Omittingtheincidentsandarrangementsensuing，sufficeitthat，aftertwodaysspentinrefitting，thetwoshipssailedincompanyforConcepcioninChili，andthenceforLimainPeru；where，beforethevice-regalcourts，thewholeaffair，fromthebeginning，underwentinvestigation。
Though，midwayonthepassage，theill-fatedSpaniard，relaxedfromconstraint，showedsomesignsofregaininghealthwithfree-will；
yet，agreeablytohisownforeboding，shortlybeforearrivingatLima，herelapsed，finallybecomingsoreducedastobecarriedashoreinarms。Hearingofhisstoryandplight，oneofthemanyreligiousinstitutionsoftheCityofKingsopenedanhospitablerefugetohim，wherebothphysicianandpriestwerehisnurses，andamemberoftheordervolunteeredtobehisonespecialguardianandconsoler，bynightandbyday。
Thefollowingextracts，translatedfromoneoftheofficialSpanishdocuments，will，itishoped，shedlightontheprecedingnarrative，aswellas，inthefirstplace，revealthetrueportofdepartureandtruehistoryoftheSanDominick\'svoyage，downtothetimeofhertouchingattheislandofSantaMaria。
But，eretheextractscome，itmaybewelltoprefacethemwitharemark。
Thedocumentselected，fromamongmanyothers，forpartialtranslation，containsthedepositionofBenitoCereno；thefirsttakeninthecase。Somedisclosuresthereinwere，atthetime，helddubiousforbothlearnedandnaturalreasons。Thetribunalinclinedtotheopinionthatthedeponent，notundisturbedinhismindbyrecentevents，ravedofsomethingswhichcouldneverhavehappened。Butsubsequentdepositionsofthesurvivingsailors，bearingouttherevelationsoftheircaptaininseveralofthestrangestparticulars，gavecredencetotherest。Sothatthetribunal，initsfinaldecision，resteditscapitalsentencesuponstatementswhich，hadtheylackedconfirmation，itwouldhavedeemeditbutdutytoreject。
I，DONJOSEDEABOSANDPADILLA，HisMajesty\'sNotaryfortheRoyalRevenue，andRegisterofthisProvince，andNotaryPublicoftheHolyCrusadeofthisBishopric，etc。
Docertifyanddeclare，asmuchasisrequisiteinlaw，that，inthecriminalcausecommencedthetwenty-fourthofthemonthofSeptember，intheyearseventeenhundredandninety-nine，againsttheSenegalNegroesoftheshipSanDominick，thefollowingdeclarationbeforemewasmade。
Declarationofthefirstwitness，DONBENITOCERENO。
Thesameday，andmonth，andyear，HisHonour，DoctorJuanMartinezdeDozas，CouncilloroftheRoyalAudienceofthisKingdom，andlearnedinthelawofthisIntendancy，orderedthecaptainoftheshipSanDominick，DonBenitoCereno，toappear；whichhedidinhislitter，attendedbythemonkInfelez；ofwhomhereceived，beforeDonJosedeAbosandPadilla，NotaryPublicoftheHolyCrusade，theoath，whichhetookbyGod，ourLord，andasignoftheCross；underwhichhepromisedtotellthetruthofwhateverheshouldknowandshouldbeasked；-andbeinginterrogatedagreeablytothetenoroftheactcommencingtheprocess，hesaid，thatonthetwentiethofMaylast，hesetsailwithhisshipfromtheportofValparaiso，boundtothatofCallao；loadedwiththeproduceofthecountryandonehundredandsixtyblacks，ofbothsexes，mostlybelongingtoDonAlexandroAranda，gentleman，ofthecityofMendoza；thatthecrewoftheshipconsistedofthirty-sixmen，besidethepersonswhowentaspassengers；thattheNegroeswereinpartasfollows：
[Here，intheoriginal，followsalistofsomefiftynames，descriptions，andages，compiledfromcertainrecovereddocumentsofAranda\'s，andalsofromrecollectionsofthedeponent，fromwhichportionsonlyareextracted。]-
One，fromabouteighteentonineteenyears，namedJose，andthiswasthemanthatwaiteduponhismaster，DonAlexandro，andwhospeakswelltheSpanish，havingservedhimfourorfiveyears；……amulatto，namedFrancesco，thecabinsteward，ofagoodpersonandvoice，havingsungintheValparaisochurches，nativeoftheprovinceofBuenosAyres，agedaboutthirty-fiveyears……AsmartNegro，namedDago，whohadbeenformanyyearsagravediggeramongtheSpaniards，agedforty-sixyears……FouroldNegroes，borninAfrica，fromsixtytoseventy，butsound，caulkersbytrade，whosenamesareasfollows：-thefirstwasnamedMuri，andhewaskilled（aswasalsohissonnamedDiamelo）；thesecond，Nacta；thethird，Yola，likewisekilled；thefourth，Ghofan；andsixfull-grownNegroes，agedfromthirtytoforty-five，allraw，andbornamongtheAshantees-
Martinqui，Yan，Lecbe，Mapenda，Yambaio，Akim；fourofwhomwerekilled；……apowerfulNegronamedAtufal，who，beingsupposedtohavebeenachiefinAfrica，hisownerssetgreatstorebyhim……AndasmallNegroofSenegal，butsomeyearsamongtheSpaniards，agedaboutthirty，whichNegro\'snamewasBabo；……thathedoesnotrememberthenamesoftheothers，butthatstillexpectingtheresidueofDonAlexandro\'spaperswillbefound，willthentakedueaccountofthemall，andremittothecourt；……andthirty-ninewomenandchildrenofallages。
[Afterthecatalogue，thedepositiongoesonasfollows：]……ThatalltheNegroessleptupondeck，asiscustomaryinthisnavigation，andnoneworefetters，becausetheowner，hisfriendAranda，toldhimthattheywerealltractable；……thatontheseventhdayafterleavingport，atthreeo\'clockinthemorning，alltheSpaniardsbeingasleepexceptthetwoofficersonthewatch，whoweretheboatswain，JuanRobles，andthecarpenter，JuanBautistaGayete，andthehelmsmanandhisboy，theNegroesrevoltedsuddenly，woundeddangerouslytheboatswainandthecarpenter，andsuccessivelykilledeighteenmenofthosewhoweresleepingupondeck，somewithhandspikesandhatchets，andothersbythrowingthemaliveoverboard，aftertyingthem；thatoftheSpaniardsupondeck，theyleftaboutseven，ashethinks，aliveandtied，tomanoeuvretheship，andthreeorfourmorewhohidthemselvesremainedalsoalive。
AlthoughintheactofrevolttheNegroesmadethemselvesmastersofthehatchway，sixorsevenwoundedwentthroughittothecockpit，withoutanyhindranceontheirpart；thatintheactofrevolt，themateandanotherperson，whosenamehedoesnotrecollect，attemptedtocomeupthroughthehatchway，buthavingbeenwoundedattheonset，theywereobligedtoreturntothecabin；thatthedeponentresolvedatbreakofdaytocomeupthecompanionway，wheretheNegroBabowas，beingtheringleader，andAtufal，whoassistedhim，andhavingspokentothem，exhortedthemtoceasecommittingsuchatrocities，askingthem，atthesametime，whattheywantedandintendedtodo，offering，himself，toobeytheircommands；that，notwithstandingthis，theythrew，inhispresence，threemen，aliveandtied，overboard；
thattheytoldthedeponenttocomeup，andthattheywouldnotkillhim；whichhavingdone，theNegroBaboaskedhimwhethertherewereinthoseseasanyNegrocountrieswheretheymightbecarried，andheansweredthem，No，thattheNegroBaboafterwardstoldhimtocarrythemtoSenegal，ortotheneighbouringislandsofSt。Nicholas；andheanswered，thatthiswasimpossible，onaccountofthegreatdistance，thenecessityinvolvedofroundingCapeHorn，thebadconditionofthevessel，thewantofprovisions，sails，andwater；butthattheNegroBaborepliedtohimhemustcarrytheminanyway；thattheywoulddoandconformthemselvestoeverythingthedeponentshouldrequireastoeatinganddrinking；thatafteralongconference，beingabsolutelycompelledtopleasethem，fortheythreatenedhimtokillallthewhitesiftheywerenot，atallevents，carriedtoSenegal，hetoldthemthatwhatwasmostwantingforthevoyagewaswater；thattheywouldgonearthecoasttotakeit，andhencetheywouldproceedontheircourse；thattheNegroBaboagreedtoit；andthedeponentsteeredtowardtheintermediateports，hopingtomeetsomeSpanishorforeignvesselthatwouldsavethem；thatwithintenorelevendaystheysawtheland，andcontinuedtheircoursebyitinthevicinityofNasca；thatthedeponentobservedthattheNegroeswerenowrestlessandmutinous，becausehedidnoteffectthetakinginofwater，theNegroBabohavingrequired，withthreats，thatitshouldbedone，withoutfail，thefollowingday；hetoldhimhesawplainlythatthecoastwassteep，andtheriversdesignatedinthemapswerenotbefound，withotherreasonssuitabletothecircumstances；thatthebestwaywouldbetogototheislandofSantaMaria，wheretheymightwaterandvictualeasily，itbeingadesertisland，astheforeignersdid；thatthedeponentdidnotgotoPisco，thatwasnear，normakeanyotherportofthecoast，becausetheNegroBabohadintimatedtohimseveraltimes，thathewouldkillallthewhitestheverymomentheshouldperceiveanycity，town，orsettlementofanykindontheshorestowhichtheyshouldbecarried；thathavingdeterminedtogototheislandofSantaMaria，asthedeponenthadplanned，forthepurposeoftryingwhether，inthepassageorintheislanditself，theycouldfindanyvesselthatshouldfavourthem，orwhetherhecouldescapefromitinaboattotheneighbouringcoastofArruco；toadoptthenecessarymeansheimmediatelychangedhiscourse，steeringfortheisland；thattheNegroesBaboandAtufalhelddailyconferences，inwhichtheydiscussedwhatwasnecessaryfortheirdesignofreturningtoSenegal，whethertheyweretokillalltheSpaniards，andparticularlythedeponent；thateightdaysafterpartingfromthecoastofNasca，thedeponentbeingonthewatchalittleafterday-break，andsoonaftertheNegroeshadtheirmeeting，theNegroBabocametotheplacewherethedeponentwas，andtoldhimthathehaddeterminedtokillhismaster，DonAlexandroAranda，bothbecauseheandhiscompanionscouldnototherwisebesureoftheirliberty，andthat，tokeeptheseameninsubjection，hewantedtoprepareawarningofwhatroadtheyshouldbemadetotakedidtheyoranyofthemopposehim；andthat，bymeansofthedeathofDonAlexandro，thatwarningwouldbestbegiven；but，thatwhatthislastmeant，thedeponentdidnotatthetimecomprehend，norcouldnot，furtherthanthatthedeathofDonAlexandrowasintended；andmoreover，theNegroBaboproposedtothedeponenttocallthemateRaneds，whowassleepinginthecabin，beforethethingwasdone，forfear，asthedeponentunderstoodit，thatthemate，whowasagoodnavigator，shouldbekilledwithDonAlexandroandtherest；thatthedeponent，whowasthefriend，fromyouthofDonAlexandro，prayedandconjured，butallwasuseless；
fortheNegroBaboansweredhimthatthethingcouldnotbeprevented，andthatalltheSpaniardsriskedtheirdeathiftheyshouldattempttofrustratehiswillinthismatter，oranyother；that，inthisconflict，thedeponentcalledthemate，Raneds，whowasforcedtogoapart，andimmediatelytheNegroBabocommandedtheAshanteeMartinquiandtheAshanteeLecbetogoandcommitthemurder；thatthosetwowentdownwithhatchetstotheberthofDonAlexandro；that，yethalfaliveandmangled，theydraggedhimondeck；thattheyweregoingtothrowhimoverboardinthatstate，buttheNegroBabostoppedthem，biddingthemurderbecompletedonthedeckbeforehim，whichwasdone，when，byhisorders，thebodywascarriedbelow，forward；thatnothingmorewasseenofitbythedeponentforthreedays；……thatDonAlonzoSidonia，anoldman，longresidentatValparaiso，andlatelyappointedtoacivilofficeinPeru，whitherhehadtakenpassage，wasatthetimesleepingintheberthoppositeDonAlexandro\'s；that，awakeningathiscries，surprisedbythem，andatthesightoftheNegroeswiththeirbloodyhatchetsintheirhands，hethrewhimselfintotheseathroughawindowwhichwasnearhim，andwasdrowned，withoutitbeinginthepowerofthedeponenttoassistortakehimup；……that，ashorttimeafterkillingAranda，theybroughtupondeckhisgerman-cousin，ofmiddle-age，DonFranciscoMasa，ofMendoza，andtheyoungDonJoaquin，MarquesdeAramboalaza，thenlatelyfromSpain，withhisSpanishservantPonce，andthethreeyoungclerksofAranda，JoseMozairi，LorenzoBargas，andHermenegildoGandix，allofCadiz；thatDonJoaquinandHermenegildoGandix，theNegroBaboforpurposeshereaftertoappear，preservedalive；butDonFranciscoMasa，JoseMozairi，andLorenzoBargas，withPonce，theservant，besidetheboatswain，JuanRobles，theboatswain\'smates，ManuelViscayaandRoderigoHurta，and，fourofthesailors，theNegroBaboorderedtobethrownaliveintothesea，althoughtheymadenoresistance，norbeggedforanythingelsebutmercy；thattheboatswain，JuanRobles，whoknewhowtoswim，keptthelongestabovewater，makingactsofcontrition，and，inthelastwordsheuttered，chargedthisdeponenttocausemasstobesaidforhissoultoourLadyofSuccour；……that，duringthethreedayswhichfollowed，thedeponent，uncertainwhatfatehadbefallentheremainsofDonAlexandro，frequentlyaskedtheNegroBabowheretheywere，and，ifstillonboard，whethertheyweretobepreservedforintermentashore，entreatinghimsotoorderit；thattheNegroBaboanswerednothingtillthefourthday，whenatsunrise，thedeponentcomingondeck，theNegroBaboshowedhimaskeleton，whichhadbeensubstitutedfortheship\'sproperfigure-head，theimageofChristopherColon，thediscovereroftheNewWorld；thattheNegroBaboaskedhimwhoseskeletonthatwas，andwhether，fromitswhiteness，heshouldnotthinkitawhite\'s；that，uponhiscoveringhisface，theNegroBabo，comingclose，saidwordstothiseffect：
\"KeepfaithwiththeblacksfromheretoSenegal，oryoushallinspirit，asnowinbody，followyourleader，\"pointingtotheprow；……thatthesamemorningtheNegroBabotookbysuccessioneachSpaniardforward，andaskedhimwhoseskeletonthatwas，andwhether，fromitswhiteness，heshouldnotthinkitawhite\'s；thateachSpaniardcoveredhisface；thatthentoeachtheNegroBaborepeatedthewordsinthefirstplacesaidtothedeponent；……thatthey（theSpaniards），beingthenassembledaft，theNegroBaboharanguedthem，sayingthathehadnowdoneall；thatthedeponent（asnavigatorfortheNegroes）mightpursuehiscourse，warninghimandallofthemthattheyshould，soulandbody，gothewayofDonAlexandroifhesawthem（theSpaniards）speakorplotanythingagainstthem（theNegroes）-athreatwhichwasrepeatedeveryday；
that，beforetheeventslastmentioned，theyhadtiedthecooktothrowhimoverboard，foritisnotknownwhatthingtheyheardhimspeak，butfinallytheNegroBabosparedhislife，attherequestofthedeponent；thatafewdaysafter，thedeponent，endeavouringnottoomitanymeanstopreservethelivesoftheremainingwhites，spoketotheNegroespeaceandtranquillity，andagreedtodrawupapaper，signedbythedeponentandthesailorswhocouldwrite，asalsobytheNegroBabo，forhimselfandalltheblacks，inwhichthedeponentobligedhimselftocarrythemtoSenegal，andtheynottokillanymore，andheformallytomakeovertothemtheship，withthecargo，withwhichtheywereforthattimesatisfiedandquieted……Butthenextday，themoresurelytoguardagainstthesailors\'escape，theNegroBabocommandedalltheboatstobedestroyedbutthelong-boat，whichwasunseaworthy，andanother，acutteringoodcondition，which，knowingitwouldyetbewantedforloweringthewatercasks，hehaditlowereddownintothehold。
[Variousparticularsoftheprolongedandperplexednavigationensuingherefollow，withincidentsofacalamitouscalm，fromwhichportiononepassageisextracted，towit：]-
Thatonthefifthdayofthecalm，allonboardsufferingmuchfromtheheat，andwantofwater，andfivehavingdiedinfits，andmad，theNegroesbecameirritable，andforachancegesture，whichtheydeemedsuspicious-thoughitwasharmless-madebythemate，Raneds，tothedeponent，intheactofhandingaquadrant，theykilledhim；butthatforthistheyafterwardsweresorry，thematebeingtheonlyremainingnavigatoronboard，exceptthedeponent-
Thatomittingotherevents，whichdailyhappened，andwhichcanonlyserveuselesslytorecallpastmisfortunesandconflicts，afterseventy-threedays\'navigation，reckonedfromthetimetheysailedfromNasca，duringwhichtheynavigatedunderascantyallowanceofwater，andwereafflictedwiththecalmsbeforementioned，theyatlastarrivedattheislandofSantaMaria，ontheseventeenthofthemonthofAugust，ataboutsixo\'clockintheafternoon，atwhichhourtheycastanchorveryneartheAmericanship，Bachelor\'sDelight，whichlayinthesamebay，commandedbythegenerousCaptainAmasaDelano；butatsixo\'clockinthemorning，theyhadalreadydescriedtheport，andtheNegroesbecameuneasy，assoonasatdistancetheysawtheship，nothavingexpectedtoseeonethere；thattheNegroBabopacifiedthem，assuringthemthatnofearneedbehad；thatstraightwayheorderedthefigureonthebowtobecoveredwithcanvas，asforrepairs，andhadthedecksalittlesetinorder；
thatforatimetheNegroBaboandtheNegroAtufalconferred；thattheNegroAtufalwasforsailingaway，buttheNegroBabowouldnot，and，byhimself，castaboutwhattodo；thatatlasthecametothedeponent，proposingtohimtosayanddoallthatthedeponentdeclarestohavesaidanddonetotheAmericancaptain；……thattheNegroBabowarnedhimthatifhevariedintheleast，orutteredanyword，orgaveanylookthatshouldgivetheleastintimationofthepasteventsorpresentstate，hewouldinstantlykillhim，withallhiscompanions，showingadagger，whichhecarriedhid，sayingsomethingwhich，asheunderstoodit，meantthatthatdaggerwouldbealertashiseye；thattheNegroBabothenannouncedtheplantoallhiscompanions，whichpleasedthem；thathethen，thebettertodisguisethetruth，devisedmanyexpedients，insomeofthemunitingdeceitanddefence；thatofthissortwasthedeviceofthesixAshanteesbeforenamed，whowerehisbravos；thatthemhestationedonthebreakofthepoop，asiftocleancertainhatchets（incases，whichwerepartofthecargo），butinrealitytousethem，anddistributethematneed，andatagivenwordhetoldthemthat，amongotherdevices，wasthedeviceofpresentingAtufal，hisright-handman，aschained，thoughinamomentthechainscouldbedropped；thatineveryparticularheinformedthedeponentwhatparthewasexpectedtoenactineverydevice，andwhatstoryhewastotelloneveryoccasion，alwaysthreateninghimwithinstantdeathifhevariedintheleast；that，consciousthatmanyoftheNegroeswouldbeturbulent，theNegroBaboappointedthefouragedNegroes，whowerecaulkers，tokeepwhatdomesticordertheycouldonthedecks；thatagainandagainheharanguedtheSpaniardsandhiscompanions，informingthemofhisintent，andofhisdevices，andoftheinventedstorythatthisdeponentwastotell，chargingthemlestanyofthemvariedfromthatstory；thatthesearrangementsweremadeandmaturedduringtheintervaloftwoorthreehours，betweentheirfirstsightingtheshipandthearrivalonboardofCaptainAmasaDelano；thatthishappenedatabouthalf-pastseveninthemorning，CaptainAmasaDelanocominginhisboat，andallgladlyreceivinghim；thatthedeponent，aswellashecouldforcehimself，actingthenthepartofprincipalowner，andafreecaptainoftheship，toldCaptainAmasaDelano，whencalledupon，thathecamefromBuenosAyres，boundtoLima，withthreehundredNegroes；thatoffCapeHorn，andinasubsequentfever，manyNegroeshaddied；thatalso，bysimilarcasualties，alltheseaofficersandthegreatestpartofthecrewhaddied。
[Andsothedepositiongoeson，circumstantiallyrecountingthefictitiousstorydictatedtothedeponentbyBabo，andthroughthedeponentimposeduponCaptainDelano；andalsorecountingthefriendlyoffersofCaptainDelano，withotherthings，butallofwhichishereomitted。Afterthefictitious，strangestory，etc。，thedepositionproceeds：]-
ThatthegenerousCaptainAmasaDelanoremainedonboardalltheday，tillhelefttheshipanchoredatsixo\'clockintheevening，deponentspeakingtohimalwaysofhispretendedmisfortunes，underthefore-mentionedprinciples，withouthavinghaditinhispowertotellasingleword，orgivehimtheleasthint，thathemightknowthetruthandstateofthings；becausetheNegroBabo，performingtheofficeofanofficiousservantwithalltheappearanceofsubmissionofthehumbleslave，didnotleavethedeponentonemoment；thatthiswasinordertoobservethedeponent\'sactionsandwords，fortheNegroBabounderstandswelltheSpanish；andbesides，therewerethereaboutsomeotherswhowereconstantlyonthewatch，andlikewiseunderstoodtheSpanish；……thatupononeoccasion，whiledeponentwasstandingonthedeckconversingwithAmasaDelano，byasecretsigntheNegroBabodrewhim（thedeponent）aside，theactappearingasiforiginatingwiththedeponent；thatthen，hebeingdrawnaside，theNegroBaboproposedtohimtogainfromAmasaDelanofullparticularsabouthisship，andcrew，andarms；thatthedeponentasked\"Forwhat？\"thattheNegroBaboansweredhemightconceive；that，grievedattheprospectofwhatmightovertakethegenerousCaptainAmasaDelano，thedeponentatfirstrefusedtoaskthedesiredquestions，andusedeveryargumenttoinducetheNegroBabotogiveupthisnewdesign；thattheNegroBaboshowedthepointofhisdagger；that，aftertheinformationhadbeenobtained，theNegroBaboagaindrewhimaside，tellinghimthatthatverynighthe（thedeponent）wouldbecaptainoftwoshipsinsteadofone，forthat，greatpartoftheAmerican\'sship\'screwbeingtobeabsentfishing，thesixAshantees，withoutanyoneelse，wouldeasilytakeit；thatatthistimehesaidotherthingstothesamepurpose；thatnoentreatiesavailed；thatbeforeAmasaDelano\'scomingonboard，nohinthadbeengiventouchingthecaptureoftheAmericanship；thattopreventthisprojectthedeponentwaspowerless；-thatinsomethingshismemoryisconfused，hecannotdistinctlyrecalleveryevent；-thatassoonastheyhadcastanchoratsixoftheclockintheevening，ashasbeforebeenstated，theAmericancaptaintookleavetoreturntohisvessel；
thatuponasuddenimpulse，whichthedeponentbelievestohavecomefromGodandhisangels，he，afterthefarewellhadbeensaid，followedthegenerousCaptainAmasaDelanoasfarasthegunwale，wherehestayed，underthepretenceoftakingleave，untilAmasaDelanoshouldhavebeenseatedinhisboat；thatonshovingoff，thedeponentsprangfromthegunwale，intotheboat，andfellintoit，heknowsnothow，Godguardinghim；that-
[Here，intheoriginal，followstheaccountofwhatfurtherhappenedattheescape，andhowthe\"SanDominick\"wasretaken，andofthepassagetothecoast；includingintherecitalmanyexpressionsof\"eternalgratitude\"tothe\"generousCaptainAmasaDelano。\"Thedepositionthenproceedswithrecapitulatoryremarks，andapartialrenumerationoftheNegroes，makingrecordoftheirindividualpartinthepastevents，withaviewtofurnishing，accordingtocommandofthecourt，thedatawhereontofoundthecriminalsentencestobepronounced。Fromthisportionisthefollowing：]-
ThathebelievesthatalltheNegroes，thoughnotinthefirstplaceknowingtothedesignofrevolt，whenitwasaccomplished，approvedit……ThattheNegro，Jose，eighteenyearsold，andinthepersonalserviceofDonAlexandro，wastheonewhocommunicatedtheinformationtotheNegroBabo，aboutthestateofthingsinthecabin，beforetherevolt；thatthisisknown，because，intheprecedingmidnight，lieusedtocomefromhisberth，whichwasunderhismaster\'s，inthecabin，tothedeckwheretheringleaderandhisassociateswere，andhadsecretconversationswiththeNegroBabo，inwhichhewasseveraltimesseenbythemate；that，onenight，thematedrovehimawaytwice；……thatthissameNegroJose，wastheonewho，withoutbeingcommandedtodosobytheNegroBabo，asLecbeandMartinquiwere，stabbedhismaster，DonAlexandro，afterhehadbeendraggedhalf-lifelesstothedeck；……thatthemulattosteward，Francesco，wasofthefirstbandofrevolters，thathewas，inallthings，thecreatureandtooloftheNegroBabo；that，tomakehiscourt，he，justbeforearepastinthecabin，proposed，totheNegroBabo，poisoningadishforthegenerousCaptainAmasaDelano；thisisknownandbelieved，becausetheNegroeshavesaidit；butthattheNegroBabo，havinganotherdesign，forbadeFrancesco；……thattheAshanteeLecbewasoneoftheworstofthem；forthat，onthedaytheshipwasretaken，heassistedinthedefenceofher，withahatchetineachhand，withoneofwhichhewounded，inthebreast，thechiefmateofAmasaDelano，inthefirstactofboarding；thisallknew；that，insightofthedeponent，Lecbestruck，withahatchet，DonFranciscoMasawhen，bytheNegroBabo\'sorders，hewascarryinghimtothrowhimoverboard，alive；besideparticipatinginthemurder，beforementioned，ofDonAlexandroAranda，andothersofthecabin-passengers；that，owingtothefurywithwhichtheAshanteesfoughtintheengagementwiththeboats，butthisLecbeandYansurvived；thatYanwasbadasLecbe；thatYanwasthemanwho，byBabo\'scommand，willinglypreparedtheskeletonofDonAlexandro，inawaytheNegroesafterwardstoldthedeponent，butwhichhe，solongasreasonislefthim，canneverdivulge；thatYanandLecbewerethetwowho，inacalmbynight，rivetedtheskeletontothebow；thisalsotheNegroestoldhim；thattheNegroBabowashewhotracedtheinscriptionbelowit；thattheNegroBabowastheplotterfromfirsttolast；heorderedeverymurder，andwasthehelmandkeeloftherevolt；thatAtufalwashislieutenantinall；butAtufal，withhisownhand，committednomurder；nordidtheNegroBabo；……thatAtufalwasshot，beingkilledinthefightwiththeboats，ereboarding；……thattheNegresses，ofage，wereknowingtotherevolt，andtestifiedthemselvessatisfiedatthedeathoftheirmaster，DonAlexandro；that，hadtheNegroesnotrestrainedthem，theywouldhavetorturedtodeath，insteadofsimplykilling，theSpaniardsslainbycommandoftheNegroBabo；thattheNegressesusedtheirutmostinfluencetohavethedeponentmadeawaywith；that，inthevariousactsofmurder，theysangsongsanddanced-notgaily，butsolemnly；
andbeforetheengagementwiththeboats，aswellasduringtheaction，theysangmelancholysongstotheNegroes，andthatthismelancholytonewasmoreinflamingthanadifferentonewouldhavebeen，andwassointended；thatallthisisbelieved，becausetheNegroeshavesaidit-
Thatofthethirty-sixmenofthecrew-exclusiveofthepassengers（allofwhomarenowdead），whichthedeponenthadknowledgeof-sixonlyremainedalive，withfourcabin-boysandship-boys，notincludedwiththecrew；-thattheNegroesbrokeanarmofoneofthecabin-boysandgavehimstrokeswithhatchets。
[Thenfollowvariousrandomdisclosuresreferringtovariousperiodsoftime。Thefollowingareextracted：]-
ThatduringthepresenceofCaptainAmasaDelanoonboard，someattemptsweremadebythesailors，andonebyHermenegildoGandix，toconveyhintstohimofthetruestateofaffairs；butthattheseattemptswereineffectual，owingtofearofincurringdeath，andfurthermoreowingtothedeviceswhichofferedcontradictionstothetruestateofaffairs；aswellasowingtothegenerosityandpietyofAmasaDelano，incapableofsoundingsuchwickedness；……thatLuysGalgo，asailoraboutsixtyyearsofage，andformerlyoftheking\'snavy，wasoneofthosewhosoughttoconveytokenstoCaptainAmasaDelano；buthisintent，thoughundiscovered，beingsuspected，hewas，onapretence，madetoretireoutofsight，andatlastintothehold，andtherewasmadeawaywith。ThistheNegroeshavesincesaid；……thatoneoftheship-boysfeeling，fromCaptainAmasaDelano\'spresence，somehopesofrelease，andnothavingenoughprudence，droppedsomechance-wordrespectinghisexpectations，whichbeingoverheardandunderstoodbyaslave-boywithwhomhewaseatingatthetime，thelatterstruckhimontheheadwithaknife，inflictingabadwound，butofwhichtheboyisnowhealing；thatlikewise，notlongbeforetheshipwasbroughttoanchor，oneoftheseamen，steeringatthetime，endangeredhimselfbylettingtheblacksremarkacertainunconscioushopefulexpressioninhiscountenance，arisingfromsomecausesimilartotheabove；butthissailor，byhisheedfulafterconduct，escaped；……thatthesestatementsaremadetoshowthecourtthatfromthebeginningtotheendoftherevolt，itwasimpossibleforthedeponentandhismentoactotherwisethantheydid；-thatthethirdclerk，HermenegildoGandix，whobeforehadbeenforcedtoliveamongtheseamen，wearingaseaman\'shabit，andinallrespectsappearingtobeoneforthetime；he，Gandix，waskilledbyamusket-ballfiredthroughamistakefromtheAmericanboatsbeforeboarding；havinginhisfrightranupthemizzen-rigging，callingtotheboats-\"don\'tboard，\"
lestupontheirboardingtheNegroesshouldkillhim；thatthisinducingtheAmericanstobelievehesomewayfavouredthecauseoftheNegroes，theyfiredtwoballsathim，sothathefellwoundedfromtherigging，andwasdrownedinthesea；-thattheyoungDonJoaquin，MarquesdeAramboalaza，likeHermenegildoGandix，thethirdclerk，wasdegradedtotheofficeandappearanceofacommonseaman；
thatupononeoccasion，whenDonJoaquinshrank，theNegroBabocommandedtheAshanteeLecbetotaketarandheatit，andpourituponDonJoaquin\'shands；-thatDonJoaquinwaskilledowingtoanothermistakeoftheAmericans，butoneimpossibletobeavoided，asupontheapproachoftheboats，DonJoaquin，withahatchettiededgeoutanduprighttohishand，wasmadebytheNegroestoappearonthebulwarks；whereupon，seenwitharmsinhishandsandinaquestionableattitude，hewasshotforarenegadeseaman；-thatonthepersonofDonJoaquinwasfoundsecretedajewel，which，bypapersthatwerediscovered，provedtohavebeenmeantfortheshrineofourLadyofMercyinLima；avotiveoffering，beforehandpreparedandguarded，toattesthisgratitude，whenheshouldhavelandedinPeru，hislastdestination，forthesafeconclusionofhisentirevoyagefromSpain；-thatthejewel，withtheothereffectsofthelateDonJoaquin，isinthecustodyofthebrethrenoftheHospitaldeSacerdotes，awaitingthedecisionofthehonourablecourt；-that，owingtotheconditionofthedeponent，aswellasthehasteinwhichtheboatsdepartedfortheattack，theAmericanswerenotforewarnedthattherewere，amongtheapparentcrew，apassengerandoneoftheclerksdisguisedbytheNegroBabo；-that，besidetheNegroeskilledintheaction，somewerekilledafterthecaptureandre-anchoringatnight，whenshackledtothering-boltsondeck；thatthesedeathswerecommittedbythesailors，eretheycouldbeprevented。Thatsosoonasinformedofit，CaptainAmasaDelanousedallhisauthority，and，inparticularwithhisownhand，struckdownMartinezGola，who，havingfoundarazorinthepocketofanoldjacketofhis，whichoneoftheshackledNegroeshadon，wasaimingitattheNegro\'sthroat；thatthenobleCaptainAmasaDelanoalsowrenchedfromthehandofBartholomewBarlo，adaggersecretedatthetimeofthemassacreofthewhites，withwhichhewasintheactofstabbingashackledNegro，who，thesameday，withanotherNegro，hadthrownhimdownandjumpeduponhim；……that，foralltheevents，befallingthroughsolongatime，duringwhichtheshipwasinthehandsoftheNegroBabo，hecannotheregiveaccount；butthat，whathehassaidisthemostsubstantialofwhatoccurstohimatpresent，andisthetruthundertheoathwhichhehastaken；whichdeclarationheaffirmedandratified，afterhearingitreadtohim。
Hesaidthatheistwenty-nineyearsofage，andbrokeninbodyandmind；thatwhenfinallydismissedbythecourt，heshallnotreturnhometoChili，butbetakehimselftothemonasteryonMountAgoniawithout；andsignedwithhishonour，andcrossedhimself，and，forthetime，departedashecame，inhislitter，withthemonkInfelez，totheHospitaldeSacerdotes。
BENITOCERENO。
DOCTORROZAS。
IfthedepositionofBenitoCerenohasservedasthekeytofitintothelockofthecomplicationswhichprecededit，then，asavaultwhosedoorhasbeenflungback，theSanDominick\'shullliesopento-day。
Hithertothenatureofthisnarrative，besidesrenderingtheintricaciesinthebeginningunavoidable，hasmoreorlessrequiredthatmanythings，insteadofbeingsetdownintheorderofoccurrence，shouldberetrospectively，orirregularlygiven；thislastisthecasewiththefollowingpassages，whichwillconcludetheaccount：
Duringthelong，mildvoyagetoLima，therewas，asbeforehinted，aperiodduringwhichDonBenitoalittlerecoveredhishealth，or，atleastinsomedegree，histranquillity。Erethedecidedrelapsewhichcame，thetwocaptainshadmanycordialconversations-theirfraternalunreserveinsingularcontrastwithformerwithdrawments。
Againandagain，itwasrepeated，howhardithadbeentoenactthepartforcedontheSpaniardbyBabo。
\"Ah，mydearDonAmasa，\"DonBenitooncesaid，\"atthoseverytimeswhenyouthoughtmesomoroseandungrateful-naywhen，asyounowadmit，youhalfthoughtmeplottingyourmurder-atthoseverytimesmyheartwasfrozen；Icouldnotlookatyou，thinkingofwhat，bothonboardthisshipandyourown，hung，fromotherhands，overmykindbenefactor。AndasGodlives，DonAmasa，Iknownotwhetherdesireformyownsafetyalonecouldhavenervedmetothatleapintoyourboat，haditnotbeenforthethoughtthat，didyou，unenlightened，returntoyourship，you，mybestfriend，withallwhomightbewithyou，stolenupon，thatnight，inyourhammocks，wouldneverinthisworldhavewakenedagain。Dobutthinkhowyouwalkedthisdeck，howyousatinthiscabin，everyinchofgroundminedintohoney-combsunderyou。HadIdroppedtheleasthint，madetheleastadvancetowardanunderstandingbetweenus，death，explosivedeath-yoursasmine-wouldhaveendedthescene。\"
\"True，true，\"criedCaptainDelano，starting，\"yousavedmylife，DonBenito，morethanIyours；savedit，too，againstmyknowledgeandwill。\"
\"Nay，myfriend，\"rejoinedtheSpaniard，courteouseventothepointofreligion，\"Godcharmedyourlife，butyousavedmine。Tothinkofsomethingsyoudid-thosesmilingsandchattings，rashpointingsandgesturings。Forlessthanthese，theyslewmymate，Raneds；butyouhadthePrinceofHeaven\'ssafeconductthroughallambuscades。\"
\"Yes，allisowingtoProvidence，Iknow；butthetemperofmymindthatmorningwasmorethancommonlypleasant，whilethesightofsomuchsuffering-moreapparentthanreal-addedtomygoodnature，compassion，andcharity，happilyinterweavingthethree。Haditbeenotherwise，doubtless，asyouhint，someofmyinterferenceswiththeblacksmighthaveendedunhappilyenough。Besidesthat，thosefeelingsIspokeofenabledmetogetthebetterofmomentarydistrust，attimeswhenacutenessmighthavecostmemylife，withoutsavinganother\'s。Onlyattheenddidmysuspicionsgetthebetterofme，andyouknowhowwideofthemarktheythenproved。\"
\"Wide，indeed，\"saidDonBenito，sadly；\"youwerewithmeallday；
stoodwithme，satwithme，talkedwithme，lookedatme，atewithme，drankwithme；andyet，yourlastactwastoclutchforavillain，notonlyaninnocentman，butthemostpitiableofallmen。Tosuchdegreemaymalignmachinationsanddeceptionsimpose。Sofarmayeventhebestmenerr，injudgingtheconductofonewiththerecessesofwhoseconditionheisnotacquainted。Butyouwereforcedtoit；andyouwereintimeundeceived。Wouldthat，inbothrespects，itwassoever，andwithallmen。\"
\"IthinkIunderstandyou；yougeneralize，DonBenito；andmournfullyenough。Butthepastispassed；whymoralizeuponit？
Forgetit。See，yonbrightsunhasforgottenitall，andthebluesea，andthebluesky；thesehaveturnedovernewleaves。\"
\"Becausetheyhavenomemory，\"hedejectedlyreplied；\"becausetheyarenothuman。\"
\"Butthesemildtradesthatnowfanyourcheek，DonBenito，dotheynotcomewithahuman-likehealingtoyou？Warmfriends，steadfastfriendsarethetrades。\"
\"Withtheirsteadfastnesstheybutwaftmetomytomb，Senor，\"wastheforebodingresponse。
\"Youaresaved，DonBenito，\"criedCaptainDelano，moreandmoreastonishedandpained；\"youaresaved；whathascastsuchashadowuponyou？\"
\"TheNegro。\"
Therewassilence，whilethemoodymansat，slowlyandunconsciouslygatheringhismantleabouthim，asifitwereapall。
Therewasnomoreconversationthatday。
ButiftheSpaniard\'smelancholysometimesendedinmutenessupontopicsliketheabove，therewereothersuponwhichheneverspokeatall；onwhich，indeed，allhisoldreserveswerepiled。
Passovertheworstand，onlytoelucidate，letanitemortwoofthesebecited。Thedresssopreciseandcostly，wornbyhimonthedaywhoseeventshavebeennarrated，hadnotwillinglybeenputon。
Andthatsilver-mountedsword，apparentsymbolofdespoticcommand，wasnot，indeed，asword，buttheghostofone。Thescabbard，artificiallystiffened，wasempty。
Asfortheblack-whosebrain，notbody，hadschemedandledtherevolt，withtheplot-hisslightframe，inadequatetothatwhichitheld，hadatonceyieldedtothesuperiormuscularstrengthofhiscaptor，intheboat。Seeingallwasover，heutterednosound，andcouldnotbeforcedto。Hisaspectseemedtosay：sinceIcannotdodeeds，Iwillnotspeakwords。Putinironsinthehold，withtherest，hewascarriedtoLima。DuringthepassageDonBenitodidnotvisithim。Northen，noratanytimeafter，wouldhelookathim。
Beforethetribunalherefused。Whenpressedbythejudgeshefainted。
OnthetestimonyofthesailorsalonerestedthelegalidentityofBabo。AndyettheSpaniardwould，uponoccasion，verballyrefertotheNegro，ashasbeenshown；butlookonhimhewouldnot，orcouldnot。
Somemonthsafter，draggedtothegibbetatthetailofamule，theblackmethisvoicelessend。Thebodywasburnedtoashes；butformanydays，thehead，thathiveofsubtlety，fixedonapoleinthePlaza，met，unabashed，thegazeofthewhites；andacrossthePlazalookedtowardSt。Bartholomew\'schurch，inwhosevaultssleptthen，asnow，therecoveredbonesofAranda；andacrosstheRimacbridgelookedtowardthemonastery，onMountAgoniawithout；where，threemonthsafterbeingdismissedbythecourt，BenitoCereno，borneonthebier，did，indeed，followhisleader。