Caine Mutiny, The - Herman Wouk [228]
“In what connection?” Queeg looked genuinely puzzled.
“In any connection.”
“Old Yellowstone?”
“Old Yellowstain, sir.”
“I have not.”
“You aren’t aware, then, that all the officers of the Caine habitually referred to you as Old Yellowstain?”
The judge advocate jumped to his feet. “I object to the question! It is impertinent badgering of the witness.”
Blakely said frostily, “How does defense counsel justify this line of questioning?”
“If the court please, it is the assigned duty of defense counsel to disprove the words in the specification-I quote-without authority, and without justifiable cause. It will be the contention of the defense that the authority of Lieutenant Maryk was Articles 184, 185, and 186 of the Navy Regulations, and that his justifiable cause was the conduct, demeanor, and decisions of Commander Queeg during his command of the Caine. The sobriquet ‘Old Yellowstain’ used by the officers of the Caine, and the facts out of which that sobriquet arose, will be extremely relevant. I quote Article 185: the conclusion to relieve his commanding officer must be one which a reasonable, prudent and experienced officer would regard as necessary from the facts thus determined to exist.”
The president of the court worked his eyebrows while Greenwald spoke. “The court will be cleared,” he said.
In the corridor, Greenwald lounged against the wall and remarked to Maryk, “Captain Blakely doesn’t like Jews. Intonations on the name ‘Greenwald.’ I have absolute pitch for those harmonies.”
“Jesus,” said Maryk miserably.
“It won’t make any difference. You’re not supposed to love Jews necessarily, just to give them a fair shake. I’ve always had a fair shake in the Navy, and I’ll get it from Blakely, too, despite the eyebrows.”
“I don’t think I have a chance at this point,” mourned the exec.
“Queeg’s doing nobly,” said Greenwald. The orderly summoned them back to the courtroom.
“Before ruling, the court wishes to caution defense counsel,” Blakely said, staring very hard at Greenwald. “This is a most unusual and delicate case. The honor and career of an officer with an unblemished military record of fourteen years’ standing, including long combatant duty, is involved. The court recognizes that the defense is compelled to try to challenge the competence of that officer. Nevertheless, all requirements of legal ethics and military respect and subordination remain in force. The defense counsel will have to bear full responsibility for the conduct of his case, including indiscretions and abuses of his cross-examination privileges.” The president halted, and intensified his stare at Greenwald, who stood behind his desk, looking down at his array of pigs. “Subject to the foregoing comment, the judge advocate’s objection is overruled. Court stenographer will repeat the question.”
The little yeoman in whites said tonelessly, “You aren’t aware then that all the officers of the Caine habitually referred to you as Old Yellowstain?”
Queeg’s head was down between his shoulders, and he squinted up at the air in front of him. He suddenly looked much more familiar to Maryk. “I am not aware of it.”
“Commander,” said Greenwald, “how many fitness reports did you write on Lieutenant Maryk, disregarding the one after he relieved you?”
“Two, I believe.”
“One in January, and one in July?”
“That is correct.”
“Do you remember their contents?”
“Well, they weren’t bad fitness reports, as I recall.”
“Did you give him the highest classification-Outstanding-in both of them?”
“Well, that was at the beginning. I may have.”
“Photostats of the reports are available to refresh your memory, Commander.”
“I can say definitely, yes, I was still classifying him as outstanding that early in the game.”
“Isn’t that inconsistent with your statement that from the first he opposed your wishes regarding the Caine?”
“No, there’s no inconsistency, it’s all how you interpret it. I don’t