Billy Budd Page #4

- I'm more than a match for you, boy-o.

- Aye.

- I took you off your guard.

- Aye.

You make friends quickly, Master Budd.

Come here, boy.

What was the fight about?

Well, I...

Nothing to say.

And the rest of you?

Mr. Claggart.

Watch what you're doing.

Don't you ever touch me.

- I swear...

- You swear.

What?

None of you have anything to say?

It was nothing, master-at-arms.

A test of strength.

You'll need your strength

for the fighting to come, boy.

Aye, Budd.

You do indeed make friends quickly.

That's a good quality to have.

Billy...

...be careful of the master-at-arms.

Careful? Why?

He had a pleasant smile for me.

That's why.

Make eight bells!

- First watch aboard a man-of-war, Billy?

- Hey, don't fall.

Or jump.

Come on, get up there.

Aye, he's quite a hand for jokes.

Always cheerful too.

Always smiling, waving at people.

Lovely little character. Always...

Afternoon, sir.

Wind seems to be freshening a little.

With your permission, sir.

"Freshening" did you say,

master-at-arms?

Yes, it is indeed,

master-at-arms. Indeed.

Our young newcomer

seems to feel quite at home.

Aye, sir. Indeed he does.

Yes.

He's even melted

old starry Vere's stone heart.

He'll make the old Avenger

a merchantman yet.

The trouble is I just can't find

the distances like I used to.

I'll take your turn tomorrow

while you stay below decks.

Who's there?

Well, what's up, then, Squeak?

Routine inspection, Jenkins.

What's the matter? Sick, are you?

My health does not concern you.

No need to be uncivil, Jenkins.

Is this sickness something

master-at-arms should know about?

He'll know

when I want him to know, boy-o.

Well, I hope it's nothing serious.

- Evening.

- Good evening.

Oh, it's on a petty report

you are again, Budd.

Well, I mean, look at it.

It's a pity you will not learn.

I don't understand.

That's the second time

it's happened like this.

Well, next time,

sew yourself up in it...

...and then you'll be sure to know

if somebody meddles with it.

Oh, Dansker?

What?

Reading?

How many times

must you be on ship's report...

...before they tie you to the gratings

and flog you?

That's a matter he decides.

He?

Aye...

...the master-at-arms, Mr. Claggart.

Go on. That's all you're gonna get.

Fish.

They're serving fish.

I can't think why.

It's Wednesday.

However, I hope it's better

than that horsemeat we've been getting.

Maybe it's a seahorse.

Here, Jenkins,

aren't you eating anything?

Well, you've got to eat something,

you know, or go sick.

Well, at least come in out of the sun.

Handsomely done, lad.

But then handsome is

as handsome does.

Clean up that mess.

I thought that I said,

"Clean up that mess."

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