INTHEyear1799，CaptainAmasaDelano，ofDuxbury，inMassachusetts，commandingalargesealerandgeneraltrader，layatanchor，withavaluablecargo，intheharbourofSt。Maria-asmall，desert，uninhabitedislandtowardsthesouthernextremityofthelongcoastofChili。Therehehadtouchedforwater。
Onthesecondday，notlongafterdawn，whilelyinginhisberth，hismatecamebelow，informinghimthatastrangesailwascomingintothebay。Shipswerethennotsoplentyinthosewatersasnow。Herose，dressed，andwentondeck。
Themorningwasonepeculiartothatcoast。Everythingwasmuteandcalm；everythinggrey。Thesea，thoughundulatedintolongroodsofswells，seemedfixed，andwassleekedatthesurfacelikewavedleadthathascooledandsetinthesmelter'smould。Theskyseemedagreymantle。Flightsoftroubledgreyfowl，kithandkinwithflightsoftroubledgreyvapoursamongwhichtheyweremixed，skimmedlowandfitfullyoverthewaters，asswallowsovermeadowsbeforestorms。Shadowspresent，foreshadowingdeepershadowstocome。
ToCaptainDelano'ssurprise，thestranger，viewedthroughtheglass，showednocolours；thoughtodosouponenteringahaven，howeveruninhabitedinitsshores，wherebutasingleothershipmightbelying，wasthecustomamongpeacefulseamenofallnations。
Consideringthelawlessnessandlonelinessofthespot，andthesortofstories，atthatday，associatedwiththoseseas，CaptainDelano'ssurprisemighthavedeepenedintosomeuneasinesshadhenotbeenapersonofasingularlyundistrustfulgoodnature，notliable，exceptonextraordinaryandrepeatedexcitement，andhardlythen，toindulgeinpersonalalarms，anywayinvolvingtheimputationofmalignevilinman。Whether，inviewofwhathumanityiscapable，suchatraitimplies，alongwithabenevolentheart，morethanordinaryquicknessandaccuracyofintellectualperception，maybelefttothewisetodetermine。
Butwhatevermisgivingsmighthaveobtrudedonfirstseeingthestrangerwouldalmost，inanyseaman'smind，havebeendissipatedbyobservingthattheship，innavigatingintotheharbour，wasdrawingtooneartheland，forherownsafety'ssake，owingtoasunkenreefmakingoutoffherbow。Thisseemedtoproveherastranger，indeed，notonlytothesealer，buttheisland；consequently，shecouldbenowontedfreebooteronthatocean。Withnosmallinterest，CaptainDelanocontinuedtowatchher-aproceedingnotmuchfacilitatedbythevapourspartlymantlingthehull，throughwhichthefarmatinlightfromhercabinstreamedequivocallyenough；muchlikethesun-
bythistimecrescentedontherimofthehorizon，andapparently，incompanywiththestrangeship，enteringtheharbour-which，wimpledbythesamelow，creepingclouds，showednotunlikeaLimaintriguante'sonesinistereyepeeringacrossthePlazafromtheIndianloop-holeofherdusksaya-y-manta。
Itmighthavebeenbutadeceptionofthevapours，but，thelongerthestrangerwaswatched，themoresingularappearedhermanoeuvres。
Erelongitseemedhardtodecidewhethershemeanttocomeinorno-whatshewanted，orwhatshewasabout。Thewind，whichhadbreezedupalittleduringthenight，wasnowextremelylightandbaffling，whichthemoreincreasedtheapparentuncertaintyofhermovements。
Surmising，atlast，thatitmightbeashipindistress，CaptainDelanoorderedhiswhale-boattobedropped，and，muchtothewaryoppositionofhismate，preparedtoboardher，and，attheleast，pilotherin。Onthenightprevious，afishing-partyoftheseamenhadgonealongdistancetosomedetachedrocksoutofsightfromthesealer，and，anhourortwobeforeday-break，hadreturned，havingmetwithnosmallsuccess。Presumingthatthestrangermighthavebeenlongoffsoundings，thegoodcaptainputseveralbasketsofthefish，forpresents，intohisboat，andsopulledaway。Fromhercontinuingtoonearthesunkenreef，deemingherindanger，callingtohismen，hemadeallhastetoapprisethoseonboardoftheirsituation。But，sometimeeretheboatcameup，thewind，lightthoughitwas，havingshifted，hadheadedthevesseloff，aswellaspartlybrokenthevapoursfromabouther。
Upongainingalessremoteview，theship，whenmadesignallyvisibleonthevergeoftheleaden-huedswells，withtheshredsoffoghereandthereraggedlyfurringher，appearedlikeawhitewashedmonasteryafterathunder-storm，seenpercheduponsomeduncliffamongthePyrenees。Butitwasnopurelyfancifulresemblancewhichnow，foramoment，almostledCaptainDelanotothinkthatnothinglessthanaship-loadofmonkswasbeforehim。Peeringoverthebulwarkswerewhatreallyseemed，inthehazydistance，throngsofdarkcowls；while，fitfullyrevealedthroughtheopenport-holes，otherdarkmovingfiguresweredimlydescried，asofBlackFriarspacingthecloisters。
Uponastillnigherapproach，thisappearancewasmodified，andthetruecharacterofthevesselwasplain-aSpanishmerchantmanofthefirstclass；carryingNegroslaves，amongstothervaluablefreight，fromonecolonialporttoanother。Averylarge，and，initstime，averyfinevessel，suchasinthosedayswereatintervalsencounteredalongthatmain；sometimessupersededAcapulcotreasure-ships，orretiredfrigatesoftheSpanishking'snavy，which，likesuperannuatedItalianpalaces，still，underadeclineofmasters，preservedsignsofformerstate。
Asthewhale-boatdrewmoreandmorenigh，thecauseofthepeculiarpipe-clayedaspectofthestrangerwasseenintheslovenlyneglectpervadingher。Thespars，ropes，andgreatpartofthebulwarkslookedwoolly，fromlongunacquaintancewiththescraper，tar，andthebrush。Herkeelseemedlaid，herribsputtogether，andshelaunched，fromEzekiel'sValleyofDryBones。
Inthepresentbusinessinwhichshewasengaged，theship'sgeneralmodelandrigappearedtohaveundergonenomaterialchangefromtheiroriginalwarlikeandFroissartpattern。However，nogunswereseen。
Thetopswerelarge，andwererailedaboutwithwhathadoncebeenoctagonalnet-work，allnowinsaddisrepair。Thesetopshungoverheadlikethreeruinousaviaries，inoneofwhichwasseenperched，onaratlin，awhitenoddy，astrangefowl，socalledfromitslethargicsomnambulisticcharacter，beingfrequentlycaughtbyhandatsea。
Batteredandmouldy，thecastellatedforecastleseemedsomeancientturret，longagotakenbyassault，andthenlefttodecay。Towardsthestern，twohigh-raisedquartergalleries-thebalustradeshereandtherecoveredwithdry，tinderysea-moss-openingoutfromtheunoccupiedstate-cabin，whosedeadlights，forallthemildweather，werehermeticallyclosedandcaulked-thesetenantlessbalconieshungovertheseaasifitwerethegrandVenetiancanal。Buttheprincipalrelicoffadedgrandeurwastheampleovaloftheshield-likestern-piece，intricatelycarvedwiththearmsofCastileandLeon，medallionedaboutbygroupsofmythologicalorsymbolicaldevices；uppermostandcentralofwhichwasadarksatyrinamask，holdinghisfootontheprostrateneckofawrithingfigure，likewisemasked。
Whethertheshiphadafigure-head，oronlyaplainbeak，wasnotquitecertain，owingtocanvaswrappedaboutthatpart，eithertoprotectitwhileundergoingarefurbishing，orelsedecentlytohideitsdecay。Rudelypaintedorchalked，asinasailorfreak，alongtheforwardsideofasortofpedestalbelowthecanvas，wasthesentence，"Seguidvuestrojefe"（followyourleader）；whileuponthetarnishedhead-boards，nearby，appeared，instatelycapitals，oncegilt，theship'sname，"SANDOMINICK，"eachletterstreakinglycorrodedwithtricklingsofcopper-spikerust；while，likemourningweeds，darkfestoonsofsea-grassslimilyswepttoandfrooverthename，witheveryhearse-likerollofthehull。
Asatlasttheboatwashookedfromthebowalongtowardthegangwayamidship，itskeel，whileyetsomeinchesseparatedfromthehull，harshlygratedasonasunkencoralreef。Itprovedahugebunchofconglobatedbarnaclesadheringbelowthewatertothesidelikeawen；atokenofbafflingairsandlongcalmspassedsomewhereinthoseseas。
Climbingtheside，thevisitorwasatoncesurroundedbyaclamorousthrongofwhitesandblacks，butthelatteroutnumberingtheformermorethancouldhavebeenexpected，Negrotransportation-shipasthestrangerinportwas。But，inonelanguage，andaswithonevoice，allpouredoutacommontaleofsuffering；inwhichtheNegresses，ofwhomtherewerenotafew，exceededtheothersintheirdolorousvehemence。Thescurvy，togetherwithafever，hadsweptoffagreatpartoftheirnumber，moreespeciallytheSpaniards。OffCapeHorn，theyhadnarrowlyescapedshipwreck；then，fordaystogether，theyhadlaintrancedwithoutwind；theirprovisionswerelow；theirwaternexttonone；theirlipsthatmomentwerebaked。
WhileCaptainDelanowasthusmadethemarkofalleagertongues，hisoneeagerglancetookinallthefaces，witheveryotherobjectabouthim。
Alwaysuponfirstboardingalargeandpopulousshipatsea，especiallyaforeignone，withanondescriptcrewsuchasLascarsorManillamen，theimpressionvariesinapeculiarwayfromthatproducedbyfirstenteringastrangehousewithstrangeinmatesinastrangeland。Bothhouseandship，theonebyitswallsandblinds，theotherbyitshighbulwarkslikeramparts，hoardfromviewtheirinteriorstillthelastmoment；butinthecaseoftheshipthereisthisaddition：thatthelivingspectacleitcontains，uponitssuddenandcompletedisclosure，has，incontrastwiththeblankoceanwhichzonesit，somethingoftheeffectofenchantment。Theshipseemsunreal；thesestrangecostumes，gestures，andfaces，butashadowytableaujustemergedfromthedeep，whichdirectlymustreceivebackwhatitgave。
Perhapsitwassomesuchinfluenceasaboveisattemptedtobedescribedwhich，inCaptainDelano'smind，heightenedwhatever，uponastaidscrutiny，mighthaveseemedunusual；especiallytheconspicuousfiguresoffourelderlygrizzledNegroes，theirheadslikeblack，dodderedwillowtops，who，invenerablecontrasttothetumultbelowthem，werecouchedsphynx-like，oneonthestarboardcat-head，anotheronthelarboard，andtheremainingpairfacetofaceontheoppositebulwarksabovethemain-chains。Theyeachhadbitsofunstrandedoldjunkintheirhands，and，withasortofstoicalself-content，werepickingthejunkintooakum，asmallheapofwhichlaybytheirsides。Theyaccompaniedthetaskwithacontinuous，low，monotonouschant；droninganddroolingawaylikesomanygrey-headedbag-pipersplayingafuneralmarch。
Thequarter-deckroseintoanampleelevatedpoop，upontheforwardvergeofwhich，lifted，liketheoakum-pickers，someeightfeetabovethegeneralthrong，satalonginarow，separatedbyregularspaces，thecross-leggedfiguresofsixotherblacks；eachwitharustyhatchetinhishand，which，withabitofbrickandarag，hewasengagedlikeascullioninscouring；whilebetweeneachtwowasasmallstackofhatchets，theirrustededgesturnedforwardawaitingalikeoperation。Thoughoccasionallythefouroakum-pickerswouldbrieflyaddresssomepersonorpersonsinthecrowdbelow，yetthesixhatchet-polishersneitherspoketoothers，norbreathedawhisperamongthemselves，butsatintentupontheirtask，exceptatintervals，when，withthepeculiarloveinNegroesofunitingindustrywithpastime，two-and-twotheysidewaysclashedtheirhatchetstogether，likecymbals，withabarbarousdin。Allsix，unlikethegenerality，hadtherawaspectofunsophisticatedAfricans。
Butthefirstcomprehensiveglancewhichtookinthosetenfigures，withscoreslessconspicuous，restedbutaninstantuponthem，as，impatientofthehubbubofvoices，thevisitorturnedinquestofwhomsoeveritmightbethatcommandedtheship。
Butasifnotunwillingtoletnaturemakeknownherowncaseamonghissufferingcharge，orelseindespairofrestrainingitforthetime，theSpanishcaptain，agentlemanly，reserved-looking，andratheryoungmantoastranger'seye，dressedwithsingularrichness，butbearingplaintracesofrecentsleeplesscaresanddisquietudes，stoodpassivelyby，leaningagainstthemain-mast，atonemomentcastingadreary，spiritlesslookuponhisexcitedpeople，atthenextanunhappyglancetowardhisvisitor。Byhissidestoodablackofsmallstature，inwhoserudeface，asoccasionally，likeashepherd'sdog，hemutelyturneditupintotheSpaniard's，sorrowandaffectionwereequallyblended。
Strugglingthroughthethrong，theAmericanadvancedtotheSpaniard，assuringhimofhissympathies，andofferingtorenderwhateverassistancemightbeinhispower。TowhichtheSpaniardreturned，forthepresent，butgraveandceremoniousacknowledgments，hisnationalformalityduskedbythesaturninemoodofillhealth。
Butlosingnotimeinmerecompliments，CaptainDelanoreturningtothegangway，hadhisbasketsoffishbroughtup；andasthewindstillcontinuedlight，sothatsomehoursatleastmustelapseeretheshipcouldbebroughttotheanchorage，hebadehismenreturntothesealer，andfetchbackasmuchwaterasthewhaleboatcouldcarry，withwhateversoftbreadthestewardmighthave，alltheremainingpumpkinsonboard，withaboxofsugar，andadozenofhisprivatebottlesofcider。
Notmanyminutesaftertheboat'spushingoff，tothevexationofall，thewindentirelydiedaway，andthetideturning，begandriftingbacktheshiphelplesslyseaward。Buttrustingthiswouldnotlast，CaptainDelanosoughtwithgoodhopestocheerupthestrangers，feelingnosmallsatisfactionthat，withpersonsintheirconditionhecould-thankstohisfrequentvoyagesalongtheSpanishmain-conversewithsomefreedomintheirnativetongue。
Whileleftalonewiththem，hewasnotlonginobservingsomethingstendingtoheightenhisfirstimpressions；butsurprisewaslostinpity，bothfortheSpaniardsandblacks，alikeevidentlyreducedfromscarcityofwaterandprovisions；whilelong-continuedsufferingseemedtohavebroughtoutthelessgood-naturedqualitiesoftheNegroes，besides，atthesametime，impairingtheSpaniard'sauthorityoverthem。But，underthecircumstances，preciselythisconditionofthingswastohavebeenanticipated。Inarmies，navies，cities，orfamilies-innatureherself-nothingmorerelaxesgoodorderthanmisery。Still，CaptainDelanowasnotwithouttheidea，thathadBenitoCerenobeenamanofgreaterenergy，misrulewouldhardlyhavecometothepresentpass。Butthedebility，constitutionalorinducedbythehardships，bodilyandmental，oftheSpanishcaptain，wastooobvioustobeoverlooked。Apreytosettleddejection，asiflongmockedwithhopehewouldnotnowindulgeit，evenwhenithadceasedtobeamock，theprospectofthatdayoreveningatfurthest，lyingatanchor，withplentyofwaterforhispeople，andabrothercaptaintocounselandbefriend，seemedinnoperceptibledegreetoencouragehim。Hismindappearedunstrung，ifnotstillmoreseriouslyaffected。Shutupintheseoakenwalls，chainedtoonedullroundofcommand，whoseunconditionalitycloyedhim，likesomehypochondriacabbothemovedslowlyabout，attimessuddenlypausing，starting，orstaring，bitinghislip，bitinghisfinger-nail，flushing，paling，twitchinghisbeard，withothersymptomsofanabsentormoodymind。Thisdistemperedspiritwaslodged，asbeforehinted，inasdistemperedaframe。Hewasrathertall，butseemednevertohavebeenrobust，andnowwithnervoussufferingwasalmostworntoaskeleton。Atendencytosomepulmonarycomplaintappearedtohavebeenlatelyconfirmed。Hisvoicewaslikethatofonewithlungshalfgone，hoarselysuppressed，ahuskywhisper。Nowonderthat，asinthisstatehetotteredabout，hisprivateservantapprehensivelyfollowedhim。
SometimestheNegrogavehismasterhisarm，ortookhishandkerchiefoutofhispocketforhim；performingtheseandsimilarofficeswiththataffectionatezealwhichtransmutesintosomethingfilialorfraternalactsinthemselvesbutmenial；andwhichhasgainedfortheNegrothereputeofmakingthemostpleasingbody-servantintheworld；one，too，whomamasterneedbeonnostifflysuperiortermswith，butmaytreatwithfamiliartrust；lessaservantthanadevotedcompanion。
Markingthenoisyindocilityoftheblacksingeneral，aswellaswhatseemedthesulleninefficiencyofthewhites，itwasnotwithouthumanesatisfactionthatCaptainDelanowitnessedthesteadygoodconductofBabo。
ButthegoodconductofBabo，hardlymorethantheill-behaviourofothers，seemedtowithdrawthehalf-lunaticDonBenitofromhiscloudylanguor。NotthatsuchpreciselywastheimpressionmadebytheSpaniardonthemindofhisvisitor。TheSpaniard'sindividualunrestwas，forthepresent，butnotedasaconspicuousfeatureintheship'sgeneralaffliction。Still，CaptainDelanowasnotalittleconcernedatwhathecouldnothelptakingforthetimetobeDonBenito'sunfriendlyindifferencetowardhimself。TheSpaniard'smanner，too，conveyedasortofsourandgloomydisdain，whichheseemedatnopainstodisguise。ButthistheAmericanincharityascribedtotheharassingeffectsofsickness，since，informerinstances，hehadnotedthattherearepeculiarnaturesonwhomprolongedphysicalsufferingseemstocanceleverysocialinstinctofkindness；asifforcedtoblackbreadthemselves，theydeemeditbutequitythateachpersoncomingnighthemshould，indirectly，bysomeslightoraffront，bemadetopartakeoftheirfare。
ButerelongCaptainDelanobethoughthimthat，indulgentashewasatthefirst，injudgingtheSpaniard，hemightnot，afterall，haveexercisedcharityenough。AtbottomitwasDonBenito'sreservewhichdispleasedhim；butthesamereservewasshowntowardallbuthispersonalattendant。Eventheformalreportswhich，accordingtosea-usage，wereatstatedtimesmadetohimbysomepettyunderling（eitherawhite，mulattoorblack），hehardlyhadpatienceenoughtolistento，withoutbetrayingcontemptuousaversion。Hismanneruponsuchoccasionswas，initsdegree，notunlikethatwhichmightbesupposedtohavebeenhisimperialcountryman's，CharlesV。，justprevioustotheanchoritishretirementofthatmonarchfromthethrone。
Thisspleneticdisrelishofhisplacewasevincedinalmosteveryfunctionpertainingtoit。Proudashewasmoody，hecondescendedtonopersonalmandate。Whateverspecialorderswerenecessary，theirdeliverywasdelegatedtohisbody-servant，whointurntransferredthemtotheirultimatedestination，throughrunners，alertSpanishboysorslaveboys，likepagesorpilot-fishwithineasycallcontinuallyhoveringroundDonBenito。Sothattohavebeheldthisundemonstrativeinvalidglidingabout，apatheticandmute，nolandsmancouldhavedreamedthatinhimwaslodgedadictatorshipbeyondwhich，whileatsea，therewasnoearthlyappeal。
Thus，theSpaniard，regardedinhisreserve，seemedastheinvoluntaryvictimofmentaldisorder。But，infact，hisreservemight，insomedegree，haveproceededfromdesign。Ifso，theninDonBenitowasevincedtheunhealthyclimaxofthaticythoughconscientiouspolicy，moreorlessadoptedbyallcommandersoflargeships，which，exceptinsignalemergencies，obliteratesalikethemanifestationofswaywitheverytraceofsociality；
transformingthemanintoablock，orratherintoaloadedcannon，which，untilthereiscallforthunder，hasnothingtosay。
Viewinghiminthislight，itseemedbutanaturaltokenoftheperversehabitinducedbyalongcourseofsuchhardself-restraint，that，notwithstandingthepresentconditionofhisship，theSpaniardshouldstillpersistinademeanour，which，howeverharmless-
oritmaybe，appropriate-inawell-appointedvessel，suchastheSanDominickmighthavebeenattheoutsetofthevoyage，wasanythingbutjudiciousnow。ButtheSpaniardperhapsthoughtthatitwaswithcaptainsaswithgods：reserve，underallevents，muststillbetheircue。Butmoreprobablythisappearanceofslumberingdominionmighthavebeenbutanattempteddisguisetoconsciousimbecility-notdeeppolicy，butshallowdevice。Butbeallthisasitmight，whetherDonBenito'smannerwasdesignedornot，themoreCaptainDelanonoteditspervadingreserve，thelesshefeltuneasinessatanyparticularmanifestationofthatreservetowardhimself。
Neitherwerehisthoughtstakenupbythecaptainalone。Wontedtothequietorderlinessofthesealer'scomfortablefamilyofacrew，thenoisyconfusionoftheSanDominick'ssufferinghostrepeatedlychallengedhiseye。Someprominentbreachesnotonlyofdisciplinebutofdecencywereobserved。TheseCaptainDelanocouldnotbutascribe，inthemain，totheabsenceofthosesubordinatedeck-officerstowhom，alongwithhigherduties，isentrustedwhatmaybestyledthepolicedepartmentofapopulousship。True，theoldoakum-pickersappearedattimestoactthepartofmonitorialconstablestotheircountrymen，theblacks；butthoughoccasionallysucceedinginallayingtriflingoutbreaksnowandthenbetweenmanandman，theycoulddolittleornothingtowardestablishinggeneralquiet。TheSanDominickwasintheconditionofatransatlanticemigrantship，amongwhosemultitudeoflivingfreightaresomeindividuals，doubtless，aslittletroublesomeascratesandbales；butthefriendlyremonstrancesofsuchwiththeirrudercompanionsareofnotsomuchavailastheunfriendlyarmofthemate。WhattheSanDominickwantedwas，whattheemigrantshiphas，sternsuperiorofficers。Butonthesedecksnotsomuchasafourthmatewastobeseen。
Thevisitor'scuriositywasrousedtolearntheparticularsofthosemishapswhichhadbroughtaboutsuchabsenteeism，withitsconsequences；because，thoughderivingsomeinklingofthevoyagefromthewailswhichatthefirstmomenthadgreetedhim，yetofthedetailsnoclearunderstandinghadbeenhad。Thebestaccountwould，doubtless，begivenbythecaptain。Yetatfirstthevisitorwaslothtoaskit，unwillingtoprovokesomedistantrebuff。Butpluckingupcourage，heatlastaccostedDonBenito，renewingtheexpressionofhisbenevolentinterest，adding，thatdidhe（CaptainDelano）butknowtheparticularsoftheship'smisfortunes，hewould，perhaps，bebetterableintheendtorelievethem。WouldDonBenitofavourhimwiththewholestory？
DonBenitofaltered；then，likesomesomnambulistsuddenlyinterferedwith，vacantlystaredathisvisitor，andendedbylookingdownonthedeck。Hemaintainedthisposturesolong，thatCaptainDelano，almostequallydisconcerted，andinvoluntarilyalmostasrude，turnedsuddenlyfromhim，walkingforwardtoaccostoneoftheSpanishseamenforthedesiredinformation。Buthehadhardlygonefivepaces，whenwithasortofeagernessDonBenitoinvitedhimback，regrettinghismomentaryabsenceofmind，andprofessingreadinesstogratifyhim。
Whilemostpartofthestorywasbeinggiven，thetwocaptainsstoodontheafterpartofthemain-deck，aprivilegedspot，noonebeingnearbuttheservant。
"Itisnowahundredandninetydays，"begantheSpaniard，inhishuskywhisper，"thatthisship，wellofficeredandwellmanned，withseveralcabinpassengers-somefiftySpaniardsinall-sailedfromBuenosAyresboundtoLima，withageneralcargo，Paraguayteaandthelike-and，"pointingforward，"thatparcelofNegroes，nownotmorethanahundredandfifty，asyousee，butthennumberingoverthreehundredsouls。OffCapeHornwehadheavygales。Inonemoment，bynight，threeofmybestofficers，withfifteensailors，werelost，withthemain-yard；thesparsnappingunderthemintheslings，astheysought，withheavers，tobeatdowntheicysail。Tolightenthehull，theheaviersacksofmatawerethrownintothesea，withmostofthewater-pipeslashedondeckatthetime。Andthislastnecessityitwas，combinedwiththeprolongeddetentionsafterwardsexperienced，whicheventuallybroughtaboutourchiefcausesofsuffering。When-"
Heretherewasasuddenfaintingattackofhiscough，broughton，nodoubt，byhismentaldistress。Hisservantsustainedhim，anddrawingacordialfromhispocketplacedittohislips。Healittlerevived。Butunwillingtoleavehimunsupportedwhileyetimperfectlyrestored，theblackwithonearmstillencircledhismaster，atthesametimekeepinghiseyefixedonhisface，asiftowatchforthefirstsignofcompleterestoration，orrelapse，astheeventmightprove。
TheSpaniardproceeded，butbrokenlyandobscurely，asoneinadream-
"Oh，myGod！ratherthanpassthroughwhatIhave，withjoyI
wouldhavehailedthemostterriblegales；but-"
Hiscoughreturnedandwithincreasedviolence；thissubsiding，withreddenedlipsandclosedeyeshefellheavilyagainsthissupporter。
"Hismindwanders。Hewasthinkingoftheplaguethatfollowedthegales，"plaintivelysighedtheservant；"mypoor，poormaster！"
wringingonehand，andwiththeotherwipingthemouth。"Butbepatient，Senor，"againturningtoCaptainDelano，"thesefitsdonotlastlong；masterwillsoonbehimself。"
DonBenitoreviving，wenton；butasthisportionofthestorywasverybrokenlydelivered，thesubstanceonlywillherebesetdown。
ItappearedthataftertheshiphadbeenmanydaystossedinstormsofftheCape，thescurvybrokeout，carryingoffnumbersofthewhitesandblacks。WhenatlasttheyhadworkedroundintothePacific，theirsparsandsailsweresodamaged，andsoinadequatelyhandledbythesurvivingmariners，mostofwhomwerebecomeinvalids，that，unabletolayhernortherlycoursebythewind，whichwaspowerful，theunmanageableshipforsuccessivedaysandnightswasblownnorthwestward，wherethebreezesuddenlydesertedher，inunknownwaters，tosultrycalms。Theabsenceofthewater-pipesnowprovedasfataltolifeasbeforetheirpresencehadmenacedit。Induced，oratleastaggravated，bythemorethanscantyallowanceofwater，amalignantfeverfollowedthescurvy；withtheexcessiveheatofthelengthenedcalm，makingsuchshortworkofitastosweepaway，asbybillows，wholefamiliesoftheAfricans，andayetlargernumber，proportionally，oftheSpaniards，including，byalucklessfatality，everyofficeronboard。Consequently，inthesmartwestwindseventuallyfollowingthecalm，thealreadyrentsailshavingtobesimplydropped，notfurled，atneed，hadbeengraduallyreducedtothebeggar'sragstheywerenow。Toprocuresubstitutesforhislostsailors，aswellassuppliesofwaterandsails，thecaptainattheearliestopportunityhadmadeforBaldivia，thesouthermostcivilizedportofChiliandSouthAmerica；butuponnearingthecoastthethickweatherhadpreventedhimfromsomuchassightingthatharbour。Sincewhichperiod，almostwithoutacrew，andalmostwithoutcanvasandalmostwithoutwater，andatintervalsgivingitsaddeddeadtothesea，theSanDominickhadbeenbattle-doredaboutbycontrarywinds，inveigledbycurrents，orgrownweedyincalms。Likeamanlostinwoods，morethanonceshehaddoubleduponherowntrack。
"Butthroughoutthesecalamities，"huskilycontinuedDonBenito，painfullyturninginthehalfembraceofhisservant，"IhavetothankthoseNegroesyousee，who，thoughtoyourinexperiencedeyesappearingunruly，have，indeed，conductedthemselveswithlessofrestlessnessthaneventheirownercouldhavethoughtpossibleundersuchcircumstances。"
Hereheagainfellfaintlyback。Againhismindwandered：butherallied，andlessobscurelyproceeded。
"Yes，theirownerwasquiterightinassuringmethatnofetterswouldbeneededwithhisblacks；sothatwhile，asiswontinthistransportation，thoseNegroeshavealwaysremainedupondeck-notthrustbelow，asintheGuineamen-theyhave，also，fromthebeginning，beenfreelypermittedtorangewithingivenboundsattheirpleasure。"
Oncemorethefaintnessreturned-hismindroved-but，recovering，heresumed：
"ButitisBaboheretowhom，underGod，Iowenotonlymyownpreservation，butlikewisetohim，chiefly，themeritisdue，ofpacifyinghismoreignorantbrethren，whenatintervalstemptedtomurmurings。"
"Ah，master，"sighedtheblack，bowinghisface，"don'tspeakofme；Baboisnothing；whatBabohasdonewasbutduty。"
"Faithfulfellow！"criedCaptainDelano。"DonBenito，Ienvyyousuchafriend；slaveIcannotcallhim。"
Asmasterandmanstoodbeforehim，theblackupholdingthewhite，CaptainDelanocouldnotbutbethinkhimofthebeautyofthatrelationshipwhichcouldpresentsuchaspectacleoffidelityontheonehandandconfidenceontheother。Thescenewasheightenedbythecontrastindress，denotingtheirrelativepositions。TheSpaniardworealooseChilijacketofdarkvelvet；whitesmallclothesandstockings，withsilverbucklesatthekneeandinstep；ahigh-crownedsombrero，offinegrass；aslendersword，silvermounted，hungfromaknotinhissash；thelastbeinganalmostinvariableadjunct，moreforutilitythanornament，ofaSouthAmericangentleman'sdresstothishour。Exceptingwhenhisoccasionalnervouscontortionsbroughtaboutdisarray，therewasacertainprecisioninhisattire，curiouslyatvariancewiththeunsightlydisorderaround；especiallyinthebelitteredGhetto，forwardofthemain-mast，whollyoccupiedbytheblacks。
Theservantworenothingbutwidetrousers，apparently，fromtheircoarsenessandpatches，madeoutofsomeoldtop-sail；theywereclean，andconfinedatthewaistbyabitofunstrandedrope，which，withhiscomposed，deprecatoryairattimes，madehimlooksomethinglikeabeggingfriarofSt。Francis。
Howeverunsuitableforthetimeandplace，atleastinthebluntthinkingAmerican'seyes，andhoweverstrangelysurvivinginthemidstofallhisafflictions，thetoiletteofDonBenitomightnot，infashionatleast，havegonebeyondthestyleofthedayamongSouthAmericansofhisclass。ThoughonthepresentvoyagesailingfromBuenosAyres，hehadavowedhimselfanativeandresidentofChili，whoseinhabitantshadnotsogenerallyadoptedtheplaincoatandonceplebeianpantaloons；but，withabecomingmodification，adheredtotheirprovincialcostume，picturesqueasanyintheworld。Still，relativelytothepalehistoryofthevoyage，andhisownpaleface，thereseemedsomethingsoincongruousintheSpaniard'sapparel，asalmosttosuggesttheimageofaninvalidcourtiertotteringaboutLondonstreetsinthetimeoftheplague。
Theportionofthenarrativewhich，perhaps，mostexcitedinterest，aswellassomesurprise，consideringthelatitudesinquestion，wasthelongcalmsspokenof，andmoreparticularlytheship'ssolongdriftingabout。Withoutcommunicatingtheopinion，ofcourse，theAmericancouldnotbutimputeatleastpartofthedetentionsbothtoclumsyseamanshipandfaultynavigation。EyeingDonBenito'ssmall，yellowhands，heeasilyinferredthattheyoungcaptainhadnotgotintocommandatthehawse-holebutthecabin-window，andifso，whywonderatincompetence，inyouth，sickness，andaristocracyunited？Suchwashisdemocraticconclusion。
Butdrowningcriticismincompassion，afterafreshrepetitionofhissympathies，CaptainDelanohavingheardouthisstory，notonlyengaged，asinthefirstplace，toseeDonBenitoandhispeoplesuppliedintheirimmediatebodilyneeds，but，also，nowfurtherpromisedtoassisthiminprocuringalargepermanentsupplyofwater，aswellassomesailsandrigging；and，thoughitwouldinvolvenosmallembarrassmenttohimself，yethewouldsparethreeofhisbestseamenfortemporarydeckofficers；sothatwithoutdelaytheshipmightproceedtoConcepcion，therefullytorefitforLima，herdestinedport。
Suchgenerositywasnotwithoutitseffect，evenupontheinvalid。
Hisfacelightedup；eagerandhectic，hemetthehonestglanceofhisvisitor。Withgratitudeheseemedovercome。
"Thisexcitementisbadformaster，"whisperedtheservant，takinghisarm，andwithsoothingwordsgentlydrawinghimaside。
WhenDonBenitoreturned，theAmericanwaspainedtoobservethathishopefulness，likethesuddenkindlinginhischeek，wasbutfebrileandtransient。
Erelong，withajoylessmien，lookinguptowardthepoop，thehostinvitedhisguesttoaccompanyhimthere，forthebenefitofwhatlittlebreathofwindmightbestirring。
Asduringthetellingofthestory，CaptainDelanohadonceortwicestartedattheoccasionalcymballingofthehatchet-polishers，wonderingwhysuchaninterruptionshouldbeallowed，especiallyinthatpartoftheship，andintheearsofaninvalid；and，moreover，asthehatchetshadanythingbutanattractivelook，andthehandlersofthemstilllessso，itwas，therefore，totellthetruth，notwithoutsomelurkingreluctance，orevenshrinking，itmaybe，thatCaptainDelano，withapparentcomplaisance，acquiescedinhishost'sinvitation。Themoreso，sincewithanuntimelycapriceofpunctilio，rendereddistressingbyhiscadaverousaspect，DonBenito，withCastilianbows，solemnlyinsisteduponhisguest'sprecedinghimuptheladderleadingtotheelevation；where，oneoneachsideofthelaststep，satfourarmorialsupportersandsentries，twooftheominousfile。GingerlyenoughsteppedgoodCaptainDelanobetweenthem，andintheinstantofleavingthembehind，likeonerunningthegauntlet，hefeltanapprehensivetwitchinthecalvesofhislegs。
Butwhen，facingabout，hesawthewholefile，likesomanyorgan-grinders，stillstupidlyintentontheirwork，unmindfulofeverythingbeside，hecouldnotbutsmileathislatefidgetingpanic。
Presently，whilestandingwithDonBenito，lookingforwarduponthedecksbelow，hewasstruckbyoneofthoseinstancesofinsubordinationpreviouslyalludedto。Threeblackboys，withtwoSpanishboys，weresittingtogetheronthehatches，scrapingarudewoodenplatter，inwhichsomescantymesshadrecentlybeencooked。
Suddenly，oneoftheblackboys，enragedataworddroppedbyoneofhiswhitecompanions，seizedaknife，andthoughcalledtoforbearbyoneoftheoakum-pickers，strucktheladoverthehead，inflictingagashfromwhichbloodflowed。
Inamazement，CaptainDelanoinquiredwhatthismeant。TowhichthepaleBenitodullymuttered，thatitwasmerelythesportofthelad。
"Prettyserioussport，truly，"rejoinedCaptainDelano。"HadsuchathinghappenedonboardtheBachelor'sDelight，instantpunishmentwouldhavefollowed。"
AtthesewordstheSpaniardturnedupontheAmericanoneofhissudden，staring，half-lunaticlooks；then，relapsingintohistorpor，answered，"Doubtless，doubtless，Senor。"
Isit，thoughtCaptainDelano，thatthishelplessmanisoneofthosepapercaptainsI'veknown，whobypolicywinkatwhatbypowertheycannotputdown？Iknownosaddersightthanacommanderwhohaslittleofcommandbutthename。
"Ishouldthink，DonBenito，"henowsaid，glancingtowardtheoakum-pickerwhohadsoughttointerferewiththeboys，"thatyouwouldfinditadvantageoustokeepallyourblacksemployed，especiallytheyoungerones，nomatteratwhatuselesstask，andnomatterwhathappenstotheship。Why，evenwithmylittleband，Ifindsuchacourseindispensable。Ioncekeptacrewonmyquarterdeckthrummingmatsformycabin，when，forthreedays，Ihadgivenupmyship-mats，men，andall-foraspeedyloss，owingtotheviolenceofagaleinwhichwecoulddonothingbuthelplesslydrivebeforeit。"
"Doubtless，doubtless，"mutteredDonBenito。
"But，"continuedCaptainDelano，againglancingupontheoakum-pickersandthenatthehatchet-polishers，nearby，"Iseeyoukeepsomeatleastofyourhostemployed。"
"Yes，"wasagainthevacantresponse。
"Thoseoldmenthere，shakingtheirpowsfromtheirpulpits，"
continuedCaptainDelano，pointingtotheoakum-pickers，"seemtoactthepartofolddominiestotherest，littleheededastheiradmonitionsareattimes。Isthisvoluntaryontheirpart，DonBenito，orhaveyouappointedthemshepherdstoyourflockofblacksheep？"
"Whatpoststheyfill，Iappointedthem，"rejoinedtheSpaniardinanacridtone，asifresentingsomesupposedsatiricreflection。
"Andtheseothers，theseAshanteeconjurorshere，"continuedCaptainDelano，ratheruneasilyeyeingthebrandishedsteelofthehatchet-polishers，whereinspotsithadbeenbroughttoashine，"thisseemsacuriousbusinesstheyareat，DonBenito？"
"Inthegaleswemet，"answeredtheSpaniard，"whatofourgeneralcargowasnotthrownoverboardwasmuchdamagedbythebrine。Sincecomingintocalmweather，Ihavehadseveralcasesofknivesandhatchetsdailybroughtupforoverhaulingandcleaning。"
"Aprudentidea，DonBenito。Youarepartownerofshipandcargo，Ipresume；butnotoftheslaves，perhaps？"
"Iamownerofallyousee，"impatientlyreturnedDonBenito，"exceptthemaincompanyofblacks，whobelongedtomylatefriend，AlexandroAranda。"
Ashementionedthisname，hisairwasheart-broken，hiskneesshook；hisservantsupportedhim。
Thinkinghedivinedthecauseofsuchunusualemotion，toconfirmhissurmise，CaptainDelano，afterapause，said，"AndmayI
ask，DonBenito，whether-sinceawhileagoyouspokeofsomecabinpassengers-thefriend，whoselosssoafflictsyou，attheoutsetofthevoyageaccompaniedhisblacks？"
"Yes。"
"Butdiedofthefever？"
"Diedofthefever-Oh，couldIbut-"
Againquivering，theSpaniardpaused。
"Pardonme，"saidCaptainDelanoslowly，"butIthinkthat，byasympatheticexperience，Iconjecture，DonBenito，whatitisthatgivesthekeeneredgetoyourgrief。Itwasoncemyhardfortunetoloseatseaadearfriend，myownbrother，thensupercargo。Assuredofthewelfareofhisspirit，itsdepartureIcouldhavebornelikeaman；butthathonesteye，thathonesthand-bothofwhichhadsooftenmetmine-andthatwarmheart；all，all-likescrapstothedogs-tothrowalltothesharks！ItwasthenIvowednevertohaveforfellow-voyageramanIloved，unless，unbeknowntohim，Ihadprovidedeveryrequisite，incaseofafatality，forembalminghismortalpartforintermentonshore。Wereyourfriend'sremainsnowonboardthisship，DonBenito，notthusstrangelywouldthementionofhisnameaffectyou。"
"Onboardthisship？"echoedtheSpaniard。Then，withhorrifiedgestures，asdirectedagainstsomespectre，heunconsciouslyfellintothereadyarmsofhisattendant，who，withasilentappealtowardCaptainDelano，seemedbeseechinghimnotagaintobroachathemesounspeakablydistressingtohismaster。
Thispoorfellownow，thoughtthepainedAmerican，isthevictimofthatsadsuperstitionwhichassociatesgoblinswiththedesertedbodyofman，asghostswithanabandonedhouse。Howunlikearewemade！Whattome，inlikecase，wouldhavebeenasolemnsatisfaction，thebaresuggestion，even，terrifiestheSpaniardintothistrance。
PoorAlexandroAranda！whatwouldyousaycouldyouseeyourfriend-
who，onformervoyages，whenyouformonthswereleftbehind，has，I
daresay，oftenlonged，andlonged，foronepeepatyou-nowtransportedwithterrorattheleastthoughtofhavingyouanywaynighhim。
Atthismoment，withadrearygraveyardtoll，betokeningaflaw，theship'sforecastlebell，smotebyoneofthegrizzledoakum-pickers，proclaimedteno'clockthroughtheleadencalm；whenCaptainDelano'sattentionwascaughtbythemovingfigureofagiganticblack，emergingfromthegeneralcrowdbelow，andslowlyadvancingtowardtheelevatedpoop。Anironcollarwasabouthisneck，fromwhichdependedachain，thricewoundroundhisbody；theterminatinglinkspadlockedtogetheratabroadbandofiron，hisgirdle。
"HowlikeamuteAtufalmoves，"murmuredtheservant。
Theblackmountedthestepsofthepoop，and，likeabraveprisoner，broughtuptoreceivesentence，stoodinunquailingmutenessbeforeDonBenito，nowrecoveredfromhisattack。
Atthefirstglimpseofhisapproach，DonBenitohadstarted，aresentfulshadowsweptoverhisface；and，aswiththesuddenmemoryofbootlessrage，hiswhitelipsgluedtogether。
Thisissomemulishmutineer，thoughtCaptainDelano，surveying，notwithoutamixtureofadmiration，thecolossalformoftheNegro。
"See，hewaitsyourquestion，master，"saidtheservant。
Thusreminded，DonBenito，nervouslyavertinghisglance，asifshunning，byanticipation，somerebelliousresponse，inadisconcertedvoice，thusspoke：
"Atufal，willyouaskmypardonnow？"
Theblackwassilent。
"Again，master，"murmuredtheservant，withbitterupbraidingeyeinghiscountryman。"Again，master；hewillbendtomasteryet。"
"Answer，"saidDonBenito，stillavertinghisglance，"saybuttheonewordpardon，andyourchainsshallbeoff。"
Uponthis，theblack，slowlyraisingbotharms，letthemlifelesslyfall，hislinksclanking，hisheadbowed；asmuchastosay，"No，Iamcontent。"
"Go，"saidDonBenito，withinkeptandunknownemotion。
Deliberatelyashehadcome，theblackobeyed。
"Excuseme，DonBenito，"saidCaptainDelano，"butthisscenesurprisesme；whatmeansit，pray？"
"ItmeansthatthatNegroalone，ofalltheband，hasgivenmepeculiarcauseofoffence。Ihaveputhiminchains；I-"
Herehepaused；hishandtohishead，asiftherewereaswimmingthere，orasuddenbewildermentofmemoryhadcomeoverhim；butmeetinghisservant'skindlyglanceseemedreassured，andproceeded：
"Icouldnotscourgesuchaform。ButItoldhimhemustaskmypardon。Asyethehasnot。Atmycommand，everytwohourshestandsbeforeme。"
"Andhowlonghasthisbeen？"
"Somesixtydays。"
"Andobedientinallelse？Andrespectful？"
"Yes。"
"Uponmyconscience，then，"exclaimedCaptainDelano，impulsively，"hehasaroyalspiritinhim，thisfellow。"
"Hemayhavesomerighttoit，"bitterlyreturnedDonBenito；
"hesayshewaskinginhisownland。"
"Yes，"saidtheservant，enteringaword，"thoseslitsinAtufal'searsonceheldwedgesofgold；butpoorBabohere，inhisownland，wasonlyapoorslave；ablackman'sslavewasBabo，whonowisthewhite's。"
Somewhatannoyedbytheseconversationalfamiliarities，CaptainDelanoturnedcuriouslyupontheattendant，thenglancedinquiringlyathismaster；but，asiflongwontedtotheselittleinformalities，neithermasternormanseemedtounderstandhim。
"What，pray，wasAtufal'soffence，DonBenito？"askedCaptainDelano；"ifitwasnotsomethingveryserious，takeafool'sadvice，and，inviewofhisgeneraldocility，aswellasinsomenaturalrespectforhisspirit，remithispenalty。"
"No，no，masterneverwilldothat，"heremurmuredtheservanttohimself，"proudAtufalmustfirstaskmaster'spardon。Theslavetherecarriesthepadlock，butmasterherecarriesthekey。"
Hisattentionthusdirected，CaptainDelanonownoticedforthefirsttimethat，suspendedbyaslendersilkencord，fromDonBenito'sneckhungakey。Atonce，fromtheservant'smutteredsyllablesdiviningthekey'spurpose，hesmiledandsaid："So，DonBenito-
padlockandkey-significantsymbols，truly。"
Bitinghislip，DonBenitofaltered。
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