The passage states that “like delirious black dervishes, the six Ashantees danced on the quarterdeck” (Melville, 1169). Why would they dance when they know they lost? Well, they might have danced because Melville wanted to give them some sort of last hurray for all they've accomplished. In a way, this can be seen as a final victory, as these were once slaves. Melville didn't want them to go down without a final celebration. If Melville had been pro-slavery, he would not have given them this dance of