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- 2086
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:26.981Z
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- structure-extraction-lambda
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- 2030
- text
- captain, this struck him as a most immodest presumption. Besides, to his
quick sense of self-respect, it even looked under the circumstances
something like an attempt to alarm him. Nor at that was he without some
surprise that one who so far as he had hitherto come under his notice
had shown considerable tact in his function, should in this particular
evince such lack of it.
But these thoughts and kindred dubious ones flitting across his mind
were suddenly replaced by an intuitional surmise, which though as yet
obscure in form, served practically to affect his reception of the ill
tidings. Certain it is, that long versed in everything pertaining to the
complicated gun-deck life, which like every other form of life has its
secret mines and dubious side, the side popularly disclaimed, Captain
Vere did not permit himself to be unduly disturbed by the general tenor
of his subordinate’s report. Furthermore, if in view of recent events
prompt action should be taken at the first palpable sign of recurring
insubordination, for all that, not judicious would it be, he thought, to
keep the idea of lingering disaffection alive by undue forwardness in
crediting an informer, even if his own subordinate, and charged among
other honours with police surveillance of the crew. This feeling would
not perhaps have so prevailed with him were it not that upon a prior
occasion the patriotic zeal officially evinced by Claggart had somewhat
irritated him as appearing rather supersensitive and strained.
Furthermore, something even in the official’s self-possessed and
somewhat ostentatious manner in making his specifications strangely
reminded him of a bandsman, a perjured witness in a capital case before
a court-martial ashore of which when a lieutenant he, Captain Vere, had
been a member.
Now the peremptory check given to Claggart in the matter of the arrested
allusion was quickly followed up by this: ‘You say that there is at
least one dangerous man aboard. Name him.’
‘William Budd, a foretopman, your honour.’
‘William Budd!’ repeated Captain Vere with unfeigned astonishment; ‘and
mean you the man that Lieutenant Ratcliffe took from the merchantman not
very long ago--the young fellow who seems to be so popular with the
men--Billy, the Handsome Sailor, as they call him?’
‘The same, your honour; but for all his youth and good looks, a deep
one. Not for nothing does he insinuate himself into the good-will of his
shipmates, since at the least they will at a pinch say a good word for
him at all hazards. Did Lieutenant Ratcliffe happen to tell your honour
of that adroit fling of Budd’s jumping up in the cutter’s bow under the
merchantman’s stern when he was being taken off? That sort of
good-humoured air even masks that at heart he resents his impressment.
You have but noted his fair cheek. A man-trap may be under his
ruddy-tipped daisies.’
Now the _Handsome Sailor_ as a signal figure among the crew had
naturally enough attracted the captain’s attention from the first.
Though in general not very demonstrative to his officers, he had
congratulated Lieutenant Ratcliffe upon his good fortune in lighting on
such a fine specimen of the _genus homo_, who in the nude might have
passed for a statue of young Adam before the Fall.
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