Bartleby the Scrivener: A Tale of Wall Street

BENITO CERENO 85
But when, facing about, he saw the whole file, like so
many organ-grinders, still stupidly intent on their work,
unmindful of everything besides, he could not but smile
at his late fidgety panic.
Presently, while standing with his host, looking forward
upon the decks below, he was struck by one of those
instances of insubordination previously alluded to.
Three black boys, with two Spanish boys, were sitting
together on the hatches, scraping a rude wooden platter,
in which some scanty mess had recently been cooked.
Suddenly, one of the black boys, enraged at a word
dropped by one of his white companions, seized a knife,
and, though called to forbear by one of the oakumpickers,
struck the lad over the head, inflicting a gash
from which blood flowed.
In amazement, Captain Delano inquired what this
meant. To which the pale Don Benito dully muttered,
that it was merely the sport of the lad.
•
Pretty serious sport, truly/ rejoined Captain Delano.
1 Had such a thing happened on board the Bachelor's
Delight, instant punishment would have followed.*
At "these words the Spaniard turned upon the American
one of his sudden, staring, half-lunatic looks ; then,
relapsing into his torpor, answered, '
less, senor.'
Doubtless, doubt-
Is it, thought Captain Delano, that this hapless man
is one of those paper captains I 've known, who by policy
wink at what by power they cannot put down ? I
know no sadder sight than a commander who has little
of command but the name.
'
I should think, Don Benito,' he now said, glancing
toward the oakum-picker who had sought to interfere
with the boys, '
that you would find it advantageous to
keep all your blacks employed, especially the younger
ones, no matter at what useless task, and no matter what