- end_line
- 2021
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T03:55:03.879Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 1966
- text
- Claggart’s presence, and saw the doffed cap held in deferential
expectancy. Here be it said that Captain Vere’s personal knowledge of
this petty officer had only begun at the time of the ship’s last sailing
from home, Claggart then for the first, in transfer from a ship detained
for repairs, supplying on board the _Indomitable_[3] the place of a
previous master-at-arms disabled and ashore.
No sooner did the commander observe who it was that now so deferentially
stood awaiting his notice, than a peculiar expression came over his
face. It was not unlike that which uncontrollably will flit across the
countenance of one at unawares encountering a person who though known to
him indeed has hardly been long enough known for thorough knowledge, but
something in whose aspect nevertheless now for the first provokes a
vaguely repellent distaste. But coming to a stand, and resuming much of
his wonted official manner, save that a sort of impatience lurked in the
intonation of the opening word, he said, ‘Well, what is it,
master-at-arms?’
With the air of a subordinate grieved at the necessity of being a
messenger of ill-tidings, and while conscientiously determined to be
frank, yet equally resolved upon shunning overstatement, Claggart at
this invitation, or rather summons to disburthen, spoke up. What he
said, conveyed in the language of no uneducated man, was to the effect
following, if not altogether in these words, namely: That during the
chase and preparations for the possible encounter he had seen enough to
convince him that at least one sailor aboard was a dangerous character
in a ship mustering some who not only had taken a guilty part in the
late serious trouble, but others also who, like the man in question, had
entered His Majesty’s service under another form than enlistment.
At this point Captain Vere with some impatience interrupted him:
‘Be direct, man; say impressed men.’
Claggart made a gesture of subservience and proceeded. Quite lately he
(Claggart) had begun to suspect that some sort of movement prompted by
the sailor in question was covertly going on, but he had not thought
himself warranted in reporting the suspicion so long as it remained
indistinct. But from what he had that afternoon observed in the man
referred to, the suspicion of something clandestine going on had
advanced to a point less removed from certainty. He deeply felt, he
added, the serious responsibility assumed in making a report involving
such possible consequences to the individual mainly concerned, besides
tending to augment those natural anxieties which every naval commander
must feel in view of extraordinary outbreaks so recent as those which,
he sorrowfully said it, it needed not to name.
Now at the first broaching of the matter Captain Vere, taken by
surprise, could not wholly dissemble his disquietude, but as Claggart
went on, the former’s aspect changed into restiveness under something in
the testifier’s manner in giving his testimony. However, he refrained
from interrupting him. And Claggart, continuing, concluded with this:
‘God forbid, your honour, that the _Indomitable’s_[4] should be the
experience of the----’
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