benito cereno-第21章
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ery near the American ship; Bachelor's Delight; which lay in the same bay; commanded by the generous Captain Amasa Delano; but at six o'clock in the morning; they had already descried the port; and the Negroes became uneasy; as soon as at distance they saw the ship; not having expected to see one there; that the Negro Babo pacified them; assuring them that no fear need be had; that straightway he ordered the figure on the bow to be covered with canvas; as for repairs; and had the decks a little set in order; that for a time the Negro Babo and the Negro Atufal conferred; that the Negro Atufal was for sailing away; but the Negro Babo would not; and; by himself; cast about what to do; that at last he came to the deponent; proposing to him to say and do all that the deponent declares to have said and done to the American captain;。。。 that the Negro Babo warned him that if he varied in the least; or uttered any word; or gave any look that should give the least intimation of the past events or present state; he would instantly kill him; with all his companions; showing a dagger; which he carried hid; saying something which; as he understood it; meant that that dagger would be alert as his eye; that the Negro Babo then announced the plan to all his companions; which pleased them; that he then; the better to disguise the truth; devised many expedients; in some of them uniting deceit and defence; that of this sort was the device of the six Ashantees before named; who were his bravos; that them he stationed on the break of the poop; as if to clean certain hatchets (in cases; which were part of the cargo); but in reality to use them; and distribute them at need; and at a given word he told them that; among other devices; was the device of presenting Atufal; his right…hand man; as chained; though in a moment the chains could be dropped; that in every particular he informed the deponent what part he was expected to enact in every device; and what story he was to tell on every occasion; always threatening him with instant death if he varied in the least; that; conscious that many of the Negroes would be turbulent; the Negro Babo appointed the four aged Negroes; who were caulkers; to keep what domestic order they could on the decks; that again and again he harangued the Spaniards and his companions; informing them of his intent; and of his devices; and of the invented story that this deponent was to tell; charging them lest any of them varied from that story; that these arrangements were made and matured during the interval of two or three hours; between their first sighting the ship and the arrival on board of Captain Amasa Delano; that this happened at about half…past seven in the morning; Captain Amasa Delano coming in his boat; and all gladly receiving him; that the deponent; as well as he could force himself; acting then the part of principal owner; and a free captain of the ship; told Captain Amasa Delano; when called upon; that he came from Buenos Ayres; bound to Lima; with three hundred Negroes; that off Cape Horn; and in a subsequent fever; many Negroes had died; that also; by similar casualties; all the sea officers and the greatest part of the crew had died。
'And so the deposition goes on; circumstantially recounting the fictitious story dictated to the deponent by Babo; and through the deponent imposed upon Captain Delano; and also recounting the friendly offers of Captain Delano; with other things; but all of which is here omitted。 After the fictitious; strange story; etc。; the deposition proceeds:'
…That the generous Captain Amasa Delano remained on board all the day; till he left the ship anchored at six o'clock in the evening; deponent speaking to him always of his pretended misfortunes; under the fore…mentioned principles; without having had it in his power to tell a single word; or give him the least hint; that he might know the truth and state of things; because the Negro Babo; performing the office of an officious servant with all the appearance of submission of the humble slave; did not leave the deponent one moment; that this was in order to observe the deponent's actions and words; for the Negro Babo understands well the Spanish; and besides; there were thereabout some others who were constantly on the watch; and likewise understood the Spanish;。。。 that upon one occasion; while deponent was standing on the deck conversing with Amasa Delano; by a secret sign the Negro Babo drew him (the deponent) aside; the act appearing as if originating with the deponent; that then; he being drawn aside; the Negro Babo proposed to him to gain from Amasa Delano full particulars about his ship; and crew; and arms; that the deponent asked 〃For what?〃 that the Negro Babo answered he might conceive; that; grieved at the prospect of what might overtake the generous Captain Amasa Delano; the deponent at first refused to ask the desired questions; and used every argument to induce the Negro Babo to give up this new design; that the Negro Babo showed the point of his dagger; that; after the information had been obtained; the Negro Babo again drew him aside; telling him that that very night he (the deponent) would be captain of two ships instead of one; for that; great part of the American's ship's crew being to be absent fishing; the six Ashantees; without any one else; would easily take it; that at this time he said other things to the same purpose; that no entreaties availed; that before Amasa Delano's coming on board; no hint had been given touching the capture of the American ship; that to prevent this project the deponent was powerless;。。。 …that in some things his memory is confused; he cannot distinctly recall every event;。。。 …that as soon as they had cast anchor at six of the clock in the evening; as has before been stated; the American captain took leave to return to his vessel; that upon a sudden impulse; which the deponent believes to have come from God and his angels; he; after the farewell had been said; followed the generous Captain Amasa Delano as far as the gunwale; where he stayed; under the pretence of taking leave; until Amasa Delano should have been seated in his boat; that on shoving off; the deponent sprang from the gunwale; into the boat; and fell into it; he knows not how; God guarding him; that…
'Here; in the original; follows the account of what further happened at the escape; and how the 〃San Dominick〃 was retaken; and of the passage to the coast; including in the recital many expressions of 〃eternal gratitude〃 to the 〃generous Captain Amasa Delano。〃 The deposition then proceeds with recapitulatory remarks; and a partial renumeration of the Negroes; making record of their individual part in the past events; with a view to furnishing; according to command of the court; the data whereon to found the criminal sentences to be pronounced。 From this portion is the following:'
…That he believes that all the Negroes; though not in the first place knowing to the design of revolt; when it was accomplished; approved it。。。。 That the Negro; Jose; eighteen years old; and in the personal service of Don Alexandro; was the one who communicated the information to the Negro Babo; about the state of things in the cabin; before the revolt; that this is known; because; in the preceding midnight; lie used to come from his berth; which was under his master's; in the cabin; to the deck where the ringleader and his associates were; and had secret conversations with the Negro Babo; in which he was several times seen by the mate; that; one night; the mate drove him away twice;。。。 that this same Negro Jose; was the one who; without being commanded to do so by the Negro Babo; as Lecbe and Martinqui were; stabbed his master; Don Alexandro; after he had been dragged half…lifeless to the deck;。。。 that the mulatto steward; Francesco; was of the first band of revolters; that he was; in all things; the creature and tool of the Negro Babo; that; to make his court; he; just before a repast in the cabin; proposed; to the Negro Babo; poisoning a dish for the generous Captain Amasa Delano; this is known and believed; because the Negroes have said it; but that the Negro Babo; having another design; forbade Francesco;。。。 that the Ashantee L