CHAPTER1
INTHEtimebeforesteamships，orthenmorefrequentlythannow，astrolleralongthedocksofanyconsiderablesea-portwouldoccasionallyhavehisattentionarrestedbyagroupofbronzedmariners，man-of-war'smenormerchant-sailorsinholidayattireashoreonliberty。Incertaininstancestheywouldflank，or，likeabody-guardquitesurroundsomesuperiorfigureoftheirownclass，movingalongwiththemlikeAldebaranamongthelesserlightsofhisconstellation。Thatsignalobjectwasthe"HandsomeSailor"ofthelessprosaictimealikeofthemilitaryandmerchantnavies。Withnoperceptibletraceofthevaingloriousabouthim，ratherwiththeoff-handunaffectednessofnaturalregality，heseemedtoacceptthespontaneoushomageofhisshipmates。Asomewhatremarkableinstancerecurstome。InLiverpool，nowhalfacenturyago，Isawundertheshadowofthegreatdingystreet-wallofPrince'sDock（anobstructionlongsinceremoved）acommonsailor，sointenselyblackthathemustneedshavebeenanativeAfricanoftheunadulteratebloodofHam。A
symmetricfiguremuchabovetheaverageheight。Thetwoendsofagaysilkhandkerchiefthrownlooseabouttheneckdanceduponthedisplayedebonyofhischest；inhisearswerebighoopsofgold，andaScotchHighlandbonnetwithatartanbandsetoffhisshapelyhead。
ItwasahotnooninJuly；andhisface，lustrouswithperspiration，beamedwithbarbaricgoodhumor。Injovialsalliesrightandleft，hiswhiteteethflashingintoherollickedalong，thecentreofacompanyofhisshipmates。TheseweremadeupofsuchanassortmentoftribesandcomplexionsaswouldhavewellfittedthemtobemarchedupbyAnacharsisClootsbeforethebarofthefirstFrenchAssemblyasRepresentativesoftheHumanRace。Ateachspontaneoustributerenderedbythewayfarerstothisblackpagodofafellow-thetributeofapauseandstare，andlessfrequentanexclamation，-themotleyretinueshowedthattheytookthatsortofprideintheevokerofitwhichtheAssyrianpriestsdoubtlessshowedfortheirgrandsculpturedBullwhenthefaithfulprostratedthemselves。
Toreturn。
IfinsomecasesabitofanauticalMuratinsettingforthhispersonashore，theHandsomeSailoroftheperiodinquestionevincednothingofthedandifiedBilly-be-Damn，anamusingcharacterallbutextinctnow，butoccasionallytobeencountered，andinaformyetmoreamusingthantheoriginal，atthetilleroftheboatsonthetempestuousErieCanalor，morelikely，vaporinginthegroggeriesalongthetow-path。Invariablyaproficientinhisperilouscalling，hewasalsomoreorlessofamightyboxerorwrestler。Itwasstrengthandbeauty。Talesofhisprowesswererecited。Ashorehewasthechampion；afloatthespokesman；oneverysuitableoccasionalwaysforemost。Close-reefingtop-sailsinagale，therehewas，astridetheweatheryard-arm-end，footintheFlemishhorseas"stirrup，"bothhandstuggingatthe"earring"asatabridle，inverymuchtheattitudeofyoungAlexandercurbingthefieryBucephalus。A
superbfigure，tossedupasbythehornsofTaurusagainstthethunderoussky，cheerilyhallooingtothestrenuousfilealongthespar。
Themoralnaturewasseldomoutofkeepingwiththephysicalmake。
Indeed，exceptastonedbytheformer，thecomelinessandpower，alwaysattractiveinmasculineconjunction，hardlycouldhavedrawnthesortofhonesthomagetheHandsomeSailorinsomeexamplesreceivedfromhislessgiftedassociates。
Suchacynosure，atleastinaspect，andsomethingsuchtooinnature，thoughwithimportantvariationsmadeapparentasthestoryproceeds，waswelkin-eyedBillyBudd，orBabyBudd，asmorefamiliarlyundercircumstanceshereaftertobegivenheatlastcametobecalled，agedtwenty-one，aforetopmanoftheBritishfleettowardthecloseofthelastdecadeoftheeighteenthcentury。ItwasnotverylongpriortothetimeofthenarrationthatfollowsthathehadenteredtheKing'sService，havingbeenimpressedontheNarrowSeasfromahomeward-boundEnglishmerchantmanintoaseventy-fouroutward-bound，H。M。S。Indomitable；whichship，aswasnotunusualinthosehurrieddays，havingbeenobligedtoputtoseashortofherpropercomplementofmen。PlumpuponBillyatfirstsightinthegangwaytheboardingofficerLieutenantRatcliffpounced，evenbeforethemerchantman'screwwasformallymusteredonthequarter-deckforhisdeliberateinspection。Andhimonlyheelected。
ForwhetheritwasbecausetheothermenwhenrangedbeforehimshowedtoilladvantageafterBilly，orwhetherhehadsomescruplesinviewofthemerchantmanbeingrathershort-handed，howeveritmightbe，theofficercontentedhimselfwithhisfirstspontaneouschoice。
Tothesurpriseoftheship'scompany，thoughmuchtotheLieutenant'ssatisfaction，Billymadenodemur。But，indeed，anydemurwouldhavebeenasidleastheprotestofagoldfinchpoppedintoacage。
Notingthisuncomplainingacquiescence，allbutcheerfulonemightsay，theshipmatesturnedasurprisedglanceofsilentreproachatthesailor。TheShipmasterwasoneofthoseworthymortalsfoundineveryvocation，eventhehumblerones-thesortofpersonwhomeverybodyagreesincalling"arespectableman。"And-norsostrangetoreportasitmayappeartobe-thoughaploughmanofthetroubledwaters，life-longcontendingwiththeintractableelements，therewasnothingthishonestsoulatheartlovedbetterthansimplepeaceandquiet。Fortherest，hewasfiftyorthereabouts，alittleinclinedtocorpulence，aprepossessingface，unwhiskered，andofanagreeablecolor-aratherfullface，humanelyintelligentinexpression。Onafairdaywithafairwindandallgoingwell，acertainmusicalchimeinhisvoiceseemedtobetheveritableunobstructedoutcomeoftheinnermostman。Hehadmuchprudence，muchconscientiousness，andtherewereoccasionswhenthesevirtueswerethecauseofovermuchdisquietudeinhim。Onapassage，solongashiscraftwasinanyproximitytoland，nosleepforCaptainGraveling。Hetooktoheartthoseseriousresponsibilitiesnotsoheavilybornebysomeshipmasters。
NowwhileBillyBuddwasdownintheforecastlegettinghiskittogether，theIndomitable'sLieutenant，burlyandbluff，nowisedisconcertedbyCaptainGraveling'somittingtoprofferthecustomaryhospitalitiesonanoccasionsounwelcometohim，anomissionsimplycausedbypreoccupationofthought，unceremoniouslyinvitedhimselfintothecabin，andalsotoaflaskfromthespirit-locker，areceptaclewhichhisexperiencedeyeinstantlydiscovered。Infacthewasoneofthosesea-dogsinwhomallthehardshipandperilofnavallifeinthegreatprolongedwarsofhistimeneverimpairedthenaturalinstinctforsensuousenjoyment。Hisdutyhealwaysfaithfullydid；butdutyissometimesadryobligation，andhewasforirrigatingitsaridity，whensoeverpossible，withafertilizingdecoctionofstrongwaters。Forthecabin'sproprietortherewasnothingleftbuttoplaythepartoftheenforcedhostwithwhatevergraceandalacritywerepracticable。Asnecessaryadjunctstotheflask，hesilentlyplacedtumblerandwater-jugbeforetheirrepressibleguest。Butexcusinghimselffrompartakingjustthen，hedismallywatchedtheunembarrassedofficerdeliberatelydilutinghisgrogalittle，thentossingitoffinthreeswallows，pushingtheemptytumbleraway，yetnotsofarastobebeyondeasyreach，atthesametimesettlinghimselfinhisseatandsmackinghislipswithhighsatisfaction，lookingstraightatthehost。
Theseproceedingsover，theMasterbrokethesilence；andtherelurkedaruefulreproachinthetoneofhisvoice："Lieutenant，youaregoingtotakemybestmanfromme，thejewelof'em。"
"Yes，Iknow，"rejoinedtheother，immediatelydrawingbackthetumblerpreliminarytoareplenishing；"Yes，Iknow。Sorry。"
"Begpardon，butyoudon'tunderstand，Lieutenant。Seeherenow。
BeforeIshippedthatyoungfellow，myforecastlewasarat-pitofquarrels。Itwasblacktimes，Itellyou，aboardtheRightshere。I
wasworriedtothatdegreemypipehadnocomfortforme。ButBillycame；anditwaslikeaCatholicprieststrikingpeaceinanIrishshindy。Notthathepreachedtothemorsaidordidanythinginparticular；butavirtuewentoutofhim，sugaringthesourones。Theytooktohimlikehornetstotreacle；allbutthebufferofthegang，thebigshaggychapwiththefire-redwhiskers。Heindeedoutofenvy，perhaps，ofthenewcomer，andthinkingsucha'sweetandpleasantfellow，'ashemockinglydesignatedhimtotheothers，couldhardlyhavethespiritofagame-cock，mustneedsbestirhimselfintryingtogetupanuglyrowwithhim。Billyforeborewithhimandreasonedwithhiminapleasantway-heissomethinglikemyself，Lieutenant，towhomaughtlikeaquarrelishateful-butnothingserved。So，intheseconddog-watchonedaytheRedWhiskersinpresenceoftheothers，underpretenceofshowingBillyjustwhenceasirloinsteakwascut-
forthefellowhadoncebeenabutcher-insultinglygavehimadigundertheribs。QuickaslightningBillyletflyhisarm。Idaresayhenevermeanttodoquiteasmuchashedid，butanyhowhegavetheburlyfoolaterribledrubbing。Ittookabouthalfaminute，I
shouldthink。And，lordblessyou，thelubberwasastonishedatthecelerity。Andwillyoubelieveit，Lieutenant，theRedWhiskersnowreallylovesBilly-loveshim，oristhebiggesthypocritethateverI
heardof。Buttheyalllovehim。Someof'emdohiswashing，darnhisoldtrousersforhim；thecarpenterisatoddtimesmakingaprettylittlechestofdrawersforhim。AnybodywilldoanythingforBillyBudd；andit'sthehappyfamilyhere。Butnow，Lieutenant，ifthatyoungfellowgoes-IknowhowitwillbeaboardtheRights。NotagainverysoonshallI，comingupfromdinner，leanoverthecapstansmokingaquietpipe-no，notverysoonagain，Ithink。Ay，Lieutenant，youaregoingtotakeawaythejewelof'em；youaregoingtotakeawaymypeacemaker！"Andwiththatthegoodsoulhadreallysomeadoincheckingarisingsob。
"Well，"saidtheofficerwhohadlistenedwithamusedinteresttoallthis，andnowwaxingmerrywithhistipple；"Well，blessedarethepeacemakers，especiallythefightingpeacemakers！Andsucharetheseventy-fourbeautiessomeofwhichyouseepokingtheirnosesoutoftheport-holesofyonderwar-shiplying-toforme，"pointingthro'thecabinwindowattheIndomitable。"Butcourage！don'tlooksodownhearted，man。Why，Ipledgeyouinadvancetheroyalapprobation。RestassuredthatHisMajestywillbedelightedtoknowthatinatimewhenhishardtackisnotsoughtforbysailorswithsuchavidityasshouldbe；atimealsowhensomeshipmastersprivilyresenttheborrowingfromthematarortwofortheservice；HisMajesty，Isay，willbedelightedtolearnthatoneshipmasteratleastcheerfullysurrenderstotheKing，theflowerofhisflock，asailorwhowithequalloyaltymakesnodissent-Butwhere'smybeauty？Ah，"lookingthroughthecabin'sopendoor，"Herehecomes；
and，byJove-luggingalonghischest-Apollowithhisportmanteau！-
Myman，"steppingouttohim，"youcan'ttakethatbigboxaboardawar-ship。Theboxestherearemostlyshot-boxes。Putyourdudsinabag，lad。Bootandsaddleforthecavalryman，bagandhammockfortheman-of-war'sman。"
Thetransferfromchesttobagwasmade。And，afterseeinghismanintothecutterandthenfollowinghimdown，theLieutenantpushedofffromtheRights-of-Man。Thatwasthemerchant-ship'sname；tho'byhermasterandcrewabbreviatedinsailorfashionintoTheRights。Thehard-headedDundeeownerwasastaunchadmirerofThomasPainewhosebookinrejoindertoBurke'sarraignmentoftheFrenchRevolutionhadthenbeenpublishedforsometimeandhadgoneeverywhere。InchristeninghisvesselafterthetitleofPaine'svolume，themanofDundeewassomethinglikehiscontemporaryshipowner，StephenGirardofPhiladelphia，whosesympathies，alikewithhisnativelandanditsliberalphilosophers，heevincedbynaminghisshipsafterVoltaire，Diderot，andsoforth。
Butnow，whentheboatsweptunderthemerchantman'sstern，andofficerandoarsmenwerenoting-somebitterlyandotherswithagrin，-thenameemblazonedthere；justthenitwasthatthenewrecruitjumpedupfromthebowwherethecoxswainhaddirectedhimtosit，andwavinghishattohissilentshipmatessorrowfullylookingoverathimfromthetaffrail，badetheladsagenialgood-bye。
Then，makingasalutationastotheshipherself，"Andgood-byetoyoutoo，oldRights-of-Man。"
"Down，Sir！"roaredtheLieutenant，instantlyassumingalltherigourofhisrank，thoughwithdifficultyrepressingasmile。
Tobesure，Billy'sactionwasaterriblebreachofnavaldecorum。
Butinthatdecorumhehadneverbeeninstructed；inconsiderationofwhichtheLieutenantwouldhardlyhavebeensoenergeticinreproofbutfortheconcludingfarewelltotheship。Thisherathertookasmeanttoconveyacovertsallyonthenewrecruit'spart，aslysluratimpressmentingeneral，andthatofhimselfinespecial。Andyet，morelikely，ifsatireitwasineffect，itwashardlysobyintention，forBilly，tho'happilyendowedwiththegayetyofhighhealth，youth，andafreeheart，wasyetbynomeansofasatiricalturn。Thewilltoitandthesinisterdexteritywerealikewanting。Todealindoublemeaningsandinsinuationsofanysortwasquiteforeigntohisnature。
Astohisenforcedenlistment，thatheseemedtotakeprettymuchashewaswonttotakeanyvicissitudeofweather。Liketheanimals，thoughnophilosopher，hewas，withoutknowingit，practicallyafatalist。And，itmaybe，thatheratherlikedthisadventurousturninhisaffairs，whichpromisedanopeningintonovelscenesandmartialexcitements。
AboardtheIndomitableourmerchant-sailorwasforthwithratedasanable-seamanandassignedtothestarboardwatchofthefore-top。
Hewassoonathomeintheservice，notatalldislikedforhisunpretentiousgoodlooksandasortofgenialhappy-go-luckyair。Nomerriermaninhismess：inmarkedcontrasttocertainotherindividualsincludedlikehimselfamongtheimpressedportionoftheship'scompany；forthesewhennotactivelyemployedweresometimes，andmoreparticularlyinthelastdog-watchwhenthedrawingnearoftwilightinducedrevery，apttofallintoasaddishmoodwhichinsomepartookofsullenness。Buttheywerenotsoyoungasourforetopman，andnofewofthemmusthaveknownahearthofsomesort；othersmayhavehadwivesandchildrenleft，tooprobably，inuncertaincircumstances，andhardlyanybutmusthavehadacknowledgedkithandkin，whileforBilly，aswillshortlybeseen，hisentirefamilywaspracticallyinvestedinhimself。
CHAPTER2
Thoughournew-madeforetopmanwaswellreceivedinthetopandonthegundecks，hardlyherewashethatcynosurehehadpreviouslybeenamongthoseminorship'scompaniesofthemerchantmarine，withwhichcompaniesonlyhadhehithertoconsorted。
Hewasyoung；anddespitehisallbutfullydevelopedframe，inaspectlookedevenyoungerthanhereallywas，owingtoalingeringadolescentexpressionintheasyetsmoothface，allbutfeminineinpurityofnaturalcomplexion，butwhere，thankstohisseagoing，thelilywasquitesuppressedandtherosehadsomeadovisiblytoflushthroughthetan。
Tooneessentiallysuchanoviceinthecomplexitiesoffactitiouslife，theabrupttransitionfromhisformerandsimplerspheretotheamplerandmoreknowingworldofagreatwar-ship；thismightwellhaveabashedhimhadtherebeenanyconceitorvanityinhiscomposition。Amonghermiscellaneousmultitude，theIndomitablemusteredseveralindividualswho，howeverinferioringrade，wereofnocommonnaturalstamp，sailorsmoresignallysusceptiveofthatairwhichcontinuousmartialdisciplineandrepeatedpresenceinbattlecaninsomedegreeimparteventotheaverageman。AstheHandsomeSailor，BillyBudd'spositionaboardtheseventy-fourwassomethinganalogoustothatofarusticbeautytransplantedfromtheprovincesandbroughtintocompetitionwiththehighborndamesofthecourt。Butthischangeofcircumstanceshescarcenoted。Aslittledidheobservethatsomethingabouthimprovokedanambiguoussmileinoneortwoharderfacesamongtheblue-jackets。Norlessunawarewasheofthepeculiarfavorableeffecthispersonanddemeanourhaduponthemoreintelligentgentlemenofthequarter-deck。Norcouldthiswellhavebeenotherwise。CastinamouldpeculiartothefinestphysicalexamplesofthoseEnglishmeninwhomtheSaxonstrainwouldseemnotatalltopartakeofanyNormanorotheradmixture，heshowedinfacethathumanelookofreposefulgoodnaturewhichtheGreeksculptorinsomeinstancesgavetohisheroicstrongman，Hercules。Butthisagainwassubtlymodifiedbyanotherandpervasivequality。Theear，smallandshapely，thearchofthefoot，thecurveinmouthandnostril，eventheinduratedhanddyedtotheorange-tawnyofthetoucan'sbill，ahandtellingalikeofthehalyardsandtar-bucket；but，aboveall，somethinginthemobileexpression，andeverychanceattitudeandmovement，somethingsuggestiveofamothereminentlyfavoredbyLoveandtheGraces；allthisstrangelyindicatedalineageindirectcontradictiontohislot。
Themysteriousnessherebecamelessmysteriousthroughamatter-of-factelicitedwhenBilly，atthecapstan，wasbeingformallymusteredintotheservice。Askedbytheofficer，asmallbrisklittlegentleman，asitchancedamongotherquestions，hisplaceofbirth，hereplied，"Please，Sir，Idon'tknow。"
"Don'tknowwhereyouwereborn？-Whowasyourfather？"
"Godknows，Sir。"
Struckbythestraightforwardsimplicityofthesereplies，theofficernextasked，"Doyouknowanythingaboutyourbeginning？"
"No，Sir。ButIhaveheardthatIwasfoundinaprettysilklinedbaskethangingonemorningfromtheknockerofagoodman'sdoorinBristol。"
"Foundsayyou？Well，"throwingbackhisheadandlookingupanddownthenewrecruit；"Well，itturnsouttohavebeenaprettygoodfind。Hopethey'llfindsomemorelikeyou，myman；thefleetsadlyneedsthem。"
Yes，BillyBuddwasafoundling，apresumableby-blow，and，evidently，noignobleone。Nobledescentwasasevidentinhimasinabloodhorse。
Fortherest，withlittleornosharpnessoffacultyoranytraceofthewisdomoftheserpent，noryetquiteadove，hepossessedthatkindanddegreeofintelligencegoingalongwiththeunconventionalrectitudeofasoundhumancreature，onetowhomnotyethasbeenprofferedthequestionableappleofknowledge。Hewasilliterate；hecouldnotread，buthecouldsing，andliketheilliteratenightingalewassometimesthecomposerofhisownsong。
Ofself-consciousnessheseemedtohavelittleornone，oraboutasmuchaswemayreasonablyimputetoadogofSaintBernard'sbreed。
Habituallylivingwiththeelementsandknowinglittlemoreofthelandthanasabeach，or，rather，thatportionoftheterraqueousglobeprovidentiallysetapartfordance-houses，doxiesandtapsters，inshortwhatsailorscalla"fiddlers'-green，"hissimplenatureremainedunsophisticatedbythosemoralobliquitieswhicharenotineverycaseincompatiblewiththatmanufacturablethingknownasrespectability。Butaresailors，frequentersof"fiddlers'-greens，"
withoutvices？No；butlessoftenthanwithlandsmendotheirvices，socalled，partakeofcrookednessofheart，seeminglesstoproceedfromviciousnessthanexuberanceofvitalityafterlongconstraint；
frankmanifestationsinaccordancewithnaturallaw。Byhisoriginalconstitutionaidedbythecooperatinginfluencesofhislot，Billyinmanyrespectswaslittlemorethanasortofuprightbarbarian，muchsuchperhapsasAdampresumablymighthavebeeneretheurbaneSerpentwriggledhimselfintohiscompany。
Andherebeitsubmittedthatapparentlygoingtocorroboratethedoctrineofman'sfall，adoctrinenowpopularlyignored，itisobservablethatwherecertainvirtuespristineandunadulteratepeculiarlycharacterizeanybodyintheexternaluniformofcivilization，theywilluponscrutinyseemnottobederivedfromcustomorconvention，butrathertobeoutofkeepingwiththese，asifindeedexceptionallytransmittedfromaperiodpriortoCain'scityandcitifiedman。Thecharactermarkedbysuchqualitieshastoanunvitiatedtasteanuntampered-withflavorlikethatofberries，whilethemanthoroughlycivilized，eveninafairspecimenofthebreed，hastothesamemoralpalateaquestionablesmackasofacompoundedwine。Toanystrayinheritoroftheseprimitivequalitiesfound，likeCasparHauser，wanderingdazedinanyChristiancapitalofourtime，thegood-naturedpoet'sfamousinvocation，neartwothousandyearsago，ofthegoodrusticoutofhislatitudeintheRomeoftheCesars，stillappropriatelyholds：-
"Honestandpoor，faithfulinwordandthought，Whathasthee，Fabian，tothecitybrought？"
ThoughourHandsomeSailorhadasmuchofmasculinebeautyasonecanexpectanywheretosee；nevertheless，likethebeautifulwomaninoneofHawthorne'sminortales，therewasjustonethingamissinhim。Novisibleblemish，indeed，aswiththelady；no，butanoccasionalliabilitytoavocaldefect。Thoughinthehourofelementaluproarorperilhewaseverythingthatasailorshouldbe，yetundersuddenprovocationofstrongheart-feeling，hisvoiceotherwisesingularlymusical，asifexpressiveoftheharmonywithin，wasapttodevelopanorganichesitancy，infact，moreorlessofastutterorevenworse。InthisparticularBillywasastrikinginstancethatthearchinterferer，theenviousmarplotofEden，stillhasmoreorlesstodowitheveryhumanconsignmenttothisplanetofearth。Ineverycase，onewayoranotherheissuretoslipinhislittlecard，asmuchastoremindus-Itoohaveahandhere。
TheavowalofsuchanimperfectionintheHandsomeSailorshouldbeevidencenotalonethatheisnotpresentedasaconventionalhero，butalsothatthestoryinwhichheisthemainfigureisnoromance。
CHAPTER3
AtthetimeofBillyBudd'sarbitraryenlistmentintotheIndomitablethatshipwasonherwaytojointheMediterraneanfleet。Nolongtimeelapsedbeforethe'unctionwaseffected。Asoneofthatfleettheseventy-fourparticipatedinitsmovements，tho'
attimes，onaccountofhersuperiorsailingqualities，intheabsenceoffrigates，despatchedonseparatedutyasascoutandattimesonlesstemporaryservice。Butwithallthisthestoryhaslittleconcernment，restrictedasitistotheinnerlifeofoneparticularshipandthecareerofanindividualsailor。
Itwasthesummerof1797。IntheAprilofthatyearhadoccurredthecommotionatSpitheadfollowedinMaybyasecondandyetmoreseriousoutbreakinthefleetattheNore。Thelatterisknown，andwithoutexaggerationintheepithet，astheGreatMutiny。ItwasindeedademonstrationmoremenacingtoEnglandthanthecontemporarymanifestoesandconqueringandproselytingarmiesoftheFrenchDirectory。
TotheBritishEmpiretheNoreMutinywaswhatastrikeinthefire-brigadewouldbetoLondonthreatenedbygeneralarson。InacrisiswhenthekingdommightwellhaveanticipatedthefamoussignalthatsomeyearslaterpublishedalongthenavallineofbattlewhatitwasthatuponoccasionEnglandexpectedofEnglishmen；thatwasthetimewhenatthemast-headsofthethree-deckersandseventy-foursmooredinherownroadstead-afleet，therightarmofaPowerthenallbutthesolefreeconservativeoneoftheOldWorld-theblue-jackets，tobenumberedbythousands，ranupwithhuzzastheBritishcolorswiththeunionandcrosswipedout；bythatcancellationtransmutingtheflagoffoundedlawandfreedomdefined，intotheenemy'sredmeteorofunbridledandunboundedrevolt。Reasonablediscontentgrowingoutofpracticalgrievancesinthefleethadbeenignitedintoirrationalcombustion，asbylivecindersblownacrosstheChannelfromFranceinflames。
TheeventconvertedintoironyforatimethosespiritedstrainsofDibdin-asasong-writernomeanauxiliarytotheEnglishGovernmentattheEuropeanconjuncture-strainscelebrating，amongotherthings，thepatrioticdevotionoftheBritishtar：
"Andasformylife，'tistheKing's！"
SuchanepisodeintheIsland'sgrandnavalstoryhernavalhistoriansnaturallyabridge；oneofthem（G。P。R。James）candidlyacknowledgingthatfainwouldhepassitoverdidnot"impartialityforbidfastidiousness。"Andyethismentionislessanarrationthanareference，havingtodohardlyatallwithdetails。Norarethesereadilytobefoundinthelibraries。Likesomeothereventsineveryagebefallingstateseverywhere，includingAmerica，theGreatMutinywasofsuchcharacterthatnationalpridealongwithviewsofpolicywouldfainshadeitoffintothehistoricalbackground。Sucheventscannotbeignored，butthereisaconsideratewayofhistoricallytreatingthem。Ifawell-constitutedindividualrefrainsfromblazoningaughtamissorcalamitousinhisfamily，anationinthelikecircumstancemaywithoutreproachbeequallydiscreet。
ThoughafterparleyingsbetweenGovernmentandtheringleaders，andconcessionsbytheformerastosomeglaringabuses，thefirstuprising-thatatSpithead-withdifficultywasputdown，ormattersforthetimepacified；yetattheNoretheunforeseenrenewalofinsurrectiononayetlargerscale，andemphasizedintheconferencesthatensuedbydemandsdeemedbytheauthoritiesnotonlyinadmissiblebutaggressivelyinsolent，indicated-iftheRedFlagdidnotsufficientlydoso-whatwasthespiritanimatingthemen。Finalsuppression，however，therewas；butonlymadepossibleperhapsbytheunswervingloyaltyofthemarinecorpsandvoluntaryresumptionofloyaltyamonginfluentialsectionsofthecrews。
TosomeextenttheNoreMutinymayberegardedasanalogoustothedistemperingirruptionofcontagiousfeverinaframeconstitutionallysound，andwhichanonthrowsitoff。
Atallevents，ofthesethousandsofmutineersweresomeofthetarswhonotsoverylongafterwards-whetherwhollypromptedtheretobypatriotism，orpugnaciousinstinct，orbyboth，-helpedtowinacoronetforNelsonattheNile，andthenavalcrownofcrownsforhimatTrafalgar。Tothemutineersthosebattles，andespeciallyTrafalgar，wereaplenaryabsolutionandagrandone：Forallthatgoestomakeupscenicnavaldisplay，heroicmagnificenceinarms，thosebattles，especiallyTrafalgar，standunmatchedinhumanannals。
CHAPTER4
Concerning"Thegreatestsailorsinceourworldbegan。"
TennysonInthismatterofwriting，resolveasonemaytokeeptothemainroad，someby-pathshaveanenticementnotreadilytobewithstood。Iamgoingtoerrintosuchaby-path。IfthereaderwillkeepmecompanyIshallbeglad。Attheleastwecanpromiseourselvesthatpleasurewhichiswickedlysaidtobeinsinning，foraliterarysinthedivergencewillbe。
Verylikelyitisnonewremarkthattheinventionsofourtimehaveatlastbroughtaboutachangeinsea-warfareindegreecorrespondingtotherevolutioninallwarfareeffectedbytheoriginalintroductionfromChinaintoEuropeofgunpowder。ThefirstEuropeanfire-arm，aclumsycontrivance，was，asiswellknown，scoutedbynofewoftheknightsasabaseimplement，goodenoughperadventureforweaverstoocraventostandupcrossingsteelwithsteelinfrankfight。Butasashore，knightlyvalor，tho'shornofitsblazonry，didnotceasewiththeknights，neitherontheseas，thoughnowadaysinencountersthereacertainkindofdisplayedgallantrybefallenoutofdateashardlyapplicableunderchangedcircumstances，didthenoblerqualitiesofsuchnavalmagnatesasDonJohnofAustria，Doria，VanTromp，JeanBart，thelonglineofBritishAdmiralsandtheAmericanDecatursof1812becomeobsoletewiththeirwoodenwalls。
Nevertheless，toanybodywhocanholdthePresentatitsworthwithoutbeinginappreciativeofthePast，itmaybeforgiven，iftosuchanonethesolitaryoldhulkatPortsmouth，Nelson'sVictory，seemstofloatthere，notaloneasthedecayingmonumentofafameincorruptible，butalsoasapoeticreproach，softenedbyitspicturesqueness，totheMonitorsandyetmightierhullsoftheEuropeanironclads。Andthisnotaltogetherbecausesuchcraftareunsightly，unavoidablylackingthesymmetryandgrandlinesoftheoldbattle-ships，butequallyforotherreasons。
Therearesome，perhaps，whowhilenotaltogetherinaccessibletothatpoeticreproachjustalludedto，mayyetonbehalfoftheneworder，bedisposedtoparryit；andthistotheextentoficonoclasm，ifneedbe。Forexample，promptedbythesightofthestarinsertedintheVictory'squarter-deckdesignatingthespotwheretheGreatSailorfell，thesemartialutilitariansmaysuggestconsiderationsimplyingthatNelson'sornatepublicationofhispersoninbattlewasnotonlyunnecessary，butnotmilitary，nay，savoredoffoolhardinessandvanity。Theymayadd，too，thatatTrafalgaritwasineffectnothinglessthanachallengetodeath；anddeathcame；andthatbutforhisbravadothevictoriousAdmiralmightpossiblyhavesurvivedthebattle；andso，insteadofhavinghissagaciousdyinginjunctionsoverruledbyhisimmediatesuccessorincommand，hehimself，whenthecontestwasdecided，mighthavebroughthisshatteredfleettoanchor，aproceedingwhichmighthaveavertedthedeplorablelossoflifebyshipwreckintheelementaltempestthatfollowedthemartialone。
Well，shouldwesetasidethemoredisputablepointwhetherforvariousreasonsitwaspossibletoanchorthefleet，thenplausiblyenoughtheBenthamitesofwarmayurgetheabove。
Butthemight-have-beenisbutboggygroundtobuildon。And，certainly，inforesightastothelargerissueofanencounter，andanxiouspreparationsforit-buoyingthedeadlywayandmappingitout，asatCopenhagen-fewcommandershavebeensopainstakinglycircumspectasthissamerecklessdeclarerofhispersoninfight。
Personalprudenceevenwhendictatedbyquiteotherthanselfishconsiderationssurelyisnospecialvirtueinamilitaryman；whileanexcessiveloveofglory，impassioningalessburningimpulse，thehonestsenseofduty，isthefirst。IfthenameWellingtonisnotsomuchofatrumpettothebloodasthesimplernameNelson，thereasonforthismayperhapsbeinferredfromtheabove。AlfredinhisfuneralodeonthevictorofWaterlooventuresnottocallhimthegreatestsoldierofalltime，tho'inthesameodeheinvokesNelsonas"thegreatestsailorsinceourworldbegan。"
AtTrafalgar，Nelson，onthebrinkofopeningthefight，satdownandwrotehislastbriefwillandtestament。Ifunderthepresentimentofthemostmagnificentofallvictoriestobecrownedbyhisowngloriousdeath，asortofpriestlymotiveledhimtodresshispersoninthejewelledvouchersofhisownshiningdeeds；ifthustohaveadornedhimselfforthealtarandthesacrificewereindeedvainglory，thenaffectationandfustianiseachmoreheroiclineinthegreatepicsanddramas，sinceinsuchlinesthepoetbutembodiesinversethoseexaltationsofsentimentthatanaturelikeNelson，theopportunitybeinggiven，vitalizesintoacts。
CHAPTER5
Yes，theoutbreakattheNorewasputdown。Butnoteverygrievancewasredressed。Ifthecontractors，forexample，werenolongerpermittedtoplysomepracticespeculiartotheirtribeeverywhere，suchasprovidingshoddycloth，rationsnotsound，orfalseinthemeasure，notthelessimpressment，foronething，wenton。Bycustomsanctionedforcenturies，andjudiciallymaintainedbyaLordChancelloraslateasMansfield，thatmodeofmanningthefleet，amodenowfallenintoasortofabeyancebutneverformallyrenounced，itwasnotpracticabletogiveupinthoseyears。Itsabrogationwouldhavecrippledtheindispensablefleet，onewhollyundercanvas，nosteam-power，itsinnumerablesailsandthousandsofcannon，everythinginshort，workedbymusclealone；afleetthemoreinsatiateindemandformen，becausethenmultiplyingitsshipsofallgradesagainstcontingenciespresentandtocomeoftheconvulsedContinent。
DiscontentforerantheTwoMutinies，andmoreorlessitlurkinglysurvivedthem。Henceitwasnotunreasonabletoapprehendsomereturnoftrouble，sporadicorgeneral。Oneinstanceofsuchapprehensions：Inthesameyearwiththisstory，Nelson，thenVice-AdmiralSirHoratio，beingwiththefleetofftheSpanishcoast，wasdirectedbytheAdmiralincommandtoshifthispennantfromtheCaptaintotheTheseus；andforthisreason：thatthelattershiphavingnewlyarrivedonthestationfromhomewhereithadtakenpartintheGreatMutiny，dangerwasapprehendedfromthetemperofthemen；anditwasthoughtthatanofficerlikeNelsonwastheone，notindeedtoterrorizethecrewintobasesubjection，buttowinthem，byforceofhismerepresence，backtoanallegianceifnotasenthusiasticashisown，yetastrue。Soitwasthatforatimeonmorethanonequarter-deckanxietydidexist。Atseaprecautionaryvigilancewasstrainedagainstrelapse。Atshortnoticeanengagementmightcomeon。Whenitdid，thelieutenantsassignedtobatteriesfeltitincumbentonthem，insomeinstances，tostandwithdrawnswordsbehindthemenworkingtheguns。
CHAPTER6
Butonboardtheseventy-fourinwhichBillynowswunghishammock，verylittleinthemannerofthemenandnothingobviousinthedemeanouroftheofficerswouldhavesuggestedtoanordinaryobserverthattheGreatMutinywasarecentevent。IntheirgeneralbearingandconductthecommissionedofficersofawarshipnaturallytaketheirtonefromtheCommander，thatisifhehavethatascendancyofcharacterthatoughttobehis。
CaptaintheHonorableEdwardFairfaxVere，togivehisfulltitle，wasabacheloroffortyorthereabouts，asailorofdistinctioneveninatimeprolificofrenownedseamen。Thoughalliedtothehighernobility，hisadvancementhadnotbeenaltogetherowingtoinfluencesconnectedwiththatcircumstance。Hehadseenmuchservice，beeninvariousengagements，alwaysacquittinghimselfasanofficermindfulofthewelfareofhismen，butnevertoleratinganinfractionofdiscipline；thoroughlyversedinthescienceofhisprofession，andintrepidtothevergeoftemerity，thoughneverinjudiciouslyso。ForhisgallantryintheWestIndianwatersasFlag-LieutenantunderRodneyinthatAdmiral'scrowningvictoryoverDeGrasse，hewasmadeaPost-Captain。
Ashoreinthegarbofacivilian，scarceanyonewouldhavetakenhimforasailor，moreespeciallythathenevergarnishedunprofessionaltalkwithnauticalterms，andgraveinhisbearing，evincedlittleappreciationofmerehumor。Itwasnotoutofkeepingwiththesetraitsthatonapassagewhennothingdemandedhisparamountaction，hewasthemostundemonstrativeofmen。Anylandsmanobservingthisgentleman，notconspicuousbyhisstatureandwearingnopronouncedinsignia，emergingfromhiscabintotheopendeck，andnotingthesilentdeferenceoftheofficersretiringtoleeward，mighthavetakenhimfortheKing'sguest，acivilianaboardtheKing's-ship，somehighlyhonorablediscreetenvoyonhiswaytoanimportantpost。Butinfactthisunobtrusivenessofdemeanourmayhaveproceededfromacertainunaffectedmodestyofmanhoodsometimesaccompanyingaresolutenature，amodestyevincedatalltimesnotcallingforpronouncedaction，andwhichshowninanyrankoflifesuggestsavirtuearistocraticinkind。
Aswithsomeothersengagedinvariousdepartmentsoftheworld'smoreheroicactivities，CaptainVere，thoughpracticalenoughuponoccasion，wouldattimesbetrayacertaindreaminessofmood。Standingaloneontheweather-sideofthequarter-deck，onehandholdingbytherigging，hewouldabsentlygazeoffattheblanksea。
Atthepresentationtohimthenofsomeminormatterinterruptingthecurrentofhisthoughtshewouldshowmoreorlessirascibility；
butinstantlyhewouldcontrolit。
Inthenavyhewaspopularlyknownbytheappellation-StarryVere。Howsuchadesignationhappenedtofallupononewho，whateverhissterlingqualities，waswithoutanybrilliantoneswasinthiswise：Afavoritekinsman，LordDenton，afree-heartedfellow，hadbeenthefirsttomeetandcongratulatehimuponhisreturntoEnglandfromhisWestIndiancruise；andbutthedaypreviousturningoveracopyofAndrewMarvell'spoems，hadlighted，notforthefirsttimehowever，uponthelinesentitledAppletonHouse，thenameofoneoftheseatsoftheircommonancestor，aherointheGermanwarsoftheseventeenthcentury，inwhichpoemoccurthelines，"This'tistohavebeenfromthefirstInadomesticheavennursed，UnderthedisciplinesevereOfFairfaxandthestarryVere。"
Andso，uponembracinghiscousinfreshfromRodney'sgreatvictorywhereinhehadplayedsogallantapart，brimmingoverwithjustfamilyprideinthesailoroftheirhouse，heexuberantlyexclaimed，"Giveyejoy，Ed；giveyejoy，mystarryVere！"Thisgotcurrency，andthenovelprefixservinginfamiliarparlancereadilytodistinguishtheIndomitable'sCaptainfromanotherVerehissenior，adistantrelative，anofficeroflikerankinthenavy，itremainedpermanentlyattachedtothesurname。
CHAPTER7
InviewofthepartthattheCommanderoftheIndomitableplaysinscenesshortlytofollow，itmaybewelltofilloutthatsketchofhisoutlinedinthepreviouschapter。
Asidefromhisqualitiesasasea-officer，CaptainVerewasanexceptionalcharacter。UnlikenofewofEngland'srenownedsailors，longandarduousservicewithsignaldevotiontoit，hadnotresultedinabsorbingandsaltingtheentireman。Hehadamarkedleaningtowardeverythingintellectual。Helovedbooks，nevergoingtoseawithoutanewlyreplenishedlibrary，compactbutofthebest。
Theisolatedleisure，insomecasessowearisome，fallingatintervalstocommandersevenduringawar-cruise，neverwastedioustoCaptainVere。Withnothingofthatliterarytastewhichlessheedsthethingconveyedthanthevehicle，hisbiaswastowardthosebookstowhicheveryseriousmindofsuperiororderoccupyinganyactivepostofauthorityintheworldnaturallyinclines；bookstreatingofactualmenandeventsnomatterofwhatera-history，biographyandunconventionalwriters，who，freefromcantandconvention，likeMontaigne，honestlyandinthespiritofcommonsensephilosophizeuponrealities。
Inthislineofreadinghefoundconfirmationofhisownmorereasonedthoughts-confirmationwhichhehadvainlysoughtinsocialconverse，sothatastouchingmostfundamentaltopics，therehadgottobeestablishedinhimsomepositiveconvictions，whichheforefeltwouldabideinhimessentiallyunmodifiedsolongashisintelligentpartremainedunimpaired。Inviewofthetroubledperiodinwhichhislotwascastthiswaswellforhim。Hissettledconvictionswereasadykeagainstthoseinvadingwatersofnovelopinion，social，politicalandotherwise，whichcarriedawayasinatorrentnofewmindsinthosedays，mindsbynaturenotinferiortohisown。Whileothermembersofthataristocracytowhichbybirthhebelongedwereincensedattheinnovatorsmainlybecausetheirtheorieswereinimicaltotheprivilegedclasses，notaloneCaptainVeredisinterestedlyopposedthembecausetheyseemedtohimincapableofembodimentinlastinginstitutions，butatwarwiththepeaceoftheworldandthetruewelfareofmankind。
Withmindslessstoredthanhisandlessearnest，someofficersofhisrank，withwhomattimeshewouldnecessarilyconsort，foundhimlackinginthecompanionablequality，adryandbookishgentleman，astheydeemed。Uponanychancewithdrawalfromtheircompanyonewouldbeapttosaytoanother，somethinglikethis："Vereisanoblefellow，StarryVere。Spitethegazettes，SirHoratio"（meaninghimwiththeLordtitle）"isatbottomscarceabetterseamanorfighter。Butbetweenyouandmenow，don'tyouthinkthereisaqueerstreakofthepedanticrunningthro'him？Yes，liketheKing'syarninacoilofnavy-rope？"
Someapparentgroundtherewasforthissortofconfidentialcriticism；sincenotonlydidtheCaptain'sdiscourseneverfallintothejocoselyfamiliar，butinillustratingofanypointtouchingthestirringpersonagesandeventsofthetimehewouldbeasapttocitesomehistoriccharacterorincidentofantiquityasthathewouldcitefromthemoderns。Heseemedunmindfulofthecircumstancethattohisbluffcompanysuchremoteallusions，howeverpertinenttheymightreallybe，werealtogetheralientomenwhosereadingwasmainlyconfinedtothejournals。ButconsideratenessinsuchmattersisnoteasytonaturesconstitutedlikeCaptainVere's。Theirhonestyprescribestothemdirectness，sometimesfar-reachinglikethatofamigratoryfowlthatinitsflightneverheedswhenitcrossesafrontier。
CHAPTER8
ThelieutenantsandothercommissionedgentlemenformingCaptainVere'sstaffitisnotnecessaryheretoparticularize，norneedsittomakeanymentionofanyofthewarrant-officers。Butamongthepetty-officerswasonewhohavingmuchtodowiththestory，mayaswellbeforthwithintroduced。HisportraitIessay，butshallneverhitit。ThiswasJohnClaggart，theMaster-at-arms。Butthatsea-titlemaytolandsmenseemsomewhatequivocal。Originally，doubtless，thatpetty-officer'sfunctionwastheinstructionofthemenintheuseofarms，swordorcutlas。Butverylongago，owingtotheadvanceingunnerymakinghand-to-handencounterslessfrequentandgivingtonitreandsulphurthepreeminenceoversteel，thatfunctionceased；
theMaster-at-armsofagreatwar-shipbecomingasortofChiefofPolice，chargedamongothermatterswiththedutyofpreservingorderonthepopulouslowergundecks。
Claggartwasamanaboutfiveandthirty，somewhatspareandtall，yetofnoillfigureuponthewhole。Hishandwastoosmallandshapelytohavebeenaccustomedtohardtoil。Thefacewasanotableone；thefeaturesallexceptthechincleanlycutasthoseonaGreekmedallion；yetthechin，beardlessasTecumseh's，hadsomethingofstrangeprotuberantheavinessinitsmakethatrecalledtheprintsoftheRev。Dr。TitusOates，thehistoricdeponentwiththeclericaldrawlinthetimeofCharlesIIandthefraudoftheallegedPopishPlot。ItservedClaggartinhisofficethathiseyecouldcastatutoringglance。Hisbrowwasofthesortphrenologicallyassociatedwithmorethanaverageintellect；silkenjetcurlspartlyclusteringoverit，makingafoiltothepallorbelow，apallortingedwithafaintshadeofamberakintothehueoftime-tintedmarblesofold。Thiscomplexion，singularlycontrastingwiththeredordeeplybronzedvisagesofthesailors，andinparttheresultofhisofficialseclusionfromthesunlight，tho'itwasnotexactlydispleasing，neverthelessseemedtohintofsomethingdefectiveorabnormalintheconstitutionandblood。Buthisgeneralaspectandmannerweresosuggestiveofaneducationandcareerincongruouswithhisnavalfunctionthatwhennotactivelyengagedinithelookedamanofhighquality，socialandmoral，whoforreasonsofhisownwaskeepingincog。Nothingwasknownofhisformerlife。ItmightbethathewasanEnglishman；andyettherelurkedabitofaccentinhisspeechsuggestingthatpossiblyhewasnotsuchbybirth，butthroughnaturalizationinearlychildhood。Amongcertaingrizzledsea-gossipsofthegundecksandforecastlewentarumorperduethattheMaster-at-armswasachevalierwhohadvolunteeredintotheKing'sNavybywayofcompoundingforsomemysteriousswindlewhereofhehadbeenarraignedattheKing'sBench。Thefactthatnobodycouldsubstantiatethisreportwas，ofcourse，nothingagainstitssecretcurrency。Sucharumoroncestartedonthegundecksinreferencetoalmostanyonebelowtherankofacommissionedofficerwould，duringtheperiodassignedtothisnarrative，haveseemednotaltogetherwantingincredibilitytothetarryoldwiseacresofaman-of-warcrew。AndindeedamanofClaggart'saccomplishments，withoutpriornauticalexperience，enteringthenavyatmaturelife，ashedid，andnecessarilyallottedatthestarttothelowestgradeinit；aman，too，whonevermadeallusiontohispreviouslifeashore；thesewerecircumstanceswhichinthedearthofexactknowledgeastohistrueantecedentsopenedtotheinvidiousavaguefieldforunfavorablesurmise。
Butthesailors'dog-watchgossipconcerninghimderivedavagueplausibilityfromthefactthatnowforsomeperiodtheBritishNavycouldsolittleaffordtobesqueamishinthematterofkeepingupthemuster-rolls，thatnotonlywerepress-gangsnotoriouslyabroadbothafloatandashore，buttherewaslittleornosecretaboutanothermatter，namelythattheLondonpolicewereatlibertytocaptureanyable-bodiedsuspect，anyquestionablefellowatlargeandsummarilyshiphimtodockyardorfleet。Furthermore，evenamongvoluntaryenlistmentstherewereinstanceswherethemotivetheretopartookneitherofpatrioticimpulsenoryetofarandomdesiretoexperienceabitofsea-lifeandmartialadventure。Insolventdebtorsofminorgrade，togetherwiththepromiscuouslameducksofmoralityfoundintheNavyaconvenientandsecurerefuge。Secure，becauseonceenlistedaboardaKing's-ship，theywereasmuchinsanctuary，asthetransgressoroftheMiddleAgesharboringhimselfundertheshadowofthealtar。Suchsanctionedirregularities，whichforobviousreasonstheGovernmentwouldhardlythinktoparadeatthetime，andwhichconsequently，andasaffectingtheleastinfluentialclassofmankind，haveallbutdroppedintooblivion，lendcolortosomethingforthetruthwhereofIdonotvouch，andhencehavesomescrupleinstating；somethingIrememberhavingseeninprint，thoughthebookIcannotrecall；butthesamethingwaspersonallycommunicatedtomenowmorethanfortyyearsagobyanoldpensionerinacockedhatwithwhomIhadamostinterestingtalkontheterraceatGreenwich，aBaltimoreNegro，aTrafalgarman。Itwastothiseffect：Inthecaseofawar-shipshortofhandswhosespeedysailingwasimperative，thedeficientquotainlackofanyotherwayofmakingitgood，wouldbeekedoutbydraughtsculleddirectfromthejails。Forreasonspreviouslysuggesteditwouldnotperhapsbeeasyatthepresentdaydirectlytoproveordisprovetheallegation。Butallowedasaverity，howsignificantwoulditbeofEngland'sstraitsatthetime，confrontedbythosewarswhichlikeaflightofharpiesroseshriekingfromthedinanddustofthefallenBastille。Thateraappearsmeasurablycleartouswholookbackatit，andbutreadofit。Buttothegrandfathersofusgraybeards，themorethoughtfulofthem，thegeniusofitpresentedanaspectlikethatofCamouns'SpiritoftheCape，aneclipsingmenacemysteriousandprodigious。NotAmericawasexemptfromapprehension。AttheheightofNapoleon'sunexampledconquests，therewereAmericanswhohadfoughtatBunkerHillwholookedforwardtothepossibilitythattheAtlanticmightprovenobarrieragainsttheultimateschemesofthisFrenchupstartfromtherevolutionarychaoswhoseemedinactoffulfillingjudgementprefiguredintheApocalypse。
Butthelesscredencewastobegiventothegun-decktalktouchingClaggart，seeingthatnomanholdinghisofficeinaman-of-warcaneverhopetobepopularwiththecrew。Besides，inderogatorycommentsuponanyoneagainstwhomtheyhaveagrudge，orforanyreasonornoreasonmislike，sailorsaremuchlikelandsmen；
theyareapttoexaggerateorromanceit。
AboutasmuchwasreallyknowntotheIndomitable'starsoftheMaster-at-arms'careerbeforeenteringtheserviceasanastronomerknowsaboutacomet'stravelspriortoitsfirstobservableappearanceinthesky。Theverdictoftheseaquid-nuncshasbeencitedonlybywayofshowingwhatsortofmoralimpressionthemanmadeuponrudeuncultivatednatureswhoseconceptionsofhumanwickednesswerenecessarilyofthenarrowest，limitedtoideasofvulgarrascality，-athiefamongtheswinginghammocksduringanight-watch，orthemanbrokersandland-sharksofthesea-ports。
Itwasnogossip，however，butfact，thatthough，asbeforehinted，Claggartuponhisentranceintothenavywas，asanovice，assignedtotheleasthonourablesectionofaman-of-war'screw，embracingthedrudgery，hedidnotlongremainthere。
Thesuperiorcapacityheimmediatelyevinced，hisconstitutionalsobriety，ingratiatingdeferencetosuperiors，togetherwithapeculiarferretinggeniusmanifestedonasingularoccasion；allthiscappedbyacertainausterepatriotismabruptlyadvancedhimtothepositionofMaster-at-arms。
OfthismaritimeChiefofPolicetheship's-corporals，socalled，weretheimmediatesubordinates，andcompliantones；andthis，asistobenotedinsomebusinessdepartmentsashore，almosttoadegreeinconsistentwithentiremoralvolition。HisplaceputvariousconvergingwiresofundergroundinfluenceundertheChief'scontrol，capablewhenastutelyworkedthro'hisunderstrappers，ofoperatingtothemysteriousdiscomfort，ifnothingworse，ofanyofthesea-commonalty。
CHAPTER9
Lifeinthefore-topwellagreedwithBillyBudd。There，whennotactuallyengagedontheyardsyethigheraloft，thetopmen，whoassuchhadbeenpickedoutforyouthandactivity，constitutedanaerialclubloungingateaseagainstthesmallerstun'sailsrolledupintocushions，spinningyarnslikethelazygods，andfrequentlyamusedwithwhatwasgoingoninthebusyworldofthedecksbelow。NowonderthenthatayoungfellowofBilly'sdispositionwaswellcontentinsuchsociety。Givingnocauseofoffencetoanybody，hewasalwaysalertatacall。Sointhemerchantserviceithadbeenwithhim。
Butnowsuchapunctiliousnessindutywasshownthathistopmateswouldsometimesgood-naturedlylaughathimforit。Thisheightenedalacrityhaditscause，namely，theimpressionmadeuponhimbythefirstformalgangway-punishmenthehadeverwitnessed，whichbefellthedayfollowinghisimpressment。Ithadbeenincurredbyalittlefellow，young，anovice，anafterguardsmanabsentfromhisassignedpostwhentheshipwasbeingputabout；aderelictionresultinginaratherserioushitchtothatmanoeuvre，onedemandinginstantaneouspromptitudeinlettinggoandmakingfast。WhenBillysawtheculprit'snakedbackunderthescourgegridironedwithredwelts，andworse；whenhemarkedthedireexpressionontheliberatedman'sfaceaswithhiswoolenshirtflungoverhimbytheexecutionerherushedforwardfromthespottoburyhimselfinthecrowd，Billywashorrified。Heresolvedthatneverthroughremissnesswouldhemakehimselfliabletosuchavisitationordooromitaughtthatmightmeritevenverbalreproof。Whatthenwashissurpriseandconcernwhenultimatelyhefoundhimselfgettingintopettytroubleoccasionallyaboutsuchmattersasthestowageofhisbagorsomethingamissinhishammock，mattersunderthepoliceoversightoftheship's-corporalsofthelowerdecks，andwhichbroughtdownonhimavaguethreatfromoneofthem。
Soheedfulinallthingsashewas，howcouldthisbe？Hecouldnotunderstandit，anditmorethanvexedhim。Whenhespoketohisyoungtopmatesaboutittheywereeitherlightlyincredulousorfoundsomethingcomicalinhisunconcealedanxiety。"Isityourbag，Billy？"saidone。"Well，sewyourselfupinit，bullyboy，andthenyou'llbesuretoknowifanybodymeddleswithit。"
Nowtherewasaveteranaboardwhobecausehisyearsbegantodisqualifyhimformoreactiveworkhadbeenrecentlyassigneddutyasmainmastmaninhiswatch，lookingtothegearbelayedattherailroundaboutthatgreatsparnearthedeck。Atoff-timestheForetopmanhadpickedupsomeacquaintancewithhim，andnowinhistroubleitoccurredtohimthathemightbethesortofpersontogotoforwisecounsel。HewasanoldDanskerlonganglicizedintheservice，offewwords，manywrinklesandsomehonorablescars。Hiswizenedface，time-tintedandweather-stainedtothecomplexionofanantiqueparchment，washereandtherepepperedbluebythechanceexplosionofagun-cartridgeinaction。HewasanAgamemnon-man；
sometwoyearspriortothetimeofthisstoryhavingservedunderNelson，whenbutSirHoratio，inthatshipimmortalinnavalmemory，andwhich，dismantledandinpartbrokenuptoherbareribs，isseenagrandskeletoninHaydon'setching。Asoneofaboarding-partyfromtheAgamemnonhehadreceivedacutslantwisealongonetempleandcheek，leavingalongscarlikeastreakofdawn'slightfallingathwartthedarkvisage。Itwasonaccountofthatscarandtheaffairinwhichitwasknownthathehadreceivedit，aswellasfromhisblue-pepperedcomplexion，thattheDanskerwentamongtheIndomitable'screwbythenameof"Board-her-in-the-smoke。"
Nowthefirsttimethathissmallweazel-eyeshappenedtolightonBillyBudd，acertaingriminternalmerrimentsetallhisancientwrinklesintoanticplay。Wasitthathiseccentricunsentimentaloldsapience，primitiveinitskind，saworthoughtitsawsomethingwhich，incontrastwiththewar-ship'senvironment，lookedoddlyincongruousintheHandsomeSailor？Butafterslylystudyinghimatintervals，theoldMerlin'sequivocalmerrimentwasmodified；fornowwhenthetwainwouldmeet，itwouldstartinhisfaceaquizzingsortoflook，butitwouldbebutmomentaryandsometimesreplacedbyanexpressionofspeculativequeryastowhatmighteventuallybefallanaturelikethat，droppedintoaworldnotwithoutsomeman-trapsandagainstwhosesubtletiessimplecourage，lackingexperienceandaddressandwithoutanytouchofdefensiveugliness，isoflittleavail；andwheresuchinnocenceasmaniscapableofdoesyetinamoralemergencynotalwayssharpenthefacultiesorenlightenthewill。
Howeveritwas，theDanskerinhisasceticwayrathertooktoBilly。Norwasthisonlybecauseofacertainphilosophicinterestinsuchacharacter。Therewasanothercause。Whiletheoldman'seccentricities，sometimesborderingontheursine，repelledthejuniors，Billy，undeterredthereby，reveringhimasasalthero，wouldmakeadvances，neverpassingtheoldAgamemnon-manwithoutasalutationmarkedbythatrespectwhichisseldomlostontheagedhowevercrabbedattimesorwhatevertheirstationinlife。
Therewasaveinofdryhumor，orwhatnot，inthemast-man；
and，whetherinfreakofpatriarchalironytouchingBilly'syouthandathleticframe，orforsomeotherandmorereconditereason，fromthefirstinaddressinghimhealwayssubstitutedBabyforBilly。
TheDanskerinfactbeingtheoriginatorofthenamebywhichtheForetopmaneventuallybecameknownaboardship。
Wellthen，inhismysteriouslittledifficulty，goinginquestofthewrinkledone，Billyfoundhimoffdutyinadog-watchruminatingbyhimself，seatedonashot-boxoftheuppergundeck，nowandthensurveyingwithasomewhatcynicalregardcertainofthemoreswaggeringpromenadersthere。Billyrecountedhistrouble，againwonderinghowitallhappened。Thesaltseerattentivelylistened，accompanyingtheForetopman'srecitalwithqueertwitchingsofhiswrinklesandproblematicallittlesparklesofhissmallferreteyes。Makinganendofhisstory，theForetopmanasked，"Andnow，Dansker，dotellmewhatyouthinkofit。"
Theoldman，shovingupthefrontofhistarpaulinanddeliberatelyrubbingthelongslantscaratthepointwhereitenteredthethinhair，laconicallysaid，"BabyBudd，JimmyLegs"（meaningtheMaster-at-arms）"isdownonyou。"
"JimmyLegs！"ejaculatedBilly，hiswelkineyesexpanding；"whatfor？Whyhecallsmethesweetandpleasantfellow，theytellme。"
"Doesheso？"grinnedthegrizzledone；thensaid，"Ay，BabyLad，asweetvoicehasJimmyLegs。"
"No，notalways。Buttomehehas。Iseldompasshimbuttherecomesapleasantword。"
"Andthat'sbecausehe'sdownuponyou，BabyBudd。"
Suchreiterationalongwiththemannerofit，incomprehensibletoanovice，disturbedBillyalmostasmuchasthemysteryforwhichhehadsoughtexplanation。Somethinglessunpleasinglyoracularhetriedtoextract；buttheoldsea-Chiron，thinkingperhapsthatforthenoncehehadsufficientlyinstructedhisyoungAchilles，pursedhislips，gatheredallhiswrinklestogetherandwouldcommithimselftonothingfurther。
Years，andthoseexperienceswhichbefallcertainshrewdermensubordinatedlife-longtothewillofsuperiors，allthishaddevelopedintheDanskerthepithyguardedcynicismthatwashisleadingcharacteristic。
CHAPTER10
ThenextdayanincidentservedtoconfirmBillyBuddinhisincredulityastotheDansker'sstrangesumming-upofthecasesubmitted。Theshipatnoon，goinglargebeforethewind，wasrollingonhercourse，andhe，belowatdinnerandengagedinsomesportfultalkwiththemembersofhismess，chancedinasuddenlurchtospilltheentirecontentsofhissoup-panuponthenewscrubbeddeck。Claggart，theMaster-at-arms，officialrattaninhand，happenedtobepassingalongthebatteryinabayofwhichthemesswaslodged，andthegreasyliquidstreamedjustacrosshispath。Steppingoverit，hewasproceedingonhiswaywithoutcomment，sincethematterwasnothingtotakenoticeofunderthecircumstances，whenhehappenedtoobservewhoitwasthathaddonethespilling。Hiscountenancechanged。Pausing，hewasabouttoejaculatesomethinghastyatthesailor，butcheckedhimself，andpointingdowntothestreamingsoup，playfullytappedhimfrombehindwithhisrattan，sayinginalowmusicalvoicepeculiartohimattimes，"Handsomelydone，mylad！Andhandsomeisashandsomedidittoo！"Andwiththatpassedon。NotnotedbyBilly，asnotcomingwithinhisview，wastheinvoluntarysmile，orrathergrimace，thataccompaniedClaggart'sequivocalwords。Aridlyitdrewdownthethincornersofhisshapelymouth。Buteverybodytakinghisremarkasmeantforhumourous，andatwhichthereforeascomingfromasuperiortheywereboundtolaugh"withcounterfeitedglee，"actedaccordingly；andBillytickled，itmaybe，bytheallusiontohisbeingthehandsomesailor，merrilyjoinedin；thenaddressinghismessmatesexclaimed，"Therenow，whosaysthatJimmyLegsisdownonme！""Andwhosaidhewas，Beauty？"demandedoneDonaldwithsomesurprise。WhereattheForetopmanlookedalittlefoolish，recallingthatitwasonlyoneperson，Board-her-in-the-smoke，whohadsuggestedwhattohimwasthesmokyideathatthisMaster-at-armswasinanypeculiarwayhostiletohim。Meantimethatfunctionary，resuminghispath，musthavemomentarilywornsomeexpressionlessguardedthanthatofthebittersmile，andusurpingthefacefromtheheart，somedistortingexpressionperhaps；foradrummer-boyheedlesslyfrolickingalongfromtheoppositedirectionandchancingtocomeintolightcollisionwithhispersonwasstrangelydisconcertedbyhisaspect。
Norwastheimpressionlessenedwhentheofficial，impulsivelygivinghimasharpcutwiththerattan，vehementlyexclaimed，"Lookwhereyougo！"