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。