The Onedin Line (1971) s01e08 Episode Script

Overhaul the fore battens.
- She sails like a witch, Mr Baines.
- The prettiest witch I ever did see, sir.
I can't wait to see the look on Callon's face when we come in to Liverpool.
And a proud sight for your wife, sir.
Three months, our first long parting.
Long years, eh? Two years, I call long, sir.
Aye.
Not much honey in being a sailor's wife.
Bargain indeed.
Your own chair at your own fire side, James.
It sounded so simple.
Talking to yourself again, Anne Onedin? - Elizabeth! - James' new clipper is sighted.
Well, I'll invite myself in.
Albert arrived home with the news and I hastened to tell you.
- I knew you'd want to be there on the quay.
- Oh, yes indeed, James' second ship and a clipper, no less.
Never forgive me if I was to miss his moment of trial.
Yes, I snap at everyone, not just you.
I count the days he's away.
85, and I'm already talking to myself.
And I was the one that wouldn't make a sailor's wife.
I've missed him, Elizabeth, much more than I thought I would.
If I'd not have the new house to keep me occupied.
Albert ought to see it now.
He remarked how dismal it was the day you moved in.
I hope James approves.
I doubt if James approves of anything that doesn't the like a cabin or a fo'c's'le.
- You've bought another chair.
- For James.
I thought at a bargain but one of the arms came off.
What with the costs in linen and carpets I've little enough to spend on furniture.
How is Albert? He used to talk of nothing but steamships, now it's the baby.
Stain from the bedroom floorboards and now glue.
I must wash and change my dress, or James will take one look at me and sail away for another three months.
Anne? I've made up my mind, I must tell Albert.
About the baby? - That Daniel Fogarty is the father? - Yes.
"Albert must never know the truth," you said last time we spoke of it.
- I've changed my mind.
- And I must change my dress.
He's been so good to me, Anne, eternally fussing over me and looking after me.
Of late I can't even look him in the eyes.
Me only fear is now that I'll lose him.
You see, I think I love him.
I have to tell him, do you think me foolish? Where you're concerned, Elizabeth, I've given up thinking.
Now I must change or I'll not be there on the quay.
- I thought I'd wear my wedding dress.
- For James' homecoming? Yes, it's had little enough wear.
Now I'm wife to a schooner and clipper I can't be seen on the quayside in this old rag.
Now he's home, you and James must come and dine with us.
It's no use, Elizabeth, you cannot expect me to tell him.
It would make it so much easier if you were present.
You insisted on marrying Albert, you must be the one to tell him.
- Answer it would, you please, Elizabeth? - Yes? - I was looking for Miss Anne Webster.
Miss Anne Web Oh, yes, of course.
- Won't you come in, please? - Thank you.
- Do sit down.
- Thank you.
- Who was it? - Who shall I say? Mr Adams.
- It's Mr Adams.
- Who? Mr Adams.
I'll not be long.
- She's coming.
- Thank you.
- It's rather cold for the time of year.
- Yes, it is.
The old town hasn't changed a great deal, the little I've seen of it.
- You've not been to Liverpool for some time? - Four years.
- You're a sailor? - Yesand no.
That is, I sailed as a four topper to Valparaiso, four years ago.
- Is your home in Liverpool? - It was.
My mother died since I left.
My father sold the house and emigrated to Australia.
We docked this morning, I went to Captain Webster's old house.
- He sold it.
- Yes, the people there told me - Anne was living here now.
- Are you related? Oh, no! Anne and I have known each other since we were children.
You can't be expected to know but she's no longer Anne Webster.
Oh.
Anne was wed to James Onedin six months ago.
James is my brother, he's a ship owner.
He's just acquired a new clipper and arrives today from Lisbon.
Oh, she's coming.
Michael? My sister's waiting on the quay, sir, so if there's nothing more.
That will be all Mr Baines.
You know, I would think no one told her we were sighted, sir.
- Ah! - Mrs Onedin, sir.
My wife's got more to do than twiddle her thumbs on the quayside, Mr Baines.
Yes, sir.
And you said, "Oh no, we don't.
" I said, "No, we go this way" and we ended up completely lost.
Trust Michael Adams.
Everything I do, something always goes awry.
How long will you be staying in Liverpool? I haven't really thought about it.
I don't even know where I should be staying yet.
Oh, Mrs Webb, three door along takes in lodgers.
Mrs Webb? Thank you.
- Would you care for some more stew? - No, thank you, two bowls.
- You haven't changed, you know.
- Four years.
You haven't, not one bit.
You didn't write to me.
And I didn't return on the Start of Morn from Valparaiso as I promised I would.
You're not gonna ask me why I didn't come back? Is there need for me to ask? - Anne? James! I hoped to see you at the quayside.
Oh, James, this is Michael, Mr Adams.
Mr Adams used to live no more than a stone's throw from our old house.
Captain Webster and my father were lifelong friends.
You might remember Michael's father, James, Joshua Adams.
- He was a fisherman.
- Adams? No, I don't recall.
He emigrated to Australia.
I'm intruding.
Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs Onedin.
The stew was excellent, best I've tasted since I left Liverpool.
Glad to have made your acquaintance, Mr Onedin.
Good day to you.
- Mrs Webb, three doors along.
- Oh.
yes.
Thank you, Mrs Onedin.
Please don't bother, I can see myself out.
- You're looking well, James.
- So do you, Anne.
This Mr Adams, I don't recall you mentioning his name to me before.
No, I've not had occasion to speak of him.
- Has he been here often? - For the first time today, ship docked this morning.
It's four years since he sailed.
Four years? Long voyage.
His first voyage on the Star of Morn to Valparaiso.
The ship returned four months later.
But he didn't come home with her? - No.
- Why not? I took it for granted that when he returned we would What's wrong with me? Nothing was settled.
"I've no prospects, Anne, you've your father to take care of.
" So many times he'd said that, he couldn't bring himself to tell me in so many words he never intended us to marry.
It seemed so absurd watching him sail away on the Star or Morn.
Michael a sailor.
When he didn't come back, I'd no need to ask why.
I find it strange you never mentioned this man to me before.
Well, when should I have told you? And the little time we've spent together since our marriage when you've not been at sea.
When have we talked of anything but your ships and your cargos, our profits and our losses? Three months I'm away and you're not even on the quayside to greet me.
I'm sorry I wasn't there to see your new clipper, James.
Oh, damn, me new clipper, I've a right to expect a welcome from my wife when I get home.
I've missed you, James.
I bought that chair, your own chair at your own fire side, James.
One of the arms came off, so I repaired it this morning.
I've also repaired the latch on the back door.
My hands, it's a stain from the floorboards.
Oh, Michael's forgotten his pipe.
- Mrs Webb, did you say? - Yes.
One of her lodgers moved out on Saturday and as Michael had nowhere to Well, there's no need, he'll call back for it.
Save him the trouble.
Yes, I thought her a fine and virtuous lady.
- Your new clipper, the Pampero.
- Ah, I wish I owned her entirely.
Señor Braganza has a half share, eh? He's entitled to half the profits of all our cargos.
Ah, so that's the reason for your preoccupation? - This, um, Michael Adams.
- Yes, what about him? Well, you mentioned him five or six times and then changed the subject.
You've commissioned to build this floating kettle? No, I'm not, I'm saving it for you, Onedin.
I can find me way to bankruptcy without the help of this smoke pot.
The Golden Nugget, eh? Well, she's rightly named.
She'd cost me a gold field in fuel alone.
James, I'm so glad to see you here.
Anne promised you'd both come and dine with us before you sail.
- Albert, tell him he must come.
- No, forgive me, Elizabeth, but I'm too busy, I've got cargo to load, crews to sign articles, eternal bills to be paid.
And that's another thing.
Not content with finding the fellow lodgings across the street, she's gonna lend him two pounds.
- Michael Adams, you mean.
- Mm? Yeah.
Playing on her good nature.
Next thing you know, he'll be knocking at the door every five minutes.
And you sail in the morning? As always, your main problem is purely financial.
Anne says you're sailing to the Cape Verde Islands.
Aye, to the coaling station at São Vicente.
Another cargo of fuel for one of your smoke belching ladies.
So there is a profit in steamships after all.
- Aye, for a sailing ship.
- How long shall you be away, James? Oh, I can't tell.
I must find some cargo from some port or other for home.
You must dine with us tonight, James, please.
Forgive me, Elizabeth.
Erm, good day to you, Frazer.
Onedin.
Oh, do not fret, me love, he shall come next time he's at home.
- Now, come and sit down.
- Don't fuss over me, Albert.
Here we are.
There.
One for you one for me son.
You're so sure of that.
What if it's a girl? If it's a girl, she must look the very image of you, me love, otherwise, I'll ask for our money back.
Oh, I'm so happy.
James! It was so rude of him to walk out the moment I came in.
Oh, you must excuse James, the man's not himself.
Indeed and why not? If you ask me, he's in the grip of the green-eyed monster.
That's a new dress you're wearing, isn't it? Aha, you look cosier.
Ah, that smells good.
Well, my crew signed articles today.
- Tom Grantly is coming with us.
- Tom Grantly? - I thought him one of Callon's men.
- He was.
One of his best carpenters.
Nothing but the best for the Pampero.
You're in cheerful spirits today, James.
- I've a right to be.
- Yes, you're sailing.
With the profits of our last voyage, we've not only paid off the mortgage on the Charlotte Rhodes but on the warehouse.
We now own every brick and cellar.
- I wore this the day you came home.
- Aye, so you did.
Ah, I almost forgot to tell you, Michael Adams signed articles today.
Fellow's short of money, thought he might be looking for a ship, so I sent Baines along to his lodging, signed him up as four top.
- James? - Mm? I want to come with you.
Adams? Michael Adams? - You're the last person - You do not know me, George Bethell.
We have never met.
Are we loaded, Mr Baines? The trimmers are just spreading the last of the coal, sir.
- That coal's damp, you know.
- Yes, sir.
Well, see to it that it is wellventilated or we risk fire or explosion.
- You're sailing with us? - Yes.
I'll take this.
Three first voyage apprentices, all hoping to become second mates before the beards begin spreading.
They're paying good money for their education.
Oh, they're full of book learning, but they don't know a knot from a hitcher gasket from bunt line, sir.
We were standing there on the on the quayside that day.
Your father was sailing and your mother was there and you I'll take that! - Welcome aboard, ma'am.
- Thank you, Mr Baines.
Go on up.
I hope you find this voyage interesting, ma'am.
Not as interesting as our first voyage to get her home, Mr Baines.
Well, here I am, no more counting the days and talking to myself.
- Something troubling you, James? - No, nothing troubling me.
One of the apprentices wants to speak to you, sir.
- William Green.
- I'll see him later.
It's about the payment of his premium, sir.
All right, Baines, I'll see him now.
Down here, lad.
Come on, jump to it.
William Green, sir.
I'm not hungry, lad, I shan't bite you if you stand a bit closer to the table.
And it's not the Royal Navy, we don't lean backwards to stand upright.
Me mother signed me for a four-year period of apprenticeship with the Onedin line, sir.
At the time of signing I didn't have sufficient money to pay the amount required, sir.
Fifty pounds is a considerable amount.
Your father is to be congratulated on finding such a sum for your education.
My father was killed in the Crimean War, sir.
- Ah.
- Royal Navy, sir.
But it was always his intention I should serve an apprenticeship, sir.
Mm-hm.
So he left this money for your education, eh? No, sir, me mum's been saving, sir.
- She works as a cook in the orphan asylum.
Money for his ships, does the man think of nothing else? Well, put the money on the table, lad.
Erm My mother wishes to convey apologies for any inconvenience she may have caused you, sir.
Inconvenience? I can't sail with this voyage as apprentice, sir.
- You mean you haven't got the money? - No, sir.
And I understand that you can't sail before paying the proper sum required.
Mm, how much money has your mother saved then? 32 pounds and eight shillings, sir.
Mm.
Well, 32 pounds and eight shillings it'll have to be then, wont it? Thank you, sir! The money's with me mother, sir.
Well then, go and get it, look sharp.
- We sail in a half-hour.
- Yes, sir! Take soot soundings twice a day to tell us how much water we have.
A carpenter's duty.
Don't ask me why.
Still shaky aloft.
Memories of Bucko Roberts, eh? Now we shall see how much water we're taking in.
- The ship's leaking? - All ships leak, lad.
I've known pumps manned for the best part of the voyage.
Back-breaking work it is too, Billy lad.
Now, these measures should show us the worst.
Good news for your back, Billy.
Hardly enough to bath a baby in.
All right, Billy lad, up the weather side, overhaul the fore batten.
Yes, sir.
Nice soft watch, that.
You must have been living easy these last four years.
Did you marry her, then? You know, the girl you used to talk of, never stopped talking of.
Hey Mr Bethell, that was a good watch.
You wait till you're aloft in a squall, Billy.
Then you won't find it so good, eh, Bill? That's his stomach and it's calm as millpond.
I thought Mr Adams was four years at sea.
I doubt it, son.
I was with him aboard the Star of Morn on his first voyage, I reckon that was enough for your Mr Adams.
- Afraid, was he? - Get off with you, boy.
Mr Baines catches you in the fo'c's'le it's us who'll get the benefit of his tongue.
I said you weren't suited for a life at sea but you would go.
I tried my hand at so many trades and failed in all of them.
And that was your only reason for sailing on the Star of Morn? What other reason could I have had for leaving you? But I thought you didn't come back I thought you never intended coming.
Never intended? Is that what you believed when the Star of Morn returned without me? What else was I to believe? Why didn't you come back? - You deserved a better man than I.
- And I deserve a better reason than that.
Ah, you're right, I'm not that generous natured.
I would never have willingly have given you up for any man.
Anne, I did not come back because I'm a wanted man.
That's why I signed on this ship, it would have been dangerous to stay in Liverpool.
Wanted? For what? That first voyage to Valparaiso, the mate, Bucko Roberts I think it's better that you no longer talk to me, Anne.
- Why did you come back now? - Need you ask? - Come in.
You called, sir? We're still sou'west by south, Mr Baines.
Aye aye, sir.
About Michael Adams, sir.
Mm.
What about him? Oh, I've no complaints, he works with a will, but if he's been four years at sea as you say.
I didn't, he said.
He must be slow to learn.
Before he tackles a job, he has to ask or watch the next man.
Twice today he's been hanging over the side looking for his stomach.
When he is up aloft, there are times I can hardly bear to watch him, sir.
So Michael Adams falls and breaks his neck.
Anything else, Mr Baines? - Ah, speak, old man.
Well, sir, you know what the fo'c's'le's like, sir.
I should do, I've spent half me life in it.
You You know how the crew talk, sir, they don't mean it unkindly, just laughing a joking, we know, but, er Well, it's your wife and Michael Adams, sir.
My wife and Michael Adams grew up together.
Their fathers were lifelong friends, Mr Baines.
Another thing I learned in the fo'c's'le, Mr Baines.
Yes, sir? The cure for idle tongues is busy hands! Foot ropes need repairing, deck needs oiling.
- Yes, sir.
- You know I can't abide a slack ship.
She might be cheap for this trip but she need not look it! You tired, Mr Adams? Yeah, well, aren't we all? And who's to blame I wonder? Baines was decent enough till three days ago.
And he suddenly turns into another Bucko Roberts.
Not that anyone would ever be as bad as Bucko Roberts, now, could they? You remember the foul things he used to say about that lady love of yours? What had happened to her while you were away at sea? Ah, not Baines to blame, no, I've got a feeling it's the Captain who's really cracking the whip.
He's sweating salt water.
Now, I wonder why? Speaking of that lady love of yours in Liverpool, What happened to her anyway? Why didn't you marry her? That must have been what Bucko Roberts said, eh? Thought you'd learn your lesson with Bucko.
Now he has to go and bring the mate and the Captain down on us, larking about with his wife.
Get this murderer off me! All hands on deck! Madman you are! You call me a murderer again and I shall be one! - Because of you I'm a wanted man.
- Wanted man? The five of you remained silent when Captain Howland accused me.
You all knew me to be innocent and you said not one word in my defence.
A wanted man? You mean to say you never found out? I mean, four years, you must have learned somehow.
- Learned what? - You were green, it was your first voyage.
And my last.
I swore that long before Bucko Roberts was murdered.
Yeah and I don't blame ya.
One voyage with that mate like him is enough to drive any man alive behind the plough.
When you say murdered, you know as well as I do, it was an accident and I reckon Captain Howland knew it too.
I mean that's why Captain Howland entered it in the log as "lost overboard".
Lost overboard? Not first time it's happened now, is it? Not that you'd know that, being green.
These matters are never talked of, naturally.
Silence is golden, as they say.
- Lost overboard? - All hands on deck, I said! Well, we mustn't keep Mr Baines waiting or we'll have a sight more trouble on our hands.
Are saying Captain Howland just ignored what happened? He never found out what happened, never wanted to.
All captains care about is their ship and their cargo, What's flesh and bones to them, eh? One more man less to crew their ship, that's enough worry for them.
- Bucko Roberts was murdered.
- That's harsh words.
- I saw it happen! - Then you'll know it wasn't intended.
Teach him a lesson, that's all, taste of his own medicine.
Why you had to kick up such a fuss, you had reason to hate him more than any of us.
Four yearsbelieving myself a wanted man.
You shouldn't have run for it.
Captain Howland accused me.
Youthe five of you said nothing! Of course we said nothing.
Silence, captains expect it.
Keep your mouth shut and you know what the outcome will be.
You'd have known too if you hadn't jumped ship in fear for your life.
Bethell! Adams! So there it is, eh? All over and done with.
You're a free man now.
That's all that matters, eh? Adams? You deaf, man? If you want trouble, Adams, you've come to the right man for it.
A freeman.
Now I am.
You've been free these last four years and had no right to be.
Forget it, man, it's all over and done with.
Bethell, lend a hand there! - Your father has cut you off! - You are not listening, me love.
I've resigned me position in the shipyard.
You mean you didn't want to wait for your father! - I mean nothing of the kind.
- Is it because of me? Whatever put that thought into your head? Mother adores you, as I do.
But your father did have someone else in mind.
Knowing Father, yes.
He may well have been hoping for the merger of ship yards with I wanted a marriage, not a twin launching ceremony.
How can you be so light-hearted about this? Why should I not be? A burden's been lifted from me shoulders at last.
Burden? Those thousands of square yards of sail.
My heart wasn't in it, never was.
Now I feel as if I've shrugged off the past I can divert all me energies to the future.
- To steamships? - I know.
You are no more convinced of the possibilities of steam-driven ships than James is, so it's up to me to prove their worth.
One day, people will wonder how the world ever got along without them.
Lost overboard, did you say? That's what Captain Howland entered in the log, sir.
You know how these things are, sir.
With respect, sir, all captains care about is their cargo and we the crew, we're just pairs of hands.
If there's suddenly one pair less, that's problem enough for you, sir.
We understand the worries you have, sir, without dragging yourself through courts Now this mate, er, Bucko Roberts - how did he die? His head was stove in with a belaying pin.
- By Adams? - Yes, sir.
See Bucko Roberts gave us all hell, that voyage, sir but he seemed to have a particular knife into Adams from the minute he come aboard.
- Adams being polite and better spoken.
- Oh, get to the point, man! Well Bucko knew Adams was nervous and he kept sending him aloft, for no good reason very often.
Then there was this girl what Adams was always talking about.
See Bucko took a particular delight in telling Adams what happens to sailors' girls, while they was away at sea.
And not in the usual joking sort of way, sir, but using on a foulest language.
Bethell.
Why are you telling me all this? Like I said, sir, Adams has got it into his head that me and four others in the crew killed Bucko Roberts.
Now he's writing a true account, as he calls it, and wants me to sign it.
Then why don't you? Well, I'd rather not put my name to such an account, sir.
Why not if it'll pacify this mad man? The matter is finished with, Captain Howland took care of it and Adams won't let it rest.
Bethell, I'm master of a ship not a pinny school.
- Yes, what do you want?! The carpenter's found trouble with the water, sir.
He reckons she's sprung.
Baines, go and see what it's all about, will you? - And get the pumps manned.
- Aye aye, sir.
Come on help me, Billy, me lad, you've got a strong back.
- Baines? - Sir? - So has Adams.
- Yes, sir.
Billy? I'm pleased with your progress.
You learn fast.
- Well, cut along! - Yes, sir.
Four years believing himself to be a wanted man? No one to blame but himself, he shouldn't have jumped ship.
He was wrongly accused, surely that was plain enough, - Michael is innocent.
- They're all innocent.
Now, that matter was settled four years ago, Anne.
Settled? That mate was murdered! He was washed overboard.
Captain Allan deliberately closed his eyes to a brutal killing.
- Of a brutal man.
- I can only condemn that captain's action.
Are you saying you condone it? I've said not a word.
Poor Michael.
Four years, four wasted years.
And in spite of that he still wants to see justice done.
Is it justice he wants seen done? Or revenge? If you believe that, why put Michael and Bethell to work together? Shouldn't you be trying to keep them apart? - Do not interfere in ship's business, Anne.
- But knowing how Michael must feel! Couple of hours on the pump and he'll feel nothing but his aching back.
James? James? - Did you want me to come with you? - Come with me? Would you rather I'd stayed at home? - Ah, you woke me up to ask me that? - It's important to me, James.
Don't you know why I came? I missed you, I began talking to meself.
But you've said not one kindly word to me since I came aboard.
I might as well have stayed at home, at least I could have had a civil conversation with myself.
So, Michael Adams sailed away on the Star of Morn because he didn't want to marry you, eh? I'm sorry, James that's what I thought, truly I did.
- Well, you were wrong! - Yes, James, I was wrong.
Four years believing himself a wanted man.
Ah, it's vexing to know if he'd learnt the truth but six months earlier.
- Six months? - Aye, six weeks we've been married.
You'd not been so desperate to get yourself a husband.
And you not so desperate to secure the Charlotte Rhodes at any cost.
No sense of discussing it! Adams is too late.
You're married to me and you'll not use my ship to humiliate me with him.
Humiliate you? I've no intention of I forbid you to speak to the man! You'll have a say, won't you? But I will not.
- Say what? - That I'm jealous of the man.
And now if you'll go to sleep! - What's happened? - Oh, blast it! Blasted coal shifted.
She won't come up, the cargo's shifted.
All right, Baines, all hands below to turn that coal.
All hands on deck! We've not the backs for shoving and we've more important business to attend to.
Down you go and shovel like the devil were behind you.
Another shift like that and we'll be at our end.
"I, George Bethell, do hereby declare "that on the day of the 4th of November 1859 "aboard the Star of Morn docked in Valparaiso, "together with four otherfour other members of the crew named below, "did attack and unwittingly kill the mate William Roberts.
"Michael Adams tried to prevent us in our attack and was rendered unconscious.
"Michael Adams was found with the body of William Roberts "and was wrongly accused of the murder by the Captain John Paul Howland.
" That is the truth, Anne, will you witness it? If you think I'm gonna put my name to that.
It is the truth and you will sign it.
We didn't intend to kill him.
Unwillingly, I've written that.
And now you will sign.
Look, the matter's finished with, it's over.
- Why bring it all to light again? - You will sign! Michael! Michael! Now you listen to me, Adams, I've been patient with you, very patient.
- You'll come down below and sign that paper.
- Now don't you push me too far, you madman.
Or I end up like Bucko Roberts.
Is that it? You didn't intend to kill Bucko.
"Teach him a lesson, a taste of his own medicine", you said.
And who struck the blow that killed him? You, George Bethell.
No! Bethell? You're awake early, me love, five o'clock.
I couldn't sleep.
- You're cold.
- I went to bed too early last night.
Shame, I brought something for you.
I came in shouting, "Surprise!" but you were fast asleep.
- Do you want to see it? - Albert.
You wanted to marry me.
You did want to? Of course I wanted to.
My love, what is it? You're trembling.
I told you I didn't want to marry Daniel Fogarty.
And I believed you.
Should I not have done? I love you, Albert, I haven't told you before because I didn't think it true.
I've had so many invented, so many false reasons - excuses rather, to suit my own actions, I thought that one false as well.
And maybe it is.
No doubt I'm only telling you I love you in the vain hope that In the vain hope that what? - That I may not lose you.
- Lose me? Whatever put that thought into your head? - Albert? - Oh, calm yourself, me love, you've nothing to fear.
I already know what you're going to tell me.
- Know? - That you still loved Daniel Fogarty when you married me.
- Oh - No, I don't care why you married me instead of Daniel Fogarty, I'm too selfish, me love.
I have you, that's all that matters.
Now, let's see what it is, shall we? I saw it in the shop and I thought Elizabeth should see it first, she may not like it.
I couldn't resist it, I had to buy it.
Lose me? You shall never lose me, Elizabeth.
Never.
It is no false thought, I do love you, Albert.
- Mr Baines! - Sir.
- How goes it? - We've shifted water, sir.
- Here, Billy, give us that shovel.
- Yes, sir.
Oh, your mother should see you now, Billy.
Ah, she'll never believe me when I tell her I've been shovelling coal on a sailing ship.
Albert Frazer'd appreciate that.
Where's Adams? On the pump with George Bethell, or so I thought, sir.
- Send them both to my cabin.
- Aye aye, sir.
Bring some water, Billy, and we'll wash off this black devil's dust.
Must have shifted 60 tons or more.
- Is something wrong? - You were at the helm, you must have seen.
Seen what? Michael tried to force him to sign that paper.
So, what happened? George Bethell went over the side.
They were fighting, Michael hit him.
Must have been a stoker on one of those monstrous kettles.
Living the smell of that filth, day in day out.
- James, what are you going to do? - Do? About Michael? Anne, don't interfere in ship's business.
It was an accident, Michael didn't intend the man to drown.
Bethell didn't intend to kill Bucko Roberts.
I reproved you for condoning that Captain's action.
Now you'd have me do the same.
- Turn a blind eye to a criminal act? - But you will not.
This righteousness of yours is new to me, James.
I've a wife for a tutor.
- You cared for him? - Yes, I did.
- And still do? - How can I answer such a question? Because I've a right to know! I'd forgotten Michael, or I thought I had.
Then when he suddenly appeared like that, it's only natural I should recall the feelings I once had.
It's unfair of you to ask me such a question.
- Well, I think not so.
- What is it you want, some platitude for your satisfaction? Very well then, it's all in the past it's all forgotten.
There! I don't know what Anne has told you.
Adams, the next time mate calls "all hands on deck," you'll attend.
- I want you to know the truth.
- I've already learnt it from my wife.
So, you struck George Bethell and he went over the side, eh? Yes.
Right, the cargo shifted.
Bad list to port.
The last time you saw George Bethell, he was pumping with you.
- Last time he was seen by the others - Yes! You, Adams you were shovelling coal with the rest of us as I remember it.
- I was shovelling coal? - Just after eight bells.
It would be dark, I saw nothing, I was at the wheel.
Did you see anything, Anne, did you see what happened to George Bethell? Well? The man was obviously exhausted, washed overboard.
I shall enter it so in the ship's log, lost overboard.
- No, I struck him.
- Up on deck, Adam! Sharp! - I caused that man to drown.
- It's still flooding.
Get to the pumps! I was responsible for George Bethell's death.
Oh, this is the man that you'd have married.
Such a burning desire for justice you'd be a cinder by now.
What do you want me to do, clamp you in irons so you can sleep for the rest of the voyage? Bethell was right.
Your only concern is for your cargo and your ship.
And yours to shuffle your feet in front of some judge who knows nothing about the sea or the men who sail.
You think Bucko Roberts a novelty? I sailed under a man like that when I was a little older than Billy.
The pain and indignities that I suffered under that man's hands My only hope of relief was for one of the crew to see him over the side one dark night.
A few moreyears and the strength in my shoulders and I'd have seen to it myself and called that justice.
Four wasted years and now you itch to waste another seven? Or maybe hang.
Just look on that voyage and on this one and you might consider that justice of a kind has been done.
If it is justice you want.
If it's punishment, you'll find more of that on the pump than hanging in the chains.
I said you deserved a better man than I and you found him.
We have to see you wash behind your ears, Billy, else we'll have your mother after us.
Being a sailor's wife is not as simple as I thought, at home or at sea.
But I'm learning, James.
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