{"id":"01KG6GMMTMX822YDYRH3K3HHD1","cid":"bafkreidoeenm4auvbshbh3fde3zvy5j3onn2t7ws6oqjrluccj2d7nvsyu","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":2638,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T03:55:03.879Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 24","source_file":"01KG6FXSCNX5F3D880P3YP3PKR","start_line":2578,"text":"knowing not how aptly to reply, sadly abstained from saying aught. The\r\nfirst lieutenant, who at the outset had not unnaturally assumed primacy\r\nin the court, now over-rulingly instructed by a glance from Captain\r\nVere, a glance more effective than words, resumed that primacy. Turning\r\nto the prisoner: ‘Budd,’ he said, and scarce in equable tones, ‘Budd, if\r\nyou have aught further to say for yourself, say it now.’\r\n\r\nUpon this the young sailor turned another quick glance toward Captain\r\nVere; then, as taking a hint from that aspect, a hint confirming his own\r\ninstinct that silence was now best, replied to the lieutenant, ‘I have\r\nsaid all, sir.’\r\n\r\nThe marine--the same who had been the sentinel without the cabin-door at\r\nthe time that the foretopman, followed by the master-at-arms, entered\r\nit--he, standing by the sailor throughout their judicial proceedings,\r\nwas now directed to take him back to the after-compartment originally\r\nassigned to the prisoner and his custodian. As the twain disappeared\r\nfrom view, the three officers, as partially liberated from some inward\r\nconstraint associated with Billy’s mere presence, simultaneously stirred\r\nin their seats. They exchanged looks of troubled indecision, yet feeling\r\nthat decide they must and without long delay, for Captain Vere was for\r\nthe time sitting unconsciously with his back toward them, apparently in\r\none of his absent fits, gazing out from a sashed port-hole to windward\r\nupon the monotonous blank of the twilight sea. But the court’s silence\r\ncontinuing, broken only at moments by brief consultations in low,\r\nearnest tones, this seemed to assure him and encourage him. Turning, he\r\nto and fro paced the cabin athwart; in the returning ascent to windward,\r\nclimbing the slant deck in the ship’s lee roll; without knowing it\r\nsymbolising thus in his action a mind resolute to surmount difficulties\r\neven if against primitive instincts strong as the wind and the sea.\r\nPresently he came to a stand before the three. After scanning their\r\nfaces he stood less as mustering his thoughts for expression, than as\r\none only deliberating how best to put them to well-meaning men not\r\nintellectually mature, men with whom it was necessary to demonstrate\r\ncertain principles that were axioms to himself. Similar impatience as to\r\ntalking is perhaps one reason that deters some minds from addressing any\r\npopular assemblies; under which head is to be classed most legislatures\r\nin a democracy.\r\n\r\nWhen speak he did, something both in the substance of what he said and\r\nhis manner of saying it, showed the influence of unshared studies\r\nmodifying and tempering the practical training of an active career.\r\nThis, along with his phraseology now and then, was suggestive of the\r\ngrounds whereon rested that imputation of a certain pedantry socially\r\nalleged against him by certain naval men of wholly practical cast,\r\ncaptains who nevertheless would frankly concede that His Majesty’s Navy\r\nmustered no more efficient officers of their grade than _Starry Vere_.\r\n\r\nWhat he said was to this effect: ‘Hitherto I have been but the witness,\r\nlittle more; and I should hardly think now to take another tone, that of\r\nyour coadjutor, for the time, did I not perceive in you--at the crisis\r\ntoo--a troubled hesitancy, proceeding, I doubt not, from the clashing of\r\nmilitary duty with moral scruple--scruple vitalised by compassion. For\r\nthe compassion, how can I otherwise but share it. But, mindful of\r\nparamount obligation, I strive against scruples that may tend to\r\nenervate decision. Not, gentlemen, that I hide from myself that the case\r\nis an exceptional one. Speculatively regarded, it well might be referred\r\nto a jury of casuists. But for us here, acting not as casuists or\r\nmoralists, it is a case practical and under martial law practically to\r\nbe dealt with.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 24"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG6GK8EG5N9JTTBYRRP0CTKZ","peer_type":"segment","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG6FXSCNX5F3D880P3YP3PKR","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG2T49K0H5GDRB0G4YDTPG8H","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG6GMMTPH5NJASWNEHKG2HS6","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG6GMMTMXNN2FHSE2091JRF5","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T03:55:06.452Z","ts":"2026-01-30T03:55:14.577Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}