Original subtitles

How does that look?

Or should I wear my river hat?

You told me if I were on your arm in Lisbon, I was to look neither to right

left and incline my eyes only to the aged.

Well, answer. In three weeks, you've not stopped talking.

It is the last time.

For talking or walking or both?

I am to sail on the Charlotte roads for Rio directly.

But James said he would be weeks yet. He has changed his mind. I am to board

tomorrow. Tomorrow?

We sail first to Newfoundland and down the coast to Rio and then back to the

Amazon mouth. Then up river to await orders at Manaus.

Whose orders?

Your brother James.

You'd think he sat on my shoulder hissing at everyone I meet.

It will be months, Elisaka.

Then you must depart without dismay, Jose.

Easier said than done.

I have to live with toads and toads all the way up. Our first problem is Meneos.

Now, I want you to wait for me there.

Fogarty has three weeks to start on me. Fraser will probably overtake me in the

tarpon.

Hell -bent on winning this contract as I am.

I've heard whispers about the building of this railway in San Antonio, sir. Ah,

yeah? They need our call, but they've had their problems. The government says

one thing, and what happens in the spot is another.

And that it's all steam up there. See, sail's no good on that river.

We have one advantage, you see. We've got Yung Braganza. Now, he speaks the

lingo.

Make him earn his keep, will you?

Aye, sir.

Where is he, by the way? I thought he was aboard.

I dare say he's got some goodbyes to make, sir.

And I thought his passions were seashells.

The Amazon River. Such adventure.

Perhaps. Oh, come.

The hours will pass like minutes and you'll be back here in no time.

Yes.

Senor Braganza.

Can't keep the tide waiting.

I was just leaving.

You'll be sailing under Captain Baines, Commander.

Jose has not signed articles as a seaman, James.

Three weeks here and you have a protector already. Now remember, keep

to the ground, use your head, grease a few local palms if you have to. You're

not on holiday until we get this contract.

I am very grateful to you. Oh, no need to be.

Remember, if he doesn't sail with Captain Baines, he sails with me and I

sail short -handed with a marlin spike between my teeth.

You must be careful of him.

In his puritanical way, he is right. Married women should not inspire such

admiration as I feel for you.

I believe you mean it.

I mean it.

Then thank you. For what?

There are things unsaid. It is only now I am leaving that... Tell me.

Sometimes I look at you and you take away my breath.

There is not anything I would not do for you. Enough.

I will write to him. Please do.

Oh, Mr.

Bergancer.

Now then, what's Portuguese for mosquito?

Mosquito. Ah.

Well, that's what you are then on this trip, Mosquito Captain. I want nets made

out of that gauze there for everybody on board and a double for me.

That's a pity you didn't have a few wets for the crowd for it.

You know, it's sometimes better if you haven't got a leg under you and don't

know where you're going.

By the way, about Mrs., um...

where we're sailing soon.

What I wanted to explain to Mr. Biddulph was that I have very great hopes of

getting an exclusive contract to ship coal to the Brazilian railways.

If I could approach your father... Mr. Fraser, if my father were here, he would

tell you the same thing. He has a firm commitment with Captain O 'Neill who

carries all father's coal.

I understand that you persuaded your father to give that contract to O

But I'm afraid I hold no such influence with the Brazilian government.

So there your chances are much better.

Indeed they are.

I have a vessel there already.

And I'm going personally to speak to the principals involved.

I wondered if your father knew quite how ripe the market was for plucking.

Whether he knew or did not, his answer would be the same. He has made a

Highly commendable.

Allow me.

I hope you'll agree it was sensible of me to try.

Good morning, O 'Neill.

Why aren't you in passage?

Oh, I sail tomorrow.

Another race, then? A race.

Didn't Caroline tell you?

I'm sailing myself, and she's to accompany me.

To accompany you?

Mrs. Mosley?

Yes, it was agreed weeks ago. She speaks Portuguese, and I always believe in

dealing personally with the principals.

Good day to you, O 'Neill. Good day. Yes, sir.

Miss Bullock.

He came to see Father.

He wanted me to... Oh, I can guess what he wanted. So your father's not in, eh?

No, he's in Manchester.

Mr Fraser seems to make great play of the fact that Captain Fogarty is already

on the Amazon with a steam vessel.

Is that the Anon Eden? Yes.

Only he renamed her the Scotch lass.

And Mrs Maudsley's going too.

Yes.

And you're saying...

I shall be sailing on the Osiris with the cargo of Cole.

Can I come with you?

Miss Biddle?

Please.

Sorry, that's quite impossible.

Why? Well, I'm a believer in certain conventions.

Well, what does the pilot book say?

It says, it is manifestly impossible that any reliance can be placed on river

boys maintaining their exact position.

Oh, you'd best wait for a pilot then.

I've waited six times.

Oh, well, waiting's better than losing.

Losing? The ship's easy enough to Meneus, but after that, the Rio

never been navigated by a ship this size. Well, why don't they send a pilot?

I've already shown blue over white lights and flags to that pilot's

Maybe you should run up a side of pork and a tablecloth.

Well, you didn't think it was like the Clyde, did you?

What does it say about the Clyde atop there?

Hot and humid.

Yellow fever, malaria, diphtheria, smallpox and beriberi are prevalent.

Perhaps it's the undertaker clubbing together to build a railway.

Well, do you know good, son?

My employee's sister is a married woman.

When a young lad like you starts on that road, there's no knowing where it'll

end.

Have you experimented? What about giving your bleeding heart to some of those

mosquito nets?

It surprised me that you gave no indication that you would be

uncle.

Should I have done?

Well, I just wondered if you would like to change your mind.

Now, come with me on the Astartes.

Oh, she will make a slower passage than the Tarpon. Only a day or two, that's

all.

Thank you, no.

I have promised Uncle to accompany him as far as Minea.

No doubt I shall see you in passage.

Have you forgotten, James?

Hmm? The circumstances of our husband's death.

By the box, sever!

By the box, bang!

Cut it from here to there, Comandante.

And then...

The disemboweling, they get out.

The blood they drink, the heart they preserve, the liver, all in delicacy.

Even the things they make use of is a sport.

What Indians are they? All Indians.

Never trust an Indian unless you have him by the throat.

Thank you.

I'm sure you wouldn't like a little river wife, Commandante.

Little Malucha, huh?

Long voyage that night, steamy river, huh?

My bless you, pilot, but, uh, no thank you very much.

You're the first English ever say no.

Now then, your message.

Whose urgency?

Yours or mine?

I hope you don't plan to put Jose in any danger.

Just me is a more dangerous.

You'll do well to remember Senor Braganza's health in the past.

I appreciate his wine trade.

If any harm should come to Jose.

Forget Jose. You're married to Albert.

And we have a brother in politics. He won't thank us for any breath of

Scandal? No one must upset your apple cart, must they?

You need nobody, James.

That's where we differ.

But I love and I need to be loved.

And that is something you will never understand.

Well, is that all, then, apart from the messages of love?

Jose's father left him in your charge.

Yes, yes. If you won't do it for me, think of your own interest.

I will, I will.

I want him back. Do you hear me, James?

It's not your concern.

You have a husband.

Just remember it.

That's funny.

Braganza Bank, they call us here. And listen to this.

Occasionally, pilots are met at Ponte Tepo, but too much confidence must not

placed upon them.

And listen to this.

Details of the chart at the entrance of the river cannot now be regarded as

satisfactory. Probably Job's competent, his pilot book is.

Will the pilot take the mail?

Oh, yeah, take everything we give him when we get there.

You see the way the water changed color? It's gone all yellow.

We're on the Amazon River, right at the meth.

Here, listen to this.

Great care is required in approaching San Antonio.

It is rare not to see Rex.

I hope old Fogarty got that up his nose.

I wish we could catch him up.

It was the same story.

I waited ten days for the pilot there. At least I expected more cooperation

nearly a minute.

Every cooperation, Comandante, we've heard from Senor Fraser. And everything

requested has been done.

But my orders are for San Antonio. He expects me to be there discharged.

Ah, the Rio Madero is a little more difficult.

Look, I've just experienced five weeks of difficulty.

Pop him under river pilot.

At once!

Of course, Comandante.

Would you like a little refreshment?

Oh, thank you very much.

No, Doug, I didn't. Comrade Fogarty, he neither drinks nor nothings. Ah, yes.

You must be aware, sir, that the San Antonio authorities await my cargo. And

their contract?

Yes. Which is why I must proceed immediately.

Immediately? That is very unfortunate.

Unfortunate?

You have come. at a most unfortunate time.

But then to the river. No, no, it is the fiesta of San Juan.

There will be fireworks, cannon.

The girls wear flowers in their hair.

It's time for French leave.

Nothing moves on the river for a week.

Go up the Rio Madeira without a pilot? It's been done before.

Not with a vessel of this draft.

We're loaded down, man.

I'm not going to face Fraser with nothing achieved.

But the recurrence in this river was never even heard of.

Showbanks that shift every day.

My orders are first plan and told.

Not without a pilot. Listen to the pilot.

Captain Fogarty, if you intend to proceed, I'd like my objection noted in

log. Mr. Engineer, you'll have your objection noted in the log.

He's now several days behind us.

He'll make up ground later, no doubt.

He's a good seam on his own, Eden.

Get in there.

But, little elf, these Liverpool lads are born and bred to the sea.

When they leave it, that's a different matter.

Come, my dear.

Is it not time you turned your mind to your own affairs?

You're a wealthy woman.

It's time we found you a husband.

Why?

Why?

You cannot spend your life in widowhood.

I know your husband died in most tragic circumstances.

It's not that.

I feel no great need for a husband.

Marriage is very much a conventional affair.

Conventional? And a masculine convention at that.

What do women get out of it but drudgery and a parcel of brats?

Oh, come on.

What indeed?

Think of all the women who nightly have to suffer the selfish demands of drunken

oaths.

In my view, the wedding ring is the license for goodness knows what

Certain classes, I can see.

Oh, no.

Beneath many a royal robe, still garments which require laundering.

Caroline, I fail to understand you.

I'm not sure that you want to.

Most men don't. But if you don't intend to marry, what is there in front of you?

I can assure you I shall not sit in my best frock with my toes on the parlour

fender, waiting in divine innocence for some good, honest fellow.

Perhaps I was impertinent in asking.

Perhaps I've been too frank in answering.

This fellow, Ornidian.

He has a certain difference.

He's a hard -touch master.

Perhaps he needs a wife.

Tell me, this contract which you and Captain Ornidian seek with the railway

authorities, what assurances have you there will be any trade at all?

The railway is, I guess, the gun.

It'll be like the prairie states of the Midwest.

Once the railway is built, trade follows in its wake.

That's why the government is offering inducements. A free port.

Government in Rio de Janeiro?

The Brazilian government, yes.

It's a very long way from the capital to the Rio Madeira.

You do not suspect anything?

Suspect? What should I suspect?

I've always asked myself why a stranger should reap the profit when there are

locals with their ears to the ground.

Well, you know the Portuguese. They'll cut down the tree to pick the flower.

They need us, and the government know it.

The government in Rio.

3 ,000 miles from the mouth of the Amazon.

And you remain confident.

The pocket is there already.

And I have a card up my sleeve.

No lighters on the whole Amazon River?

Lighters in profusion, Commandante.

But it's team talks to move them up here.

But unfortunately, it's San Antonio.

Move them down.

Very difficult.

My employer is due in power later in the month, and I've come on ahead to engage

lighters in a tug.

We'll have 2 ,000 tons of coal for San Antonio.

And the only way we can shift them is with a steam tug to draw the lighters.

It's very difficult.

It is September, Comandante, and the river level falls.

What difference does that make to a steam tug?

I will make inquiries.

Now, speaking frankly, don't it strike you as strange that there's not one

tug for charter in the whole port of Menares? But your employer is not here

Yeah, but it just occurred to me just.

that maybe somebody might have nobbled them tons.

Nobbled? Yeah, I've been told that Fogarty's gone upstream on the Scotch

Now, putting it blunt, sir, whatever he give you, we can match it.

I am here, Comandante, to offer you the full cooperation of the Brazilian

government. This will be given to you without benefit of gratuity.

In future, however, I would prefer to deal with your employer.

Good day to you, sir. Good day to you.

It's September, everything.

Very difficult.

Come in here, John, will you?

There's no doubt about it that Pockety has nubbled them tugs under Fraser's

orders. They're all lying idle up at San Antonio, and without them, we can't get

a cargo up there.

So now's your chance.

You haven't done a handstand since you've come aboard, so this is what I've

for you. Now, listen carefully.

Oh, come on, son. You're not the first lovestruck lad I've ever sailed with.

Get it into your mind as soon as this job's done. Your life is your own

But first, I'm sending you up the rear of Deere after Poggety.

What? By canoe.

Let me understand you, Captain Baines. You want me to go up the River Amazon

alone in a canoe?

Ah. It'll be alongside first light.

I got your bears and all.

I'm sorry?

Engines to battle.

When you get up to San Antonio, promise them the earth.

As long as you get a steam target, it'll take you about a week.

Can we thrust these Indians?

Well, I thought of that. I showed them all this, the sort of stuff they want,

and I told them that they'll only get it if they bring you back here safe and

sound.

What I'm going to do is to hold this boss man here as hostage, you see?

And when you get back...

They get him back.

You think of all eventualities, Captain Bane.

First light them.

Oh.

One thing more.

You better take this bit of ironmongery here.

Like you.

you'll catch him fogarty can't move quickly in those waters without a pilot

Go ahead.

Keep it a shoot.

By the mark, clever.

Up ahead.

Quiet on the mark.

And drowned?

I am afraid so.

But I was clearly informed the river was navigable. Ah, for nine months of the

year. Settles drawing 15 feet of water passed with careful navigation.

But Comandante Fogarty was hasty.

But he must have had a pilot.

He would not wait, senor.

What are we to do?

The river will rise in January.

January? But it's September.

It might be possible to jettison the cargo.

Throw a thousand tons of my coal into the river?

My sister asked me to remind you that Commandant O 'Neden will

also face difficulties.

He did nothing of the kind.

I speak Portuguese.

The cargo will not be jettisoned in the right place.

The senhora misunderstands.

You will do well to remember that this enterprise has the full backing of the

Brazilian government. Of course, senhora.

Good. And this canoe?

Canoe? That individual distinctly mentioned the word canoa.

Oh, canoes pass up and down the Rio Madero every day, senhora.

Also in the right place.

Excuse? I think there has been some misunderstanding.

Until tomorrow.

I've never seen such a riffraff in my life!

They seem bent on obstructing us.

Do they want my call or not?

Oh, they want it all right.

But on their terms.

Mr. Fraser.

And Mrs.

Maudsley.

Well done, Captain Baines.

Now, where's Captain Fogarty?

You had weeks, man, weeks in which to engage a pilot after attempting the

on your own.

Madness! What on earth persuaded you to proceed without a pilot? There were none

available. No pilots.

No. When I arrived there, there was a week's national holiday.

I distinctly told her, you will be jobber, packman, tallyman, all on your

Why didn't you bribe a pilot? I got no cooperation at all.

What steps have you taken to refloat the vessel?

She's on silt.

She'll only float off if I unship her cargo, but they won't give me the tugs

do that. They say the cargo shall be jettisoned.

That's the oldest trick in the world.

We jettison the cargo, and they pick up as much as they can when the river

dries. That way they get it for nothing.

A thousand tons of my coal for nothing?

We'll see about that.

Why is your crew in such a wretched state?

They've been trying to frighten us off.

Every night there's Indians gather on that riverbank. There's lots of chanting

and beating of drums.

There's even gangs of them with burros and panniers waiting to pick up the

There's the noise that gets them.

Then there was this.

What the devil's that?

Javaro head.

These lot are not Javaros.

They're the sweet wings of Maneus.

Yes, me, the whole thing's been cooked up there.

Aye, like it's not.

Well, look, the Brazilian government wants San Antonio warmed up as a port,

right? But in Maneus, the port means competition.

So, they're trying to frighten us all.

Have you told them about the bats?

Oh, that's just a joke.

The jungle is it.

Mr. Friend's brother, there are bats.

come down at night and suck the blood right out of your toes, and spiders are

the biggest place.

It's the chanting that's the worst.

We'll be starting up just as the light goes.

That's me. They're all relatives of the port authorities in Manaus.

Do you know what the chanting means?

It means, spirit of the spider, fill me with thy poison.

It's very cheering.

Bogus to frightened children.

Get hold of your crew, Captain Fogarty, and get the ship afloat.

That's easier said than done.

Must we jettison the cargo?

I'll not jettison.

Well, there's only one thing we can do.

The Charlotte Road is empty and ballast in Menaes. We could get her up here and

transship the cargo, or most of it.

But that would mean a deal with Orneda.

And the possibility of my losing the contract.

Nice to see you again, sir.

I brought you some mail.

Something for young Braganza.

Oh, yes. I've had to send him up to San Antonio, sir.

He's the only one who can speak the language.

Yes, well, you did the right thing. I told you he'd earn his keep.

Yeah.

Why, I'm holding this local head man here, sir, as hostage.

His name is John Willie.

Ah, well, you did the right thing, then. Very wise. Oh, by the way, sir, you

have a visitor.

A big surprise in these latitudes.

and cross the Atlantic on a social visit?

Well, I've never been aboard the Charlotte Roads before.

Smaller than I thought.

Well, we manage, you know.

Well, to what do I owe the honor and the pleasure of this visit? Mr. O 'Neill,

sir! I saw your uncle going down the river with a face as long as your arm.

hasn't sent you on one of his errands, has he?

Mr. O 'Neill, sir!

Excuse me a minute.

He's as slippery as an eel. He's not in the chain locker. He made himself a kip

there, but I can't see Cypher's town to be preserved.

Draw the folks out.

Right, sir.

I've been told your place is a lot.

Now, come on, give us that.

Come on, I'll put a boot in you.

Now,

you boss man on river say you're not down here. Now, come on, get out of

Are you frightened today?

Oh, come on, he smells a bit.

Nothing to be afraid of.

Here, would you like some brandy, yeah?

There you are.

Now, one minute.

Oh, don't leave me.

John Willie, sir.

He's gone.

A Rossage?

Aye. I just caught a glimpse of him. He went over the gull, quiet as a mouse.

He, um, he frightened Mrs. Morse here.

He didn't speak sharp to him, did you see?

Sir?

The tone of your voice. You've got to be careful with them. They don't like

being humiliated in front of women.

Now, did you speak sharp to him? Yes, I did.

Well, there's our hostage gone.

I only hope the young Mr. Braganza is safe in San Antonio.

I knew they'd trip for the jinx enough.

Did you know they changed their name?

She used to be called the Anne of Eden.

They changed it.

God's laugh.

What do you see, sir?

You notice something.

The Indians.

They've all gone upriver.

Well, if they've gone upriver, they can't be interested in us, then.

Changing a ship's name.

You do that in the Clyde, you wouldn't get a man to ship in her.

Always means death.

I don't know what you said to Mrs. Malty last night.

She came on board in some distress.

Oh, I didn't know that.

She's a very remarkable young woman.

Is that why you sent her?

I have no feelings, man.

Her husband was killed by Indians before her very eyes.

She hasn't put in an appearance this morning.

I'm sure she'd take it very kindly if you were to put her head round her cabin

door.

I'm really coming to admire you. You know, from whichever direction the rain

comes from, you put up a different umbrella.

Oh, come on, man. State your business.

What do you want from me, eh?

Things have not worked out as expected.

The Scotch lass is aground.

Shoaled up on silt.

Which is why I've asked your board.

I want the use of the Charlotte roads.

I want a towed -up river to take off the lass's cargo.

You want me to help you?

Yes, I do.

And you do well to remember that whatever has happened in the past, as

this enterprise is concerned, we're two Englishmen in a remote region.

And it's essential that we stand together. Stand together.

Yes. You are a caution, Fraser.

The moment that you're in trouble, you come to me with your hand on your heart,

waving the Union check.

I want the use of the shower roads.

I'll supply tugs.

Well, she'll have to think that one over.

No time to think it over.

In three days' time, the river level will fall too far. She can't be moved at

all.

So, what do I get in return?

Name your price.

Right, then.

For the use of the Charlotte roads, I want my steamer back.

Oh, and, well,

you think that one over, I'll do me butter candy down low.

There was no need for you to call.

Very heavy hints dropped.

Not by me.

Ah, that's a good start.

Your uncle's got his hand on his heart.

He has one. Ah, now, I wouldn't say that. It's never been positively

Yes, um, it seems Fraser's in trouble, and... Fogarty's coppered as

well.

And you gloat? No, I don't gloat, but I'd be a liar to say that I was

heartbroken.

No, you gloat.

Your uncle's not the Queen of the May, you know. He's got a lot to answer for.

Well, haven't we all?

But he doesn't gloat. I don't know what he does. I've never made a study of him,

except what goes into his pocket out of mine.

These barcantines are very...

Fancy shops, aren't they?

It's a free board.

Fine turn of speed, they tell me.

Very nicely fitted out.

What is my uncle doing?

Sweating.

And you?

Look, I don't like to see anybody off their feet, you know. My hope is that

you'll be on yours again soon.

Your hypocrisy is dazzling.

Whatever did that poor creature you married see in you?

I'm told you married for a ship. Is it true?

Mrs. Martley, if this is your idea of fun, I came to pay my respects.

An act of kindness? Yes.

Tell me, Captain O 'Neill, do you miss your wife?

Not for you to ask.

You cannot spend your life regretting injuries done to some poor creature who

happened to own a ship. I've told you already that you'd best keep off that

subject. I'm interested in your grief.

Your tears.

My tears are private.

Tell me.

Did your wife die?

Or did she just give up the ghost?

I loved my wife.

And I am to stay in ship after her.

I want her back.

I'm afraid she'll get nuts out of me until I do.

Ah, so you have feelings.

No manners, no sympathy, but feelings, however small.

I tricked you about it the same.

Coined in filth, and now you're all pride.

Well, that'll have to go, along with your stupid charms.

Oh, now, that is better.

At least you didn't do that on anybody else's behalf, did you?

I'm... sorry I only slapped you.

Hmm?

Strumpet charms.

You wouldn't know what they were.

Have you made up your mind yet?

It's impossible.

Scott's left, it's not mine to give.

The Wirral Steam Navigation Company has one shareholder, yourself.

Not any longer.

Fraser, I'll wear your tricks no longer.

It's true.

I have to raise more capital for this venture.

I no longer control the majority of the shares.

What I had in mind was to offer to withdraw from this contract entirely.

I will instruct those responsible for the embargo on steam tugs to lift it.

Then any further cargoes will be shipped by you as exclusive agent with an

agency percentage.

You mean it withdraw entirely?

Yes.

As far as I'm concerned, this contract here is yours in its entirety.

That's very generous of you, Uncle.

Caroline.

No doubt you have told him of our suspicions.

Huh?

There's a good deal of local jealousy in these parts.

Port authorities in Minerva have no desire to see their rival San Antonio

develop as a port.

And they are defying the government to this end.

They are also obstructing us.

It is their intention to get the cargo for nothing.

I intend it to particularize later, of course.

We're dealing with quite unscrupulous people here.

Unscrupulous, eh?

This may feel quite unsafe, doesn't it to you?

Well, Prater, we've bought a pup.

San Antonio's not ready for us.

We'll have to take our coal elsewhere.

Thank you, Mrs. Marsley, for that bit of information.

Well, I've got work to do. Wait!

It's all very well for you.

You can sail the Asturias in a cargo to some other port.

What about my steamship?

I would have thought that that was your business.

You can't just leave her there, man.

You mean you can't just leave her there?

I'll have to jettison a thousand tons of coal.

As much as that, eh? Well, you've got the Charlotte Lords empty.

Very well.

Will the Lord enough call just a floater?

I'll be grateful to you.

I would say 50%. John!

Thank you, Mrs. Morsley, for putting your uncle's cards on the table.

Goodbye.

Well, I must say, Caroline, I could have done without your intervention.

He's so contained.

I wanted to hurt him just now.

And I succeeded.

So, you ease your conscience with my money.

Well, perhaps his feelings won't be so far from the surface in future.

You have taken a fancy to him.

Under the circumstances, he was generous.

Generous? Or needy?

I would have asked for 60%.

Baines,

we've done it.

We're taking Fraser's cargo off the last end, being paid well for doing it.

Well?

Take a look to Starboard, sir.

Why?

Over the Starboard side, sir.

I sent him.

You said use him, and I thought... Well, I reckon... The orders were mine.

What's that?

It's a letter of him.

He was always writing letters.

I'm sorry.

Are you, James?

Yes, I am.

An accident?

I told you.

But successful.

Your voyage, and that is the main thing.

Well, you must know it was a failure.

But for Therese and myself.

Jose?

He was a victim of the country. The country, the river, the places are

It was more than we bargained for, both Fraser and myself.

According to Robert, Senor Braganza has no wish to renew his contract and holds

you entirely responsible.

That is a privilege.

Elizabeth.

with my sister for me.