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- be the veritable unobstructed outcome of the innermost man. He had much
prudence, much conscientiousness, and there were occasions when these
virtues were the cause of overmuch disquietude in him. On a passage, so
long as his craft was in any proximity to land, no sleep for Captain
Graveling. He took to heart those serious responsibilities not so
heavily borne by some shipmasters.
Now while Billy Budd was down in the forecastle getting his kit
together, the _Indomitable’s_ lieutenant, burly and bluff, nowise
disconcerted by Captain Graveling’s omitting to proffer the customary
hospitalities on an occasion so unwelcome to him, an omission simply
caused by preoccupation of thought, unceremoniously invited himself into
the cabin, and also to a flask from the spirit locker, a receptacle
which his experienced eye instantly discovered. In fact, he was one of
those sea-dogs in whom all the hardship and peril of naval life in the
great prolonged wars of his time never impaired the natural instinct for
sensuous enjoyment. His duty he always faithfully did; but duty is
sometimes a dry obligation, and he was for irrigating its aridity
whensoever possible with a fertilising decoction of strong waters. For
the cabin’s proprietor there was nothing left but to play the part of
the enforced host with whatever grace and alacrity were practicable. As
necessary adjuncts to the flask, he silently placed tumbler and
water-jug before the irrepressible guest. But excusing himself from
partaking just then, dismally watched the unembarrassed officer
deliberately diluting his grog a little, then tossing it off in three
swallows, pushing the empty tumbler away, yet not so far as to be beyond
easy reach, at the same time settling himself in his seat, and smacking
his lips with high satisfaction, looking straight at the host.
These proceedings over, the Master broke the silence; and there lurked a
rueful reproach in the tone of his voice: ‘Lieutenant, you are going to
take my best man from me, the jewel of ’em.’
‘Yes, I know,’ rejoined the other, immediately drawing back the tumbler,
preliminary to a replenishing; ‘yes, I know. Sorry.’
‘Beg pardon, but you don’t understand, Lieutenant. See here now. Before
I shipped that young fellow, my forecastle was a rat-pit of quarrels. It
was black times, I tell you, aboard the _Rights_ here. I was worried to
that degree my pipe had no comfort for me. But Billy came; and it was
like a Catholic priest striking peace in an Irish shindy. Not that he
preached to them or said or did anything in particular; but a virtue
went out of him, sugaring the sour ones. They took to him like hornets
to treacle; all but the bluffer of the gang, the big, shaggy chap with
the fire-red whiskers. He indeed, out of envy, perhaps, of the newcomer,
and thinking such a “sweet and pleasant fellow,” as he mockingly
designated him to the others, could hardly have the spirit of a
game-cock, must needs bestir himself in trying to get up an ugly row
with him. Billy forbore with him, and reassured with him in a pleasant
way--he is something like myself, Lieutenant, to whom aught like a
quarrel is hateful--but nothing served. So, in the second dog-watch one
day the Red Whiskers, in presence of the others, under pretence of
showing Billy just whence a sirloin steak was cut--for the fellow had
once been a butcher--insultingly gave him a dig under the ribs. Quick as
lightning Billy let fly his arm. I dare say he never meant to do quite
as much as he did, but anyhow he gave the burly fool a terrible
drubbing. It took about half a minute, I should think. And, Lord bless
you, the lubber was astonished at the celerity. And will you believe it,
Lieutenant, the Red Whiskers now really loves Billy--loves him, or is
the biggest hypocrite that ever I heard of. But they all love him. Some
of ’em do his washing, darn old trowsers for him; the carpenter is at
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