CHAPTER22
Whointherainbowcandrawthelinewheretheviolettintendsandtheorangetintbegins？Distinctlyweseethedifferenceofthecolors，butwhereexactlydoestheonefirstblendinglyenterintotheother？Sowithsanityandinsanity。Inpronouncedcasesthereisnoquestionaboutthem。Butinsomesupposedcases，invariousdegreessupposedlylesspronounced，todrawtheexactlineofdemarkationfewwillundertaketho'forafeesomeprofessionalexpertswill。
Thereisnothingnamablebutthatsomemenwillundertaketodoitforpay。
WhetherCaptainVere，astheSurgeonprofessionallyandprivatelysurmised，wasreallythesuddenvictimofanydegreeofaberration，onemustdetermineforhimselfbysuchlightasthisnarrativemayafford。
Thattheunhappyeventwhichhasbeennarratedcouldnothavehappenedataworsejuncturewasbuttootrue。Foritwascloseontheheelofthesuppressedinsurrections，anaftertimeverycriticaltonavalauthority，demandingfromeveryEnglishsea-commandertwoqualitiesnotreadilyinterfusable-prudenceandrigour。Moreovertherewassomethingcrucialinthecase。
InthejuggleryofcircumstancesprecedingandattendingtheeventonboardtheIndomitable，andinthelightofthatmartialcodewherebyitwasformallytobejudged，innocenceandguiltpersonifiedinClaggartandBuddineffectchangedplaces。Inalegalviewtheapparentvictimofthetragedywashewhohadsoughttovictimizeamanblameless；andtheindisputabledeedofthelatter，navallyregarded，constitutedthemostheinousofmilitarycrimes。Yetmore。Theessentialrightandwronginvolvedinthematter，theclearerthatmightbe，somuchtheworsefortheresponsibilityofaloyalsea-commanderinasmuchashewasnotauthorizedtodeterminethematteronthatprimitivebasis。
SmallwonderthenthattheIndomitable'sCaptain，thoughingeneralamanofrapiddecision，feltthatcircumspectnessnotlessthanpromptitudewasnecessary。Untilhecoulddecideuponhiscourse，andineachdetail；andnotonlyso，butuntiltheconcludingmeasurewasuponthepointofbeingenacted，hedeemeditadvisable，inviewofallthecircumstances，toguardasmuchaspossibleagainstpublicity。Herehemayormaynothaveerred。Certainitis，however，thatsubsequentlyintheconfidentialtalkofmorethanoneortwogun-roomsandcabinshewasnotalittlecriticizedbysomeofficers，afactimputedbyhisfriendsandvehementlybyhiscousin，JackDenton，toprofessionaljealousyofStarryVere。Someimaginativegroundforinvidiouscommenttherewas。Themaintenanceofsecrecyinthematter，theconfiningallknowledgeofitforatimetotheplacewherethehomicideoccurred，thequarter-deckcabin；intheseparticularslurkedsomeresemblancetothepolicyadoptedinthosetragediesofthepalacewhichhaveoccurredmorethanonceinthecapitalfoundedbyPetertheBarbarian。
ThecaseindeedwassuchthatfainwouldtheIndomitable'sCaptainhavedeferredtakinganyactionwhateverrespectingitfurtherthantokeeptheForetopmanacloseprisonertilltheshiprejoinedthesquadron，andthensubmittingthemattertothejudgementofhisAdmiral。
Butatruemilitaryofficerisinoneparticularlikeatruemonk。
Notwithmoreofself-abnegationwillthelatterkeephisvowsofmonasticobediencethantheformerhisvowsofallegiancetomartialduty。
Feelingthatunlessquickactionwastakenonit，thedeedoftheForetopman，sosoonasitshouldbeknownonthegundecks，wouldtendtoawakenanyslumberingembersoftheNoreamongthecrew，asenseoftheurgencyofthecaseoverruledinCaptainVereeveryotherconsideration。Buttho'aconscientiousdisciplinarian，hewasnoloverofauthorityformereauthority'ssake。Veryfarwashefromembracingopportunitiesformonopolizingtohimselftheperilsofmoralresponsibility，noneatleastthatcouldproperlybereferredtoanofficialsuperior，orsharedwithhimbyhisofficialequalsorevensubordinates。Sothinking，hewasgladitwouldnotbeatvariancewithusagetoturnthematterovertoasummarycourtofhisownofficers，reservingtohimselfastheoneonwhomtheultimateaccountabilitywouldrest，therightofmaintainingasupervisionofit，orformallyorinformallyinterposingatneed。Accordinglyadrum-headcourtwassummarilyconvened，heelectingtheindividualscomposingit，theFirstLieutenant，theCaptainofMarines，andtheSailingMaster。
Inassociatinganofficerofmarineswiththesea-lieutenantsinacasehavingtodowithasailor，theCommanderperhapsdeviatedfromgeneralcustom。Hewaspromptedtheretobythecircumstancethathetookthatsoldiertobeajudiciousperson，thoughtful，andnotaltogetherincapableofgrapplingwithadifficultcaseunprecedentedinhispriorexperience。Yetevenastohimhewasnotwithoutsomelatentmisgiving，forwithalhewasanextremelygoodnaturedman，anenjoyerofhisdinner，asoundsleeper，andinclinedtoobesity，amanwhotho'hewouldalwaysmaintainhismanhoodinbattlemightnotprovealtogetherreliableinamoraldilemmainvolvingaughtofthetragic。AstotheFirstLieutenantandtheSailingMaster，CaptainVerecouldnotbutbeawarethatthoughhonestnatures，ofapprovedgallantryuponoccasion，theirintelligencewasmostlyconfinedtothematterofactiveseamanshipandthefightingdemandsoftheirprofession。Thecourtwasheldinthesamecabinwheretheunfortunateaffairhadtakenplace。Thiscabin，theCommander's，embracedtheentireareaunderthepoopdeck。
Aft，andoneitherside，wasasmallstate-room；theoneroomtemporarilyajailandtheotheradead-house，andayetsmallercompartmentleavingaspacebetween，expandingforwardintoagoodlyoblongoflengthcoincidingwiththeship'sbeam。Askylightofmoderatedimensionwasoverheadandateachendoftheoblongspaceweretwosashedport-holewindowseasilyconvertiblebackintoembrasuresforshortcarronades。
Allbeingquicklyinreadiness，BillyBuddwasarraigned，CaptainVerenecessarilyappearingasthesolewitnessinthecase，andassuch，temporarilysinkinghisrank，thoughsingularlymaintainingitinamatterapparentlytrivial，namely，thathetestifiedfromtheship'sweather-side，withthatobjecthavingcausedthecourttositonthelee-side。Conciselyhenarratedallthathadleduptothecatastrophe，omittingnothinginClaggart'saccusationanddeposingastothemannerinwhichtheprisonerhadreceivedit。
AtthistestimonythethreeofficersglancedwithnolittlesurpriseatBillyBudd，thelastmantheywouldhavesuspectedeitherofthemutinousdesignallegedbyClaggartortheundeniabledeedhehimselfhaddone。
TheFirstLieutenant，takingjudicialprimacyandturningtowardtheprisoner，said，"CaptainVerehasspoken。IsitorisitnotasCaptainVeresays？"Inresponsecamesyllablesnotsomuchimpededintheutteranceasmighthavebeenanticipated。Theywerethese：
"CaptainVeretellsthetruth。ItisjustasCaptainVeresays，butitisnotastheMaster-at-armssaid。IhaveeatentheKing'sbreadandI
amtruetotheKing。"
"Ibelieveyou，myman，"saidthewitness，hisvoiceindicatingasuppressedemotionnototherwisebetrayed。
"Godwillblessyouforthat，YourHonor！"notwithoutstammeringsaidBilly，andallbutbrokedown。Butimmediatelywasrecalledtoself-controlbyanotherquestion，towhichwiththesameemotionaldifficultyofutterancehesaid，"No，therewasnomalicebetweenus。IneverboremaliceagainsttheMaster-at-arms。Iamsorrythatheisdead。Ididnotmeantokillhim。CouldIhaveusedmytongueIwouldnothavestruckhim。ButhefoullyliedtomyfaceandinpresenceofmyCaptain，andIhadtosaysomething，andIcouldonlysayitwithablow，Godhelpme！"
Intheimpulsiveabove-boardmannerofthefrankone，thecourtsawconfirmedallthatwasimpliedinwordsthatjustpreviouslyhadperplexedthem，comingastheydidfromthetestifiertothetragedyandpromptlyfollowingBilly'simpassioneddisclaimerofmutinousintent-CaptainVere'swords，"Ibelieveyou，myman。"
Nextitwasaskedofhimwhetherheknewoforsuspectedaughtsavoringofincipienttrouble（meaningmutiny，tho'theexplicittermwasavoided）goingoninanysectionoftheship'scompany。
Thereplylingered。Thiswasnaturallyimputedbythecourttothesamevocalembarrassmentwhichhadretardedorobstructedpreviousanswers。Butinmainitwasotherwisehere；thequestionimmediatelyrecallingtoBilly'smindtheinterviewwiththeafterguardsmaninthefore-chains。Butaninnaterepugnancetoplayingapartatallapproachingthatofaninformeragainstone'sownshipmates-thesameerringsenseofuninstructedhonorwhichhadstoodinthewayofhisreportingthematteratthetimethoughasaloyalman-of-war-manitwasincumbentonhim，andfailuresotodoifchargedagainsthimandproven，wouldhavesubjectedhimtotheheaviestofpenalties；this，withtheblindfeelingnowhis，thatnothingreallywasbeinghatched，prevailedwithhim。Whentheanswercameitwasanegative。
"Onequestionmore，"saidtheofficerofmarinesnowfirstspeakingandwithatroubledearnestness。"YoutellusthatwhattheMaster-at-armssaidagainstyouwasalie。Nowwhyshouldhehavesolied，somaliciouslylied，sinceyoudeclaretherewasnomalicebetweenyou？"
AtthatquestionunintentionallytouchingonaspiritualspherewhollyobscuretoBilly'sthoughts，hewasnonplussed，evincingaconfusionindeedthatsomeobservers，suchascanreadilybeimagined，wouldhaveconstruedintoinvoluntaryevidenceofhiddenguilt。
Neverthelesshestrovesomewaytoanswer，butallatoncerelinquishedthevainendeavor，atthesametimeturninganappealingglancetowardsCaptainVereasdeeminghimhisbesthelperandfriend。CaptainVerewhohadbeenseatedforatimerosetohisfeet，addressingtheinterrogator。"Thequestionyouputtohimcomesnaturallyenough。Buthowcanherightlyanswerit？oranybodyelse？unlessindeeditbehewholieswithinthere，"designatingthecompartmentwherelaythecorpse。"Buttheproneonetherewillnotrisetooursummons。Ineffect，tho'，asitseemstome，thepointyoumakeishardlymaterial。QuiteasidefromanyconceivablemotiveactuatingtheMaster-at-arms，andirrespectiveoftheprovocationtotheblow，amartialcourtmustneedsinthepresentcaseconfineitsattentiontotheblow'sconsequence，whichconsequencejustlyistobedeemednototherwisethanasthestriker'sdeed。"
Thisutterance，thefullsignificanceofwhichitwasnotatalllikelythatBillytookin，neverthelesscausedhimtoturnawistfulinterrogativelooktowardthespeaker，alookinitsdumbexpressivenessnotunlikethatwhichadogofgenerousbreedmightturnuponhismasterseekinginhisfacesomeelucidationofapreviousgestureambiguoustothecanineintelligence。Norwasthesameutterancewithoutmarkedeffectuponthethreeofficers，moreespeciallythesoldier。Couchedinitseemedtothemameaningunanticipated，involvingaprejudgementonthespeaker'spart。Itservedtoaugmentamentaldisturbancepreviouslyevidentenough。
Thesoldieroncemorespoke；inatoneofsuggestivedubietyaddressingatoncehisassociatesandCaptainVere："Nobodyispresent-noneoftheship'scompany，Imean-whomightshedlaterallight，ifanyistobehad，uponwhatremainsmysteriousinthismatter。"
"Thatisthoughtfullyput，"saidCaptainVere；"Iseeyourdrift。Ay，thereisamystery；but，touseaScripturalphrase，itis'amysteryofiniquity，'amatterforpsychologictheologianstodiscuss。Butwhathasamilitarycourttodowithit？Nottoaddthatforusanypossibleinvestigationofitiscutoffbythelastingtongue-tieof-him-inyonder，"againdesignatingthemortuarystateroom。"Theprisoner'sdeed，-withthatalonewehavetodo。"
Tothis，andparticularlytheclosingreiteration，themarinesoldierknowingnothowaptlytoreply，sadlyabstainedfromsayingaught。TheFirstLieutenantwhoattheoutsethadnotunnaturallyassumedprimacyinthecourt，nowoverrulinglyinstructedbyaglancefromCaptainVere，aglancemoreeffectivethanwords，resumedthatprimacy。Turningtotheprisoner，"Budd，"hesaid，andscarceinequabletones，"Budd，ifyouhaveaughtfurthertosayforyourself，sayitnow。"
UponthistheyoungsailorturnedanotherquickglancetowardCaptainVere；then，astakingahintfromthataspect，ahintconfirminghisowninstinctthatsilencewasnowbest，repliedtotheLieutenant，"Ihavesaidall，Sir。"
Themarine-thesamewhohadbeenthesentinelwithoutthecabin-dooratthetimethattheForetopmanfollowedbytheMaster-at-arms，enteredit-he，standingbythesailorthroughoutthesejudicialproceedings，wasnowdirectedtotakehimbacktotheaftercompartmentoriginallyassignedtotheprisonerandhiscustodian。Asthetwaindisappearedfromview，thethreeofficersaspartiallyliberatedfromsomeinwardconstraintassociatedwithBilly'smerepresence，simultaneouslystirredintheirseats。Theyexchangedlooksoftroubledindecision，yetfeelingthatdecidetheymustandwithoutlongdelay。AsforCaptainVere，heforthetimestoodunconsciouslywithhisbacktowardthem，apparentlyinoneofhisabsentfits，gazingoutfromasashedport-holetowindwarduponthemonotonousblankofthetwilightsea。Butthecourt'ssilencecontinuing，brokenonlyatmomentsbybriefconsultationsinlowearnesttones，thisseemedtoarmhimandenergizehim。Turning，heto-and-fropacedthecabinathwart；inthereturningascenttowindward，climbingtheslantdeckintheship'sleeroll；withoutknowingitsymbolizingthusinhisactionamindresolutetosurmountdifficultiesevenifagainstprimitiveinstinctsstrongasthewindandthesea。Presentlyhecametoastandbeforethethree。
Afterscanningtheirfaceshestoodlessasmusteringhisthoughtsforexpression，thanasoneinlydeliberatinghowbesttoputthemtowell-meaningmennotintellectuallymature，menwithwhomitwasnecessarytodemonstratecertainprinciplesthatwereaxiomstohimself。Similarimpatienceastotalkingisperhapsonereasonthatdeterssomemindsfromaddressinganypopularassemblies。
Whenspeakhedid，somethingbothinthesubstanceofwhathesaidandhismannerofsayingit，showedtheinfluenceofunsharedstudiesmodifyingandtemperingthepracticaltrainingofanactivecareer。This，alongwithhisphraseology，nowandthenwassuggestiveofthegroundswhereonrestedthatimputationofacertainpedantrysociallyallegedagainsthimbycertainnavalmenofwhollypracticalcast，captainswhoneverthelesswouldfranklyconcedethatHisMajesty'sNavymusterednomoreefficientofficeroftheirgradethanStarryVere。
Whathesaidwastothiseffect："HithertoIhavebeenbutthewitness，littlemore；andIshouldhardlythinknowtotakeanothertone，thatofyourcoadjutor，forthetime，didInotperceiveinyou，-atthecrisistoo-atroubledhesitancy，proceeding，Idoubtnot，fromtheclashofmilitarydutywithmoralscruple-scruplevitalizedbycompassion。Forthecompassion，howcanIotherwisethanshareit？But，mindfulofparamountobligationsIstriveagainstscruplesthatmaytendtoenervatedecision。Not，gentlemen，thatIhidefrommyselfthatthecaseisanexceptionalone。
Speculativelyregarded，itwellmightbereferredtoajuryofcasuists。Butforushereactingnotascasuistsormoralists，itisacasepractical，andundermartiallawpracticallytobedealtwith。
"Butyourscruples：dotheymoveasinadusk？Challengethem。
Makethemadvanceanddeclarethemselves。Comenow：dotheyimportsomethinglikethis？If，mindlessofpalliatingcircumstances，weareboundtoregardthedeathoftheMaster-at-armsastheprisoner'sdeed，thendoesthatdeedconstituteacapitalcrimewhereofthepenaltyisamortalone？Butinnaturaljusticeisnothingbuttheprisoner'sovertacttobeconsidered？Howcanweadjudgetosummaryandshamefuldeathafellow-creatureinnocentbeforeGod，andwhomwefeeltobeso？-Doesthatstateitaright？Yousignsadassent。Well，Itoofeelthat，thefullforceofthat。ItisNature。
ButdothesebuttonsthatwewearattestthatourallegianceistoNature？No，totheKing。Thoughtheocean，whichisinviolateNatureprimeval，tho'thisbetheelementwherewemoveandhaveourbeingassailors，yetastheKing'sofficersliesourdutyinaspherecorrespondinglynatural？Solittleisthattrue，thatinreceivingourcommissionsweinthemostimportantregardsceasedtobenaturalfree-agents。Whenwarisdeclaredarewethecommissionedfighterspreviouslyconsulted？Wefightatcommand。Ifourjudgementsapprovethewar，thatisbutcoincidence。Soinotherparticulars。Sonow。Forsupposecondemnationtofollowthesepresentproceedings。Woulditbesomuchweourselvesthatwouldcondemnasitwouldbemartiallawoperatingthroughus？Forthatlawandtherigourofit，wearenotresponsible。Ouravowedresponsibilityisinthis：Thathoweverpitilesslythatlawmayoperate，weneverthelessadheretoitandadministerit。
"Buttheexceptionalinthemattermovestheheartswithinyou。
Evensotooisminemoved。Butletnotwarmheartsbetrayheadsthatshouldbecool。Ashoreinacriminalcasewillanuprightjudgeallowhimselfoffthebenchtobewaylaidbysometenderkinswomanoftheaccusedseekingtotouchhimwithhertearfulplea？Welltheheartheredenotesthefeminineinmanisasthatpiteouswoman，andhardtho'itbe，shemusthereberuledout。"
Hepaused，earnestlystudyingthemforamoment；thenresumed。
"Butsomethinginyouraspectseemstourgethatitisnotsolelytheheartthatmovesinyou，butalsotheconscience，theprivateconscience。Buttellmewhetherornot，occupyingthepositionwedo，privateconscienceshouldnotyieldtothatimperialoneformulatedinthecodeunderwhichaloneweofficiallyproceed？"
Herethethreemenmovedintheirseats，lessconvincedthanagitatedbythecourseofanargumenttroublingbutthemorethespontaneousconflictwithin。
Perceivingwhich，thespeakerpausedforamoment；thenabruptlychanginghistone，wenton。
"Tosteadyusabit，letusrecurtothefacts-Inwar-timeatseaaman-of-war's-manstrikeshissuperioringrade，andtheblowkills。Apartfromitseffect，theblowitselfis，accordingtotheArticlesofWar，acapitalcrime。Furthermore-"
"Ay，Sir，"emotionallybrokeintheofficerofmarines，"inonesenseitwas。ButsurelyBuddpurposedneithermutinynorhomicide。"
"Surelynot，mygoodman。Andbeforeacourtlessarbitraryandmoremercifulthanamartialone，thatpleawouldlargelyextenuate。
AttheLastAssizesitshallacquit。Buthowhere？WeproceedunderthelawoftheMutinyAct。InfeaturenochildcanresemblehisfathermorethanthatActresemblesinspiritthethingfromwhichitderives-War。InHisMajesty'sservice-inthisshipindeed-thereareEnglishmenforcedtofightfortheKingagainsttheirwill。Againsttheirconscience，foraughtweknow。Tho'astheirfellow-creaturessomeofusmayappreciatetheirposition，yetasnavyofficers，whatreckweofit？Stilllessreckstheenemy。Ourimpressedmenhewouldfaincutdowninthesameswathwithourvolunteers。Asregardstheenemy'snavalconscripts，someofwhommayevenshareourownabhorrenceoftheregicidalFrenchDirectory，itisthesameonourside。Warlooksbuttothefrontage，theappearance。AndtheMutinyAct，War'schild，takesafterthefather。Budd'sintentornon-intentisnothingtothepurpose。
"Butwhile，puttoitbytheseanxietiesinyouwhichIcannotbutrespect，Ionlyrepeatmyself-whilethusstrangelyweprolongproceedingsthatshouldbesummary-theenemymaybesightedandanengagementresult。Wemustdo；andoneoftwothingsmustwedo-
condemnorletgo。"
"Canwenotconvictandyetmitigatethepenalty？"askedthejuniorLieutenantherespeaking，andfalteringly，forthefirst。
"Lieutenant，werethatclearlylawfulforusunderthecircumstances，considertheconsequencesofsuchclemency。Thepeople"
（meaningtheship'scompany）"havenative-sense；mostofthemarefamiliarwithournavalusageandtradition；andhowwouldtheytakeit？Evencouldyouexplaintothem-whichourofficialpositionforbids-they，longmouldedbyarbitrarydisciplinehavenotthatkindofintelligentresponsivenessthatmightqualifythemtocomprehendanddiscriminate。No，tothepeopletheForetopman'sdeed，howeveritbewordedintheannouncement，willbeplainhomicidecommittedinaflagrantactofmutiny。Whatpenaltyforthatshouldfollow，theyknow。Butitdoesnotfollow。Why？theywillruminate。Youknowwhatsailorsare。WilltheynotreverttotherecentoutbreakattheNore？Ay。Theyknowthewell-foundedalarm-thepanicitstruckthroughoutEngland。Yourclementsentencetheywouldaccountpusillanimous。Theywouldthinkthatweflinch，thatweareafraidofthem-afraidofpractisingalawfulrigoursingularlydemandedatthisjuncturelestitshouldprovokenewtroubles。Whatshametoussuchaconjectureontheirpart，andhowdeadlytodiscipline。Youseethen，whither，promptedbydutyandthelaw，Isteadfastlydrive。
ButIbeseechyou，myfriends，donottakemeamiss。Ifeelasyoudoforthisunfortunateboy。Butdidheknowourhearts，Itakehimtobeofthatgenerousnaturethathewouldfeelevenforusonwhominthismilitarynecessitysoheavyacompulsionislaid。"
Withthat，crossingthedeckheresumedhisplacebythesashedport-hole，tacitlyleavingthethreetocometoadecision。Onthecabin'soppositesidethetroubledcourtsatsilent。Loyallieges，plainandpractical，thoughatbottomtheydissentedfromsomepointsCaptainVerehadputtothem，theywerewithoutthefaculty，hardlyhadtheinclination，togainsayonewhomtheyfelttobeanearnestman，onetoonotlesstheirsuperiorinmindthaninnavalrank。Butitisnotimprobablethatevensuchofhiswordsaswerenotwithoutinfluenceoverthem，lesscamehometothemthanhisclosingappealtotheirinstinctassea-officersintheforethoughthethrewoutastothepracticalconsequencestodiscipline，consideringtheunconfirmedtoneofthefleetatthetime，shouldaman-of-war's-man'sviolentkillingatseaofasuperioringradebeallowedtopassforaughtelsethanacapitalcrimedemandingpromptinflictionofthepenalty。
Notunlikelytheywerebroughttosomethingmoreorlessakintothatharassedframeofmindwhichintheyear1842actuatedtheCommanderoftheU。S。brig-of-warSomerstoresolve，undertheso-calledArticlesofWar，ArticlesmodelledupontheEnglishMutinyAct，toresolveupontheexecutionatseaofamidshipmanandtwopetty-officersasmutineersdesigningtheseizureofthebrig。Whichresolutionwascarriedoutthoughinatimeofpeaceandwithinnotmanydays'ofhome。Anactvindicatedbyanavalcourtofinquirysubsequentlyconvenedashore。History，andherecitedwithoutcomment。
True，thecircumstancesonboardtheSomersweredifferentfromthoseonboardtheIndomitable。Buttheurgencyfelt，well-warrantedorotherwise，wasmuchthesame。
Saysawriterwhomfewknow，"Fortyyearsafterabattleitiseasyforanon-combatanttoreasonabouthowitoughttohavebeenfought。Itisanotherthingpersonallyandunderfiretodirectthefightingwhileinvolvedintheobscuringsmokeofit。Muchsowithrespecttootheremergenciesinvolvingconsiderationsbothpracticalandmoral，andwhenitisimperativepromptlytoact。Thegreaterthefogthemoreitimperilsthesteamer，andspeedisputontho'
atthehazardofrunningsomebodydown。Littleweenthesnugcard-playersinthecabinoftheresponsibilitiesofthesleeplessmanonthebridge。"
Inbrief，BillyBuddwasformallyconvictedandsentencedtobehungattheyard-armintheearlymorningwatch，itbeingnownight。
Otherwise，asiscustomaryinsuchcases，thesentencewouldforthwithhavebeencarriedout。Inwar-timeonthefieldorinthefleet，amortalpunishmentdecreedbyadrum-headcourt-onthefieldsometimesdecreedbybutanodfromtheGeneral-followswithoutdelayontheheelofconvictionwithoutappeal。
CHAPTER23
ItwasCaptainVerehimselfwhoofhisownmotioncommunicatedthefindingofthecourttotheprisoner；forthatpurposegoingtothecompartmentwherehewasincustodyandbiddingthemarinetheretowithdrawforthetime。
Beyondthecommunicationofthesentencewhattookplaceatthisinterviewwasneverknown。Butinviewofthecharacterofthetwainbrieflyclosetedinthatstate-room，eachradicallysharingintherarerqualitiesofournature-sorareindeedastobeallbutincredibletoaveragemindshowevermuchcultivated-someconjecturesmaybeventured。
ItwouldhavebeeninconsonancewiththespiritofCaptainVereshouldheonthisoccasionhaveconcealednothingfromthecondemnedone-shouldheindeedhavefranklydisclosedtohimtheparthehimselfhadplayedinbringingaboutthedecision，atthesametimerevealinghisactuatingmotives。OnBilly'ssideitisnotimprobablethatsuchaconfessionwouldhavebeenreceivedinmuchthesamespiritthatpromptedit。NotwithoutasortofjoyindeedhemighthaveappreciatedthebraveopinionofhimimpliedinhisCaptain'smakingsuchaconfidantofhim。Nor，astothesentenceitselfcouldhehavebeeninsensiblethatitwasimpartedtohimastoonenotafraidtodie。Evenmoremayhavebeen。CaptainVereintheendmayhavedevelopedthepassionsometimeslatentunderanexteriorstoicalorindifferent。HewasoldenoughtohavebeenBilly'sfather。Theausteredevoteeofmilitaryduty，lettinghimselfmeltbackintowhatremainsprimevalinourformalizedhumanity，mayintheendhavecaughtBillytohisheartevenasAbrahammayhavecaughtyoungIsaaconthebrinkofresolutelyofferinghimupinobediencetotheexactingbehest。Butthereisnotellingthesacrament，seldomifinanycaserevealedtothegaddingworld，whereverundercircumstancesatallakintothosehereattemptedtobesetforth，twoofgreatNature'snoblerorderembrace。
Thereisprivacyatthetime，inviolabletothesurvivor，andholyoblivion，thesequeltoeachdivinermagnanimity，providentiallycoversallatlast。
ThefirsttoencounterCaptainVereinactofleavingthecompartmentwastheseniorLieutenant。Thefacehebeheld，forthemomentoneexpressiveoftheagonyofthestrong，wastothatofficer，tho'amanoffifty，astartlingrevelation。Thatthecondemnedonesufferedlessthanhewhomainlyhadeffectedthecondemnationwasapparentlyindicatedbytheformer'sexclamationinthescenesoonperforcetobetouchedupon。
CHAPTER24
Ofaseriesofincidentswithinabrieftermrapidlyfollowingeachother，theadequatenarrationmaytakeupatermlessbrief，especiallyifexplanationorcommenthereandthereseemrequisitetothebetterunderstandingofsuchincidents。Betweentheentranceintothecabinofhimwhoneverleftitalive，andhimwhowhenhedidleaveitleftitasonecondemnedtodie；betweenthisandtheclosetedinterviewjustgiven，lessthananhourandahalfhadelapsed。Itwasanintervallongenoughhowevertoawakenspeculationsamongnofewoftheship'scompanyastowhatitwasthatcouldbedetaininginthecabintheMaster-at-armsandthesailor；forarumorthatbothofthemhadbeenseentoenteritandneitherofthemhadbeenseentoemerge，thisrumorhadgotabroaduponthegundecksandinthetops；thepeopleofagreatwar-shipbeinginonerespectlikevillagerstakingmicroscopicnoteofeveryoutwardmovementornon-movementgoingon。Whenthereforeinweathernotatalltempestuousallhandswerecalledintheseconddog-watch，asummonsundersuchcircumstancesnotusualinthosehours，thecrewwerenotwhollyunpreparedforsomeannouncementextraordinary，onehavingconnectiontoowiththecontinuedabsenceofthetwomenfromtheirwontedhaunts。
Therewasamoderateseaatthetime；andthemoon，newlyrisenandneartobeingatitsfull，silveredthewhitespar-deckwherevernotblottedbytheclear-cutshadowshorizontallythrownoffixturesandmovingmen。Oneithersideofthequarter-deck，themarineguardunderarmswasdrawnup；andCaptainVerestandinginhisplacesurroundedbyalltheward-roomofficers，addressedhismen。Insodoinghismannershowedneithermorenorlessthanthatproperlypertainingtohissupremepositionaboardhisownship。Incleartermsandconcisehetoldthemwhathadtakenplaceinthecabin；thattheMaster-at-armswasdead；thathewhohadkilledhimhadbeenalreadytriedbyasummarycourtandcondemnedtodeath；andthattheexecutionwouldtakeplaceintheearlymorningwatch。Thewordmutinywasnotnamedinwhathesaid。Herefrainedtoofrommakingtheoccasionanopportunityforanypreachmentastothemaintenanceofdiscipline，thinkingperhapsthatunderexistingcircumstancesinthenavytheconsequenceofviolatingdisciplineshouldbemadetospeakforitself。
TheirCaptain'sannouncementwaslistenedtobythethrongofstandingsailorsinadumbnesslikethatofaseatedcongregationofbelieversinhelllisteningtotheclergyman'sannouncementofhisCalvinistictext。
Attheclose，however，aconfusedmurmurwentup。Itbegantowax。
Allbutinstantly，then，atasign，itwaspiercedandsuppressedbyshrillwhistlesoftheBoatswainandhisMatespipingdownonewatch。
TobepreparedforburialClaggart'sbodywasdeliveredtocertainpetty-officersofhismess。Andhere，nottoclogthesequelwithlateralmatters，itmaybeaddedthatatasuitablehour，theMaster-at-armswascommittedtotheseawitheveryfuneralhonorproperlybelongingtohisnavalgrade。
Inthisproceedingasineverypubliconegrowingoutofthetragedy，strictadherencetousagewasobserved。Norinanypointcouldithavebeenatalldeviatedfrom，eitherwithrespecttoClaggartorBillyBudd，withoutbegettingundesirablespeculationsintheship'scompany，sailors，andmoreparticularlymen-of-war's-men，beingofallmenthegreateststicklersforusage。
Forsimilarcause，allcommunicationbetweenCaptainVereandthecondemnedoneendedwiththeclosetedinterviewalreadygiven，thelatterbeingnowsurrenderedtotheordinaryroutinepreliminarytotheend。ThistransferunderguardfromtheCaptain'squarterswaseffectedwithoutunusualprecautions-atleastnovisibleones。
Ifpossible，nottoletthemensomuchassurmisethattheirofficersanticipateaughtamissfromthemisthetacitruleinamilitaryship。Andthemorethatsomesortoftroubleshouldreallybeapprehendedthemoredotheofficerskeepthatapprehensiontothemselves；tho'notthelessunostentatiousvigilancemaybeaugmented。
InthepresentinstancethesentryplacedovertheprisonerhadstrictorderstoletnoonehavecommunicationwithhimbuttheChaplain。Andcertainunobtrusivemeasuresweretakenabsolutelytoinsurethispoint。
CHAPTER25
Inaseventy-fouroftheoldorderthedeckknownastheuppergundeckwastheonecoveredoverbythespar-deckwhichlastthoughnotwithoutitsarmamentwasforthemostpartexposedtotheweather。
Ingeneralitwasatallhoursfreefromhammocks；thoseofthecrewswingingonthelowergundeck，andberth-deck，thelatterbeingnotonlyadormitorybutalsotheplaceforthestowingofthesailors'
bags，andonbothsideslinedwiththelargechestsormovablepantriesofthemanymessesofthemen。
OnthestarboardsideoftheIndomitable'suppergundeck，beholdBillyBuddundersentry，lyingproneinirons，inoneofthebaysformedbytheregularspacingofthegunscomprisingthebatteriesoneitherside。Allthesepieceswereoftheheaviercalibreofthatperiod。Mountedonlumberingwoodencarriagestheywerehamperedwithcumbersomeharnessofbreechenandstrongside-tacklesforrunningthemout。Gunsandcarriages，togetherwiththelongrammersandshorterlintstockslodgedinloopsoverhead-allthese，ascustomary，werepaintedblack；andtheheavyhempenbreechens，tarredtothesametint，worethelikeliveryoftheundertakers。Incontrastwiththefunerealhueofthesesurroundingsthepronesailor'sexteriorapparel，whitejumperandwhiteducktrousers，eachmoreorlesssoiled，dimlyglimmeredintheobscurelightofthebaylikeapatchofdiscoloredsnowinearlyAprillingeringatsomeuplandcave'sblackmouth。Ineffectheisalreadyinhisshroudorthegarmentsthatshallservehiminlieuofone。Overhim，butscarceilluminatinghim，twobattle-lanternsswingfromtwomassivebeamsofthedeckabove。Fedwiththeoilsuppliedbythewar-contractors（whosegains，honestorotherwise，areineverylandananticipatedportionoftheharvestofdeath），withflickeringsplashesofdirtyyellowlighttheypollutethepalemoonshineallbutineffectuallystrugglinginobstructedflecksthro'theopenportsfromwhichthetompionedcannonprotrude。Otherlanternsatintervalsservebuttobringoutsomewhattheobscurerbayswhich，likesmallconfessionalsorside-chapelsinacathedral，branchfromthelongdim-vistaedbroadaislebetweenthetwobatteriesofthatcoveredtier。
SuchwasthedeckwherenowlaytheHandsomeSailor。Throughtherose-tanofhiscomplexion，nopallorcouldhaveshown。Itwouldhavetakendaysofsequestrationfromthewindsandthesuntohavebroughtabouttheeffacementofthat。Buttheskeletoninthecheekboneatthepointofitsanglewasjustbeginningdelicatelytobedefinedunderthewarm-tintedskin。Infervidheartsself-contained，somebriefexperiencesdevourourhumantissueassecretfireinaship'sholdconsumescottoninthebale。
Butnowlyingbetweenthetwoguns，asnippedintheviceoffate，Billy'sagony，mainlyproceedingfromagenerousyoungheart'svirginexperienceofthediabolicalincarnateandeffectiveinsomemen-thetensionofthatagonywasovernow。ItsurvivednotthesomethinghealingintheclosetedinterviewwithCaptainVere。Withoutmovement，helayasinatrance。Thatadolescentexpressionpreviouslynotedashis，takingonsomethingakintothelookofaslumberingchildinthecradlewhenthewarmhearth-glowofthestillchamberatnightplaysonthedimplesthatatwhilesmysteriouslyforminthecheek，silentlycomingandgoingthere。Fornowandtheninthegyvedone'stranceaserenehappylightbornofsomewanderingreminiscenceordreamwoulddiffuseitselfoverhisface，andthenwaneawayonlyanewtoreturn。
TheChaplaincomingtoseehimandfindinghimthus，andperceivingnosignthathewasconsciousofhispresence，attentivelyregardedhimforaspace，thenslippingaside，withdrewforthetime，peradventurefeelingthatevenhetheministerofChrist，tho'receivinghisstipendfromMars，hadnoconsolationtoprofferwhichcouldresultinapeacetranscendingthatwhichhebeheld。Butinthesmallhourshecameagain。Andtheprisoner，nowawaketohissurroundings，noticedhisapproach，andcivilly，allbutcheerfully，welcomedhim。ButitwastolittlepurposethatintheinterviewfollowingthegoodmansoughttobringBillyBuddtosomegodlyunderstandingthathemustdie，andatdawn。True，Billyhimselffreelyreferredtohisdeathasathingcloseathand；butitwassomethinginthewaythatchildrenwillrefertodeathingeneral，whoyetamongtheirothersportswillplayafuneralwithhearseandmourners。
NotthatlikechildrenBillywasincapableofconceivingwhatdeathreallyis。No，buthewaswhollywithoutirrationalfearofit，afearmoreprevalentinhighlycivilizedcommunitiesthanthoseso-calledbarbarousoneswhichinallrespectsstandnearertounadulterateNature。And，aselsewheresaid，abarbarianBillyradicallywas；asmuchso，forallthecostume，ashiscountrymentheBritishcaptives，livingtrophies，madetomarchintheRomantriumphofGermanicus。Quiteasmuchsoasthoselaterbarbarians，youngmenprobably，andpickedspecimensamongtheearlierBritishconvertstoChristianity，atleastnominallysuch，andtakentoRome（asto-dayconvertsfromlesserislesoftheseamaybetakentoLondon），ofwhomthePopeofthattime，admiringthestrangenessoftheirpersonalbeautysounliketheItalianstamp，theirclearruddycomplexionandcurledflaxenlocks，exclaimed，"Angles-"（meaningEnglishthemodernderivative）"Anglesdoyoucallthem？Andisitbecausetheylooksolikeangels？"HaditbeenlaterintimeonewouldthinkthatthePopehadinmindFraAngelico'sseraphssomeofwhom，pluckingapplesingardensoftheHesperides，havethefaintrose-budcomplexionofthemorebeautifulEnglishgirls。
IfinvainthegoodChaplainsoughttoimpresstheyoungbarbarianwithideasofdeathakintothoseconveyedintheskull，dial，andcross-bonesonoldtombstones；equallyfutiletoallappearancewerehiseffortstobringhometohimthethoughtofsalvationandaSaviour。Billylistened，butlessoutofaweorreverenceperhapsthanfromacertainnaturalpoliteness；doubtlessatbottomregardingallthatinmuchthesamewaythatmostmarinersofhisclasstakeanydiscourseabstractoroutofthecommontoneofthework-a-dayworld。Andthissailor-wayoftakingclericaldiscourseisnotwhollyunlikethewayinwhichthepioneerofChristianityfulloftranscendentmiracleswasreceivedlongagoontropicislesbyanysuperiorsavagesocalled-aTahitiansayofCaptainCook'stimeorshortlyafterthattime。Outofnaturalcourtesyhereceived，butdidnotappropriate。Itwaslikeagiftplacedinthepalmofanoutreachedhanduponwhichthefingersdonotclose。
ButtheIndomitable'sChaplainwasadiscreetmanpossessingthegoodsenseofagoodheart。Soheinsistednotinhisvocationhere。
AttheinstanceofCaptainVere，alieutenanthadapprisedhimofprettymucheverythingastoBilly；andsincehefeltthatinnocencewasevenabetterthingthanreligionwherewithtogotoJudgement，hereluctantlywithdrew；butinhisemotionnotwithoutfirstperforminganactstrangeenoughinanEnglishman，andunderthecircumstancesyetmoresoinanyregularpriest。Stoopingover，hekissedonthefaircheekhisfellow-man，afeloninmartiallaw，onewhothoughontheconfinesofdeathhefelthecouldneverconverttoadogma；norforallthatdidhefearforhisfuture。
Marvelnotthathavingbeenmadeacquaintedwiththeyoungsailor'sessentialinnocence（anirruptionofhereticthoughthardtosuppress）theworthymanliftednotafingertoavertthedoomofsuchamartyrtomartialdiscipline。Sotodowouldnotonlyhavebeenasidleasinvokingthedesert，butwouldalsohavebeenanaudacioustransgressionoftheboundsofhisfunction，oneasexactlyprescribedtohimbymilitarylawasthatoftheboatswainoranyothernavalofficer。Bluntlyput，achaplainistheministerofthePrinceofPeaceservinginthehostoftheGodofWar-Mars。Assuch，heisasincongruousasamusketwouldbeonthealtaratChristmas。Whythenishethere？Becauseheindirectlysubservesthepurposeattestedbythecannon；becausetoohelendsthesanctionofthereligionofthemeektothatwhichpracticallyistheabrogationofeverythingbutbruteForce。
CHAPTER26
Thenight，soluminousonthespar-deck，butotherwiseonthecavernousonesbelow，levelssolikethetieredgalleriesinacoal-mine-theluminousnightpassedaway。But，liketheprophetinthechariotdisappearinginheavenanddroppinghismantletoElisha，thewithdrawingnighttransferreditspalerobetothebreakingday。AmeekshylightappearedintheEast，wherestretchedadiaphanousfleeceofwhitefurrowedvapor。Thatlightslowlywaxed。
Suddenlyeightbellswasstruckaft，respondedtobyoneloudermetallicstrokefromforward。Itwasfouro'clockinthemorning。
Instantlythesilverwhistleswereheardsummoningallhandstowitnesspunishment。Upthroughthegreathatchwaysrimmedwithracksofheavyshot，thewatchbelowcamepouring，overspreadingwiththewatchalreadyondeckthespacebetweenthemain-mastandfore-mastincludingthatoccupiedbythecapaciouslaunchandtheblackboomstieredoneithersideofit，boatandboomsmakingasummitofobservationforthepowder-boysandyoungertars。Adifferentgroupcomprisingonewatchoftopmenleanedovertherailofthatsea-balcony，nosmalloneinaseventy-four，lookingdownonthecrowdbelow。Manorboy，nonespakebutinwhisper，andfewspakeatall。
CaptainVere-asbefore，thecentralfigureamongtheassembledcommissionedofficers-stoodnighthebreakofthepoop-deckfacingforward。Justbelowhimonthequarter-deckthemarinesinfullequipmentweredrawnupmuchasatthesceneofthepromulgatedsentence。
Atseaintheoldtime，theexecutionbyhalterofamilitarysailorwasgenerallyfromthefore-yard。Inthepresentinstance，forspecialreasonsthemain-yardwasassigned。Underanarmofthatlee-yardtheprisonerwaspresentlybroughtup，theChaplainattendinghim。Itwasnotedatthetimeandremarkeduponafterwards，thatinthisfinalscenethegoodmanevincedlittleornothingoftheperfunctory。Briefspeechindeedhehadwiththecondemnedone，butthegenuineGospelwaslessonhistonguethaninhisaspectandmannertowardshim。Thefinalpreparationspersonaltothelatterbeingspeedilybroughttoanendbytwoboatswain'smates，theconsummationimpended。Billystoodfacingaft。Atthepenultimatemoment，hiswords，hisonlyones，wordswhollyunobstructedintheutterancewerethese-"GodblessCaptainVere！"Syllablessounanticipatedcomingfromonewiththeignominioushempabouthisneck-aconventionalfelon'sbenedictiondirectedafttowardsthequartersofhonor；syllablestoodeliveredintheclearmelodyofasinging-birdonthepointoflaunchingfromthetwig，hadaphenomenaleffect，notunenhancedbytherarepersonalbeautyoftheyoungsailorspiritualizednowthro'lateexperiencessopoignantlyprofound。
Withoutvolitionasitwere，asifindeedtheship'spopulacewerebutthevehiclesofsomevocalcurrentelectric，withonevoicefromalowandaloftcamearesonantsympatheticecho-"GodblessCaptainVere！"AndyetatthatinstantBillyalonemusthavebeenintheirhearts，evenashewasintheireyes。
Atthepronouncedwordsandthespontaneousechothatvoluminouslyreboundedthem，CaptainVere，eitherthro'stoicself-controlorasortofmomentaryparalysisinducedbyemotionalshock，stooderectlyrigidasamusketintheship-armorer'srack。
Thehulldeliberatelyrecoveringfromtheperiodicrolltoleewardwasjustregaininganevenkeel，whenthelastsignal，apreconcerteddumbone，wasgiven。AtthesamemomentitchancedthatthevaporyfleecehanginglowintheEast，wasshotthro'withasoftgloryasofthefleeceoftheLambofGodseeninmysticalvision，andsimultaneouslytherewith，watchedbythewedgedmassofupturnedfaces，Billyascended；and，ascending，tookthefullroseofthedawn。
Inthepinionedfigure，arrivedattheyard-end，tothewonderofallnomotionwasapparent，nonesavethatcreatedbytheship'smotion，inmoderateweathersomajesticinagreatshipponderouslycannoned。
CHAPTER27
ADigressionWhensomedaysafterwardinreferencetothesingularityjustmentioned，thePurser，aratherruddyrotundpersonmoreaccurateasanaccountantthanprofoundasaphilosopher，saidatmesstotheSurgeon，"Whattestimonytotheforcelodgedinwill-power，"thelatter-saturnine，spareandtall，oneinwhomadiscreetcausticitywentalongwithamannerlessgenialthanpolite，replied，"Yourpardon，Mr。Purser。Inahangingscientificallyconducted-andunderspecialordersImyselfdirectedhowBudd'swastobeeffected-anymovementfollowingthecompletedsuspensionandoriginatinginthebodysuspended，suchmovementindicatesmechanicalspasminthemuscularsystem。Hencetheabsenceofthatisnomoreattributabletowill-powerasyoucallitthantohorse-power-beggingyourpardon。"
"Butthismuscularspasmyouspeakof，isnotthatinadegreemoreorlessinvariableinthesecases？"
"Assuredlyso，Mr。Purser。"
"Howthen，mygoodsir，doyouaccountforitsabsenceinthisinstance？"
"Mr。Purser，itisclearthatyoursenseofthesingularityinthismatterequalsnotmine。Youaccountforitbywhatyoucallwill-power，atermnotyetincludedinthelexiconofscience。FormeIdonot，withmypresentknowledge，pretendtoaccountforitatall。EvenshouldweassumethehypothesisthatatthefirsttouchofthehalyardstheactionofBudd'sheart，intensifiedbyextraordinaryemotionatitsclimax，abruptlystopt-muchlikeawatchwhenincarelesslywindingitupyoustrainatthefinish，thussnappingthechain-evenunderthathypothesis，howaccountforthephenomenonthatfollowed？"
"Youadmitthenthattheabsenceofspasmodicmovementwasphenomenal。"
"Itwasphenomenal，Mr。Purser，inthesensethatitwasanappearancethecauseofwhichisnotimmediatelytobeassigned。"
"Buttellme，mydearSir，"pertinaciouslycontinuedtheother，"wastheman'sdeatheffectedbythehalter，orwasitaspeciesofeuthanasia？"
"Euthanasia，Mr。Purser，issomethinglikeyourwill-power：I
doubtitsauthenticityasascientificterm-beggingyourpardonagain。Itisatonceimaginativeandmetaphysical，-inshort，Greek。
But，"abruptlychanginghistone，"thereisacaseinthesick-baythatIdonotcaretoleavetomyassistants。Begyourpardon，butexcuseme。"Andrisingfromthemessheformallywithdrew。
CHAPTER28
Thesilenceatthemomentofexecutionandforamomentortwocontinuingthereafter，asilencebutemphasizedbytheregularwashoftheseaagainstthehullortheflutterofasailcausedbythehelmsman'seyesbeingtemptedastray，thisemphasizedsilencewasgraduallydisturbedbyasoundnoteasilytobeverballyrendered。
Whoeverhasheardthefreshet-waveofatorrentsuddenlyswelledbypouringshowersintropicalmountains，showersnotsharedbytheplain；whoeverhasheardthefirstmuffledmurmurofitsslopingadvancethroughprecipitouswoods，mayformsomeconceptionofthesoundnowheard。Theseemingremotenessofitssourcewasbecauseofitsmurmurousindistinctnesssinceitcamefromclose-by，evenfromthemenmassedontheship'sopendeck。Beinginarticulate，itwasdubiousinsignificancefurtherthanitseemedtoindicatesomecapriciousrevulsionofthoughtorfeelingsuchasmobsashoreareliableto，inthepresentinstancepossiblyimplyingasullenrevocationonthemen'spartoftheirinvoluntaryechoingofBilly'sbenediction。Buterethemurmurhadtimetowaxintoclamouritwasmetbyastrategiccommand，themoretellingthatitcamewithabruptunexpectedness。
"Pipedownthestarboardwatch，Boatswain，andseethattheygo。"
Shrillastheshriekofthesea-hawkthewhistlesoftheBoatswainandhisMatespiercedthatominouslowsound，dissipatingit；andyieldingtothemechanismofdiscipline，thethrongwasthinnedbyonehalf。Fortheremaindermostofthemweresettotemporaryemploymentsconnectedwithtrimmingtheyardsandsoforth，businessreadilytobegotuptoserveoccasionbyanyofficer-of-the-deck。
Noweachproceedingthatfollowsamortalsentencepronouncedatseabyadrum-headcourtischaracterisedbypromptitudenotperceptiblymergingintohurry，tho'borderingthat。Thehammock，theonewhichhadbeenBilly'sbedwhenalive，havingalreadybeenballastedwithshotandotherwisepreparedtoserveforhiscanvascoffin，thelastofficesofthesea-undertakers，theSail-Maker'sMates，werenowspeedilycompleted。Wheneverythingwasinreadinessasecondcallforallhandsmadenecessarybythestrategicmovementbeforementionedwassoundedandnowtowitnessburial。
Thedetailsofthisclosingformalityitneedsnottogive。Butwhenthetiltedplankletslideitsfreightintothesea，asecondstrangehumanmurmurwasheard，blendednowwithanotherinarticulatesoundproceedingfromcertainlargersea-fowl，whoseattentionhavingbeenattractedbythepeculiarcommotioninthewaterresultingfromtheheavyslopeddiveoftheshottedhammockintothesea，flewscreamingtothespot。Sonearthehulldidtheycome，thatthestridororbonycreakoftheirgauntdouble-jointedpinionswasaudible。Astheshipunderlightairspassedon，leavingtheburial-spotastern，theystillkeptcirclingitlowdownwiththemovingshadowoftheiroutstretchedwingsandthecroakedrequiemoftheircries。
Uponsailorsassuperstitiousasthoseoftheageprecedingours，men-of-war's-mentoowhohadjustbeheldtheprodigyofreposeintheformsuspendedinairandnowfounderinginthedeeps；tosuchmarinerstheactionofthesea-fowl，tho'dictatedbymereanimalgreedforprey，wasbigwithnoprosaicsignificance。Anuncertainmovementbeganamongthem，inwhichsomeencroachmentwasmade。Itwastoleratedbutforamoment。Forsuddenlythedrumbeattoquarters，whichfamiliarsoundhappeningatleasttwiceeveryday，haduponthepresentoccasionasignalperemptorinessinit。Truemartialdisciplinelongcontinuedsuperinducesinaveragemanasortofimpulseofdocilitywhoseoperationattheofficialsoundofcommandmuchresemblesinitspromptitudetheeffectofaninstinct。
Thedrum-beatdissolvedthemultitude，distributingmostofthemalongthebatteriesofthetwocoveredgundecks。There，aswont，theguns'crewsstoodbytheirrespectivecannonerectandsilent。
InduecoursetheFirstOfficer，swordunderarmandstandinginhisplaceonthequarter-deck，formallyreceivedthesuccessivereportsoftheswordedLieutenantscommandingthesectionsofbatteriesbelow；
thelastofwhichreportsbeingmade，thesummedreporthedeliveredwiththecustomarysalutetotheCommander。Allthisoccupiedtime，whichinthepresentcase，wastheobjectofbeatingtoquartersatanhourpriortothecustomaryone。ThatsuchvariancefromusagewasauthorizedbyanofficerlikeCaptainVere，amartinetassomedeemedhim，wasevidenceofthenecessityforunusualactionimpliedinwhathedeemedtobetemporarilythemoodofhismen。"Withmankind，"hewouldsay，"forms，measuredformsareeverything；andthatistheimportcouchedinthestoryofOrpheuswithhislyrespell-bindingthewilddenizensofthewood。"AndthisheonceappliedtothedisruptionofformsgoingonacrosstheChannelandtheconsequencesthereof。
Atthisunwontedmusteratquarters，allproceededasattheregularhour。Thebandonthequarter-deckplayedasacredair。
AfterwhichtheChaplainwentthro'thecustomarymorningservice。
Thatdone，thedrumbeattheretreat，andtonedbymusicandreligiousritessubservingthedisciplineandpurposeofwar，themenintheirwontedorderlymanner，dispersedtotheplacesallottedthemwhennotattheguns。
Andnowitwasfullday。Thefleeceoflow-hangingvaporhadvanished，lickedupbythesunthatlatehadsoglorifiedit。Andthecircumambientairintheclearnessofitsserenitywaslikesmoothmarbleinthepolishedblocknotyetremovedfromthemarble-dealer'syard。
CHAPTER29
Thesymmetryofformattainableinpurefictioncannotsoreadilybeachievedinanarrationessentiallyhavinglesstodowithfablethanwithfact。Truthuncompromisinglytoldwillalwayshaveitsraggededges；hencetheconclusionofsuchanarrationisapttobelessfinishedthananarchitecturalfinial。
HowitfaredwiththeHandsomeSailorduringtheyearoftheGreatMutinyhasbeenfaithfullygiven。Buttho'properlythestoryendswithhislife，somethinginwayofsequelwillnotbeamiss。Threebriefchapterswillsuffice。
Inthegeneralre-christeningundertheDirectoryofthecraftoriginallyformingthenavyoftheFrenchmonarchy，theSt。Louisline-of-battleshipwasnamedtheAtheiste。Suchaname，likesomeothersubstitutedonesintheRevolutionaryfleet，whileproclaimingtheinfidelaudacityoftherulingpowerwasyet，tho'notsointendedtobe，theaptestname，ifoneconsiderit，evergiventoawar-ship；farmoresoindeedthantheDevastation，theErebus（theHell）andsimilarnamesbestoweduponfighting-ships。
Onthereturn-passagetotheEnglishfleetfromthedetachedcruiseduringwhichoccurredtheeventsalreadyrecorded，theIndomitablefellinwiththeAtheiste。Anengagementensued；duringwhichCaptainVere，intheactofputtinghisshipalongsidetheenemywithaviewofthrowinghisboardersacrossherbulwarks，washitbyamusket-ballfromaport-holeoftheenemy'smaincabin。Morethandisabledhedroppedtothedeckandwascarriedbelowtothesamecock-pitwheresomeofhismenalreadylay。TheseniorLieutenanttookcommand。UnderhimtheenemywasfinallycapturedandthoughmuchcrippledwasbyraregoodfortunesuccessfullytakenintoGibraltar，anEnglishportnotverydistantfromthesceneofthefight。There，CaptainVerewiththerestofthewoundedwasputashore。Helingeredforsomedays，buttheendcame。UnhappilyhewascutofftooearlyfortheNileandTrafalgar。Thespiritthatspiteitsphilosophicausteritymayyethaveindulgedinthemostsecretofallpassions，ambition，neverattainedtothefulnessoffame。
Notlongbeforedeath，whilelyingundertheinfluenceofthatmagicaldrugwhichsoothingthephysicalframemysteriouslyoperatesonthesubtlerelementinman，hewasheardtomurmurwordsinexplicabletohisattendant-"BillyBudd，BillyBudd。"Thatthesewerenottheaccentsofremorse，wouldseemclearfromwhattheattendantsaidtotheIndomitable'sseniorofficerofmarineswho，asthemostreluctanttocondemnofthemembersofthedrum-headcourt，toowellknew，tho'herehekepttheknowledgetohimself，whoBillyBuddwas。
CHAPTER30
Somefewweeksaftertheexecution，amongothermattersundertheheadofNewsfromtheMediterranean，thereappearedinanavalchronicleofthetime，anauthorizedweeklypublication，anaccountoftheaffair。Itwasdoubtlessforthemostpartwritteningoodfaith，tho'themedium，partlyrumor，throughwhichthefactsmusthavereachedthewriter，servedtodeflectandinpartfalsifythem。
Theaccountwasasfollows：-
"OnthetenthofthelastmonthadeplorableoccurrencetookplaceonboardH。M。S。Indomitable。JohnClaggart，theship'sMaster-at-arms，discoveringthatsomesortofplotwasincipientamonganinferiorsectionoftheship'scompany，andthattheringleaderwasoneWilliamBudd；he，Claggart，intheactofarraigningthemanbeforetheCaptainwasvindictivelystabbedtotheheartbythesuddenlydrawnsheath-knifeofBudd。
"Thedeedandtheimplementemployed，sufficientlysuggestthattho'musteredintotheserviceunderanEnglishnametheassassinwasnoEnglishman，butoneofthosealiensadoptingEnglishcognomenswhomthepresentextraordinarynecessitiesoftheServicehavecausedtobeadmittedintoitinconsiderablenumbers。
"Theenormityofthecrimeandtheextremedepravityofthecriminal，appearthegreaterinviewofthecharacterofthevictim，amiddle-agedmanrespectableanddiscreet，belongingtothatofficialgrade，thepetty-officers，uponwhom，asnoneknowbetterthanthecommissionedgentlemen，theefficiencyofHisMajesty'sNavysolargelydepends。Hisfunctionwasaresponsibleone，atonceonerous&
thankless，andhisfidelityinitthegreaterbecauseofhisstrongpatrioticimpulse。Inthisinstanceasinsomanyotherinstancesinthesedays，thecharacterofthisunfortunatemansignallyrefutes，ifrefutationwereneeded，thatpeevishsayingattributedtothelateDr。
Johnson，thatpatriotismisthelastrefugeofascoundrel。
"Thecriminalpaidthepenaltyofhiscrime。Thepromptitudeofthepunishmenthasprovedsalutary。NothingamissisnowapprehendedaboardH。M。S。Indomitable。"
Theabove，appearinginapublicationnowlongagosuperannuatedandforgotten，isallthathithertohasstoodinhumanrecordtoattestwhatmannerofmenrespectivelywereJohnClaggartandBillyBudd。
CHAPTER31
Everythingisforatermremarkableinnavies。Anytangibleobjectassociatedwithsomestrikingincidentoftheserviceisconvertedintoamonument。ThesparfromwhichtheForetopmanwassuspended，wasforsomefewyearskepttraceofbytheblue-jackets。Theirknowledgefolloweditfromshiptodock-yardandagainfromdock-yardtoship，stillpursuingitevenwhenatlastreducedtoameredock-yardboom。TothemachipofitwasasapieceoftheCross。
Ignoranttho'theywereofthesecretfactsofthetragedy，andnotthinkingbutthatthepenaltywassomehowunavoidablyinflictedfromthenavalpointofview，forallthattheyinstinctivelyfeltthatBillywasasortofmanasincapableofmutinyasofwilfullmurder。
TheyrecalledthefreshyoungimageoftheHandsomeSailor，thatfaceneverdeformedbyasneerorsubtlervilefreakoftheheartwithin。Theirimpressionofhimwasdoubtlessdeepenedbythefactthathewasgone，andinameasuremysteriouslygone。Atthetime，onthegundecksoftheIndomitable，thegeneralestimateofhisnatureanditsunconscioussimplicityeventuallyfoundrudeutterancefromanotherforetopman，oneofhisownwatch，gifted，assomesailorsare，withanartlesspoetictemperament；thetarryhandsmadesomelineswhichaftercirculatingamongtheshipboardcrewforawhile，finallygotrudelyprintedatPortsmouthasaballad。Thetitlegiventoitwasthesailor's。
BILLYINTHEDARBIES
GoodoftheChaplaintoenterLoneBayAnddownonhismarrow-boneshereandprayForthelikesjusto'me，BillyBudd-Butlook：
Throughtheportcomesthemoon-shineastray！
Ittipstheguard'scutlasandsilversthisnook；
But'twilldieinthedawningofBilly'slastday。
Ajewel-blockthey'llmakeofmeto-morrow，Pendantpearlfromtheyard-arm-endLiketheear-dropIgavetoBristolMolly-
O，'tisme，notthesentencethey'llsuspend。
Ay，Ay，Ay，allisup；andImustuptoEarlyinthemorning，aloftfromalow。
Onanemptystomach，now，neveritwoulddo。
They'llgivemeanibble-bito'biscuitereIgo。
Sure，amessmatewillreachmethelastpartingcup；
But，turningheadsawayfromthehoistandthebelay，Heavenknowswhowillhavetherunningofmeup！
Nopipetothosehalyards-Butaren'titallsham？
Ablur'sinmyeyes；itisdreamingthatIam。
Ahatchettomyhawser？alladrifttogo？
Thedrumrolltogrog，andBillyneverknow？
ButDonaldhehaspromisedtostandbytheplank；
SoI'llshakeafriendlyhandereIsink。
But-no！ItisdeadthenI'llbe，cometothink。
IrememberTafftheWelshmanwhenhesank。
Andhischeekitwaslikethebuddingpink。
Butmethey'lllashmeinhammock，dropmedeep。
Fathomsdown，fathomsdown，howI'lldreamfastasleep。
Ifeelitstealingnow。Sentry，areyouthere？
Justeasethisdarbiesatthewrist，androllmeoverfair，Iamsleepy，andtheoozyweedsaboutmetwist。
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