Thesimilitudewasheightened，ifnotoriginallysuggested，byglimpsesofthesurroundingsea；since，inoneaspect，thecountryandtheoceanseemcousins-german。
Thefloorofthecuddywasmatted。Overhead，fourorfiveoldmusketswerestuckintohorizontalholesalongthebeams。Ononesidewasaclaw-footedoldtablelashedtothedeck；athumbedmissalonit，andoveritasmall，meagrecrucifixattachedtothebulkhead。Underthetablelayadentedcutlassortwo，withahackedharpoon，amongsomemelancholyoldrigging，likeaheapofpoorfriar\'sgirdles。Therewerealsotwolong，sharp-ribbedsetteesofmalaccacane，blackwithage，anduncomfortabletolookatasinquisitors\'racks，withalarge，misshapenarm-chair，which，furnishedwitharudebarber\'scrutchattheback，workingwithascrew，seemedsomegrotesqueMiddleAgeengineoftorment。Aflaglockerwasinonecorner，exposingvariouscolouredbunting，somerolledup，othershalfunrolled，stillotherstumbled。Oppositewasacumbrouswashstand，ofblackmahogany，allofoneblock，withapedestal，likeafont，andoveritarailedshelf，containingcombs，brushes，andotherimplementsofthetoilet。Atomhammockofstainedgrassswungnear；thesheetstossed，andthepillowwrinkleduplikeabrow，asifwhoeversleptheresleptbutilly，withalternatevisitationsofsadthoughtsandbaddreams。
Thefurtherextremityofthecuddy，overhangingtheship\'sstern，waspiercedwiththreeopenings，windowsorport-holes，accordingasmenorcannonmightpeer，sociallyorunsocially，outofthem。Atpresentneithermennorcannonwereseen，thoughhugering-boltsandotherrustyironfixturesofthewood-workhintedoftwenty-four-pounders。
Glancingtowardthehammockasheentered，CaptainDelanosaid，\"Yousleephere，DonBenito？\"
\"Yes，Senor，sincewegotintomildweather。\"
\"Thisseemsasortofdormitory，sitting-room，sail-loft，chapel，armoury，andprivateclosettogether，DonBenito，\"addedCaptainDelano，lookingaround。
\"Yes，Senor；eventshavenotbeenfavourabletomuchorderinmyarrangements。\"
Heretheservant，napkinonarm，madeamotionasifwaitinghismaster\'sgoodpleasure。DonBenitosignifiedhisreadiness，when，seatinghiminthemalaccaarm-chair，andfortheguest\'sconveniencedrawingoppositeitoneofthesettees，theservantcommencedoperationsbythrowingbackhismaster\'scollarandlooseninghiscravat。
ThereissomethingintheNegrowhich，inapeculiarway，fitshimforavocationsaboutone\'sperson。MostNegroesarenaturalvaletsandhair-dressers；takingtothecombandbrushcongeniallyastothecastanets，andflourishingthemapparentlywithalmostequalsatisfaction。Thereis，too，asmoothtactabouttheminthisemployment，withamarvellous，noiseless，glidingbriskness，notungracefulinitsway，singularlypleasingtobehold，andstillmoresotobethemanipulatedsubjectof。Andaboveallisthegreatgiftofgoodhumour。Notthemeregrinorlaughisheremeant。Thosewereunsuitable。Butacertaineasycheerfulness，harmoniousineveryglanceandgesture；asthoughGodhadsetthewholeNegrotosomepleasanttune。
Whentoallthisisaddedthedocilityarisingfromtheunaspiringcontentmentofalimitedmind，andthatsusceptibilityofblindattachmentsometimesinheringinindisputableinferiors，onereadilyperceiveswhythosehypochondriacs，JohnsonandByron-itmaybesomethinglikethehypochondriac，BenitoCereno-tooktotheirhearts，almosttotheexclusionoftheentirewhiterace，theirservingmen，theNegroes，BarberandFletcher。ButiftherebethatintheNegrowhichexemptshimfromtheinflictedsournessofthemorbidorcynicalmind，how，inhismostprepossessingaspects，mustheappeartoabenevolentone？Whenateasewithrespecttoexteriorthings，CaptainDelano\'snaturewasnotonlybenign，butfamiliarlyandhumorouslyso。Athome，hehadoftentakenraresatisfactioninsittinginhisdoor，watchingsomefreemanofcolourathisworkorplay。Ifonavoyagehechancedtohaveablacksailor，invariablyhewasonchatty，andhalf-gamesometermswithhim。Infact，likemostmenofagood，blitheheart，CaptainDelanotooktoNegroes，notphilanthropically，butgenially，justasothermentoNewfoundlanddogs。
HithertothecircumstancesinwhichhefoundtheSanDominickhadrepressedthetendency。Butinthecuddy，relievedfromhisformeruneasiness，and，forvariousreasons，moresociablyinclinedthanatanypreviousperiodoftheday，andseeingthecolouredservant，napkinonarm，sodebonairabouthismaster，inabusinesssofamiliarasthatofshaving，too，allhisoldweaknessforNegroesreturned。
Amongotherthings，hewasamusedwithanoddinstanceoftheAfricanloveofbrightcoloursandfineshows，intheblack\'sinformallytakingfromtheflag-lockeragreatpieceofbuntingofallhues，andlavishlytuckingitunderhismaster\'schinforanapron。
ThemodeofshavingamongtheSpaniardsisalittledifferentfromwhatitiswithothernations。Theyhaveabasin，speciallycalledabarber\'sbasin，whichononesideisscoopedout，soasaccuratelytoreceivethechin，againstwhichitiscloselyheldinlathering；
whichisdone，notwithabrush，butwithsoapdippedinthewaterofthebasinandrubbedontheface。
Inthepresentinstancesalt-waterwasusedforlackofbetter；
andthepartslatheredwereonlytheupperlip，andlowdownunderthethroat，alltherestbeingcultivatedbeard。
ThesepreliminariesbeingsomewhatnoveltoCaptainDelanohesatcuriouslyeyeingthem，sothatnoconversationtookplace，norforthepresentdidDonBenitoappeardisposedtorenewany。
Settingdownhisbasin，theNegrosearchedamongtherazors，asforthesharpest，andhavingfoundit，gaveitanadditionaledgebyexpertlystroppingitonthefirm，smooth，oilyskinofhisopenpalm；
hethenmadeagestureasiftobegin，butmidwaystoodsuspendedforaninstant，onehandelevatingtherazor，theotherprofessionallydabblingamongthebubblingsudsontheSpaniard\'slankneck。Notunaffectedbytheclosesightofthegleamingsteel，DonBenitonervouslyshuddered，hisusualghastlinesswasheightenedbythelather，whichlather，again，wasintensifiedinitshuebythesootinessoftheNegro\'sbody。Altogetherthescenewassomewhatpeculiar，atleasttoCaptainDelano，nor，ashesawthetwothuspostured，couldheresistthevagary，thatintheblackhesawaheadsman，andinthewhite，amanattheblock。Butthiswasoneofthoseanticconceits，appearingandvanishinginabreath，fromwhich，perhaps，thebestregulatedmindisnotfree。
MeantimetheagitationoftheSpaniardhadalittleloosenedthebuntingfromaroundhim，sothatonebroadfoldsweptcurtain-likeoverthechair-armtothefloor，revealing，amidaprofusionofarmorialbarsandground-colours-black，blueandyellow-aclosedcastleinablood-redfielddiagonalwithalionrampantinawhite。
\"Thecastleandthelion，\"exclaimedCaptainDelano-\"why，DonBenito，thisistheflagofSpainyouusehere。It\'swellit\'sonlyI，andnottheKing，thatseesthis，\"headdedwithasmile，\"but\"-
turningtowardtheblack，-\"it\'sallone，Isuppose，sothecoloursbegay，\"whichplayfulremarkdidnotfailsomewhattotickletheNegro。
\"Now，master，\"hesaid，readjustingtheflag，andpressingtheheadgentlyfurtherbackintothecrotchofthechair；\"nowmaster，\"
andthesteelglancednighthethroat。
AgainDonBenitofaintlyshuddered。
\"Youmustnotshakeso，master-See，DonAmasa，masteralwaysshakeswhenIshavehim。AndyetmasterknowsIneveryethavedrawnblood，thoughit\'strue，ifmasterwillshakeso，Imaysomeofthesetimes。Now，master，\"hecontinued。\"Andnow，DonAmasa，pleasegoonwithyourtalkaboutthegale，andallthat，mastercanhear，andbetweentimesmastercananswer。\"
\"Ahyes，thesegales，\"saidCaptainDelano；\"butthemoreI
thinkofyourvoyage，DonBenito，themoreIwonder，notatthegales，terribleastheymusthavebeen，butatthedisastrousintervalfollowingthem。Forhere，byyouraccount，haveyoubeenthesetwomonthsandmoregettingfromCapeHorntoSt。Maria，adistancewhichImyself，withagoodwind，havesailedinafewdays。True，youhadcalms，andlongones，buttobebecalmedfortwomonths，thatis，atleast，unusual。Why，DonBenito，hadalmostanyothergentlemantoldmesuchastory，Ishouldhavebeenhalfdisposedtoalittleincredulity。\"
HereaninvoluntaryexpressioncameovertheSpaniard，similartothatjustbeforeonthedeck，andwhetheritwasthestarthegave，orasuddengawkyrollofthehullinthecalm，oramomentaryunsteadinessoftheservant\'shand；howeveritwas，justthentherazordrewblood，spotsofwhichstainedthecreamylatherunderthethroat；immediatelytheblackbarberdrewbackhissteel，andremaininginhisprofessionalattitude，backtoCaptainDelano，andfacetoDonBenito，heldupthetricklingrazor，saying，withasortofhalfhumoroussorrow，\"See，master，-youshookso-here\'sBabo\'sfirstblood。\"
NosworddrawnbeforeJamestheFirstofEngland，noassassinationinthattimidKing\'spresence，couldhaveproducedamoreterrifiedaspectthanwasnowpresentedbyDonBenito。
Poorfellow，thoughtCaptainDelano，sonervoushecan\'tevenbearthesightofbarber\'sblood；andthisunstrung，sickman，isitcrediblethatIshouldhaveimaginedhemeanttospillallmyblood，whocan\'tendurethesightofonelittledropofhisown？Surely，AmasaDelano，youhavebeenbesideyourselfthisday。Tellitnotwhenyougethome，sappyAmasa。Well，well，helookslikeamurderer，doesn\'the？Morelikeasifhimselfweretobedonefor。Well，well，thisday\'sexperienceshallbeagoodlesson。
Meantime，whilethesethingswererunningthroughthehonestseaman\'smind，theservanthadtakenthenapkinfromhisarm，andtoDonBenitohadsaid：\"ButanswerDonAmasa，please，master，whileI
wipethisuglystuffofftherazor，andstropitagain。\"
Ashesaidthewords，hisfacewasturnedhalfround，soastobealikevisibletotheSpaniardandtheAmerican，andseemedbyitsexpressiontohint，thathewasdesirous，bygettinghismastertogoonwiththeconversation，consideratelytowithdrawhisattentionfromtherecentannoyingaccident。Asifgladtosnatchtheofferedrelief，DonBenitoresumed，rehearsingtoCaptainDelano，thatnotonlywerethecalmsofunusualduration，buttheshiphadfalleninwithobstinatecurrentsandotherthingsheadded，someofwhichwerebutrepetitionsofformerstatements，toexplainhowitcametopassthatthepassagefromCapeHorntoSt。Mariahadbeensoexceedinglylong，nowandthenminglingwithhiswords，incidentalpraises，lessqualifiedthanbefore，totheblacks，fortheirgeneralgoodconduct。
Theseparticularswerenotgivenconsecutively，theservantnowandthenusinghisrazor，andso，betweentheintervalsofshaving，thestoryandpanegyricwentonwithmorethanusualhuskiness。
ToCaptainDelano\'simagination，nowagainnotwhollyatrest，therewassomethingsohollowintheSpaniard\'smanner，withapparentlysomereciprocalhollownessintheservant\'sduskycommentofsilence，thattheideaflashedacrosshim，thatpossiblymasterandman，forsomeunknownpurpose，wereactingout，bothinwordanddeed，nay，totheverytremorofDonBenito\'slimbs，somejugglingplaybeforehim。Neitherdidthesuspicionofcollusionlackapparentsupport，fromthefactofthosewhisperedconferencesbeforementioned。Butthen，whatcouldbetheobjectofenactingthisplayofthebarberbeforehim？Atlast，regardingthenotionasawhimsy，insensiblysuggested，perhaps，bythetheatricalaspectofDonBenitoinhisharlequinensign，CaptainDelanospeedilybanishedit。
Theshavingover，theservantbestirredhimselfwithasmallbottleofscentedwaters，pouringafewdropsonthehead，andthendiligentlyrubbing；thevehemenceoftheexercisecausingthemusclesofhisfacetotwitchratherstrangely。
Hisnextoperationwaswithcomb，scissorsandbrush；goingroundandround，smoothingacurlhere，clippinganunrulywhisker-hairthere，givingagracefulsweeptothetemple-lock，withotherimpromptutouchesevincingthehandofamaster；while，likeanyresignedgentlemaninbarber\'shands，DonBenitoboreall，muchlessuneasily，atleast，thanhehaddonetherazoring；indeed，hesatsopaleandrigidnow，thattheNegroseemedaNubiansculptorfinishingoffawhitestatue-head。
Allbeingoveratlast，thestandardofSpainremoved，tumbledup，andtossedbackintotheflag-locker，theNegro\'swarmbreathblowingawayanystrayhairwhichmighthavelodgeddownhismaster\'sneck；collarandcravatreadjusted；aspeckoflintwhiskedoffthevelvetlapel；allthisbeingdone；backingoffalittlespace，andpausingwithanexpressionofsubduedself-complacency，theservantforamomentsurveyedhismaster，as，intoiletatleast，thecreatureofhisowntastefulhands。
CaptainDelanoplayfullycomplimentedhimuponhisachievement；atthesametimecongratulatingDonBenito。
Butneithersweetwaters，norshampooing，norfidelity，norsociality，delightedtheSpaniard。Seeinghimrelapsingintoforbiddinggloom，andstillremainingseated，CaptainDelano，thinkingthathispresencewasundesiredjustthen，withdrew，onpretenceofseeingwhether，ashehadprophesied，anysignsofabreezewerevisible。
Walkingforwardtothemainmast，hestoodawhilethinkingoverthescene，andnotwithoutsomeundefinedmisgivings，whenheheardanoisenearthecuddy，andturning，sawtheNegro，hishandtohischeek。Advancing，CaptainDelanoperceivedthatthecheekwasbleeding。Hewasabouttoaskthecause，whentheNegro\'swailingsoliloquyenlightenedhim。
\"Ah，whenwillmastergetbetterfromhissickness；onlythesourheartthatsoursicknessbreedsmadehimserveBaboso；cuttingBabowiththerazor，because，onlybyaccident，Babohadgivenmasteronelittlescratch；andforthefirsttimeinsomanyaday，too。Ah，ah，ah，\"holdinghishandtohisface。
Isitpossible，thoughtCaptainDelano；wasittowreakinprivatehisSpanishspiteagainstthispoorfriendofhis，thatDonBenito，byhissullenmanner，impelledmetowithdraw？Ah，thisslaverybreedsuglypassionsinman！Poorfellow！
HewasabouttospeakinsympathytotheNegro，butwithatimidreluctancehenowre-enteredthecuddy。
Presentlymasterandmancameforth；DonBenitoleaningonhisservantasifnothinghadhappened。
Butasortoflove-quarrel，afterall，thoughtCaptainDelano。
HeaccostedDonBenito，andtheyslowlywalkedtogether。Theyhadgonebutafewpaces，whenthesteward-atall，rajah-lookingmulatto，orientallysetoffwithapagodaturbanformedbythreeorfourMadrashandkerchiefswoundabouthishead，tierontier-
approachingwithasalaam，announcedlunchinthecabin。
Ontheirwaythither，thetwocaptainswereprecededbythemulatto，who，turningroundasheadvanced，withcontinualsmilesandbows，usheredthemin，adisplayofelegancewhichquitecompletedtheinsignificanceofthesmallbare-headedBabo，who，asifnotunconsciousofinferiority，eyedaskancethegracefulsteward。Butinpart，CaptainDelanoimputedhisjealouswatchfulnesstothatpeculiarfeelingwhichthefull-bloodedAfricanentertainsfortheadulteratedone。Asforthesteward，hismanner，ifnotbespeakingmuchdignityofself-respect，yetevidencedhisextremedesiretoplease；whichisdoublymeritorious，asatonceChristianandChesterfieldian。
CaptainDelanoobservedwithinterestthatwhilethecomplexionofthemulattowashybrid，hisphysiognomywasEuropean；classicallyso。
\"DonBenito，\"whisperedhe，\"Iamgladtoseethisusher-of-the-golden-rodofyours；thesightrefutesanuglyremarkoncemadetomebyaBarbadosplanterthatwhenamulattohasaregularEuropeanface，lookoutforhim；heisadevil。Butsee，yourstewardherehasfeaturesmoreregularthanKingGeorge\'sofEngland；andyettherehenods，andbows，andsmiles；aking，indeed-thekingofkindheartsandpolitefellows。Whatapleasantvoicehehas，too？\"
\"Hehas，Senor。\"
\"But，tellme，hashenot，sofarasyouhaveknownhim，alwaysprovedagood，worthyfellow？\"saidCaptainDelano，pausing，whilewithafinalgenuflexionthestewarddisappearedintothecabin；
\"come，forthereasonjustmentioned，Iamcurioustoknow。\"
\"Francescoisagoodman，\"rathersluggishlyrespondedDonBenito，likeaphlegmaticappreciator，whowouldneitherfindfaultnorflatter。
\"Ah，Ithoughtso。Foritwerestrangeindeed，andnotverycreditabletouswhite-skins，ifalittleofourbloodmixedwiththeAfrican\'s，should，farfromimprovingthelatter\'squality，havethesadeffectofpouringvitriolicacidintoblackbroth；improvingthehue，perhaps，butnotthewholesomeness。\"
\"Doubtless，doubtless，Senor，but\"-glancingatBabo-\"nottospeakofNegroes，yourplanter\'sremarkIhaveheardappliedtotheSpanishandIndianintermixturesinourprovinces。ButIknownothingaboutthematter，\"helistlesslyadded。
Andheretheyenteredthecabin。
Thelunchwasafrugalone。SomeofCaptainDelano\'sfreshfishandpumpkins，biscuitandsaltbeef，thereservedbottleofcider，andtheSanDominick\'slastbottleofCanary。
Astheyentered，Francesco，withtwoorthreecolouredaides，washoveringoverthetablegivingthelastadjustments。Uponperceivingtheirmastertheywithdrew，Francescomakingasmilingconge，andtheSpaniard，withoutcondescendingtonoticeit，fastidiouslyremarkingtohiscompanionthatherelishednotsuperfluousattendance。
Withoutcompanions，hostandguestsatdown，likeachildlessmarriedcouple，atoppositeendsofthetable，DonBenitowavingCaptainDelanotohisplace，and，weakashewas，insistinguponthatgentlemanbeingseatedbeforehimself。
TheNegroplacedarugunderDonBenito\'sfeet，andacushionbehindhisback，andthenstoodbehind，nothismaster\'schair，butCaptainDelano\'s。Atfirst，thisalittlesurprisedthelatter。Butitwassoonevidentthat，intakinghisposition，theblackwasstilltruetohismaster；sincebyfacinghimhecouldthemorereadilyanticipatehisslightestwant。
\"Thisisanuncommonlyintelligentfellowofyours，DonBenito，\"
whisperedCaptainDelanoacrossthetable。
\"Yousaytrue，Senor。\"
Duringtherepast，theguestagainrevertedtopartsofDonBenito\'sstory，beggingfurtherparticularshereandthere。Heinquiredhowitwasthatthescurvyandfevershouldhavecommittedsuchwholesalehavocuponthewhites，whiledestroyinglessthanhalfoftheblacks。AsifthisquestionreproducedthewholesceneofplaguebeforetheSpaniard\'seyes，miserablyremindinghimofhissolitudeinacabinwherebeforehehadhadsomanyfriendsandofficersroundhim，hishandshook，hisfacebecamehueless，brokenwordsescaped；butdirectlythesanememoryofthepastseemedreplacedbyinsaneterrorsofthepresent。Withstartingeyeshestaredbeforehimatvacancy。FornothingwastobeseenbutthehandofhisservantpushingtheCanaryovertowardshim。Atlengthafewsipsservedpartiallytorestorehim。Hemaderandomreferencetothedifferentconstitutionsofraces，enablingonetooffermoreresistancetocertainmaladiesthananother。Thethoughtwasnewtohiscompanion。
PresentlyCaptainDelano，intendingtosaysomethingtohishostconcerningthepecuniarypartofthebusinesshehadundertakenforhim，especially-sincehewasstrictlyaccountabletohisowners-withreferencetothenewsuitofsails，andotherthingsofthatsort；andnaturallypreferringtoconductsuchaffairsinprivate，wasdesirousthattheservantshouldwithdraw；imaginingthatDonBenitoforafewminutescoulddispensewithhisattendance。He，however，waitedawhile；thinkingthat，astheconversationproceeded，DonBenito，withoutbeingprompted，wouldperceivetheproprietyofthestep。
Butitwasotherwise。Atlastcatchinghishost\'seye，CaptainDelano，withaslightbackwardgestureofhisthumb，whispered，\"DonBenito，pardonme，butthereisaninterferencewiththefullexpressionofwhatIhavetosaytoyou。\"
UponthistheSpaniardchangedcountenance；whichwasimputedtohisresentingthehint，asinsomewayareflectionuponhisservant。Afteramoment\'spause，heassuredhisguestthattheblack\'sremainingwiththemcouldbeofnodisservice；becausesincelosinghisofficershehadmadeBabo（whoseoriginaloffice，itnowappeared，hadbeencaptainoftheslaves）notonlyhisconstantattendantandcompanion，butinallthingshisconfidant。
Afterthis，nothingmorecouldbesaid；though，indeed，CaptainDelanocouldhardlyavoidsomelittletingeofirritationuponbeingleftungratifiedinsoinconsiderableawish，byone，too，forwhomheintendedsuchsolidservices。Butitisonlyhisquerulousness，thoughthe；andsofillinghisglassheproceededtobusiness。
Thepriceofthesailsandothermatterswasfixedupon。Butwhilethiswasbeingdone，theAmericanobservedthat，thoughhisoriginalofferofassistancehadbeenhailedwithhecticanimation，yetnowwhenitwasreducedtoabusinesstransaction，indifferenceandapathywerebetrayed。DonBenito，infact，appearedtosubmittohearingthedetailsmoreoutofregardtocommonpropriety，thanfromanyimpressionthatweightybenefittohimselfandhisvoyagewasinvolved。
Soon，hismannerbecamestillmorereserved。Theeffortwasvaintoseektodrawhimintosocialtalk。Gnawedbyhisspleneticmood，hesattwitchinghisbeard，whiletolittlepurposethehandofhisservant，muteasthatonthewall，slowlypushedovertheCanary。
Lunchbeingover，theysatdownonthecushionedtransom；theservantplacingapillowbehindhismaster。Thelongcontinuanceofthecalmhadnowaffectedtheatmosphere。DonBenitosighedheavily，asifforbreath。
\"Whynotadjourntothecuddy，\"saidCaptainDelano；\"thereismoreairthere。\"Butthehostsatsilentandmotionless。
Meantimehisservantkneltbeforehim，withalargefanoffeathers。AndFrancesco，cominginontiptoes，handedtheNegroalittlecupofaromaticwaters，withwhichatintervalshechafedhismaster\'sbrow，smoothingthehairalongthetemplesasanursedoesachild\'s。Hespokenoword。Heonlyrestedhiseyeonhismaster\'s，asif，amidallDonBenito\'sdistress，alittletorefreshhisspiritbythesilentsightoffidelity。
Presentlytheship\'sbellsoundedtwoo\'clock；andthroughthecabin-windowsaslightripplingoftheseawasdiscerned；andfromthedesireddirection。
\"There，\"exclaimedCaptainDelano，\"Itoldyouso，DonBenito，look！\"
Hehadrisentohisfeet，speakinginaveryanimatedtone，withaviewthemoretorousehiscompanion。Butthoughthecrimsoncurtainofthestern-windownearhimthatmomentflutteredagainsthispalecheek，DonBenitoseemedtohaveevenlesswelcomeforthebreezethanthecalm。
Poorfellow，thoughtCaptainDelano，bitterexperiencehastaughthimthatonerippledoesnotmakeawind，anymorethanoneswallowasummer。Butheismistakenforonce。Iwillgethisshipinforhim，andproveit。
Brieflyalludingtohisweakcondition，heurgedhishosttoremainquietlywherehewas，sincehe（CaptainDelano）wouldwithpleasuretakeuponhimselftheresponsibilityofmakingthebestuseofthewind。
Upongainingthedeck，CaptainDelanostartedattheunexpectedfigureofAtufal，monumentallyfixedatthethreshold，likeoneofthosesculpturedportersofblackmarbleguardingtheporchesofEgyptiantombs。
Butthistimethestartwas，perhaps，purelyphysical。Atufal\'spresence，singularlyattestingdocilityeveninsullenness，wascontrastedwiththatofthehatchet-polishers，whoinpatienceevincedtheirindustry；whilebothspectaclesshowed，thatlaxasDonBenito\'sgeneralauthoritymightbe，still，wheneverhechosetoexertit，nomansosavageorcolossalbutmust，moreorless，bow。
Snatchingatrumpetwhichhungfromthebulwarks，withafreestepCaptainDelanoadvancedtotheforwardedgeofthepoop，issuinghisordersinhisbestSpanish。ThefewsailorsandmanyNegroes，allequallypleased，obedientlysetaboutheadingtheshiptowardtheharbour。
Whilegivingsomedirectionsaboutsettingalowerstu\'n\'-sail，suddenlyCaptainDelanoheardavoicefaithfullyrepeatinghisorders。
Turning，hesawBabo，nowforthetimeacting，underthepilot，hisoriginalpartofcaptainoftheslaves。Thisassistanceprovedvaluable。Tatteredsailsandwarpedyardsweresoonbroughtintosometrim。AndnobraceorhalyardwaspulledbuttotheblithesongsoftheinspiritedNegroes。
Goodfellows，thoughtCaptainDelano，alittletrainingwouldmakefinesailorsofthem。Whysee，theverywomenpullandsing，too。
ThesemustbesomeofthoseAshanteeNegressesthatmakesuchcapitalsoldiers，I\'veheard。Butwho\'satthehelm？Imusthaveagoodhandthere。
Hewenttosee。
TheSanDominicksteeredwithacumbroustiller，withlargehorizontalpulleysattached。Ateachpulley-endstoodasubordinateblack，andbetweenthem，atthetiller-head，theresponsiblepost，aSpanishseaman，whosecountenanceevincedhisdueshareinthegeneralhopefulnessandconfidenceatthecomingofthebreeze。
Heprovedthesamemanwhohadbehavedwithsoshamefacedanaironthewindlass。
\"Ah，-itisyou，myman，\"exclaimedCaptainDelano-\"well，nomoresheep\'s-eyesnow；-lookstraightforwardandkeeptheshipso。Goodhand，Itrust？Andwanttogetintotheharbour，don\'tyou？\"
\"SiSenor，\"assentedthemanwithaninwardchuckle，graspingthetiller-headfirmly。Uponthis，unperceivedbytheAmerican，thetwoblackseyedthesailoraskance。
Findingallrightatthehelm，thepilotwentforwardtotheforecastle，toseehowmattersstoodthere。
Theshipnowhadwayenoughtobreastthecurrent。Withtheapproachofevening，thebreezewouldbesuretofreshen。
Havingdoneallthatwasneededforthepresent，CaptainDelano，givinghislastorderstothesailors，turnedafttoreportaffairstoDonBenitointhecabin；perhapsadditionallyincitedtorejoinhimbythehopeofsnatchingamoment\'sprivatechatwhilehisservantwasengagedupondeck。
Fromoppositesides，therewere，beneaththepoop，twoapproachestothecabin；onefurtherforwardthantheother，andconsequentlycommunicatingwithalongerpassage。Markingtheservantstillabove，CaptainDelano，takingthenighestentrance-
theonelastnamed，andatwhoseporchAtufalstillstood-hurriedonhisway，till，arrivedatthecabinthreshold，hepausedaninstant，alittletorecoverfromhiseagerness。Then，withthewordsofhisintendedbusinessuponhislips，heentered。AsheadvancedtowardtheSpaniard，onthetransom，heheardanotherfootstep，keepingtimewithhis。Fromtheoppositedoor，asalverinhand，theservantwaslikewiseadvancing。
\"Confoundthefaithfulfellow，\"thoughtCaptainDelano；\"whatavexatiouscoincidence。\"
Possibly，thevexationmighthavebeensomethingdifferent，wereitnotforthebuoyantconfidenceinspiredbythebreeze。Butevenasitwas，hefeltaslighttwinge，fromasuddeninvoluntaryassociationinhismindofBabowithAtufal。
\"DonBenito，\"saidhe，\"Igiveyoujoy；thebreezewillhold，andwillincrease。Bytheway，yourtallmanandtime-piece，Atufal，standswithout。Byyourorder，ofcourse？\"
DonBenitorecoiled，asifatsomeblandsatiricaltouch，deliveredwithsuchadroitgarnishofapparentgood-breedingastopresentnohandleforretort。
Heislikeoneflayedalive，thoughtCaptainDelano；wheremayonetouchhimwithoutcausingashrink？
Theservantmovedbeforehismaster，adjustingacushion；recalledtocivility，theSpaniardstifflyreplied：\"Youareright。Theslaveappearswhereyousawhim，accordingtomycommand；whichis，thatifatthegivenhourIambelow，hemusttakehisstandandabidemycoming。\"
\"Ahnow，pardonme，butthatistreatingthepoorfellowlikeanex-kingdenied。Ah，DonBenito，\"smiling，\"forallthelicenseyoupermitinsomethings，Ifearlest，atbottom，youareabitterhardmaster。\"
AgainDonBenitoshrank；andthistime，asthegoodsailorthought，fromagenuinetwingeofhisconscience。
Conversationnowbecameconstrained。InvainCaptainDelanocalledattentiontothenowperceptiblemotionofthekeelgentlycleavingthesea；withlack-lustreeye，DonBenitoreturnedwordsfewandreserved。
By-and-by，thewindhavingsteadilyrisen，andstillblowingrightintotheharbour，boretheSanDominickswiftlyon。Roundingapointofland，thesealeratdistancecameintoopenview。
MeantimeCaptainDelanohadagainrepairedtothedeck，remainingtheresometime。Havingatlastalteredtheship\'scourse，soastogivethereefawideberth，hereturnedforafewmomentsbelow。
Iwillcheerupmypoorfriend，thistime，thoughthe。
\"Betterandbetter，DonBenito，\"hecriedasheblithelyre-entered；\"therewillsoonbeanendtoyourcares，atleastforawhile。Forwhen，afteralong，sadvoyage，youknow，theanchordropsintothehaven，allitsvastweightseemsliftedfromthecaptain\'sheart。Wearegettingonfamously，DonBenito。Myshipisinsight。
Lookthroughthisside-lighthere；theresheis；alla-taunt-o！TheBachelor\'sDelight，mygoodfriend。Ah，howthiswindbracesoneup。
Come，youmusttakeacupofcoffeewithmethisevening。Myoldstewardwillgiveyouasfineacupaseveranysultantasted。Whatsayyou，DonBenito，willyou？\"
Atfirst，theSpaniardglancedfeverishlyup，castingalonginglooktowardthesealer，whilewithmuteconcernhisservantgazedintohisface。Suddenlytheoldagueofcoldnessreturned，anddroppingbacktohiscushionshewassilent。
\"Youdonotanswer。Come，alldayyouhavebeenmyhost；wouldyouhavehospitalityallononeside？\"
\"Icannotgo，\"wastheresponse。
\"What？itwillnotfatigueyou。Theshipswilllietogetherasnearastheycan，withoutswingingfoul。Itwillbelittlemorethansteppingfromdecktodeck；whichisbutasfromroomtoroom。Come，come，youmustnotrefuseme。\"
\"Icannotgo，\"decisivelyandrepulsivelyrepeatedDonBenito。
Renouncingallbutthelastappearanceofcourtesy，withasortofcadaveroussullenness，andbitinghisthinnailstothequick，heglanced，almostglared，athisguest；asifimpatientthatastranger\'spresenceshouldinterferewiththefullindulgenceofhismorbidhour。Meantimethesoundofthepartedwaterscamemoreandmoregurglinglyandmerrilyinatthewindows；asreproachinghimforhisdarkspleen；astellinghimthat，sulkashemight，andgomadwithit，naturecarednotajot；since，whosefaultwasit，pray？
Butthefoulmoodwasnowatitsdepth，asthefairwindatitsheight。
Therewassomethinginthemansofarbeyondanymereunsocialityorsournesspreviouslyevinced，thateventheforbearinggood-natureofhisguestcouldnolongerendureit。Whollyatalosstoaccountforsuchdemeanour，anddeemingsicknesswitheccentricity，howeverextreme，noadequateexcuse，wellsatisfied，too，thatnothinginhisownconductcouldjustifyit，CaptainDelano\'spridebegantoberoused。Himselfbecamereserved。ButallseemedonetotheSpaniard。Quittinghim，therefore，CaptainDelanooncemorewenttothedeck。
Theshipwasnowwithinlessthantwomilesofthesealer。Thewhale-boatwasseendartingovertheinterval。
Tobebrief，thetwovessels，thankstothepilot\'sskill，erelonginneighbourlystylelayanchoredtogether。
Beforereturningtohisownvessel，CaptainDelanohadintendedcommunicatingtoDonBenitothepracticaldetailsoftheproposedservicestoberendered。But，asitwas，unwillinganewtosubjecthimselftorebuffs，heresolved，nowthathehadseentheSanDominicksafelymoored，immediatelytoquither，withoutfurtherallusiontohospitalityorbusiness。Indefinitelypostponinghisulteriorplans，hewouldregulatehisfutureactionsaccordingtofuturecircumstances。Hisboatwasreadytoreceivehim；buthishoststilltarriedbelow。Well，thoughtCaptainDelano，ifhehaslittlebreeding，themoreneedtoshowmine。Hedescendedtothecabintobidaceremonious，and，itmaybe，tacitlyrebukefuladieu。Buttohisgreatsatisfaction，DonBenito，asifhebegantofeeltheweightofthattreatmentwithwhichhisslightedguesthad，notindecorously，retaliateduponhim，nowsupportedbyhisservant，rosetohisfeet，andgraspingCaptainDelano\'shand，stoodtremulous；toomuchagitatedtospeak。Butthegoodauguryhencedrawnwassuddenlydashed，byhisresumingallhispreviousreserve，withaugmentedgloom，as，withhalf-avertedeyes，hesilentlyreseatedhimselfonhiscushions。Withacorrespondingreturnofhisownchilledfeelings，CaptainDelanobowedandwithdrew。
Hewashardlymidwayinthenarrowcorridor，dimasatunnel，leadingfromthecabintothestairs，whenasound，asofthetollingforexecutioninsomejail-yard，fellonhisears。Itwastheechooftheship\'sflawedbell，strikingthehour，drearilyreverberatedinthissubterraneanvault。Instantly，byafatalitynottobewithstood，hismind，responsivetotheportent，swarmedwithsuperstitioussuspicions。Hepaused。Inimagesfarswifterthanthesesentences，theminutestdetailsofallhisformerdistrustssweptthroughhim。
Hitherto，credulousgood-naturehadbeentooreadytofurnishexcusesforreasonablefears。WhywastheSpaniard，sosuperfluouslypunctiliousattimes，nowheedlessofcommonproprietyinnotaccompanyingtothesidehisdepartingguest？Didindispositionforbid？Indispositionhadnotforbiddenmoreirksomeexertionthatday。Hislastequivocaldemeanourrecurred。Hehadrisentohisfeet，graspedhisguest\'shand，motionedtowardhishat；then，inaninstant，allwaseclipsedinsinistermutenessandgloom。Didthisimplyonebrief，repentantrelentingatthefinalmoment，fromsomeiniquitousplot，followedbyremorselessreturntoit？Hislastglanceseemedtoexpressacalamitous，yetacquiescentfarewelltoCaptainDelanoforever。Whydeclinetheinvitationtovisitthesealerthatevening？OrwastheSpaniardlesshardenedthantheJew，whorefrainednotfromsuppingattheboardofhimwhomthesamenighthemeanttobetray？Whatimportedallthoseday-longenigmasandcontradictions，excepttheywereintendedtomystify，preliminarytosomestealthyblow？Atufal，thepretendedrebel，butpunctualshadow，thatmomentlurkedbythethresholdwithout。Heseemedasentry，andmore。Who，byhisownconfession，hadstationedhimthere？WastheNegronowlyinginwait？
TheSpaniardbehind-hiscreaturebefore：torushfromdarknesstolightwastheinvoluntarychoice。
Thenextmoment，withclenchedjawandhand，hepassedAtufal，andstoodunarmedinthelight。Ashesawhistrimshiplyingpeacefullyatheranchor，andalmostwithinordinarycall；ashesawhishouseholdboat，withfamiliarfacesinit，patientlyrisingandfallingontheshortwavesbytheSanDominick\'sside；andthen，glancingaboutthedeckswherehestood，sawtheoakum-pickersstillgravelyplyingtheirfingers；andheardthelow，buzzingwhistleandindustrioushumofthehatchet-polishers，stillbestirringthemselvesovertheirendlessoccupation；andmorethanall，ashesawthebenignaspectofNature，takingherinnocentreposeintheevening；thescreenedsuninthequietcampofthewestshiningoutlikethemildlightfromAbraham\'stent；ashischarmedeyeandeartookinallthese，withthechainedfigureoftheblack，theclenchedjawandhandrelaxed。Onceagainhesmiledatthephantomswhichhadmockedhim，andfeltsomethinglikeatingeofremorse，that，byindulgingthemevenforamoment，heshould，byimplication，havebetrayedanalmostatheisticdoubtoftheever-watchfulProvidenceabove。
Therewasafewminutes\'delay，while，inobediencetohisorders，theboatwasbeinghookedalongtothegangway。Duringthisinterval，asortofsaddenedsatisfactionstoleoverCaptainDelano，atthinkingofthekindlyofficeshehadthatdaydischargedforastranger。Ah，thoughthe，aftergoodactionsone\'sconscienceisneverungrateful，howevermuchsothebenefitedpartymaybe。
Presently，hisfoot，inthefirstactofdescentintotheboat，pressedthefirstroundoftheside-ladder，hisfacepresentedinwarduponthedeck。Inthesamemoment，heheardhisnamecourteouslysounded；and，tohispleasedsurprise，sawDonBenitoadvancing-anunwontedenergyinhisair，asif，atthelastmoment，intentuponmakingamendsforhisrecentdiscourtesy。Withinstinctivegoodfeeling，CaptainDelano，revokinghisfoot，turnedandreciprocallyadvanced。Ashedidso，theSpaniard\'snervouseagernessincreased，buthisvitalenergyfailed；sothat，thebettertosupporthim，theservant，placinghismaster\'shandonhisnakedshoulder，andgentlyholdingitthere，formedhimselfintoasortofcrutch。
Whenthetwocaptainsmet，theSpaniardagainferventlytookthehandoftheAmerican，atthesametimecastinganearnestglanceintohiseyes，but，asbefore，toomuchovercometospeak。
Ihavedonehimwrong，self-reproachfullythoughtCaptainDelano；hisapparentcoldnesshasdeceivedme；innoinstancehashemeanttooffend。
Meantime，asiffearfulthatthecontinuanceofthescenemighttoomuchunstringhismaster，theservantseemedanxioustoterminateit。Andso，stillpresentinghimselfasacrutch，andwalkingbetweenthetwocaptains，headvancedwiththemtowardthegangway；whilestill，asiffullofkindlycontrition，DonBenitowouldnotletgothehandofCaptainDelano，butretaineditinhis，acrosstheblack\'sbody。
Soontheywerestandingbytheside，lookingoverintotheboat，whosecrewturneduptheircuriouseyes。WaitingamomentfortheSpaniardtorelinquishhishold，thenowembarrassedCaptainDelanoliftedhisfoot，tooverstepthethresholdoftheopengangway；butstillDonBenitowouldnotletgohishand。Andyet，withanagitatedtone，hesaid，\"Icangonofurther；hereImustbidyouadieu。Adieu，mydear，dearDonAmasa。Go-go！\"suddenlytearinghishandloose，\"go，andGodguardyoubetterthanme，mybestfriend。\"
Notunaffected，CaptainDelanowouldnowhavelingered；butcatchingthemeeklyadmonitoryeyeoftheservant，withahastyfarewellhedescendedintohisboat，followedbythecontinualadieusofDonBenito，standingrootedinthegangway。
Seatinghimselfinthestern，CaptainDelano，makingalastsalute，orderedtheboatshovedoff。Thecrewhadtheiroarsonend。
Thebowsmanpushedtheboatasufficientdistancefortheoarstobelengthwisedropped。Theinstantthatwasdone，DonBenitosprangoverthebulwarks，fallingatthefeetofCaptainDelano；atthesametime，callingtowardshisship，butintonessofrenzied，thatnoneintheboatcouldunderstandhim。But，asifnotequallyobtuse，threeSpanishsailors，fromthreedifferentanddistantpartsoftheship，splashedintothesea，swimmingaftertheircaptain，asifintentuponhisrescue。
Thedismayedofficeroftheboateagerlyaskedwhatthismeant。Towhich，CaptainDelano，turningadisdainfulsmileupontheunaccountableBenitoCereno，answeredthat，forhispart，heneitherknewnorcared；butitseemedasiftheSpaniardhadtakenitintohisheadtoproducetheimpressionamonghispeoplethattheboatwantedtokidnaphim。\"Orelse-givewayforyourlives，\"hewildlyadded，startingataclatteringhubbubintheship，abovewhichrangthetocsinofthehatchet-polishers；andseizingDonBenitobythethroatheadded，\"thisplottingpiratemeansmurder！\"Here，inapparentverificationofthewords，theservant，adaggerinhishand，wasseenontherailoverhead，poised，intheactofleaping，asifwithdesperatefidelitytobefriendhismastertothelast；while，seeminglytoaidtheblack，thethreeSpanishsailorsweretryingtoclamberintothehamperedbow。Meantime，thewholehostofNegroes，asifinflamedatthesightoftheirjeopardizedcaptain，impendedinonesootyavalancheoverthebulwarks。
Allthis，withwhatpreceded，andwhatfollowed，occurredwithsuchinvolutionsofrapidity，thatpast，present，andfutureseemedone。
SeeingtheNegrocoming，CaptainDelanohadflungtheSpaniardaside，almostintheveryactofclutchinghim，and，bytheunconsciousrecoil，shiftinghisplace，witharmsthrownup，sopromptlygrappledtheservantinhisdescent，thatwithdaggerpresentedatCaptainDelano\'sheart，theblackseemedofpurposetohaveleapedthereastohismark。Buttheweaponwaswrenchedaway，andtheassailantdasheddownintothebottomoftheboat，whichnow，withdisentangledoars，begantospeedthroughthesea。
Atthisjuncture，thelefthandofCaptainDelano，ononeside，againclutchedthehalf-reclinedDonBenito，heedlessthathewasinaspeechlessfaint，whilehisrightfoot，ontheotherside，groundtheprostrateNegro；andhisrightarmpressedforaddedspeedontheafteroar，hiseyebentforward，encouraginghismentotheirutmost。
Buthere，theofficeroftheboat，whohadatlastsucceededinbeatingoffthetowingSpanishsailors，andwasnow，withfaceturnedaft，assistingthebowsmanathisoar，suddenlycalledtoCaptainDelano，toseewhattheblackwasabout；whileaPortugueseoarsmanshoutedtohimtogiveheedtowhattheSpaniardwassaying。
Glancingdownathisfeet，CaptainDelanosawthefreedhandoftheservantaimingwithaseconddagger-asmallone，beforeconcealedinhiswool-withthishewassnakishlywrithingupfromtheboat\'sbottom，attheheartofhismaster，hiscountenancelividlyvindictive，expressingthecentredpurposeofhissoul；whiletheSpaniard，half-choked，wasvainlyshrinkingaway，withhuskywords，incoherenttoallbutthePortuguese。
Thatmoment，acrossthelongbenightedmindofCaptainDelano，aflashofrevelationswept，illuminatinginunanticipatedclearnessBenitoCereno\'swholemysteriousdemeanour，witheveryenigmaticeventoftheday，aswellastheentirepastvoyageoftheSanDominick。
HesmoteBabo\'shanddown，buthisownheartsmotehimharder。WithinfinitepityhewithdrewhisholdfromDonBenito。NotCaptainDelano，butDonBenito，theblack，inleapingintotheboat，hadintendedtostab。
Boththeblack\'shandswereheld，as，glancinguptowardtheSanDominick，CaptainDelano，nowwiththescalesdroppedfromhiseyes，sawtheNegroes，notinmisrule，notintumult，notasiffranticallyconcernedforDonBenito，butwithmasktomaway，flourishinghatchetsandknives，inferociouspiraticalrevolt。Likedeliriousblackdervishes，thesixAshanteesdancedonthepoop。
Preventedbytheirfoesfromspringingintothewater，theSpanishboyswerehurryinguptothetopmostspars，whilesuchofthefewSpanishsailors，notalreadyinthesea，lessalert，weredescried，helplesslymixedin，ondeck，withtheblacks。
MeantimeCaptainDelanohailedhisownvessel，orderingtheportsup，andthegunsrunout。ButbythistimethecableoftheSanDominickhadbeencut；andthefag-end，inlashingout，whippedawaythecanvasshroudaboutthebeak，suddenlyrevealing，asthebleachedhullswungroundtowardtheopenocean，deathforthefigurehead，inahumanskeleton；chalkycommentonthechalkedwordsbelow，\"Followyourleader。\"
Atthesight，DonBenito，coveringhisface，wailedout：\"\'Tishe，Aranda！mymurdered，unburiedfriend！\"
Uponreachingthesealer，callingforropes，CaptainDelanoboundtheNegro，whomadenoresistance，andhadhimhoistedtothedeck。HewouldthenhaveassistedthenowalmosthelplessDonBenitouptheside；butDonBenito，wanashewas，refusedtomove，orbemoved，untiltheNegroshouldhavebeenfirstputbelowoutofview。
When，presentlyassuredthatitwasdone，henomoreshrankfromtheascent。
Theboatwasimmediatelydespatchedbacktopickupthethreeswimmingsailors。Meantime，thegunswereinreadiness，though，owingtotheSanDominickhavingglidedsomewhatasternofthesealer，onlytheaftermostonecouldbebroughttobear。Withthis，theyfiredsixtimes；thinkingtocripplethefugitiveshipbybringingdownherspars。Butonlyafewinconsiderableropeswereshotaway。Soontheshipwasbeyondtheguns\'range，steeringbroadoutofthebay；
theblacksthicklyclusteringroundthebowsprit，onemomentwithtauntingcriestowardthewhites，thenextwithup-throwngestureshailingthenowduskyexpanseofocean-cawingcrowsescapedfromthehandofthefowler。
Thefirstimpulsewastoslipthecablesandgivechase。But，uponsecondthought，topursuewithwhale-boatandyawlseemedmorepromising。
UponinquiringofDonBenitowhatfirearmstheyhadonboardtheSanDominick，CaptainDelanowasansweredthattheyhadnonethatcouldbeused；because，intheearlierstagesofthemutiny，acabin-passenger，sincedead，hadsecretlyputoutoforderthelocksofwhatfewmusketstherewere。Butwithallhisremainingstrength，DonBenitoentreatedtheAmericannottogivechase，eitherwithshiporboat；fortheNegroeshadalreadyprovedthemselvessuchdesperadoes，that，incaseofapresentassault，nothingbutatotalmassacreofthewhitescouldbelookedfor。But，regardingthiswarningascomingfromonewhosespirithadbeencrushedbymisery，theAmericandidnotgiveuphisdesign。
Theboatsweregotreadyandarmed。CaptainDelanoorderedtwenty-fivemenintothem。HewasgoinghimselfwhenDonBenitograspedhisarm。\"What！haveyousavedmylife，Senor，andareyounowgoingtothrowawayyourown？\"
Theofficersalso，forreasonsconnectedwiththeirinterestsandthoseofthevoyage，andadutyowingtotheowners，stronglyobjectedagainsttheircommander\'sgoing。Weighingtheirremonstrancesamoment，CaptainDelanofeltboundtoremain；appointinghischiefmate-anathleticandresoluteman，whohadbeenaprivateer\'sman，and，ashisenemieswhispered，apirate-toheadtheparty。Themoretoencouragethesailors，theyweretold，thattheSpanishcaptainconsideredhisshipasgoodaslost；thatsheandhercargo，includingsomegoldandsilver，wereworthupwardsoftenthousanddoubloons。
Takeher，andnosmallpartshouldbetheirs。Thesailorsrepliedwithashout。
Thefugitiveshadnowalmostgainedanoffing。Itwasnearlynight；butthemoonwasrising。Afterhard，prolongedpulling，theboatscameupontheship\'squarters，atasuitabledistancelayingupontheiroarstodischargetheirmuskets。Havingnobulletstoreturn，theNegroessenttheiryells。But，uponthesecondvolley，Indian-like，theyhurtledtheirhatchets。Onetookoffasailor\'sfingers。Anotherstruckthewhale-boat\'sbow，cuttingofftheropethere，andremainingstuckinthegunwale，likeawoodman\'saxe。
Snatchingit，quiveringfromitslodgment，thematehurleditback。
Thereturnedgauntletnowstuckintheship\'sbrokenquarter-gallery，andsoremained。
TheNegroesgivingtoohotareception，thewhiteskeptamorerespectfuldistance。Hoveringnowjustoutofreachofthehurtlinghatchets，they，withaviewtothecloseencounterwhichmustsooncome，soughttodecoytheblacksintoentirelydisarmingthemselvesoftheirmostmurderousweaponsinahand-to-handfight，byfoolishlyflingingthem，asmissiles，shortofthemark，intothesea。Buterelongperceivingthestratagem，theNegroesdesisted，thoughnotbeforemanyofthemhadtoreplacetheirlosthatchetswithhandspikes；anexchangewhich，ascountedupon，provedintheendfavourabletotheassailants。
Meantime，withastrongwind，theshipstillclovethewater；
theboatsalternatelyfallingbehind，andpullingup，todischargefreshvolleys。
Thefirewasmostlydirectedtowardthestern，sincethere，chiefly，theNegroes，atpresent，wereclustering。ButtokillormaimtheNegroeswasnottheobject。Totakethem，withtheship，wastheobject。Todoit，theshipmustbeboarded；whichcouldnotbedonebyboatswhileshewassailingsofast。
Athoughtnowstruckthemate。ObservingtheSpanishboysstillaloft，highastheycouldget，hecalledtothemtodescendtotheyards，andcutadriftthesails。Itwasdone。Aboutthistime，owingtocauseshereaftertobeshown，twoSpaniards，inthedressofsailorsandconspicuouslyshowingthemselves，werekilled；notbyvolleys，butbydeliberatemarksman\'sshots；while，asitafterwardsappeared，duringoneofthegeneraldischarges，Atufal，theblack，andtheSpaniardatthehelmlikewisewerekilled。Whatnow，withthelossofthesails，andlossofleaders，theshipbecameunmanageabletotheNegroes。
Withcreakingmastsshecameheavilyroundtothewind；theprowslowlyswingingintoviewoftheboats，itsskeletongleaminginthehorizontalmoonlight，andcastingagiganticribbedshadowuponthewater。Oneextendedarmoftheghostseemedbeckoningthewhitestoavengeit。
\"Followyourleader！\"criedthemate；and，oneoneachbow，theboatsboarded。Sealing-spearsandcutlassescrossedhatchetsandhandspikes。Huddleduponthelong-boatamidships，theNegressesraisedawailingchant，whosechoruswastheclashofthesteel。
Foratime，theattackwavered；theNegroeswedgingthemselvestobeatitback；thehalf-repelledsailors，asyetunabletogainafooting，fightingastroopersinthesaddle，onelegsidewaysflungoverthebulwarks，andonewithout，plyingtheircutlasseslikecarters\'whips。Butinvain。Theywerealmostoverborne，when，rallyingthemselvesintoasquadasoneman，withahuzza，theyspranginboard；where，entangled，theyinvoluntarilyseparatedagain。Forafewbreaths\'spacetherewasavague，muffled，innersoundasofsubmergedsword-fishrushinghitherandthitherthroughshoalsofblack-fish。Soon，inareunitedband，andjoinedbytheSpanishseamen，thewhitescametothesurface，irresistiblydrivingtheNegroestowardthestern。Butabarricadeofcasksandsacks，fromsidetoside，hadbeenthrownupbythemainmast。HeretheNegroesfacedabout，andthoughscorningpeaceortruce，yetfainwouldhavehadarespite。But，withoutpause，overleapingthebarrier，theunflaggingsailorsagainclosed。Exhausted，theblacksnowfoughtindespair。Theirredtongueslolled，wolf-like，fromtheirblackmouths。
Butthepalesailors\'teethwereset；notawordwasspoken；and，infiveminutesmore，theshipwaswon。
NearlyascoreoftheNegroeswerekilled。Exclusiveofthosebytheballs，manyweremangled；theirwounds-mostlyinflictedbythelong-edgedsealing-spears-resemblingthoseshavenonesoftheEnglishatPrestonPans，madebythepoledscythesoftheHighlanders。Ontheotherside，nonewerekilled，thoughseveralwerewounded；someseverely，includingthemate。ThesurvivingNegroesweretemporarilysecured，andtheship，towedbackintotheharbouratmidnight，oncemorelayanchored。