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。