Benito Cereno

Left by himself, Captain Delano notices that some sailors are searching his glance, as if attempting to communicate with him. Concerned, Delano descends from the poop deck and seeks out a sailor to have a few words with. As he makes his way through a group of enslaved people, the oakum-pickers cry out, and the other Black passengers begin to follow Delano, forming a sort of protective escort. Delano observes a sailor with tar-stained hands and associates his haggardness with criminality. He then encounters a sailor working on splicing a rope and initiates a conversation. The man looks up shyly and briefly answers Delano’s questions, confirming Cereno’s account of the ship’s voyage. However, the exchange comes to an abrupt halt when the Black passengers get closer. Confused, Delano roams the ship, wondering if Benito Cereno might be “any way in complicity with the blacks” (55). He quickly dismisses this idea, deeming Black people incapable of such a complex plan.

Delano then notices an old Spanish sailor working on a knot. When Delano approaches him, the man throws the knot at him and instructs him in English to quickly undo it. Confused and uncertain, Delano hesitates and notices Atufal standing silently to the side. An elderly enslaved man retrieves the knot from Delano and tosses it overboard, explaining that the old sailor is simple-witted but harmless. The captain finds the situation peculiar but decides to ignore it, choosing to “get rid of the malady” by “ignoring the symptoms” (57). He takes comfort in looking at his steadily approaching boat. Laughing at his earlier suspicions, Delano concludes that he could never be subjected to harm on this ship because his conscience is clear.

Babo approaches Delano, informing him that Cereno is feeling better and will soon join him. Delano welcomes this positive development, interpreting it as a sign of Cereno’s goodwill. As he walks the poop deck, Delano realizes that the calm sea will delay the arrival of his boat. This frustration rekindles his earlier suspicions and concerns. However, relief washes over him as he observes his boat finally reaching the San Dominick. Cereno arrives, and Delano proposes serving out the water to ensure everyone receives an equal share. Cereno seems annoyed by this suggestion. As a few Black men hoist up the casks of provisions, they accidentally bump into Delano. In response, Delano raises his hand, a gesture half-joking and half-menacing. This momentarily shocks everyone. The hatchet-polishers then abruptly stand up, Cereno cries out, and Delano fears for his safety. However, the oakum-pickers manage to restore calm. Once the casks are on deck, Delano distributes the water, reserving more for Cereno. However, Cereno only takes a small sip before returning it. Delano suggests setting aside special items like soft bread, sugar, and cider for the white sailors, but Cereno insists on sharing them with the Black passengers. Delano sends his boat back to the Bachelor’s Delight, informing his chief officer that he will pilot the San Dominick back.

Delano expresses regret that Cereno’s ship lacks boats, which could be useful for maneuvering the ship. Cereno clarifies that the boats were lost during the storm. Delano inquires if this occurred near Cape Horn, referencing Cereno’s earlier account. Cereno is confused, responding with, “[W]ho spoke of Cape Horn?” (65). Delano reminds him of Cereno’s account of the ship’s voyage. Cereno appears distressed. Babo steps in, reminding Cereno that it’s time for his daily shave, and inviting Delano to continue the conversation below deck. Delano finds this custom strange but follows the two into the captain’s cabin.

The small, crowded space seems to serve various functions, from dormitory to armory, surprising Delano. As Cereno sits down for his shave, Babo preps him, and Delano reflects on his belief that Black people are naturally inclined to be servants due to their grace, good spirits, and docility. He observes Babo shaving Cereno, holding the razor to his neck, and notes that Cereno resembles a man at the execution block and Babo a headsman. Delano then notices the fabric under Cereno’s chin is a Spanish flag. When he brings this up, Cereno starts to shake, and Babo warns him that the shaking might lead to him getting cut. Delano remarks on the oddity of the San Dominick taking two months to travel from Cape Horn to St. Maria, a distance he himself has covered in just a few days. This statement startles Cereno, leading to Babo accidentally cutting him. Cereno looks terrified, and Delano concludes that a man so unnerved by the sight of his own blood couldn’t possibly be plotting murder. He thinks to himself that Cereno looks like a statue crafted by Babo, the sculptor.

Observing Cereno’s sullen demeanor and sensing his unwelcome presence, Delano walks out of the cabin, leaving Babo and Cereno alone. He hears a commotion inside, and soon Babo approaches with a cut on his cheek. He explains that Cereno struck him with the razor in retribution for his mistake. Shocked, Delano reflects on slavery’s corrupting influence on the hearts of men. Babo reenters the cabin and emerges with Cereno, leaning on him once again as if nothing happened. Observing them, Delano interprets their relationship as “a sort of love-quarrel” (76).