Billy Budd Page #6

A slight matter, sir.

I found these men together here on deck,

contrary to captain's orders.

I was sending them below

when you called out.

Surely there's more to it than that.

The story's lame, man. What occurred?

Your knife, master-at-arms?

William Budd's, sir, I believe.

Return it to him.

You reported all in order, master-at-arms.

I'll take your word for it.

Consequently, I do not wish to see

either of their names...

...on ship's report tomorrow.

- Sir...

...I feel that I...

- Either all is in order or it is not.

If it is not,

I wish to know about it now.

There is no reason for these men's names

to be on ship's report, sir.

Good.

Thank you. Good night.

Get below.

Both of you.

Get below.

- More sail please, Mr. Ratcliffe.

- The glass is falling, sir.

Our mission is to join the fleet.

More sail, Mr. Ratcliffe.

- Aye, sir.

- Morning, master-at-arms.

- Battle stations fully manned.

- Carry on.

With your permission, sir, I would

like to speak to you in private.

If this is not a matter

of grave concern...

...l'd rather...

- It is of grave concern, sir.

Set the topgallants!

Very well.

- I'll be in my cabin, Mr. Wyatt.

- Aye, aye, sir.

Well, master-at-arms, be brief

if you will. I'm required on deck.

Last night, when on my rounds...

...discovering Budd's hammock

was unused...

...I combed the ship and found him

in conclave with several growlers.

Men who, like himself, spread unrest

and rebellion among the crew.

- Budd spreads rebellion?

- Aye, sir.

- An accusation, I take it.

- Aye, sir.

Ratcliffe.

- Oh, Captain Hallam.

- Sir.

Would you bring Budd,

the captain of the foretop?

- Yes, sir.

- Thank you.

They were collected here,

near the lee forechains...

...and when I ordered them below,

young Budd and others threatened me...

...and swore they'd drop me

and officers they hate overboard...

...on some misty night.

Should you desire substantial proof, sir,

it is not far.

Weigh what you speak.

There is the rope and the yardarm

for false witness, in peace as in war.

- I understand, sir.

- I am glad to hear it.

- Budd, sir.

- Bring him in.

Very good, sir.

Come in, Budd.

Captain, see that we're not disturbed,

if you will.

- Very good, sir.

- Thank you. Thank you.

Tell this man to his face

what you told me.

Certainly, sir.

I said this man, this William Budd...

...acting so out of angry resentment against

impressment and against his officers...

...against this ship,

this service, and the king...

...heads in the crew a spirit of rebellion

against the officers, the mates and me.

And urges them

to the outrage of mutiny.

This very night,

I surprised him in the forechain...

...and both saw and heard him

conspire with known malingerers...

...and men who continually growl

about unfair pay...

...mistreatment, the lack of shore leave,

and similar complaints.

I have the names of the others involved

in this sinister plot. The man Kincaid...

...the old sailor

who goes by the name of Dansker...

...and regrettably,

my own hitherto trusted corporal.

But there is no doubt in my mind...

...that Budd is their ringleader.

I say this man

threatened his officers with murder...

...and was bent tonight in urging

other men to act concertedly in mutiny.

I have nothing further to say

at this time, sir.

Speak, Budd.

- Defend yourself, Budd.

- I'm...

Take your time.

Take your time, there's no hurry.

May I add, sir...

...I am as surprised as you seem to be

at Budd's complicity in this...

...as I'd hitherto shared

your high opinion of him.

Give the lad his chance.

You've made your accusation.

It's up to him to defend himself.

- With all due respect, sir...

- Mr. Claggart.

- I don't think he can.

It's not so much

that he can't find the words...

...as that there are no words to find.

- Mr. Claggart, I told you...!

Ca... Captain.

Seymour?

Go in there until I call you.

- Captain Hallam.

- Yes, sir?

Forgive me for imposing

upon you again.

Do you think you could

call the surgeon to come?

The surgeon, sir?

- I do hope, sir, that you are not...

- No, no.

- Nothing.

- Very good, sir.

Good morning, sir.

I trust I find you in good health.

How is it with this man?

Is it so, then?

I thought it.

- Verify it.

- The man is dead, sir.

- But is that possible? One blow?

- Temple.

I've known the largest men

to have thin skulls.

This might have happened at any time

and for any reason.

Ratcliffe.

What?

Why the drumhead court-martial?

Couldn't the prisoner be guarded?

The matter referred to the Admiralty

when we reach port?

When we reach port? We do not

sail to port, we sail into battle...

...and battle makes a mockery of justice.

No, we must cling to what

vestiges of order we can.

- It must be done quickly.

- Quickly?

Since when is justice

compatible with speed?

You realize that we were spared mutiny

aboard this ship...

...simply because we were not in port.

But the men know. They know.

Rumors fly over the empty sea

and with them...

...the temper of the times we live in.

And so we are afraid?

Justice must be not only quick

but also expedient.

What did you say?

I apologize, sir, for the manner,

not for the matter.

Claggart would've hung for false witness

if Billy hadn't killed him.

Yes, he would have done,

but by fair process of law.

Budd has prevented that,

and he's turned the law against himself.

You can't condemn the boy for answering

with his arm for lack of words.

He was tempted beyond endurance.

- The motive was clearly justified.

- Aye, but was the act?

This master-at-arms,

you know him for a liar, a vicious dog.

A dog's obeyed in office.

Claggart was authority.

Seymour, a trial there must be.

And you cannot make the dead

stand trial.

So the living must stand trial

for a dead man's crimes.

It's more than any man

can have to answer for, captain...

...to his God, or even to his king.

Come in!

You all know why

you've been summoned here?

Aye, sir, in a general sort of way.

- Ratcliffe.

- You took all precautions, gentlemen?

No man aboard knows

why you are here?

No, sir.

Oh, Captain Hallam, the body?

It still lies

in the compartment below, sir.

Nobody saw the men

who put it there?

No, sir, I made sure of that.

Thank you, captain.

I've never seen him so disturbed.

Aye.

I give him cause.

Very well, Mr. Seymour.

You may proceed.

Gentlemen.

You are appointed members

of a court-martial...

...convened by Captain Vere

in extraordinary circumstances.

I am senior member...

...and I declare these proceedings open.

As you know...

...the master-at-arms has been killed

by the foretopman, Budd.

Whether by accident or by design...

...and whether the act

shall carry the penalty of death or no...

...you are to decide.

- Sentry.

- Sir.

Bring the prisoner in.

There is only one witness,

Captain Vere.

I shall call on him to give his deposition

as soon as the sentry brings in the prisoner.

- Sentry, stand outside.

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