Morgan meets with the same fate
Morgan is brought to the poop under guard by two corporals and placed beside the narrator to be pinioned. The narrator nearly laughs at Morgan’s countenance as he silently allows his feet to be enclosed in the iron rings. However, when the guards attempt to fasten him on his back, Morgan becomes outrageous, drawing a large knife from his pocket and threatening to rip open the belly of anyone who attempts to treat him so unworthily. The lieutenant intervenes, allowing Morgan to remain as he was, and Morgan creeps toward the narrator, encouraging him to trust in God. Morgan then addresses Thompson, who sits trembling nearby, noting there are two more rings waiting for him.
Thompson is tampered with to turn evidence
The doctor intends to make Thompson his drudge in attending the sick and, if possible, to secure his testimony as evidence against the narrator and Morgan. Mackshane approaches Thompson from afar, attempting to corrupt his integrity, but finding Thompson incorruptible, the doctor instead harasses him out of spite. This persecution becomes so severe that the mild-mannered Thompson grows weary of his life, setting the stage for his eventual desperate action.
Morgan is released to assist the Surgeon
When Admiral后发现四艘船在顺风处出现并发出追击信号时，船上一切准备就绪以备交战。此时Mackshane预见自己需要多于一名助手，便使Morgan重获自由，而Narrator仍被囚禁在这种悲惨的境况中，暴露于战斗的危险之中。
Remaining fettered on the poop and exposed to the enemy’s shot
当夜幕降临时，他们追上最后一名追击者，对方回应说他们是法国军舰。Oakum船长命令对方派小艇过来，但遭到拒绝。战斗以猛烈的炮火开始，Narrator在这种无助的境况下度过了一整夜的恐惧。他看到战友们不断攻击敌人，彼此鼓励，相比之下自己的处境更加悲惨。一位海军陆战队军官的头颅被击中，弹到Narrator脸上，差点让他失明。随后一名鼓手被击中腹部，倒在Narrator胸前。这些事件彻底夺走了他的自制力，他变得疯狂，大声咒骂，直到精疲力竭。
Morgan speaking freely of the captain
战斗持续到第二天黎明，Oakum船长假装认出了对方旗帜的颜色，声称以为他们是西班牙人。随后海军陆战队前来访问Narrator，Morgan率先爬上来，看到Narrator脸上满是脑浆和血迹，以为他已无生还可能。Morgan情绪激动地叫Thompson上来与他告别，但Narrator很快澄清自己并未受致命伤。他们开始自由地谈论所受的苦难，并畅所欲言地评价导致他们苦难的罪魁祸首。然而哨兵的监听导致Morgan再次被监禁，Thompson也受到警告。
Thompson grows desperate and goes overboard
Thompson意识到自己将独自承担照顾伤病员的重担，还要承受Mackshane的残忍对待，绝望之中他用可怕的诅咒诅咒压迫者，宣布宁愿放弃生命，也不愿继续在这些野蛮人的权力下受苦。Narrator和Morgan试图通过比较各自的苦难和宗教劝导来安慰他，但Thompson泪流满面地离开。深夜十一点左右他再次来访，透露自己被医生严重侮辱，指控他与他们串通一气要谋害医生和船长的性命。离开前他紧握Narrator的手说“上帝保佑你们两位“。第二天早上，他被发现失踪了——显然在夜间投海自尽。
CAPÍTULO XXX.
The chapter introduces the narrator and his companion Morgan, who lament the death of their fellow prisoner Thompson. The Captain offers Morgan his liberty to look after patients, but Morgan refuses until he learns why he was confined. Captain Oakum orders both men brought before him on the quarter-deck, where he presides with his clerk and Doctor Mackshane as counsellor. The mock trial proceeds with Oakum declaring his power to execute them without judge or jury, while Morgan’s fellow-sufferer invokes justice in heaven as well as on earth. The proceedings degenerate into a farce of false accusations, corrupt testimony, religious persecution, and linguistic deception, ultimately resulting in both prisoners being remanded to custody.
Mourning the Death of Their Companion
The news of Thompson’s death profoundly affects both the narrator and Morgan, their fellow prisoner. Thompson had earned their love and esteem through his amiable disposition, and his untimely fate fills them with horror for the villain responsible. Significantly, the person who drove Thompson to his fatal resolution shows no concern for the death, demonstrating his abandoned and merciless character. This event sets the stage for the subsequent persecution the narrator and Morgan will face.
Morgan Rejects Offered Liberty
When Morgan is offered his freedom to resume his duties attending to patients, he refuses outright. He insists he will not be released until he knows the reason for his confinement. Morgan declares he will not be a “tennisball, nor a shuttlecock, nor a trudge, nor a scullion” to any captain under the sun. Captain Oakum, recognizing that his ability to exercise tyranny may soon end, demonstrates a token of justice by ordering the prisoners brought before him for examination, ostensibly to explain the charges against them.
Mock Trial Before Captain Oakum
Oakum presides over the proceedings from the quarter-deck, seated in state with his clerk on one side and Doctor Mackshane as his counsellor on the other. He threatens the prisoners, declaring that many captains would have them hanged without trial, but claims he possesses good nature by allowing them to make a defence. His crude language and arbitrary exercise of power expose the mockery of justice aboard the ship. The narrator’s fellow-sufferer invokes the principle that justice exists, if not on earth, then surely in heaven, demanding to know the crimes charged against him and who accuses him.
Mackshane’s Accusations Against Morgan
Doctor Mackshane steps forward to accuse Morgan after clearing his throat with a prolonged hem. Morgan greets him by calling on God to judge between them, but Mackshane ignores this appeal. He announces that Morgan has spoken disrespectful words against Captain Oakum, whom he describes as the most honorable and generous commander in the king’s service. Mackshane presents this as his sole allegation, claiming that information has reached him of Morgan’s disloyalty. Oakum immediately interjects that such disrespect constitutes mutiny, punishable by death under the articles of war, and orders witnesses to be called.
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