In The Slave Dancer what was Ben mistake?

Ben's mistake in The Slave Dancer is that he allows his emotions to control his actions, leading to unintended consequences. While his intentions are noble, the decisions he makes in response to his personal feelings, such as falling in love with the enslaved girl Anne and impulsively freeing her, inadvertently endanger both himself and the other slaves on board. Ben's emotions cloud his judgment and prevent him from thinking rationally, causing unnecessary risk and complications to the already perilous situation.