{"id":"01KG6G86618S5JV4RJPN18HH09","cid":"bafkreignlree6mf4km77kbk7e7sbvaaeheg6j7guszvs76iu6i5dbzxwou","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":1983,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T03:48:16.150Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 1","source_file":"01KG6FXSCNX5F3D880P3YP3PKR","start_line":1925,"text":"                                  XVI\r\n\r\n\r\nAfter the mysterious interview in the fore-chains, the one so abruptly\r\nended there by Billy, nothing especially germane to the story occurred\r\nuntil the events now about to be narrated.\r\n\r\nElsewhere it has been said that owing to the lack of frigates (of course\r\nbetter sailers than line-of-battle ships) in the English squadron up the\r\nStraits at that period, the _Indomitable_[2] seventy-four was\r\noccasionally employed not only as an available substitute for a scout,\r\nbut at times on detached service of more important kind. This was not\r\nalone because of her sailing qualities, not common in a ship of her\r\nrate, but quite as much probably, that the character of her commander,\r\nit was thought, specially adapted him for any duty where under\r\nunforeseen difficulties a prompt initiative might have to be taken in\r\nsome matter demanding knowledge and ability in addition to those\r\nqualities employed in good seamanship. It was on an expedition of the\r\nlatter sort, a somewhat distant one, and when the _Indomitable_[2] was\r\nalmost at her furthest remove from the fleet, that in the latter part of\r\nan afternoon-watch she unexpectedly came in sight of a ship of the\r\nenemy. It proved to be a frigate. The latter, perceiving through the\r\nglass that the weight of men and metal would be heavily against her,\r\ninvoking her light heels, crowded sail to get away. After a chase urged\r\nalmost against hope, and lasting until about the middle of the first\r\ndog-watch, she signally succeeded in effecting her escape.\r\n\r\nNot long after the pursuit had been given up, and ere the excitement\r\nincident thereto had altogether waned away, the master-at-arms,\r\nascending from his cavernous sphere, made his appearance cap in hand by\r\nthe mainmast, respectfully waiting the notice of Captain Vere, then\r\nsolitary walking the weather-side of the quarter-deck, doubtless\r\nsomewhat chafed at the failure of the pursuit. The spot where Claggart\r\nstood was the place allotted to men of lesser grades seeking some more\r\nparticular interview either with the officer of the deck or the captain\r\nhimself. But from the latter it was not often that a sailor or petty\r\nofficer of those days would seek a hearing; only some exceptional cause\r\nwould, according to established custom, have warranted that.\r\n\r\nPresently, just as the commander, absorbed in his reflections, was on\r\nthe point of turning aft in his promenade, he became sensible of\r\nClaggart’s presence, and saw the doffed cap held in deferential\r\nexpectancy. Here be it said that Captain Vere’s personal knowledge of\r\nthis petty officer had only begun at the time of the ship’s last sailing\r\nfrom home, Claggart then for the first, in transfer from a ship detained\r\nfor repairs, supplying on board the _Indomitable_[3] the place of a\r\nprevious master-at-arms disabled and ashore.\r\n\r\nNo sooner did the commander observe who it was that now so deferentially\r\nstood awaiting his notice, than a peculiar expression came over his\r\nface. It was not unlike that which uncontrollably will flit across the\r\ncountenance of one at unawares encountering a person who though known to\r\nhim indeed has hardly been long enough known for thorough knowledge, but\r\nsomething in whose aspect nevertheless now for the first provokes a\r\nvaguely repellent distaste. But coming to a stand, and resuming much of\r\nhis wonted official manner, save that a sort of impatience lurked in the\r\nintonation of the opening word, he said, ‘Well, what is it,\r\nmaster-at-arms?’\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 1"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG6G6NZZK3RKT0KJTSS8CXXC","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG6FXSCNX5F3D880P3YP3PKR","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG2T49K0H5GDRB0G4YDTPG8H","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG6G86611TQERBDJMYZ1WSM6","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T03:48:18.241Z","ts":"2026-01-30T03:48:25.075Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}