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BENITO CERENO-Part2_HERMAN MELVILLE (1819-1891)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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of not so much avail as the unfriendly arm of the mate. What the San

Dominick wanted was, what the emigrant ship has, stern superior



officers. But on these decks not so much as a fourth mate was to be

seen.



The visitor's curiosity was roused to learn the particulars of

those mishaps which had brought about such absenteeism, with its



consequences; because, though deriving some inkling of the voyage from

the wails which at the first moment had greeted him, yet of the



details no clear understanding had been had. The best account would,

doubtless, be given by the captain. Yet at first the visitor was



loth to ask it, unwilling to provoke some distant rebuff. But plucking

up courage, he at last accosted Don Benito, renewing the expression of



his benevolent interest, adding, that did he (Captain Delano) but know

the particulars of the ship's misfortunes, he would, perhaps, be



better able in the end to relieve them. Would Don Benito favour him

with the whole story?



Don Benito faltered; then, like some somnambulist suddenly

interfered with, vacantly stared at his visitor, and ended by



looking down on the deck. He maintained this posture so long, that

Captain Delano, almost equally disconcerted, and involuntarily



almost as rude, turned suddenly from him, walking forward to accost

one of the Spanish seamen for the desired information. But he had



hardly gone five paces, when with a sort of eagerness Don Benito

invited him back, regretting his momentaryabsence of mind, and



professing readiness to gratify him.

While most part of the story was being given, the two captains



stood on the after part of the main-deck, a privileged spot, no one

being near but the servant.



"It is now a hundred and ninety days," began the Spaniard, in

his husky whisper, "that this ship, well officered and well manned,



with several cabin passengers- some fifty Spaniards in all- sailed

from Buenos Ayres bound to Lima, with a general cargo, Paraguay tea



and the like- and," pointing forward, "that parcel of Negroes, now not

more than a hundred and fifty, as you see, but then numbering over



three hundred souls. Off Cape Horn we had heavy gales. In one

moment, by night, three of my best officers, with fifteen sailors,



were lost, with the main-yard; the spar snapping under them in the

slings, as they sought, with heavers, to beat down the icy sail. To



lighten the hull, the heavier sacks of mata were thrown into the

sea, with most of the water-pipes lashed on deck at the time. And this



last necessity it was, combined with the prolonged detentions

afterwards experienced, which eventually brought about our chief



causes of suffering. When-"

Here there was a sudden fainting attack of his cough, brought



on, no doubt, by his mentaldistress. His servant sustained him, and

drawing a cordial from his pocket placed it to his lips. He a little



revived. But unwilling to leave him unsupported while yet

imperfectly restored, the black with one arm still encircled his



master, at the same time keeping his eye fixed on his face, as if to

watch for the first sign of complete restoration, or relapse, as the



event might prove.

The Spaniard proceeded, but brokenly and obscurely, as one in a



dream.

-"Oh, my God! rather than pass through what I have, with joy I



would have hailed the most terrible gales; but-"




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