- end_line
- 1972
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T03:55:03.879Z
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- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 1906
- text
- fore-chains. Shrewd ones may also think it but natural in Billy to set
about sounding some of the other impressed men of the ship in order to
discover what basis, if any, there was for the emissary’s obscure
suggestions as to plotting disaffection aboard. Yes, the shrewd may so
think. But something more, or rather, something else than mere
shrewdness is perhaps needful for the due understanding of such a
character as Billy Budd’s.
As to Claggart, the monomania in the man--if that indeed it were--as
involuntarily disclosed by starts in the manifestations detailed, yet in
general covered over by his self-contained and rational demeanour; this,
like a subterranean fire, was eating its way deeper and deeper in him.
Something decisive must come of it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
XVI
After the mysterious interview in the fore-chains, the one so abruptly
ended there by Billy, nothing especially germane to the story occurred
until the events now about to be narrated.
Elsewhere it has been said that owing to the lack of frigates (of course
better sailers than line-of-battle ships) in the English squadron up the
Straits at that period, the _Indomitable_[2] seventy-four was
occasionally employed not only as an available substitute for a scout,
but at times on detached service of more important kind. This was not
alone because of her sailing qualities, not common in a ship of her
rate, but quite as much probably, that the character of her commander,
it was thought, specially adapted him for any duty where under
unforeseen difficulties a prompt initiative might have to be taken in
some matter demanding knowledge and ability in addition to those
qualities employed in good seamanship. It was on an expedition of the
latter sort, a somewhat distant one, and when the _Indomitable_[2] was
almost at her furthest remove from the fleet, that in the latter part of
an afternoon-watch she unexpectedly came in sight of a ship of the
enemy. It proved to be a frigate. The latter, perceiving through the
glass that the weight of men and metal would be heavily against her,
invoking her light heels, crowded sail to get away. After a chase urged
almost against hope, and lasting until about the middle of the first
dog-watch, she signally succeeded in effecting her escape.
Not long after the pursuit had been given up, and ere the excitement
incident thereto had altogether waned away, the master-at-arms,
ascending from his cavernous sphere, made his appearance cap in hand by
the mainmast, respectfully waiting the notice of Captain Vere, then
solitary walking the weather-side of the quarter-deck, doubtless
somewhat chafed at the failure of the pursuit. The spot where Claggart
stood was the place allotted to men of lesser grades seeking some more
particular interview either with the officer of the deck or the captain
himself. But from the latter it was not often that a sailor or petty
officer of those days would seek a hearing; only some exceptional cause
would, according to established custom, have warranted that.
Presently, just as the commander, absorbed in his reflections, was on
the point of turning aft in his promenade, he became sensible of
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.
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