what seems to be equiano's attitude toward the captives who preferred death to slavery

Equiano was astonished that slaves would kill themselves rather than live as a slave. He thought there was bravery in this and even considered it himself.

I would have jumped over the side, but I could not; and, besides, the crew used to watch us very closely who were not chained down to the decks, lest we should leap into the water: and I have seen some of these poor African prisoners most severely cut for attempting to do so, and hourly whipped for not eating.