- end_line
- 2308
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T03:55:03.879Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 2248
- text
- his lurking defect, and in this instance for the time intensifying it
into a convulsed tongue-tie; while the intent head and entire form,
straining forward in an agony of ineffectual eagerness to obey the
injunction to speak and defend himself, gave an expression to the face
like that of a condemned vestal priestess in the moment of being buried
alive, and in the first struggle against suffocation.
Though at the time Captain Vere was quite ignorant of Billy’s liability
to vocal impediment, he now immediately divined it, since vividly
Billy’s aspect recalled to him that of a bright young schoolmate of his
whom he had seen struck by much the same startling impotence in the act
of eagerly rising in the class to be foremost in response to a testing
question put to it by the master. Going close up to the young sailor,
and laying a soothing hand on his shoulder, he said, ‘There is no hurry,
my boy. Take your time, take your time.’ Contrary to the effect
intended, these words, so fatherly in tone, doubtless touching Billy’s
heart to the quick, prompted yet more violent efforts at
utterance--efforts soon ending for the time in confirming the paralysis,
and bringing to the face an expression which was as a crucifixion to
behold. The next instant, quick as the flame from a discharged cannon at
night, his right arm shot out, and Claggart dropped to the deck. Whether
intentionally, or but owing to the young athlete’s superior height, the
blow had taken effect full upon the forehead, so shapely and
intellectual-looking a feature in the master-at-arms; so that the body
fell over lengthwise, like a heavy plank tilted from erectness. A gasp
or two, and he lay motionless.
‘Fated boy,’ breathed Captain Vere, in tone so low as to be almost a
whisper, ‘what have you done! But here, help me.’
The twain raised the felled one from the loins up into a sitting
position. The spare form flexibly acquiesced, but inertly. It was like
handling a dead snake. They lowered it back. Regaining erectness,
Captain Vere with one hand covering his face stood to all appearance as
impassive as the object at his feet. Was he absorbed in taking in all
the bearings of the event, and what was best not only now at once to be
done, but also in the sequel? Slowly he uncovered his face; and the
effect was as if the moon emerging from eclipse should reappear with
quite another aspect than that which had gone into hiding. The father in
him, manifested towards Billy thus far in the scene, was replaced by the
military disciplinarian. In his official tone he bade the foretopman
retire to a state-room aft (pointing it out), and there remain till
thence summoned. This order Billy in silence mechanically obeyed. Then
going to the cabin door where it opened on the quarter-deck, Captain
Vere said to the sentry without, ‘Tell somebody to send Albert here.’
When the lad appeared his master so contrived it that he should not
catch sight of the prone one. ‘Albert,’ he said to him, ‘tell the
surgeon I wish to see him. You need not come back till called.’
When the surgeon entered--a self-poised character of that grave sense
and experience that hardly anything could take him aback--Captain Vere
advanced to meet him, thus unconsciously interrupting his view of
Claggart, and interrupting the other’s wonted ceremonious salutation
said, ‘Nay, tell me how it is with yonder man,’ directing his attention
to the prostrate one.
The surgeon looked, and for all his self-command, somewhat started at
the abrupt revelation. On Claggart’s always pallid complexion thick
black blood was now oozing from mouth and ear. To the gazer’s
professional eyes it was unmistakably no living man that he saw.
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