benito cereno-第2章
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arated from the hull； harshly grated as on a sunken coral reef。 It proved a huge bunch of conglobated barnacles adhering below the water to the side like a wen； a token of baffling airs and long calms passed somewhere in those seas。 Climbing the side； the visitor was at once surrounded by a clamorous throng of whites and blacks； but the latter outnumbering the former more than could have been expected； Negro transportation…ship as the stranger in port was。 But； in one language； and as with one voice； all poured out a common tale of suffering； in which the Negresses； of whom there were not a few； exceeded the others in their dolorous vehemence。 The scurvy； together with a fever； had swept off a great part of their number； more especially the Spaniards。 Off Cape Horn； they had narrowly escaped shipwreck； then； for days together； they had lain tranced without wind； their provisions were low； their water next to none； their lips that moment were baked。 While Captain Delano was thus made the mark of all eager tongues； his one eager glance took in all the faces； with every other object about him。 Always upon first boarding a large and populous ship at sea； especially a foreign one； with a nondescript crew such as Lascars or Manilla men； the impression varies in a peculiar way from that produced by first entering a strange house with strange inmates in a strange land。 Both house and ship； the one by its walls and blinds； the other by its high bulwarks like ramparts； hoard from view their interiors till the last moment； but in the case of the ship there is this addition： that the living spectacle it contains； upon its sudden and complete disclosure； has； in contrast with the blank ocean which zones it； something of the effect of enchantment。 The ship seems unreal； these strange costumes； gestures； and faces； but a shadowy tableau just emerged from the deep； which directly must receive back what it gave。 Perhaps it was some such influence as above is attempted to be described which； in Captain Delano's mind； heightened whatever； upon a staid scrutiny； might have seemed unusual； especially the conspicuous figures of four elderly grizzled Negroes； their heads like black； doddered willow tops； who； in venerable contrast to the tumult below them； were couched sphynx…like； one on the starboard cat…head； another on the larboard； and the remaining pair face to face on the opposite bulwarks above the main…chains。 They each had bits of unstranded old junk in their hands； and； with a sort of stoical self…content； were picking the junk into oakum； a small heap of which lay by their sides。 They accompanied the task with a continuous； low； monotonous chant； droning and drooling away like so many grey…headed bag…pipers playing a funeral march。 The quarter…deck rose into an ample elevated poop； upon the forward verge of which； lifted； like the oakum…pickers； some eight feet above the general throng； sat along in a row； separated by regular spaces； the cross…legged figures of six other blacks； each with a rusty hatchet in his hand； which； with a bit of brick and a rag； he was engaged like a scullion in scouring； while between each two was a small stack of hatchets； their rusted edges turned forward awaiting a like operation。 Though occasionally the four oakum…pickers would briefly address some person or persons in the crowd below； yet the six hatchet…polishers neither spoke to others； nor breathed a whisper among themselves； but sat intent upon their task； except at intervals； when； with the peculiar love in Negroes of uniting industry with pastime； two…and…two they sideways clashed their hatchets together； like cymbals； with a barbarous din。 All six； unlike the generality； had the raw aspect of unsophisticated Africans。 But the first comprehensive glance which took in those ten figures； with scores less conspicuous； rested but an instant upon them； as； impatient of the hubbub of voices； the visitor turned in quest of whomsoever it might be that commanded the ship。 But as if not unwilling to let nature make known her own case among his suffering charge； or else in despair of restraining it for the time； the Spanish captain； a gentlemanly； reserved…looking； and rather young man to a stranger's eye； dressed with singular richness； but bearing plain traces of recent sleepless cares and disquietudes； stood passively by； leaning against the main…mast； at one moment casting a dreary； spiritless look upon his excited people； at the next an unhappy glance toward his visitor。 By his side stood a black of small stature； in whose rude face； as occasionally； like a shepherd's dog； he mutely turned it up into the Spaniard's； sorrow and affection were equally blended。 Struggling through the throng； the American advanced to the Spaniard； assuring him of his sympathies； and offering to render whatever assistance might be in his power。 To which the Spaniard returned； for the present； but grave and ceremonious acknowledgments； his national formality dusked by the saturnine mood of ill health。 But losing no time in mere compliments； Captain Delano returning to the gangway； had his baskets of fish brought up； and as the wind still continued light； so that some hours at least must elapse ere the ship could be brought to the anchorage； he bade his men return to the sealer； and fetch back as much water as the whaleboat could carry； with whatever soft bread the steward might have； all the remaining pumpkins on board； with a box of sugar； and a dozen of his private bottles of cider。 Not many minutes after the boat's pushing off； to the vexation of all； the wind entirely died away； and the tide turning； began drifting back the ship helplessly seaward。 But trusting this would not last； Captain Delano sought with good hopes to cheer up the strangers； feeling no small satisfaction that； with persons in their condition he could… thanks to his frequent voyages along the Spanish main… converse with some freedom in their native tongue。 While left alone with them； he was not long in observing some things tending to heighten his first impressions； but surprise was lost in pity； both for the Spaniards and blacks； alike evidently reduced from scarcity of water and provisions； while long…continued suffering seemed to have brought out the less good…natured qualities of the Negroes； besides； at the same time； impairing the Spaniard's authority over them。 But； under the circumstances； precisely this condition of things was to have been anticipated。 In armies； navies； cities； or families… in nature herself… nothing more relaxes good order than misery。 Still； Captain Delano was not without the idea； that had Benito Cereno been a man of greater energy； misrule would hardly have come to the present pass。 But the debility； constitutional or induced by the hardships； bodily and mental； of the Spanish captain； was too obvious to be overlooked。 A prey to settled dejection； as if long mocked with hope he would not now indulge it； even when it had ceased to be a mock； the prospect of that day or evening at furthest； lying at anchor； with plenty of water for his people； and a brother captain to counsel and befriend； seemed in no perceptible degree to encourage him。 His mind appeared unstrung； if not still more seriously affected。 Shut up in these oaken walls； chained to one dull round of command； whose unconditionality cloyed him； like some hypochondriac abbot he moved slowly about； at times suddenly pausing； starting； or staring； biting his lip； biting his finger…nail； flushing； paling； twitching his beard； with other symptoms of an absent or moody mind。 This distempered spirit was lodged； as before hinted； in as distempered a frame。 He was rather tall； but seemed never to have been robust； and now with nervous suffering was almost worn to a skeleton。 A tendency to some pulmonary complaint appeared to have been lately confirmed。 His voice was like that of one with lungs half gone； hoarsely suppressed； a husky whisper。 No wonder that； as in this state he tottered about； his private servant apprehensively followed him。 Sometimes the Negro gave his master his arm； or took his handkerchief out of his pocket for him； performing these and similar offices with that affecti
