'Benito Cereno,' by Herman Melville, Part One

suspicion - n. a feeling that something bad is likely or true

handspike - n. a wooden rod with an iron tip, used as a lever on board ship and by artillery soldiers.

hatchet - n. a small ax that has a short handle

authority - n. the power to give orders or make decisions

intense - adj. very great in degree; very strong

disorder - n. a confused or messy state; a lack of order or organization