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Melville, Herman

"Billy Budd"

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.



Chapter 19


? ? ? ? After the mysterious interview in the fore-chains- the one so abruptly ended there by Billy- nothing especially german to the story occurred until the events now about to be narrated.


? ? ? ? Elsewhere it has been said that in 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 was occasionally employed not only as an available substitute for a scout, but at times on detached service of more important kind.


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