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- 2616
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:26.981Z
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- 2556
- text
- not unlike that which a dog of generous breed might turn upon his
master, seeking in his face some elucidation of a previous gesture
ambiguous to the canine intelligence. Nor was the same utterance without
marked effect upon the three officers, more especially the soldier.
Couched in it seemed to them a meaning unanticipated, involving a
prejudgment on the speaker’s part. It served to augment a mental
disturbance previously evident enough.
The soldier once more spoke, in a tone of suggestive dubiety addressing
at once his associates and Captain Vere: ‘Nobody is present--none of the
ship’s company, I mean, who might shed lateral light, if any is to be
had, upon what remains mysterious in this matter.’
‘That is thoughtfully put,’ said Captain Vere; ‘I see your drift. Ay,
there is a mystery; but to use a Scriptural phrase, it is “a mystery of
iniquity,” a matter for psychological theologians to discuss. But what
has a military court to do with it? Not to add that for us, any possible
investigation of it is cut off by the lasting tongue-tie of--him--in
yonder,’ again designating the mortuary state-room. ‘The prisoner’s
deed. With that alone we have to do.’
To this, and particularly the closing reiteration, the marine soldier,
knowing not how aptly to reply, sadly abstained from saying aught. The
first lieutenant, who at the outset had not unnaturally assumed primacy
in the court, now over-rulingly instructed by a glance from Captain
Vere, a glance more effective than words, resumed that primacy. Turning
to the prisoner: ‘Budd,’ he said, and scarce in equable tones, ‘Budd, if
you have aught further to say for yourself, say it now.’
Upon this the young sailor turned another quick glance toward Captain
Vere; then, as taking a hint from that aspect, a hint confirming his own
instinct that silence was now best, replied to the lieutenant, ‘I have
said all, sir.’
The marine--the same who had been the sentinel without the cabin-door at
the time that the foretopman, followed by the master-at-arms, entered
it--he, standing by the sailor throughout their judicial proceedings,
was now directed to take him back to the after-compartment originally
assigned to the prisoner and his custodian. As the twain disappeared
from view, the three officers, as partially liberated from some inward
constraint associated with Billy’s mere presence, simultaneously stirred
in their seats. They exchanged looks of troubled indecision, yet feeling
that decide they must and without long delay, for Captain Vere was for
the time sitting unconsciously with his back toward them, apparently in
one of his absent fits, gazing out from a sashed port-hole to windward
upon the monotonous blank of the twilight sea. But the court’s silence
continuing, broken only at moments by brief consultations in low,
earnest tones, this seemed to assure him and encourage him. Turning, he
to and fro paced the cabin athwart; in the returning ascent to windward,
climbing the slant deck in the ship’s lee roll; without knowing it
symbolising thus in his action a mind resolute to surmount difficulties
even if against primitive instincts strong as the wind and the sea.
Presently he came to a stand before the three. After scanning their
faces he stood less as mustering his thoughts for expression, than as
one only deliberating how best to put them to well-meaning men not
intellectually mature, men with whom it was necessary to demonstrate
certain principles that were axioms to himself. Similar impatience as to
talking is perhaps one reason that deters some minds from addressing any
popular assemblies; under which head is to be classed most legislatures
in a democracy.
- title
- Chunk 7