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BENITO CERENO-Part3_HERMAN MELVILLE (1819-1891)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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each side of the last step, sat four armorial supporters and sentries,

two of the ominous file. Gingerly enough stepped good Captain Delano



between them, and in the instant of leaving them behind, like one

running the gauntlet, he felt an apprehensivetwitch in the calves



of his legs.

But when, facing about, he saw the whole file, like so many



organ-grinders, still stupidly intent on their work, unmindful of

everything beside, he could not but smile at his late fidgeting panic.



Presently, while standing with Don Benito, looking forward upon

the decks below, he was struck by one of those instances of



insubordination previously alluded to. Three black boys, with two

Spanish boys, were sitting together on the hatches, scraping a rude



wooden platter, in which some scanty mess had recently been cooked.

Suddenly, one of the black boys, enraged at a word dropped by one of



his white companions, seized a knife, and though called to forbear

by one of the oakum-pickers, struck the lad over the head,



inflicting a gash from which blood flowed.

In amazement, Captain Delano inquired what this meant. To which



the pale Benito dully muttered, that it was merely the sport of the

lad.



"Pretty serious sport, truly," rejoined Captain Delano. "Had

such a thing happened on board the Bachelor's Delight, instant



punishment would have followed."

At these words the Spaniard turned upon the American one of his



sudden, staring, half-lunatic looks; then, relapsing into his

torpor, answered, "Doubtless, doubtless, Senor."



Is it, thought Captain Delano, that this helpless man is one of

those paper captains I've known, who by policy wink at what by power



they cannot put down? I know no sadder sight than a commander who

has little of command but the name.



"I should think, Don Benito," he now said, glancing toward the

oakum-picker who had sought to interfere with the boys, "that you



would find it advantageous to keep all your blacks employed,

especially the younger ones, no matter at what useless task, and no



matter what happens to the ship. Why, even with my little band, I find

such a course indispensable. I once kept a crew on my quarterdeck



thrumming mats for my cabin, when, for three days, I had given up my

ship- mats, men, and all- for a speedy loss, owing to the violence



of a gale in which we could do nothing but helplessly drive before

it."



"Doubtless, doubtless," muttered Don Benito.

"But," continued Captain Delano, again glancing upon the



oakum-pickers and then at the hatchet-polishers, near by, "I see you

keep some at least of your host employed."



"Yes," was again the vacant response.

"Those old men there, shaking their pows from their pulpits,"



continued Captain Delano, pointing to the oakum-pickers, "seem to

act the part of old dominies to the rest, little heeded as their



admonitions are at times. Is this voluntary on their part, Don Benito,

or have you appointed them shepherds to your flock of black sheep?"



"What posts they fill, I appointed them," rejoined the Spaniard in

an acrid tone, as if resenting some supposed satiric reflection.



"And these others, these Ashantee conjurors here," continued

Captain Delano, rather uneasily eyeing the brandished steel of the



hatchet-polishers, where in spots it had been brought to a shine,

"this seems a curious business they are at, Don Benito?"



"In the gales we met," answered the Spaniard, "what of our general

cargo was not thrown overboard was much damaged by the brine. Since



coming into calm weather, I have had several cases of knives and

hatchets daily brought up for overhauling and cleaning."



"A prudent idea, Don Benito. You are part owner of ship and cargo,

I presume; but not of the slaves, perhaps?"






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