Chapter 13 Summary

Claggart actually feels that the spilled soup was intentional and was aimed at him. He has a secret accomplice nicknamed "Squeak" (because he is likened to a rat that ferrets out interlopers) who feeds his antipathy to Billy with telltale reports. He is who is playing the dirty tricks on Billy on behalf and at the suggestion of the master-at-arms. Squeak, a troublemaker, also reports lies about things Billy has said about Claggart. Since Claggart is looking for reasons for his ill feelings toward the foretopman, he doesn't check out Squeak's reports. The clandestine persecution of Billy hasn't shaken this young man's cheerful demeanor or changed the cheerful way he approaches his fellow crewmen, so Claggart is looking for some outward demonstration that his patience is wearing thin. The spilled soup, only an accident, actually gives Claggart the evidence he needs to support...