Benito Cereno

As Delano’s boat is pushing off the San Dominick, Captain Cereno unexpectedly jumps over the bulwarks, landing in the boat at Captain Delano’s feet and yelling incomprehensibly. Three sailors jump into the sea, swimming after their captain. Enraged, Delano seizes Cereno by the throat, declaring to his officer that “this plotting pirate means murder!” (91). In that moment, Babo also leaps into the boat, brandishing a dagger. Delano restrains him, but Babo reveals a second, concealed dagger and attempts to attack Cereno, whom Delano now recognizes as Babo’s true target.

Delano has now unraveled the mystery behind Cereno’s peculiar behavior and the enigmatic atmosphere of the entire ship. Looking up, he sees the Black passengers for what they really are. They are not, as he previously thought, exhibiting anger and lack of discipline due to poor leadership on the San Dominick; rather, they are engaged in a “ferocious piratical revolt” (93). Armed with hatchets and knives, they are now keeping the remaining white sailors from escaping.

Captain Delano orders his vessel to ready their guns. As the boat moves away from the San Dominick, the canvas falls away from the figurehead, unveiling a human skeleton above the inscription “follow your leader.