ThoughtheremarkofCaptainDelano，amanofsuchnativesimplicityastobeincapableofsatireorirony，hadbeendroppedinplayfulallusiontotheSpaniard\'ssingularlyevidencedlordshipovertheblack；yetthehypochondriacseemedinsomewaytohavetakenitasamaliciousreflectionuponhisconfessedinabilitythusfartobreakdown，atleast，onaverbalsummons，theentrenchedwilloftheslave。Deploringthissupposedmisconception，yetdespairingofcorrectingit，CaptainDelanoshiftedthesubject；butfindinghiscompanionmorethaneverwithdrawn，asifstillslowlydigestingtheleesofthepresumedaffrontabove-mentioned，by-and-byCaptainDelanolikewisebecamelesstalkative，oppressed，againsthisownwill，bywhatseemedthesecretvindictivenessofthemorbidlysensitiveSpaniard。Butthegoodsailorhimself，ofaquitecontrarydisposition，refrained，onhispart，alikefromtheappearanceasfromthefeelingofresentment，andifsilent，wasonlysofromcontagion。
PresentlytheSpaniard，assistedbyhisservant，somewhatdiscourteouslycrossedoverfromCaptainDelano；aprocedurewhich，sensiblyenough，mighthavebeenallowedtopassforidlecapriceofill-humour，hadnotmasterandman，lingeringroundthecorneroftheelevatedskylight，begunwhisperingtogetherinlowvoices。Thiswasunpleasing。Andmore：themoodyairoftheSpaniard，whichattimeshadnotbeenwithoutasortofvaletudinarianstateliness，nowseemedanythingbutdignified；whilethemenialfamiliarityoftheservantlostitsoriginalcharmofsimple-heartedattachment。
Inhisembarrassment，thevisitorturnedhisfacetotheothersideoftheship。Bysodoing，hisglanceaccidentallyfellonayoungSpanishsailor，acoilofropeinhishand，juststeppedfromthedecktothefirstroundofthemizzen-rigging。Perhapsthemanwouldnothavebeenparticularlynoticed，wereitnotthat，duringhisascenttooneoftheyards，he，withasortofcovertintentness，kepthiseyefixedonCaptainDelano，fromwhom，presently，itpassed，asifbyanaturalsequence，tothetwowhisperers。
Hisownattentionthusredirectedtothatquarter，CaptainDelanogaveaslightstart。FromsomethinginDonBenito\'smannerjustthen，itseemedasifthevisitorhad，atleastpartly，beenthesubjectofthewithdrawnconsultationgoingon-aconjectureaslittleagreeabletotheguestasitwaslittleflatteringtothehost。
Thesingularalternationsofcourtesyandill-breedingintheSpanishcaptainwereunaccountable，exceptononeoftwosuppositions-
innocentlunacy，orwickedimposture。
Butthefirstidea，thoughitmightnaturallyhaveoccurredtoanindifferentobserver，and，insomerespects，hadnothithertobeenwhollyastrangertoCaptainDelano\'smind，yet，nowthat，inanincipientway，hebegantoregardthestranger\'sconductsomethinginthelightofanintentionalaffront，ofcoursetheideaoflunacywasvirtuallyvacated。Butifnotalunatic，whatthen？
Underthecircumstances，wouldagentleman，nay，anyhonestboor，actthepartnowactedbyhishost？Themanwasanimpostor。Somelowbornadventurer，masqueradingasanoceanicgrandee；yetsoignorantofthefirstrequisitesofmeregentlemanhoodastobebetrayedintothepresentremarkableindecorum。Thatstrangeceremoniousness，too，atothertimesevinced，seemednotuncharacteristicofoneplayingapartabovehisreallevel。BenitoCereno-DonBenitoCereno-asoundingname。One，too，atthatperiod，notunknown，inthesurname，tosupercargoesandseacaptainstradingalongtheSpanishMain，asbelongingtooneofthemostenterprisingandextensivemercantilefamiliesinallthoseprovinces；severalmembersofithavingtitles；asortofCastilianRothschild，withanoblebrother，orcousin，ineverygreattradingtownofSouthAmerica。TheallegedDonBenitowasinearlymanhood，abouttwenty-nineorthirty。Toassumeasortofrovingcadetshipinthemaritimeaffairsofsuchahouse，whatmorelikelyschemeforayoungknaveoftalentandspirit？ButtheSpaniardwasapaleinvalid。
Nevermind。Foreventothedegreeofsimulatingmortaldisease，thecraftofsometrickstershadbeenknowntoattain。Tothinkthat，undertheaspectofinfantileweakness，themostsavageenergiesmightbecouched-thosevelvetsoftheSpaniardbutthevelvetpawtohisfangs。
Fromnotrainofthoughtdidthesefanciescome；notfromwithin，butfromwithout；suddenly，too，andinonethrong，likehoarfrost；yetassoontovanishasthemildsunofCaptainDelano\'sgood-natureregaineditsmeridian。
GlancingoveronceagaintowardDonBenito-whoseside-face，revealedabovetheskylight，wasnowturnedtowardhim-CaptainDelanowasstruckbytheprofile，whoseclearnessofcutwasrefinedbythethinnessincidenttoill-health，aswellasennobledaboutthechinbythebeard。Awaywithsuspicion。Hewasatrueoff-shootofatruehidalgoCereno。
Relievedbytheseandotherbetterthoughts，thevisitor，lightlyhummingatune，nowbeganindifferentlypacingthepoop，soasnottobetraytoDonBenitothatbehadatallmistrustedincivility，muchlessduplicity；forsuchmistrustwouldyetbeprovedillusory，andbytheevent；though，forthepresent，thecircumstancewhichhadprovokedthatdistrustremainedunexplained。
Butwhenthatlittlemysteryshouldhavebeenclearedup，CaptainDelanothoughthemightextremelyregretit，didheallowDonBenitotobecomeawarethathehadindulgedinungeneroussurmises。Inshort，totheSpaniard\'sblack-lettertext，itwasbest，forawhile，toleaveopenmargin。
Presently，hispalefacetwitchingandovercast，theSpaniard，stillsupportedbyhisattendant，movedovertowardhisguest，when，withevenmorethanusualembarrassment，andastrangesortofintriguingintonationinhishuskywhisper，thefollowingconversationbegan：
\"Senor，mayIaskhowlongyouhavelainatthisisle？\"
\"Oh，butadayortwo，DonBenito。\"
\"Andfromwhatportareyoulast？\"
\"Canton。\"
\"Andthere，Senor，youexchangedyourseal-skinsforteasandsilks，Ithinkyousaid？\"
\"Yes。Silks，mostly。\"
\"Andthebalanceyoutookinspecie，perhaps？\"
CaptainDelano，fidgetingalittle，answered-
\"Yes；somesilver；notaverygreatdeal，though。\"
\"Ah-well。MayIaskhowmanymenhaveyouonboard，Senor？\"
CaptainDelanoslightlystarted，butanswered：
\"Aboutfive-and-twenty，alltold。\"
\"Andatpresent，Senor，allonboard，Isuppose？\"
\"Allonboard，DonBenito，\"repliedthecaptainnowwithsatisfaction。
\"Andwillbeto-night，Senor？\"
Atthislastquestion，followingsomanypertinaciousones，forthesoulofhimCaptainDelanocouldnotbutlookveryearnestlyatthequestioner，who，insteadofmeetingtheglance，witheverytokenofcravendiscomposuredroppedhiseyestothedeck；presentinganunworthycontrasttohisservant，who，justthen，waskneelingathisfeetadjustingalooseshoe-buckle；hisdisengagedfacemeantime，withhumblecuriosity，turnedopenlyupintohismaster\'sdowncastone。
TheSpaniard，stillwithaguiltyshuffle，repeatedhisquestion：
\"And-andwillbeto-night，Senor？\"
\"Yes，foraughtIknow，\"returnedCaptainDelano，-\"butnay，\"
rallyinghimselfintofearlesstruth，\"someofthemtalkedofgoingoffonanotherfishingpartyaboutmidnight。\"
\"Yourshipsgenerallygo-gomoreorlessarmed，Ibelieve，Senor？\"
\"Oh，asix-pounderortwo，incaseofemergency，\"wastheintrepidlyindifferentreply，\"withasmallstockofmuskets，sealing-spears，andcutlasses，youknow。\"
Ashethusresponded，CaptainDelanoagainglancedatDonBenito，butthelatter\'seyeswereaverted；whileabruptlyandawkwardlyshiftingthesubject，hemadesomepeevishallusiontothecalm，andthen，withoutapology，oncemore，withhisattendant，withdrewtotheoppositebulwarks，wherethewhisperingwasresumed。
Atthismoment，andereCaptainDelanocouldcastacoolthoughtuponwhathadjustpassed，theyoungSpanishsailorbeforementionedwasseendescendingfromtherigging。Inactofstoopingovertospringinboardtothedeck，hisvoluminous，unconfinedfrock，orshirt，ofcoarsewoollen，muchspottedwithtar，openedoutfardownthechest，revealingasoiledunder-garmentofwhatseemedthefinestlinen，edged，abouttheneck，withanarrowblueribbon，sadlyfadedandworn。Atthismomenttheyoungsailor\'seyewasagainfixedonthewhisperers，andCaptainDelanothoughtheobservedalurkingsignificanceinit，asifsilentsignsofsomefreemasonsorthadthatinstantbeeninterchanged。
ThisoncemoreimpelledhisownglanceinthedirectionofDonBenito，and，asbefore，hecouldnotbutinferthathimselfformedthesubjectoftheconference。Hepaused。Thesoundofthehatchet-polishingfellonhisears。Hecastanotherswiftside-lookatthetwo。Theyhadtheairofconspirators。Inconnectionwiththelatequestionings，andtheincidentoftheyoungsailor，thesethingsnowbegatsuchreturnofinvoluntarysuspicion，thatthesingularguilelessnessoftheAmericancouldnotendureit。Pluckingupagayandhumorousexpression，hecrossedovertothetworapidly，saying：
\"Ha，DonBenito，yourblackhereseemshighinyourtrust；asortofprivy-counsellor，infact。\"
Uponthis，theservantlookedupwithagood-naturedgrin，butthemasterstartedasfromavenomousbite。ItwasamomentortwobeforetheSpaniardsufficientlyrecoveredhimselftoreply；whichhedid，atlast，withcoldconstraint：\"Yes，Senor，IhavetrustinBabo。\"
HereBabo，changinghispreviousgrinofmereanimalhumourintoanintelligentsmile，notungratefullyeyedhismaster。
FindingthattheSpaniardnowstoodsilentandreserved，asifinvoluntarily，orpurposelygivinghintthathisguest\'sproximitywasinconvenientjustthen，CaptainDelano，unwillingtoappearuncivileventoincivilityitself，madesometrivialremarkandmovedoff；
againandagainturningoverinhismindthemysteriousdemeanourofDonBenitoCereno。
Hehaddescendedfromthepoop，and，wrappedinthought，waspassingnearadarkhatchway，leadingdownintothesteerage，when，perceivingmotionthere，helookedtoseewhatmoved。Thesameinstanttherewasasparkleintheshadowyhatchway，andhesawoneoftheSpanishsailors，prowlingthere，hurriedlyplacinghishandinthebosomofhisfrock，asifhidingsomething。Beforethemancouldhavebeencertainwhoitwasthatwaspassing，heslunkbelowoutofsight。Butenoughwasseenofhimtomakeitsurethathewasthesameyoungsailorbeforenoticedintherigging。
Whatwasthatwhichsosparkled？thoughtCaptainDelano。Itwasnolamp-nomatch-nolivecoal。Couldithavebeenajewel？Buthowcomesailorswithjewels？-orwithsilk-trimmedundershirtseither？Hashebeenrobbingthetrunksofthedeadcabinpassengers？Butifso，hewouldhardlywearoneofthestolenarticlesonboardshiphere。Ah，ah-ifnowthatwas，indeed，asecretsignIsawpassingbetweenthissuspiciousfellowandhiscaptainawhilesince；ifIcouldonlybecertainthatinmyuneasinessmysensesdidnotdeceiveme，then-
Here，passingfromonesuspiciousthingtoanother，hismindrevolvedthepointofthestrangequestionsputtohimconcerninghisship。
Byacuriouscoincidence，aseachpointwasrecalled，theblackwizardsofAshanteewouldstrikeupwiththeirhatchets，asinominouscommentonthewhitestranger\'sthoughts。Pressedbysuchenigmasandportents，itwouldhavebeenalmostagainstnature，hadnot，evenintotheleastdistrustfulheart，someuglymisgivingsobtruded。
Observingtheshipnowhelplesslyfallenintoacurrent，withenchantedsails，driftingwithincreasedrapidityseaward；andnotingthat，fromalatelyinterceptedprojectionoftheland，thesealerwashidden，thestoutmarinerbegantoquakeatthoughtswhichhebarelydurstconfesstohimself。Aboveall，hebegantofeelaghostlydreadofDonBenito。Andyetwhenherousedhimself，dilatedhischest，felthimselfstrongonhislegs，andcoollyconsideredit-whatdidallthesephantomsamountto？
HadtheSpaniardanysinisterscheme，itmusthavereferencenotsomuchtohim（CaptainDelano）astohisship（theBachelor\'sDelight）。Hencethepresentdriftingawayoftheoneshipfromtheother，insteadoffavouringanysuchpossiblescheme，was，forthetimeatleast，opposedtoit。Clearlyanysuspicion，combiningsuchcontradictions，mustneedbedelusive。Beside，wasitnotabsurdtothinkofavesselindistress-avesselbysicknessalmostdismannedofhercrew-avesselwhoseinmateswereparchedforwater-wasitnotathousandtimesabsurdthatsuchacraftshould，atpresent，beofapiraticalcharacter；orhercommander，eitherforhimselforthoseunderhim，cherishanydesirebutforspeedyreliefandrefreshment？
Butthen，mightnotgeneraldistress，andthirstinparticular，beaffected？AndmightnotthatsameundiminishedSpanishcrew，allegedtohaveperishedofftoaremnant，beatthatverymomentlurkinginthehold？Onheart-brokenpretenceofentreatingacupofcoldwater，fiendsinhumanformhadgotintolonelydwellings，norretireduntiladarkdeedhadbeendone。AndamongtheMalaypirates，itwasnounusualthingtolureshipsafterthemintotheirtreacherousharbours，orenticeboardersfromadeclaredenemyatsea，bythespectacleofthinlymannedorvacantdecks，beneathwhichprowledahundredspearswithyellowarmsreadytoupthrustthemthroughthemats。NotthatCaptainDelanohadentirelycreditedsuchthings。Hehadheardofthem-andnow，asstories，theyrecurred。Thepresentdestinationoftheshipwastheanchorage。Thereshewouldbenearhisownvessel。Upongainingthatvicinity，mightnottheSanDominick，likeaslumberingvolcano，suddenlyletlooseenergiesnowhid？
HerecalledtheSpaniard\'smannerwhiletellinghisstory。Therewasagloomyhesitancyandsubterfugeaboutit。Itwasjustthemannerofonemakinguphistaleforevilpurposes，ashegoes。Butifthatstorywasnottrue，whatwasthetruth？ThattheshiphadunlawfullycomeintotheSpaniard\'spossession？Butinmanyofitsdetails，especiallyinreferencetothemorecalamitousparts，suchasthefatalitiesamongtheseamen，theconsequentprolongedbeatingabout，thepastsufferingsfromobstinatecalms，andstillcontinuedsufferingfromthirst；inallthesepoints，aswellasothers，DonBenito\'sstoryhadbeencorroboratednotonlybythewailingejaculationsoftheindiscriminatemultitude，whiteandblack，butlikewise-whatseemedimpossibletobecounterfeit-bytheveryexpressionandplayofeveryhumanfeature，whichCaptainDelanosaw。IfDonBenito\'sstorywasthroughoutaninvention，theneverysoulonboard，downtotheyoungestNegress，washiscarefullydrilledrecruitintheplot：anincredibleinference。Andyet，iftherewasgroundformistrustingtheSpanishcaptain\'sveracity，thatinferencewasalegitimateone。
Inshort，scarceanuneasinessenteredthehonestsailor\'smindbut，byasubsequentspontaneousactofgoodsense，itwasejected。Atlasthebegantolaughattheseforebodings；andlaughatthestrangeshipfor，initsaspectsomewaysidingwiththem，asitwere；andlaugh，too，attheodd-lookingblacks，particularlythoseoldscissors-grinders，theAshantees；andthosebed-riddenoldknitting-women，theoakum-pickers；and，inahumanway，healmostbegantolaughatthedarkSpaniardhimself，thecentralhobgoblinofall。
Fortherest，whateverinaseriouswayseemedenigmatical，wasnowgood-naturedlyexplainedawaybythethoughtthat，forthemostpart，thepoorinvalidscarcelyknewwhathewasabout；eithersulkinginblackvapours，orputtingrandomquestionswithoutsenseorobject。
Evidently，forthepresent，themanwasnotfittobeentrustedwiththeship。Onsomebenevolentpleawithdrawingthecommandfromhim，CaptainDelanowouldyethavetosendhertoConcepcioninchargeofhissecondmate，aworthypersonandgoodnavigator-aplanwhichwouldprovenowiserfortheSanDominickthanforDonBenito；for-
relievedfromallanxiety，keepingwhollytohiscabin-thesickman，underthegoodnursingofhisservant，wouldprobably，bytheendofthepassage，beinameasurerestoredtohealthandwiththatheshouldalsoberestoredtoauthority。
SuchweretheAmerican\'sthoughts。Theyweretranquillizing。TherewasadifferencebetweentheideaofDonBenito\'sdarklypreordainingCaptainDelano\'sfate，andCaptainDelano\'slightlyarrangingDonBenito\'s。Nevertheless，itwasnotwithoutsomethingofreliefthatthegoodseamanpresentlyperceivedhiswhale-boatinthedistance。Itsabsencehadbeenprolongedbyunexpecteddetentionatthesealer\'sside，aswellasitsreturningtriplengthenedbythecontinualrecessionofthegoal。
Theadvancingspeckwasobservedbytheblacks。TheirshoutsattractedtheattentionofDonBenito，who，withareturnofcourtesy，approachingCaptainDelano，expressedsatisfactionatthecomingofsomesupplies，slightandtemporaryastheymustnecessarilyprove。
CaptainDelanoresponded；butwhiledoingso，hisattentionwasdrawntosomethingpassingonthedeckbelow：amongthecrowdclimbingthelandwardbulwarks，anxiouslywatchingthecomingboat，twoblacks，toallappearancesaccidentallyincommodedbyoneofthesailors，flewoutagainsthimwithhorriblecurses，whichthesailorsomewayresenting，thetwoblacksdashedhimtothedeckandjumpeduponhim，despitetheearnestcriesoftheoakum-pickers。
\"DonBenito，\"saidCaptainDelanoquickly，\"doyouseewhatisgoingonthere？Look！\"
But，seizedbyhiscough，theSpaniardstaggered，withbothhandstohisface，onthepointoffalling。CaptainDelanowouldhavesupportedhim，buttheservantwasmorealert，who，withonehandsustaininghismaster，withtheotherappliedthecordial。DonBenito，restored，theblackwithdrewhissupport，slippingasidealittle，butdutifullyremainingwithincallofawhisper。Suchdiscretionwashereevincedasquitewipedaway，inthevisitor\'seyes，anyblemishofimproprietywhichmighthaveattachedtotheattendant，fromtheindecorousconferencesbeforementioned；showing，too，thatiftheservantweretoblame，itmightbemorethemaster\'sfaultthanhisown，sincewhenlefttohimselfhecouldconductthuswell。
Hisglancethuscalledawayfromthespectacleofdisordertothemorepleasingonebeforehim，CaptainDelanocouldnotavoidagaincongratulatingDonBenitouponpossessingsuchaservant，who，thoughperhapsalittletooforwardnowandthen，mustuponthewholebeinvaluabletooneintheinvalid\'ssituation。
\"Tellme，DonBenito，\"headded，withasmile-\"Ishouldliketohaveyourmanheremyself-whatwillyoutakeforhim？Wouldfiftydoubloonsbeanyobject？\"
\"Masterwouldn\'tpartwithBaboforathousanddoubloons，\"
murmuredtheblack，overhearingtheoffer，andtakingitinearnest，and，withthestrangevanityofafaithfulslaveappreciatedbyhismaster，scorningtohearsopaltryavaluationputuponhimbyastranger。ButDonBenito，apparentlyhardlyyetcompletelyrestored，andagaininterruptedbyhiscough，madebutsomebrokenreply。
Soonhisphysicaldistressbecamesogreat，affectinghismind，toolapparently，that，asiftoscreenthesadspectacle，theservantgentlyconductedhismasterbelow。
Lefttohimself，theAmerican，towhileawaythetimetillhisboatshouldarrive，wouldhavepleasantlyaccostedsomeoneofthefewSpanishseamenhesaw；butrecallingsomethingthatDonBenitohadsaidtouchingtheirillconduct，herefrained，asashipmasterindisposedtocountenancecowardiceorunfaithfulnessinseamen。
While，withthesethoughts，standingwitheyedirectedforwardtowardthathandfulofsailors-suddenlyhethoughtthatsomeofthemreturnedtheglanceandwithasortofmeaning。Herubbedhiseyes，andlookedagain；butagainseemedtoseethesamething。
Underanewform，butmoreobscurethananypreviousone，theoldsuspicionsrecurred，but，intheabsenceofDonBenito，withlessofpanicthanbefore。Despitethebadaccountgivenofthesailors，CaptainDelanoresolvedforthwithtoaccostoneofthem。Descendingthepoop，hemadehiswaythroughtheblacks，hismovementdrawingaqueercryfromtheoakum-pickers，promptedbywhomtheNegroes，twitchingeachotheraside，dividedbeforehim；but，asifcurioustoseewhatwastheobjectofthisdeliberatevisittotheirGhetto，closinginbehind，intolerableorder，followedthewhitestrangerup。
Hisprogressthusproclaimedasbymountedkings-at-arms，andescortedasbyaCaffreguardofhonour，CaptainDelano，assumingagood-humoured，off-handair，continuedtoadvance；nowandthensayingablithewordtotheNegroes，andhiseyecuriouslysurveyingthewhitefaces，hereandtheresparselymixedinwiththeblacks，likestraywhitepawnsventurouslyinvolvedintheranksofthechessmenopposed。
Whilethinkingwhichofthemtoselectforhispurpose，hechancedtoobserveasailorseatedonthedeckengagedintarringthestrapofalargeblock，withacircleofblackssquattedroundhiminquisitivelyeyeingtheprocess。
Themeanemploymentofthemanwasincontrastwithsomethingsuperiorinhisfigure。Hishand，blackwithcontinuallythrustingitintothetar-potheldforhimbyaNegro，seemednotnaturallyalliedtohisface，afacewhichwouldhavebeenaveryfineonebutforitshaggardness。Whetherthishaggardnesshadaughttodowithcriminalitycouldnotbedetermined；since，asintenseheatandcold，thoughunlike，producelikesensations，soinnocenceandguilt，when，throughcasualassociationwithmentalpain，stampinganyvisibleimpress，useoneseal-ahackedone。
NotagainthatthisreflectionoccurredtoCaptainDelanoatthetime，charitablemanashewas。Ratheranotheridea。Becauseobservingsosingularahaggardnesstobecombinedwithadarkeye，avertedasintroubleandshame，andthen，howeverillogically，unitinginhismindhisownprivatesuspicionsofthecrewwiththeconfessedill-opiniononthepartoftheircaptain，hewasinsensiblyoperateduponbycertaingeneralnotions，which，whiledisconnectingpainandabashmentfromvirtue，asinvariablylinkthemwithvice。
If，indeed，therebeanywickednessonboardthisship，thoughtCaptainDelano，besurethatmantherehasfouledhishandinit，evenasnowhefoulsitinthepitch。Idon\'tliketoaccosthim。Iwillspeaktothisother，thisoldJackhereonthewindlass。
HeadvancedtoanoldBarcelonatar，inraggedredbreechesanddirtynight-cap，cheekstrenchedandbronzed，whiskersdenseasthornhedges。Seatedbetweentwosleepy-lookingAfricans，thismariner，likehisyoungershipmate，wasemployeduponsomerigging-
splicingacable-thesleepy-lookingblacksperformingtheinferiorfunctionofholdingtheouterpartsoftheropesforhim。
UponCaptainDelano\'sapproach，themanatoncehunghisheadbelowitspreviouslevel；theonenecessaryforbusiness。Itappearedasifhedesiredtobethoughtabsorbed，withmorethancommonfidelity，inhistask。Beingaddressed，heglancedup，butwithwhatseemedafurtive，diffidentair，whichsatstrangelyenoughonhisweather-beatenvisage，muchasifagrizzlybear，insteadofgrowlingandbiting，shouldsimperandcastsheep\'seyes。Hewasaskedseveralquestionsconcerningthevoyage-questionspurposelyreferringtoseveralparticularsinDonBenito\'snarrative-notpreviouslycorroboratedbythoseimpulsivecriesgreetingthevisitoronfirstcomingonboard。Thequestionswerebrieflyanswered，confirmingallthatremainedtobeconfirmedofthestory。TheNegroesaboutthewindlassjoinedinwiththeoldsailor，but，astheybecametalkative，hebydegreesbecamemute，andatlengthquiteglum，seemedmoroselyunwillingtoanswermorequestions，andyet，allthewhile，thisursineairwassomehowmixedwithhissheepishone。
Despairingofgettingintounembarrassedtalkwithsuchacentaur，CaptainDelano，afterglancingroundforamorepromisingcountenance，butseeingnone，spokepleasantlytotheblackstomakewayforhim；
andso，amidvariousgrinsandgrimaces，returnedtothepoop，feelingalittlestrangeatfirst，hecouldhardlytellwhy，butuponthewholewithregainedconfidenceinBenitoCereno。
Howplainly，thoughthe，didthatoldwhiskerandoyonderbetrayaconsciousnessofill-desert。Nodoubt，whenhesawmecoming，hedreadedlestI，apprisedbyhiscaptainofthecrew\'sgeneralmisbehaviour，camewithsharpwordsforhim，andsodownwithhishead。Andyet-andyet，nowthatIthinkofit，thatveryoldfellow，ifIerrnot，wasoneofthosewhoseemedsoearnestlyeyeingmehereawhilesince。Ah，thesecurrentsspinone\'sheadroundalmostasmuchastheydotheship。Ha，therenow\'sapleasantsortofsunnysight；quitesociable，too。
HisattentionhadbeendrawntoaslumberingNegress，partlydisclosedthroughthelace-workofsomerigging，lying，withyouthfullimbscarelesslydisposed，undertheleeofthebulwarks，likeadoeintheshadeofawoodlandrock。Sprawlingatherlappedbreastswasherwide-awakefawn，starknaked，itsblacklittlebodyhalfliftedfromthedeck，crosswisewithitsdam\'s；itshands，liketwopaws，clamberinguponher；itsmouthandnoseineffectuallyrootingtogetatthemark；andmeantimegivingavexatioushalf-grunt，blendingwiththecomposedsnoreoftheNegress。
Theuncommonvigourofthechildatlengthrousedthemother。
Shestartedup，atdistancefacingCaptainDelano。But，asifnotatallconcernedattheattitudeinwhichshehadbeencaught，delightedlyshecaughtthechildup，withmaternaltransports，coveringitwithkisses。
There\'snakednature，now；puretendernessandlove，thoughtCaptainDelano，wellpleased。
ThisincidentpromptedhimtoremarktheotherNegressesmoreparticularlythanbefore。Hewasgratifiedwiththeirmanners；likemostuncivilizedwomen，theyseemedatoncetenderofheartandtoughofconstitution；equallyreadytodiefortheirinfantsorfightforthem。Unsophisticatedasleopardesses；lovingasdoves。Ah！
thoughtCaptainDelano，theseperhapsaresomeoftheverywomenwhomMungoParksawinAfrica，andgavesuchanobleaccountof。
Thesenaturalsightssomehowinsensiblydeepenedhisconfidenceandease。Atlasthelookedtoseehowhisboatwasgettingon；butitwasstillprettyremote。HeturnedtoseeifDonBenitohadreturned；buthehadnot。
Tochangethescene，aswellastopleasehimselfwithaleisurelyobservationofthecomingboat，steppingoverintothemizzen-chainsheclamberedhiswayintothestarboardquarter-galley；oneofthoseabandonedVenetian-lookingwater-balconiespreviouslymentioned；
retreatscutofffromthedeck。Ashisfootpressedthehalf-damp，half-drysea-mossesmattingtheplace，andachancephantomcat\'s-paw-
anisletofbreeze，unheralded，unfollowed-asthisghostlycat\'s-pawcamefanninghischeek，hisglancefellupontherowofsmall，rounddead-lights，allclosedlikecopperedeyesofthecoffined，andthestate-cabindoor，onceconnectingwiththegallery，evenasthedead-lightshadoncelookedoutuponit，butnowcaulkedfastlikeasarcophaguslid，toapurple-black，tarred-overpanel，threshold，andpost；andhebethoughthimofthetime，whenthatstate-cabinandthisstate-balconyhadheardthevoicesoftheSpanishking\'sofficers，andtheformsoftheLimaviceroy\'sdaughtershadperhapsleanedwherehestood-astheseandotherimagesflittedthroughhismind，asthecat\'s-pawthroughthecalm，graduallyhefeltrisingadreamyinquietude，likethatofonewhoaloneontheprairiefeelsunrestfromthereposeofthenoon。
Heleanedagainstthecarvedbalustrade，againlookingofftowardhisboat；butfoundhiseyefallingupontheribbonedgrass，trailingalongtheship\'swater-line，straightasaborderofgreenbox；andparterresofsea-weed，broadovalsandcrescents，floatingnighandfar，withwhatseemedlongformalalleysbetween，crossingtheterracesofswells，andsweepingroundasifleadingtothegrottoesbelow。Andoverhangingallwasthebalustradebyhisarm，which，partlystainedwithpitchandpartlyembossedwithmoss，seemedthecharredruinofsomesummer-houseinagrandgardenlongrunningtowaste。
Tryingtobreakonecharm，hewasbutbecharmedanew。Thoughuponthewidesea，heseemedinsomefarinlandcountry；prisonerinsomedesertedchateau，lefttostareatemptygrounds，andpeeroutatvagueroads，whereneverwagonorwayfarerpassed。
Buttheseenchantmentswerealittledisenchantedashiseyefellonthecorrodedmain-chains。Ofanancientstyle，massyandrustyinlink，shackleandbolt，theyseemedevenmorefitfortheship\'spresentbusinessthantheoneforwhichprobablyshehadbeenbuilt。
Presentlyhethoughtsomethingmovednighthechains。Herubbedhiseyes，andlookedhard。Grovesofriggingwereaboutthechains；
andthere，peeringfrombehindagreatstay，likeanIndianfrombehindahemlock，aSpanishsailor，amarlingspikeinhishand，wasseen，whomadewhatseemedanimperfectgesturetowardthebalcony-
butimmediately，asifalarmedbysomeadvancingstepalongthedeckwithin，vanishedintotherecessesofthehempenforest，likeapoacher。
Whatmeantthis？Somethingthemanhadsoughttocommunicate，unbeknowntoanyone，eventohiscaptain？Didthesecretinvolveaughtunfavourabletohiscaptain？WerethosepreviousmisgivingsofCaptainDelano\'sabouttobeverified？Or，inhishauntedmoodatthemoment，hadsomerandom，unintentionalmotionoftheman，whilebusywiththestay，asifrepairingit，beenmistakenforasignificantbeckoning？
Notunbewildered，againhegazedoffforhisboat。Butitwastemporarilyhiddenbyarockyspuroftheisle。Aswithsomeeagernesshebentforward，watchingforthefirstshootingviewofitsbeak，thebalustradegavewaybeforehimlikecharcoal。Hadhenotclutchedanoutreachingropehewouldhavefallenintothesea。Thecrash，thoughfeeble，andthefall，thoughhollow，oftherottenfragments，musthavebeenoverheard。Heglancedup。Withsobercuriositypeeringdownuponhimwasoneoftheoldoakum-pickers，slippedfromhisperchtoanoutsideboom；whilebelowtheoldNegro-and，invisibletohim，reconnoitringfromaport-holelikeafoxfromthemouthofitsden-crouchedtheSpanishsailoragain。Fromsomethingsuddenlysuggestedbytheman\'sair，themadideanowdartedintoCaptainDelano\'smind：thatDonBenito\'spleaofindisposition，inwithdrawingbelow，wasbutapretence：thathewasengagedtherematuringsomeplot，ofwhichthesailor，bysomemeansgaininganinkling，hadamindtowarnthestrangeragainst；incited，itmaybe，bygratitudeforakindwordonfirstboardingtheship。Wasitfromforeseeingsomepossibleinterferencelikethis，thatDonBenitohad，beforehand，givensuchabadcharacterofhissailors，whilepraisingtheNegroes；though，indeed，theformerseemedasdocileasthelatterthecontrary？Thewhites，too，bynature，weretheshrewderrace。Amanwithsomeevildesign，wouldnothebelikelytospeakwellofthatstupiditywhichwasblindtohisdepravity，andmalignthatintelligencefromwhichitmightnotbehidden？Notunlikely，perhaps。ButifthewhiteshaddarksecretsconcerningDonBenito，couldthenDonBenitobeanywayincomplicitywiththeblacks？Buttheyweretoostupid。Besides，whoeverheardofawhitesofararenegadeastoapostatizefromhisveryspeciesalmost，byleaguinginagainstitwithNegroes？Thesedifficultiesrecalledformerones。Lostintheirmazes，CaptainDelano，whohadnowregainedthedeck，wasuneasilyadvancingalongit，whenheobservedanewface：anagedsailorseatedcross-leggednearthemainhatchway。Hisskinwasshrunkupwithwrinkleslikeapelican\'semptypouch；hishairfrosted；hiscountenancegraveandcomposed。Hishandswerefullofropes，whichhewasworkingintoalargeknot。Someblackswereabouthimobliginglydippingthestrandsforhim，hereandthere，astheexigenciesoftheoperationdemanded。
CaptainDelanocrossedovertohim，andstoodinsilencesurveyingtheknot；hismind，byanotuncongenialtransition，passingfromitsownentanglementstothoseofthehemp。ForintricacysuchaknothehadneverseeninanAmericanship，orindeedanyother。TheoldmanlookedlikeanEgyptianpriest，makingGordianknotsforthetempleofAmmon。Theknotseemedacombinationofdouble-bowline-knot，treble-crown-knot，back-handed-well-knot，knot-in-and-out-knot，andjamming-knot。
Atlast，puzzledtocomprehendthemeaningofsuchaknot，CaptainDelano，addressedtheknotter：-
\"Whatareyouknottingthere，myman？\"
\"Theknot，\"wasthebriefreply，withoutlookingup。
\"Soitseems；butwhatisitfor？\"
\"Forsomeoneelsetoundo，\"mutteredbacktheoldman，plyinghisfingersharderthanever，theknotbeingnownearlycompleted。
WhileCaptainDelanostoodwatchinghim，suddenlytheoldmanthrewtheknottowardhim，andsaidinbrokenEnglish，-thefirstheardintheship，-somethingtothiseffect-\"Undoit，cutit，quick。\"Itwassaidlowly，butwithsuchcondensationofrapidity，thatthelong，slowwordsinSpanish，whichhadprecededandfollowed，almostoperatedascoverstothebriefEnglishbetween。
Foramoment，knotinhand，andknotinhead，CaptainDelanostoodmute；while，withoutfurtherheedinghim，theoldmanwasnowintentuponotherropes。PresentlytherewasaslightstirbehindCaptainDelano。Turning，hesawthechainedNegro，Atufal，standingquietlythere。Thenextmomenttheoldsailorrose，muttering，and，followedbyhissubordinateNegroes，removedtotheforwardpartoftheship，whereinthecrowdhedisappeared。
AnelderlyNegro，inacloutlikeaninfant\'s，andwithapepperandsalthead，andakindofattorneyair，nowapproachedCaptainDelano。IntolerableSpanish，andwithagood-natured，knowingwink，heinformedhimthattheoldknotterwassimple-witted，butharmless；oftenplayinghisoldtricks。TheNegroconcludedbybeggingtheknot，forofcoursethestrangerwouldnotcaretobetroubledwithit。Unconsciously，itwashandedtohim。Withasortofconge，theNegroreceivedit，andturninghisbackferretedintoitlikeadetectiveCustomHouseofficeraftersmuggledlaces。Soon，withsomeAfricanword，equivalenttopshaw，hetossedtheknotoverboard。
Allthisisveryqueernow，thoughtCaptainDelano，withaqualmishsortofemotion；butasonefeelingincipientseasickness，hestrove，byignoringthesymptoms，togetridofthemalady。Oncemorehelookedoffforhisboat。Tohisdelight，itwasnowagaininview，leavingtherockyspurastern。
Thesensationhereexperienced，afteratfirstrelievinghisuneasiness，withunforeseenefficiency，soonbegantoremoveit。Thelessdistantsightofthatwell-knownboat-showingit，notasbefore，halfblendedwiththehaze，butwithoutlinedefined，sothatitsindividuality，likeaman\'s，wasmanifest；thatboat，Roverbyname，which，thoughnowinstrangeseas，hadoftenpressedthebeachofCaptainDelano\'shome，and，broughttoitsthresholdforrepairs，hadfamiliarlylainthere，asaNewfoundlanddog；thesightofthathouseholdboatevokedathousandtrustfulassociations，which，contrastedwithprevioussuspicions，filledHimnotonlywithlightsomeconfidence，butsomehowwithhalfhumorousself-reproachesathisformerlackofit。
\"What，I，AmasaDelano-JackoftheBeach，astheycalledmewhenalad-I，Amasa；thesamethat，duck-satchelinhand，usedtopaddlealongthewatersidetotheschoolhousemadefromtheoldhulk；-
I，littleJackoftheBeach，thatusedtogoberryingwithcousinNatandtherest；Itobemurderedhereattheendsoftheearth，onboardahauntedpirate-shipbyahorribleSpaniard？-Toononsensicaltothinkof！WhowouldmurderAmasaDelano？Hisconscienceisclean。
Thereissomeoneabove。Fie，fie，JackoftheBeach！youareachildindeed；achildofthesecondchildhood，oldboy；youarebeginningtodoteanddrool，I\'mafraid。\"
Lightofheartandfoot，hesteppedaft，andtherewasmetbyDonBenito\'sservant，who，withapleasingexpression，responsivetohisownpresentfeelings，informedhimthathismasterhadrecoveredfromtheeffectsofhiscoughingfit，andhadjustorderedhimtogopresenthiscomplimentstohisgoodguest，DonAmasa，andsaythathe（DonBenito）wouldsoonhavethehappinesstorejoinhim。
Therenow，doyoumarkthat？againthoughtCaptainDelano，walkingthepoop。WhatadonkeyIwas。Thiskindgentlemanwhoheresendsmehiskindcompliments，he，buttenminutesago，dark-lanterninhand，wasdodgingroundsomeoldgrind-stoneinthehold，sharpeningahatchetforme，Ithought。Well，well；theselongcalmshaveamorbideffectonthemind，I\'veoftenheard，thoughIneverbelieveditbefore。Ha！glancingtowardtheboat；there\'sRover；agooddog；
awhiteboneinhermouth。Aprettybigbonethough，seemstome-
What？Yes，shehasfallenafoulofthebubblingtide-ripthere。Itsetshertheotherway，too，forthetime。Patience。
Itwasnowaboutnoon，though，fromthegreynessofeverything，itseemedtobegettingtowarddusk。
Thecalmwasconfirmed。Inthefardistance，awayfromtheinfluenceofland，theleadenoceanseemedlaidoutandleadedup，itscoursefinished，soulgone，defunct。Butthecurrentfromlandward，wheretheshipwas，increased；silentlysweepingherfurtherandfurthertowardthetrancedwatersbeyond。
Still，fromhisknowledgeofthoselatitudes，cherishinghopesofabreeze，andafairandfreshone，atanymoment，CaptainDelano，despitepresentprospects，buoyantlycounteduponbringingtheSanDominicksafelytoanchorerenight。Thedistancesweptoverwasnothing；since，withagoodwind，tenminutes\'sailingwouldretracemorethansixtyminutes\'drifting。Meantime，onemomentturningtomarkRoverfightingthetide-rip，andthenexttoseeDonBenitoapproaching，hecontinuedwalkingthepoop。
Graduallyhefeltavexationarisingfromthedelayofhisboat；
thissoonmergedintouneasiness；andatlast，hiseyefallingcontinually，asfromastage-boxintothepit，uponthestrangecrowdbeforeandbelowhim，andby-and-byrecognizingtheretheface-nowcomposedtoindifference-oftheSpanishsailorwhohadseemedtobeckonfromthemain-chains，somethingofhisoldtrepidationsreturned。
Ah，thoughthe-gravelyenough-thisisliketheague：becauseitwentoff，itfollowsnotthatitwon\'tcomeback。
Thoughashamedoftherelapse，hecouldnotaltogethersubdueit；andso，exertinghisgoodnaturetotheutmost，insensiblyhecametoacompromise。
Yes，thisisastrangecraft；astrangehistory，too，andstrangefolksonboard。But-nothingmore。
Bywayofkeepinghismindoutofmischieftilltheboatshouldarrive，hetriedtooccupyitwithturningoverandover，inapurelyspeculativesortofway，somelesserpeculiaritiesofthecaptainandcrew。Amongothers，fourcuriouspointsrecurred。
First，theaffairoftheSpanishladassailedwithaknifebytheslaveboy；anactwinkedatbyDonBenito。Second，thetyrannyinDonBenito\'streatmentofAtufal，theblack；asifachildshouldleadabulloftheNilebytheringinhisnose。Third，thetramplingofthesailorbythetwoNegroes；apieceofinsolencepassedoverwithoutsomuchasareprimand。Fourth，thecringingsubmissiontotheirmasterofalltheship\'sunderlings，mostlyblacks；asifbytheleastinadvertencetheyfearedtodrawdownhisdespoticdispleasure。
Couplingthesepoints，theyseemedsomewhatcontradictory。Butwhatthen，thoughtCaptainDelano，glancingtowardhisnownearingboat，-whatthen？Why，thisDonBenitoisaverycapriciouscommander。
ButheisnotthefirstofthesortIhaveseen；thoughit\'strueheratherexceedsanyother。Butasanation-continuedheinhisreveries-theseSpaniardsareallanoddset；theverywordSpaniardhasacurious，conspirator，Guy-Fawkishtwangtoit。Andyet，Idaresay，SpaniardsinthemainareasgoodfolksasanyinDuxbury，Massachusetts。Ah，good！AtlastRoverhascome。
As，withitswelcomefreight，theboattouchedtheside，theoakum-pickers，withvenerablegestures，soughttorestraintheblacks，who，atthesightofthreegurriedwater-casksinitsbottom，andapileofwiltedpumpkinsinitsbow，hungoverthebulwarksindisorderlyraptures。
DonBenitowithhisservantnowappeared；hiscoming，perhaps，hastenedbyhearingthenoise。OfhimCaptainDelanosoughtpermissiontoserveoutthewater，sothatallmightsharealike，andnoneinjurethemselvesbyunfairexcess。Butsensible，and，onDonBenito\'saccount，kindasthisofferwas，itwasreceivedwithwhatseemedimpatience；asifawarethathelackedenergyasacommander，DonBenito，withthetruejealousyofweakness，resentedasanaffrontanyinterference。So，atleast，CaptainDelanoinferred。
Inanothermomentthecaskswerebeinghoistedin，whensomeoftheeagerNegroesaccidentallyjostledCaptainDelano，wherehestoodbythegangway；sothat，unmindfulofDonBenito，yieldingtotheimpulseofthemoment，withgood-naturedauthorityhebadetheblacksstandback；toenforcehiswordsmakinguseofahalf-mirthful，half-menacinggesture。Instantlytheblackspaused，justwheretheywere，eachNegroandNegresssuspendedinhisorherposture，exactlyasthewordhadfoundthem-forafewsecondscontinuingso-
while，asbetweentheresponsivepostsofatelegraph，anunknownsyllableranfrommantomanamongtheperchedoakum-pickers。WhileCaptainDelano\'sattentionwasfixedbythisscene，suddenlythehatchet-polishershalfrose，andarapidcrycamefromDonBenito。
ThinkingthatatthesignaloftheSpaniardhewasabouttobemassacred，CaptainDelanowouldhavesprungforhisboat，butpaused，astheoakum-pickers，droppingdownintothecrowdwithearnestexclamations，forcedeverywhiteandeveryNegroback，atthesamemoment，withgesturesfriendlyandfamiliar，almostjocose，biddinghim，insubstance，notbeafool。Simultaneouslythehatchet-polishersresumedtheirseats，quietlyassomanytailors，andatonce，asifnothinghadhappened，theworkofhoistinginthecaskswasresumed，whitesandblackssingingatthetackle。
CaptainDelanoglancedtowardDonBenito。Ashesawhismeagreformintheactofrecoveringitselffromrecliningintheservant\'sarms，intowhichtheagitatedinvalidhadfallen，hecouldnotbutmarvelatthepanicbywhichhimselfhadbeensurprisedonthedartingsuppositionthatsuchacommander，whouponalegitimateoccasion，sotrivial，too，asitnowappeared，couldloseallself-command，was，withenergeticiniquity，goingtobringabouthismurder。
Thecasksbeingondeck，CaptainDelanowashandedanumberofjarsandcupsbyoneofthesteward\'saides，who，inthenameofDonBenito，entreatedhimtodoashehadproposed：doleoutthewater。Hecomplied，withrepublicanimpartialityastothisrepublicanelement，whichalwaysseeksonelevel，servingtheoldestwhitenobetterthantheyoungestblack；excepting，indeed，poorDonBenito，whosecondition，ifnotrank，demandedanextraallowance。Tohim，inthefirstplace，CaptainDelanopresentedafairpitcherofthefluid；but，thirstingashewasforfreshwater，DonBenitoquaffednotadropuntilafterseveralgravebowsandsalutes：areciprocationofcourtesieswhichthesight-lovingAfricanshailedwithclappingofhands。
Twoofthelesswiltedpumpkinsbeingreservedforthecabintable，theresiduewereminceduponthespotforthegeneralregalement。Butthesoftbread，sugar，andbottledcider，CaptainDelanowouldhavegiventheSpaniardsalone，andinchiefDonBenito；butthelatterobjected；whichdisinterestedness，onhispart，notalittlepleasedtheAmerican；andsomouthfulsallaroundweregivenaliketowhitesandblacks；exceptingonebottleofcider，whichBaboinsisteduponsettingasideforhismaster。
Hereitmaybeobservedthatas，onthefirstvisitoftheboat，theAmericanhadnotpermittedhismentoboardtheship，neitherdidhenow；beingunwillingtoaddtotheconfusionofthedecks。
Notuninfluencedbythepeculiargoodhumouratpresentprevailing，andforthetimeobliviousofanybutbenevolentthoughts，CaptainDelano，whofromrecentindicationscounteduponabreezewithinanhourortwoatfurthest，despatchedtheboatbacktothesealerwithordersforallthehandsthatcouldbesparedimmediatelytosetaboutraftingcaskstothewatering-placeandfillingthem。Likewisehebadewordbecarriedtohischiefofficer，thatifagainstpresentexpectationtheshipwasnotbroughttoanchorbysunset，heneedbeundernoconcern，forastherewastobeafullmoonthatnight，he（CaptainDelano）wouldremainonboardreadytoplaythepilot，shouldthewindcomesoonorlate。
Asthetwocaptainsstoodtogether，observingthedepartingboat-theservantasithappenedhavingjustspiedaspotonhismaster\'svelvetsleeve，andsilentlyengagedrubbingitout-theAmericanexpressedhisregretsthattheSanDominickhadnoboats；
none，atleast，buttheunseaworthyoldhulkofthelong-boat，which，warpedasacamel\'sskeletoninthedesert，andalmostasbleached，laypot-wiseinvertedamidships，onesidealittletipped，furnishingasubterraneoussortofdenforfamilygroupsoftheblacks，mostlywomenandsmallchildren；who，squattingonoldmatsbelow，orperchedaboveinthedarkdome，ontheelevatedseats，weredescried，somedistancewithin，likeasocialcircleofbats，shelteringinsomefriendlycave；atintervals，ebonflightsofnakedboysandgirls，threeorfouryearsold，dartinginandoutoftheden\'smouth。
\"Hadyouthreeorfourboatsnow，DonBenito，\"saidCaptainDelano，\"Ithinkthat，bytuggingattheoars，yourNegroesheremighthelpalongmatterssome-Didyousailfromportwithoutboats，DonBenito？\"
\"Theywerestoveinthegales，Senor。\"
\"Thatwasbad。Manymen，too，youlostthen。Boatsandmen-Thosemusthavebeenhardgales，DonBenito。\"
\"Pastallspeech，\"cringedtheSpaniard。
\"Tellme，DonBenito，\"continuedhiscompanionwithincreasedinterest，\"tellme，werethesegalesimmediatelyoffthepitchofCapeHorn？\"
\"CapeHorn？-whospokeofCapeHorn？\"
\"Yourselfdid，whengivingmeanaccountofyourvoyage，\"
answeredCaptainDelanowithalmostequalastonishmentatthiseatingofhisownwords，evenasheeverseemedeatinghisownheart，onthepartoftheSpaniard。\"Youyourself，DonBenito，spokeofCapeHorn，\"heemphaticallyrepeated。
TheSpaniardturned，inasortofstoopingposture，pausinganinstant，asoneabouttomakeaplungingexchangeofelements，asfromairtowater。
Atthismomentamessenger-boy，awhite，hurriedby，intheregularperformanceofhisfunctioncarryingthelastexpiredhalf-hourforwardtotheforecastle，fromthecabintime-piece，tohaveitstruckattheship\'slargebell。
\"Master，\"saidtheservant，discontinuinghisworkonthecoatsleeve，andaddressingtheraptSpaniardwithasortoftimidapprehensiveness，asonechargedwithaduty，thedischargeofwhich，itwasforeseen，wouldproveirksometotheverypersonwhohadimposedit，andforwhosebenefititwasintended，\"mastertoldmenevermindwherehewas，orhowengaged，alwaystoremindhim，toaminute，whenshaving-timecomes。Miguelhasgonetostrikethehalf-hourafternoon。Itisnow，master。Willmastergointothecuddy？\"
\"Ah-yes，\"answeredtheSpaniard，starting，somewhatasfromdreamsintorealities；thenturninguponCaptainDelano，hesaidthaterelonghewouldresumetheconversation。
\"ThenifmastermeanstotalkmoretoDonAmasa，\"saidtheservant，\"whynotletDonAmasasitbymasterinthecuddy，andmastercantalk，andDonAmasacanlisten，whileBaboherelathersandstrops。\"
\"Yes，\"saidCaptainDelano，notunpleasedwiththissociableplan，\"yes，DonBenito，unlessyouhadrathernot，Iwillgowithyou。\"
\"Beitso，Senor。\"
Asthethreepassedaft，theAmericancouldnotbutthinkitanotherstrangeinstanceofhishost\'scapriciousness，thisbeingshavedwithsuchuncommonpunctualityinthemiddleoftheday。Buthedeemeditmorethanlikelythattheservant\'sanxiousfidelityhadsomethingtodowiththematter；inasmuchasthetimelyinterruptionservedtorallyhismasterfromthemoodwhichhadevidentlybeencominguponhim。
Theplacecalledthecuddywasalightdeck-cabinformedbythepoop，asortofattictothelargecabinbelow。Partofithadformerlybeenthequartersoftheofficers；butsincetheirdeathallthepartitioningshadbeenthrowndown，andthewholeinteriorconvertedintoonespaciousandairymarinehall；forabsenceoffinefurnitureandpicturesquedisarray，ofoddappurtenances，somewhatansweringtothewide，clutteredhallofsomeeccentricbachelorsquireinthecountry，whohangshisshooting-jacketandtobacco-pouchondeerantlers，andkeepshisfishing-rod，tongs，andwalking-stickinthesamecorner。