(47) Escape - Habit

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Escape: "Habit"

Episode 47 | Aired August 9, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio features a classic installment of the radio drama Escape, entitled “Habit.” The story, originally penned by F.R. Buckley, centers on the indomitable Captain Weatherfield, an aging but fiery seafarer whose fierce pride in his battered ship, the Wakeland, embroils him in a quest for vengeance, redemption, and ultimately, vindication. The episode presents a tale of high-seas survival during a hurricane, an improbable operation at sea, and an ironic conclusion where habit proves stronger than reason.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. Inciting Incident: Captain Weatherfield’s Outburst ([02:24]–[03:31])

• In a courtroom, Captain Weatherfield is tried for assault after defending the honor of his beloved, though ramshackle, ship Wakeland.

• Notable moment: The Captain strikes a man for mocking his ship’s appearance:

  "He said my ship looked like an old woman with her dress on backwards, her hair not combed. That's when I flattened him out."
  — Captain Weatherfield ([03:03])

• The Captain's romantic attachment to the Wakeland is introduced, setting up his fierce sense of pride.

2. Return to Sea and the Captain’s Resolve ([04:52]–[05:44])

• Weatherfield returns from a week’s jail sentence, determined to reclaim his reputation.
• He tasks Mr. Connolly to prepare to sail at a moment’s notice and swears:

  "If it takes me the rest of my life, I'm going to even up the score. Do you understand that?"
  — Captain Weatherfield ([05:14])

3. The Rescue Mission – Into the Hurricane ([06:03]–[08:17])

• While at sea, they receive a distress call from the freighter Johannes, crippled and adrift.
• Weatherfield insists on reaching the stricken vessel first, risking the Wakeland and crew in a hurricane—not just out of duty, but to restore his reputation to the town that jailed him.
• Driving Motivation:

  "I'm going to be alongside the Johannes before anybody else is, Mr. Connolly. I'm going to rescue every man aboard her... and get a public apology out of that town."
  — Captain Weatherfield ([07:41])

• Mr. Connolly and others question the Captain’s motives, but his will prevails.

4. Daring Longboat Rescue ([08:45]–[12:45])

• Captain Weatherfield leads a harrowing rescue, personally steering the longboat through howling seas and freezing spray.
• Despite a crewman’s broken arm and a near-dead Captain Miller, they save six souls from the Johannes.
• Vivid description:

  "With a halo of sheet glass round his sou'wester and his gray beard turned to a frozen mass of dry, jumbled icicles, he looked like Neptune come to life... like the devil himself."
  — Mr. Connolly ([09:46])

5. Operation at Sea: Weatherfield the Surgeon ([15:17]–[21:20])

• Captain Miller, the rescued captain, is gravely injured (suspected punctured lung).

• With no surgeon aboard and Miller near death, Weatherfield decides to perform surgery himself, based on memory of watching a doctor years prior.

• The tense, darkly comic sequence features Weatherfield demanding scalpels, soap, chloroform, and even pliers.

• Memorable exchange:

  "It's one chance in a million, but you've got no chance now. How about it?"
  — Captain Weatherfield ([18:36])

• Miraculously, Miller survives and recovers, his gratitude mixed with grumbling about his missing rib.

6. The Mutiny of Rumor & Showdown with Larson ([22:41]–[26:10])

• As the Wakeland heads back to port, rumors of Miller’s reckless endangerment spark debate about whether there should be a board of inquiry.
• Weatherfield—motivated by pride and his thirst for a public apology—quashes such talk, and ultimately intimidates/brawls with First Mate Larson to silence dissent.
• Key confrontation:

  "I say there'll be no Board of Inquiry because it suits my purposes."
  — Captain Weatherfield ([24:13]) "I'm through—there going to be a board of inquiry now. I'll back up anything you say."
  — First Mate Larson, after being bested in a fight ([25:53])

7. Triumphant (and Ironic) Return to New Bristol ([26:19]–[30:32])

• Weatherfield returns to a hero’s welcome; the very judge who previously jailed him offers a public apology and praise.

• Ironic reversal: The Captain, desperately wanting to have his feat recognized, enjoys the fanfare, until—history repeats.

• As Mr. Connolly makes an offhanded, joking remark about the Wakeland’s condition, Captain Weatherfield, forgetting all, once again punches a man for disrespecting his ship:

  "I'll teach you to call my superbud scowl!"
  — Captain Weatherfield ([30:05])

• The episode ends with Weatherfield facing arrest anew, highlighting how old habits die hard.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Captain Weatherfield’s pride and temper:

• "She was the Queen Mary and the Normandy and his firstborn child all rolled up into one."
  — Mr. Connolly ([03:40])

• "Button up your collar and go get up a head of steam."
  — Captain Weatherfield ([05:32])

The perils at sea:

• "We were flirting with the fringe of a northeast hurricane."
  — Mr. Connolly ([04:44])

• "It was six hours before we finally got back aboard the Wakeland. But we did get back, and I doubt if any other man but Captain Weatherfield could have done it. True enough. He fainted... But don't forget he was 72 years old."
  — Mr. Connolly ([12:45])

The “surgeon’s” bravado:

• "Confound it, Connolly. Give me a little more room to work here. Cabin's small enough, 'tis."
  — Captain Weatherfield ([21:10])

• "Would you look at that tool chest behind you? See if you can find me a pair of pliers."
  — Captain Weatherfield ([21:33])

The closing irony:

• "If they print a picture of that ship out there, nobody will believe the story."
  — Mr. Connolly ([29:47])
• "He struck the man!" – Judge, as Weatherfield once again lashes out ([30:01])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:24] – Courtroom trial & initial conflict
• [04:52] – Captain returns, resumes command
• [06:03] – Distress call and decision to attempt a rescue
• [08:45] – Lifeboat rescue amid the hurricane
• [15:17] – Miller’s crisis and preparation for improvised surgery
• [19:20] – The operation and Miller’s (eventual) recovery
• [22:41] – Confrontation over Miller’s actions, Weatherfield suppresses dissent
• [26:19] – Return to New Bristol, public reception
• [30:05] – Weatherfield’s old habit resurfaces; another blow lands, court and cycle resume

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode combines adventure, dry humor, and a lightly ironic take on heroism and human nature. Dialogue is brisk and often comic, especially when displaying Weatherfield’s gruff dignity, stubborn pride, and “habit” of punching detractors. The narrator (Mr. Connolly) offers wry observation, providing both context and gentle mockery.

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Conclusion

This episode of Escape—brilliantly voiced and richly atmospheric—is a lively homage to the Golden Age of Radio’s storytelling, brimming with high adventure, stormy tempers, and the poignant truth that some habits, for better or worse, are the hardest to break.

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Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Mr. Connolly]

fed up with the everyday grind? Tired out from the summer heat? Want to get away from it all? We offer you escape.

[Narrator/Host]

Escape designed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure.

[Mr. Connolly]

You are clinging precariously to a diving, pitching longboat lashed by mountainous seas in the middle of a hurricane. And at the helm, driving you on is a man bent on revenge and willing to kill for it.

[Narrator/Host]

Tonight we escape to the open sea with an ancient tramp steamer and its fighting captain, as Fr. Buckley told it in his ironic story habit.

[Judge]

Very well. The court has no more questions. Step down, please.

[Mr. Connolly]

Thank you, sir.

[First Mate Larson]

I mean, your honor.

[Judge]

Well, captain Weatherfield, you've just heard the complaining witness. Have you anything to say in your own defense?

[Captain Weatherfield]

Eh? Hit the man about a bit. No doubt of that, your honor. Back with half chance save pounded his blasted head off.

[Judge]

Riot. Riot you'll have ordered the court. Then you admit the charges, captain Weatherfield,

[Captain Weatherfield]

That I hit him? Yeah, but I had stimulating circumstances, your honor.

[Judge]

I see. And what were they?

[Captain Weatherfield]

He laughed at my ship. At the Wakelyn, your honor. As fine a freighter as ever. Steamed out of here on the Liverpool run.

[Judge]

I don't quite see.

[Captain Weatherfield]

He stood there on the wharf, squint eyed son of a landlubbered lawyer. He said my ship looked like an old woman with her dress on backwards, her hair not combed. That's when I flattened him out.

[Judge]

Yes, and I still say that's what she looks like.

[Captain Carpenter]

Order. Why you confounded little pipsqueak. I'll break you apart. Sit him down, Captain Weatherveill. I will not grab him. Bailiff. Let go me. Come pony, let Go of me. Let go. Mercy. Water in the corn.

[Judge]

Captain Weatherfield. Captain Weatherfield, this court finds you guilty of assault and batteries charged and sentences you to seven days in the New Bristol City jail. All right, Bailey, lock him up.

[Mr. Connolly]

And that's the way it started. With the Captain getting seven days in the New Bristol Jail. But it went a whole lot further before it was over. It was like a bolt of chain lightning that may take a dozen strange turns or more before it finally strikes home. And actually, of course, the Wakeland was a funny looking old scow. She'd had 30 years in the North Atlantic with never a part being replaced. So long as there was some way of patching it up. Yes, she was a regular joke of a ship. That is, to everybody except Captain Weatherfield. Those of us who were officers aboard her had learned a long time before not to hint anything like that to him. No, she was the Queen Mary in the Normandy and his firstborn child all rolled up into one. So you can bet your life we all kept sober faces when the Captain finally came aboard at the end of the week.

[Captain Weatherfield]

We, Mr. Connolly?

[Mr. Connolly]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Well, everything in order? Will we be able to sail in an hour?

[Mr. Connolly]

Yes, sir. I've been keeping her ready for the last four days, just in case.

[Captain Weatherfield]

That will do. I'm fully aware that we're four days past schedule and the reason for it will not be discussed on board. Is that clear?

[Mr. Connolly]

Yes, Captain.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I've been badly treated in this town, Mr. Connolly. Thrown behind bars like some thieving dock rat. I don't feel good about it. And if it takes me the rest of my life, I'm going to even up the score. Do you understand that?

[Mr. Connolly]

I think so.

[Captain Weatherfield]

You think so, sir?

[Mr. Connolly]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

All right then, button up your collar and go get up a head of steam.

[Mr. Connolly]

So three days later, we were plowing through a heavy sea 580 miles out on the Atlantic. The spray was freezing in the rigging. We were flirting with the fringe of a northeast hurricane.

[Captain Carpenter]

Blast this double blasted confounded wind. Mr. Connolly.

[Mr. Connolly]

In here, Captain.

[Captain Weatherfield]

How's she looking, Mr. Connolly?

[Mr. Connolly]

Ah, not so bad. We're taking this ease in our quarter and so far we're making only about 4 inches of water an hour.

[Captain Weatherfield]

4 inches of water an hour, sir?

[Mr. Connolly]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Good. Then we'll take a chance on it.

[Mr. Connolly]

Take a chance on what, sir?

[Captain Weatherfield]

A distress message just picked it up in the wireless shack. Oh, here, take a look.

[Mr. Connolly]

The freighter Johannes out of New Bristol. Main shaft broken. Auxiliaries out of commission. Shipping Water Latitude 4630 longitude. Let me see.

[Judge]

Yeah.

[Mr. Connolly]

Yeah, about 90 miles from a snob in the west.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Yeah, that's right, Mr. Conley. Lay out the course. What? We should sight her sometime around dawn, and we hold to full speed all night.

[Mr. Connolly]

Full speed? Dead into a hurricane? Why, the Wakeland would fall apart in two hours.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I doubt it. She's a good ship. Lay out the cost.

[Mr. Connolly]

But the johannes is right in the main shipping lane. Somebody else is bound to pick her

[Captain Weatherfield]

up before morning Anyway, Mr. Connolly, we can hope not.

[Mr. Connolly]

What do you mean, hope not?

[Captain Weatherfield]

Evidently you didn't Notice her registry, Mr. Connolly. She's out of New Bristol.

[Mr. Connolly]

Well, what of it?

[Captain Weatherfield]

That, as you may recall, is the town that threw me into jail. Gotten all the papers? Like as not. My daughters up in Maine have probably read about it. For now, I'll not have them thinking their father's a man who does nothing but go around punching people in the noggin.

[Mr. Connolly]

All right, but what's it got to do with this?

[Captain Weatherfield]

I'm going to be alongside the Johannes before anybody else is, Mr. Connolly. I'm going to rescue every man aboard her. Then I'm going to take him back to New Bristol and get a public apology out of that town. And I'll see that that gets in the papers, too.

[Mr. Connolly]

I've never heard of anything so crazy.

[Captain Carpenter]

I don't care what you've never heard of, Mr. Connolly.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Lay out that course now before I get mad. Decide to punch somebody's blasted head off.

[Mr. Connolly]

Well, the little cock of the walk made good the first part of his plan, all right. In spite of a broken steam injector that had to be patched with rigging wire by shortly after dawn. He had us hove to half a cable length off from the johannes. She was down by the stern, and this didn't badly, but still afloat, the wind was howling like a banshee. And the flying spume was freezing all over our decks. There was no doubt.

[Captain Weatherfield]

But what?

[Mr. Connolly]

The next part of our job was going to be A lot tougher than

[Captain Carpenter]

the first part, Mr. Conley. We got a boat crew together?

[Mr. Connolly]

Yes, sir. There'll be five seamen and the third mate. I'll take charge myself.

[Captain Carpenter]

Leave the third mate aboard. I'll take charge myself. It's my show. I'm going to run it.

[Mr. Connolly]

All right, Captain. Whatever you say.

[Captain Carpenter]

Well, what's holding this up? Let's get this boat over the side. Glocks are frozen.

[Judge]

Captain Carpenter's trying to break me loose.

[Captain Carpenter]

Well, he's not cracking walnuts at a tea party. Here, Chips, give me that mallet. Mr. Roberts. Yes, sir. You'll stay on board?

[Narrator/Host]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Carpenter]

Keep an oil slick running waves out there pretty high. Pretty high.

[Mr. Connolly]

I never seen him any higher.

[Captain Carpenter]

Well, I can't help it, Mr. Conley.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I've got it back there.

[Captain Carpenter]

They did it first already.

[Mr. Connolly]

For the seven of us who went overside in the longboat, that command was the beginning of a nightmare. If things had been bad up on the Wakeland's deck, they were a hundred times worse down there. In the very midst of that smashing, that tumbling maelstrom of water and wind, a continuous driving spray was torn from the wave crests and froze solid on the gunnels and the boat seats and on our faces. One man bailed constantly while the others pulled away on the oars with bleeding hands. And even then we were never far from foundering. Captain Weatherfield sat in the stern and shouted orders. None of us could hear, but we could see his face, and that was enough to keep us at it. With a halo of sheet glass round his sou' wester and his gray beard turned to a frozen mass of dry, jumbled icicles, he looked like Neptune come to life. Or maybe even more like. Like the devil himself. It took us over two hours before we finally hauled in against the rusty side of the battered old Johannes.

[Captain Carpenter]

Aha. The deck. Hey, sir, in what can you. Constant ladder. You'll have to jump for it. Can't use a ladder. She's too heavy. Understand? Already Here. Wait till we come up on a swell. We'll hold as steady as we can then. By now? No, not yet. Good.

[Mr. Connolly]

Good Lord, he said on the gun.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Blasted fool.

[Captain Carpenter]

Told him to wait.

[Mr. Connolly]

He smashed in his chest. Why, it's the captain of the ship, then.

[Captain Carpenter]

He had no business jumping first anyhow. Haul him aboard, Mr. Connolly. Get him out of the way. All right. Ready on deck. All right, dad. Ready now. Good. We're going to stow that man af There. On deck. Wait for this. Well, wait. Wait. Now him, Connolly. A blast to see your hand. You, on deck. Jump now. Wait. You meant to help him off there. Here comes another. Catch him. Catch him. There he is. Pull him in, Connally. Good. Back, horse. You stand by. 4 1/2 9s there. Here comes another one. Hold her steady. Keep one horn against the side there. Anybody else up there, mister?

[Judge]

No.

[Captain Weatherfield]

No, sir. Six of us.

[Judge]

Others lost overboard last night.

[Captain Carpenter]

All right, then, back off. Yours.

[Captain Weatherfield]

You that planner.

[Captain Carpenter]

Get ahold of that olive.

[Mr. Connolly]

He can't do it very well with only one arm.

[Captain Carpenter]

Captain. What do you mean one arm.

[Mr. Connolly]

He broke his arm a couple of minutes ago when we bumped aside.

[Captain Carpenter]

Give him a bucket.

[Captain Weatherfield]

At least he can bail.

[Captain Carpenter]

All right, let's go.

[Mr. Connolly]

It was six hours before we finally got back aboard the Wakelin. But we did get back, and I doubt if any other man but Captain Weatherfield could have done it. True enough. He fainted across the engine room hatch once we were on board. But I don't Forget he was 72 years old. He'd taken a crew of six out in an open boat on the high seas in the middle of a hurricane, rescued six more men off a sinking ship, and brought the whole 12 back alive. Well, one of them, of course, was only barely alive, and that was Captain Miller of the Johannes. He was still unconscious. I had him put in a bunk and hoped for the best. And then I turned in to grab a few hours sleep.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Mr. Connolly]

The broken trust

[Captain Carpenter]

holding hands when times are up? You and me, yeah, we're enough?

[Mr. Connolly]

Show up for your community with be

[Captain Weatherfield]

the people we connect community organizations with the millions of Americans ready to roll

[Judge]

up their sleeves and do their part,

[Mr. Connolly]

tap to learn more. I guess it was sometime after midnight when the third mate called me. I got dressed, went down, woke up the Captain.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Confound it, Mr. Connolly. Can't the man even close his eyes aboard this ship without somebody rousing him out of his bunk?

[Mr. Connolly]

I'm sorry, Captain. Thought you ought to know. Miller's conscious now and wants to see. He thinks he's dying.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Dying? Is it? I'll see about that. Where's my pants.

[Mr. Connolly]

Here you are, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Thank you.

[Mr. Connolly]

Might be a good thing if Miller did die. According to his first mate, Larson. Well, Larson says they had plenty of warning of this storm, but Miller drove straight on into it. He was racing for port.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Racing for port? Yeah, Bad business.

[Mr. Connolly]

There'll be an inquiry on it. He'll lose his ticket when they find out.

[Captain Weatherfield]

It's also bad business, Mr. Connolly, when first mates talk out of turn. Come on. Where is he?

[Mr. Connolly]

I put him in the cabin off the wardroom. The third mate's in there with him now.

[Captain Weatherfield]

How is the ship heading?

[Mr. Connolly]

Due south.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Due south?

[Mr. Connolly]

Well, we're running before the wind. Can't do anything else.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I told you, Mr. Connolly, to lay a cost for New Bristol.

[Mr. Connolly]

I know, but we can't do it. The main boiler's out and we're on. The auxiliaries may take two days to fix it.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Confound the luck. Risked my life to rescue a man, tries to die on me. Now that bonehead engineers let the main boiler break down.

[Mr. Connolly]

It's not his fault. It should have been replaced five years ago.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Five years ago what, Mr. Connolly?

[Mr. Connolly]

Five years ago, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Good.

[Mr. Connolly]

Here we are.

[Judge]

Oh, glad you got here, sir. I was getting worried.

[Captain Weatherfield]

It's all right, Mr. Roberts. Yes. Stand back a bit to hold the light up.

[Judge]

Yes.

[Captain Weatherfield]

There, that's fine. Evening, Captain Miller. Evening, Captain. You're in 17, I take it? Yeah. Feels like something sharp sticking to my chest. Getting worse.

[Mr. Connolly]

Hmm.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Something sharp, eh? No doubt the broken end of a rib poking into your lungs. Yeah. Yeah, guess so. Hey, feels like there's a rib gone here. Well, wanna make a statement a little long? Oh, I do. I figure you're getting ready to die. Is that it?

[Captain Carpenter]

Yeah.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Not much chance. Shouldn't I. Shouldn't I jump from. No, shouldn't have. Understand you was racing for pot. Drove straight into the stock. Yeah, had to. It's my wife. Her first baby.

[Mr. Connolly]

Wanted to be with her.

[Judge]

What's he saying, sir?

[Captain Weatherfield]

His wife's thinking of having a baby, Roberts. Oh. Statement, responsibility. We'll discuss that later, Captain. That lung gets a hole punched in it, you're done for.

[Mr. Connolly]

He's practically done for now.

[Captain Weatherfield]

You know, Mr. Connolly, I saw a doctor open up a man once take a broken rib out of him. I think I can remember fairly well how he went about it. And there ought to be some chloroform on board.

[Mr. Connolly]

Captain. Captain Weathers.

[Captain Weatherfield]

You shut up, Mr. Connolly. Captain Miller, it's one chance in a million, but you've got no chance now. How about it?

[Captain Carpenter]

Anything.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Doesn't matter. Be an inquiry port. Better to die. Well, we'll worry about that later. All right, then. Go find that chloroform, Mr. Roberts.

[Mr. Connolly]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

And bring me a bar of soap.

[Judge]

Yes.

[Captain Weatherfield]

And get a couple of them little knives, whatever they call them, out of the medicine locker.

[Judge]

Yes, Sir. Right away.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Mr. Connally, go wake up that first mate of his. Get him in here. We'll need a witness to Captain Miller's consent.

[Mr. Connolly]

All right, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

And Mr. Connolly.

[Mr. Connolly]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Find Chips and Borrow's chest of tools. Never can tell what you'll find once you start to open a man up.

[Mr. Connolly]

In 10 minutes. We had everything ready. Larson signed a statement swearing that Captain Miller had agreed to it. And the third mate, with his face white as a sheet, stood at the head of the bunk dripping chloroform onto a towel and holding it over Miller's nose and mouth. I held the light in one hand and kept the other on the patient's pulse while Captain Weatherfield rolled up his sleeves and started in on a major operation that he thought he'd seen some doctor perform once.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Everything snug and proper. How's he seem to be getting along, Mr. Connolly?

[Mr. Connolly]

I don't know. He's still breathing.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I know he's breathing, man. It's his chest I'm operating on. How's his pulse? Pretty weak.

[Mr. Connolly]

No worse than it was.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Keep that chloroform dripping, Mr. Roberts.

[Judge]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Well, there's no time like the present. Oh, hold that light steady, Mr. Conley.

[Mr. Connolly]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Steady yourself. Now, let me see. I think that doctor did it like. Like this.

[Judge]

I've used up half the chloroform, Captain.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Keep it dripping, Roberts. Well, well, now. Don't remember anything like that being in there. Let's see now.

[Mr. Connolly]

Pulse is getting pretty weak, Mr. Connolly.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Don't bother me. Got more important things here to think about. Mm. That's it. Here's the end of the rib. All right. Now, if I can just. That's all right. Let it go. Don't need the knife anymore. Confound it, Connolly. Give me a little more room to work here. Cabin's small enough. Tis.

[Mr. Connolly]

Captain, his pulse has stopped.

[Captain Weatherfield]

No, it hasn't, Mr. Connolly. Now, where the devil does that rib come loose when I.

[Mr. Connolly]

It's no use, Captain. He's dead. His heart stopped beating.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Mr. Connolly, don't stand there. Try to tell me his heart stopped when I can see it beating right now. Mr. Larson.

[Judge]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Would you look at that tool chest behind you? See if you can find me a pair of pliers.

[Mr. Connolly]

I doubt if there's ever been another operation like it before since. By all rights, Captain Miller should have died 10 times over right there on the bunk. Only he. He didn't. He was unconscious for 48 hours. But on the fifth day, he was sitting up on a deck chair and cussing because somebody had slung his broken rib overboard instead of saving it so he could whittle out a letter opener. We were driven 600 miles to the south before the storm blew itself out and we got the main boiler back into operation and could lay a course for New Bristol and three days away from port. Captain Weatherfield called all of us officers of the together in the chat room, along with First Mate Larson of the Johannes.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Gentlemen, there may be some questions in your minds in regard to what this meeting is all about. No doubt you're wondering, even if you aren't asking. Am I right?

[Judge]

Well, yes, sir. We have been trying to guess.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Then I'll tell you, gentlemen. I called this meeting to put a stop to certain idle rumors which I hear have been floating around.

[Mr. Connolly]

Just what kind of rumors, Captain Weatherfield?

[Captain Weatherfield]

Them. Which says that Captain Miller of late, ship Johannes, deliberately drove head on into a storm while racing to make port.

[First Mate Larson]

There's no rumor about that. It's what he was doing. As his first mate, I should know,

[Captain Weatherfield]

and I say he wasn't, Mr. Larson. The way I figure it, got caught by the storm without any warning. He gave orders for full speed to try to beat out of it. A couple of hours later, main shaft broke. Left him helpless without stairageway. Could happen to anybody.

[First Mate Larson]

Maybe. Only it didn't. I was there, Captain Weatherfield. I know what happened. And there's five of my crew left to back me up.

[Captain Weatherfield]

They'll back up anything you say, Mr. Larsen. You know that.

[First Mate Larson]

Then there's nothing to talk about. When the board of inquiry gets through with Miller, he won't command another ship as long as he lives.

[Captain Weatherfield]

So there's not going to be any board of inquiry.

[First Mate Larson]

Ah, maybe that's not up to you.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Which is what we're here to decide.

[Mr. Connolly]

I don't get it. Captain Miller's a rat. He was the first one to jump when we come alongside. Anything that happens to him serves him right. Now, why should you stick up for him?

[Captain Weatherfield]

My personal opinion of the man has nothing to do with this, Mr. Connolly. I say there'll be no Bard of Inquiry because it suits my purposes that there be none.

[First Mate Larson]

And just what are your purposes, Captain?

[Captain Weatherfield]

I drove my ship 90 miles off her course in a hurricane. Risked my life in an open boat just for one reason, Mr. Larsen. Because I knew you were registered out of New Bristol.

[Mr. Connolly]

Ah, so that's it.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Aye, Mr. Connolly, that's it. I operated on a man, saved his life just so he could stand up alongside of me, have our pictures taken for the newspapers.

[First Mate Larson]

I get it. So you don't want some messy board of inquiry throwing scandal in the story of your noble rescue on the high sea, huh? You want to be a blasted hero.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Mr. Larson, being a hero has got nothing to do with it. But I am planning to get a public apology out of the town of New Bristol. And you or nobody else is going to do anything to stop me.

[First Mate Larson]

Well, it's too bad you haven't got the whole say about it, Captain.

[Captain Weatherfield]

And it's too bad you're so bullheaded sit on swearing away your captain's ticket, that you force me to teach you a lesson.

[First Mate Larson]

And just how are you aiming to do that?

[Captain Weatherfield]

By knocking a little sense into your thick noggins? Something like this.

[First Mate Larson]

So it's a fight you're after.

[Captain Carpenter]

All right.

[First Mate Larson]

Come on, Captain, teach me a lesson.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I'll teach you.

[Captain Carpenter]

All right. Got it? You got it, Captain. Get up, Mr. Larson.

[Judge]

I'll get up all right.

[Captain Carpenter]

Look up.

[Mr. Connolly]

He's got a pair of dividers.

[Captain Carpenter]

So you tried to stepping. We're just.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Well, Larson, what about it?

[Captain Carpenter]

All right, all right.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I'm through there going to be a board of inquiry now. I'll back up.

[Judge]

Anything you say.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Good. What about the rest of you? Anything I say, go.

[Mr. Connolly]

Yes.

[Captain Weatherfield]

All right then. Get back on watch. What do you think?

[Captain Carpenter]

This is a peaceful harbour of a Sunday.

[Mr. Connolly]

It was a clear, sunshiny day when we steamed into New Bristol harbor and dropped anchor at the mouth of the river. Captain Weatherfield sent Miller on ashore quarantine, insisting that his reason was not just to make sure of of having the reception ready. Nonetheless, he spent an hour and a half shaving, trimming his hair and dressing up in his best shore going clothes. But he had a right to strut a little at that. He'd moved through a whole series of tough jobs, every one against almost impossible odds. And he'd come out on top. And all because he wanted his daughters up in Maine to know he could do something once in a while besides punch people in the noggin. It was mid afternoon by the time we finally rowed ashore in the long boat and a good sized crowd had assembled on the wharf. And when we got in close, we could see Captain Miller waiting by the landing, along with the regular reception committee. All dressed up in striped pants and top hats like a. A bunch of foreign diplomats. And the headman of the whole layout was the same judge who'd given the captain seven days in jail.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Easy now, Mr. Conley.

[Mr. Connolly]

I'll hold her steady, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Thank you.

[Judge]

Well, welcome c we on behalf of the town of New Bristol.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Well, now, it's mighty nice of you, Judge.

[Judge]

Not at all, Captain. We're the ones who are honored, the whole town, and we want you to know it.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Well, thank you, judge.

[Judge]

Captain Miller here has given us the complete story. The rescue at sea, the daring operation that saved his life.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Hear you here. How you feeling, Captain Miller?

[Mr. Connolly]

A little tired right now, captain. Been pretty busy arranging things, you know.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Yeah, yeah, of course.

[Judge]

You're a hero in this town, Captain Weatherfield. There's nothing too good for you. We're proud of you.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I was wondering if you'd recall a little incident where we met before, Judge, not so long ago.

[Judge]

A terrible mistake. I'll never forgive myself. I mean, I owe you a public apology, Captain Weatherfield.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Well, now, don't believe I know just what to say, Judge.

[Judge]

Nothing at all to say, Captain Weatherfield. As I said before, we're the ones who are honored. The whole town of New Bristol and all of New England, too, by Jove. Once those reporters get their stories on the wire.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Reporters, eh? Well, now, that's going to too much trouble, George.

[Judge]

Oh, captain, not at all. They'll be wanting an interview with you. You know, we've had quite a time keeping them off this long. You're a hero, man. Don't you realize that?

[Captain Weatherfield]

I only did my duty, Judge.

[Judge]

The New Bristol needs more men who only do their duty, Captain Weatherfield.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Mighty nice of you to say so

[Judge]

when I recall the way you were treated here a few weeks ago, captain. Well, all I can do is to ask your forgiveness publicly.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I suspect that might be arranged, Judge. I'm not a man to bear a grudge.

[Judge]

A fact which your actions have proven, sir.

[Captain Weatherfield]

Them there fellows with the cameras. They reporters, are they? Oh, yes.

[Judge]

Yes, indeed, captain. Well, of course, they're photographers. Really.

[Captain Weatherfield]

They're taking them pictures to print in the newspapers, are they?

[Judge]

That's right, captain. They'll be seen by people all over the country.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I suppose we might walk over that way.

[Judge]

Certainly, Captain Weatherfield. Certainly. Anything you like. Won't you join us, Captain Miller?

[Captain Weatherfield]

Thanks, gentlemen.

[Mr. Connolly]

You know, I was just thinking. If they print a picture of that ship out there, nobody will believe the story.

[Captain Weatherfield]

What did you say Captain Miller?

[Mr. Connolly]

I said they wouldn't believe it. To look at that old mud sky. You wouldn't think she could float in

[Judge]

a calm sea, much less heavens. He struck the man.

[Captain Weatherfield]

I'll teach you to call my superbud scowl.

[Captain Carpenter]

Squint eyed son of a five naked salamander. Stop. I say stop. Stop it. Stop it. Constable. Constable. Arrest that man. And look them up. I'm filing the charge of assault in February.

[Narrator/Host]

Escape produced and Directed by Norman MacDonald. Tonight brought to you Habit by Fr Buckley. Adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield with editorial supervision by John Dunkle. Featured in tonight's cast were John Dehner as Mr. McConally and Louis Van Ruten as Captain Weatherfield. With Wilms Herbert as Captain Miller, Barry Kroger as the judge and Bill Boucher as First Mate Larson. Special music by Ivan Ditmars.

[Mr. Connolly]

Next week you are making your painful way over the great India desert, alone and dying of thirst, while behind you, pursuing you are the fanatical Kaffirs who once bowed to you as king and now call for your life.

[Narrator/Host]

Next week we escape with Rudyard Kipling's exciting story, the man who Would Be King. Good night then, until this same time next week, when once again we offer you escape. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.