VOA慢速英語(yǔ):《貝尼托·塞萊諾》第三章，赫爾曼·麥爾維爾著

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Today we complete the story of Benito Cereno, writtenby Herman Melville.

As we told you in earlier parts of our story, rebel slavesseized the ship San Dominick off the coast of Chile.They killed many of its officers and crew. The captain,Benito Cereno, was ordered to sail to Senegal. But first, he was forced to take the ship to the lonely island ofSanta Maria, near the southern end of Chile. There, itcould safely get water and supplies for the long,dangerous voyage to Africa.

At the island, the rebels were surprised and frightenedwhen they found an American ship anchored in theharbor. It also had stopped for water. Many of therebels wanted to sail away. But their leader, Babo,opposed it. They had little water and food, and couldnot go far. Babo created a story to keep anyone fromsuspecting that the Spanish vessel was in the hands ofrebels, and that its captain was a prisoner.

At first, Babo seemed successful. The captain of theAmerican ship, Amasa Delano, visited the SanDominick. He suspected nothing, although surprisedby the general disorder on board. He also could notunderstand the strange behavior of its captain, BenitoCereno. Later incidents, however, began to worry him. Captain Delano grew more and more suspicious. Atone time, he even feared that his life might be in danger.

Twice, he caught the Spanish captain and his servant,Babo, with their heads together, whispering like twoconspirators. It made Captain Delano wonder. Werethey plotting to kill him and seize his ship? Who werethese men, cut throats? Pirates?

Captian Delano grew nervous. Then, he was happy tosee his whale boat off in the distance. It was returningwith supplies for the Spanish ship. The sight of his boatcalmed him. It made his suspicions and fear quicklydisappear. He felt foolish for having had such darkthoughts.

Now, here is Shep O'Neal with the rest of our story, "Benito Cereno."

Captain Delano went down to Captain Cereno’s cabinto cheer him up and say goodbye. “Better and better,Don Benito,” he said as he entered the cabin, “yourtroubles will soon be over.” The American invited theSpanish captain to come aboard his boat for a cup ofcoffee.

Cereno’s eyes brightened. But then the light in themdied. He shook his head and said he could not acceptthe invitation. Captain Delano was offended. He wasabout to withdraw when Don Benito rose from his chairand took Delano’s hand. The Spaniard’s hand shook. And he was too excited to speak. Delano pulled his hand away and turned,climbing back to the deck. His face was troubled.

Captain Delano could not understand Don Benito's actions. One minute theSpaniard was warm and polite. Then -- just as quickly -- cold and hostile.Captain Delano asked himself: Why did he refuse to join me? Why is he sounfriendly?

Captain Delano got to the deck and was about to step down into his boatwhen he heard his name. To his surprise, Don Benito was calling, comingquickly toward him.

Captain Delano was pleased and turned back to meet him. Don Benitowarmly took his hand, with more energy and emotion than he had ever shown. But his excitement seemed too much for him, and he could not speak. Babothen came between the two men and put his arm around Don Benito tosupport him. Clearly, he wanted to end the meeting between the two captains.

Walking between the two men, Babo went with them to the walkway. DonBenito would not let go of Captain Delano’s hand. He held it tightly across theservant’s body.

Soon, they were standing by the ship’s side, looking down onto the Americanboat. Its crew turned up their wondering eyes. Captain Delano did not knowwhat to do as he waited for Don Benito to let go of his hand. He wanted tostep down into his boat. But Don Benito still firmly held his hand.

Then, in an excited voice the Spaniard said: “I can go no further. Here I mustsay goodbye. Farewell, my dear, dear Don Amasa. Go! Go!” And he tore hishand loose. “Go, and God protect you better than he did me. Go, DonAmasa, my best friend.”

Captain Delano was deeply moved. He would have stayed for another minuteor so, but he caught the eye of Babo. It seemed to say, ‘This is bad for DonBenito’s health.’ And so he quickly took the short step down into his boat withthe continuing farewells of Don Benito, who stood rooted at the ship’s side.

Captain Delano sat down in the back of his boat, gave Don Benito a lastsalute, and ordered his men to push off. The boat began to move. Suddenly,Don Benito sprang over the side and came down at Delano’s feet. And hekept shouting toward the Spanish ship. His cries were so wild that no onecould understand him.

An American officer asked what does this mean. Captain Delano turned acold smile upon Captain Cereno and said he neither knew nor cared. Itseems, he added, that the Spaniard has taken it into his head to give hispeople the idea that we want to kidnap him. Or else…and suddenly CaptainDelano shouted: “Watch out for your lives!” He saw Babo, the servant, on therail above, with a dagger in his hand. He was ready to jump.

What followed happened so quickly that Captain Delano could not tell oneincident from another. They all came together in one great blur of violentaction and excitement.

As Babo came down, Captain Delano flung Don Benito aside and caught therebel leader, pulling the dagger from his hand. He pushed Babo firmly down in the bottom of the boat, which now began to pick up speed. Then, Babo, withhis one free hand, pulled a second dagger from his clothes and struck atCaptain Cereno. Captain Delano knocked it from his hand.

Now, he saw everything clearly: Babo had leaped into the whale boat – not tokill him – but to kill Captain Cereno.

For the first time, he understood the mysterious behavior of Don Benito – aprisoner under sentence of death. He looked back at the Spanish ship andgot a clear picture of what its captain had escaped.

On board the San Dominick, the shouting rebels were raising their axes andknives in a wild revolt. They stopped some of the Spanish sailors fromjumping into the sea. A few, however, jumped, while two or three, who werenot quick enough, went hurrying up the top-most wood arms.

Captain Delano signaled to his ship, ordering it to get its guns ready. Whenthe whale boat reached his ship Captain Delano asked for ropes. He tiedBabo, and had him pulled up on deck. A small boat was quickly sent out topick up three Spanish sailors who had jumped from Captain Cereno’s ship.

Captain Delano asked Don Benito what guns the rebels had. He answeredthat they had none that could be used. In the first days of the rebellion, acabin passenger now dead had destroyed the few guns there were.

The Americans fired six shots at the San Dominick. But the rebel ship movedout of reach. Small boats were armed and lowered. Captain Delano orderedhis men into them. And they moved out to capture the rebel ship.

The boats caught up with the San Dominick when it was nearly night. But themoon was rising, and the gunners were able to see where they wereshooting. The rebels had no bullets. And they could do nothing but yell. Manyof the rebels were killed and the San Dominick was captured.

After an investigation, Babo was found guilty of stealing a ship and of murder, and was hanged. Captain Benito Cereno never was well again and he soondied. So, ended the terrible story of the slave revolt aboard the slave ship, theSan Dominick.

You have just heard the American Story "Benito Cereno." It was written byHerman Melville. Your storyteller was Shep O'Neal.

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Words in This Story

incident – n. an event or something that happens

whale boat - n. a long rowboat with a bow at either end for easy maneuverability, formerly used in whaling

dagger - n. a sharp pointed knife that is used as a weapon

gunners - n. a soldier who operates a large gun?