CHAPTER11

WhatwasthematterwiththeMaster-at-arms？And，bethematterwhatitmight，howcouldithavedirectrelationtoBillyBuddwithwhom，priortotheaffairofthespilledsoup，hehadnevercomeintoanyspecialcontact，officialorotherwise？Whatindeedcouldthetroublehavetodowithonesolittleinclinedtogiveoffenceasthemerchant-ship'speacemaker，evenhimwhoinClaggart'sownphrasewas"thesweetandpleasantyoungfellow"？Yes，whyshouldJimmyLegs，toborrowtheDansker'sexpression，bedownontheHandsomeSailor？But，atheartandnotfornothing，asthelatechanceencountermayindicatetothediscerning，downonhim，secretlydownonhim，heassuredlywas。

NowtoinventsomethingtouchingthemoreprivatecareerofClaggart，somethinginvolvingBillyBudd，ofwhichsomethingthelattershouldbewhollyignorant，someromanticincidentimplyingthatClaggart'sknowledgeoftheyoungblue-jacketbeganatsomeperiodanteriortocatchingsightofhimonboardtheseventy-four-allthis，notsodifficulttodo，mightavailinawaymoreorlessinterestingtoaccountforwhateverofenigmamayappeartolurkinthecase。Butinfacttherewasnothingofthesort。Andyetthecause，necessarilytobeassumedasthesoleoneassignable，isinitsveryrealismasmuchchargedwiththatprimeelementofRadcliffianromance，themysterious，asanythattheingenuityoftheauthoroftheMysteriesofUdolphocoulddevise。Forwhatcanmorepartakeofthemysteriousthananantipathyspontaneousandprofound，suchasisevokedincertainexceptionalmortalsbythemereaspectofsomeothermortal，howeverharmlesshemaybe，ifnotcalledforthbythisveryharmlessnessitself？

Nowtherecanexistnoirritatingjuxtapositionofdissimilarpersonalitiescomparabletothatwhichispossibleaboardagreatwar-shipfullymannedandatsea。There，everydayamongallranksalmosteverymancomesintomoreorlessofcontactwithalmosteveryotherman。WhollytheretoavoideventhesightofanaggravatingobjectonemustneedsgiveitJonah'stossorjumpoverboardhimself。Imaginehowallthismighteventuallyoperateonsomepeculiarhumancreaturethedirectreverseofasaint？

ButfortheadequatecomprehendingofClaggartbyanormalnature，thesehintsareinsufficient。Topassfromanormalnaturetohimonemustcross"thedeadlyspacebetween。"Andthisisbestdonebyindirection。

Longagoanhonestscholarmysenior，saidtomeinreferencetoonewholikehimselfisnownomore，amansounimpeachablyrespectablethatagainsthimnothingwaseveropenlysaidtho'amongcrackedbythetapofalady'sfan。YouareawarethatIamtheadherentofnoorganizedreligionmuchlessofanyphilosophybuiltintoasystem。Well，forallthat，Ithinkthattotryandgetintofromsomesourceotherthanwhatisknownasknowledgeoftheworld-

thatwerehardlypossible，atleastforme。"

human，andknowledgeoftheworldassuredlyimpliestheknowledgeofhumannature，andinmostofitsvarieties。"

"Yes，butasuperficialknowledgeofit，servingordinarypurposes。Butforanythingdeeper，Iamnotcertainwhethertoknowtheworldandtoknowhumannaturebenottwodistinctbranchesofknowledge，whichwhiletheymaycoexistinthesameheart，yeteithermayexistwithlittleornothingoftheother。Nay，inanaveragemanoftheworld，hisconstantrubbingwithitbluntsthatfinespiritualinsightindispensabletotheunderstandingoftheessentialincertainexceptionalcharacters，whetherevilonesorgood。InamatterofsomeimportanceIhaveseenagirlwindanoldlawyeraboutherlittlefinger。Norwasitthedotageofsenilelove。Nothingofthesort。Butheknewlawbetterthanheknewthegirl'sheart。CokeandBlackstonehardlyshedsomuchlightintoobscurespiritualplacesastheHebrewprophets。Andwhowerethey？

Mostlyrecluses。"

AtthetimemyinexperiencewassuchthatIdidnotquiteseethedriftofallthis。ItmaybethatIseeitnow。And，indeed，ifthatlexiconwhichisbasedonHolyWritwereanylongerpopular，onemightwithlessdifficultydefineanddenominatecertainphenomenalmen。Asitis，onemustturntosomeauthoritynotliabletothechargeofbeingtincturedwiththeBiblicalelement。

InalistofdefinitionsincludedintheauthentictranslationofPlato，alistattributedtohim，occursthis："NaturalDepravity：adepravityaccordingtonature。"Adefinitionwhichtho'savoringofCalvinism，bynomeansinvolvesCalvin'sdogmasastototalmankind。

Evidentlyitsintentmakesitapplicablebuttoindividuals。Notmanyaretheexamplesofthisdepravitywhichthegallowsandjailsupply。Atanyratefornotableinstances，sincethesehavenovulgaralloyofthebruteinthem，butinvariablyaredominatedbyintellectuality，onemustgoelsewhere。Civilization，especiallyifoftheausterersort，isauspicioustoit。Itfoldsitselfinthemantleofrespectability。Ithasitscertainnegativevirtuesservingassilentauxiliaries。Itneverallowswinetogetwithinitsguard。Itisnotgoingtoofartosaythatitiswithoutvicesorsmallsins。Thereisaphenomenalprideinitthatexcludesthemfromanythingmercenaryoravaricious。Inshortthedepravityheremeantpartakesnothingofthesordidorsensual。Itisserious，butfreefromacerbity。Thoughnoflattererofmankinditneverspeaksillofit。

Butthethingwhichineminentinstancessignalizessoexceptionalanatureisthis：thoughtheman'seventemperanddiscreetbearingwouldseemtointimateamindpeculiarlysubjecttothelawofreason，notthelessinhishearthewouldseemtoriotincompleteexemptionfromthatlaw，havingapparentlylittletodowithreasonfurtherthantoemployitasanambidexterimplementforeffectingtheirrational。Thatistosay：Towardtheaccomplishmentofanaimwhichinwantonnessofmalignitywouldseemtopartakeoftheinsane，hewilldirectacooljudgementsagaciousandsound。

Thesemenaretruemadmen，andofthemostdangeroussort，fortheirlunacyisnotcontinuousbutoccasional，evokedbysomespecialobject；itisprobablysecretive，whichisasmuchtosayitisself-contained，sothatwhenmoreover，mostactive，itistotheaveragemindnotdistinguishablefromsanity，andforthereasonabovesuggestedthatwhateveritsaimsmaybe-andtheaimisneverdeclared-themethodandtheoutwardproceedingarealwaysperfectlyrational。

NowsomethingsuchanonewasClaggart，inwhomwasthemaniaofanevilnature，notengenderedbyvicioustrainingorcorruptingbooksorlicentiousliving，butbornwithhimandinnate，inshort"adepravityaccordingtonature。"

CHAPTER12

Lawyers，Experts，ClergyANEPISODE

Bytheway，canitbethephenomenon，disownedoratleastconcealed，thatinsomecriminalcasespuzzlesthecourts？Forthiscausehaveourjuriesattimesnotonlytoenduretheprolongedcontentionsoflawyerswiththeirfees，butalsotheyetmoreperplexingstrifeofthemedicalexpertswiththeirs？-Butwhyleaveittothem？Whynotsubpoenaaswelltheclericalproficients？Theirvocationbringingthemintopeculiarcontactwithsomanyhumanbeings，andsometimesintheirleastguardedhour，ininterviewsverymuchmoreconfidentialthanthoseofphysicianandpatient；

thiswouldseemtoqualifythemtoknowsomethingaboutthoseintricaciesinvolvedinthequestionofmoralresponsibility；

whetherinagivencase，say，thecrimeproceededfrommaniainthebrainorrabiesoftheheart。Astoanydifferencesamongthemselvestheseclericalproficientsmightdeveloponthestand，thesecouldhardlybegreaterthanthedirectcontradictionsexchangedbetweentheremuneratedmedicalexperts。

Darksayingsarethese，somewillsay。Butwhy？IsitbecausetheysomewhatsavorofHolyWritinitsphrase"mysteriesofiniquity"？

Iftheydo，suchsavorwasfarfrombeingintended，forlittlewillitcommendthesepagestomanyareaderofto-day。

ThepointofthepresentstoryturningonthehiddennatureoftheMaster-at-armshasnecessitatedthischapter。Withanaddedhintortwoinconnectionwiththeincidentatthemess，theresumednarrativemustbelefttovindicate，asitmay，itsowncredibility。

CHAPTER13

Paleire，envyanddespairThatClaggart'sfigurewasnotamiss，andhisface，savethechin，wellmoulded，hasalreadybeensaid。Ofthesefavorablepointsheseemednotinsensible，forhewasnotonlyneatbutcarefulinhisdress。ButtheformofBillyBuddwasheroic；andifhisfacewaswithouttheintellectuallookofthepallidClaggart's，notthelesswasitlit，likehis，fromwithin，thoughfromadifferentsource。Thebonfireinhisheartmadeluminoustherose-taninhischeek。

Inviewofthemarkedcontrastbetweenthepersonsofthetwain，itismorethanprobablethatwhentheMaster-at-armsinthescenelastgivenappliedtothesailortheproverbHandsomeisashandsomedoes，hethereletescapeanironicinkling，notcaughtbytheyoungsailorswhoheardit，astowhatitwasthathadfirstmovedhimagainstBilly，namely，hissignificantpersonalbeauty。

Nowenvyandantipathy，passionsirreconcilableinreason，neverthelessinfactmayspringconjoinedlikeChangandEnginonebirth。IsEnvythensuchamonster？Well，thoughmanyanarraignedmortalhasinhopesofmitigatedpenaltypleadedguiltytohorribleactions，dideveranybodyseriouslyconfesstoenvy？Somethingthereisinituniversallyfelttobemoreshamefulthanevenfeloniouscrime。Andnotonlydoeseverybodydisownit，butthebettersortareinclinedtoincredulitywhenitisinearnestimputedtoanintelligentman。Butsinceitslodgementisintheheartnotthebrain，nodegreeofintellectsuppliesaguaranteeagainstit。ButClaggart'swasnovulgarformofthepassion。Nor，asdirectedtowardBillyBudd，diditpartakeofthatstreakofapprehensivejealousythatmarredSaul'svisageperturbedlybroodingonthecomelyyoungDavid。Claggart'senvystruckdeeper。Ifaskanceheeyedthegoodlooks，cheeryhealthandfrankenjoymentofyounglifeinBillyBudd，itwasbecausethesewentalongwithanaturethat，asClaggartmagneticallyfelt，hadinitssimplicityneverwilledmaliceorexperiencedthereactionarybiteofthatserpent。Tohim，thespiritlodgedwithinBilly，andlookingoutfromhiswelkineyesasfromwindows，thatineffabilityitwaswhichmadethedimpleinhisdyedcheek，suppledhisjoints，anddancinginhisyellowcurlsmadehimpreeminentlytheHandsomeSailor。Onepersonexcepted，theMaster-at-armswasperhapstheonlymanintheshipintellectuallycapableofadequatelyappreciatingthemoralphenomenonpresentedinBillyBudd。Andtheinsightbutintensifiedhispassion，whichassumingvarioussecretformswithinhim，attimesassumedthatofcynicdisdain-disdainofinnocence。Tobenothingmorethaninnocent！

Yetinanaestheticwayhesawthecharmofit，thecourageousfree-and-easytemperofit，andfainwouldhavesharedit，buthedespairedofit。

Withnopowertoannultheelementalevilinhim，tho'readilyenoughhecouldhideit；apprehendingthegood，butpowerlesstobeit；anaturelikeClaggart'ssurchargedwithenergyassuchnaturesalmostinvariablyare，whatrecourseislefttoitbuttorecoiluponitselfandlikethescorpionforwhichtheCreatoraloneisresponsible，actouttotheendthepartallottedit。

CHAPTER14

Passion，andpassioninitsprofoundest，isnotathingdemandingapalatialstagewhereontoplayitspart。Downamongthegroundlings，amongthebeggarsandrakersofthegarbage，profoundpassionisenacted。Andthecircumstancesthatprovokeit，howevertrivialormean，arenomeasureofitspower。Inthepresentinstancethestageisascrubbedgundeck，andoneoftheexternalprovocationsaman-of-war's-man'sspilledsoup。

NowwhentheMaster-at-armsnoticedwhencecamethatgreasyfluidstreamingbeforehisfeet，hemusthavetakenit-tosomeextentwilfully，perhaps-notforthemereaccidentitassuredlywas，butfortheslyescapeofaspontaneousfeelingonBilly'spartmoreorlessansweringtotheantipathyonhisown。Ineffectafoolishdemonstrationhemusthavethought，andveryharmless，likethefutilekickofaheifer，whichyetweretheheiferashodstallion，wouldnotbesoharmless。EvensowasitthatintothegallofClaggart'senvyheinfusedthevitriolofhiscontempt。Buttheincidentconfirmedtohimcertaintell-talereportspurveyedtohisearbySqueak，oneofhismorecunningCorporals，agrizzledlittleman，sonicknamedbythesailorsonaccountofhissqueakyvoice，andsharpvisageferretingaboutthedarkcornersofthelowerdecksafterinterlopers，satiricallysuggestingtothemtheideaofaratinacellar。

FromhisChief'semployinghimasanimplicittoolinlayinglittletrapsfortheworrimentoftheForetopman-foritwasfromtheMaster-at-armsthatthepettypersecutionsheretoforeadvertedtohadproceeded-theCorporalhavingnaturallyenoughconcludedthathismastercouldhavenoloveforthesailor，madeithisbusiness，faithfulunderstrapperthathewas，tofomenttheillbloodbypervertingtohisChiefcertaininnocentfrolicsofthegoodnaturedForetopman，besidesinventingforhismouthsundrycontumeliousepithetsheclaimedtohaveoverheardhimletfall。TheMaster-at-armsneversuspectedtheveracityofthesereports，moreespeciallyastotheepithets，forhewellknewhowsecretlyunpopularmaybecomeamaster-at-arms，atleastamaster-at-armsofthosedayszealousinhisfunction，andhowtheblue-jacketsshootathiminprivatetheirrailleryandwit；thenicknamebywhichhegoesamongthem（JimmyLegs）implyingundertheformofmerrimenttheircherisheddisrespectanddislike。

Butinviewofthegreedinessofhateforpatrolmen，ithardlyneededapurveyortofeedClaggart'spassion。Anuncommonprudenceishabitualwiththesubtlerdepravity，forithaseverythingtohide。

Andincaseofaninjurybutsuspected，itssecretivenessvoluntarilycutsitofffromenlightenmentordisillusion；and，notunreluctantly，actionistakenuponsurmiseasuponcertainty。Andtheretaliationisapttobeinmonstrousdisproportiontothesupposedoffence；forwheninanybodywasrevengeinitsexactionsaughtelsebutaninordinateusurer？ButhowwithClaggart'sconscience？Forthoughconsciencesareunlikeasforeheads，everyintelligence，notexcludingtheScripturaldevilswho"believeandtremble，"hasone。

ButClaggart'sconsciencebeingbutthelawyertohiswill，madeogresoftrifles，probablyarguingthatthemotiveimputedtoBillyinspillingthesoupjustwhenhedid，togetherwiththeepithetsalleged，these，ifnothingmore，madeastrongcaseagainsthim；

nay，justifiedanimosityintoasortofretributiverighteousness。ThePhariseeistheGuyFawkesprowlinginthehidchambersunderlyingtheClaggarts。Andtheycanreallyformnoconceptionofanunreciprocatedmalice。Probably，theMaster-at-arms'clandestinepersecutionofBillywasstartedtotrythetemperoftheman；butithadnotdevelopedanyqualityinhimthatenmitycouldmakeofficialuseoforevenpervertintoplausibleself-justification；sothattheoccurrenceatthemess，pettyifitwere，wasawelcomeonetothatpeculiarconscienceassignedtobetheprivatementorofClaggart。And，fortherest，notimprobablyitputhimuponnewexperiments。

CHAPTER15

Notmanydaysafterthelastincidentnarrated，somethingbefellBillyBuddthatmoregravelledhimthanaughtthathadpreviouslyoccurred。

Itwasawarmnightforthelatitude；andtheForetopman，whosewatchatthetimewasproperlybelow，wasdozingontheuppermostdeckwhitherhehadascendedfromhishothammock，oneofhundredssuspendedsocloselywedgedtogetheroveralowergundeckthattherewaslittleornoswingtothem。Helayasintheshadowofahill-side，stretchedundertheleeofthebooms，apiledridgeofsparesparsamidshipsbetweenfore-mastandmainmastandamongwhichtheship'slargestboat，thelaunch，wasstowed。Alongsideofthreeotherslumberersfrombelow，helaynearthatendoftheboomswhichapproachesthefore-mast；hisstationaloftondutyasaforetopmanbeingjustoverthedeckstationoftheforecastlemen，entitlinghimaccordingtousagetomakehimselfmoreorlessathomeinthatneighbourhood。

Presentlyhewasstirredintosemi-consciousnessbysomebody，whomusthavepreviouslysoundedthesleepoftheothers，touchinghisshoulder，andthenastheForetopmanraisedhishead，breathingintohisearinaquickwhisper，"Slipintotheleeforechains，Billy；

thereissomethinginthewind。Don'tspeak。Quick，Iwillmeetyouthere"；anddisappeared。

NowBillylikesundryotheressentiallygood-naturedoneshadsomeoftheweaknessesinseparablefromessentialgood-nature；andamongthesewasareluctance，almostanincapacityofplumplysayingnotoanabruptpropositionnotobviouslyabsurd，onthefaceofit，norobviouslyunfriendly，noriniquitous。Andbeingofwarmbloodhehadnotthephlegmtacitlytonegativeanypropositionbyunresponsiveinaction。Likehissenseoffear，hisapprehensionastoaughtoutsideofthehonestandnaturalwasseldomveryquick。Besides，uponthepresentoccasion，thedrowsefromhissleepstillhunguponhim。

Howeveritwas，hemechanicallyrose，andsleepilywonderingwhatcouldbeinthewind，betookhimselftothedesignatedplace，anarrowplatform，oneofsix，outsideofthehighbulwarksandscreenedbythegreatdead-eyesandmultiplecolumnedlanyardsoftheshroudsandback-stays；and，inagreatwar-shipofthattime，ofdimensionscommensuratewiththehull'smagnitude；atarrybalcony，inshort，overhangingthesea，andsosecludedthatonemarineroftheIndomitable，anon-conformistoldtarofaseriousturn，madeitevenindaytimehisprivateoratory。

InthisretirednookthestrangersoonjoinedBillyBudd。Therewasnomoonasyet；ahazeobscuredthestar-light。Hecouldnotdistinctlyseethestranger'sface。Yetfromsomethingintheoutlineandcarriage，Billytookhimtobe，andcorrectly，oneoftheafterguard。

"Hist！Billy，"saidthemaninthesamequickcautionarywhisperasbefore；"Youwereimpressed，weren'tyou？Well，sowasI"；andhepaused，astomarktheeffect。ButBilly，notknowingexactlywhattomakeofthis，saidnothing。Thentheother："Wearenottheonlyimpressedones，Billy。There'sagangofus-Couldn'tyou-help-atapinch？"

"Whatdoyoumean？"demandedBilly，herethoroughlyshakingoffhisdrowse。

"Hist，hist！"thehurriedwhispernowgrowinghusky，"seehere"；

andthemanhelduptwosmallobjectsfaintlytwinklinginthenightlight；"see，theyareyours，Billy，ifyou'llonly-"

ButBillybrokein，andinhisresentfuleagernesstodeliverhimselfhisvocalinfirmitysomewhatintruded："D-D-Damme，Idon'tknowwhatyouared-d-drivingat，orwhatyoumean，butyouhadbetterg-g-gowhereyoubelong！"Forthemomentthefellow，asconfounded，didnotstir；andBillyspringingtohisfeet，said，"Ifyoud-don'tstartI'llt-t-tossyoubackoverther-rail！"Therewasnomistakingthisandthemysteriousemissarydecampeddisappearinginthedirectionofthemain-mastintheshadowofthebooms。

"Hallo，what'sthematter？"herecamegrowlingfromaforecastlemanawakenedfromhisdeck-dozebyBilly'sraisedvoice。AndastheForetopmanreappearedandwasrecognizedbyhim；"Ah，Beauty，isityou？Well，somethingmusthavebeenthematterforyoust-st-stuttered。"

"O，"rejoinedBilly，nowmasteringtheimpediment；"IfoundanafterguardsmaninourpartoftheshiphereandIbidhimbeoffwherehebelongs。"

"Andisthatallyoudidaboutit，Foretopman？"grufflydemandedanother，anirascibleoldfellowofbrick-coloredvisageandhair，andwhowasknowntohisassociateforecastlemenasRedPepper；"SuchsneaksIshouldliketomarrytothegunner'sdaughter！"bythatexpressionmeaningthathewouldliketosubjectthemtodisciplinarycastigationoveragun。

However，Billy'srenderingofthemattersatisfactorilyaccountedtotheseinquirersforthebriefcommotion，sinceofallthesectionsofaship'scompany，theforecastlemen，veteransforthemostpartandbigotedintheirsea-prejudices，arethemostjealousinresentingterritorialencroachments，especiallyonthepartofanyoftheafterguard，ofwhomtheyhavebutasorryopinion，chieflylandsmen，nevergoingaloftexcepttoreeforfurlthemainsailandinnowisecompetenttohandleamarlinspikeorturninadead-eye，say。

CHAPTER16

ThisincidentsorelypuzzledBillyBudd。Itwasanentirelynewexperience；thefirsttimeinhislifethathehadeverbeenpersonallyapproachedinunderhandintriguingfashion。Priortothisencounterhehadknownnothingoftheafterguardsman，thetwomenbeingstationedwideapart，oneforwardandaloftduringhiswatch，theotherondeckandaft。

Whatcoulditmean？Andcouldtheyreallybeguineas，thosetwoglitteringobjectstheinterloperhadhelduptohiseyes？Wherecouldthefellowgetguineas？Whyevensparebuttonsarenotsoplentifulatsea。Themoreheturnedthematterover，themorehewasnon-plussed，andmadeuneasyanddiscomforted。Inhisdisgustfulrecoilfromanoverturewhichtho'hebutillcomprehendedheinstinctivelyknewmustinvolveevilofsomesort，BillyBuddwaslikeayounghorsefreshfromthepasturesuddenlyinhalingavilewhifffromsomechemicalfactory，andbyrepeatedsnortingstriestogetitoutofhisnostrilsandlungs。Thisframeofmindbarredalldesireofholdingfurtherparleywiththefellow，evenwereitbutforthepurposeofgainingsomeenlightenmentastohisdesigninapproachinghim。Andyethewasnotwithoutnaturalcuriositytoseehowsuchavisitorinthedarkwouldlookinbroadday。

Heespiedhimthefollowingafternoon，inhisfirstdog-watch，below，oneofthesmokersonthatforwardpartoftheuppergundeckallottedtothepipe。Herecognizedhimbyhisgeneralcutandbuild，morethanbyhisroundfreckledfaceandglassyeyesofpaleblue，veiledwithlashesallbutwhite。AndyetBillywasabituncertainwhetherindeeditwerehe-yonderchapabouthisownagechattingandlaughinginfree-heartedway，leaningagainstagun；agenialyoungfellowenoughtolookat，andsomethingofarattlebrain，toallappearance。Ratherchubbytooforasailor，evenanafterguardsman。Inshortthelastmanintheworld，onewouldthink，tobeoverburthenedwiththoughts，especiallythoseperilousthoughtsthatmustneedsbelongtoaconspiratorinanyseriousproject，oreventotheunderlingofsuchaconspirator。

Altho'Billywasnotawareofit，thefellow，withasidelongwatchfulglancehadperceivedBillyfirst，andthennotingthatBillywaslookingathim，thereuponnoddedafamiliarsortoffriendlyrecognitionastoanoldacquaintance，withoutinterruptingthetalkhewasengagedinwiththegroupofsmokers。Adayortwoafterwards，chancingintheeveningpromenadeonagundecktopassBilly，heofferedaflyingwordofgood-fellowship，asitwere，whichbyitsunexpectedness，andequivocalnessunderthecircumstancessoembarrassedBillythatheknewnothowtorespondtoit，andletitgounnoticed。

Billywasnowleftmoreatalossthanbefore。Theineffectualspeculationintowhichhewasledwassodisturbinglyalientohim，thathedidhisbesttosmotherit。Itneverenteredhismindthatherewasamatterwhichfromitsextremequestionableness，itwashisdutyasaloyalblue-jackettoreportintheproperquarter。

And，probably，hadsuchastepbeensuggestedtohim，hewouldhavebeendeterredfromtakingitbythethought，oneofnovice-magnanimity，thatitwouldsavorovermuchofthedirtyworkofatelltale。Hekeptthethingtohimself。Yetupononeoccasion，hecouldnotforbearalittledisburtheninghimselftotheoldDansker，temptedtheretoperhapsbytheinfluenceofabalmynightwhentheshiplaybecalmed；thetwain，silentforthemostpart，sittingtogetherondeck，theirheadsproppedagainstthebulwarks。ButitwasonlyapartialandanonymousaccountthatBillygave，theunfoundedscruplesabovereferredtopreventingfulldisclosuretoanybody。UponhearingBilly'sversion，thesageDanskerseemedtodivinemorethanhewastold；andafteralittlemeditationduringwhichhiswrinkleswerepursedasintoapoint，quiteeffacingforthetimethatquizzingexpressionhisfacesometimeswore，"Didn'tIsayso，BabyBudd？"

"Saywhat？"demandedBilly。

"Why，JimmyLegsisdownonyou。"

"Andwhat，"rejoinedBillyinamazement，"hasJimmyLegstodowiththatcrackedafterguardsman？"

"Ho，itwasanafterguardsmanthen。Acat's-paw，acat's-paw！"

Andwiththatexclamation，which，whetherithadreferencetoalightpuffofairjustthencomingoverthecalmsea，orsubtlerrelationtotheafterguardsmanthereisnotelling，theoldMerlingaveatwistingwrenchwithhisblackteethathisplugoftobacco，vouchsafingnoreplytoBilly'simpetuousquestion，tho'nowrepeated，foritwashiswonttorelapseintogrimsilencewheninterrogatedinskepticalsortastoanyofhissententiousoracles，notalwaysveryclearones，ratherpartakingofthatobscuritywhichinvestsmostDelphicdeliverancesfromanyquarter。

Longexperiencehadverylikelybroughtthisoldmantothatbitterprudencewhichneverinterferesinaughtandnevergivesadvice。

CHAPTER17

Yes，despitetheDansker'spithyinsistenceastotheMaster-at-armsbeingatthebottomofthesestrangeexperiencesofBillyonboardtheIndomitable，theyoungsailorwasreadytoascribethemtoalmostanybodybutthemanwho，touseBilly'sownexpression，"alwayshadapleasantwordforhim。"Thisistobewonderedat。Yetnotsomuchtobewonderedat。Incertainmatters，somesailorseveninmatureliferemainunsophisticatedenough。ButayoungseafarerofthedispositionofourathleticForetopman，ismuchofachild-man。Andyetachild'sutterinnocenceisbutitsblankignorance，andtheinnocencemoreorlesswanesasintelligencewaxes。ButinBillyBuddintelligence，suchasitwas，hadadvanced，whileyethissimplemindednessremainedforthemostpartunaffected。Experienceisateacherindeed；yetdidBilly'syearsmakehisexperiencesmall。Besides，hehadnoneofthatintuitiveknowledgeofthebadwhichinnaturesnotgoodorincompletelysoforerunsexperience，andthereforemaypertain，asinsomeinstancesittooclearlydoespertain，eventoyouth。

AndwhatcouldBillyknowofmanexceptofmanasameresailor？

Andtheold-fashionedsailor，theveritableman-before-the-mast，thesailorfromboyhoodup，he，tho'indeedofthesamespeciesasalandsman，isinsomerespectssingularlydistinctfromhim。Thesailorisfrankness，thelandsmanisfinesse。Lifeisnotagamewiththesailor，demandingthelonghead；nointricategameofchesswherefewmovesaremadeinstraightforwardness，andendsareattainedbyindirection；anoblique，tedious，barrengamehardlyworththatpoorcandleburntoutinplayingit。

Yes，asaclass，sailorsareincharacterajuvenilerace。Eventheirdeviationsaremarkedbyjuvenility。AndthismoreespeciallyholdingtruewiththesailorsofBilly'stime。Then，too，certainthingswhichapplytoallsailors，domorepointedlyoperate，hereandthere，uponthejuniorone。Everysailor，too，isaccustomedtoobeyorderswithoutdebatingthem；hislifeafloatisexternallyruledforhim；heisnotbroughtintothatpromiscuouscommercewithmankindwhereunobstructedfreeagencyonequalterms-equalsuperficially，atleast-soonteachesonethatunlessuponoccasionheexerciseadistrustkeeninproportiontothefairnessoftheappearance，somefoulturnmaybeservedhim。Aruledundemonstrativedistrustfulnessissohabitual，notwithbusiness-mensomuch，aswithmenwhoknowtheirkindinlessshallowrelationsthanbusiness，namely，certainmen-of-the-world，thattheycomeatlasttoemployitallbutunconsciously；andsomeofthemwouldverylikelyfeelrealsurpriseatbeingchargedwithitasoneoftheirgeneralcharacteristics。

CHAPTER18

ButafterthelittlematteratthemessBillyBuddnomorefoundhimselfinstrangetroubleattimesabouthishammockorhisclothesbagorwhatnot。While，astothatsmilethatoccasionallysunnedhim，andthepleasantpassingword，thesewereifnotmorefrequent，yetifanything，morepronouncedthanbefore。

Butforallthat，therewerecertainotherdemonstrationsnow。

WhenClaggart'sunobservedglancehappenedtolightonbeltedBillyrollingalongtheuppergundeckintheleisureoftheseconddog-watch，exchangingpassingbroadsidesoffunwithotheryoungpromenadersinthecrowd；thatglancewouldfollowthecheerfulsea-Hyperionwithasettledmeditativeandmelancholyexpression，hiseyesstrangelysuffusedwithincipientfeverishtears。ThenwouldClaggartlooklikethemanofsorrows。Yes，andsometimesthemelancholyexpressionwouldhaveinitatouchofsoftyearning，asifClaggartcouldevenhavelovedBillybutforfateandban。Butthiswasanevanescence，andquicklyrepentedof，asitwere，byanimmitigablelook，pinchingandshrivellingthevisageintothemomentarysemblanceofawrinkledwalnut。ButsometimescatchingsightinadvanceoftheForetopmancominginhisdirection，hewould，upontheirnearing，stepasidealittletolethimpass，dwellinguponBillyforthemomentwiththeglitteringdentalsatireofaGuise。Butuponanyabruptunforeseenencounteraredlightwouldflashforthfromhiseyelikeasparkfromananvilinadusksmithy。Thatquickfiercelightwasastrangeone，dartedfromorbswhichinreposewereofacolornearestapproachingadeeperviolet，thesoftestofshades。

Tho'someofthesecapricesofthepitcouldnotbutbeobservedbytheirobject，yetweretheybeyondtheconstruingofsuchanature。

AndthethewsofBillywerehardlycompatiblewiththatsortofsensitivespiritualorganisationwhichinsomecasesinstinctivelyconveystoignorantinnocenceanadmonitionoftheproximityofthemalign。HethoughttheMaster-at-armsactedinamannerratherqueerattimes。Thatwasall。Buttheoccasionalfrankairandpleasantwordwentforwhattheypurportedtobe，theyoungsailorneverhavingheardasyetofthe"toofair-spokenman。"

HadtheForetopmanbeenconsciousofhavingdoneorsaidanythingtoprovoketheillwilloftheofficial，itwouldhavebeendifferentwithhim，andhissightmighthavebeenpurgedifnotsharpened。Asitwas，innocencewashisblinder。

Sowasitwithhiminyetanothermatter。Twominorofficers-

theArmorerandCaptainoftheHold，withwhomhehadneverexchangedaword，hispositionintheshipnotbringinghimintocontactwiththem；thesemennowforthefirstbegantocastuponBillywhentheychancedtoencounterhim，thatpeculiarglancewhichevidencesthatthemanfromwhomitcomeshasbeensomewaytamperedwithandtotheprejudiceofhimuponwhomtheglancelights。NeverdiditoccurtoBillyasathingtobenotedorathingsuspicious，tho'hewellknewthefact，thattheArmorerandCaptainoftheHold，withtheship's-yeoman，apothecary，andothersofthatgrade，werebynavalusage，messmatesoftheMaster-at-arms，menwithearsconvenienttohisconfidentialtongue。

ButthegeneralpopularitythatourHandsomeSailor'smanlyforwardnessbreduponoccasion，andhisirresistiblegood-nature，indicatingnomentalsuperioritytendingtoexciteaninvidiousfeeling，thisgoodwillonthepartofmostofhisshipmatesmadehimthelesstoconcernhimselfaboutsuchmuteaspectstowardhimasthosewheretoallusionhasjustbeenmade，aspectshecouldnotfathomastoinfertheirwholeimport。

Astotheafterguardsman，tho'Billyforreasonsalreadygivennecessarilysawlittleofhim，yetwhenthetwodidhappentomeet，invariablycamethefellow'soff-handcheerfulrecognition，sometimesaccompaniedbyapassingpleasantwordortwo。Whateverthatequivocalyoungperson'soriginaldesignmayreallyhavebeen，orthedesignofwhichhemighthavebeenthedeputy，certainitwasfromhismannerupontheseoccasions，thathehadwhollydroppedit。

Itwasasifhisprecocityofcrookedness（andeveryvulgarvillainisprecocious）hadforoncedeceivedhim，andthemanhehadsoughttoentrapasasimpletonhad，throughhisverysimplicity，ignominiouslybaffledhim。

ButshrewdonesmayopinethatitwashardlypossibleforBillytorefrainfromgoinguptotheafterguardsmanandbluntlydemandingtoknowhispurposeintheinitialinterview，soabruptlyclosedinthefore-chains。ShrewdonesmayalsothinkitbutnaturalinBillytosetaboutsoundingsomeoftheotherimpressedmenoftheshipinordertodiscoverwhatbasis，ifany，therewasfortheemissary'sobscuresuggestionsastoplottingdisaffectionaboard。Yes，theshrewdmaysothink。Butsomethingmore，orrather，somethingelsethanmereshrewdnessisperhapsneedfulforthedueunderstandingofsuchacharacterasBillyBudd's。

AstoClaggart，themonomaniaintheman-ifthatindeeditwere-asinvoluntarilydisclosedbystartsinthemanifestationsdetailed，yetingeneralcoveredoverbyhisself-containedandrationaldemeanour；this，likeasubterraneanfirewaseatingitswaydeeperanddeeperinhim。Somethingdecisivemustcomeofit。

CHAPTER19

Afterthemysteriousinterviewinthefore-chains-theonesoabruptlyendedtherebyBilly-nothingespeciallygermantothestoryoccurreduntiltheeventsnowabouttobenarrated。

Elsewhereithasbeensaidthatinthelackoffrigates（ofcoursebettersailersthanline-of-battleships）intheEnglishsquadronuptheStraitsatthatperiod，theIndomitablewasoccasionallyemployednotonlyasanavailablesubstituteforascout，butattimesondetachedserviceofmoreimportantkind。Thiswasnotalonebecauseofhersailingqualities，notcommoninashipofherrate，butquiteasmuch，probably，thatthecharacterofhercommander，itwasthought，speciallyadaptedhimforanydutywhereunderunforeseendifficultiesapromptinitiativemighthavetobetakeninsomematterdemandingknowledgeandabilityinadditiontothosequalitiesimpliedingoodseamanship。Itwasonanexpeditionofthelattersort，asomewhatdistantone，andwhentheIndomitablewasalmostatherfurthestremovefromthefleet，thatinthelatterpartofanafternoon-watchsheunexpectedlycameinsightofashipoftheenemy。

Itprovedtobeafrigate。Thelatterperceivingthro'theglassthattheweightofmenandmetalwouldbeheavilyagainsther，invokingherlightheels，crowdedsailtogetaway。Afterachaseurgedalmostagainsthopeandlastinguntilaboutthemiddleofthefirstdog-watch，shesignallysucceededineffectingherescape。

Notlongafterthepursuithadbeengivenup，anderetheexcitementincidenttheretohadaltogetherwanedaway，theMaster-at-arms，ascendingfromhiscavernoussphere，madehisappearancecapinhandbythemain-mast，respectfullywaitingthenoticeofCaptainVerethensolitarywalkingtheweather-sideofthequarterdeck，doubtlesssomewhatchafedatthefailureofthepursuit。ThespotwhereClaggartstoodwastheplaceallottedtomenoflessergradesseekingsomemoreparticularintervieweitherwiththeofficer-of-the-deckortheCaptainhimself。Butfromthelatteritwasnotoftenthatasailororpetty-officerofthosedayswouldseekahearing；onlysomeexceptionalcause，would，accordingtoestablishedcustom，havewarrantedthat。

Presently，justastheCommanderabsorbedinhisreflectionswasonthepointofturningaftinhispromenade，hebecamesensibleofClaggart'spresence，andsawthedoffedcapheldindeferentialexpectancy。HerebeitsaidthatCaptainVere'spersonalknowledgeofthispetty-officerhadonlybegunatthetimeoftheship'slastsailingfromhome，Claggartthenforthefirst，intransferfromashipdetainedforrepairs，supplyingonboardtheIndomitabletheplaceofapreviousmaster-at-armsdisabledandashore。

NosoonerdidtheCommanderobservewhoitwasthatdeferentiallystoodawaitinghisnotice，thanapeculiarexpressioncameoverhim。Itwasnotunlikethatwhichuncontrollablywillflitacrossthecountenanceofoneatunawaresencounteringapersonwho，thoughknowntohimindeed，hashardlybeenlongenoughknownforthoroughknowledge，butsomethinginwhoseaspectneverthelessnowforthefirstprovokesavaguelyrepellentdistaste。Butcomingtoastand，andresumingmuchofhiswontedofficialmanner，savethatasortofimpatiencelurkedintheintonationoftheopeningword，hesaid，"Well？whatisit，Master-at-arms？"

Withtheairofasubordinategrievedatthenecessityofbeingamessengerofilltidings，andwhileconscientiouslydeterminedtobefrank，yetequallyresolveduponshunningoverstatement，Claggart，atthisinvitationorrathersummonstodisburthen，spokeup。Whathesaid，conveyedinthelanguageofnouneducatedman，wastotheeffectfollowing，ifnotaltogetherinthesewords，namely，thatduringthechaseandpreparationsforthepossibleencounterhehadseenenoughtoconvincehimthatatleastonesailoraboardwasadangerouscharacterinashipmusteringsomewhonotonlyhadtakenaguiltypartinthelateserioustroubles，butothersalsowho，likethemaninquestion，hadenteredHisMajesty'sserviceunderanotherformthanenlistment。

AtthispointCaptainVerewithsomeimpatienceinterruptedhim：

"Bedirect，man；sayimpressedmen。"

Claggartmadeagestureofsubservience，andproceeded。

Quitelatelyhe（Claggart）hadbeguntosuspectthatonthegundeckssomesortofmovementpromptedbythesailorinquestionwascovertlygoingon，buthehadnotthoughthimselfwarrantedinreportingthesuspicionsolongasitremainedindistinct。Butfromwhathehadthatafternoonobservedinthemanreferredto，thesuspicionofsomethingclandestinegoingonhadadvancedtoapointlessremovedfromcertainty。Hedeeplyfelt，headded，theseriousresponsibilityassumedinmakingareportinvolvingsuchpossibleconsequencestotheindividualmainlyconcerned，besidestendingtoaugmentthosenaturalanxietieswhicheverynavalcommandermustfeelinviewofextraordinaryoutbreakssorecentasthosewhich，hesorrowfullysaidit，itneedednottoname。

NowatthefirstbroachingofthematterCaptainVere，takenbysurprise，couldnotwhollydissemblehisdisquietude。ButasClaggartwenton，theformer'saspectchangedintorestivenessundersomethinginthewitness'manneringivinghistestimony。However，herefrainedfrominterruptinghim。AndClaggart，continuing，concludedwiththis："Godforbid，YourHonor，thattheIndomitable'sshouldbetheexperienceofthe-"

"Nevermindthat！"hereperemptorilybrokeinthesuperior，hisfacealteringwithanger，instinctivelydiviningtheshipthattheotherwasabouttoname，oneinwhichtheNoreMutinyhadassumedasingularlytragicalcharacterthatforatimejeopardizedthelifeofitscommander。Underthecircumstanceshewasindignantatthepurposedallusion。Whenthecommissionedofficersthemselveswereonalloccasionsveryheedfulhowtheyreferredtotherecentevents，forapetty-officerunnecessarilytoalludetotheminthepresenceofhisCaptain，thisstruckhimasamostimmodestpresumption。Besides，tohisquicksenseofself-respect，itevenlookedunderthecircumstancessomethinglikeanattempttoalarmhim。Noratfirstwashewithoutsomesurprisethatonewhosofarashehadhithertocomeunderhisnoticehadshownconsiderabletactinhisfunctionshouldinthisparticularevincesuchlackofit。

Butthesethoughtsandkindreddubiousonesflittingacrosshismindweresuddenlyreplacedbyanintuitionalsurmisewhich，thoughasyetobscureinform，servedpracticallytoaffecthisreceptionoftheilltidings。Certainitis，thatlongversedineverythingpertainingtothecomplicatedgun-decklife，whichlikeeveryotherformoflife，hasitssecretminesanddubiousside，thesidepopularlydisclaimed，CaptainVeredidnotpermithimselftobeundulydisturbedbythegeneraltenorofhissubordinate'sreport。

Furthermore，ifinviewofrecenteventspromptactionshouldbetakenatthefirstpalpablesignofrecurringinsubordination，forallthat，notjudiciouswoulditbe，hethought，tokeeptheideaoflingeringdisaffectionalivebyundueforwardnessincreditinganinformer，evenifhisownsubordinate，andchargedamongotherthingswithpolicesurveillanceofthecrew。ThisfeelingwouldnotperhapshavesoprevailedwithhimwereitnotthatuponaprioroccasionthepatrioticzealofficiallyevincedbyClaggarthadsomewhatirritatedhimasappearingrathersupersensibleandstrained。Furthermore，somethingevenintheofficial'sself-possessedandsomewhatostentatiousmannerinmakinghisspecificationsstrangelyremindedhimofabandsman，aperjurouswitnessinacapitalcasebeforeacourtmartialashoreofwhichwhenalieutenant，he，CaptainVere，hadbeenamember。

NowtheperemptorycheckgiventoClaggartinthematterofthearrestedallusionwasquicklyfollowedupbythis："Yousaythatthereisatleastonedangerousmanaboard。Namehim。"

"WilliamBudd。Aforetopman，YourHonor-"

"WilliamBudd，"repeatedCaptainVerewithunfeignedastonishment；

"andmeanyouthemanthatLieutenantRatclifftookfromthemerchantmannotverylongago-theyoungfellowwhoseemstobesopopularwiththemen-Billy，the'HandsomeSailor，'astheycallhim？"

"Thesame，YourHonor；butforallhisyouthandgoodlooks，adeepone。Notfornothingdoesheinsinuatehimselfintothegoodwillofhisshipmates，sinceattheleastallhandswillatapinchsayagoodwordforhimatallhazards。DidLieutenantRatcliffhappentotellYourHonorofthatadroitflingofBudd's，jumpingupinthecutter'sbowunderthemerchantman'ssternwhenhewasbeingtakenoff？Itisevenmasquedbythatsortofgood-humouredairthatatheartheresentshisimpressment。Youhavebutnotedhisfaircheek。A

man-trapmaybeunderhisruddy-tippeddaisies。"

NowtheHandsomeSailor，asasignalfigureamongthecrew，hadnaturallyenoughattractedtheCaptain'sattentionfromthefirst。

Tho'ingeneralnotverydemonstrativetohisofficers，hehadcongratulatedLieutenantRatcliffuponhisgoodfortuneinlightingonsuchafinespecimenofthegenushomo，whointhenudemighthaveposedforastatueofyoungAdambeforetheFall。

AstoBilly'sadieutotheshipRights-of-Man，whichtheboardinglieutenanthadindeedreportedtohim，butinadeferentialwaymoreasagoodstorythanaughtelse，CaptainVere，tho'

mistakenlyunderstandingitasasatiricsally，hadbutthoughtsomuchthebetteroftheimpressedmanforit；asamilitarysailor，admiringthespiritthatcouldtakeanarbitraryenlistmentsomerrilyandsensibly。TheForetopman'sconduct，too，sofarasithadfallenundertheCaptain'snotice，hadconfirmedthefirsthappyaugury，whilethenewrecruit'squalitiesasasailor-manseemedtobesuchthathehadthoughtofrecommendinghimtotheexecutiveofficerforpromotiontoaplacethatwouldmorefrequentlybringhimunderhisownobservation，namely，thecaptaincyofthemizzentop，replacingthereinthestarboardwatchamannotsoyoungwhompartlyforthatreasonhedeemedlessfittedforthepost。Beitparenthesizedherethatsincethemizzentopmenhavingnottohandlesuchbreadthsofheavycanvasasthelowersailsonthemain-mastandfore-mast，ayoungmanifoftherightstuffnotonlyseemsbestadaptedtodutythere，butinfactisgenerallyselectedforthecaptaincyofthattop，andthecompanyunderhimarelighthandsandoftenbutstriplings。Insum，CaptainVerehadfromthebeginningdeemedBillyBuddtobewhatinthenavalparlanceofthetimewascalleda"King'sbargain，"thatistosay，forHisBritannicMajesty'sNavyacapitalinvestmentatsmalloutlayornoneatall。

AfterabriefpauseduringwhichthereminiscencesabovementionedpassedvividlythroughhismindandheweighedtheimportofClaggart'slastsuggestionconveyedinthephrase"man-trapunderhisdaisies，"andthemoreheweigheditthelessreliancehefeltintheinformer'sgoodfaith，suddenlyheturneduponhimandinalowvoice："Doyoucometome，Master-at-arms，withsofoggyatale？AstoBudd，citemeanactorspokenwordofhisconfirmatoryofwhatyouingeneralchargeagainsthim。Stay，"drawingnearertohim，"heedwhatyouspeak。Justnow，andinacaselikethis，thereisayard-arm-endforthefalse-witness。"

"Ah，YourHonor！"sighedClaggart，mildlyshakinghisshapelyheadasinsaddeprecationofsuchunmeritedseverityoftone。Then，bridling-erectinghimselfasinvirtuousself-assertion，hecircumstantiallyallegedcertainwordsandacts，whichcollectively，ifcredited，ledtopresumptionsmortallyinculpatingBudd。Andforsomeoftheseaverments，headded，substantiatingproofwasnotfar。

WithgrayeyesimpatientanddistrustfulessayingtofathomtothebottomClaggart'scalmvioletones，CaptainVereagainheardhimout；thenforthemomentstoodruminating。Themoodheevinced，Claggart-himselfforthetimeliberatedfromtheother'sscrutiny-

steadilyregardedwithalookdifficulttorender，-alookcuriousoftheoperationofhistactics，alooksuchasmighthavebeenthatofthespokesmanoftheenviouschildrenofJacobdeceptivelyimposinguponthetroubledpatriarchtheblood-dyedcoatofyoungJoseph。

ThoughsomethingexceptionalinthemoralqualityofCaptainVeremadehim，inearnestencounterwithafellow-man，averitabletouch-stoneofthatman'sessentialnature，yetnowastoClaggartandwhatwasreallygoingoninhim，hisfeelingpartooklessofintuitionalconvictionthanofstrongsuspicioncloggedbystrangedubieties。Theperplexityheevincedproceededlessfromaughttouchingthemaninformedagainst-asClaggartdoubtlessopined-

thanfromconsiderationshowbesttoactinregardtotheinformer。AtfirstindeedhewasnaturallyforsummoningthatsubstantiationofhisallegationswhichClaggartsaidwasathand。Butsuchaproceedingwouldresultinthematteratoncegettingabroad，whichinthepresentstageofit，hethought，mightundesirablyaffecttheship'scompany。IfClaggartwasafalsewitness，-thatclosedtheaffair。Andthereforebeforetryingtheaccusation，hewouldfirstpracticallytesttheaccuser；andhethoughtthiscouldbedoneinaquietundemonstrativeway。

Themeasurehedetermineduponinvolvedashiftingofthescene，atransfertoaplacelessexposedtoobservationthanthebroadquarter-deck。Foralthoughthefewgun-roomofficersthereatthetimehad，indueobservanceofnavaletiquette，withdrawntoleewardthemomentCaptainVerehadbegunhispromenadeonthedeck'sweather-side；andtho'duringthecolloquywithClaggarttheyofcourseventurednottodiminishthedistance；andthoughthroughouttheinterviewCaptainVere'svoicewasfarfromhigh，andClaggart'ssilveryandlow；andthewindinthecordageandthewashoftheseahelpedthemoretoputthembeyondearshot；nevertheless，theinterview'scontinuancealreadyhadattractedobservationfromsometopmenaloftandothersailorsinthewaistorfurtherforward。

Havingdetermineduponhismeasures，CaptainVereforthwithtookaction。AbruptlyturningtoClaggartheasked，"Master-at-arms，isitnowBudd'swatchaloft？"

"No，YourHonor。"Whereupon，"Mr。Wilkes！"summoningthenearestmidshipman，"tellAlberttocometome。"AlbertwastheCaptain'shammock-boy，asortofsea-valetinwhosediscretionandfidelityhismasterhadmuchconfidence。Theladappeared。"YouknowBuddtheForetopman？"

"Ido，Sir。"

"Gofindhim。Itishiswatchoff。Managetotellhimoutofearshotthatheiswantedaft。Contriveitthathespeakstonobody。

Keephimintalkyourself。Andnottillyougetwellafthere，nottillthenlethimknowthattheplacewhereheiswantedismycabin。Youunderstand。Go-Master-at-arms，showyourselfonthedecksbelow，andwhenyouthinkittimeforAlberttobecomingwithhisman，standbyquietlytofollowthesailorin。"

CHAPTER20

NowwhentheForetopmanfoundhimselfclosetedthere，asitwere，inthecabinwiththeCaptainandClaggart，hewassurprisedenough。Butitwasasurpriseunaccompaniedbyapprehensionordistrust。Toanimmaturenatureessentiallyhonestandhumane，forewarningintimationsofsubtlerdangerfromone'skindcometardilyifatall。Theonlythingthattookshapeintheyoungsailor'smindwasthis：Yes，theCaptain，Ihavealwaysthought，lookskindlyuponme。Wonderifhe'sgoingtomakemehiscoxswain。Ishouldlikethat。AndmaybenowheisgoingtoasktheMaster-at-armsaboutme。

"Shutthedoorthere，sentry，"saidtheCommander；"standwithout，andletnobodycomein-Now，Master-at-arms，tellthismantohisfacewhatyoutoldofhimtome"；andstoodpreparedtoscrutinizethemutuallyconfrontingvisages。

Withthemeasuredstepandcalmcollectedairofanasylum-physicianapproachinginthepublichallsomepatientbeginningtoshowindicationsofacomingparoxysm，ClaggartdeliberatelyadvancedwithinshortrangeofBilly，andmesmericallylookinghimintheeye，brieflyrecapitulatedtheaccusation。

NotatfirstdidBillytakeitin。Whenhedid，therose-tanofhischeeklookedstruckasbywhiteleprosy。Hestoodlikeoneimpaledandgagged。Meanwhiletheaccuser'seyesremovingnotasyetfromthebluedilatedones，underwentaphenomenalchange，theirwontedrichvioletcolorblurringintoamuddypurple。Thoselightsofhumanintelligencelosinghumanexpression，gelidlyprotrudinglikethealieneyesofcertainuncataloguedcreaturesofthedeep。Thefirstmesmericglancewasoneofserpentfascination；thelastwasasthehungrylurchofthetorpedo-fish。

"Speak，man！"saidCaptainVeretothetransfixedone，struckbyhisaspectevenmorethanbyClaggart's，"Speak！defendyourself。"

WhichappealcausedbutastrangedumbgesturingandgurglinginBilly；amazementatsuchanaccusationsosuddenlysprungoninexperiencednonage；this，and，itmaybe，horroroftheaccuser，servingtobringouthislurkingdefectandinthisinstanceforthetimeintensifyingitintoaconvulsedtongue-tie；whiletheintentheadandentireformstrainingforwardinanagonyofineffectualeagernesstoobeytheinjunctiontospeakanddefendhimself，gaveanexpressiontothefacelikethatofacondemnedVestalpriestessinthemomentofbeingburiedalive，andinthefirststruggleagainstsuffocation。

ThoughatthetimeCaptainVerewasquiteignorantofBilly'sliabilitytovocalimpediment，henowimmediatelydivinedit，sincevividlyBilly'saspectrecalledtohimthatofabrightyoungschoolmateofhiswhomhehadonceseenstruckbymuchthesamestartlingimpotenceintheactofeagerlyrisingintheclasstobeforemostinresponsetoatestingquestionputtoitbythemaster。

Goingcloseuptotheyoungsailor，andlayingasoothinghandonhisshoulder，hesaid，"Thereisnohurry，myboy。Takeyourtime，takeyourtime。"Contrarytotheeffectintended，thesewordssofatherlyintone，doubtlesstouchingBilly'shearttothequick，promptedyetmoreviolenteffortsatutterance-effortssoonendingforthetimeinconfirmingtheparalysis，andbringingtohisfaceanexpressionwhichwasasacrucifixiontobehold。Thenextinstant，quickastheflamefromadischargedcannonatnight，hisrightarmshotout，andClaggartdroppedtothedeck。Whetherintentionallyorbutowingtotheyoungathlete'ssuperiorheight，theblowhadtakeneffectfullyupontheforehead，soshapelyandintellectual-lookingafeatureintheMaster-at-arms；sothatthebodyfelloverlengthwise，likeaheavyplanktiltedfromerectness。Agasportwo，andhelaymotionless。

"Fatedboy，"breathedCaptainVereintonesolowastobealmostawhisper，"whathaveyoudone！Buthere，helpme。"

Thetwainraisedthefelledonefromtheloinsupintoasittingposition。Thespareformflexiblyacquiesced，butinertly。Itwaslikehandlingadeadsnake。Theylowereditback。RegainingerectnessCaptainVerewithonehandcoveringhisfacestoodtoallappearanceasimpassiveastheobjectathisfeet。Washeabsorbedintakinginallthebearingsoftheeventandwhatwasbestnotonlynowatoncetobedone，butalsointhesequel？Slowlyheuncoveredhisface；

andtheeffectwasasifthemoonemergingfromeclipseshouldreappearwithquiteanotheraspectthanthatwhichhadgoneintohiding。Thefatherinhim，manifestedtowardsBillythusfarinthescene，wasreplacedbythemilitarydisciplinarian。InhisofficialtonehebadetheForetopmanretiretoastate-roomaft（pointingitout），andthereremaintillthencesummoned。ThisorderBillyinsilencemechanicallyobeyed。Thengoingtothecabin-doorwhereitopenedonthequarter-deck，CaptainVeresaidtothesentrywithout，"TellsomebodytosendAlberthere。"Whentheladappearedhismastersocontriveditthatheshouldnotcatchsightoftheproneone。"Albert，"hesaidtohim，"telltheSurgeonIwishtoseehim。

Youneednotcomebacktillcalled。"WhentheSurgeonentered-aself-poisedcharacterofthatgravesenseandexperiencethathardlyanythingcouldtakehimaback，-CaptainVereadvancedtomeethim，thusunconsciouslyinterceptinghisviewofClaggart，andinterruptingtheother'swontedceremonioussalutation，said，"Nay，tellmehowitiswithyonderman，"directinghisattentiontotheprostrateone。

TheSurgeonlooked，andforallhisself-command，somewhatstartedattheabruptrevelation。OnClaggart'salwayspallidcomplexion，thickblackbloodwasnowoozingfromnostrilandear。Tothegazer'sprofessionaleyeitwasunmistakablynolivingmanthathesaw。

"Isitsothen？"saidCaptainVereintentlywatchinghim。"I

thoughtit。Butverifyit。"WhereuponthecustomarytestsconfirmedtheSurgeon'sfirstglance，whonowlookingupinunfeignedconcern，castalookofintenseinquisitivenessuponhissuperior。ButCaptainVere，withonehandtohisbrow，wasstandingmotionless。

Suddenly，catchingtheSurgeon'sarmconvulsively，heexclaimed，pointingdowntothebody-"ItisthedivinejudgementonAnanias！

Look！"

DisturbedbytheexcitedmannerhehadneverbeforeobservedintheIndomitable'sCaptain，andasyetwhollyignorantoftheaffair，theprudentSurgeonneverthelessheldhispeace，onlyagainlookinganearnestinterrogationastowhatitwasthathadresultedinsuchatragedy。

ButCaptainVerewasnowagainmotionlessstandingabsorbedinthought。Butagainstarting，hevehementlyexclaimed-"StruckdeadbyanangelofGod！Yettheangelmusthang！"

Atthesepassionateinterjections，mereincoherencestothelistenerasyetunapprisedoftheantecedents，theSurgeonwasprofoundlydiscomposed。Butnowasrecollectinghimself，CaptainVereinlesspassionatetonebrieflyrelatedthecircumstancesleadinguptotheevent。

"Butcome；wemustdespatch，"headded。"metoremovehim"

（meaningthebody）"toyondercompartment，"designatingoneoppositethatwheretheForetopmanremainedimmured。Anewdisturbedbyarequestthatasimplyingadesireforsecrecy，seemedunaccountablystrangetohim，therewasnothingforthesubordinatetodobutcomply。

"Gonow，"saidCaptainVerewithsomethingofhiswontedmanner-

"Gonow。Ishallpresentlycalladrum-headcourt。Tellthelieutenantswhathashappened，andtellMr。Mordant，"meaningtheCaptainofMarines，"andchargethemtokeepthemattertothemselves。"

CHAPTER21

FullofdisquietudeandmisgivingtheSurgeonleftthecabin。

WasCaptainVeresuddenlyaffectedinhismind，orwasitbutatransientexcitement，broughtaboutbysostrangeandextraordinaryahappening？Astothedrum-headcourt，itstrucktheSurgeonasimpolitic，ifnothingmore。Thethingtodo，hethought，wastoplaceBillyBuddinconfinementandinawaydictatedbyusage，andpostponefurtheractioninsoextraordinaryacasetosuchtimeastheyshouldrejointhesquadron，andthenreferittotheAdmiral。

HerecalledtheunwontedagitationofCaptainVereandhisexcitedexclamationssoatvariancewithhisnormalmanner。Washeunhinged？

Butassumingthatheis，itisnotsosusceptibleofproof。Whatthencanhedo？NomoretryingsituationisconceivablethanthatofanofficersubordinateunderaCaptainwhomhesuspectstobe，notmadindeed，butyetnotquiteunaffectedinhisintellect。Toarguehisordertohimwouldbeinsolence。Toresisthimwouldbemutiny。

InobediencetoCaptainVerehecommunicatedwhathadhappenedtothelieutenantsandCaptainofMarines；sayingnothingastotheCaptain'sstate。Theyfullysharedhisownsurpriseandconcern。

LikehimtootheyseemedtothinkthatsuchamattershouldbereferredtotheAdmiral。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读