*r and
give her the plans of the fortifications.

If that was the idea,
we'll put a quick stop to it.

Let her come in now,
without knowing where our cannon be,

and the crabs will
feed on her, too. Hurry!

Rot my guts!
The cannons are blowing up.

Hawke did his work well, Morris.

Prepare for broadside
at harbor ships.

Prepare for broadside
at harbor ships!

Point.
Point!

Fire.

Fire!

Well, the end's in sight
for us here.

We'll all be taken off
as prisoners.

No one's taking
Roc Brasiliano as prisoner.

I'm putting off
for Venice or Genoa.

Will you come with me, lass?

I don't care where I go
or what happens to me.

But with that man-of-w*r in the harbor,
how can we go anywhere?

Leave it to me, lass.

Bring the MacGregor woman here!

She'll take a message
to the British man-of-w*r.

Prepare to put over side.

Abdullah, get a move on.

BRASILIANO: Lower the boat!

Haul in those bowlines.

All right!
Stand by to come about.

All hands stand by!

Lower the boat.

Easy there. Easy now.

Blast my guts, get a move on.

MAN: Longboat approaching
with passenger.

Confound me!
But do you believe that this...

What's his name?

This fellow would really
hang the Princess?

Aye, Sir Cloudsley.

Captain Brasiliano will hang her

at the sound of your first g*n.

Ma'am, that would mean the m*ssacre
of every Englishman in India.

The pirate's signaling
for an answer, Sir Cloudsley.

Give him none.

Prepare to broadside. But we'll hold
all fire until I give the command.

Aye, aye, sir.
Prepare a broadside!

BRASILIANO:
Give him a hand, Jorge.

It's been too long since they picked up
Miss MacGregor's boat.

Why don't they answer?

If we wait any longer,
we'll lose the tide.

We're going through anyway.

Where's my glass, Morris?

Have I forgotten
the infernal thing again?

Take mine, sir.

Gad, sir.

He's using the Princess
as a shield.

That scoundrel means
to run by us.

Hold your course, blast you.

Steady.
Steady as she goes.

Well, my lass,
in a minute it'll be to Genoa

or the devil for us.

What did I tell you?

Now it's to Genoa for us
and the devil with them.

I outwitted them, I did.

Sailed by with every
g*n brought to bear

and them afraid to fire a sh*t.

This is a moment
I'll not forget.

Nor will they.
Here, my lass.

Let's drink to your
future and mine, huh?

Although, from now on,
they'll both be one and the same.

Here.

Again.

Not now.

Well, it's just
you and me now, me lass.

Just you and me.

We'll live like
a king and a queen.

You're a smart one, Spitfire,
for casting your lot with me.

Or would you rather it was Hawke
you were sailing with?

Blast you!

You mention his name again,
and I'll run you through. I hate him!

Hate him worse than the lowest viper
that ever crawled...

But then he's dead.
So why talk about him?

A hate such as that is usually held for
someone we fancied

with every bone on our body.

Any feeling I had for him

d*ed when I found him
trying to steal the Indian Princess.

Oh, then prove it.

I will when I feel like it,
and not until then.

I'm tired of waiting
till you have the fancy.

For once let it be
when I have the fancy.

There's time enough for that
when we get to Genoa.

Genoa is still a long ways off.

A man's blood would have
to be full of bilge water

to be with you for the weeks to come
and keep his distance.

I've done my waiting.

Blast and curse me...

So you couldn't get him
out of your skin, huh?

No man has ever
struck me and lived.

No woman's ever
betrayed me and lived.

Take her below!

Sir, I envy you.
I really...

Again!

I beg your pardon?
Again.

I'll give you the Kohinoor

and an elephant with an ivory howdah.
No, no.

And a peacock with ruby...
What is she talking about?

Miss MacGregor, please.

And a beautiful...

In front of the British Navy!

Sweet child.

As you were saying, sir.

I envy you.
What the merry old Mogul,

what the government will do for you
for saving the Princess.

Poor girl.

Yes, as a matter of fact,
Sir Cloudsley,

you're in a position to
do more for me than both the government

and the Grand Mogul
put together.

My word, Hawke, just how?

By forgetting about
Mistress Stevens.

Well, well,
so that's how it is, eh?

Young once myself, you know.

Where is that infernal snuffbox?

Take mine, Sir Cloudsley.

Thank you, Morris.
Thank you.

Forget about her, you said.

Wouldn't surprise me if I did.

Putrid memory, you know, Hawke.

Forgot to put my blasted breeches on
for dress parade once.

Thank you, Morris.
Thank you, sir.

Mistress Stevens,

appearances are sometimes
a little difficult to explain.

But...
Again.

Again!