When Captain Amaso Delano approaches a three-masted ship in distress to offer his assistance, he discovers a most unusual situation: its captain, Don Benito Cereno, seems to command a very scant crew, moreover composed only of Africans. Cereno is in very bad condition and apparently survives only thanks to the affectionate care of his faithful body-servant slave Atimbo. When Delano leaves the dilapidated ship to seek relief, Cereno jumps in the boat and explains to the Americans that he has been the victim of a revolt of the slaves. The ship is now in their hands.
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