Bartleby the Scrivener: A Tale of Wall Street

H
160 THE PIAZZA TALES
always of his pretended misfortunes, under the forementioned
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 de-
ponent ; 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
he 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
anyone 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