High and Dry (1954) Movie Script
1
Here, take a look at this.
- Isn't that the, er...?
- The Maggie.
Coming in as bold as brass. I never
thought we'd see HER again in Glasgow.
What's her skipper's name? MacTaggart.
Is he the one that caused
all that trouble in the Kyles?
Aye.
Well, they're asking for it this time.
Mr. MacGregor, I'm still the master
of this vessel. I know what I'm about.
If you had to come to Glasgow,
could you not have waited till after dark?
We've nothing to fear
from any man or woman.
We'll only be here long enough
to find a cargo, then we'll be off again.
If Sarah or anyone is watching for us,
they'll be watching by night.
They'd never expect us to have
the effrontery to come in by day.
When you've finished the lamps, laddie,
grease the wire blocks.
- Aye.
- And there's buttons missing on my shirt.
Aye.
Hey!
Hey, you down there!
- Where's Captain MacTaggart?
- Pollockshaws, for his mother's funeral.
- He won't be back for a fortnight.
- We'll wait.
Aye, oh, aye.
You're very smug with your gold braid,
your pensions and your five days a week,
but you're no better than hirelings,
standing like wee bairns
in front of Mr. Campbell's big desk
down yonder.
You haven't the freedom of operation
that I have.
You haven't the dignity
of your own command.
And as for my boat, there's not a finer
vessel in the coastal trade!
There's not a finer vessel anywhere...
There's two men aboard us,
in bowler hats.
Inspectors.
Hamish, there's no time for that.
Come on.
- Good luck to you, skipper!
- You'll be needing it!
Here, there's seven pence owing.
I've no change. You pay him, lad.
- You'd better grab him, Dan.
- Oh, it's the wee boy that pays.
They haven't got seven pence
between them. Come on.
Son, they tell me
the truant officer's after you
for going to sea
before you finished school.
- It's no' true. I'm over 15.
- You can finish your schooling now.
- That old puffer won't put out again.
- She will.
It's time MacTaggart was put ashore.
He's not fit to manage a rowing boat.
- You'll no' say that about the cap'n.
- Captain, him?
Take your hands off me.
Ah! You wait, you big fushionless
gomeril. I'll get Hamish to you...
Wee devil! Three months out of school
and he's as big a rogue as the rest.
I'm sorry, MacTaggart. She's done for.
Is it the loading licence?
Aye.
If they take that away, we won't be
able to carry any cargo at all.
Aye.
Not until she's had her plates repaired.
Aye.
- Is that what we need the 300 for?
- Aye, that's right.
She's finished.
Come on.
- Could we not borrow the money?
- Who from?
- We can, er...
- Excuse me.
We can offer him a quarter share
in the Maggie for 300.
Aye, but what about Sarah?
I could say my sister has
a sort of a share in the boat,
that it's a family concern
and I'm acting on her behalf.
It's a good idea.
Good morning.
Good morning. We were wanting
to speak with Mr. Campbell.
Mr. Campbell's engaged and he's already
late for a luncheon appointment.
- If you care to wait...
- We cannae afford to wait for long.
Telephone and say I'm on my way.
Mr. Campbell, I'm getting through now.
You heard what Captain Jamieson says.
The ship won't be ready before tomorrow.
- We've no other vessel available.
- Mr. Marshall's not going to like this.
- He can be a very impatient man.
- I'm afraid I can't do a thing about it!
World International Airways?
It's Mr. Pusey here.
Put me through to Mr. Marshall, please.
Yes, I'm phoning from Glasgow...
Mr. Campbell,
if you can spare us a moment.
The cargo should've gone
to Kiltarra. There are architects waiting.
Mr. Marshall's anxious to have the house
in good repair by his wife's birthday.
I'm sure he would pay the highest rate.
Mr. Marshall?
It's Pusey here, sir.
No, I'm afraid it hasn't.
There's been a further delay,
Mr. Marshall. It's the shipping agency...
There's a matter of business
we would like to discuss with you, sir.
I'm sorry, MacTaggart. I haven't the time.
Come back after three.
I've tried everywhere,
Mr. Marshall.
There just isn't a boat of any description
available for charter.
Not before tomorrow night,
and even then they can't guarantee.
I know, Mr. Marshall,
but there just isn't a boat.
If...
If it's a cargo for Kiltarra you have,
there's a boat right here.
What?
I don't understand.
Excuse me, Mr. Mar...
Mr. Campbell just this minute... I'm sorry,
Mr. Marshall. There's some confusion.
Now they say there is a boat.
But Mr. Ca...
Sir?
The captain?
- Are you the captain?
- Yes.
Yes, Mr. Marshall. Certainly.
It's Mr. Calvin B Marshall,
General Overseas Manager of World...
Yes.
Aye?
Captain MacTaggart speaking.
Aye. Aye, we have.
And you want it in Kiltarra
by Thursday noon?
Oh, easily, easily.
Insurance?
4,000?
Oh, we'll see to that, sir.
Aye.
Who?
Mr. Marshall, I'm still not quite sure...
'You've been up there three days.
Let's get this stuff moving.
'Just make sure it's a sound boat,
that's all that matters.
'If you hurry, you can catch
the afternoon plane, right?'
Yes, I think I...
Will you tell me why, if a boat is
available, Mr. Campbell didn't say so?
He put me in a most
embarrassing position.
I was just trying
to explain to him, sir, that...
- Where is the boat lying?
- Couple of hundred yards down the road.
If you don't mind,
I think I'll just take a look at it.
- Now, where is the...?
- This way, sir.
Will you give me
an estimate of the charges?
Well... it's difficult... to say exactly.
Maybe...
- Perhaps 300?
- Three...?
That does seem rather high.
However, the goods are lying
at Customs House dock, berth 17,
checked and crated, ready for shipment.
Mainly plumbing and heating apparatus,
some timber, a deep freeze.
A variety of materials,
all extremely valuable,
so I've been instructed to make certain
that the ship is perfectly sound.
Ah, yes! Well, I see
no cause for concern on that score.
Shall we go back to the office?
Better still,
we could settle the matter here.
Aye, that's a better idea.
I think, in the circumstances,
I can agree to the 300.
If you will just sign the inventory.
In triplicate, please.
Just one thing, I'd like Mr. Campbell
to phone me tomorrow morning,
so that I can be certain
everything got away all right.
Oh, everything will get away all right.
You'll want something on account.
I'll give you a cheque for...
Cash would be better,
if you can manage it, sir.
I'm afraid I only have about...50.
That'll do fine, sir.
You can let us have the rest
when the job's done.
Well, I'm afraid I must... Goodbye.
Good day to you, sir.
And good luck to you.
Seems to me yon laddie's the victim
of a serious misunderstanding.
You did not tell him a thing
that wasnae true.
You wouldn't want him to deal with
the CSS. The villains would do him down.
- It's a stove.
- Aye.
But Hamish, do you see this?
Four baths!
All on the one island.
Come on. Outside, the lot of you.
- Come on.
- Good evening.
- Time gentlemen, please.
- I'll give you a hand.
Oh, here! My concertina.
I'll take that one.
- Captain, sir?
- Aye?
- Is it not about low tide?
- Aye.
With all this cargo on board,
are we no' lying a bit low in the water?
- Aye.
- I mean sir, is it no' a bit...
...dangerous going down this part
of the river with the s...?
- What do you know about it?
- You're no' the captain yet, laddie.
You're getting far too cheeky. Now,
away forward and make us some tea.
Hello? Just a moment.
- Campbell on the line.
- Thank you.
Hello, Mr. Campbell. I was rather anxious,
so I thought I'd phone you.
I trust the cargo got away all right?
What?
The cargo on the boat, of course.
What boat?
Well, the boat I chartered yesterday.
You found a boat, then? Well done.
"Found a boat"?
This man's quite impossible.
This lad is off his head. Aye?
You made arrangements with whom?
MacTaggart?
It's him there's all the fuss about
down in the Broomielaw.
Mr. Campbell, in all my experience, I...
And it's still there?
Well, Mr. Pusey, MacTaggart has
nothing to do with our organisation.
He's master of an old puffer!
The puffer Maggie!
No. Oh, no. That is impossible.
'Send Pusey in.'
Hello? Hello?
- And he... gave me his signature.
- Well?
- He signed the inventory.
- So?
- So, naturally, I chartered the boat.
- And...?
They weren't who they said they were.
Campbell says the cargo's not
on the boat. It's in Glasgow.
The man you spoke to hasn't a boat,
but something called a "puffer".
It's stuck on the Subway,
and not even the right boat!
Just let me get one thing straight.
You say a boat is stuck on a Subway?
I was sailing this river
while you were eating saps.
The Subway lies under the river
at this point.
The Subway is
a menace to navigation.
You had no right to put out
at that state of the tide.
- You may have damaged the Subway.
- What about the damage to my ship?
- Captain MacTaggart?
- Aye?
I'm from the Evening News.
Would you care to make a statement?
You can say that I'm considering
bringing an action.
Good for you. What's your destination?
- Kiltarra.
- What are you carrying?
A valuable cargo belonging to Mr. Calvin
B Marshall of World International Airways.
Kiltarra, eh? Tell me, captain,
how do you think you'll get her off?
I'll wait for the tide.
Ahoy, Captain Carlson?
Are you hanging on?
Mrs Marshall asked me to remind you
that you're giving a dinner party tomorrow.
Evening News!
- Evening News!
- Let me have one.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, you're here in Glasgow, Mr. Pusey?
Oh, when you were in my office, did you
by any chance take my fountain pen?
It doesn't matter.
I want to speak to the manager.
- It's about the puffer Maggie.
- I don't know I like your tone, Mr. Pusey.
But Mr. Campbell, I...
But they were in your office,
Mr. Campbell.
If it isn't the CSS's responsibility,
I'd like to know whose it is.
- But that's positively...
- Let me talk to him.
Mr. Campbell? Calvin B Marshall
speaking. Sorry to trouble you.
It seems that
we're causing you quite a bit of a...
Yes, I came up to get things
straightened out.
Yes, at the Central.
I'd be very much obliged, if you could
spare a few moments of your time.
Here? That's very kind of you.
Thank you, Mr. Campbell.
If you're in a man's office and other
people come in and start discussing...
Take it easy, Pusey.
There's no need to panic.
It won't help matters to blame
Campbell for your mistakes.
If I may say so, Mr. Marshall, you spoke
to Captain MacTaggart yourself.
Doesn't matter who's to blame.
I'll have it straightened out in an hour.
Book us some sleepers
on the night train to London.
Hello. Hello, operator?
Even had the effrontery to ask
if I'd taken his fountain pen.
My name is Campbell.
- Oh, good evening, Mr. Pusey.
- Good evening.
- There's a reporter from the News...
- Good evening. I want to see Mr. Marshall.
- I'm sorry...
- There's no need to be sorry.
Tell him Sarah MacTaggart is here.
He'll see me soon enough.
How do you do, Mr. Campbell?
- You were very kind to give us your help.
- Not at all, Mr. Marshall.
- Can I offer you a drink?
- Oh, I'll have a whisky, thank you.
And a Vichy water for me.
Won't you sit down?
Well, you can tell him right now.
It's quite a boat! Is that MacTaggart?
He's a crafty looking old boy, all right.
No wonder he was able to...
- The money is owing to me!
- Put one over on Pusey.
I don't think a man would need to be
very quick to leave Mr. Pusey behind.
- This puffer that you hired...
- We have not hired a puffer!
It says in the paper that you did.
Are your goods aboard her or not?
- No. Yes, but they won't be.
- I want to see the owner.
I'll not be put off by underlings.
Put it down.
I don't want to go to the police,
but I can tell you one thing right now.
From the look of her
and the way MacTaggart navigates,
I want my cargo off that boat.
Nothing for me.
If your boat's available from tomorrow
morning, we can radio MacTaggart.
You can't. They've no radio.
Who heard of a cargo vessel
without a radio?
- Understand, they usually carry coal.
- Coal?
I've got 4,000 worth of stuff on that boat
that's taken months to get together.
How do I get in touch with him?
I can give you a list of pier masters
and their telephone numbers.
Fine. I'll have Pusey start
on that right away.
Ah, here you are, then!
This is the kind of man you are.
I beg your pardon, ma'am!
Just a moment please!
- Who is this woman?
- Sarah MacTaggart.
The legitimate owner of the puffer.
And whatever money you owe is
to be paid to me or I'll go to the police.
- Mrs MacTaggart...
- Miss!
Miss MacTaggart, I'm sorry to inform you
that I owe you no money at all.
- On the contrary, your father...
- He's not my father! He's my brother.
Whoever he is,
he stole 4,000 worth of...
Who... What? Who is this man?
- I don't know, Mr. Marshall.
- Frazer's the name, Mr. Marshall.
- Of the Evening News.
- What?
You mean...?
Are you the one
who thinks this is so funny?
Ahoy!
Ahoy, MacTaggart!
You've to telephone
the Central Hotel in Glasgow.
To a Mr. Marshall.
Ahoy! MacTaggart!
MacTaggart!
Yes, that's right, honey.
It's just a routine business matter.
What?
Well, either by train tonight
or on the first plane tomorrow morning.
If I stay over,
I'll ring you later tonight.
That's right, dear.
Well, thanks for calling, honey.
Bye bye.
Yes?
I just had a call from
the harbour master at Greenock.
- He said that puffer arrived there...
- Great. Here's the plan. Tell Pusey...
But they just turned around
and sailed right out again.
Can you get another half knot out of her?
She's not making more than five.
- She's making six.
- Five at the most.
- She's making six.
- Then see if she'll make seven.
She cannae make seven.
What's the matter with you?
You would no' spend a penny
on the boiler.
- We need to get to Kiltarra.
- Who got the boat stuck on the Subway?
Mr. MacGregor, I'll have no insubordination
on board my vessel.
Insubordination?
Who was too drunk to find their way out
of Campbeltown harbour?
Come out and face me like a man,
you old goat! I'm going to resign...
I'm sure that's him.
Let's have another look.
If he does that again,
let him have it, both barrels!
They're making for the Crinan Canal
at Ardrishaig.
Where's the nearest place
you can set us down?
Campbeltown, sir.
If you hire a car, you can catch them
before they get through the canal.
Will it not be the American, Mr. Marshall?
It's most unlikely. And if it is,
he'll have seen how far we've come.
He'll know he's got
nothing to worry about.
Once we're in the canal,
we'll be safe enough.
What kind of boat are you trying
to catch, sir? A puffer, by any chance?
- Yes.
- They're grand boats, the old puffers.
Always getting into trouble!
Did you read about the one
that got stuck on the Subway?
MacTaggart her skipper is.
There's a man for you.
Only last month in Campbeltown I've
seen him drunk three times in one day.
- Hamish.
- What?
Pheasants.
Skipper.
- Ship's stores are getting low.
- Aye.
Off you go.
Holy smoke! They've caught us.
Well, look who's here! It's Mr. Pusey.
How are you, sir?
What brought you all the way to Crinan?
We thought you'd returned to London, sir.
We didn't expect to find you here.
Och, man! Your cargo's safe and sound.
There's not a scratch on it.
I don't think
I've met this gentleman before.
Is it Mr. Marshall himself,
by any chance?
That's right. That's my cargo
you've got on board this hulk.
- Listen, the Maggie is a fine old puffer.
- Are you serious?
- Oh, a coat of paint...
- You were going to take this out to sea?
- We'll be in Kiltarra not later than...
- You may be, but not with my cargo.
Oh, but I don't really understand,
Mr. Marshall.
I'm not going to say anything
about your misrepresentation
- when you showed Pusey the wrong boat.
- Wrong boat?
- There must be some misunderstanding.
- I don't even want my 50 back.
It must've cost you something
to get this far.
You're going to turn this tub around,
go back to Ardrishaig, unload my cargo,
so I can get it on a good boat, and I'm
putting Mr. Pusey on to see that you do it.
- Me, sir?
- Yes, you, sir.
Mr. Marshall, I can assure you
we are capable of doing the job for you.
There's no sense
in you going to additional expense.
What? Don't talk to me about expense!
Look, if for any reason whatsoever
he hasn't got you in Ardrishaig by 5:00,
- call the police, right?
- Er... Yes, sir.
Stay overnight in Ardrishaig
if you have to,
but make sure the stuff gets
on the right boat.
I'll expect you in London
some time tomorrow.
Are we ready to proceed?
- I said, are we ready to proceed?
- We cannae go yet.
- Why not?
- We're waiting for the mate and the boy.
Where are the mate and the boy?
- They're poaching.
- Aye. Ha-ha!
I don't see anything amusing
in breaking the law.
They're here somewhere.
They'll not get away this time.
Go fetch the constable.
You look over here. I'll take this side.
Hamish!
I know you're in there. Come out!
- Mr. Pusey! What are you doing here?
- You're to come back to the boat at once.
- Shh. They're after us.
- The boat is returning to Ardrishaig.
Shh.
- Shh! It's the laird.
- Don't you manhandle me!
- The laird!
- The what?
- If we're caught, it's jail for us.
- Jail?
I'll not be a party to any illegal...
Get down. They'll see us.
If he catches us,
we'll never get away at all.
- This is ridic...
- Come out!
You can't escape!
Come out!
Sir Charles, where are you, sir?
This way!
When he gets past that ditch,
make a run for it.
- Where's my hat?
- Take this. I have too much to carry.
Don't drop it.
If they find it, we're sunk.
There they are. After them!
Please, this has nothing to do with me!
Hey!
What are you doing in my woods?
You're poaching, aren't you?
- I can explain everything.
- You're poaching, aren't you?
No.
I can't swim!
Arrest that fellow! Arrest that...
Here he is!
- Where's Mr. Pusey?
- He chucked the laird in the canal!
- Good evening.
- Good evening.
My editor said Mr. Marshall
wanted me to drop by.
Good evening, Mr. Frazer. Come in.
- Mr. Marshall, will that be all?
- Call me half an hour before train time.
Sit down, won't you?
- I ask, isn't that a little bit too much?
- Too much, Mr. Marshall?
You had a good laugh
at my expense yesterday, so OK.
Why must you make me out
to be a complete fool?
I certainly didn't intend
to be offensive, sir.
Frazer, I'm in the transport business.
It's my job.
I have a certain reputation for being
efficient, for getting the job done.
My shipment to Kiltarra is personal,
but even so,
if certain people read your little stories,
it wouldn't do me any good.
Do you understand?
Why make a career out of my difficulties?
Well, Mr. Marshall, these old puffers
are public characters in Scotland.
- They're very popular.
- They're not very popular with me.
No, but they are held in great...
I won't say "esteem".
Well, people like them.
They've affection for them.
They're not much to look at, I admit,
but there's something kind of...
heart-warming about them.
Now, you're an important man in
the transport world, you might not see it,
but they've got a touch of tradition,
Mr. Marshall.
The old simple "live and let live"
of human values...
This old MacTaggart's a scoundrel.
That tub is a disgrace,
yet you get a big kick out of it
- every time he gets away with murder.
- I admit that...
Nobody can accuse me
of not having a sense of humour.
I like a joke as much as the next fella
and I can take a joke.
- Hello?
- Sorry to disturb you Mr. Marshall.
I've had a message
from Captain Anderson at Ardrishaig.
He hasn't been contacted by anybody.
The puffer hasn't returned.
What?
What?
It's almost ten o'clock.
There must be some mistake.
Pusey is actually on board.
How could they possibly...?
- Mr. Pusey's on the other line.
- Hang on, Mr. Campbell.
Pusey's just rung in.
Hello, Pusey? It's about time!
Have they started loading...?
What?
Well, where are you?
Where?
All I wanted you to do was to...
Pusey, how could you possibly
have gotten arrested for poaching?
Yes, sir. Yes, I will.
Yes, thank you...
That was Mr. Marshall. He's going
to get on to our legal department.
- We'll see how long I have to remain...
- That will be three shillings, sir.
Why can't I take a room at the inn?
You're to stay until the sheriff's
ready to see you.
The sheriff? Oh, the magistrate.
Look, I won't stand for this.
I demand to speak to the magistrate.
Who is he? What's his name?
He's the laird,
the one you pushed in the canal.
If he doesn't get his cargo aboard
our boat by tomorrow afternoon...
Thank you. He'll, er...
he'll have to make other arrangements.
He'll be lucky if he finds them.
I wish I could see his face right now.
He wants somebody from the legal
department to fly to Glasgow at once.
Whoever goes is to be fully briefed
on the laws relating to poaching.
- He's to wait at the Central Hotel.
- Poaching?
Would you get me Mrs Marshall,
please? Yes.
- It's true she's no idea what he's doing?
- Yes.
- Why?
- It's supposed to be a sort of surprise.
Well, he's certainly generous.
Yes, when he has a reason.
When I threatened to walk out last year,
he doubled my salary.
Where do you figure
they're heading for?
It looks like they're putting in
for Inverkerran for the night.
If they thought I thought
they were going to Inverkerran,
- where do you think they'd head for then?
- Strathcathaig, maybe.
I know this sounds silly,
but if they thought I'd think
they were going to Strathcathaig
because it looks as if
they're going to Inverkerran,
where would they head for then?
My guess would be Penymaddy.
If there's such a thing as a triple bluff,
I'll bet MacTaggart invented it.
OK, Penymaddy.
Aye, he'll have guessed
we were making for Inverkerran.
Will he not go there himself, then?
Och, no. He'll know
we know he's seen us.
They'd be expecting us
to make for Strathcathaig instead.
- Then shall I set her for Penymaddy?
- No.
If it should occur to him
that it's occurred to us
that he'd be expecting us
to make for Strathcathaig,
then he'd think
we'd be making for Penymaddy.
- Then shall I set her for Pinwhinnoich?
- Och, no.
We'll make for Inverkerran,
just as we'd planned.
It's the last thing
he's likely to think of.
- How much do I owe you?
- That'll be Ardnamessan to Penymaddy,
Penymaddy to Strathcathaig,
Strathcathaig to Inverkerran.
That'll be... 12 please.
Well, there's 5.
And 7 for yourself. Right?
Sonny?
Hey, sonny.
Sonny?
Do you know this puffer, the Maggie?
I just want to ask you a question.
You know Captain MacTaggart?
You don't belong...?
Yes, I caught them - at Inverkerran.
How soon can the boat get here?
Oban?
Yes, Mr. Campbell, but...
I'd have to sail with them. I'm not
letting these lunatics out of my sight.
All right, if it would save a whole day.
Don't worry, it'll be there. What?
Oh, just a minute, operator.
Give me a shilling, will you?
It'll be there!
Is it worth your while
going 30 minutes to Oban?
It's sailing in the wrong direction.
We could be in Kiltarra...
MacTaggart, I can think of 19 reasons
why you should be put in jail!
Taking 50 under false pretences.
Having Pusey put in jail for poaching.
You cost me two days of aeroplanes
at 16 an hour.
Enough on taxis to...
Well, to buy a fleet of taxis!
- I ought to sue you!
- If I've offended you in any way...
But the real reason
I'm taking the cargo away from you
is because nobody gets away
with trying to make a monkey out of me.
30 miles to Oban.
Och, many things might happen
in 30 miles.
The engine.
I have been thinking about
the various things that might happen
to prevent our getting to Oban
by this afternoon, such as engine trouble.
It's only fair to warn you, gentlemen,
I built a better engine than that
when I was eight years old.
Mr. Marshall, sir?
Yes?
- I'm feeling there's some fog coming on.
- Fog?
Aye. Might be wise
to put her in somewhere.
- How can you tell?
- Well, with the time of year
and that big nip in the air
and the way the wind's lying.
You might call it seaman's instinct.
Tell me, MacTaggart,
are you out of your mind
or is it just you think
you've driven me out of mine?
Fog!
- What's he doing that for?
- Radar.
- What do you mean, radar?
- If it plops, we're OK.
But if it rattles...
- If it rattles, what?
- We'll know we've made a mistake.
I want to ask you...
I'm taking her into Fiona Bay to beach
her. It's what she was built to do.
What makes you sure we'll get into
Fiona Bay and not onto some rocks?
I'm not sure that I could explain it, sir.
It's what you might call
a seaman's instinct.
Hey, it's 4 o'clock.
Why didn't somebody wake me?
- Well, you see...
- Never mind. Show me where we are.
We're just there, sir.
Where's the nearest place
with a telephone?
Well, you could walk back to Inverkerran,
but that's over the hill there.
It'd be quicker to go to Loch Mora.
- Just there, sir.
- That's ten miles!
- Yes.
- All right, let's go.
- Come on. Let's go.
- You're wanting me to come with you, sir?
You don't think I'm going to let you
drift away again?
The tide will not be in for hours.
She's not on wheels.
Come along anyway.
The exercise will do you good.
Come on!
Well, Alastair.
Well, how are you?
What are you going to have?
On the beach?
There's no possibility of keeping
Captain Anderson's boat another day.
Oh, aye. Loch Mora. You're in luck.
We have a cattle boat calling there
tomorrow to pick up some geese.
There's an abandoned pier there
which is being dismantled next week.
What?
It's more than abandoned.
I'd say it's debauched.
It's wonderful to think of old Davy
reaching his 100th birthday.
There's a few people would like to get
across to Bellabegwinnie for the party.
You'll no' be going across yourself,
Peter?
I'm developing
an unusual sense of humour.
I cannae be sure.
The stuff will on the pier
at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
Thank you. Goodbye.
Let's get there before it's dark.
Would you not prefer to tuck up here for
the night? It would be most comfortable.
We could bring the puffer along
in the morning.
Come on!
Right away.
It's been a grand evening.
You were quite right.
The exercise has done me good.
- Good morning, sir.
- Where are we?
- It's a fine day.
- Where are we?
Where are we on this thing?
Just about there.
That's Beinn Chreagach over yonder.
That's Beinn na Croise over there.
We'll be in Loch Mora under the hour, sir.
- Morning, sir.
- Morning.
Will you not be having
some breakfast, sir?
No, I'll wait till I get to, um...
- There's more eggs, sir.
- No, thanks.
I couldn't eat another thing. That's
the biggest meal I've eaten in years.
- More tea?
- All right. Just a little.
Thanks.
Don't they call you anything
but "the wee boy"?
- My name's Douggie, sir.
- Douggie, eh?
Well, Douggie, you can certainly
cook ham and eggs.
Why won't you let the captain take
the cargo for you, Mr. Marshall?
Because he caused me
a great deal of trouble and expense.
I know, but why won't you let him
take the cargo?
Well, he made a...
He double-crossed me.
He disobeyed all my instructions.
He didn't pay any attention to anything
I said. He behaved very badly.
Hm. But why won't you let him
take the cargo?
Douggie, I could use a few people
like you in my own business!
You ought to come and work for me.
I wouldna' want to leave the captain.
The captain's the best skipper
in the coastal trade.
Everybody knows that. There's no' many
skippers like Captain MacTaggart.
You're so right.
Tell me, is it true? Was the captain
really born on this boat or is that...?
- Yes, sir. He was. Here in this cabin.
- How'd it happen?
Well, sir, the Maggie was just launched.
The captain's grandad was the skipper.
His dad was the mate.
The captain was supposed
to be born at Applecross,
but his mother needed a doctor.
They were taking her across to Portree.
There was a storm, so the captain
was born right here on the Maggie.
Why don't you let him
take the cargo for you, sir?
- Captain, sir?
- Aye.
Look at the way she's lying. If the tide
comes in, will she not catch the pier?
- Hamish, slack her off a bit.
- Wait a minute, sir.
If you left her the way she is... and
the tide came in, would there not be...
...an accident?
You're a good lad, Douggie,
and I'm not denying it.
You'll be a skipper one day.
Tell Mrs Marshall
I'll be home tomorrow definitely.
Thank you. Yes, that's right. Goodbye.
All right, boys. I'll buy the drinks.
All right, let me in on it.
What's so funny?
Hey!
Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey, move your boat!
It's breaking up the pier, please!
The boat! Away from the pier!
Come on, you!
Move the boat out.
Get going. Get in there. Do something.
- There's some trouble here.
- Get in the window.
Get the boat out.
Move it out!
You, do something! Out! Out!
Out, out. Move the boat out.
Do something.
Do you not think it will be better,
all things considered...
Move it out.
You're going to tear the pier down!
Move it out! Out!
Back!
Move it back!
Stop your engine. Bring it back!
- What did he say?
- He said to take her back in again.
- He said to back her up.
- But Mr. Marshall...
How can I back her in
with the pier here?
Back! Back! The pier!
Move it back!
No, no!
No, no, no, no.
No, no, no.
Och, well, they were going
to dismantle it anyway.
Would you take a look at that?
Sir.
Excuse me, sir.
Are you Mr. Marshall, sir?
I'm no longer absolutely sure.
Well, I'm afraid there's nothing
we can do for you, sir.
We can't get your cargo out here,
and we draw too much
to get in by the wharf.
I know.
No, there's nothing
that can get at it except...
the puffer.
Of course you understand, Mr. Marshall,
I have every sympathy
for your predicament
but, well, it wouldn't be
in our best interest to take the job
unless we were going
the whole journey to Kiltarra.
Without meaning any offence,
Mr. Marshall,
it would simplify matters
if you could see your way
to letting us have the rest
of our fee in advance.
Well, John, set them up again.
He's talking to somebody in London.
I've never seen such a man
for the telephoning.
It will be the American way,
everything in a rush.
Aye, but he's not a man
that's at peace with himself.
Anything wrong, Mr. Marshall?
You'll be amused to know
that Mr. Pusey's now out of jail.
That's good news.
I was very disturbed...
You'll also be amused to know that
Mrs Marshall found out what I was doing.
That's the last thing in the world
I wanted to have happen.
I want to sort of get a shave,
and I was wondering...
Mr. Marshall, they were wanting a lift,
and I thought you wouldn't mind
if we dropped them off on the way.
- Mr. MacDougall, Mr. Marshall.
- Why are we sailing south?
- We're taking on coal in Bellabegwinnie.
- But...
- Roger MacDougall, Mr. Marshall.
- How do you do?
- Isn't that out of our way?
- Just a bit.
Miss MacDougall,
Mr. Marshall, the owner of our cargo.
It'll save time in the end, sir.
Mr. Angus MacDougall.
- Glad to see you.
- Mrs MacDougall.
I have a phone call to make
and I'd like to buy a change of clothes.
- Have we time for that?
- Aye. We might manage that, sir.
Lydia, how can you say it's a silly idea
when you haven't seen the place?
I promise you you'll absolutely love it.
It's beautiful, Lydia, dear.
We can be there most of the summer.
What?
No, we... can't talk about it like this
over the phone.
Darling, I want you to do something
for me. Please, fly out to Kiltarra.
I'll be there some time tomorrow.
We can sit down
and discuss it reasonably.
Hello? Hello?
Operator? Operator, we've been cut off.
- Operator.
- 'Your party's no longer there.'
Thank you.
I'll just wrap these up for you.
- How much do I owe you?
- 11 and three.
- Where are the others?
- Up in the village, sir.
Aren't we ready to go?
Have they taken on the coal?
No, sir.
Hey, laddie, is Peter MacTaggart there
or has he gone to the party?
MacTaggart.
Mr. Marshall,
I was just coming to find you.
I'm afraid they can't let us
have the coal till tomorrow.
Sit. Sit down.
Look, I know you came here
because somebody's having a party,
- but I want to ask you one thing.
- Well, it's old Davy MacDougall, sir.
- He sailed with my...
- I know he sailed with your father.
- I want to ask you one thing.
- My grandfather.
- He was mate when the Maggie was new.
- I still want to ask you one thing.
Doesn't the job mean
anything at all to you?
It means a great deal. We'll be able
to get the Maggie's plates put right...
Then don't you think
you should fulfil your contract?
Contract?
You're supposed to be taking me
and my cargo to Kiltarra.
But we are taking you, sir.
It's only one day's sailing.
- If we're away first thing...
- MacTaggart, don't you realise?
If you fail to keep your bargain, I can
stop payment on the cheque I gave you?
Oh, no, you couldn't do that,
Mr. Marshall.
No? Well, if you don't get that thing
under way right now...
- You couldn't refuse to pay us.
- Why wouldn't I?
- Why shouldn't I? Why couldn't I?
- Because you're an honourable man.
I recognised you for an honourable man
the first minute I saw you.
Och, there's nothing for you
to worry about, sir. We'll get you there.
And Mr. Marshall,
I've been instructed to tell you
that you're included in the invitations.
Sheila, come on.
It's the Bard, he's making the speech.
Davy MacDougall!
Mr. Marshall!
Will you not come in and join us?
It's Mr. Marshall.
Excuse me. Mr. Marshall, come in.
You'll be made very welcome.
It's old Davy MacDougall's birthday
and you must join us, an old puffer man.
Come in.
Anna, give him a piece of cake.
Yes, a piece of cake for Mr. Marshall.
Robbie, get a glass.
100 years old today.
Come on.
Shake hands with him, sir.
Congratulations, sir.
Tell him that where I come from,
we have a saying
that the first 100 years
are the hardest.
Mr. Marshall's all right, Davy boy.
Slainte mhath!
What I can't understand is why you want
to spend the whole evening with me,
- when all those young fellas...
- Oh, I can always dance with them.
It's exciting to meet a stranger. Not many
strange men come to Bellabegwinnie.
Besides, it'll do the two of them good.
They've been watching you
every minute. Who?
The one in the window is
Donald MacDougall. He's a fisherman.
The one in the door is Ian McCullough.
He owns the store by the pier.
The question is, which should I marry?
Oh?
It's very difficult when you're only 19
to make such a decision.
Be easier if I were older.
I would know so much more.
I mean, about men.
Well, how are you going to choose?
Oh, everyone says that Ian should be
the one because he owns the store.
Already he's planning to buy another
on Colonsay.
And people say that Ian McCullough
will be a great man one day.
- And the other one, Donald MacDougall?
- He's...
He's just a fisherman
who sails with his brothers,
when they're not all drinking
or fighting or running after girls.
He hasn't much money.
He's not so handsome as Ian McCullough.
Everyone agrees to that.
I don't want to influence you, Sheila, but
it doesn't seem a very difficult choice.
You mean I should marry Ian?
If he really wants to be somebody
and make something of himself.
You want a man you know can take care
of you and give you the things you need.
Yes.
It would be exciting to be married
to a man who will do big things,
a man who was going so far
in the world.
It would be exciting to be taken
to places, to be given fine clothes
and expensive presents.
Yes, I would like all those things.
But I... I think it will be
the other one I'll be taking.
Why?
Oh, it's simply that, even though
he's away with his brothers so much,
he'll have more time for me.
He'll not be so interested in what
he's trying to do or where he's going to.
Because he'll just be fishing.
And when he's come home
from the fishing, there'II just be me.
And when we are very old,
we'll have only what we've been able
to make together for ourselves.
And I... I think perhaps that...
that is all we'll need.
Good morning, Mr. Marshall.
I thought you might like some tea, sir.
Put it over there.
Where are we?
- We're still in Bellabegwinnie, sir.
- Bellabegwinnie.
One o'clock. My watch must've stopped.
One o'clock!
Why aren't we under way?
Where is everybody?
- I think they're up in the village, sir.
- Uh?
What?
Let's get this thing organised.
Let's get out of here.
- MacTaggart.
- Oh, good morning, Mr. Marshall.
Will you not join us?
A wee drop o' ale will do you no harm.
- No. Let's get going.
- But you'll have just one, sir.
You left the celebrations abruptly,
but the hair of the dog that bit you...
MacTaggart, I've got problems.
My wife is waiting for me in Kiltarra.
I've got to talk to her.
Let's get going. I'm serious!
Well, er...
I'm afraid we cannae go
just at the minute, sir.
You see... Hamish is missing
ever since last night.
I'm very angry with him, sir!
Very angry indeed!
- Let's leave him. Let's get going!
- Well, you see...
What with Hamish missing,
I thought you wouldn't mind
and I told Mr. MacGregor that it would be
all right if he went to visit his cousin.
- It's only a mile away and...
- All right, MacTaggart.
I've had about all I can take from you.
If you're not on that boat in one minute
and under way, I'll ruin you!
I understand how you feel, Mr. Marshall,
but you come with me...
- You old fool! You're drunk already!
- Mr. Marshall!
- Mr. Marshall!
- Oh, have a drink, Peter.
I want to make a telephone call.
- Where to, sir?
- Let me think.
Central Hotel, Glasgow.
I want to speak with a Mr. Pusey.
All right, MacTaggart, you asked for it
from the word go and now you got it.
I bought your rotten hulk
right out from under you.
I bought it, don't you understand?
The thing belongs to me.
- You've bought the Maggie?
- That's right.
What are you going to do with her, sir?
I'm going to take my cargo to Kiltarra
as soon as authorisation comes through
and I'll have no trouble getting a crew.
You can come or stay, as you like.
As soon as I get my stuff landed in
Kiltarra, I'm selling that thing for junk!
Mr. Marshall, sir?
- Ye cannae do it.
- I'm sorry, Douggie.
I'm tired of all this. I'm not interested
in MacTaggart's problems.
I've got enough of my own. I don't care
what you think, the man's a crook!
- No!
- He's a petty thief.
- He's not.
- He's a liar, don't you understand that?
He's lied and lied and lied.
He's pulled every trick in the book.
Well, he's pulled his last trick on me...
You'd better go aboard.
I think I've killed him.
Douggie?
Could I speak to Mr. Marshall, please?
Calvin B Marshall.
He told me to telephone him
at this number as soon as...
- He's what?
- He's not available just at this minute.
- You can leave a message.
- Well, it's very urgent.
Will you please write it down?
I have contacted Miss MacTaggart...
and she refuses to sell.
In any circumstances.
- How is he, doctor?
- Nothing to worry about.
But he must rest.
I've given him a strong sedative.
He won't wake until morning.
Skipper.
She wouldna' sell.
With any luck, we'll have him in Kiltarra
by the time he wakes up.
Best get under way.
Come on, Douggie.
Well, how are you now, Mr. Marshall?
That was quite a nasty accident you had.
- It was the latch...
- Is the wee boy Douggie on board?
Tell him I'd like to see him, will you?
He's awake
and he wants to see Douggie.
- No, I won't see him.
- It's all right, laddie.
You'd better go.
You might have killed me, Douggie.
Did you hear what I said?
You might have killed me.
Why?
You were taking the Maggie away
from the captain.
- I had every right to buy...
- You did not!
Anyway, there was a message.
Captain's sister wouldn't sell it.
What? Why not?
You wouldna' understand.
- How soon do we get in?
- An hour, maybe.
You were going to leave
the captain ashore.
- You didn't care what happened to him.
- He doesn't care what happened to me.
- He got you here!
- After seven days...
You were going to take his ship!
I'm sorry for what happened.
- You are?
- Aye, but I'd do it again.
Maybe the captain was a bit slow
getting your cargo to Kiltarra for you.
You may not think much of his boat.
Maybe he's no' the best skipper
in the coastal trade, like I said.
But that was no reason
to do what you did.
- What's the matter with it?
- I told you it would never get there.
- The whole contraption's tied with wire.
- I told you if it gets hot to...
What do you mean "if" it gets hot?
It's always hot! You feel it.
Listen to me. You forgot to put oil
in the saddle block!
- You'll never get it!
- We're in dangerous waters.
- Holy smoke, look!
- What ye blitherin' about?
I cannae do everything!
We're sunk!
I'm going to abandon this ship right now.
Will ye not be daft?
I'll not abandon ship.
There's nothing but fights.
If I don't get out, I'll commit murder!
I'm no' going to go down with this ship...
- What's the matter?
- There's no cause for alarm, sir.
Well, what's the matter?
- What happened to the engine?
- It's the connecting rod.
- Well, can't you fix it?
- We haven't the tools.
- Let me have a look at it.
- She's finished. We're finished.
He wouldnae spend a penny
or do anything I asked.
The boiler hasnae been cleaned
in nearly a year.
- She's throwing soot everywhere...
- Fix that wedge.
The wedge? Aye.
All the boiler valves are leaking.
He never gives me any waste or paraffin
and the slices of the rake are burnt away.
And look at the fire bars.
I've got coal dripping into the ash pit.
I've no soap nor soda.
You ought to hear what Hamish says.
- Hold that wedge.
- Even the ropes are falling to pieces.
The rattlings are gone.
The bogey funnel smokes.
We cannae even eat decent.
The spanners don't fit
and we haven't any paint.
She'll break! You'll never do it!
Y-you'll tear the engine apart.
Give me a monkey wrench.
A monkey wre... Oh!
Get ready to turn on the steam!
Go ahead.
Aye.
- Skipper!
- Aye.
Hamish?
Hamish, get the hatches up and see
if she's making any water forward.
Robbie, is she showing anything
in the engine room?
- She's sitting solid!
- What are you going to do?
- There's nothing coming through yet.
- Get the winch started.
Douggie, give a hand with the lifeboat.
The tide's on the turn.
- It'll be on the ebb within the hour.
- She's dry enough, skipper.
- I think she's sound.
- Then give a hand with the lifeboat.
Can't you get her off
with the engine? I fixed it.
Can't you throw an anchor
and kedge her off?
Not when she's two feet up.
Not when the tide's on the ebb.
- You're going to abandon ship?
- Your cargo will be safe enough, sir.
When you get ashore, you'll be able
to get to Kiltarra within half an hour.
Right, Hamish.
You can arrange for another boat
to come alongside and trans ship.
You've got 12 hours.
There's plenty of craft about.
Won't the tide set her down
harder on the rocks?
It'll be falling away and there'II be
no damage to your cargo,
not till the tide's on the flood.
- Best get off, sir. Go with him, Douggie.
- No, I...
Wait for me!
But what happens then?
To the boat, I mean.
She'll not be able to take that sort
of punishment. It'll break her back.
Well, we got to within five miles
of Kiltarra.
It wasn't too bad for an old puffer.
- What if we jettison the cargo?
- Sir?
- What if we threw the stuff overboard?
- You cannae do that...
- Just answer the question.
- Cannot throw it overboard.
It's nearing high tide. If the wind held
outside, the tide might no' go away.
We might have a chance,
but you cannae be serious, man.
It cost you more than the boat's worth.
Throw the stuff overboard.
Don't worry, it was bound to happen.
It was the only thing left
that could happen.
Skipper?
There's one thing
I forgot to tell you, sir.
With one thing and another, I'm afraid
we never got round to the business of...
insuring the cargo.
I want you to understand something,
and I'm serious.
If you laugh at me for this,
I'll kill you with my bare hands.
Throw it over.
I don't understand.
The cargo!
Where's Mr. Marshall?
- Mr. Marshall...
- Is my wife here?
Yes, she's up at the house.
Mr. Marshall, they sent me to find a payoff
for the story, but this is something!
- What happened?
- Don't ask me. I couldn't tell you.
Mr. Marshall, there is one small problem,
if you could give us your opinion on it.
Apart from the expression
of our appreciation of...
All right, MacTaggart, forget it.
We were wondering, sir,
as there was some misunderstanding
about whether we should have
carried the cargo in the first place,
and as, owing to various circumstances,
we took somewhat longer
than we planned,
and as, unfortunately,
we didn't insure the cargo,
and especially as the cargo
all lies at the bottom of the sea...
- Well?
- We was wondering, sir, if...
perhaps you might feel that...
it would be right if we offered you
your money back.
MacTaggart, in seven days, that's the
first thing you've said that made sense.
If you're not going to pay us
so we could have our plates put right,
why didn't you let us stay on the rocks?
You might as well.
- Oh, thank you.
- That was very decent of you.
- If you ever want another job done.
- Goodbye, Mr. Marshall.
- Goodbye, Mr. Marshall.
- Goodbye, Mr. Marshall.
And good luck to ye.
Have you ever heard of a puffer called...
the Calvin B Marshall?
Are you blaming me
for getting the boat stuck on the rocks?
- I'm making no accusations.
- You're accusing me!
You're not even fit to be the skipper
of the Govan ferry.
Mr. MacGregor,
I'm giving you a warning...
Here, take a look at this.
- Isn't that the, er...?
- The Maggie.
Coming in as bold as brass. I never
thought we'd see HER again in Glasgow.
What's her skipper's name? MacTaggart.
Is he the one that caused
all that trouble in the Kyles?
Aye.
Well, they're asking for it this time.
Mr. MacGregor, I'm still the master
of this vessel. I know what I'm about.
If you had to come to Glasgow,
could you not have waited till after dark?
We've nothing to fear
from any man or woman.
We'll only be here long enough
to find a cargo, then we'll be off again.
If Sarah or anyone is watching for us,
they'll be watching by night.
They'd never expect us to have
the effrontery to come in by day.
When you've finished the lamps, laddie,
grease the wire blocks.
- Aye.
- And there's buttons missing on my shirt.
Aye.
Hey!
Hey, you down there!
- Where's Captain MacTaggart?
- Pollockshaws, for his mother's funeral.
- He won't be back for a fortnight.
- We'll wait.
Aye, oh, aye.
You're very smug with your gold braid,
your pensions and your five days a week,
but you're no better than hirelings,
standing like wee bairns
in front of Mr. Campbell's big desk
down yonder.
You haven't the freedom of operation
that I have.
You haven't the dignity
of your own command.
And as for my boat, there's not a finer
vessel in the coastal trade!
There's not a finer vessel anywhere...
There's two men aboard us,
in bowler hats.
Inspectors.
Hamish, there's no time for that.
Come on.
- Good luck to you, skipper!
- You'll be needing it!
Here, there's seven pence owing.
I've no change. You pay him, lad.
- You'd better grab him, Dan.
- Oh, it's the wee boy that pays.
They haven't got seven pence
between them. Come on.
Son, they tell me
the truant officer's after you
for going to sea
before you finished school.
- It's no' true. I'm over 15.
- You can finish your schooling now.
- That old puffer won't put out again.
- She will.
It's time MacTaggart was put ashore.
He's not fit to manage a rowing boat.
- You'll no' say that about the cap'n.
- Captain, him?
Take your hands off me.
Ah! You wait, you big fushionless
gomeril. I'll get Hamish to you...
Wee devil! Three months out of school
and he's as big a rogue as the rest.
I'm sorry, MacTaggart. She's done for.
Is it the loading licence?
Aye.
If they take that away, we won't be
able to carry any cargo at all.
Aye.
Not until she's had her plates repaired.
Aye.
- Is that what we need the 300 for?
- Aye, that's right.
She's finished.
Come on.
- Could we not borrow the money?
- Who from?
- We can, er...
- Excuse me.
We can offer him a quarter share
in the Maggie for 300.
Aye, but what about Sarah?
I could say my sister has
a sort of a share in the boat,
that it's a family concern
and I'm acting on her behalf.
It's a good idea.
Good morning.
Good morning. We were wanting
to speak with Mr. Campbell.
Mr. Campbell's engaged and he's already
late for a luncheon appointment.
- If you care to wait...
- We cannae afford to wait for long.
Telephone and say I'm on my way.
Mr. Campbell, I'm getting through now.
You heard what Captain Jamieson says.
The ship won't be ready before tomorrow.
- We've no other vessel available.
- Mr. Marshall's not going to like this.
- He can be a very impatient man.
- I'm afraid I can't do a thing about it!
World International Airways?
It's Mr. Pusey here.
Put me through to Mr. Marshall, please.
Yes, I'm phoning from Glasgow...
Mr. Campbell,
if you can spare us a moment.
The cargo should've gone
to Kiltarra. There are architects waiting.
Mr. Marshall's anxious to have the house
in good repair by his wife's birthday.
I'm sure he would pay the highest rate.
Mr. Marshall?
It's Pusey here, sir.
No, I'm afraid it hasn't.
There's been a further delay,
Mr. Marshall. It's the shipping agency...
There's a matter of business
we would like to discuss with you, sir.
I'm sorry, MacTaggart. I haven't the time.
Come back after three.
I've tried everywhere,
Mr. Marshall.
There just isn't a boat of any description
available for charter.
Not before tomorrow night,
and even then they can't guarantee.
I know, Mr. Marshall,
but there just isn't a boat.
If...
If it's a cargo for Kiltarra you have,
there's a boat right here.
What?
I don't understand.
Excuse me, Mr. Mar...
Mr. Campbell just this minute... I'm sorry,
Mr. Marshall. There's some confusion.
Now they say there is a boat.
But Mr. Ca...
Sir?
The captain?
- Are you the captain?
- Yes.
Yes, Mr. Marshall. Certainly.
It's Mr. Calvin B Marshall,
General Overseas Manager of World...
Yes.
Aye?
Captain MacTaggart speaking.
Aye. Aye, we have.
And you want it in Kiltarra
by Thursday noon?
Oh, easily, easily.
Insurance?
4,000?
Oh, we'll see to that, sir.
Aye.
Who?
Mr. Marshall, I'm still not quite sure...
'You've been up there three days.
Let's get this stuff moving.
'Just make sure it's a sound boat,
that's all that matters.
'If you hurry, you can catch
the afternoon plane, right?'
Yes, I think I...
Will you tell me why, if a boat is
available, Mr. Campbell didn't say so?
He put me in a most
embarrassing position.
I was just trying
to explain to him, sir, that...
- Where is the boat lying?
- Couple of hundred yards down the road.
If you don't mind,
I think I'll just take a look at it.
- Now, where is the...?
- This way, sir.
Will you give me
an estimate of the charges?
Well... it's difficult... to say exactly.
Maybe...
- Perhaps 300?
- Three...?
That does seem rather high.
However, the goods are lying
at Customs House dock, berth 17,
checked and crated, ready for shipment.
Mainly plumbing and heating apparatus,
some timber, a deep freeze.
A variety of materials,
all extremely valuable,
so I've been instructed to make certain
that the ship is perfectly sound.
Ah, yes! Well, I see
no cause for concern on that score.
Shall we go back to the office?
Better still,
we could settle the matter here.
Aye, that's a better idea.
I think, in the circumstances,
I can agree to the 300.
If you will just sign the inventory.
In triplicate, please.
Just one thing, I'd like Mr. Campbell
to phone me tomorrow morning,
so that I can be certain
everything got away all right.
Oh, everything will get away all right.
You'll want something on account.
I'll give you a cheque for...
Cash would be better,
if you can manage it, sir.
I'm afraid I only have about...50.
That'll do fine, sir.
You can let us have the rest
when the job's done.
Well, I'm afraid I must... Goodbye.
Good day to you, sir.
And good luck to you.
Seems to me yon laddie's the victim
of a serious misunderstanding.
You did not tell him a thing
that wasnae true.
You wouldn't want him to deal with
the CSS. The villains would do him down.
- It's a stove.
- Aye.
But Hamish, do you see this?
Four baths!
All on the one island.
Come on. Outside, the lot of you.
- Come on.
- Good evening.
- Time gentlemen, please.
- I'll give you a hand.
Oh, here! My concertina.
I'll take that one.
- Captain, sir?
- Aye?
- Is it not about low tide?
- Aye.
With all this cargo on board,
are we no' lying a bit low in the water?
- Aye.
- I mean sir, is it no' a bit...
...dangerous going down this part
of the river with the s...?
- What do you know about it?
- You're no' the captain yet, laddie.
You're getting far too cheeky. Now,
away forward and make us some tea.
Hello? Just a moment.
- Campbell on the line.
- Thank you.
Hello, Mr. Campbell. I was rather anxious,
so I thought I'd phone you.
I trust the cargo got away all right?
What?
The cargo on the boat, of course.
What boat?
Well, the boat I chartered yesterday.
You found a boat, then? Well done.
"Found a boat"?
This man's quite impossible.
This lad is off his head. Aye?
You made arrangements with whom?
MacTaggart?
It's him there's all the fuss about
down in the Broomielaw.
Mr. Campbell, in all my experience, I...
And it's still there?
Well, Mr. Pusey, MacTaggart has
nothing to do with our organisation.
He's master of an old puffer!
The puffer Maggie!
No. Oh, no. That is impossible.
'Send Pusey in.'
Hello? Hello?
- And he... gave me his signature.
- Well?
- He signed the inventory.
- So?
- So, naturally, I chartered the boat.
- And...?
They weren't who they said they were.
Campbell says the cargo's not
on the boat. It's in Glasgow.
The man you spoke to hasn't a boat,
but something called a "puffer".
It's stuck on the Subway,
and not even the right boat!
Just let me get one thing straight.
You say a boat is stuck on a Subway?
I was sailing this river
while you were eating saps.
The Subway lies under the river
at this point.
The Subway is
a menace to navigation.
You had no right to put out
at that state of the tide.
- You may have damaged the Subway.
- What about the damage to my ship?
- Captain MacTaggart?
- Aye?
I'm from the Evening News.
Would you care to make a statement?
You can say that I'm considering
bringing an action.
Good for you. What's your destination?
- Kiltarra.
- What are you carrying?
A valuable cargo belonging to Mr. Calvin
B Marshall of World International Airways.
Kiltarra, eh? Tell me, captain,
how do you think you'll get her off?
I'll wait for the tide.
Ahoy, Captain Carlson?
Are you hanging on?
Mrs Marshall asked me to remind you
that you're giving a dinner party tomorrow.
Evening News!
- Evening News!
- Let me have one.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, you're here in Glasgow, Mr. Pusey?
Oh, when you were in my office, did you
by any chance take my fountain pen?
It doesn't matter.
I want to speak to the manager.
- It's about the puffer Maggie.
- I don't know I like your tone, Mr. Pusey.
But Mr. Campbell, I...
But they were in your office,
Mr. Campbell.
If it isn't the CSS's responsibility,
I'd like to know whose it is.
- But that's positively...
- Let me talk to him.
Mr. Campbell? Calvin B Marshall
speaking. Sorry to trouble you.
It seems that
we're causing you quite a bit of a...
Yes, I came up to get things
straightened out.
Yes, at the Central.
I'd be very much obliged, if you could
spare a few moments of your time.
Here? That's very kind of you.
Thank you, Mr. Campbell.
If you're in a man's office and other
people come in and start discussing...
Take it easy, Pusey.
There's no need to panic.
It won't help matters to blame
Campbell for your mistakes.
If I may say so, Mr. Marshall, you spoke
to Captain MacTaggart yourself.
Doesn't matter who's to blame.
I'll have it straightened out in an hour.
Book us some sleepers
on the night train to London.
Hello. Hello, operator?
Even had the effrontery to ask
if I'd taken his fountain pen.
My name is Campbell.
- Oh, good evening, Mr. Pusey.
- Good evening.
- There's a reporter from the News...
- Good evening. I want to see Mr. Marshall.
- I'm sorry...
- There's no need to be sorry.
Tell him Sarah MacTaggart is here.
He'll see me soon enough.
How do you do, Mr. Campbell?
- You were very kind to give us your help.
- Not at all, Mr. Marshall.
- Can I offer you a drink?
- Oh, I'll have a whisky, thank you.
And a Vichy water for me.
Won't you sit down?
Well, you can tell him right now.
It's quite a boat! Is that MacTaggart?
He's a crafty looking old boy, all right.
No wonder he was able to...
- The money is owing to me!
- Put one over on Pusey.
I don't think a man would need to be
very quick to leave Mr. Pusey behind.
- This puffer that you hired...
- We have not hired a puffer!
It says in the paper that you did.
Are your goods aboard her or not?
- No. Yes, but they won't be.
- I want to see the owner.
I'll not be put off by underlings.
Put it down.
I don't want to go to the police,
but I can tell you one thing right now.
From the look of her
and the way MacTaggart navigates,
I want my cargo off that boat.
Nothing for me.
If your boat's available from tomorrow
morning, we can radio MacTaggart.
You can't. They've no radio.
Who heard of a cargo vessel
without a radio?
- Understand, they usually carry coal.
- Coal?
I've got 4,000 worth of stuff on that boat
that's taken months to get together.
How do I get in touch with him?
I can give you a list of pier masters
and their telephone numbers.
Fine. I'll have Pusey start
on that right away.
Ah, here you are, then!
This is the kind of man you are.
I beg your pardon, ma'am!
Just a moment please!
- Who is this woman?
- Sarah MacTaggart.
The legitimate owner of the puffer.
And whatever money you owe is
to be paid to me or I'll go to the police.
- Mrs MacTaggart...
- Miss!
Miss MacTaggart, I'm sorry to inform you
that I owe you no money at all.
- On the contrary, your father...
- He's not my father! He's my brother.
Whoever he is,
he stole 4,000 worth of...
Who... What? Who is this man?
- I don't know, Mr. Marshall.
- Frazer's the name, Mr. Marshall.
- Of the Evening News.
- What?
You mean...?
Are you the one
who thinks this is so funny?
Ahoy!
Ahoy, MacTaggart!
You've to telephone
the Central Hotel in Glasgow.
To a Mr. Marshall.
Ahoy! MacTaggart!
MacTaggart!
Yes, that's right, honey.
It's just a routine business matter.
What?
Well, either by train tonight
or on the first plane tomorrow morning.
If I stay over,
I'll ring you later tonight.
That's right, dear.
Well, thanks for calling, honey.
Bye bye.
Yes?
I just had a call from
the harbour master at Greenock.
- He said that puffer arrived there...
- Great. Here's the plan. Tell Pusey...
But they just turned around
and sailed right out again.
Can you get another half knot out of her?
She's not making more than five.
- She's making six.
- Five at the most.
- She's making six.
- Then see if she'll make seven.
She cannae make seven.
What's the matter with you?
You would no' spend a penny
on the boiler.
- We need to get to Kiltarra.
- Who got the boat stuck on the Subway?
Mr. MacGregor, I'll have no insubordination
on board my vessel.
Insubordination?
Who was too drunk to find their way out
of Campbeltown harbour?
Come out and face me like a man,
you old goat! I'm going to resign...
I'm sure that's him.
Let's have another look.
If he does that again,
let him have it, both barrels!
They're making for the Crinan Canal
at Ardrishaig.
Where's the nearest place
you can set us down?
Campbeltown, sir.
If you hire a car, you can catch them
before they get through the canal.
Will it not be the American, Mr. Marshall?
It's most unlikely. And if it is,
he'll have seen how far we've come.
He'll know he's got
nothing to worry about.
Once we're in the canal,
we'll be safe enough.
What kind of boat are you trying
to catch, sir? A puffer, by any chance?
- Yes.
- They're grand boats, the old puffers.
Always getting into trouble!
Did you read about the one
that got stuck on the Subway?
MacTaggart her skipper is.
There's a man for you.
Only last month in Campbeltown I've
seen him drunk three times in one day.
- Hamish.
- What?
Pheasants.
Skipper.
- Ship's stores are getting low.
- Aye.
Off you go.
Holy smoke! They've caught us.
Well, look who's here! It's Mr. Pusey.
How are you, sir?
What brought you all the way to Crinan?
We thought you'd returned to London, sir.
We didn't expect to find you here.
Och, man! Your cargo's safe and sound.
There's not a scratch on it.
I don't think
I've met this gentleman before.
Is it Mr. Marshall himself,
by any chance?
That's right. That's my cargo
you've got on board this hulk.
- Listen, the Maggie is a fine old puffer.
- Are you serious?
- Oh, a coat of paint...
- You were going to take this out to sea?
- We'll be in Kiltarra not later than...
- You may be, but not with my cargo.
Oh, but I don't really understand,
Mr. Marshall.
I'm not going to say anything
about your misrepresentation
- when you showed Pusey the wrong boat.
- Wrong boat?
- There must be some misunderstanding.
- I don't even want my 50 back.
It must've cost you something
to get this far.
You're going to turn this tub around,
go back to Ardrishaig, unload my cargo,
so I can get it on a good boat, and I'm
putting Mr. Pusey on to see that you do it.
- Me, sir?
- Yes, you, sir.
Mr. Marshall, I can assure you
we are capable of doing the job for you.
There's no sense
in you going to additional expense.
What? Don't talk to me about expense!
Look, if for any reason whatsoever
he hasn't got you in Ardrishaig by 5:00,
- call the police, right?
- Er... Yes, sir.
Stay overnight in Ardrishaig
if you have to,
but make sure the stuff gets
on the right boat.
I'll expect you in London
some time tomorrow.
Are we ready to proceed?
- I said, are we ready to proceed?
- We cannae go yet.
- Why not?
- We're waiting for the mate and the boy.
Where are the mate and the boy?
- They're poaching.
- Aye. Ha-ha!
I don't see anything amusing
in breaking the law.
They're here somewhere.
They'll not get away this time.
Go fetch the constable.
You look over here. I'll take this side.
Hamish!
I know you're in there. Come out!
- Mr. Pusey! What are you doing here?
- You're to come back to the boat at once.
- Shh. They're after us.
- The boat is returning to Ardrishaig.
Shh.
- Shh! It's the laird.
- Don't you manhandle me!
- The laird!
- The what?
- If we're caught, it's jail for us.
- Jail?
I'll not be a party to any illegal...
Get down. They'll see us.
If he catches us,
we'll never get away at all.
- This is ridic...
- Come out!
You can't escape!
Come out!
Sir Charles, where are you, sir?
This way!
When he gets past that ditch,
make a run for it.
- Where's my hat?
- Take this. I have too much to carry.
Don't drop it.
If they find it, we're sunk.
There they are. After them!
Please, this has nothing to do with me!
Hey!
What are you doing in my woods?
You're poaching, aren't you?
- I can explain everything.
- You're poaching, aren't you?
No.
I can't swim!
Arrest that fellow! Arrest that...
Here he is!
- Where's Mr. Pusey?
- He chucked the laird in the canal!
- Good evening.
- Good evening.
My editor said Mr. Marshall
wanted me to drop by.
Good evening, Mr. Frazer. Come in.
- Mr. Marshall, will that be all?
- Call me half an hour before train time.
Sit down, won't you?
- I ask, isn't that a little bit too much?
- Too much, Mr. Marshall?
You had a good laugh
at my expense yesterday, so OK.
Why must you make me out
to be a complete fool?
I certainly didn't intend
to be offensive, sir.
Frazer, I'm in the transport business.
It's my job.
I have a certain reputation for being
efficient, for getting the job done.
My shipment to Kiltarra is personal,
but even so,
if certain people read your little stories,
it wouldn't do me any good.
Do you understand?
Why make a career out of my difficulties?
Well, Mr. Marshall, these old puffers
are public characters in Scotland.
- They're very popular.
- They're not very popular with me.
No, but they are held in great...
I won't say "esteem".
Well, people like them.
They've affection for them.
They're not much to look at, I admit,
but there's something kind of...
heart-warming about them.
Now, you're an important man in
the transport world, you might not see it,
but they've got a touch of tradition,
Mr. Marshall.
The old simple "live and let live"
of human values...
This old MacTaggart's a scoundrel.
That tub is a disgrace,
yet you get a big kick out of it
- every time he gets away with murder.
- I admit that...
Nobody can accuse me
of not having a sense of humour.
I like a joke as much as the next fella
and I can take a joke.
- Hello?
- Sorry to disturb you Mr. Marshall.
I've had a message
from Captain Anderson at Ardrishaig.
He hasn't been contacted by anybody.
The puffer hasn't returned.
What?
What?
It's almost ten o'clock.
There must be some mistake.
Pusey is actually on board.
How could they possibly...?
- Mr. Pusey's on the other line.
- Hang on, Mr. Campbell.
Pusey's just rung in.
Hello, Pusey? It's about time!
Have they started loading...?
What?
Well, where are you?
Where?
All I wanted you to do was to...
Pusey, how could you possibly
have gotten arrested for poaching?
Yes, sir. Yes, I will.
Yes, thank you...
That was Mr. Marshall. He's going
to get on to our legal department.
- We'll see how long I have to remain...
- That will be three shillings, sir.
Why can't I take a room at the inn?
You're to stay until the sheriff's
ready to see you.
The sheriff? Oh, the magistrate.
Look, I won't stand for this.
I demand to speak to the magistrate.
Who is he? What's his name?
He's the laird,
the one you pushed in the canal.
If he doesn't get his cargo aboard
our boat by tomorrow afternoon...
Thank you. He'll, er...
he'll have to make other arrangements.
He'll be lucky if he finds them.
I wish I could see his face right now.
He wants somebody from the legal
department to fly to Glasgow at once.
Whoever goes is to be fully briefed
on the laws relating to poaching.
- He's to wait at the Central Hotel.
- Poaching?
Would you get me Mrs Marshall,
please? Yes.
- It's true she's no idea what he's doing?
- Yes.
- Why?
- It's supposed to be a sort of surprise.
Well, he's certainly generous.
Yes, when he has a reason.
When I threatened to walk out last year,
he doubled my salary.
Where do you figure
they're heading for?
It looks like they're putting in
for Inverkerran for the night.
If they thought I thought
they were going to Inverkerran,
- where do you think they'd head for then?
- Strathcathaig, maybe.
I know this sounds silly,
but if they thought I'd think
they were going to Strathcathaig
because it looks as if
they're going to Inverkerran,
where would they head for then?
My guess would be Penymaddy.
If there's such a thing as a triple bluff,
I'll bet MacTaggart invented it.
OK, Penymaddy.
Aye, he'll have guessed
we were making for Inverkerran.
Will he not go there himself, then?
Och, no. He'll know
we know he's seen us.
They'd be expecting us
to make for Strathcathaig instead.
- Then shall I set her for Penymaddy?
- No.
If it should occur to him
that it's occurred to us
that he'd be expecting us
to make for Strathcathaig,
then he'd think
we'd be making for Penymaddy.
- Then shall I set her for Pinwhinnoich?
- Och, no.
We'll make for Inverkerran,
just as we'd planned.
It's the last thing
he's likely to think of.
- How much do I owe you?
- That'll be Ardnamessan to Penymaddy,
Penymaddy to Strathcathaig,
Strathcathaig to Inverkerran.
That'll be... 12 please.
Well, there's 5.
And 7 for yourself. Right?
Sonny?
Hey, sonny.
Sonny?
Do you know this puffer, the Maggie?
I just want to ask you a question.
You know Captain MacTaggart?
You don't belong...?
Yes, I caught them - at Inverkerran.
How soon can the boat get here?
Oban?
Yes, Mr. Campbell, but...
I'd have to sail with them. I'm not
letting these lunatics out of my sight.
All right, if it would save a whole day.
Don't worry, it'll be there. What?
Oh, just a minute, operator.
Give me a shilling, will you?
It'll be there!
Is it worth your while
going 30 minutes to Oban?
It's sailing in the wrong direction.
We could be in Kiltarra...
MacTaggart, I can think of 19 reasons
why you should be put in jail!
Taking 50 under false pretences.
Having Pusey put in jail for poaching.
You cost me two days of aeroplanes
at 16 an hour.
Enough on taxis to...
Well, to buy a fleet of taxis!
- I ought to sue you!
- If I've offended you in any way...
But the real reason
I'm taking the cargo away from you
is because nobody gets away
with trying to make a monkey out of me.
30 miles to Oban.
Och, many things might happen
in 30 miles.
The engine.
I have been thinking about
the various things that might happen
to prevent our getting to Oban
by this afternoon, such as engine trouble.
It's only fair to warn you, gentlemen,
I built a better engine than that
when I was eight years old.
Mr. Marshall, sir?
Yes?
- I'm feeling there's some fog coming on.
- Fog?
Aye. Might be wise
to put her in somewhere.
- How can you tell?
- Well, with the time of year
and that big nip in the air
and the way the wind's lying.
You might call it seaman's instinct.
Tell me, MacTaggart,
are you out of your mind
or is it just you think
you've driven me out of mine?
Fog!
- What's he doing that for?
- Radar.
- What do you mean, radar?
- If it plops, we're OK.
But if it rattles...
- If it rattles, what?
- We'll know we've made a mistake.
I want to ask you...
I'm taking her into Fiona Bay to beach
her. It's what she was built to do.
What makes you sure we'll get into
Fiona Bay and not onto some rocks?
I'm not sure that I could explain it, sir.
It's what you might call
a seaman's instinct.
Hey, it's 4 o'clock.
Why didn't somebody wake me?
- Well, you see...
- Never mind. Show me where we are.
We're just there, sir.
Where's the nearest place
with a telephone?
Well, you could walk back to Inverkerran,
but that's over the hill there.
It'd be quicker to go to Loch Mora.
- Just there, sir.
- That's ten miles!
- Yes.
- All right, let's go.
- Come on. Let's go.
- You're wanting me to come with you, sir?
You don't think I'm going to let you
drift away again?
The tide will not be in for hours.
She's not on wheels.
Come along anyway.
The exercise will do you good.
Come on!
Well, Alastair.
Well, how are you?
What are you going to have?
On the beach?
There's no possibility of keeping
Captain Anderson's boat another day.
Oh, aye. Loch Mora. You're in luck.
We have a cattle boat calling there
tomorrow to pick up some geese.
There's an abandoned pier there
which is being dismantled next week.
What?
It's more than abandoned.
I'd say it's debauched.
It's wonderful to think of old Davy
reaching his 100th birthday.
There's a few people would like to get
across to Bellabegwinnie for the party.
You'll no' be going across yourself,
Peter?
I'm developing
an unusual sense of humour.
I cannae be sure.
The stuff will on the pier
at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
Thank you. Goodbye.
Let's get there before it's dark.
Would you not prefer to tuck up here for
the night? It would be most comfortable.
We could bring the puffer along
in the morning.
Come on!
Right away.
It's been a grand evening.
You were quite right.
The exercise has done me good.
- Good morning, sir.
- Where are we?
- It's a fine day.
- Where are we?
Where are we on this thing?
Just about there.
That's Beinn Chreagach over yonder.
That's Beinn na Croise over there.
We'll be in Loch Mora under the hour, sir.
- Morning, sir.
- Morning.
Will you not be having
some breakfast, sir?
No, I'll wait till I get to, um...
- There's more eggs, sir.
- No, thanks.
I couldn't eat another thing. That's
the biggest meal I've eaten in years.
- More tea?
- All right. Just a little.
Thanks.
Don't they call you anything
but "the wee boy"?
- My name's Douggie, sir.
- Douggie, eh?
Well, Douggie, you can certainly
cook ham and eggs.
Why won't you let the captain take
the cargo for you, Mr. Marshall?
Because he caused me
a great deal of trouble and expense.
I know, but why won't you let him
take the cargo?
Well, he made a...
He double-crossed me.
He disobeyed all my instructions.
He didn't pay any attention to anything
I said. He behaved very badly.
Hm. But why won't you let him
take the cargo?
Douggie, I could use a few people
like you in my own business!
You ought to come and work for me.
I wouldna' want to leave the captain.
The captain's the best skipper
in the coastal trade.
Everybody knows that. There's no' many
skippers like Captain MacTaggart.
You're so right.
Tell me, is it true? Was the captain
really born on this boat or is that...?
- Yes, sir. He was. Here in this cabin.
- How'd it happen?
Well, sir, the Maggie was just launched.
The captain's grandad was the skipper.
His dad was the mate.
The captain was supposed
to be born at Applecross,
but his mother needed a doctor.
They were taking her across to Portree.
There was a storm, so the captain
was born right here on the Maggie.
Why don't you let him
take the cargo for you, sir?
- Captain, sir?
- Aye.
Look at the way she's lying. If the tide
comes in, will she not catch the pier?
- Hamish, slack her off a bit.
- Wait a minute, sir.
If you left her the way she is... and
the tide came in, would there not be...
...an accident?
You're a good lad, Douggie,
and I'm not denying it.
You'll be a skipper one day.
Tell Mrs Marshall
I'll be home tomorrow definitely.
Thank you. Yes, that's right. Goodbye.
All right, boys. I'll buy the drinks.
All right, let me in on it.
What's so funny?
Hey!
Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey, move your boat!
It's breaking up the pier, please!
The boat! Away from the pier!
Come on, you!
Move the boat out.
Get going. Get in there. Do something.
- There's some trouble here.
- Get in the window.
Get the boat out.
Move it out!
You, do something! Out! Out!
Out, out. Move the boat out.
Do something.
Do you not think it will be better,
all things considered...
Move it out.
You're going to tear the pier down!
Move it out! Out!
Back!
Move it back!
Stop your engine. Bring it back!
- What did he say?
- He said to take her back in again.
- He said to back her up.
- But Mr. Marshall...
How can I back her in
with the pier here?
Back! Back! The pier!
Move it back!
No, no!
No, no, no, no.
No, no, no.
Och, well, they were going
to dismantle it anyway.
Would you take a look at that?
Sir.
Excuse me, sir.
Are you Mr. Marshall, sir?
I'm no longer absolutely sure.
Well, I'm afraid there's nothing
we can do for you, sir.
We can't get your cargo out here,
and we draw too much
to get in by the wharf.
I know.
No, there's nothing
that can get at it except...
the puffer.
Of course you understand, Mr. Marshall,
I have every sympathy
for your predicament
but, well, it wouldn't be
in our best interest to take the job
unless we were going
the whole journey to Kiltarra.
Without meaning any offence,
Mr. Marshall,
it would simplify matters
if you could see your way
to letting us have the rest
of our fee in advance.
Well, John, set them up again.
He's talking to somebody in London.
I've never seen such a man
for the telephoning.
It will be the American way,
everything in a rush.
Aye, but he's not a man
that's at peace with himself.
Anything wrong, Mr. Marshall?
You'll be amused to know
that Mr. Pusey's now out of jail.
That's good news.
I was very disturbed...
You'll also be amused to know that
Mrs Marshall found out what I was doing.
That's the last thing in the world
I wanted to have happen.
I want to sort of get a shave,
and I was wondering...
Mr. Marshall, they were wanting a lift,
and I thought you wouldn't mind
if we dropped them off on the way.
- Mr. MacDougall, Mr. Marshall.
- Why are we sailing south?
- We're taking on coal in Bellabegwinnie.
- But...
- Roger MacDougall, Mr. Marshall.
- How do you do?
- Isn't that out of our way?
- Just a bit.
Miss MacDougall,
Mr. Marshall, the owner of our cargo.
It'll save time in the end, sir.
Mr. Angus MacDougall.
- Glad to see you.
- Mrs MacDougall.
I have a phone call to make
and I'd like to buy a change of clothes.
- Have we time for that?
- Aye. We might manage that, sir.
Lydia, how can you say it's a silly idea
when you haven't seen the place?
I promise you you'll absolutely love it.
It's beautiful, Lydia, dear.
We can be there most of the summer.
What?
No, we... can't talk about it like this
over the phone.
Darling, I want you to do something
for me. Please, fly out to Kiltarra.
I'll be there some time tomorrow.
We can sit down
and discuss it reasonably.
Hello? Hello?
Operator? Operator, we've been cut off.
- Operator.
- 'Your party's no longer there.'
Thank you.
I'll just wrap these up for you.
- How much do I owe you?
- 11 and three.
- Where are the others?
- Up in the village, sir.
Aren't we ready to go?
Have they taken on the coal?
No, sir.
Hey, laddie, is Peter MacTaggart there
or has he gone to the party?
MacTaggart.
Mr. Marshall,
I was just coming to find you.
I'm afraid they can't let us
have the coal till tomorrow.
Sit. Sit down.
Look, I know you came here
because somebody's having a party,
- but I want to ask you one thing.
- Well, it's old Davy MacDougall, sir.
- He sailed with my...
- I know he sailed with your father.
- I want to ask you one thing.
- My grandfather.
- He was mate when the Maggie was new.
- I still want to ask you one thing.
Doesn't the job mean
anything at all to you?
It means a great deal. We'll be able
to get the Maggie's plates put right...
Then don't you think
you should fulfil your contract?
Contract?
You're supposed to be taking me
and my cargo to Kiltarra.
But we are taking you, sir.
It's only one day's sailing.
- If we're away first thing...
- MacTaggart, don't you realise?
If you fail to keep your bargain, I can
stop payment on the cheque I gave you?
Oh, no, you couldn't do that,
Mr. Marshall.
No? Well, if you don't get that thing
under way right now...
- You couldn't refuse to pay us.
- Why wouldn't I?
- Why shouldn't I? Why couldn't I?
- Because you're an honourable man.
I recognised you for an honourable man
the first minute I saw you.
Och, there's nothing for you
to worry about, sir. We'll get you there.
And Mr. Marshall,
I've been instructed to tell you
that you're included in the invitations.
Sheila, come on.
It's the Bard, he's making the speech.
Davy MacDougall!
Mr. Marshall!
Will you not come in and join us?
It's Mr. Marshall.
Excuse me. Mr. Marshall, come in.
You'll be made very welcome.
It's old Davy MacDougall's birthday
and you must join us, an old puffer man.
Come in.
Anna, give him a piece of cake.
Yes, a piece of cake for Mr. Marshall.
Robbie, get a glass.
100 years old today.
Come on.
Shake hands with him, sir.
Congratulations, sir.
Tell him that where I come from,
we have a saying
that the first 100 years
are the hardest.
Mr. Marshall's all right, Davy boy.
Slainte mhath!
What I can't understand is why you want
to spend the whole evening with me,
- when all those young fellas...
- Oh, I can always dance with them.
It's exciting to meet a stranger. Not many
strange men come to Bellabegwinnie.
Besides, it'll do the two of them good.
They've been watching you
every minute. Who?
The one in the window is
Donald MacDougall. He's a fisherman.
The one in the door is Ian McCullough.
He owns the store by the pier.
The question is, which should I marry?
Oh?
It's very difficult when you're only 19
to make such a decision.
Be easier if I were older.
I would know so much more.
I mean, about men.
Well, how are you going to choose?
Oh, everyone says that Ian should be
the one because he owns the store.
Already he's planning to buy another
on Colonsay.
And people say that Ian McCullough
will be a great man one day.
- And the other one, Donald MacDougall?
- He's...
He's just a fisherman
who sails with his brothers,
when they're not all drinking
or fighting or running after girls.
He hasn't much money.
He's not so handsome as Ian McCullough.
Everyone agrees to that.
I don't want to influence you, Sheila, but
it doesn't seem a very difficult choice.
You mean I should marry Ian?
If he really wants to be somebody
and make something of himself.
You want a man you know can take care
of you and give you the things you need.
Yes.
It would be exciting to be married
to a man who will do big things,
a man who was going so far
in the world.
It would be exciting to be taken
to places, to be given fine clothes
and expensive presents.
Yes, I would like all those things.
But I... I think it will be
the other one I'll be taking.
Why?
Oh, it's simply that, even though
he's away with his brothers so much,
he'll have more time for me.
He'll not be so interested in what
he's trying to do or where he's going to.
Because he'll just be fishing.
And when he's come home
from the fishing, there'II just be me.
And when we are very old,
we'll have only what we've been able
to make together for ourselves.
And I... I think perhaps that...
that is all we'll need.
Good morning, Mr. Marshall.
I thought you might like some tea, sir.
Put it over there.
Where are we?
- We're still in Bellabegwinnie, sir.
- Bellabegwinnie.
One o'clock. My watch must've stopped.
One o'clock!
Why aren't we under way?
Where is everybody?
- I think they're up in the village, sir.
- Uh?
What?
Let's get this thing organised.
Let's get out of here.
- MacTaggart.
- Oh, good morning, Mr. Marshall.
Will you not join us?
A wee drop o' ale will do you no harm.
- No. Let's get going.
- But you'll have just one, sir.
You left the celebrations abruptly,
but the hair of the dog that bit you...
MacTaggart, I've got problems.
My wife is waiting for me in Kiltarra.
I've got to talk to her.
Let's get going. I'm serious!
Well, er...
I'm afraid we cannae go
just at the minute, sir.
You see... Hamish is missing
ever since last night.
I'm very angry with him, sir!
Very angry indeed!
- Let's leave him. Let's get going!
- Well, you see...
What with Hamish missing,
I thought you wouldn't mind
and I told Mr. MacGregor that it would be
all right if he went to visit his cousin.
- It's only a mile away and...
- All right, MacTaggart.
I've had about all I can take from you.
If you're not on that boat in one minute
and under way, I'll ruin you!
I understand how you feel, Mr. Marshall,
but you come with me...
- You old fool! You're drunk already!
- Mr. Marshall!
- Mr. Marshall!
- Oh, have a drink, Peter.
I want to make a telephone call.
- Where to, sir?
- Let me think.
Central Hotel, Glasgow.
I want to speak with a Mr. Pusey.
All right, MacTaggart, you asked for it
from the word go and now you got it.
I bought your rotten hulk
right out from under you.
I bought it, don't you understand?
The thing belongs to me.
- You've bought the Maggie?
- That's right.
What are you going to do with her, sir?
I'm going to take my cargo to Kiltarra
as soon as authorisation comes through
and I'll have no trouble getting a crew.
You can come or stay, as you like.
As soon as I get my stuff landed in
Kiltarra, I'm selling that thing for junk!
Mr. Marshall, sir?
- Ye cannae do it.
- I'm sorry, Douggie.
I'm tired of all this. I'm not interested
in MacTaggart's problems.
I've got enough of my own. I don't care
what you think, the man's a crook!
- No!
- He's a petty thief.
- He's not.
- He's a liar, don't you understand that?
He's lied and lied and lied.
He's pulled every trick in the book.
Well, he's pulled his last trick on me...
You'd better go aboard.
I think I've killed him.
Douggie?
Could I speak to Mr. Marshall, please?
Calvin B Marshall.
He told me to telephone him
at this number as soon as...
- He's what?
- He's not available just at this minute.
- You can leave a message.
- Well, it's very urgent.
Will you please write it down?
I have contacted Miss MacTaggart...
and she refuses to sell.
In any circumstances.
- How is he, doctor?
- Nothing to worry about.
But he must rest.
I've given him a strong sedative.
He won't wake until morning.
Skipper.
She wouldna' sell.
With any luck, we'll have him in Kiltarra
by the time he wakes up.
Best get under way.
Come on, Douggie.
Well, how are you now, Mr. Marshall?
That was quite a nasty accident you had.
- It was the latch...
- Is the wee boy Douggie on board?
Tell him I'd like to see him, will you?
He's awake
and he wants to see Douggie.
- No, I won't see him.
- It's all right, laddie.
You'd better go.
You might have killed me, Douggie.
Did you hear what I said?
You might have killed me.
Why?
You were taking the Maggie away
from the captain.
- I had every right to buy...
- You did not!
Anyway, there was a message.
Captain's sister wouldn't sell it.
What? Why not?
You wouldna' understand.
- How soon do we get in?
- An hour, maybe.
You were going to leave
the captain ashore.
- You didn't care what happened to him.
- He doesn't care what happened to me.
- He got you here!
- After seven days...
You were going to take his ship!
I'm sorry for what happened.
- You are?
- Aye, but I'd do it again.
Maybe the captain was a bit slow
getting your cargo to Kiltarra for you.
You may not think much of his boat.
Maybe he's no' the best skipper
in the coastal trade, like I said.
But that was no reason
to do what you did.
- What's the matter with it?
- I told you it would never get there.
- The whole contraption's tied with wire.
- I told you if it gets hot to...
What do you mean "if" it gets hot?
It's always hot! You feel it.
Listen to me. You forgot to put oil
in the saddle block!
- You'll never get it!
- We're in dangerous waters.
- Holy smoke, look!
- What ye blitherin' about?
I cannae do everything!
We're sunk!
I'm going to abandon this ship right now.
Will ye not be daft?
I'll not abandon ship.
There's nothing but fights.
If I don't get out, I'll commit murder!
I'm no' going to go down with this ship...
- What's the matter?
- There's no cause for alarm, sir.
Well, what's the matter?
- What happened to the engine?
- It's the connecting rod.
- Well, can't you fix it?
- We haven't the tools.
- Let me have a look at it.
- She's finished. We're finished.
He wouldnae spend a penny
or do anything I asked.
The boiler hasnae been cleaned
in nearly a year.
- She's throwing soot everywhere...
- Fix that wedge.
The wedge? Aye.
All the boiler valves are leaking.
He never gives me any waste or paraffin
and the slices of the rake are burnt away.
And look at the fire bars.
I've got coal dripping into the ash pit.
I've no soap nor soda.
You ought to hear what Hamish says.
- Hold that wedge.
- Even the ropes are falling to pieces.
The rattlings are gone.
The bogey funnel smokes.
We cannae even eat decent.
The spanners don't fit
and we haven't any paint.
She'll break! You'll never do it!
Y-you'll tear the engine apart.
Give me a monkey wrench.
A monkey wre... Oh!
Get ready to turn on the steam!
Go ahead.
Aye.
- Skipper!
- Aye.
Hamish?
Hamish, get the hatches up and see
if she's making any water forward.
Robbie, is she showing anything
in the engine room?
- She's sitting solid!
- What are you going to do?
- There's nothing coming through yet.
- Get the winch started.
Douggie, give a hand with the lifeboat.
The tide's on the turn.
- It'll be on the ebb within the hour.
- She's dry enough, skipper.
- I think she's sound.
- Then give a hand with the lifeboat.
Can't you get her off
with the engine? I fixed it.
Can't you throw an anchor
and kedge her off?
Not when she's two feet up.
Not when the tide's on the ebb.
- You're going to abandon ship?
- Your cargo will be safe enough, sir.
When you get ashore, you'll be able
to get to Kiltarra within half an hour.
Right, Hamish.
You can arrange for another boat
to come alongside and trans ship.
You've got 12 hours.
There's plenty of craft about.
Won't the tide set her down
harder on the rocks?
It'll be falling away and there'II be
no damage to your cargo,
not till the tide's on the flood.
- Best get off, sir. Go with him, Douggie.
- No, I...
Wait for me!
But what happens then?
To the boat, I mean.
She'll not be able to take that sort
of punishment. It'll break her back.
Well, we got to within five miles
of Kiltarra.
It wasn't too bad for an old puffer.
- What if we jettison the cargo?
- Sir?
- What if we threw the stuff overboard?
- You cannae do that...
- Just answer the question.
- Cannot throw it overboard.
It's nearing high tide. If the wind held
outside, the tide might no' go away.
We might have a chance,
but you cannae be serious, man.
It cost you more than the boat's worth.
Throw the stuff overboard.
Don't worry, it was bound to happen.
It was the only thing left
that could happen.
Skipper?
There's one thing
I forgot to tell you, sir.
With one thing and another, I'm afraid
we never got round to the business of...
insuring the cargo.
I want you to understand something,
and I'm serious.
If you laugh at me for this,
I'll kill you with my bare hands.
Throw it over.
I don't understand.
The cargo!
Where's Mr. Marshall?
- Mr. Marshall...
- Is my wife here?
Yes, she's up at the house.
Mr. Marshall, they sent me to find a payoff
for the story, but this is something!
- What happened?
- Don't ask me. I couldn't tell you.
Mr. Marshall, there is one small problem,
if you could give us your opinion on it.
Apart from the expression
of our appreciation of...
All right, MacTaggart, forget it.
We were wondering, sir,
as there was some misunderstanding
about whether we should have
carried the cargo in the first place,
and as, owing to various circumstances,
we took somewhat longer
than we planned,
and as, unfortunately,
we didn't insure the cargo,
and especially as the cargo
all lies at the bottom of the sea...
- Well?
- We was wondering, sir, if...
perhaps you might feel that...
it would be right if we offered you
your money back.
MacTaggart, in seven days, that's the
first thing you've said that made sense.
If you're not going to pay us
so we could have our plates put right,
why didn't you let us stay on the rocks?
You might as well.
- Oh, thank you.
- That was very decent of you.
- If you ever want another job done.
- Goodbye, Mr. Marshall.
- Goodbye, Mr. Marshall.
- Goodbye, Mr. Marshall.
And good luck to ye.
Have you ever heard of a puffer called...
the Calvin B Marshall?
Are you blaming me
for getting the boat stuck on the rocks?
- I'm making no accusations.
- You're accusing me!
You're not even fit to be the skipper
of the Govan ferry.
Mr. MacGregor,
I'm giving you a warning...