Lt. William Bush Quotes in Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951)

Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: Gentlemen, we will raise our objective within two days. It will be identified by a fortress on a hill overlooking a large bay.

[Hornblower leaves the quarterdeck]

Lt. Crystal: A fortress... and a wind before morning. Huh! Heat's gone to his head.

Lt. William Bush: Well, I think he knows more than he's saying.

Lt. Crystal: Perhaps you'd care to take a wager on it, Mr. Bush?

Lt. William Bush: How much can you afford?

Lt. Crystal: Five shillings that says no wind and ten shillings that we don't sight any fortress.

Lt. William Bush: Done!

Lt. William Bush: Well, I expected to lose my leg, sir, but not all the way up to the neck.

Lt. William Bush: It is the captain's wish, Your Ladyship, that from now on you and your maid remain below.

Lady Barbara Wellesley: [to Hornblower] Can two women really be so distracting, Captain?

Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: May I remind you that my men have been continously at sea for eight months?

Lady Barbara Wellesley: [as Hornblower begins to walk away] Oh, Captain!

[He stops and turns to her]

Lady Barbara Wellesley: And how long have you been at sea?

Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: [Hornblower turns to walk away, stops, and clears his throat] Ha-Hmmm!

[He continues to walk away]

Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: Mr. Bush, here are the keys to my dispatch box containing the Admiralty's orders. If I'm not back aboard by midnight, you will assume command.

Lt. William Bush: Not back on board, sir? But you said they were on our side!

Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N: War breeds strange allies, Mr. Bush

[Hornblower informs his officers of the approach of a Spanish ship-of-the-line]

2nd Lt. Gerard: A sixty gunner! What do you suppose he's up to?

Lt. Crystal: We don't clear the bay, I'll wager we're all dead before morning.

Lt. William Bush: How much can you afford this time?

Lt. Crystal: Twenty shillings.

Lt. William Bush: Done! Where shall I send the money if you win?

Midshipman Longley: What if the Spanish attack while we're at anchor?

Lt. William Bush: The Lydia'd be blown to bits... and I'd lose twenty shillings.