Men Against the Sea

7/31/2019 Men Against the Sea

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Title:MenAgainsttheSea(1933)Author:CharlesNordhoffandJamesNormanHall*AProjectGutenbergAustraliaeBook*eBookNo.:0800411.txtLanguage:EnglishDatefirstposted:April2008Datemostrecentlyupdated:April2008

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Title:MenAgainsttheSea(1933)Author:CharlesNordhoffandJamesNormanHall

TheBountyTrilogyWyethEdition

ComprisingtheThreeVolumes:

MutinyontheBounty(1932)MenAgainsttheSea(1933)Pitcairn'sIsland(1934)

[ThisfilecontainsonlyMENAGAINSTTHESEA]

byCharlesNordhoffandJamesNormanHall

IllustrationsbyNCWyeth

GrossetandDunlap,publishers:1945

***

MENAGAINSTTHESEA(1933)

***

TothememoryofCAPTAINJOSIAHMITCHELL



_oftheClipperShip"Hornet"_

who,intheyear1866,afterhisvesselhadbeenlostbyfire,inLat.2°N.,110°10'W.,safelycarriedfourteenofhismen,inasmallopenboat,totheHawaiianIslands,adistanceof4000miles,afterapassageof43daysand8hours

***

THECOMPANYOFTHE_BOUNTY'S_LAUNCH

LieutenantWilliamBligh,_Captain_ JohnFryer,_Master_ ThomasLedward,_ActingSurgeon_ DavidNelson,_Botanist_ WilliamPeckover,_Gunner_ WilliamCole,_Boatswain_ WilliamElphinstone,_Master'sMate_ WilliamPurcell,_Carpenter_

_Midshipmen:_ ThomasHayward

JohnHalletRobertTinkler

_Quartermasters:_ JohnNortonPeterLenkletter

GeorgeSimpson,_Quartermaster'sMate_ LawrenceLebogue,_Sailmaker_ Mr.Samuel,_Clerk_ RobertLamb,_Butcher_

_Cooks:_

JohnSmithThomasHall

CONTENTS:

ChapterIChapterIIChapterIIIChapterIVChapterVChapterVI

ChapterVIIChapterVIIIChapterIXChapterXChapterXIChapterXIIEpilogueTheRunoftheLaunch



CHAPTERI

ThisdaymygoodfriendWilliamElphinstonewaslaidtorest,intheLutheranchurchyardontheeastbankoftheriver,notfivecable-lengthsfromthehospital.Mr.Sparling,Surgeon-GeneralofBatavia,helpedmeintotheboat;andtwoofhisMalayservantswerewaitingonthebank,withalittertoconveymetothegrave.

Twoothersofourlittlecompany,wornoutbythehardshipsofthevoyage,andeasyvictimstotheclimateofJava,haveprecededElphinstonetothechurchyard.Theyweremenofhumblebirth,butElphinstoneshouldbewellcontenttoliebesidethem,fortheywereEnglishmenworthyofthename.Lenkletterwasoneofthe_Bounty's_ quartermasters,andHallacook.Mr.Sparlinghaddosedthemwithbarkandwine,doingeverythinginhispowertosavetheirlives;buttheyhadbeenthroughtoomuch.Mr.Fryer,themaster,Cole,theboatswain,andtwomidshipmen,HaywardandTinkler,wererowedfourmilesuptherivertoattendthefuneral.

Afterwehadpaidourlastrespectstothemaster'smate,IwasgrievedtolearnthatmyfriendshadbeeninformedbytheSabandarthattheywere

tosailforEuropeonthemorrow,withthelastofthe_Bounty's_people,aboardthe_Hollandia_,ashipoftheDutchEastIndiaCompany'sfleet.Grievedformyself,Imustadd,butgladforthesakeoftheothers,whoselongingforEngland,afteranabsenceofnearlytwoyears,wasasgreatasmyown.Thedeepulceronmyleg,aggravatedbythetropicalclimate,rendersitimprudenttotakepassageatthistime;inMr.Sparling'sopinionIshallbeunabletotravelforseveralmonths.IamgratefulforthefriendshipofmyDutchcolleagueandsensibleofthedeepobligationshehasplacedmeunder,yetIamtakingupmypentowardoffthesenseoflonelinessalreadydescendinguponmeinthisfar-offplace.

Theseaman'shospitalisamodelofitskind:large,commodious,airy,

andjudiciouslydividedintowards,eachoneaseparatedwellinginwhichthesickareaccommodatedaccordingtotheircomplaints.IamlodgedwiththeSurgeon-General,inhishouseattheextremityofonewing;hehashadacotplacedforme,onaportionofhispiazzashadedbyfloweringshrubsandvines,whereImaypassthehoursofthedayproppeduponpillows--toreadorwrite,ifIchoose,ortositinidlenesswithmybandagedlegextendeduponachair,gazingoutontherichandvariedlandscape,steamingintheheatofthesun.Butnowthatmyshipmateswillnolongerbeabletovisitme,thehourswilldragsadly.Myhostisthekindestofmen,andtheonlypersonherewithwhomIcanconverse,buttheperformanceofhisdutiesleaveslittletimeforidletalk.Hislady,ayoungandhandsomenieceofM.VanderGraaf,theGovernorofCapeTown,hasbeenmorethankindtome.Sheisscarcelytwenty,andthe

Malaycostumesshewearsbecomehermightily:silkbrocadeandjewels,andherthickflaxenhairdressedhighonherheadandpinnedwithacombofinlaidtortoiseshell.EscortedbyherMalaygirls,sheoftencomesofanafternoontositwithme.Herblueeyesexpressinterestandcompassionassheglancesatmeandturnstospeakwithherservants,intheMalaytongue.IhavebeensolongwithoutthepleasureoffemalecompanythatitisasatisfactionmerelytolookatMme.Sparling;wereIabletoconversewithher,thehourswouldbeshortindeed.

WhenwehadburiedMr.Elphinstone,andIhadaskedtheSurgeon-General



forwritingmaterials,itwashiswifewhobroughtmewhatIrequired.Shetookleaveofmesoonafter;andsincenightisstilldistant,IambeginningtosetmymemoriesinorderforthetaskwithwhichIhopetowhilethehoursawayuntilIamagainabletowalk.

OfthemutinyonboardHisMajesty'sarmedtransport_Bounty_,Ishallhavelittletosay.CaptainBlighhasalreadywrittenanaccountofhowtheshipwasseized;andMr.TimotheusWanjon,secretarytothegovernoratCoupang,hastranslateditintotheDutchlanguagesothattheauthoritiesinthesepartsmaybeonthelookoutforthe_Bounty_intheunlikelyeventthatsheshouldbesteeredthisway.Hequestionedeachofusfullyastowhatwehadseenandheardonthemorningofthemutiny;IshouldbeguiltyofpresumptionwereItosetdownanindependentnarrativebaseduponmyownknowledgeofwhatoccurred.Butofoursubsequentadventuresintheship'slaunchIfeelfreetowrite,themoresosinceMr.Nelson,thebotanist,whoinformedmeatCoupangthathemeditatedthesametask,diedinTimor,thefirstvictimoftheprivationswehadundergone.

Never,perhaps,inthehistoryoftheseahasacaptainperformedafeatmoreremarkablethanMr.Bligh's,innavigatingasmall,open,andunarmedboat--buttwenty-threefeetlong,andsoheavilyladenthatshewasinconstantdangeroffoundering--fromtheFriendlyIslandstoTimor,adistanceofthreethousand,sixhundredmiles,throughgroupsof

islandsinhabitedbyferocioussavages,andacrossavastunchartedocean.Eighteenofuswerehuddledonthethwartsasweranforforty-onedaysbeforestrongeasterlygales,bailingalmostcontinuallytokeepafloat,andexposedtotorrentialrainsbydayandbynight.Yet,saveforJohnNorton,--murderedbythesavagesatTofoa,--wereachedTimorwithoutthelossofaman.ForthepreservationofourliveswehaveCaptainBlightothank,andhimalone.WereachedtheDutchEastIndies,notbyamiracle,butowingtotheleadershipofanofficerofindomitablewill,skilledinseamanship,sterntopreservediscipline,coolandcheerfulinthefaceofdanger.Hisnamewillbereveredbythosewhoaccompaniedhimforaslongastheymaylive.

OnthemorningofApril28,1789,the_Bounty_wasrunningbeforealight

easterlybreeze,withinviewoftheislandofTofoa,intheFriendlyArchipelago.IwasawakenedalittleafterdaybreakbyCharlesChurchill,themaster-at-arms,andJohnMills,thegunner'smate,whoinformedmethattheshiphadbeenseizedbyFletcherChristian,theactinglieutenant,andthegreaterpartoftheship'scompany,andthatIwastogoondeckatonce.ThesemenwereofChristian'sparty.Churchillwasarmedwithabraceofpistols,andMillswithamusket.Idressedingreathasteandwasthenmarchedtotheupperdeck.ItwillbeunderstoodwithwhatamazementandincredulityIlookedaboutme.Tobearousedfromaquietsleeptofindtheshipfilledwitharmedmen,andCaptainBlighaprisonerintheirmidst,soshockedandstupefiedmethat,atfirst,Icouldscarcelyaccepttheevidenceofmyeyes.

Therewasnothingtobedone.Themutineerswereincompletepossessionoftheship,andthosewhotheyknewwouldremainloyaltotheircommanderweresocarefullyguardedastoprecludeallpossibilityofresistance.IwasorderedtostandbythemainmastwithWilliamElphinstone,master'smate,andJohnNorton,oneofthequartermasters.Twooftheseamen,armedwithmuskets,thebayonetsfixed,werestationedoverus;andIwellrememberoneofthem,JohnWilliams,sayingtome:"Standyethere,Mr.Ledward.Wemeanyenoharm,but,byGod,we'llrunyethroughthegutsifyemakeamovetowardCaptainBligh!"



Elphinstone,Norton,andItriedtorecallthesementotheirsenses;buttheirmindsweresoinflamedbyhatredtowardCaptainBlighthatnothingwecouldsaymadetheleastimpressionuponthem.Heshowedgreatresolution;and,althoughtheythreatenedhimrepeatedly,heoutfacedtheruffiansanddaredthemtodotheirworst.

IhadbeenstandingbythemainmastonlyashorttimewhenChristian,whohadbeenchiefofthoseguardingMr.Bligh,gavethisbusinessintothechargeofChurchillandfourorfiveothers,thathemighthastentheworkofsendingtheloyalmenoutoftheship.Itwasonlythenthatwelearnedwhathisplanswere,andwehadnotimetoreflectupontheawfulconsequencestousofhiscrueltyandfolly.Theshipwasinanuproar,anditwasanearthingthatBlighwasnotmurderedwherehestood.Ithadbeentheplanofthemutineerstosetusadriftinthesmallcutter;butherbottomwassorottenthattheywereatlastpersuadedtoletushavethelaunch,andmenwerenowsettoworkclearingherthatshemightbeswungovertheside.Whilstthiswasbeingdone,IcaughtChristian'seye,andhecameforwardtowhereIstood.

"Mr.Ledward,youmaystaywiththeshipifyouchoose,"hesaid."IshallfollowCaptainBligh,"Ireplied.

"Thenintothelaunchwithyouatonce,"hesaid.

"Surely,Mr.Christian,"Isaid,"youwillnotsendusoffwithoutmedicalsupplies,andImusthavesomecloathesformyself."

HecalledtoMatthewQuintal,oneoftheseamen:"Quintal,takeMr.Ledwardtohiscabin,andlethimhavewhatcloathingheneeds.Heistotakethesmallmedicinechest,butseetoitthathetakesnothingfromthelargeone."

Hethenleftmeabruptly,andthatwasmylastwordwiththismisguidedmanwhohaddoomednineteenotherstohardshipsandsufferingsbeyondthepoweroftheimaginationtodescribe.

Thesmallmedicinechestwasprovidedwithahandle,andcouldeasilybe

carriedbyoneman.Fortunately,Ihadalwayskeptitfullyequippedforexpeditionsthatmightbemadeawayfromtheship;ithaditsownsupplyofsurgicalinstruments,sponges,tourniquets,dressings,andthelike,andahastyexaminationassuredmethat,inthewayofmedicines,itcontainedmostofthosespecificslikelytobeneededbymeninourposition.QuintalwatchedmenarrowlywhileIwasmakingthisexamination.Iputintothechestmyrazors,somehandkerchiefs,myonlyremainingpacketofsnuff,andhalfadozenwineglasses,whichlaterprovedofgreatusetous.Havinggatheredtogethersomeadditionalarticlesofcloathing,Iwasagainconductedtotheupperdeck.Thelaunchwasalreadyinthewater;CaptainBligh,JohnFryer,--themaster,--theboatswain,WilliamCole,andmanyothershadbeensentintoher.Churchillhaltedmeatthegangwaytomakeanexaminationofthe

medicinechest.Hethenorderedmeintotheboat,andthechestandmybundleofcloathingwerehandeddowntome.

Iwasamongthelasttogointothelaunch;indeed,therewerebuttwowhofollowedme--Mr.Samuel,thecaptain'sclerk,andRobertTinkler,amidshipman.ThelaunchwasnowsolowinthewaterthatMr.Fryer,aswellasCaptainBlighhimself,beggedthatnomoremenshouldbesentintoher;yettherewere,Ibelieve,twomidshipmenandthreeorfourseamenwhowouldhavecomewithushadtherebeenroom.Fortunatelyforusandforthem,theywerenotpermittedtodoso,forwehadnomore



thansevenoreightinchesoffreeboardamidships.Therewere,infact,nineteenofusinthelaunch,whichwasbuttwenty-threefeetlong,withabeamofsixfeet,nineinches.Indepthshewas,Ithink,twofeetandnineinches.Eachmanhadbroughtwithhimhisbundleofcloathing;andwiththese,andthesuppliesoffoodallowedusbythemutineers,weweredangerouslyoverladen.

Buttherewasnotime,asyet,tothinkoftheseriousnessofoursituation.Thelaunchwasveeredastern,andforanotherquarterofanhourorthereaboutswewerekeptintow.Themutineerslinedthe_Bounty's_ rail,aft,hootingandjeeringatus;butitwastoMr.Blighthatmostoftheirremarkswereaddressed.AsIlookedupatthem,Ifoundmyselfwonderinghowamutinyintowhichwelloverhalftheship'scompanyhadbeendrawncouldhavebeenplannedwithoutsomuchasahintofdangerhavingcometotheknowledgeoftherestofus.Ipersonallyhadobservednosignofdisaffectionintheship'scompany.Tobesure,Ihadwitnessed,uponmorethanoneoccasion,instancesoftherigourofCaptainBligh'sdisciplinarymeasures.Heisamanofviolenttemper,sternandunbendingintheperformanceofwhatheconsiderstobehisduty;butthesamemaybesaidofthegreaterpartoftheships'captainsinHisMajesty'sservice.Knowingthenecessityforstrictdisciplineatsea,andtheunrulynatureofseamenasaclass,IbynomeansconsideredthatCaptainBligh'spunishmentsexceededinseveritywhattherulesandnecessitiesoftheservicedemanded;norhadIbelievedthatthemen

themselvesthoughtso.Buttheynowshowedapassionofhatredtowardhimthatastonishedme,andreviledhiminabominablelanguage.

Iheardoneofthemshout,"Swimhome,youoldbastard!"

"Aye,swimordrown!"yelledanother,"Goddamnyou,we'rewellridofyou!"

Andanother:"You'llflogandstarveusnomore,you..."

Thenfollowedastringofepithetsitmaybeaswelltoomit.However,Imustdotheircompanythejusticetosaythatmostofthejeeringandviletalkcamefromfourorfiveofthemutinouscrew.Iobservedthat

otherslookeddownatusinsilence,andwithakindofawe--asthoughtheyhadjustrealizedtheenormityofthecrimetheywerecommitting.

Theyhadgivenusnothingwithwhichtodefendourselvesamongstthesavages,andurgentrequestsweremadeforsomemuskets.Theseweremetwithfurtherabuse;butatlengthfourcutlasseswerethrowndowntous,andforallourpleadingweweregivennothingelse.ThissoenragedCaptainBlighthathestoodinhisplaceandaddressedtheruffiansastheydeserved.Twoorthreeoftheseamenleveledtheirpiecesathim;anditwasonlythesuperiorforceofhiswill,Ibelieve,whichpreventedthemfromshooting.Weheardoneofthemcryout:"Bearoff,andgive'emawhiffofgrape!"Atthismomentthepainterofthelaunchwascastoff,andtheshipdrewslowlyawayfromus.Icannotbelieve

thateventhemosthardenedofthemutineerswassolosttohumanityastohaveturnedoneofthegunsuponaboatloadofdefenselessmen,butothersofournumberthoughtdifferently.Theoarswereatoncegottenout,andwepulleddirectlyastern;buttheshipwaskeptonhercourse,andsoonitwascleartoallthatwehadnothingmoretofearfromthoseaboardofher.

Atthistimethe_Bounty_wasundercoursesandtopsails;thebreezewasofthelightest,andthevesselhadlittlemorethansteerageway.Asshedrewoff,wesawseveralofthemenrunalofttoloosethetopgallant



sails.Theshoutinggrewfainter,andsoonwaslosttohearing.Inanhour'stimethevesselwasagoodthreemilestoleeward;inanotherhourshewashulldownonthehorizon.

Iwellrememberthesilencethatseemedtoflowinuponourlittlecompanydirectlywehadbeencastadrift--thewidesilenceofmid-ocean,accentuatedbythefaintcreakingoftheoarsagainstthetholepins.Werowedsixoarsinthelaunch,butweresodeeplyladenthatwemadeslowprogresstowardtheislandofTofoa,tothenortheastofusanddistantabouttenleagues.Fryersatatthetiller.CaptainBligh,Mr.Nelson,Elphinstone,--themaster'smate,--andPeckover,thegunner,wereallseatedinthesternsheets.Therestofuswerecrowdedonthethwartsinmuchthesamepositionsasthosewehadtakenuponcomingintothelaunch.Blighwashalfturnedinhisseat,gazingsombrelyafterthedistantvessel;nor,duringthenexthour,Ithink,didheonceremovehiseyesfromher.Heappearedtohaveforgottentherestofus,nordidanyofusspeaktoremindhimofourpresence.Ourthoughtswereasgloomyashisown,andwefeltaslittleinclinedtoexpressthem.

MysympathywentouttoMr.Blighinthishourofbitterdisappointment;Icouldeasilyimaginehowappallingtheruinofhisplansmusthaveappearedtohimatatimewhenhehadeveryexpectationofcompletingthemtothelastdetail.Wehadbeenhomewardbound,themissionofourlongvoyage--thatofcollectingbreadfruitplantsinOtaheite,tobe

carriedtotheWestIndies--successfullyaccomplished.Thistask,entrustedtohiscarebyHisMajesty'sGovernmentthroughtheinterestofhisfriendandpatron,SirJosephBanks,haddeeplygratifiedhim,andwellindeedhadhejustifiedthattrust.Now,inamoment,hissanguinehopeswerebroughttonothing.Hisshipwasgone;hissplendidchartsofcoastsandislandsweregoneaswell;andhehadnothingtoshowforallthelongmonthsofcarefulandpainstakinglabour.Hefoundhimselfcastadriftwitheighteenofhiscompanyinhisownship'slaunch,withnomorethanacompass,asextant,andhisjournal,inthemidstofthegreatestofoceansandthousandsofmilesfromanyplacewherehecouldlookforhelp.Smallwonderif,atthattime,hefeltthetasteofdustandashesinhismouth.

ForanhourwemovedslowlyontowardTofoa,themostnorthwesterlyoftheislandscomposingtheFriendlyArchipelago.ThisgrouphadbeensochristenedbyCaptainCook;butourexperiencesamongitsinhabitants,onlyafewdaysbeforethemutiny,ledustobelievethatCookmusthavecalledthem"friendly"inaspiritofirony.Theyareavirilerace,butwehadfoundthemsavageandtreacherousintheextreme,asdifferentascouldbeimaginedfromtheIndiansofOtaheite.OnlythepossessionoffirearmshadsavedusfrombeingattackedandovercomewhilstwewereengagedinwoodingandwateringontheislandofAnnamooka.Tofoawehadnotvisited,andasIgazedatthefaintblueoutlineonthehorizonItried,withlittlesuccess,toconvincemyselfthatourexperiencestheremightbemorefortunate.

ManyananxiousglancewasturnedinCaptainBligh'sdirection,butforanhouratleastheremainedinthesameposition,gazingafterthedistantship.Whenatlengthheturnedaway,itwasnevertolooktowardheragain.Henowtookchargeofhisnewcommandwithanassurance,aquietcheerfulness,thatheartenedusall.Hefirstsetustoworktobringsomeorderintotheboat.Wewere,asIhavesaid,desperatelycrowded;butwhenwehadstoredawayoursupplieswehadelbowroomatleast.Ourfirstcarewas,ofcourse,totakestockofourprovisions.Wefoundthatwehadsixteenpiecesofpork,eachweighingabouttwopounds;threebagsofbreadoffiftypoundseach;sixquartsofrum,sixbottles



ofwine,andtwenty-eightgallonsofwaterinthreeten-gallonkegs.Wealsohadfouremptybarricos,eachcapableofholdingeightgallons.Thecarpenter,Purcell,hadsucceededinfetchingawayoneofhistoolchests,althoughthemutineershadremovedmanyofthetoolsbeforeallowingittobehandeddown.Ourremainingsupplies,outsideofpersonalbelongings,consistedofmymedicinechest,thelaunch'stwolugsails,somesparecanvas,twoorthreecoilsofrope,andacopperpot,togetherwithsomeoddsandendsofboat'sgearwhichtheboatswainhadhadtheforethoughttobringwithhim.

Toshowhowdeeplyladenwewere,itisenoughtosaythatmyhand,asitrestedonthegunwale,wasrepeatedlywetwithdropsofwaterfromthesmallwavesthatlickedalongthesidesoftheboat.Fortunately,theseawascalmandtheskyheldapromiseofgoodweather,atleastforasufficienttimetoenableustoreachTofoa.

Reliefsattheoarswerechangedeveryhour,eachofustakinghisturn.Graduallytheblueoutlineoftheislandbecamemoredistinct,andbythemiddleoftheafternoonwehadcoveredwelloverhalfthedistancetoit.Aboutthistimethefaintbreezefreshenedandcameroundtothesoutheast,whichenabledustogetuponeofourlugsails.CaptainBlighnowtookthetillerandwealteredourcoursetofetchthenorthernsideoftheisland.NoteighteenhoursbeforeIhadhad,bymoonlight,whatIthoughtwasmylastviewofTofoa,andMr.NelsonandIwerecomputing

thetimethatwouldbeneeded,ifallwentwell,toreachtheislandsoftheWestIndieswhereweweretodischargeourcargoofyoungbreadfruittrees.Littlewedreamedofthechangethatwastotakeplaceinourfortunesbeforeanothersun,hadset.Inowcastaboutinmymind,tryingtoanticipatewhatCaptainBligh'splanforusmightbe.OuronlyhopeofsuccourwouldlieinthecoloniesintheDutchEastIndies,buttheyweresofardistantthattheprospectofreachingoneofthemseemedfantastic.IthoughtofOtaheite,wherewecouldbecertainofkindlytreatmentonthepartoftheIndians,butthatislandwasalloftwelvehundredmilesdistantanddirectlytowindward.Inviewofthesecircumstances,Mr.Blighwouldneverattemptareturnthere.

Meanwhileweproceededonourwayunderaskywhoseserenityseemedto

mockatthedesperateplightofthemeninthetinyboatcrawlingbeneathit.Thesundippedintotheseabehindus,andinthelightthatstreamedupfrombeyondthehorizontheislandstoodoutinclearrelief.Weestimatedthepeakofitscentralmountaintobeabouttwothousandfeethigh.Itwasavolcano,andathincloudofvapourhungaboveit,takingonasaffroncolourintheafterglow.Wewerestilltoofardistantatsunsettohaveseenthesmokeofanyfiresofitsinhabitants.Mr.Blighwasundertheimpressionthattheplacewasuninhabited.Alleyesturnedtowardthedistantheightsasdarknesscameon,buttheonlylighttobeseenwasthedullredglowfromthevolcanoreflecteduponthecloudaboveit.Whenwewerewithinamileofthecoast,thebreezediedawayandtheoarswereagaingottenout.Weapproachedtherockyshoreuntilthethunderofthesurfwasloudinourears;butinthedarknesswe

couldseenoplacewherealandingmightbemade.Cliffs,varyinginheightfromfiftytoseveralhundredfeet,appearedtofalldirectlytothesea;butwhenwehadcoastedadistanceofseveralmileswediscoveredalessforbiddingspot,wherewemightlieincomparativesafetythroughthenight.

Therewasbutlittlesurfhere,andthesoundofitonlyservedtomakedeeperandmoreimpressivethestillnessofthenight.Ourvoicessoundedstrangelydistinctinthissilence.Forallthefactthatwehadnoteatensincethepreviousevening,noneofushadthoughtoffood;and



whenBlighsuggestedthatwekeepourfastuntilmorning,therewasnocomplaintfromanyofthecompany.Hedid,however,servearationofgrogtoeachofus,anditwasatthistimethatIhadreasontobegladofputtingthewineglassesintomymedicinechest,forwediscoveredthatwehadbutoneotherdrinkingvessel,ahorncupbelongingtothecaptain.Theservingofthegrogputallofusinamuchmorecheerfulframeofmind--not,certainly,becauseofthespiritsitcontained,butratherbecauseitwasacustomaryprocedureandservedtomakeusforget,forthemomentatleast,ourforlornsituation.Twomenweresetattheoarstokeeptheboatofftherocks,andCaptainBlighcommendedtherestofustotakewhatrestourcrampedpositionsmightafford.Thelightmurmuroftalknowdiedaway;butthesilencethatfollowedwasthatoftiredbutwatchfulmendrawntogetherinspiritbythecomingofnightandthesenseofcommondangers.

CHAPTERII

Throughoutthenightthelaunchwaskeptcloseundertheland.IhadasmynearcompanionsElphinstone,--themaster'smate,--andRobertTinkler,youngestofthe_Bounty's_midshipmen,aladoffifteen.TheforebodingsoftheolderpartofourcompanywerenotsharedbyTinkler,whosenatural

highspiritshadthusfarbeenkeptincheckbyhiswholesomeaweofCaptainBligh.Hehadnotrueconceptionofoursituationatthistime,anditspeakswellforhimthatwhen,soonenough,hecametoanunderstandingofthedangerssurroundingus,hiscouragedidnotfailhim.

Hehadsleptduringthelatterpartofthenight,curledupinthebottomoftheboatwithmyfeetandhisbundleofcloathingforhispillow.ElphinstoneandIhaddozedinturn,leaningoneagainsttheother,butourcrampedpositionhadmadeanythingmorethanadozeimpossible.Wewereallawakebeforethedawn,andassoonastherewassufficientlightweproceededinanortheasterlydirectionalongthecoast.Itwasaforbidding-lookingplace,viewedfromthevantagepointofasmalland

deeplyladenship'sboat.Theshorewassteep-to,andwefoundnoplacewherealandingmighthavebeenmadewithoutseriousriskofwreckingthelaunch.Presentlywewereoutofthelee,andfoundthebreezesostrongandtheseasoroughthatweturnedbacktoexaminethatpartofthecoastwhichlaybeyondthespotwherewehadspentthenight.Aboutnineo'clockwecametoacove,and,asthereappearedtobenomoresuitableshelterbeyond,weraninanddroppedagrapnelabouttwentyyardsfromthebeach.

Wewereontheleesidehere,butthiscircumstancealonewasinourfavour.Thebeachwasrocky,andtheforeshoreaboutthecovehadabarrenappearancethatpromisednothingtorelieveourwants.Itwasshutinonallsidesbyhigh,rockycliffs,andthereappearedtobenomeans

ofentranceorexitsavebythesea.CaptainBlighstoodupinhisseat,examiningtheplacecarefullywhilsttherestofusawaitedhisdecision.HeturnedtoMr.Nelsonwithawrysmile.

"ByGod,sir,"hesaid,"ifyoucanfindussomuchasanedibleberryhere,youshallhavemyrationofgrogatsupper."

"I'mafraidtheventureissafeenough,"Mr.Nelsonreplied."Nevertheless,Ishallbegladtotry."



"Thatweshalldo,"saidBligh;then,turningtothemaster,"Mr.Fryer,youandsixmenshallstaywiththelaunch."Hethentoldoffthosewhoweretoremainonboard,whereupontheyslackenedawayuntilwewereinshallowwaterandtherestofuswadedashore.

Thebeachwascomposedofheapsofstoneswornroundandsmoothbytheactionofthesea,and,althoughthesurfwaslight,thefootingwasdifficultuntilwewereoutofthewater.RobertLamb,thebutcher,turnedhisanklebeforehehadtakenhalfadozensteps,andthusprovidedmewithmyfirsttaskassurgeonofthe_Bounty's_launch.Themanhadreceivedabadsprainthatmadeitimpossibleforhimtowalk.Hewassupportedtohigherground,whereCaptainBligh--quiterightly,Ithink--gavehimasevererating.Wewereinnopositiontohavehelplessmentocarefor,andLamb'saccidentwastheresultofafoolishattempttorunacrossabeachofloosestones.

Thelandaboutthecovewasgravellysoilcoveredwithcoarsegrass,smallthicketsofbush,andscatteredtrees.Thelevelgroundextendedinlandforashortdistance,tothebaseofallbutverticalwallscoveredwithvinesandfern.Nearthebeachwefoundtheremainsofanoldfire,butweweresoonconvincedthatthecovewasusedbytheIndiansonlyasaplaceofoccasionalresort.

Mr.BlighdelegatedhisclerkSamuel,Norton,Purcell,Lenkletter,and

Lebogueasapartytoattempttoscalethecliffs.Purcellcarriedoneofthecutlasses,theothersprovidedthemselveswithstoutsticks.Thusarmed,theysetout;andweresoonlosttoviewamongstthetrees.TheycarriedwiththemthecopperkettleandanIndiancalabashwehadfoundhangingfromatreenearthebeach.Therestofusseparated,sometosearchforshellfishamongtherocks,otherstoexploretheforeshore.NelsonandIboreofftotheleftsideofthecove,wherewediscoveredanarrowvalley;butwesoonfoundourpassageblockedbyasmoothwallofrock,thirtyorfortyfeethigh.Notadropofwatercouldwefind,andthearidaspectofthevalleyasawholeshowedonlytooplainlythattherainfall,onthissideoftheislandatleast,mustbescantindeed.

HavingexploredwithcarethatpartofthecovewhichBlighhadaskedus

toexamine,wesatdowntorestforamoment.Nelsonshookhisheadwithafaintsmile.

"Mr.Blighwassafeenoughinofferingmehistotofgrog,"hesaid."Weshallfindnothinghere,Ledward--neitherfoodnorwater."

"Howdoyoufeelaboutourprospects?"Iasked.

"Ihavenotallowedmyselftothinkofthemthusfar,"hereplied."Wecan,undoubtedly,findwateronthewindwardside,andperhapsfoodenoughtomaintainusforaconsiderableperiod.Beyondthat..."Hebrokeoff,leavingthesentenceunfinished.Presentlyheadded:"Oursituationisnotquitehopeless.Thatisasmuchaswecansay."

"ButitispreciselythekindofsituationBlighwasborntomeet,"Isaid.

"Itis;Igrantthat;butwhatcanhedo,Ledward?WhereinGod'snamecanwego?Weknowonlytoowellwhattreacheroussavagestheseso-called'FriendlyIslanders'are:ourexperiencesatAnnamookataughtusthat.Ispeakfrankly.TheothersIshalltrytoencourageasmuchaspossible,butthereneedbenoplay-actingbetweenustwo."



Nelsontalkedinaquiet,evenvoicewhichmadehiswordsallthemoreimpressive.Hewasnotamantolookonthedarksideofthings;butwehadlongbeenfriends,and,ashehadsaid,therewasnoneedofanythingbutfranknessbetweenusaswecanvassedthepossibilitiesahead.

"WhatIthinkBlighwilldo,"hewenton,"istotakeusbacktoAnnamooka--eitherthereorTongataboo."

"Thereseemstobenothingelsehecando,"Ireplied,"unlesswecanestablishourselveshere."

"No.Andmarkmywords--soonerorlaterweshallhavesuchatasteofFriendlyIslandhospitalityaswemaynotliveeithertorememberorregret...Ledward,Ledward!"hesaid,witharuefulsmile."Thinkofourhappysituationalittlemorethantwenty-fourhoursback,whenweweretalkingofhometherebythelarboardbulwarks!Andthinkofmybeautifulbreadfruitgarden,allinsuchaflourishingstate!Whatdoyousupposethosevillainswilldowithmyyoungtrees?"

"I'venodoubttheyhaveflungthelotoverboardbeforethis,"Ireplied.

"Ifearyouareright.Theyjettisonedus;itisnotlikelythattheirtreatmentoftheplantswillbeanymoretender.AndIlovedthemasthoughtheyweremyownchildren!"

Wereturnedtothebeach,wherewefoundthattheothershadbeennomoresuccessfulthanourselves;buttheexploringpartyhadgottenoutofthecove,althoughhowtheyhadmanageditnooneknew.CaptainBlighhadfoundacavernintherockywall,aboutonehundredandfiftypacesfromthebeach;andthehard,foot-trampledgroundwithinshowedthatithadbeenoftenusedinthepast.Thecavernwasperfectlydry;notsomuchasadropofwatertrickledfromtherocksoverhead.Onefindwemadetherewasnotofareassuringnature.Onashelfofrocktherewererangedsixhumanskullswhich,anexaminationconvincedme,hadbeenthoseoflivingmennotmorethanayearortwoearlier.Inoneofthese,thesquamosalsectionofthetemporalbonehadbeencrushed,andanothershowedajaggedholethroughtheparietalbone.Iwasinterestedtoobservethe

splendidteethineachoftheseskulls;therewasnotoneinanimperfectcondition.Theserelics,gleamingfaintlywhiteinthedimlightofthecave,wereeloquentintheirsilence;andIhavenodoubtthattheymighthavebeenmoreeloquentstill,couldtheyhaveconveyedtousinformationastohowtheycametobethere.

Shortlyaftermiddaytheexploringpartyreturned,utterlyweary,theircloathingtornandtheirarmsandlegscoveredwithscratchesandbruises.Inthekettletheyhadaboutsixquartsofwater,andthreemoreinthecalabash.Thistheyhadfoundinholesamongsttherocks;buttheyhaddiscoveredneitherstreamnorspring,noranysignofpeople.Theyhadgoneadistanceofabouttwomilesoverroughgroundwhereitwasplain,theysaid,thatnoonehadlivedorcouldlive.Itwastheopinion

ofallthattheislandwasuninhabited.Wethenreturnedtothelaunch,forthereappearedtobenochanceofbetteringourselveshere.

Againontheboat,webrokeourfastforthefirsttimesinceleavingthe _Bounty_.Eachmanhadamorselofbread,atastybitofpork,andaglassofwater.Itwasashortrepast,andassoonasthelastmanhadbeenserved,wegotinthegrapnelandrowedoutofthecove.

"Wemusttrytogetaroundtothewindwardside,"saidBligh."Ifancyweshallfindwaterthere.Doyouagree,Mr.Nelson?"



"Itseemslikely,"Nelsonreplied."Aswewereapproachingyesterday,Iobservedthatthevegetationappearedmuchgreenertowindward."

ThewindwasatE.S.E.,andaswedrewoutoftheshelterofthelanditblewstrong,witharough,breakingsea.Close-hauledonthestarboardtack,thelaunchheeledtothegusts,whilewaterpouredinovertheleegunwaleandthepeopleworkedhardwiththebails.Bluff-bowed,anddeeplyladenasshewas,ourboatburiedhernoseineachbreakingwave,sendingupgreatsheetsofspray.EvenMr.Blighbegantolookanxious.

"Standbytocomeabout!"heshouted,andthen:"Hardalee!"

Thelaunchheadedupintotheseas,whilethehalyardswereslackedawayandthegaffspassedaroundtothestarboardsidesofthemasts.Thesailsslattedfuriouslyasweboreoffontheothertack.

Then,perceivingthedangerinthenickoftime,Blighroared:"Overthesidewithyou--thosewhocanswim!"

Itwasnopleasantprospect,leapingintoaseasorough;butabouthalfofournumbersprangintothewatertofendforthemselves.Thelaunchwassoheavythatsheansweredherhelmbutsluggishly,and,thoughtheforesailwasbacked,shewasslowinbearingoff.Caughtdirectlyinthe

troughofthesea,IamconvincedthatshewouldhavefounderedhadwenotobeyedBlighinstantly.

BythegraceofGodandthecaptain'sskill,sheboreoffwithoutfilling.Theswimmersscrambledinoverthegunwales;thesailsweretrimmedoncemore,andweranbacktotheshelteroftheland.

Weproceededforseveralmilesbeyondthecove,andwerepresentlyrejoicedtoseeaclumpofcoconutpalmsstandingoutagainsttheskyonthecliffsaboveus;buttheywereatsuchaheightthatwedespairedofreachingthem;furthermore,therewasahighsurftomakelandingdifficult.ButyoungTinklerandThomasHallwereeagertomaketheattempt,andBlighconsentedthattheyshouldtry.Werowedascloseto

therocksaswedared,andthetwo,havingremovedtheircloathes,sprangintothesea,carryingwiththemeacharopethatwemighthaulthembackincasetheycametogrief.Wemighthavesparedourselvestheanxiety.TheywereasmuchathomeinthewaterastheIndiansthemselves.Wesawthemdisappearinasmotheroffoam,andwhennextseen,theywerewelloutofdangerandscramblinguptherocks.Inlessthananhour'stimetheyreturnedtotheshorewithabouttwentycoconuts,whichtheyfastenedinclusterstotheline,andwethenhauledthemtotheboat.

Werowedfartheralongthecoast,but,towardthemiddle,oftheafternoon,havingfoundnoshelter,noranysignsofwater,CaptainBlighdeemeditbesttoreturntothecoveforthenight.Wereachedouranchorageaboutanhourafterdark.Itishardlynecessarytosaythat

everymanofuswasnowravenouslyhungry.CaptainBlighissuedacoconuttoeachperson;andthemeatofthenut,togetherwiththecoolliquiditcontained,provedamostwelcome,butbynomeansasatisfying,meal.

Thefollowingmorningwemadeourthirdunsuccessfulattempttogetroundbyseatothewindwardsideoftheisland.Theskywasclear,butthewindwasnotdiminished,andweweresettobailingthemomentwewereoutofshelteroftheland.Thisthirdexperiencemadeitonlytooclearthatwecouldnothopetogocountertoaheavyseainourdeeplyladenboat,andwewerethankfulindeedthatwehadarefugeathand.Therewas



nothingwecoulddobutreturntothecove.

Blighwasdeterminedthatweshouldkeepourmeagresupplyoffoodandwaterintact,andalthough,inviewoftheunsuccessfulexpeditionofthedaybefore,wehadlittlehopeoffindinganythingonthissideoftheisland,wedecidedtotryagain.Therefore,Mr.Bligh,Nelson,Elphinstone,Cole,andmyselfsetouttoexaminethecliffsoncemore,andweweresofortunateastodiscoverawaytoandfromthecoveevidentlyusedbytheIndiansthemselves.Inanarrowgullywhichhadescapedearliernotice,wefoundsomelarge,woodyvinesfirmlyattachedincleftsoftherockandtotreesoverhead.WecouldseeinthewallsoftheclifffootholdswhichtheIndianshadconstructedtoassisttheminmakingtheascent.Westoodforamomentexaminingthiscrudeladder.

"ShallItryit,sir?"Elphinstoneasked.

"Youstandanexcellentchanceofbreakingyourneck,mylad,"Blighreplied;"butiftheIndianscandoit,wecan."

Elphinstoneclimbedalittlewayuntilhecouldreachthevines,whichwereofthethicknessofaman'sforearm.Findingthattheycouldeasilysupporthisweight,heproceeded,whilewewatchedhimfrombelow.Afteranallbutverticalclimboffortyorfiftyfeet,hereachedaledgeofrockthatgavehimarestingplace,whereheturnedandcalleddownto

us.

Itwas,inalltruth,aperilousclimb,particularlysoforCole,whowasaheavymanandencumberedwithourcopperkettle,whichhecarriedoverhisshoulder.Aseriesofgiganticnaturalstepsbroughtusatlasttothesummit,betweenthreeandfourhundredfeetabovethesea.Thelatterpartoftheclimbhadbeenlessdifficult;but,forallthat,welittlerelishedthethoughtofareturn.

Fromthisvantagepointwehadanexcellentviewofthevolcano,whichappearedtorisefromsomewherenearthecentreoftheisland.Theinterveningcountrywasmuchcutupbyridgesandgullies,andhadanevenmoredesolatelookthanwhenviewedfromthesea.Nevertheless,we

setoutinthedirectionofthecentralmountain,andpresentlyenteredadeepergullythatappearedtoofferapromiseofwater;butallthatwefoundwereafewtepidpoolsamongsttherocks,soshallowthatitwastediousworkscoopingthewaterintothekettlewithourcoconut-shellladle.Wecollectedinallthreeorfourgallons.Leavingourkettlehere,wewenton;andpresentlycametosomeabandonedhuts,fallentoruin,andnearthemwhathadoncebeenaplantainwalk,butsoconcealedbyweedsandbushesthatitwasanearthingwehadmissedit.Wegotthreesmallbunchesofplantains,whichweslungtoapole,forcarryingintheIndianfashion.Wecontinuedinlandforanothermile,butthecountrybecamemoreandmorearid,coveredinplacesbyashesandlavabedswhereonlyafewhardyshrubsfoundnourishment.Evidently,wecouldhopefornothingmoreinthisdirection,sowereturned,takingupour

kettleontheway,anditwasnearnoonbeforewereachedthecliffsabovethecove.Bligh,Nelson,andmyselfhadeachabunchofplantains,fastenedacrossourbackswithpiecesofrope.ElphinstoneandColetookchargeofthekettleofwater,andIstillwonderthattheywereabletocarryitdownwithout,Ibelieve,thelossofsomuchasadropoftheprecioussupply.

Itwasbutnaturalthatthethoughtoffoodshouldbythistimebeuppermostineveryman'smind.Realizingtheneedofsustainingourstrength,CaptainBlighallowedusthemostsubstantialmealwehadyet



enjoyed,consistingoftwoboiledplantainsperman,withanounceofporkandawineglassofwater.Wehadcombedthebeachallroundthecoveforshellfishwithoutfindingsomuchasaseasnail.Asitwasimpossibletoleavethecoveonaccountoftheheavysea,anotherexploringpartywassentoutafterdinner,buttheyreturnedatsunsetwithouthavinghadanysuccess.Thereyetremainedonedirectioninwhichnoneofourpartieshadgone--towardthenorthwest--andthefollowingmorningnearhalfofourparty,whohadspentthenightinthecavernthattheymighthaveamorerefreshingsleep,weresentoutinalastattempttosecurefoodandwater.Mr.Fryerwasinchargeoftheexpedition,andCaptainBlighorderedhimnottoreturnuntilhewasconvincedthatwehadnothingtohopeforinthatdirection.

Theyweregoneafullfivehours,returningaboutteno'clock,empty-handed,andwithRobertTinklermissing.Hehadbecomeseparatedfromtheothers,Fryersaid,shortlybeforethedecisiontoreturnwasmade.Blighflewintoapassionatthisnews.

"What,sir?"heroaredatFryer."Doyoumeantosaythatyou,theship'smaster,cannotkeepapartyofseventogether?Damnyoureyes!MustIgo _everywhere_withyou?Getyoubackatonceandfindhim!Go,thelotofyou,anddon'tcomebackwithouthim!"

Silentlythemensetout;buttheyhadnotreachedthefootofthecliffs

whentheyheardashoutfromabove--andpresentlycameTinkler,carryinganIndiancalabashcontainingaboutagallonofwater,andfollowedbyanIndianwomanandtwomen.Themenhadaclusterofhuskedcoconutsonapolebetweenthem.

Thisgoodfortunecameatatimewhenitwasneeded,andIwasgladtoseethatBligh,whohadbeencursingtheladduringhisabsence,forgothisangerandcommendedhimwarmly.Tinklerwaspleasedasonlyaboycanbewhohassucceededinamatterinwhichhiseldershavefailed.HehaddiscoveredtheIndiansnearahutinasmall,hiddenvalley,andhadmadethemunderstandthattheyweretocomewithhim,bringingfoodandwater.

Themenwerestronglymade,bold-lookingfellows,andappearednotatall

surprisedtofindusthere.Theywereunarmed,andnakedexceptforakirtleoftapaaboutthemiddle.Thewomanwasahandsomewenchofabouttwenty,andcarriedachildonherhip.Theyputdowntheirloadofcoconutsandsquattednearby,lookingatuswithouttheleastsignoffear.

AfterourlongsojournatOtaheite,agoodmanyofushadafairknowledgeoftheIndianlanguageasspokenthere.WehadalreadyfoundthatthespeechofthenativesofAnnamooka,althoughalliedtothatoftheOtaheitians,differedgreatlyfromit;nevertheless,wecould,afterafashion,conversewiththesepeople.Mr.Nelsonwasthebestlinguistamongstus,andhenowquestionedthemen,askingfirstaboutthenumberofinhabitantsontheislandandthepossibilityofprocuringfoodand

water.Oneofthemrepliedatlength.Muchofwhathesaidwasunintelligible,butweunderstoodthattherewasaconsiderablepopulationon.thewindwardsideoftheisland,andthatlittlewastobehadinthewayofrefreshmentonthisside.

Presentlytheyrose,givingustounderstandthattheywouldfetchothersoftheircountrymen.Wewereinnopositiontobelavishwithgifts,butCaptainBlighpresentedthemwithsomebuttonsfromhiscoat,whichtheyacceptedstolidlyandthendeparted.



Assoonastheyhadgone,Mr.Blighmadeacollectionofwhateversmallarticleswecouldsparefromourpersonalbelongings,tobeusedintradewiththeIndians.Wegavebuttons,handkerchiefs,claspknives,buckles,andthelike.Mr.Blighalsopreparedusfordefense.Fryerandfiveothersweretoremaininthelaunchinreadinessforanyemergency.Themasterhadoneofourcutlasses,andtheothersweretobecarriedbyBligh,Purcell,andCole,thestrongestmenoftheshoreparty;therestofuscutclubsforourselves,buttheseweretobekepthiddeninthecavern,and,ifpossible,ourtradingwastobedonedirectlyinfrontofthecavern,sothatweshouldalwayshavetheIndiansbeforeus.

Therewere,then,thirteenofusonshore,withsixmeninthelaunchatadistanceofonehundredandfiftyyards.Weshouldhavebeengladtokeepthepartiesclosertogether,butMr.Blighthoughtbesttohavetheshorepartywhereitcouldnotbesurrounded,andwehadthelaunchinviewsowecouldwatchoverthesituationthere.Thusprepared,wewaitedwithanxietyforthearrivalofvisitors.

Theywerenotlongincoming.Ihadoftenremarked,atOtaheite,withwhatmysteriousrapiditynewsspreadsamongtheIndians.Soitwashere;scarcelyanhourhadpassedbeforetwentyorthirtymenhadcomedownthecliffs;otherscamebycanoeswhichtheycarriedupthebeach,andbythemiddleoftheafternoontherewerefortyorfiftypeopleinthecove.TheywerelikethenativeswehadseenatAnnamooka,well-set-up,

hardy-lookingmen,withasomewhatinsolentbearing;butwewererelievedtoseethattheywereunarmed,andtheirintentappearedpeaceableenough.Theyweregoingbackandforthcontinually,nowsquattingonthebeachlookingatthelaunch,nowreturningtothecaverntolookatus.Offoodandwatertheyhadlittle,butbeforeeveningwehadboughtadozenofbreadfruit,andseveralgallonsofwater.BymeansofCaptainBligh'smagnifyingglasswemadeafirenearthemouthofthecavern,wherewecookedsomeofthebreadfruitforourimmediateneeds,thenativeslookingonandcommenting,inwhatappearedtobeaderisivemanner,onourmethodofdoingso.Nowomenwereamongstthem,noranyoftheirchiefmen,buttheygaveustounderstandthatoneoftheselatterwouldvisitusthenextday.

Shortlyaftersunsettheybegantoleavethecove,andthelastofthemhadgonebeforedarknesscameon.Thiswasanencouragingcircumstance;forhadtheyintendedmischief,wethought,theywouldcertainlyhaveremainedtoattackusinthenight.Wesuppeduponaquarterofabreadfruitperman,andaglassofwater,inbetterspiritsthanwehadbeenatanytimesincethemutiny.Aguardwassetattheentranceofthecavern,andtherestretiredtosleep,comfortedbyCaptainBligh'sassurancethatthemorrowwouldbeourlastdayinthisdismalspot.

CHAPTERIII

CaptainBlighhadtheenviablefacultyofbeingabletocomposehismindforsleepunderalmostanyconditions.Ihaveknownhimtogowithoutrestforseventy-twohourstogether;butwhenasuitableoccasionoffered,hecouldclosehiseyesandfallatonceintoarefreshingslumber,thoughheknewthathemustbeawakenedaquarterofanhourlater.Onthisnighthecouldhopeforanundisturbedrest,andscarcelyhadhelaindownwhenhisquietbreathingassuredmethathewasasleep.Asformyself,Iwasnevermorewakeful,andpresentlyleftthecaverntojointhesentinelsoutside.Theywerestationedtwentyorthirtyyards



apart,sothattheymightcommandaviewinwhateverdirection.Itwasabeautifulnight,andthecove,floodedwithmoonlight,seemedanenchantedspot.Tothenorthlaytheopensea,atpeacenow,forthewindhaddiedawaytowardsunset.Thelongswellssweptmajesticallyin,breakingfirstalongthesidesofthecove,thetwowavesadvancingswiftlytowardeachotherandmeetingnearthecentreofthebeach,wherethesilveryfoamwasthrownhighinair.

AsIlookedaboutmeIwasremindedofcertainlonelycovesIhadseenalongtheCornishcoast,onjustsuchnights,andIfoundithardtorealizehowvastanoceanseparatedusfromhome.

Mr.Colewasinchargeoftheguard;hestoodinthedeepshadowofatreenotfarfromthecavern.Ihadagreatlikingfortheboatswain;wehadbeenfriendsalmostfromthedaythe_Bounty_leftSpithead,andtherewasnomorecompetentandreliableseamanintheship'scompany.Hewasadevoutman,withachildliketrustinGodwhichonlyexceededhistrustinCaptainBligh.Heneverforamomentdoubtedthecaptain'sabilitytocarryussafelythroughwhateverperilsmightawaitus.Itcomfortedmetotalktohim,andwhenIreturnedtothecaveitwasinamorehopefulframeofmind.

IhadafixedbeliefinthetreacherousnatureofthemisnamedFriendlyIslanders,andfullyexpectedweshouldbeattackedduringthenight.I,

ofcourse,keptmymisgivingstomyself,andthefollowingmorningtheyseemedalittleabsurd.Wewereastiratdawn,andtherewasafeelingofhopefulnessandgoodcheerthroughoutthecompany.WeevenlookedforwardwithpleasuretothereturnoftheIndians;knowingnowourneeds,wefeltthattheywouldsupplythem,andthatweshouldbeabletoleavethecovebyearlyafternoon.

Thesunwastwohourshighbeforethefirstofthenativescamedownthecliffsatthebackofthecove;andshortlyafterwardstwocanoesarrived,withadozenorfifteenmenineach.Weweregreatlydisappointedtofindthattheyhadbroughtonlyameagresupplyofprovisions;wewere,however,abletopurchasealittlewaterandhalfadozenbreadfruit.Oneofthecanoepartiestreateduswithgreat

insolence.Theyhadwiththemhalfadozencalabashesfilledwithwater,--muchmorethanenoughfortheirownneedsduringtheday,--buttheyrefusedtotradeforanypartofit.Theywellknewthatwewereonshortrationsofwater,andtauntedusbydrinkingdeeplyoftheirownsupplywhilewestoodlookingon.FortunatelyitwasNelsonandnotBlighwhowasattemptingtotradewiththisparty.Blighhadlittleofthediplomatinhischaracter,andhadhebeenpresenthistempermighthavegottenthebetterofhim;butNelsonremainedcoolandaffable,and,seeingthatnothingwastobegottenfromthesemen,soonleftthemtothemselves.

Uponreturningtothecavern,wefoundBlightryingtoconversewithaparty,headedbyanelderlychief,whichhadjustarrivedfrominland.

Thechiefwasastern-lookingoldman,welloversixfeet,whoserobeoftapacloth,drapedingracefulfoldsabouthisperson,proclaimedhisrank;buthadhebeennakedhecouldhavebeenrecognizedatonceasamanofsuperiorstation.Inonehandhecarriedaspearofironwood,barbedwithbonesofthestingray'stail,andtuckedintoafoldofhisrobeatthewaistwaswhatappearedtobeacombwithlongwoodenteeth.Blighlookedaroundwithreliefatourapproach.

"Youhavecomeingoodtime,Nelson;Iwasabouttosendforyou.Seewhatyoucanmakeofthisman'sspeech."



NelsonthenaddressedhimintheOtaheitianlanguage,whilemostofourcompanyandbetweenthirtyandfortyofthenativesstoodlookingon.ThechiefrepliedwithanaturalgraceandeloquencecommontotheIndiansoftheSouthSea,buttherewasalookofcrueltyandcunninginhiseyethatbeliedhismanner.Igavehimcloseattention,butalthoughIsomewhatpridedmyselfuponmyknowledgeoftheOtaheitiantongue,IfounditoflittleusetomeinlisteningtotheFriendlyIslandspeech.Nelson,however,hadaquickeartodetectaffinitiesandanagilemindtograspatmeanings,anditwasplainthatheandthechiefcouldmakethemselvesfairlywellunderstood.PresentlyheturnedtoBligh.

"HehaseitherseenusatAnnamookaorhadheardofourbeingthere,"hesaid."Icanunderstandonlyabouthalfofwhathesays,buthewishestoknowhowwelosttheship,andwhere."

Wewerepreparedforthatquestion.Mr.Blighhadatfirstbeenundecidedhowtoaccountforourpresencehere,incaseIndiansshouldbemetwith.Wecouldnothopetobebelievedifweshouldsaythattheshipwasathand,fortheycouldseeforthemselvesthatshewasnot;therefore,heinstructedustosaythatthevesselhadbeenlost,andthatwealonehadbeensavedfromthewreck.This,weknew,wasadangerousconfessiontomake,butcircumstancesforcedituponus.

Iwatchedtheman'sfacewhileNelsonwasrelatingthestory,butheremainedimpassive,showingneitherinterestinnorconcernforourplight.Nelsonwaspuzzledforatimebytheman'snextinquiry,butatlengthgraspedthemeaningofit.

"Hewishestoseethethingwithwhichyoubringfirefromthesun,"hesaid.Blighwasreluctanttobringforthhismagnifyingglassagain,wellknowinghowtheIndianswouldcovetsuchapreciousinstrument;nevertheless,hethoughtitbesttohumourthechief.Somedryleavesweregatheredandcrumbledintoapowder.Ourvisitorsgatheredround,lookingonwithintenseinterestwhilstBlighfocusedtheraysofthesunuponthetinder;andwhentheysawsmokeemerge,andthesmallflameappear,amurmurofastonishmentranthroughthecrowd.Thechiefwas

determinedtopossessthiswonderworker,andwhenBlighrefusedhim,hisvexationanddisappointmentwereonlytooapparent.Hethenaskedfornails,themostacceptablearticleofbarterwiththenativesoftheSouthSea,butthefewparcelswepossessedcouldnotbepartedwith,andNelsonwasinstructedtotellhimthatwehadnone.

Whilstthisconversationwastakingplace,otherIndianswerearriving,amongstthemachiefwhoserankappearedtobeequalto,ifnothigherthan,thatofthefirst;heshowednodeferencetotheolderman,andweobservedthatthecrowdofnativesaroundus,immediatelytheysawhim,openedalanethroughtheirrankssothatheandhisfollowersmightapproach.Hewasamanofaboutforty,ofcommandingpresence.Asheenteredtheopenspacewherewestood,heglancedkeenlyfromoneto

anotherofus.ThenhewalkeduptoCaptainBligh,butInoticedthatheomitted,astheolderchiefhaddone,theceremonyofrubbingnoses--aformalcourtesywhichhadneverbeenomittedheretofore,whenwehadthe _Bounty_atourbacks.

NoneofuscouldrecollecthavingseeneitherofthesechiefsatAnnamooka.WelearnedthatthenameoftheeldermanwasMaccaackavow,--atleast,thatisasnearasIcancometothesoundofthename,--andtheotherwascalledEefow.WegatheredthatbothcamefromtheislandofTongataboo.WhenBlighinformedthemthatweproposed



togoeithertothatislandortoAnnamooka,Eefowofferedtoaccompanyusassoonasthewindandseashouldmoderate.Blighinvitedthemintothecavern,wherehepresentedeachwithaknifeandashirt.

ItwasatthistimethatItookuponeoftheskullswehadfoundthere,and,bringingittothechiefEefow,asked,intheOtaheitiandialect,whenceitcame.Hisfacelitupatthequestion,andhereplied:"Feejee,Feejee."Hethenwenton,withgreatanimation,toexplainaboutthem;andweunderstoodthathehimselfhadbeentheslayeroftwoofthesevictims.CaptainBlighwasgreatlyinterestedinthisnarration,forwhenhehadvisitedtheFriendlyIslandswithCaptainCookhehadgatheredmuchinformationaboutagreatarchipelago,unknowntoEuropeans,called"Feejee"bytheIndians,andwhichwasnotfardistantfromtheFriendlyIslands.HehadNelsonquestionEefowatlengthaboutFeejee,andwastoldthegroupcomprisedavastnumberofislands,thenearestofwhichlayaboutatwodays'sailfromTofoa.Whenwecameoutofthecavern,BlighhadEefowpointouttheirdirection,andthechiefshowedhimwhatbearingsshouldbetakentosailtowardthemfromTofoa.Thedirectionwastothewest-northwest,whichconfirmedwhatBlighhadalreadybeentold.

Thisconferenceinthecavernhadgonemostprosperously,andwewereencouragedtohopethatourfearsweregroundlesswithrespecttotheIndians'intentionstowardus.Anotherfavourableincidentoccurredat

thistime:AmannamedNageete,whomMr.BlighrememberedhavingseenatAnnamooka,cameforwardandgreetedhiminthemostfriendlymanner.Althoughnotachief,heappearedtobeapersonageofsomeimportance,andBlighmademuchofhim,takingcare,however,todistinguishbetweenhisattitudetowardNageeteandthattowardthechiefs.Withthisman'shelpwewereabletoaddconsiderablytoourstockofwater,enoughforourimmediateneeds,sothatwecouldkeepthelaunch'sstockintact;andwealsopurchasedafewmorebreadfruitandahalf-dozenlargeyams;butourscantsupplyofarticlesfortradewassoonexhausted.Thereaftertheywouldgiveusnothing;notsomuchashalfabreadfruitwouldtheypartwithunlesspaymentweremadeforit.

Underthesecircumstances,wewereatalosswhattodo;wehadparted

witheverythingwecouldspareandwerestillingreatneedoffoodandwater.Blighappealedtothechiefs,againexplainingourpredicament.Nelsonwasaseloquentaspossible,buttheeffectwasnegligible.

Whenhehadfinished,Macca-ackavowreplied:"Yousayyouhavenothingleft,butyouhavetheinstrumentformakingfire.Letmehavethatandmypeoplehereshallgiveyoualltheyhave."

ButthisrequestBlighcouldnot,ofcourse,complywith;wehadnoflintandsteelamongstus,andnoneofuswasabletokindlefirebyfriction,intheIndianfashion.Macca-ackavowbecamesullenatourrefusaltopartwiththemagnifyingglass.

Eefowthensaid:"Letusseewhatyouhaveinyourboat."ButagainBlighrefused,forthefewtoolsandparcelsofnailswehadtherewereonlylessnecessarythanfooditself.

Somatterswentuntiltowardmidday.

Forourdinnerwehadeachasmallpieceofcookedbreadfruit,andsliverofpork.Blighinvitedthechiefstojoinourmeal,whichtheydid.Itwasamostuncomfortablerepast.WewereallsensibleofachangeintheattitudeoftheIndians:smallgroupsconferredamongthemselves,andthe



twochiefs,whilsteatingwithus,conversedinwhatappearedtobesomespecialandfigurativespeech,sothatnotevenNelsoncouldunderstandawordthatwassaid.

Fifteenofourcompanywereonshoreatthistime;Fryer,withthreemen,remainedwiththelaunch,whichstilllayatagrapneljustbeyondthebreakofthesurf.WeestimatedthattherewerewellovertwohundredIndiansaroundus,andnotawomanamongstthem.Fortunately,onlythechiefsandtwoorthreeoftheirimmediateretainerswerearmed.

Thechiefsnowleftusandwentamongsttheirpeople.Blightooktheoccasiontoinformusofhisplansandtoinstructusastowhatourbehaviourtowardthenativesshouldbethroughouttheafternoon.

"Itisnotyetclear,"hesaid,"thattheyhaveformedadesignagainstus,andwemustactasthoughwehadnosuspicionofanysuchintent;butbeonyourguard,everymanofyou...Mr.Peckover,youshallselectthreemenandcarrywhatsupplieswehavetothelaunch;butperformthisbusinessinacasualmanner.Lettherebenohasteinyouractions.Weshallleavethecoveatsunset,whetherornoEefowaccompaniesus,andmakeourwaytoTongataboo,butIwishtheIndianstobedeceivedonthispointuntilwearereadytoembark."

Wehadafiregoingnearthecavern,andthebreadfruithadbeencooked

asweboughtit.PeckoverchosePeterLenkletter,Lebogue,andyoungTinklertoassisthim,andtheynowbegancarryingdownthesupplies,alittleatatime.Thiswasdangerouswork,fortheyhadtorunthegantletofmanygroupsofsavagescollectedbetweenusandthelaunch,anditwasperformedwithacoolnessdeservingofhighpraise.Tinkler,whowasnomorethanalad,behavedadmirably,andhewasimmenselyproudthathehadbeenchosenforthetaskovertheothermidshipmen.Meanwhile,Blighsatatthemouthofthecavern,keepingawatchfuleyeuponallthatwentonand,atthesametime,writinginhisjournalasquietlyasthoughhewereinhiscabinonthe_Bounty_.Therestofusbusiedourselveswithsmallmatters,tomakeitappearthatweexpectedtospendthenightashore.Nageete,whohadstrolledawayafterourmiddaymeal,returnedafteralittletime,apparentlyaswelldisposedas

ever.Heaskedwhatourintentionswere,andwastoldthat'weshouldwaituntilEefowwasreadytoaccompanyustoTongataboo,butthatwehoped,incasetheweatherfavoured,hewouldconsenttogoonthefollowingday.

Nageetethensaid:"Eefowwillgoifyouwillgivehimthefiremaker;andyoushouldlethimhaveit,ratherthanMacca-ackavow,forheisthegreaterchief."

Blighmighthaveresortedtoguile,makingapromiseofthecovetedglass,butthisherefusedtodo,tellingNageetethatundernocircumstancescouldhepartwithit.

Presentlythetwochiefsrejoinedus,andBligh,withNelsontointerpret,questionedthemfurtherabouttheFeejeeIslands,doingeverythingpossibletokeepourrelationswiththemonafriendlyandcasualfooting.

Whilstthisconversationwastakingplace,anincidentoccurredthatmighteasilyhaveproveddisastrous.TherewasagreatcrowdofIndiansalongthebeach.Ofasudden,adozenormoreofthemrushedtothelinewhichheldthelaunchtotheshoreandbegantohaulitin.WeheardawarningshoutfromPeckover,whowasjustthenreturningwithhisparty.



Bligh,cutlassinhand,rushedforthebeach,therestofus,includingthechiefs,following.Hiscourageandforceofcharacternevershowedtobetteradvantagethanonthisoccasion.Wewerevastlyoutnumbered,andmighteasilyhavebeenattackedandslain;butBlighsooverawedthembyhismannerthattheyimmediatelyletgotherope,andFryerandthosewithhimhauledthelaunchbacktoitsformerposition.ThismoveoftheIndianswasmade,Ithink,withouttheknowledgeofthechiefs.Howeverthatmaybe,theyatleastorderedthemenawayfromthatvicinity,--Blighhavinginsisteduponthis,--andallbecamequietagain.

Itwouldhavebeenwellcouldwehaveembarkedthenandthere;andBlighwouldhavehadusmakearushforit,Ithink,haditnotbeenthatColeandthreeothershadbeensentinlandinthehopeoffindingafewmorequartsofwater.Theyhadnotyetreturned,sowemadeourwaybacktothecaverntowaitforthem.

Thenfollowedananxioustime.Itbecamemoreandmoreapparentthatweweretobeattacked,andthatthesavagesweremerelybidingafavourableopportunity.Wewereequallysurethatthechiefswereofonemindaboutthisandthattheyhadinformedtheirfollowersthatweweretobedestroyed.

"Keepwelltogether,lads,"saidBlighquietly."Seethatnoneofthemcomesbehindus.Damntheireyes!Whataretheywaitingfor?"

"Ibelievethey'reafraidofus,sir,"saidFryer."Eitherthat,ortheyhopetotakeusbysurprise."

Wehadnotlongtowaitforevidenceoftheirintentions.Savages,althoughtheyinvariablyrecognizeandrespecttheauthorityoftheirchiefs,lackdiscipline,andwhenacourseofactionisdecidedupon,areimpatienttoputitintoeffect.Soitwashere.Shortlyafterthis,weheard,fromadistance,anominoussound:theknockingofstonestogether,whichwerightlysupposedwasasignalamongstthemprevioustoanattack.Atfirstonlyafewofthemdidthis,butgraduallythesoundspread,increasinginvolume,toallpartsofthecove;atmomentsitbecameallbutdeafening,andthenwoulddieawayonlytoberesumedwith

evengreaterinsistence,asthoughthecommonersweregrowingincreasinglyimpatientwiththeirchiefsforwithholdingthesignalforslaughter.Theeffectuponourlittlebandmaybeimagined.Webelievedthatourlasthourhadcome;westoodtogether,awell-knitband,everymanresolvedtosellhislifeasdearlyaspossible.

ItwaslateafternoonwhenColeandhispartyreturnedwithabouttwoquartsofwaterwhichtheyhadcollectedamongsttherocks.Mr.Blighhadkeptarecordofeverythingwehadbeenabletosecureinthewayofprovision,andthewaterwehadeitherboughtorfoundforourselveshadbeenjustsufficientforourneeds.Wehadaddednothingtoourtwenty-eightgallonsinthelaunch,butneitherhadwetakenanythingfromthatsupply.Nowthattheshorepartywasagainunited,wewaited

onlyforasuitableopportunitybeforemakinganattempttoembark.Meanwhile,theclappingofstoneswenton,nowhere,nowthere,andyetitwasnecessaryforustokeepupthepretensethatwesuspectednothing.

Nageete,whohadbeenwithusduringthistime,wasbecomingincreasinglyrestlessandwasonlyseekingsomepretextforgettingaway,butBlighkepthimengagedinconversation.WewereallgatheredbeforetheentranceofthecaverninsuchawaythattheIndianscouldnotpassbehindus.Forthemostpart,theyweregatheredingroupsoftwentyor



thirty,atsomedistance,andwesawthetwochiefspassingfromgrouptogroup.Presentlytheyreturnedtowherewestood,andImustdothemthecredittosaythattheyweremastersattheartofdissembling.Weaskedthemthemeaningofthestoneclapping,andtheygaveustounderstandthatitwasmerelyagameinwhichtheirfollowersindulgedtowhileawaythetime.TheythenattemptedtopersuadeCaptainBlighandNelsontoaccompanythemawayfromtherestofus,asthoughtheywishedtoconferwiththeminprivate,butBlighpretendednottounderstand.Wewereallonourfeet,ininstantreadinesstodefendourselves;nevertheless,Ibelievethatwedidsucceedbyouractions--foratimeatleast--inconvincingthechiefsthatwewereignorantoftheirintentions.Immediatelytheyreturnedtoustheclappingofstoneshadceased,andtheensuingsilenceseemedthemoreprofound.

Eefowthenasked:"Youwillsleeponshoretonight?"

CaptainBlighreplied:"No,Ineversleepawayfrommyboat;butitmaybethatIshallleaveapartofmymeninthecavern."Ourhopewas,ofcourse,thatwecouldpersuadetheIndiansofanintentiontoremaininthecoveuntilthefollowingday.Ithinktheremusthavebeenadifferenceofopinionbetweenthetwochiefsastowhentheattackuponusshouldbemade,andthattheelderonewasforimmediateactionandEefowforanightattack.Theyagainconversedtogetherintheirfigurativespeech,ofwhichweunderstoodnothing.

Blighsaidtous,veryquietly:"Beready,lads.Iftheymakeahostilemove,wewillkillthembothandfightourwaytothelaunch."

Wewere,ofcourse,intheunfortunatepositionofnotbeingabletobegintheattack,andyetwewerealmostatthepointwhereaction,howeverdesperate,wouldhaveseemedpreferabletofurtherdelay.

EefownowturnedagaintoNelson."Tellyourcaptain,"hesaid,"thatweshallspendthenighthere.To-morrowIwillgowithyouinyourboattoTongataboo."

Nelsoninterpretedthismessage,andBlighreplied:"Thatisgood."The

chiefsthenleftus;butwhentheyhadgoneadistanceoffifteenortwentypaces,Macca-ackavowturnedwithanexpressiononhisfacethatIshallnotsoonforget.

"Youwillnotspendthenightashore?"heagainasked.

"Whatdoeshesay,Nelson?"askedBligh.

Nelsoninterpreted.

"Goddamnhim,tellhimno!"saidBligh.

Nelsonconveyedthismessageatsomelength,andinamorediplomatic

mannerthanBlighhadused.Thechiefstoodfacingus,glancing,swiftlyfromsidetosideamongsthisfollowers.Thenheagainspoke,verybriefly;andhavingdoneso,strodeswiftlyaway.

"Whatisit,Nelson?"askedBligh.

Nelsonsmiledgrimly."'_Temomategimotoloo_,'"hereplied."Theirintentionsareclearenoughnow.Itmeans:'Thenyoushalldie.'"

Bligh'sactionsatthistimewerebeyondpraise.Toseehimrisetoa



desperateoccasionwasanexperiencetobetreasuredinthememory.Hewascoolandclear-headed,andhetalkedquietly,evencheerfully,tous.

"Itisnowornever,lads,"hesaid."Halt,serveoutquicklythewaterMr.Colehasbroughtin."

Thecalabashwaspassedrapidlyfromhandtohand,forweknewitwouldbeimpossibletogetthewatertothelaunch;eachmanhadageneroussup,anditwasneeded,forwehadbeenonshortrationsforthreedays.AllthiswhileBlighhadkeptafirmgripwithhislefthandonNageete'sarm,holdinghiscutlassinhisright.Hewasdeterminedthat,ifweweretodie,Nageeteshoulddiewithus.Theman'sfacewasastudy.Ihavenotbeenabletodetermineinmyownmind,tothisday,whetherhewasplayingapartorwasgenuinelyfriendlytowardsus.Iimagine,however,thathehadaheartastreacherousasthoseofhiscountrymen.

Blighhadalreadyinstructedusinwhatorderweshouldproceedtothebeach.Cole,alsoarmedwithacutlass,tookhisstationwiththecaptainontheothersideofNageete;andtherestofusfellinbehind,withPurcellandNortonbringinguptherear.

"Forward,lads!"saidBligh."LetthesebastardsseehowEnglishmenbehaveinatightplace!"

Wethenproceededtowardthebeach,everyoneinakindofsilenthorror.

Ibelieveitwasthepromptness,theunexpectednessofouractionalonethatsavedus.Hadweshowntheleasthesitation,wemusthaveallbeenslain;butBlighledusstraighton,directlytowardonelargegroupofIndianswhowerebetweenusandthelaunch.Theypartedtoletusthrough,andIwellremembermyfeelingofincredulouswonderatfindingmyselfstillalivewhenwehadpassedbeyondthem.Notawordwasspoken,norwasahandliftedagainstusuntilwereachedthebeach.

Fryerhad,ofcourse,seenuscoming,andhadslackedawayuntilthelaunchwaswithinhalfadozenpacesofthebeach,inaboutfourfeetofwater.

"Inwithyou,lads!Lookalive!"Blighshouted."Purcell,standbywithme--youandNorton!"

Withinhalfaminutewewereallintheboat,saveBlighandthetwomenwithhim.NageetenowwrenchedhimselffreefromBligh'sgraspandranupthebeach.ThecaptainandPurcellmadefortheboat,wiselynotattemptingtobringinthegrapnelonshore;butNorton,whoBlighthoughtwasimmediatelybehindhim,ranbacktofetchit.Weshoutedtohimtoletitgo;buteitherhedidnotorwouldnothear.

TheIndiansbythistimehadbeenrousedtoaction,andtheywereuponNortoninaninstant,beatingouthisbrainswithstones.Meanwhilewe

hadhauledBlighandPurcellintotheboatandgotouttheoars.Thenativesseizedthelinewhichheldustotheshore;butBlighsevereditwithastrokeofhiscutlass,andthemenforwardquicklyhauledusouttotheothergrapnelandattemptedtopullitup.Toourdismay,oneoftheflukeshadcaughtandtwoorthreepreciousminuteswerelostbeforeitwasgottenclear.Itwasfortunateforusthatthesavageswereunarmed;hadtheybeenpossessedofspears,orbowsandarrows,thechanceofanyman'sescapingwouldhavebeensmallindeed.Theonlyspearsamongstthemwerethosecarriedbythetwochiefs.Macca-ackavowhurledhis,whichpassedwithinafewinchesofPeckover'sheadandfell



intothewateradozenyardsbeyondus.

Butwhilsttheyhadnoman-madeweapons,thebeachofferedthemaninexhaustiblesupplyofstones,andwereceivedsuchashowerofthesethat,hadwenotbeenagoodthirtyyardsdistant,anumberofusmighthavemetNorton'sfate.Asitwas,Purcellwasknockedsenselessbyablowonthehead,andvariousotherswerebadlyhurt.Thespeedandaccuracywithwhichtheycastthestoneswereamazing.Weprotectedourselvesaswellaswecouldwithbundlesofcloathingwhichweheldbeforeus.Meanwhilethemenforwardwerehaulingdesperatelyonthegrapnel,whichatlastgavewayandcameupwithoneflukebroken.Bligh,atthetiller,wasinthemostexposedpositionofany;thatheescapedseriousinjurywasduetotheeffortsofElphinstoneandCole,whoshieldedhimwithfloorboardsfromthesternsheets.

Wenowbegantopullawayfromthem,butthetreacherousvillainswerenotdonewithusyet.Theygotoneoftheircanoesintothewater,whichtheyloadedwithstones,whereuponadozenofthemleapedintohertopursueus.Oursixmenattheoarspulledwithalltheirstrength,butweweresoheavilyladenthatthesavagesgainedswiftlyuponus.Nevertheless,wehadgotoutofthecoveandbeyondviewofthethrongonthebeachbeforewewereovertaken.Theynowhadusattheirmercy,andbeganthrowingstoneswithsuchdeadlyaccuracythatitseemedamiraclesomeofuswerenotkilled.Afewofthestonesfellintotheboatand

werehurledbackatthem;wehadthesatisfactionofseeingoneoftheirpaddlersstrucksquarelyinthefacebyastonecastbytheboatswain.However,thatwasachanceshot:weshouldhavebeennomatchforthematthiskindofwarfareevenhadwepossessedasupplyofammunition.

Inthehopeofdistractingtheirattentionfromus,Mr.Blighthrewsomearticlesofcloathingintothewater;andtoourjoytheystoppedtotakethemin.Itwasnowgettingdark,and,astheycouldhavehadbutafewstonesleftinthecanoe,theygaveovertheattack,andamomentlaterdisappearedpasttheheadlandattheentrancetothecove.Wewerebynomeanssurethatotherswouldnotattempttocomeafterus,sowepulledstraightouttoseauntilwecaughtthebreeze.Withoursailsset,weweresoonpastalldangerofpursuit.

Iwasbusyduringthenexthourcaringforourwounded,ofwhomtherewerenineinall.Purcellwasbadlyhurt.Hehadbeenstruckaglancingblowonthehead,whichlaidopenhisscalpandknockedhimunconscious,but,bythetimeIwasabletoattendtohim,hewasagainsittingup,apparentlybutlittletheworseforablowthatwouldhavekilledmostmen.Anexaminationofthewoundassuredmeprettywellthattheskullhadnotbeenfractured.Itwasnecessarytotakehalfadozenstitchesinthescalp.ElphinstonehadhadtwofingersofhisrighthandbrokenwhileprotectingCaptainBligh,andLenkletterhadbeendeeplygashedacrossthecheekbone.Theotherwoundswerebruises,theworstbeingthatofHall,whohadbeenstruckfullontherightbreastandnearlyknockedoutofthelaunch.

ItcanbeimaginedwithwhatfeelingsofgratitudetoGodwewatchedtheislandofTofoadroppingawayastern.Nowthatwehadtimetoreflect,atruersenseofthehorrorofthesituationfromwhichwehadsonarrowlyescapedcamehometous.ThedeathofNortoncastagloomuponallourspirits,butweavoidedspeakingofhimthen;themannerofhisdeathwastooclearlyinmind,anditseemedthatwecouldstillheartheyellsofthesavageswhohadmurderedhim.CaptainBlightookhislossverymuchtoheartandblamedhimselfthathehadnotthoughttoinformus,beforehand,togivenoheedtothegrapnelonshore.Buthewasbyno



meansatfault.Whatthesituationwouldbeonthebeachcouldnothavebeenforetold,andpoorNortonhimselfshouldhaveseenthefollyoftryingtosavethegrapnel.Nevertheless,hiswasanactofheroismsuchasfewmenwouldhavebeencapableofattempting.

Thewind,fromtheeast-southeast,freshenedaswedrewawayfromtheland;thedarknessdeepened,andsoonTofoawaslosttoviewsaveforthebalefulglarefromitsvolcano,reflectedonthecloudsabove.MeanwhilewehadgottentheboatinorderandhadtakentheplacesCaptainBlighhadassignedtousforthenight.Withrespecttofood,westillhadouronehundredandfiftypoundsofbread,shortofafewounceseatenatTofoa,twentypoundsofpork,thirty-onecoconuts,sixteenbreadfruit,andsevenyams;butboththebreadfruitandtheyams,whichhadbeencookedonshore,hadbeentrampledunderourfeetduringtheattack.Nevertheless,wesalvagedthefilthymessandateitduringsubsequentdays.Asalreadyrelated,westillhadtwenty-eightgallonsofwater--thesameamountwehadcarriedawayfromtheBounty--butwehadleftonlythreebottlesofwine,andfivequartsofrum.

Iamnotlikelytoforgettheconferencewethenheldtodetermineourfuturecourseofaction.Wewererunning,ofnecessity,beforethewind,inadirectionalmosttheoppositetothatofAnnamookaorTongataboo,andFryer,whowasthefirsttospeak,earnestlybeggedCaptainBlightocontinuethiscourse--toproceedwithusinthedirectionofhome.

"Weknowwhatwehavetoexpectofthesavages,sir,"hesaid."Withoutarms,ourexperienceatTofoawillonlyberepeatedonotherislands,andwecouldnothopetocomeoffsofortunateagain."

Othervoiceswerejoinedtothemaster's;therewasnodoubtastothegeneraldesireofourcompanytobravetheperilsofthesearatherthanthosecertaintobemetwithonland.Blighwaswillingtobepersuaded;infact,Iamsurethathehimselfwouldhaveproposedthischangeofplanhadnooneelsespokenofit.Nevertheless,hewishedustobefullyawareofthedangersaheadofus.

"Doyouknow,Mr.Fryer,"heasked,"howfarwemustsailbeforeweshall

haveanyexpectationofhelp?"

"Notexactly,sir."

"TotheDutchEastIndies,"Blighwenton;"andthefirstoftheirsettlementsisontheislandofTimor,afulltwelvehundredleaguesfromhere."

Amomentofsilencefollowed.Notoneofus,Ibelieve,butwasthinking:"Twelvehundredleagues!Whathope,then,havewe?"

"Evenso,"saidBligh,"oursituationisbynomeanshopeless.Grantedthateverymanofyougivesmehisfullsupport,Ibelieveweshallreach

Timor."

"Thatyoushallhave,sir!"saidPeckover."Whatdoyousay,lads?"Therewasaheartyagreementtothis.

"Verywell,"saidBligh."Nowletmetellyou,briefly,whatwearelikelytohaveinstore.First,astofavouringelements:weareatamostfortunatetimeofyear;wecancountuponeasterlywindsforaslongasweshallbeatsea.ThenorthwestmonsoonshouldnotcommencebeforeNovember,andlongbeforethattimeweshallhavereachedTimor,orbe



foreverpasttheneedofreachingit.Thelaunchisstoutlybuilt;deeplyladenasweare,weneednotfearherabilitytorunbeforethewind.Herperformanceatthismomentisapromiseofwhatshecando.Astotheperilswemustmeet--"

Hepausedwhilereflectinguponthem."OfthoseIneednotspeak,"hewenton."Theyareknowntoallofyou.ButthisIwillsay:IfwearetoreachTimor,wemustliveuponadailyallowanceoffoodandwaternomorethansufficienttopreserveourlives.Idesireeveryman'sassurancethathewillcheerfullyagreetotheamountIshalldecideupon.Itwillbesmallindeed,butwecanbealmostcertainofreplenishingourwatermanytimesbeforetheendofthevoyage.However,thatremainstobeseen,andIshallnotanticipatedoingsoindecidingwhateachman'sportionshallbe.Mr.Fryer,haveIyoursolemnpromisetoabidebymyjudgmentinthismatter?"

"Yes,sir,"Fryerrepliedpromptly.

Mr.Blighthencalledeachmanbyname,andallagreedasFryerhaddone.

Thesemattershavingbeendecided,wefellsilent,andsoremainedforsometime;thenCole,whowasseatedamidships,said:"Mr.Bligh,weshouldbepleasedifyouwouldaskGod'sblessinguponourvoyage."

"ThatIshalldo,Mr.Cole,"Blighreplied.

Never,Iimagine,haveEnglishseamenbeenmoresensibleoftheneedforDivineguidancethantheeighteenmeninthe_Bounty's_launch.Wewaited,ourheadsbowedinthedarkness,forourleadertospeak.

"AlmightyGod.Thouseestourafflictions.Thouknowestourneed.Grantthatwemayquitourselveslikemeninthetrialsanddangersthatliebeforeus.Watchoverus.Strengthenourhearts;andinThydivinemercyandcompassion,bringusallinsafetytothehaventowardwhichwenowdirectourcourse.Amen."

Thewatchfortheearlypartofthenightwasnowset,andtherestofus

arrangedourselvesforsleepaswellaswecould.Thewindblewwithincreasingfreshness,butthelaunchbehavedwell.Themoonlitseabeforeusseemedtostretchawaytoinfinity.

"Slackawayalittle,Mr.Cole,"Blighcalled.

CHAPTERIV

Theseawascalm,thoughtherewasafreshbreezeateast.NowthatTofoahadbeenlosttoview,everymanintheboat,Ibelieve,felt,forthe

firsttimesincecastingofffromthe_Bounty_,afaintthrillofhope.IwasfullyawareoftheimmenseremotenessoftheDutchEastIndies,andofthedifficultiesanddangersthroughwhichweshouldbeobligedtopasswerewetoreachthosedistantislands;butMr.Bligh'sconfidentmanner,andhiscalmnessduringourperilousescapefromthesavages,convincedmeofourgoodfortuneinbeingunderhiscommand.

Heavilyladenasshewas,andwithonlythereefedlugforesailset,theboatsailedfasttothewestward.Mr.Blighwasatthetiller,withPeckoverbesidehim;Fryer,Elphinstone,Nelson,andIsatinthestern



sheets.Thetwomidshipmenonthethwartwerealreadyasleep;butTinkler,whohadbeenchosenforPeckover'swatch,wasmakingprodigiouseffortstokeepawake.Thegunnernoticedthelad'syawns.

"Getyoutosleep,Mr.Tinkler,"hesaidgruffly;"Ishan'tneedyouto-night."

Therewaslittletalkamongthemenforward,thoughnearlyallwereawake.Theslower-witted,Isuppose,wereonlynowarrivingatafullrealizationofwhatlaybeforeus.Iheardfrequentgroansfromthosewhowerenursingbruises,andindeedmyowninjuredshoulderwassopainfulastoprecludethepossibilityofsleep.ItmaybeworthyofremarkthatthetinctureofArnicamontana,ofwhichIhadasmallsupply,provedofgreatvaluetothoseofuswhohadbeenhurt.

Calmastheseawas,thelaunchwassodeepthatweshippedquantitiesofwaterasweranclearofthelandandbegantofeelthelongrolloftheSouthernOceanfromeasttowest.Peckoversettwomen--LebogueandSimpson--tobailing.Towardmidnight,astheseagrewhigher,theyhadalltheycoulddotokeepherclearofwater,andbecamesofatiguedthatPeckoverorderedotherstorelievethem.Hepulledouthislargesilverwatch,scrutinizeditintently,andreturnedittohispocket.

"Whathourhaveyou,Mr.Peckover?"askedthecaptain."Ican'tmakeout,

sir."

Blighglancedupatthestars."Mr.Fryer,youhavehadnosleep?"heasked.

"Notyet,sir."

"Takethetiller,ifyouplease;Ishalltrytorest,andIrecommendyoutodothesameatfouro'clock."

Theychangedplaces,movinggingerlyinthepitchingboat,andBlighmadehimselfascomfortableaspossible.HaywardandHalletrubbedtheireyesastheywerewakenedtotheirturnsatthebailing;theydrewtheir

jacketsaroundthem,shiveringatthespraywhichflewconstantlyoverthequarters.

TowardmorningthewindchoppedroundfromN.E.toE.S.E.,andblewverycold,whiletheseagrewhighandconfused,breakingfrequentlyoverthesternofthelaunch.Mr.Blighwasawareofthechangeinstantly,andtookthetillerfromthemaster'shands.Fourmenwerenowrequiredtothrowoutthewater,whichcameinsheetsoverthetransomandquartersoftheboat.Atdawntheskywasovercastwithlow,dirtyclouds,scuddingfasttothewestward,andthesunroseredandominous.WewereasorrycrewinthelightofthisSundaymorning;haggard-eyed,wettotheskinwithsaltspray,andsostiffthatsomecouldscarcelystraightentheirlegs.Nelsontriedtosmile;histeethchatteredso

violentlythathestammeredwhenhespoke.

Mr.Bligh'sfacelookeddrawninthegraylight,buthiseyeswerecoolandalert.Eachwavesentsheetsofwind-drivensprayintotheboat;presentlyaseagreaterthantheothersswungushighandcurledoverthetransom.AbovetheroaringofthewavesIheardfaintcriesandcursesfromthemenasarushofwatersweptforwardinthebilges.Then,whileIpliedacoconutshell,snatchedupinaninstant,IheardBligh'svoice,audibleinthecalmofthetrough.HewasshoutingtoHall,whosatwithLambinthebows:--



"Thebread!Thebread!"

Themanhadbeencrouchingwithhisheadinhisarms,shiveringwiththecold.Hestaredaftdazedly.Ourbreadhadbeenstowedinthebowofthelaunch,theplaceleastexposedtothedrivingspray.Itwasinthreebags,andhadbeencoveredwiththesparemainsail.

"Aye,aye,sir!"Hallshoutedback,bendingdowntoraisethecanvasandexaminewhatwasbeneath.Amomentlaterhestraightenedhisback."Onesackiswet,sir!"heshouted."Thelotwillbespoiledifit'slefthere!"

Blighglancedforeandaft."Mr.Purcell!"hecalled.

Thecarpenterwasplyingascoopclosebesidehischest.Anotherwavewaspassingbeneathus,bringingfreshsheetsofspray,butnosolidwaterthistime.Hepassedthescooptothemanbehindhim,whobegantobailatonce.

"Aye,sir,"hesaid.

"Clearyourchestoftools;placetheminthebilges."

Thecarpenterremovedthetrayofsmalltools,andtheheavieronesbeneath.

"Now,lads,lookalive!"Blighshoutedwhenallwasready."WaittillIgivetheword.Onesackatatime!Hall,youandSmithpulloutthefirstandpassittoLebogue!Thenafttothechest,handtohand.Mr.Hayward,openthechestwhenthetimecomes.Mr.Purcellwillcuttheseizinganddumpthebreadinloose.Workfast!It'llbeemptybelliesotherwise!"

Allbutthosebailingwaitedinsuspenseuntilthelaunch'sbowshotupandshejoggedbackintothenexttrough.

"Now!"shoutedBligh.

Offcamethesail;thesackwaspassedswiftlyaftfromhandtohand,cutopenwithatouchofthecarpenter'sclaspknife,anddumpedintotheopenchest.Haywardclosedthelidwithasnap.Thesailwassafelytuckedaboutthetworemainingsacksbeforewefelttheliftofthefollowingwave.Inthemomentarylullsbetweensucceedingwaves,theothersackscameaftandtheircontentsweresafelystowed.

Everymanintheboat,Ibelieve,musthavedrawnasighofheartfeltrelief.Smallasoursupplyofbreadwasforsuchavoyageaslaybeforeus,itwasallthatstoodbetweenusandcertaindeathbystarvation.Ithadbeenstowedinthechestnotamomenttoosoon.

Theseasgrewsohighthatourscrapofsailhungslackfromtheyardwheninthetrough,fillingwithareportlikeamusketshotasthefollowingsearaisedushighaloft.Thenthelaunchwouldrushforwarddizzily,whilewaterpouredinoverthequarters,andthestrainingsail,smallasitwas,threatenedtosnaptheunstayedmast.Mr.Blighcrouchedatthehelmwithanimpassiveface,turninghisheadmechanicallytoglancebackaseachrearingseaovertookus.Hadherelaxedhisvigilanceforamoment,ormadeafalsemotionofthetiller,theboatwouldhavebroachedtoandfilledinstantly.Allhandswerenowobligedtobail,thosewhohadnothingbetterthrowingoutthewaterwithcoconutshells.



Weweregreatlyhamperedbythecoilsofrope,sparesails,andbundlesofcloathinginthebilges.Theforceofthegaleincreasedasitveeredbacktoeastandtonortheast;itwassoonapparenttoallhandsthatoursailwastoomuchtohaveset.

"Wemustlightenher,Mr.Fryer!"Blighshoutedabovetheroarofwindandsea."Eachmanmaykeeptwosuitsofcloathing--jettisontherest!Andheaveoverboardthespareforesailandallbutonecoilofrope!"

"Aye,sir!"repliedthemaster."Canwenotshortensail?Ifearwe'lldriveherunderwithbutasinglereef!"

Blighshookhishead."No,she'lldo.Overwiththesparegear!"

Hisorderswerecarriedoutwithanalacritywhichshowedthatthoseunderhimrealizedtheimminenceofourdanger.Thoughtheweightofwhatwecastawaywouldscarcelyhaveexceededthatofaheavyman,theboatrodebetterforit,andtheclearingofthebilgesenabledsixofus,bailingconstantly,tokeepherdry.Aquarterofacookedbreadfruit,muchdirtiedandtrampledduringournavalengagementwiththeFriendlyIslanders,wasservedouttoeachmanwithhalfapintofwater.

ItwascloseonnoonwhenthewindveeredoncemoretoE.S.E.;andaswecoulddonothingbutrunstraightbeforeit,theboatwasnowsteered

W.N.W.--inwhichdirection,theIndianshadinformedus,laythegroupoflargeislandstheycalledFeejee.Theseawasnowhigherthanever,andthelabourofbailingverywearisome,butIwaslosingmydreadoftheboatfoundering,forIperceivedthatsincewehadlightenedhersherodewonderfullywell,andwasinlittledangerwithaskillfulhandatthehelm.Attwelveo'clockbythegunner'swatch,Mr.Blighhadhissextantfetchedout,andwithtwoofusholdinghimproppedupinthesternsheets,hemanagedtoobservethealtitudeofthesun.Elphinstonewasatthetiller,andInoticedwithreliefthathesteeredwithconfidenceandskill.Ourlives,frommomenttomoment,dependeduponourhelmsman.Hadtherebeenanawkwardortimidmaninhisplace,ourchanceswouldhavebeensmallindeed.

"Wehavedonewell,"saidthecaptain,whenhehadreturnedtothesternsheet..."Ah,wellsteered,Mr.Elphinstone!Damme!Wellsteered!"

Agreatsealiftedushighandpassedunderthelaunch,roaringandfoamingonbothsides.Aswedroppedintothecalmofthetrough,Mr.Blighwenton:"Youseehowshebehaves,lads?She'llseeusthroughifwedoourpart!ByGod,shewill!Mr.Fryer,bymyreckoning,wehaveruneighty-sixmilessinceleavingTofoa."

Thewindwasourfriendaswellasourenemy.CaptainBligh'sfeelingforthelaunchwassharedbyeverymanofus;wewerebeginningtoloveher,nowthatweknewsomethingofherqualities.

"Wemusthavealog,"Blighadded."Mr.Fryer,Icountonyouandtheboatswaintoprovideuswithaline,properlymarked.Mr.Purcell,seewhatyoucandotomakeusalogchip."

Whenwehadeatenourdinneroffivesmallcoconuts,thecarpentertookapartthetrayfromhischest;andfromitsbottom--apieceofthinoakenplank--hesawedoutasmalltriangle,aboutsixinchesonaside.Onesidewasweightedwithabitofsheetlead,andaholewasboredateachcorner.Thewholemadewhatseamencalla"chip."



Wehadonboardtwostoutfishinglines,eachofaboutfiftyfathomslength.Onewaskepttowingbehindtheboatwithahooktowhichabitofraghadbeenmadefast.Fromtheother,Fryermadeabridleforthelogchip,measuredofftwelvefathoms,andmarkedtheplacewithhisthumb.Theboatswainhadbeentwistingsomebitsofahandkerchief;asthemasterheldouttheline,heroveabitoftheragthroughthestrandsandknotteditfast.Then,withthecarpenter'srule,Fryermeasuredoffverycarefullytwenty-fivefeet.Atthispointtheboatswainmadefastanotherbitofrag,withatrailingend,inwhichhetiedoneknot.Thiswasrepeated,tyingtwoknots,threeknots,andsoonuntiltherewereeightknotsinthelastrag.

"Willeightbeenough,sir?"Fryerasked.

Thecaptainwasatthetiller,glancingbackoverhisshoulderatthewavebehindus.Whenithadpassedunderus,herepliedinthesuddencalm:"Aye,eightwilldo.Mr.Peckover,takeyourwatchintheleeofthechestthere,andpractisecountingsecondswithMr.Cole.You'llsoonhavethehangofit,I'llbebound!"

Iheardthemforalongtime,aswesankintothetroughsbetweentheseas,countingmonotonously:"One-an',two-an',three-an',four-an'..."Atlastthegunnercalledback:"Mr.Bligh!"

"Aye;areyouready?"

"We'llnotbeasecondoff,sir!"

"Thenheavethelog!"

Peckovercoiledthelineinhisrighthandtopayoutfreely,whiletheboatswaintookhisplaceatthestarboardquarter.Atasignfromthegunnerhecastthelogchipintothesea,andasthetwelve-fathommarkpassedthroughhisfingershebegantocount.AtthefifteenthsecondhegrippedthelineandturnedtoMr.Bligh.

"Fourandahalf,sir,"hereported,beginningtopullintheline.

"Good!Fromnowon,letthemateofthewatchheavethelogeveryhour.IshallreckonourlongitudeeachdaywiththeaidofMr.Peckover'swatch,andwecanchecktheresultsbydeadreckoning."

Crouchedinthesternsheets,shiveringandwettotheskin,IcaughtNelson'seyeasIturnedmybacktothespray.Histhoughts,perhaps,likemyown,wereofthechangeinBligh.Hewasaboveallamanofaction,andseemedhappyonlyinsituationswhichdemandedtheexerciseofhistrulygreatqualitiesofskill,courage,andresourcefulness.Hewasborntoleadmeninperilorinbattle,andnow,intheboat,withtheseaforenemyandhistaskthepreservationofhismen'slives,hewasathisbest--cheerful,kindly,andconsideratetoadegreeIshouldhavebelievedimpossibleafortnightbefore.

Theweathercontinuedverysevereduringtheafternoonandthroughoutthenight;CaptainBlighheldthetillerforeighteenhours.Thoughwehadnotyetbeguntosuffergreatlyforlackoffood,thenightwasamiserableone.AtsunsetthewindveeredalittletothesouthwardandblewsochillthatIfounditimpossibletosleep.Laboriousasthetaskofbailingwas,weseizedthescoopsgladlywhenourturnscame,forthehardworkwarmedus.

Bynineo'clockthewindhadblowntheskyclear;themoon,sinking



towardthewest,castacold,serenelightontheroaringsea.Eachtimetheboatwasflungaloft,wegazedoutovermilesofangrywater,tossing,breaking,andridgedwithgreatwavesrunningtothewest.Hadnoteveryboneinmybodyachedwiththecold,IthinkImighthavefeltakindofexultationatthemajestyofthespectacle,andinthethoughtthatourboat,smallandfrailasshewas,couldcarryussafelyoversuchasea.AndIwasawareofwhatmightbetermedacosmicrhythmintheprocessionofthewaves.Theypassedunderuswithgreatregularity,theintervalbeingaboutthetimeittookmetocountten,veryslowly;theyseemedtobeabouttwohundredyardsfromcresttocrest,andIestimatedthattheypassedusatnotlessthanthirtymilesanhour.Hourafterhourwealternatedbetweenfiercewindandsprayandtheroarofbreakingwateronthecrests,andthecalmoftheblacktroughs,wherethelaunchall.butloststeerageway.

Mr.Blighwassilentduringthenight;histaskwastooexactingtopermitofspeech.Hemusthavesufferedmorethananyofus,forthemovementsrequiredtosteertheboatweretooslighttowarmhisblood.Themoon,sinkingeverloweraheadofus,shonefullonhisface;hisexpressionwascalmandalert,thoughhecouldnotsuppressastrongshuddering.

Atlastthemoonwentdownonourlarboardbow.Thestarsshonewiththecoldlightofanautumneveningathome.Thewavesroaringaboutusbroke

insheetsofpalefire,sothatattimesIcoulddistinguishthefacesofmycompanionsintheeerielight.

NelsonandIhadreturnedtothesternsheetsafteralongtrickwiththebails.Wewereinthecalmbetweentwoseasatthetime.Glancingovertheside,Isawswiftshapesoffireglidingbackandforthalongsidetheboat:adozen,ascoreofthem--dartingahead,veeringthiswayandthat,disappearingundertheboat.Oneofthemcametothesurfacewithinayardofus,snortedloudly,andshotahead.

"Porpoises!"Nelsonexclaimed.

"Aye,"saidthecaptain;"mymouthwatersatthethoughtofaporpoise

steak,nomatterhowraw!"

Grippingthegunwales,wegazedovertheside,thinkinglessofthebeautyofthephosphorescenttracksthanoftheabundanceoffoodsonearathand--foodwewerepowerlesstosecure.TheseasovertookuswitharegularitythatlightenedBligh'staskatthetiller.Heseemednottofeelthepiercingchilloftheairthatpenetratedourdrenchedcloathes.Thesplendidperformanceofthelaunchengagedhiswholeattention.Thoughtremblingwithcold,IcaughtsomethingofhisownexhilarationasIwatchedthegreatseasrearingtheirbacksinthestarlightandsweepingtowardus.

"Howwellsherides!"saidNelson,betweenchatteringteeth.

"Iwatchedherbuilding,"Blighrepliedproudly;"Iinspectedeverystrakeandframethatwentintoher!Astancherboatwasneverbuilt!Wereshedeckedandreasonablyladen,Icouldtakeherroundtheworld."

Whenourturncametobailoncemore,mylegsweresobenumbedthatIhaddifficultyingettingforward,andNelsonhadtobehelpedtohisfeet.Theskywasturninggraywhenwewererelievedoncemore.

Thecaptainorderedateaspoonfulofrumtobeservedout.Thisrevived



uswonderfully,andwebreakfastedonsomebitsofcookedyamsfoundinthebottomoftheboat.Theweatherwasabating,althoughtheseawouldstillhaveappalledalandsman,andtherisingsunwarmedussufficientlytogiveustheuseofourstiffenedlimbs.

Byeighto'clock,whentheboatswainhovethelog,thewindhadmoderatedtoafreshbreeze,andsolittlespraywascomingaboardthatthoseforwardwereabletodrytheircloathes.CaptainBlighglanceddownatthecompassandbeckonedtoElphinstone.

"Takethehelm,"hesaid."KeepherW.N.W.Weshouldraisethelandsoon,unlesstheIndiansareliars."

Heflexedthemusclesofhisarm,stiffenedbycoldandhislongnight'swork,andwenton,addressingusall:"Wehavecomethroughabadnight.Intheselatitudes,wemaysailallthewaytoTimorwithoutagainbeingsosorelytried.Youhaveborneupwell,mylads,andwecandependuponthelaunch.Mywordforit!Ifwehusbandourprovisionsasagreedupon,weshallallreachhome!"

"Neverfear,sir,"Coleventuredtoremark."We'rewithyetoaman.AndthankGodforCaptainBlightoleadus--eh,lads?"

Therewasaheartychorusfromthepeople:"Aye!"

"Wellspoken!"

"Yecanlaytothat!"

Asthemorningadvancedwesightedseveralflocksofbirds,hoveringovershoalsoffish--asureindicationofland.Oncewepassedthroughthemidstofaschooloftunnies,leapingandthrashingtheseaintofoam,yetnonewouldseizeourhook.Wewerenowkeepingasharplookout,andalittlebeforenoonlandwasdiscovered--asmallflatisland,bearingsouthwest,aboutfourleaguesdistant.Otherislandsappeared,andbythreeintheafternoonwecouldcounteightonthehorizon,fromsoutharoundthroughthewesttonorth.

"TheFeejeeIslands,"saidMr.Bligh,whohadbeenawakenedfromarefreshingsleepbythefirstshoutof"Land!"

"Wearethefirstwhitementoseteyesonthem!"

"Can'twelandhere,sir?"askedthecarpenter.

"Spokenlikeafool,Mr.Purcell,"saidBlighbluntly."You'veashortmemoryifyou'vesosoonforgottenTofoa!Wecouldcommitnogreaterfollythantolandhere.CaptainCookneversawtheseislands;butwhenIwasmasteroftheResolution,in1777,helearnedmuchoftheirinhabitantsfromtheFriendlyIslanders.Theyareknowntobefierceand

treacherous,andeatersofhumanflesh.No.Weshallkeepwellclearofthesefellows!"

CHAPTERV

Towardeveningweraisedthreesmallislandstothenorthwest,aboutsevenleaguesdistant,passingthematnightfall,whenwesnuggeddownto



areefedforesail.Hadourcircumstancesbeenhappier,Imighthaveenjoyedmorefully.theemotionarousedbysailinganunknownsea,studdedwithislandsonwhichnoEuropeanhadhithertolaideyes.

Nelsonwaspossessedofthatmostpreciousofgifts:aninquiringandphilosophicalturnofmind.Eveninoursituation,withnotonechanceinathousand,asitseemed,ofseeingEnglandagain,hewasabletoderivepleasurefromthecontemplationoftheseaandtheskybyday,andthestarsbynight.Heregardedeachislandwepassed,nomatterhowdistant,withaninquiringeye,speculatingastowhetheritwasofvolcanicorofcorallineformation,whetheritwasinhabited,andwhatvegetationmightspringfromitssoil.Whenwepassedshoalsoffish,henamedthem,andthebirdsdivingandhoveringoverhead.AndwhatlittleIknowofastronomywaslearnedfromNelsonduringthelongnightsonthe_Bounty's_ launch.

Thoughthewindfreshenedafterdarkandkeptusprettywetthroughoutthenight,theseawasnotroughandwemanagedtogetalittlesleepbyputtingourselvesatwatchandwatch,halfofussittingup,whilsttheothersstretchedoutintheboat'sbottom.Ifounditagreatluxurytobeabletoextendmylegs,and,althoughshiveringwithcold,Isleptfornearlythreehours,andawokemuchrefreshed.Atdaybreakallhandsseemedbetterthanonthemorningbefore.Webreakfastedonaquarterofapintofwatereachandafewbitsofyam,thelastofthosewehad

foundinthebottomoftheboat.

Duringtheearlyhoursofthemorningthewindmoderated,andMr.Blighorderedthechestopenedinordertoexaminethebread.Oneofthesackswaswelldried,andthebreadwhichhadbeenwetonthefirstnightwasspreadoutinthesun.Whenithadbeenthoroughlydried,wecarefullysortedourentiresupply,placingallthatwasdamagedorrotteninthesack,topreventtherotfrominfectingwhatwasstillgood.Thisdamagedbreadwastobeeatenfirst.

AfterCaptainBlighhadtakenhisobservationatnoon,heinformedusthatourlatitudewaseighteendegrees,tenminutes,south,andthat,accordingtohisreckoning,wehadrunninety-fourmilesinthe

twenty-fourhourspast.Itwascloudytothewestward,butLebogueandCole,oldseamenboth,believedthattheycoulddiscernhighlandinthatdirection,ataplacewherethecloudsseemedfixed.

Wehadbeenthroughsomuchsinceleavingthe_Bounty_thatIhadscarcelygivenathoughttowhatIate;now,castingupthetotalofwhatIhadhadinthesevendayspast,Iperceivedthatthewholeofitwasnomorethanahungryman,inthemidstofplenty,wouldhaveeatenatameal.Ourscantrationshadhadtheireffect--cheekswerepinchedandeyesunnaturallyhollowandbright.Therewerenocomplaintsofhungerasyet;themenwerecheerfulastheydranktheirsupsofwaterandatetheirbitsofdamagedbread.

ItblewfreshfromE.S.E.intheafternoon,andtheseabegantobreakoverthetransomandquartersoncemore,forcingustobail.Thoughchoppy,theseawasflat,andoldLeboguestoodonthebowthwart,shadinghiseyeswithhishandashegazedahead.Suddenlyheturnedaft.

"Mr.Bligh!"hehailedinasubduedvoice.

"Yes?"

"There'samonstrousgreattortoiseasleep,scarcetwocable-lengths



ahead!Letmeconnyeontohim,sir,andI'llsnatchhisflipper!ManyaoneI'vecaughtintheWestIndies!"

Blighnodded,withhiseyesfixedonLebogue."Letnomanmakeasound,"hesaid.

Wewererunningataboutfourknots,andsincetheboatwouldalmostcertainlyhavefilledhadweturnedbroadsidetothesea,therewasnotimetoprepareanooseortoconsultastothesurestmethodofcapturingthetortoise.Iknewthattheslightestsoundofourfeetontheboat'sbottom,orknockagainsthersides,wouldawakentheanimalatonceandsendhimawayinalarm.Blighwasalertatthetiller,steeringinaccordancewiththemovementsofLebogue'sarm.Notawordwasspoken;wescarcelydaredturnourheads.Once,glancingoutofthecornerofmyeyesasthesternwasliftedbyabreakingwave,Icaughtaglimpseofthebroad,archedbackofthesleepingtortoise,closeaheadonourstarboardbow.Leboguewavedtostarboardalittleandthenraisedhisarmsasasignaltoholdthecourse.Nextmomenthesteppedsoftlydownfromthethwartandleanedfaroverthegunwale,whilstIheardtheanimal'spowerfulthrashinginthesea.

Thetortoisewasimmenselyheavyandstrong,butLeboguewasapowerfulmananddeterminednottoletgo.BeforeSmithorLenklettercouldseizehislegs,--beforeanyofus,infact,couldrealizewhatwas

happening,--thetortoisehadpulledhimcleanoverthegunwaleandintothesea.

Ashoutwentup.Withanoath,Mr.Blighpushedthetillerintothemaster'shandsandsprangtotheside."Holdme!"heshoutedtoElphinstone,asheplungedhisarmsintothesea,strainingeverymuscletoholdfasttoLebogue,whomhehadseizedbythecollarofhisfrock.Threeofusheavedthemaninoverthestern.Hethoughtnothingofthewetting,butcursedhisbadluckinnothavingcapturedthetortoise.Blighpraisedhistenacity,andblamedthemenseatednearhimfornotholdingfasttotheirmate.

"Hadyouactedpromptly,"hesaid,"insteadofsittingthereallagape,

weshouldhavehadafeastto-night,andasupplyofmeatformanydays!...Getforward,Lebogue...Samuel,givehimaspoonfulofrum!Hehasearnedit,byGod!"

Warmedbyhissupofspirit,LeboguesatwithPeckoverandCole,lamentinghislackofsuccess,andplanningwhattodoshouldanothertortoiseappear."Amonster,"Iheardhimremark;"alloftwohundredweight!Holdfasttomylegsifweraiseanother--I'llneverletgo!Damnmyeyes!Tothinkofthegrubwe'velost!Did'eeevertasteabitofcalipee?"

BlighturnedtoNelson."Calipee!"hesaid,withawrysmile."WereyoueverintheWestIndies,Mr.Nelson?"

"No,sir."

"Iwasfouryearsinthattrade,incommandofMr.Campbell'sship _Britannia_.ByGod,sir,thoseplanterslivelikeprinces!WhenatanchorIwasfrequentlyaskedtodineashore.Theyusedtodisgustmewiththeirstuffingandswillingofwine.SangareeandrumpunchandMadeiratillonemarveledtheycouldholditall.Andthefood!Pepperpot,turtlesoup,turtlesteaks,grilledcalipee;onmyword,I'veseenenough,atadinnerforsix,tofeedusfromheretoTimor!"



Nelsonsmiledruefully."Icoulddowithoneofthosedinnerstonight,"hesaid.

"Ifeelnogreathunger,"saidBligh,"thoughIwouldgladlyhaveeatenabitofrawsteak."

Alittlebeforesunsetthecloudsbroke,andwediscoveredlandahead--twohigh,rockyislands,sixoreightleaguesdistant.Thesoutherlyislandappearedofconsiderableextentandveryhigh;thoughthelightwastoodazzlingtoseeclearly,Ithoughtitfertileandwellwooded.Desiringtopasstowindwardofthesmallerisland,wehauledourwindtosteerN.W.byN.Atteno'clockwewerecloseinwiththeland,andcouldseemanyfiresashore.Itwastoodarktoseemorethanthattheislandwashighandrugged,andthatitwasinhabited;bymidnight,muchtoourrelief,wehadleftitastern.

Wewerecoldandmiserableduringthisnight,andwelcomedtheexerciseofbailing,buttowardmorningthewindmoderatedandtheseawentdown.Atdaybreakislandswereinsighttothesouthwest,andfromnorthwesttonorth,withabroadpassage,notlessthantenleagueswide,aheadofus.Ourallowanceforthisdaywasaquarterofapintofcoconutwaterandtwoouncesofthepulpforeachman.Wenowsufferedthirstforthefirst

timeinthelaunch.

Theislandstothesouthwestandnorthwest,betweenwhichweweresteering,appearedlargerthananywehadseeninthissea.Thoughmanyleaguesdistant,theirforeshoresseemedrichlywooded,andIthoughtIcouldperceivevastplainsandfar-offbluemountainrangesintheinterior.

Bymid-afternoonwewerewellbetweenthetwogreatislands.Thewindnowmoderatedtoagentlebreezefromtheeast,andtheseabecameascalmasitiswithinthereefsofOtaheite.

Nelsoncouldnottakehiseyesofftheislandtothesouth."Iwouldgive

fiveyearsofmylife,"hesaidregretfully,"foranarmedshipandleisuretoexplorethisarchipelago."

"AndI!"remarkedthecaptain."YonislandwouldmaketenofOtaheite!Andthelandtothenorthseemslargerstill.'Five'years!Iwouldgivetenforaship!Nosuchgrouphasyetbeendiscoveredinthisseal"

Beforesunset,wewereamazed,onlookingovertheside,toperceivethatweweresailingoveracoralbankonwhichtherewaslessthanafathomofwater.Hadtherebeentheleastswelltobreakontheshoal,weshouldhavebeenawareofitlongbeforeandsailedclear.Sincetherewasnothingtofearsavegrounding,wecontinuedonourcourse,keepingasharplookoutahead.Thelaunchmovedslowly,throughwaterclearasair;

Icouldseeeverydetailofthebottom.Itwasflatasatable,strewnwithdeadcoral,andbarrenoflife,seemingtoextendforaboutamileoneithersideofus.Twilightwasgivingwaytodarkwhenwecametotheendoftheshoal,whichdroppedoffabruptlyintodeepwater,asdonearlyallofthecoralbanksintheSouthSea.Arainsquall,thatcameonafterdark,wetustotheskinandwasoverbeforewecouldcatchmorethanagallonofwater.Thenacoldbreeze,likethenightwindthepeopleofOtaheitecall_hupé_blewdownfromthegreatvalleysofthehighlandsouthofus.Thoughtheseawascalm,wepassedawretchednight,afteradinnerofanounceofdamagedbread.



Atdaybreakourlimbsweresocrampedthatsomeofthemencouldscarcelymove.Mr.Blighissuedateaspoonfulofrumandaquarterofapintofwater,measuredinhislittlehorncup.Therewassomemurmuringwhenthemorselsofdamagedbreadwereservedout.Purcellfinishedhisbitatasinglebiteandaswallow,andsatshiveringglumlyonthethwart.

"Can'twehaveabitmore,sir?"Lambbeggedinalowvoice,ofFryer."I'mperishin'withfamine!"

"Aye!"putinSimpson."I'dassoonbeknockedontheheadbycannibalsasdieslowthelikeo'this."

Bligh'squickearcaughttheirwords."Who'sthatcomplainingupforward?"hecalled."Letthemspeaktomeifthey'veanythingtosay."Therewasanimmediatesilenceinthebows.

"Iwishtohearnomoresuchtalk,"Blighcontinued."We'llsharealikeinthisboat,andnomanshallfarebetterthanhismates.Mindyouthat,allofyou!"

Afreshbreezewasmakingupfromtheeast.Wesetthemainsailandwererunningatbetterthanfiveknotswhentheyhovethelog.Distantlandofgreatextentwasnowvisibletothesouthandwest,andasmallisland,

roundandhigh,wasdiscoveredtothenorth.Thegreatislandwehadleft,whichboremoretheappearanceofacontinentthananisland,wasstillinsight.

Wehadpleasantsailingthatday.Therolloftheseafromeasttowestseemedtobebrokenbythelandbehindus;thoughthebreezefilledoursailsanddroveusalongbravely,weshippedscarcelyanywater.Iexchangedplaceswithoneofthemenforward,andstationedmyselfinthebows,whereIcouldwatchtheflyingfishrisingbeforethelaunch'scut-water.

ThesefishwereinnumerableinthewatersofFeejee;Iforgotmyhunger,andourwell-nighhopelesssituation,inthepleasureofwatchingthem.

Thelargesolitarykindinterestedmemost,foritwastheircustomtowaituntiltheboatwasalmostuponthembeforetakingflight.Afewpowerfulstrokesofthetailsentthemtothesurface,alongwhichtheyrushedatagreatpacewiththebodyinclinedupwardandonlythelonglowerlobeofthetailsubmerged.Whentheyhadgainedsufficientspeed,thetailleftthewaterwithafinalstrongfillip,whilethefishskimmedawaythroughtheair,steeringthiswayandthatasitpleased.

Thesunwashottowardnoon,and,liketheothers,Isufferedfromthirst,thinkingmuchofthequarterofapintofwaterIwassoontoenjoy.AsIwasturningtogoaft,aflyingfishroseinafrenzywithintenyards,justintimetoescapesomelargepursuer.Therewasadashofsprayandablazeofgoldandblueinthesea.Theflyingfishspedoff

tostarboard,whileaswiftcleavingoftheseajustbeneathshowedwherethelargerfishkeptpacewithitsflight.Itfellatlast.Isawaflurryoffoam,andabroadtailraisedaloftforaninstant.

Theboatswainwasonhisfeet."Dolphin!"heexclaimed.

Wewereinthemidstofasmallschoolofthem;theseawasablazewithdartingblueandgold.

Colewentafteagerly."I'llputafreshbitofragonthehook,sir,"he



remarkedtoMr.Bligh.Hebegantopullinthelineashespoke,andwhenthehookcameonboard,heopenedhisclaspknifeandcutoffthebitofdingyredragwhichwehadhopedforsolongafishmightseize.

"Trythis,"saidthecaptain,takingahandkerchiefoffinelinenfromhispocket.

Wewatchedeagerlywhiletheboatswaintorethehandkerchiefintostripsandseizedthemontotheshankofthehook,sothattheendswouldtrailbehindinthesemblanceofasmallmulletorcuttlefish.Whenallwasready,hepaidouttheline,jiggingthehookbackandforthtoattracttheattentionofthefish.

"Damnmyeyes!"saidPeckoverinalowvoice."They'veleftus!"

"No,theretheyare!"Iexclaimed.

Adartingrippleappearedjustbehindthehookandsheeredoff.Colepulledthelinebackandforthwithallhisart.Thelongdorsalfinofadolphinclovethewaterlikelightningbehindthehook.Thelinestraightened.

"I'vegothim!"roaredCole,whileeverymanintheboatshoutedatonce.

Thefishrushedthiswayandthat,leapinglikeasalmon;butCole'sbrawnyarmsbroughthiminhand-over-hand.

"Takecare!"shoutedBligh;"thehook'snearlyoutofhismouth!"Coleshortenedhisgriponthelineandhovethefishaboardinonegreatswing.Whilestillintheair,Isawthehookfallfree;nextmomentthefishstrucktheflooroftheshallowcockpit.WhilstHallet,whosatclosest,wasintheactoffallingonthedolphinwithoutstretchedarms,itdoubleduplikeabow,gaveasinglepowerfulstrokeofitstailonthefloor,andflewoverthegunwaleandintothesea.

TearscametoHallet'seyes.MiserablydisappointedasIwas,IcouldscarcelyrestrainasmileatthesightofCole'sface.Blighgavea

short,mirthlesslaugh.Thoseofthemenwhohadrisentotheirfeettowatchsatdowninsilence,andforalongtimenoonespoke.Coleletouthislineoncemore,butthefishhadleftus,orpaidnofurtherattentiontothehook.

Earlyintheafternoon,wehauledourwindtopasstothenorthwardofthelong,highislandtothewestward.Itmayhavebeenoneisland,ormanyoverlappingoneanother;inanycase,itappearedofvastextent,stretchingawaysofartothesouthwardthatthemoredistantmountainridgeswerelostinabluishhaze.Thelandwaswellwooded,andaswedrewnearIcoulddistinguishplantationsofalightergreen,regularlylaidout.Wewereobligedtoapproachthelandmorecloselythanwedesired,inordertopassthroughachannelthatdivideditfromasmall

islettothenortheast.

Wheninthemidstofthischannelandnomorethanfivemilesfromtheland,--heredistinguishedbysomehighrocksoffantasticform,--wewerealarmedtoseetwolargecanoes,sailingswiftlyalongshore,andevidentlyinpursuitofus.Theywerecomingonfastwhenthewinddroppedsuddenly,forcingustotaketoouroars.Thesavagesmusthavedonethesame,fortheycontinuedtogainonusforanhourormore.Thenablacksquallboredownfromthesoutheast,precededbyafiercegustofwind.Itmayconveysomeideaoftherainwhichfellduringthissquall



whenIsaythatinlessthantenminutes'time,withthepoormeansofcatchingwateratourdisposal,wewereabletoreplacewhatwehaddrunkfromthekegs,tofillallofouremptybarricos,andeventhecopperpot.Whilesomeofthepeoplebusiedthemselveswiththiswork,otherswereobligedtobailtokeepthewaterdowninthebilges.Thesquallpassedon,andafreshbreezemadeupatE.S.E.Wehastenedtogetsailonthelaunch,forastherainabatedoneofthecanoeswasperceivedlessthantwomilesfromusandcomingonfast.Shehadonemastandcarriedalongnarrowlateensail,somethinglikethoseofthelargeFriendlyIslandvesselswehadseenatAnnamooka.Hadtheseabeenroughshewouldhaveovertakenuswithinanhourortwo,butthelaunchfooteditfasttothenorthwest,withhermainsailloosedanddrawingwell.Ifeltprettycertain,fromtheaccountsIhadheard,thatifcapturedweshouldprobablybefattenedfortheslaughter,likesomanygeese.

Astheafternoondrewon,thecanoegainedonus.Mostofthepeoplekepttheireyesfixedonheranxiously,butBligh,whowasatthetiller,strivingtogetthemostoutofhisboat,maintainedanimpassiveface.

"Theymaywishtobarter,"hesaidlightly;"yetitisbettertochancenointercoursewiththem.Ifthewindholds,nightwillfallbeforetheycancomeupwithus."

Nelsonscarcelytookhiseyesoffthecanoe,thoughinterest,andnot

fear,arousedhim.TheIndianvesselwasatthistimescarceamileaway.

"Adoublecanoe,"heremarked,"suchastheFriendlyIslandersbuild.Seethehouseontheplatformbetween.IspentadayatseainsuchavesselwhenIwaswithCaptainCook.Theyaremanoeuvredinacuriousfashion;insteadoftackingaswedo,theyweararound."

"Iwishtheywouldtreatustoanexhibitionoftheirskill,"Ireplied.

"Howmanydoyoureckonareonboardofher?"

"Thirtyorforty,Ishouldsay."

Justbeforesundown,whenthecanoehadcomeuptoabouttwocable-lengthsasternofus,itfelldeadcalm.ThelandatthistimeboreS.S.W.abouteightmilesdistant,withalongsubmergedreef,onwhichtheseabrokefuriously,juttingouttothenorth.Wewerenotamilefromtheextremityofthisreef,withastrongcurrentsettingustothewest.

"Downwiththesails,lads!"Blighcommanded."Totheoars!"

Therewasnoneedtourgethemen;thehalyardswereletgoinatwinkling,andthestrongestamongstus--Lebogue,Lenkletter,Cole,Purcell,Elphinstone,andthemaster--sprangtotheoarsandbegantopullwithalltheirmight.

TheIndianshadwastednotime.Insteadofpaddling,asInowperceived,theysculledtheirvesselinacuriousfashion,standinguprightontheplatformbetweenthetwohulls,andplyinglongnarrowpaddlesnotunlikeouroars,whichseemedtopassdownthroughholesinthefloor.Onlyfourmenwereatthesesculls,buttheywerefrequentlyrelievedbyothersanddrovetheheavydoublecanoe,notlessthanfiftyfeetlong,quiteasfastasoursixcouldrowthelaunch.Therewasnowmuchclamourandshoutingamongstthesavages,thosenotscullinggazingaheadatusfiercely.Oneman,tallerthantheothers,andwithanimmenseshockof



hair,stoodontheforwardendoftheplatform,shoutingandbrandishingagreatclubinakindofdance.Hisgesturesandthetonesofhisvoiceleftnodoubtastotheirintentions.

Ouroarsmenpulledtheirbest,foreverymanintheboatfeltprettycertainthatitwasacaseofrowforourlives.

Attheendofhalfanhour,Mr.Blighperceivedthatthemaster,amaninmiddleage,wasweakening.HemadeasigntoPeckovertorelievehim,andthegunnertooktheoarwithoutmissingastroke.Thesunwentdownovertheemptyoceanonourlarboardbow,andthebrieftwilightofthetropicssetin.TheIndianswerestillgaining.

Workingfuriouslyattheirsculls,theyweredrivingtheirvesselcloserandclosertothelaunch.Whentwilightgaveplacetodusk,theywerenotmorethanacable-lengthastern.Thetallsavage,whomItooktobetheirchief,nowdroppedhisclubandstrungabowbroughtforwardtohim.Fittinganarrowtothestring,heletflyatus,andcontinuedhispracticefortenminutesormore.Someofthearrowsstruckthewateruncomfortablyclosetotheboat.Onefelljustaheadofusandfloatedpasttheside;itwasnearlyfourfeetlong,madeofastiffreed,andpointedwithfourorfivetrulyhorriblebarbs,designedtobreakoffinthewound.

AsIglanceddownatthisarrow,barelyvisibleinthedusk,IheardanexclamationfromNelson,sittingnexttome,andturnedmyhead.Themoonwasatthefull,anditwasrisingdirectlybehindtheFeejeecanoe,throwingintorelieftheblackfiguresofthesavages,somescullingwithfuriousefforts,othersprancingaboutonherdeckastheyshoutedlikeapackofdevils.

Then,fornoreasonwecouldmakeout,unlessheactedinaccordancewithsomesuperstitionconcerningthemoon,thechiefturnedtoshoutunintelligiblewordstohisfollowers.Thescullersceasedtheireffortsandbegantorowslowlyandsteadily;thecanoeboreoff,turnedinawidecircle,andheadedbacktowardtheland.Tenminuteslaterwewerealoneonavast,empty,moonlitsea.

CHAPTERVI

OnthemorningofMaytheeighth,Iawokefromadozetofindthesunhalfanhourhighandrisinginacloudlesssky.Amoreblessedsightcouldscarcelybeimagined,forwehadbeendrenchedtotheskinthewholeofthelatterpartofthenight.Nelson,whowasbesideme,wasalreadyawake,andmotionedmetosilence,noddingtowardCaptainBligh,whowassleepingwithhislegsdoubledunderhimonthefloorinthesternsheets,hisheadpillowedononearm,whichrestedontheseat.

Fryerwasatthetiller,withPeckoverbesidehim,andColeandLenklettersatforwardbythemast.Alltheotherswereasleep.Agentlebreezeblew;thelaunchwasslippingquietlyalong,andbeforeusstretchedagreatsolitudeofwatersthatseemednevertohaveknownastorm.

Notawordwasspoken.Webaskedinthedeliciouswarmth,andwecouldseethehuddledformsaroundusrelaxastheysoakeditupintheirsleep.CaptainBlighwashavinghisfirstundisturbedrestsincewehadleftTofoa,andwewerealldesirousthatheshouldhavethefullgoodof



it.Hiscloathingwasasbedraggledasours,andhischeekswerecoveredwithatendays'growthofbeard;butalthoughhisfacewaspaleanddrawn,itlackedtheexpressionofmiserywhichwasbecomingonlytooapparentuponthefacesoftheothers.

Nelsonwhisperedtome:"Ledward,merelytolookathimmakesmebelieveinTimor."Iwellunderstoodwhathemeant.Wakingorasleep,therewasthataboutBlighwhichinspiredconfidence.Hadwebeenastridealogwithhim,insteadofinthelaunch,IthinkwemightstillhavebelievedinTimor.

Hesleptforthebetterpartofthreehours,and,bythetimeheawoke,mostoftheotherswerestirring,enjoyingthepreciouswarmthofthesun,buttakinggoodcaretosaynothingofourluck.EvenNelsonandIwereseamenenoughtoknowthatthemattershouldnotbespokenof:thattopraisegoodweatheristotemptittodepart.Assoonaswewerethoroughlywarmedandhaddriedourclothing,wesettoworkcleaningtheboatandstowingourpossessionsawayinbetterorderthanwehadbeenabletodothusfar.

CaptainBlightooktheoccasiontoprovidehimselfwithapairofscalesforweighingourfood.Thusfar,ourdailyrationhadbeenmeasuredbyguess,butamoreexactmethodwasnecessary,bothtopreventthegrumblingofthosewhothoughttheyhadreceivedanamountsmallerthan

theirshare,andalsotoensurethatourfoodshouldseeusthrough.Twoorthreepistolballshadbeendiscoveredunderthebattensinthebottomoftheboat.Theweightoftheseballswastwenty-fivetothepound,andafteracarefulestimateofourentireamountofprovisions,Blighdecidedthateachman'sportionofbreadatamealshouldbeequaltotheweightofoneball.Forscalesthehalfshellsofcoconutswereused,carefullybalancedagainsteachotherattheendsofaslenderbarofwoodtowhichacordwasattached,alittleoffthecentre,asoneofthecoconutshellswasatrifleheavierthantheother.Thecarpentermadethescales,whichservedourpurposeadmirably,butitwasawoefulsighttoalltoseehowlittleofthebreadwasneededtobalancethepistolball.Ourallowanceoffoodwasnowfixedatonetwenty-fifthofapoundofbreadandaquarterofapintofwaterperman,tobeservedateight

inthemorning,atnoon,andatsunset.Whatremainedofthesaltporkwassavedforoccasionswhenweshouldbeinneedofamoresubstantialrepast.Westillhadseveralcoconuts,and,whiletheylasted,usedthemeatoftheseinplaceofbread,andtheliquidinthenutsinsteadofwater;but,asIrememberit,weatethelastofthemonthetenthofMay.

Themethodofservingourfoodwasthis:Aportionofbread,ofanamountaboutsufficientforthecompany,wastakenfromthechestandhandedbackinaclothtoCaptainBligh,whousuallyweighedouttheeighteenrations,andtheywerethenpassedalongfromhandtohand.Thewater,whichwasstoredamidships,wasmeasured,usuallybyFryerorNelsonormyself,whileMr.Blighwasweighingthebread,thecupusedbeinga

smallhorndrinking-vessel;andthewaterwasthenpouredintooneofthewineglasses,andhandedtothemenastheyreceivedtheirbread.Itwascurioustoseethemannerinwhichtheyacceptedanddispatchedtheirfood.Itwas"dispatch"indeed,withmostofthem;theirmealwouldbefinishedinaninstant.

Purcellwasamongthisnumber.NomatterhowmiserableImightbe,Ifoundreliefinwatchinghimreceivehistinymorsel.Itwasalwayswiththesameexpressionofamazementandinjury.Hewouldholdthebreadinthepalmofhishugehandforafewseconds,peeringatitfromunderhis



shaggyeyebrowsasthoughnotquitecertainitwasthere.Thenhewouldclapitintohismouthwithanexpressionofdisguststillmorecomical,androlluphiseyesasthoughaskingheaventowitnessthathehadnotreceivedhisdueallowance.

SomefollowedMr.Bligh'sexample.Hesoakedhisbreadinacoconutshell,inhisallowanceofwater,andthenateitveryslowlysothathehadtheillusion,atleast,ofhavingenjoyedameal.

Samuel,Bligh'sclerk,followedapracticethatdid,infact,providehimwithwhatmightbecalledtheghostofameal.Withtheexceptionofhisbreakfastallowanceofwater,hewouldsavehisfoodanddrinkuntiltheevening,whenhehaditallatonce.Thiswas,ofcourse,alegitimateprivilege,butIthinkSamuel'sreasonforexercisingitwasthathewishedtogloatoverhisfoodwhilesomeofhisnearcompanionslookedhungrilyon.Imustgivehimcreditforhisself-restraint;butinSamuelitdidnot,somehow,appeartoadvantage.IcanstillhearoldPurcell'sexasperatedvoice:"Damnyoureyes,Samuel!Don'tlickyourchopsoverit!Eatandbedonewithitliketherestofus!"

Coleneverfailedtosaygracebeforehepartookofhisfood,howevertinytheamount.Hislittleprayer,deliveredinalowvoice,wasaudibletothosewhosatnexthimintheboat.Iheardit,many'sthetime;anditwasalwaysthesame:"OurHeavenlyFather:WethankTheeforThy

ever-lovingcare,andfortheseThybountiestothechildrenofmen."

Onemighteasilyhaveimagined,fromthesimple,earnestmanneroftheoldfellow,thathehadjustsatdowntoatablespreadwithallthegoodthingsoflife,andthatheconsideredsuchlargessfarbeyondhisdeserts.

Theafternooncontinuedfine,withthesamegentlebreeze,carryingussmoothlyinthedirectionwewouldgo.AtmiddayBlightookourposition.Byourlogwehadsailedsixty-twomilessincenoonoftheseventh,thesmallestday'srunwehadyetmade;butwewerecontentthatitshouldbeso,forwehadcomfortfromthesun'swarmthandrestfromthewearyworkofbailing.

WehadsailedfivehundredmilesfromTofoa,nearlyone-seventhofthedistancetoTimor;anaveragebetterthaneightymilesperday.Thatnumber,somehow,encouragedus;wemademuchofit,passeditaboutintalk.Fivehundredmilesseemedavastdistance;butwewerecarefultoavoidspeakingofthemorethanthreethousandmilesthatlayahead.

OnthisdayMr.BlighperformedanactofheroisminhavinghimselfshavedbySmith,hisservant.Therewasneithersoapnorwatertosoftenhisbeard.Hesatonthefloorinthesternsheets,hisheadheldbetweenPeckover'sknees,whileSmithcrouchedbesidehimcuttingthroughthedryhair,stoppingeverymomenttostrophisrazor.Thetaskrequiredthebetterpartofanhour;andnoneofus,seeingBligh'ssufferings,was

temptedtofollowhisexample.

"ByGod,Smith!"hesaidwhentheordealwasover."IwouldrunthegantletofallthesavagesintheSouthSearatherthangothroughthisagain.WereyouevershavedbytheIndians,Mr.Nelson?"

"Once,"Nelsonreplied."CaptainCookandIbothmadetheexperimentontheislandofLeefooga.Thenativemadeuseoftwoshells,takingthehairsofthebeardbetweenthem.Itwasatedioustask,butnotsopainfulasIhadimagineditwouldbe."



Blighnodded."I'vetrieditmyself;andI'veheardthatanIndianmothercanshaveherchild'sheadwithashark'stoothonastick,andmakeascloseworkofitasamancoulddowitharazor.ButI'llbelievethatonlywhenI'veseenitdone."

"They'vegreatskill,theIndians,"saidPeckover;"butmychoiceisforourownway.I'dbepleasedtobesittingthisminuteinthechairoftheworsthairdresserinPortsmouth.I'dcallitheaven,thoughheshavedmewithawoodrasp."

"You'llseePortsmouthagain,Mr.Peckover;neverdoubtit,"saidBlighquietly.

Adeepsilencefollowedthisstatement.Themenlookedtowardhim,apathetic,wistfuleagernessapparentoneveryface.Allwishedtobelieve;andyetthechancesagainstusseemedoverwhelming.ButtherewasnoshadowofuncertaintyinBligh'svoiceormanner.Hespokewithaconfidencethatcheeredusall.

"Andanotherthingwewillseethere,"hewenton:"FletcherChristianhangingbytheneckfromayardarmononeofHisMajesty'sships,andeverybloodypiratethatjoinedhim."

"Itwillbealongday,Mr.Bligh,beforewehavethatsatisfaction,ifweeverdo,"Purcellreplied.

"Long?"Blighreplied."ThearmofHisMajesty'slawislong,mindyouthat!Letthemhideastheymay,itcanreachandtakethembytheneck.Mr.Nelson,wheredoyouthinktheywillgo?Ihavemyownopinion,butIshouldlikeyours."

ThiswasthefirsttimesincewehadlosttheshipthatMr.Blighhadmademorethanapassingblasphemousreferencetothemutineers,orwouldsufferanyofustospeakofthem.

"IcantellyouwhereIthinkmostofthemwillwishtogo,"Nelson

replied:"backtoOtaheite."

"SoIthink,"saidBligh."MayGodmakethembloodyfoolsenoughtodoit!"

"Astheycastoffthelaunch,sir,Iplainlyheardsomeofthemshout'HuzzaforOtaheite!'"Elphinstoneputin."Therewasmuchnoiseatthetime,butIcouldn'thavebeenmistaken."

"Whatevertheothersmaydecidetodo,"saidNelson,"thereisonetoowisetostoptherelong:Mr.Christian."

Blighstartedasthoughhehadbeenstruckintheface.Heglanceddarkly

atNelson,hiseyesblazingwithsuppressedanger.

"Mr.Nelson,"hesaid;"letmeneveragainhearatitleofcourtesyattachedtothatscoundrel'sname!"

"Iamsorry,"Nelsonrepliedquietly.

"Saynomore,"saidBligh."Itwasaslip,thatIknow;butIcouldnotsufferittopassinsilence...Iagreewithwhatyousayofhim.Heistoowilyavillaintoremaininaplacewhereheknowshewillbe



searchedfor.Butyouwillsee:theotherswillnotfollowhim;andweshallhavethem,likethat!"Heopenedhishand,closingitslowlyandtightlyasthoughhealreadyhadtheirseveralthroatswithinhisclutch.

"Aye,"saidPurcellsourly."Andtheleaderof'emwillgofree.He'llneverbefound."

"Sayyouso?"Blighrepliedwithaharshlaugh."Youshouldknowmebetterthanthat,Mr.Purcell.IprayImaybesentinsearchofhim!There'snotanislandinthePacific,chartedornot,wherehecanescapeme!No,byGod!NotasandycayinthemidstofdesolationwhereIcannottrackhimdown!Andwellheknowsit!"

"Wheredoyouthinkhemightgo,sir?"askedFryer.

"Wewillspeaknomoreofthismatter,Mr.Fryer,"Blighreplied,andtherewasanendtoanydiscussionofthemutineersformanyaday.Blighfeltkeenlythehumiliationoflosinghisship,andalthoughherarelymentionedthe_Bounty_,wellweknewthatthethoughtofherwasalwayspresentinhismind.

ThatsameafternoonhegaveusanaccountofwhatheknewofthecoastallandsofNewHollandandNewGuinea.

"Thisinformationisforyouinparticular,Mr.Fryer,andforMr.Elphinstone,"hesaid."Shouldanythinghappentomeitwilldevolveuponyoutonavigatethosewaters,andyoumustknowwhatIcantellyouofthecoursetofollow.Thatoceanisbutlittleknown;myknowledgeofitIhadfromCaptainCook,whenIwasmasteroftheResolution,onhisthirdvoyage.OurtaskthenwaslargelyconcernedwithexplorationintheNorthernHemisphere;butwehadmuchtimeonourhandsatsea,andCaptainCookwaskindenoughtoinformhisofficersofhisearlierexplorationsinthewesternPacific,andofhispassagethroughwhathenamed'EndeavourStraits.'Ilistenedwithinterest,butIlittlethoughtIshouldeverhaveusefortheinformationhegaveus.Whichonlygoestoshow,youngman,"headded,turningtoHayward,"thatknowledgeoftheseanevercomesamisstoaseaman.Rememberthat.Youneverknowwhenyou

mayhaveoccasiontouseit."

"IsthereanyotherpassagebetweenthoselandssavebyEndeavourStraits?"Elphinstoneasked.

"Theremaybe,"Blighreplied;"butifso,I'veneverheardofit.IneednotgointothedetailsofmyrecollectionofthepositionasgivenbyCaptainCook.YouwillfindthismarkedontheroughchartImadefrommemorywhilstwewereinthecaveatTofoa.Itisinmyjournal.ThatchartisallyouwillhavetogobyinsteeringthroughwhatCaptainCookconsideredtheworstareaofreef-infestedoceaninthewholeofthePacific.Thisistheimportantthingtobearinmindnow:Whetherwewillorno,withstrongwindsandaheavyseawemustrunbeforethem,very

likely,farthertothenorththanwewishtogo.Therefore,incaseyouaredrivennorthofthetwelfthparallel,takeeveryopportunitytogettothesouth'ard,sothatyoumaystrikethegreatreefalongthecoastofNewHollandintheregionofthirteensouth.Itisthereabout,asIrecallit,thatCaptainCookfoundthepassagewhichhenamed'ProvidentialChannel.'Ifyoucanstrikeit,youcancoasttothenorth'ardwithafairwind,intolerablyquietwaters,tillyouroundthenortherncapeofNewHollandandpassthroughEndeavourStraits.YoushallthenhaveopensailingallthewaytoTimor."



"Weshan'tforget,sir,"Fryerreplied;"butGodforbidthatyoushouldnotbetheonetoseeusthrough!"

"Godwillforbidit,Ibelieve,"saidBligh,gravely;"butinoursituationitisbesttoprovideforeverypossiblemishap."

"Willtherebeislands,sir,insidethereefatNewHolland,wherewecangoashore?"Haywardasked.

"IhaveaclearrecollectionofCaptainCookspeakingofvarioussmalllandsscatteredoverthelagoons,"Blighreplied."Hefoundnonethatwereinhabited,asIremember,althoughhebelievedtheywereresortedtoattimesbythesavages.Weshallcertainlystopatsomeofthemtorefreshourselves."

"HowfarwillNewHollandbefromwhereweare,sir?"Halletasked.

"Wewillnotspeakofthat,mylad,"saidBlighinakindlyvoice."Thinkifyoulikeofthedistancewehavecome,butneverletyourmindrunforwardfasterthanyourvessel.Lebogueisanoldseaman.Askhimifthatisgoodadvice."

"Aye,sir,theverybest,"saidLebogue,noddinghisshaggyhead."It'stheonlywayforaquickpassage,Mr.Hallet."

Wefellsilentagain,watchingLebogue,whosatatoursolitaryfishingline,whichhehadkeptinthewaternearlyallthewayfromTofoa.Wehadnobaittospare,andLebogueandtheboatswainhadtriedeveryconceivablekindoflurethatourmeansafforded.Hewasnowusingonemadeofthebrasshandleofaclaspknifeandsomebitsofredclothtornfromahandkerchief.Ittrailedafterthelaunchatadistanceoffortyorfiftyyards,andwassometimesdrawncloserthatwemightbetterobserveit.Therehadbeenmomentsofbreathlessexpectationwhensomefishofsplendidsizewouldrushtowardit;buttheyinvariablyrecognizeditasbelongingtonothinginnature,andsheeredaway.Itwasmaddeningtoseefisharoundus--oftengreatmultitudes--andnevertobeabletocatchone.ButColeandLeboguewereeverhopeful.Theywere

continuallychangingthelure;buttheresultwasalwaysthesame.Onseveraloccasionsschoolsofsmallmulletlikefishhadhoveredalongsideofusforafewmoments.Hadwebeenpossessedofahoopnetwecould,unquestionably,havecaughtsomeofthem,theywereinsuchquantities,buttheattempttoseinethemupwithourfewremaininghatshadnotbeensuccessful.Forallourbitterdisappointments,boththefishandtheoccasionalseabirdswemetwithprovedaboontous.Attemptstocatchthemoccupiedourminds.Ourbellies,however,feltdifferentlyaboutthematter,andwouldneveragreethatourunavailingattemptsdidmorethanaddinsulttoinjury.

Wenowhadbothsailsup;theyweredrawingwell,andtheseawassocalmthatweshippednowater.Thesunwentdown,asithadrisen,ina

cloudlesssky,anddarknesscameonswiftly.Presentlythemoonrose,floodingthelonelyseawithaglorythattransfiguredourlittleboatandeveryoneinher.Purcell,withhisdirtyragswoundroundhisbrokenhead,satbythemastamidships,facingaft.Helookedanoble,evenanheroicfigure,inthatlight.Onthedayofthemutiny,aswewererowingawayfromthe_Bounty_,IwonderedhowlongonesmallboatwouldholdtwosuchmenasCaptainBlighandhimselfbeforetheywouldbeateachother'sthroats.Therehadlongbeenafeudbetweenthemontheship.Purcellhadahighopinionofhisabilityasacarpenter,andconsideredhimselfamonarchinhisowndepartment.HewasasbullheadedasBligh



himself,buthehadthegoodsensetoknowhisplaceandtorealizethatthecaptainofashipwas,afterall,inapositionofhigherauthoritythanthecarpenter.Secretly,asIknew,hegloriedinthefactthatBlighhadlosthisship,andconsidereditajustpunishmentforhistyrannicalbehaviour;andyettherewasnomanmoreloyaltohiscommander.Onthemorningofthemutinytherehadnotbeenamoment'shesitationindecidingwherehisdutylay.InthelaunchitinterestedmetoobservehisattitudetowardBligh,andBligh'stowardhim.Theyhatedeachother;but,inPurcell'scaseatleast,hatredwastemperedbyrespect.

WhatacontrastthecarpentermadetoyoungTinkler,whosatbesidehim!HelovedthisladasmuchashehatedBligh,andbeinganoldseamanheinvariablyshowedhimgreatrespectbecauseofhisrankasmidshipman,neveromittingtoaddresshimas"Mr.Tinkler."AndTinklerwasworthyofrespectaswellasofaffection.Hewasapluckylad.Therewasneveratime,nomatterhowdesperateoursituation,whenhedidnotplayhispartlikeaman.

ThatnightwastheonlyonewehadpassedinanymeasureofcomfortsinceleavingTofoa.Ourcrampedpositionswerenopleasanterthantheyhadbeen,buttheboat,aswellasourcloathing,wasdry,andwewereabletohavesomehoursofrefreshingsleep.

TheninthofMaywasjustsuchadayastheeighthhadbeen,withacalmseaandalightbreezefromtheeast-southeast.Blighhadeveryonerousedatdawn,andassoonaswehadworkedalittleofthestiffnessoutofourlimbs,hesetColetowork,withsomeofusforhelpers,infittingapairofshroudsforeachmast.Othersassistedthecarpenter,whowasemployedinputtingaweathercloth,madeofsomeofoursparecanvas,aroundtheboat.Thequarterswereraisednineinchesbymeansofthesternseatswhichwerenailedtocleatsalongthem,andtheweatherclothwasofthesamewidth,sothat,whenthetaskwasfinished,theboatwasaswellpreparedforroughweatheraswecouldmakeher.Thiswasthecarpenter'sday,andhemadethemostofit;andIwilldohimthejusticetosaythathedidathoroughlyworkmanlikejob.

IwasgladtohearMr.Blighremark:"Thatwilldoverywell,carpenter."

Itwashighpraise,comingfromhim;butPurcellwouldnothavebeenPurcellhadhenotreplied:"Beggingyourpardon,sir,itwon'tdowell,butIcanmakenobetterwithwhatwe'vegothere."

Atnoon,ontheninth,weweresixty-fourmilesfartheronourway.Allofthisdaywesawneitherfishnorbird.

Towardthemiddleoftheafternoon,Nelsonbrokeasilencethatseemedtohavelastedforhours."Iamconstrainedtospeak,Mr.Bligh,"hesaid,withafaintsmile."ThisseaissovastandsoquietthatIaminclinedtodoubtitsrealityandourownaswell."

"That'sastrangefancy,sir,"Blighreplied;"buttheseaisrealenough;Icanpromiseyouthat."

CHAPTERVII

IrememberCaptainBlighsayingtoFryer,aboutnoononMaythetwelfth:



"Ithinkwe'veseentheworstofit."

"Iamsureofit,sir,"Fryerreplied,buthebelievednomorethanBlighinthetruthofthestatement.Ithadfallencalmabouthalfanhourbefore,butthesea,asviewedfromthelaunch,wasanawe-inspiringsight.FryerhadjustrelievedBlighatthetiller,whichhehadheldcontinuouslyforeighteenhours.

Ourshroudsforthemastsandthecanvasweatherclothhadbeenfittednonetoosoon;ontheeveningofthatsameday,--Maytheninth,--ataboutnineo'clock,windandrainhadstruckustogether,andallthroughthenightfourmenwerecontinuouslybailing,andthereweretimeswheneverymanofussaveBlighwassoemployed.Theskywasconcealedbylowgraycloudsscuddingbeforethewind.Soitremainedalldayandallnightofthetenth,theeleventh,andtillnearmiddayofthetwelfth;andnow,althoughthewindhadfallen,theskywasanominoussight.

Therewasnobreakintheclouds,nosignsofalighteningatanypointintheheavycanopythatoverhungus,solowthatitseemedalmostwithinreach.Nevertheless,itwascalm,forthemoment,atleast,andtheskywithhelditsrain.Oursailwasdroppedintotheboat.

"Iwanttwomenattheoars,"Blighsaid.

"I'llmakeone,sir,"Lenklettercalledout,andadozenothersatthesametime.Allwereeagerforachancetowarmtheirbenumbedbodies.LenkletterandLeboguewerefirstchosen,buttherewerereliefseveryquarterofanhoursothattherestofusmightenjoythebenefitoftheexercise.

"Don'texertyourselves,men,"saidBligh;"merelykeephersterntotheswell."

Theboathadneverseemedsosmalltomeasshedidthen,andIcouldimaginewhataspeckshewouldhaveappearedinthatvastoceancouldonehaveobservedherwithaseabird'seye.Thelongswell,comingfromthesoutheast,wasofaprodigiousheight,butwithoutthewindtherewasno

menaceinit.Theseasmovedtowardus,rankafterrank,withasolemnity,amajesty,thatfilledtheheartwithawe;coldandwretchedthoughwewere,wehadakindofsolemnpleasureinwatchingthem:seeingourlittleboatliftedhighontheirbroadbacks,tofindourselvesimmediatelyafterinagreatvalleybetweenthem.

Asarecompenseforoursufferings,CaptainBlighissuedanallowanceofrum,twoteaspoonfulsforeachman;andforourdinnerthatdaywehadhalfanounceofporkeach,inadditiontothebread.Thismadeourmiddaymealseemaveritablefeast,andtherumgaveusalittlewarmth.Itwasthecoldthatwedreadedatthistime,fullyasmuchasthesea:thewind,penetratingcloathingperpetuallydrenchedwithrain,feltbitterlychill,asthoughitwereblowingfromfieldsofice.Thanksto

CaptainBligh,wenowadoptedameansofcombatingitthatprovedofinestimableservice.Headvisedustowringoutoutcloathinginseawater.Itisstrangethatnoneofushadthoughtofthissimpleexpedientbefore,butthefactremainsthatwehadnot.Themomentwetrieditwefoundourselveswonderfullycomfortableincomparisonwithourmiserableplightbefore,thereasonbeingthatsaltwaterdoesnotevaporateinthewindsofastasfresh.

Wepassedthenexttwoorthreehourstolerablywell;whatbetweentakingourturnsattheoarsandwringingoutourcloathesfromtimetotime,we



brokethebackoftheafternoon,eachmansecretlywatchingallthewhileforanychangethatwouldgiveusreasontohopethatbetterweatherwasinstore;buttheonlychangewasthatthedulllightbecamedulleryet,asthedayworeontowardevening.Andstilltherewasnowind.

Thesilencemadeusuneasy.Ourearshadbeenaccustomedtothedeeproarofthewindandtheseethinghissofbreakingseas.Godknows,wewantednomoreofsuchweather,butwedidcravewindenoughtocarryusonourway.Thegreatswellswentunderusnoiselessly;theonlysoundstobeheardwerethesmallhumansoundswithintheboat--aspokenword,acough,awearysighassomeoneshiftedhisposition.

Itmusthavebeentowardfouro'clockintheafternoonthattherewasmingledwiththevastquietwhatwas,atfirst,theveryghostofsound--andyeteverymanofusheardit.Elphinstone,whowaslyinginthebottomoftheboatjustbeforeme,raisedhisheadtolookround."Whatisthat?"hesaid.

Therewasnoneedtoreply.Aswerosetotheswell,everyheadwasturnedtotheeastward;andthere,nothalfamiledistant,weagainsawapproachingourremorselessenemy--rain.

Itcameoninwhatappearedtobeasolidwallofblackness,faintlylightedbyadullgrayishglowfromtheskybeforeit.Therewasnowind

immediatelybehind;theslownessofitsapproachassuredusofthat;therefore,wewaitedinsilence,whilethesoundincreasedandspread,nowdeadenedaswefellintothetrough,moreloudaswerosetothecrestofthenextwave.Then,asthoughatthelastmomentithadleapedtomakesureofus,wewereinthemidstofit--drenched,halfdrowned,gaspingforbreath,inadelugesuchaswehadneverbeforeexperienced.

InaninstantIlostsightofthemenintheforwardpartoftheboat.This,Iknow,willscarcelybebelievedbythosewhoseexperienceofrainhasbeenonlyinthenorthernlatitudes,whoknownothingoftheenormousweightofwaterreleasedinatropicalcloudburst.ThefactremainsthatthelaunchvanishedfrommysightsavefortheafterpartofitwhereIsat,andthemenimmediatelybeforemyeyeswerebutshadowsblurredby

sheetsofalmostsolidwater.IheardCaptainBligh'svoice,faintly,abovethehissandthunderofthedeluge.Thewordswereindistinguishable,butwewellknewwhatwehadtodo.Webailedwiththedesperationofmenwhofeelthewatergaininguponthemevenastheybail;whofeelitcovertheirfeetandriseslowlytowardtheirknees.Anditwasnotseawaterthatwethrewovertheside.Itwasthepuresweetwaterofclouds,whichmen,adriftinasmallboatinmid-ocean,sooftenprayforinvain,withblackeninglipsandswellingtongues;andwehurleditawayfromuswithbailingscoops,coconutshells,thecopperpot,withourhats,withourcuppedhands,lestthispreciousfluid,whichCaptainBlighhad,rightly,doledouttousaquarterofapintatatime,shouldbeourdeath.Therewasironyinthesituation,thoughwehadnotimetothinkofitthen.

Thedarknessinthemidstofthestormwasalmostthatofnight,butpresentlyIcouldoncemoreseetheoutlinesoftheboatandtheformsofthemen,andknewthattheworstwasover.Wewereaforlorn-lookingcrew:thewaterstreamedfromourcloathing,whichwasplasteredagainstourbodies;fromourhairandbeards;andwewereagainchilledtothebone.

Mr.Bligh'svoicesoundedunusuallyloudagainsttheensuingsilence."Lookalive,lads!Mr.Cole,close-reeftheforesail,andgetitonher.



There'llbewindbehindthis."

"Aye,aye,sir,"theboatswaincalledback.Therestofus,withtheexceptionofthemenattheoars,continuedbailing,fortherewasadealofwateryettobegotridof.

Leboguewasworkingbesideme."Aye,"hemuttered,atBligh'sremarkaboutwind;"we'vesumm'attocome,I'llbebound."

Webailedherdry,andthenhadtime,forafewmoments,toknowhowcoldwewere."Wringoutyourcloathes,"saidBligh.Wewerenotslowtoobey,andthemennearestLambandSimpsonperformedthisserviceforthem,astheyweretooweaktodoitforthemselves.Meanwhiletheforesailhadbeendouble-reefedandhoisted,Blighagaintookthetiller,andwewaitedforthewind.

Wesawitcomingfromafar.Theoilyswells,thathadbeensmoothenoughtoreflectthegraylight,wereblackenedunderit.Wesawitleapingfromsummittosummit;butwhilstitcameswiftly,therewasnogreatweightofairatfirst.Ourtinybitofsail,heavyanddarkwithrain,belliedout,andthelaunchgatheredsteeragewayoncemore.Thedulllightfadedfromthesky,andsoonwhatwasleftofitseemedtobegatheredonthesurfaceofthesea,againstreakedwithfoamandflyingspray.Harderandharderitblew.Nowatchwassetforthenight.Wewell

knewtherewasworkandtospareathandforallofus.

Nelsontouchedmyarmandpointedoverhead.Aman-of-warbird,itsgreatwingsoutspread,wheeledintothewindandhoveredoverusforafewseconds,seemingtostandmotionlessagainstthatmightystreamasitlookeddownatus.Ofasuddenittipped,scuddedaway,andwaslosttoview.

FryerwasseatedbyMr.Bligh,watchingthefollowingseas."Standbytobail!"heshouted.

Icannotrecallthethirty-sixhoursthatfollowedwithoutexperiencing

somethingofthehorrorIfeltatthetime.Windandrain,rainandwind,underaskythatheldnopromiseofrelief.Badasthehoursofdaylightwere,thoseofdarknesswereinfinitelyworse,forwecouldseenothing.ItseemedamiracletomethatMr.Blighwasabletokeepthelaunchbeforetheseas,themoresobecausethewindveeredconsiderablyattimes,andhecouldnotdependuponthefeelofitathisbacktotellhimhowthewaveswereapproaching.HewashelpedtosomeextentbyFryerandElphinstone,whocrouchedontheirkneesbesidehim,facingaft,peeringintothedarkness;butwiththecloudsofspraycontinuallyintheirfaces,theycouldseelittleornothinguntilaseawasonthepointofboardingus.

Never,Ithink,couldthegraydawnhavebeenwelcomedmoredevoutlythan

itwasbyusonthemorningofMaythefourteenth;and,asthoughinpityofourplight,thewindabatedshortlyafter.Therewasevenawaterygleamoflightasthesunrose,butourhopesandprayersforblueskywereunavailing.Nevertheless,thecloudswerehigherandthelookofthemlessmenacingthantheyhadbeenforfourdayspast.

AsIlookedintothefacesaboutmeIrealizedhowfrightfulmyownmustappear.Lamb,thebutcher,andGeorgeSimpson,thequartermaster'smate,appearedtobeatthelastextremity.Theylayinthebottomoftheboat,unabletodoaughtforthemselves;throughoutthenightjustpast,the



waterweshippedcontinuallyhadbeenwashingaroundthem,anditwasasmuchastheycoulddoattimestoraisetheirheadsaboveit.Nelson,too,wasapitiablesight.Neverastrongman,theprivationsandhardshipswehadundergonehadwornhimdown,butthespiritwithinthefrailbodywasastoughasthatofCaptainBlighhimself.NeveragroanorawordofcomplaintcamefromNelson.Weakashewas,physically,hewasatowerofstrengthinourcompany.ThemenwhoshowedthefewestsignsofsufferingthusfarwerePurcell,Cole,Peckover,Lenkletter,Elphinstone,andthethreemidshipmen.CaptainBlighandthemaster,whohadbornethebruntofourbattleagainstthesea,weregauntandhollow-eyed,butBlighseemedtohaveaninexhaustiblereserveofenergytodrawupon.ImustnotomittospeakofSamuel,Bligh'sclerk,whoIhadthoughtwouldbeamongthefirsttoshowtheeffectsofhardship.Hewascitybornandbred,withthepalecomplexionandthesoft-appearingbodyusuallyfoundamongmenofsedentaryoccupations;nevertheless,hehadborneupamazinglywell,bothinbodyandspirit.Hewasamanwhollylackinginimagination,andhisbeliefinCaptainBlighwaslikethatofadoginitsmaster.Hecouldnot,Iamsure,conceiveofanysituation,howeverperilous,whichBlighwasnotmorethanequalto.Ienviedhimthisconfidenttrust,particularlyatnight.TinklerandHaywardweresturdilybuiltlads,andyouthgavethemagreatadvantageoversomeoftherestofus.Halletlackedtheirtoughnessoffibre,butforallthatheplayedhispartlikeaman,anddeservedthemorecreditinthathewascompelledtofightconstantlyagainsthisterrorofthesea.Hewas

nottheonlyonewiththisfearathisheart.Iadmitfreelythatmyspiritswereoftenfarsunkbecauseofit,althoughIdidmybesttoconcealthefact.

Therehadbeentimes,atnight,whennomanofus,unlessitwereSamuel,--no,notevenCaptainBlighhimself,--couldhavebelievedthatweshouldseeanotherdawn.Thefactthatwehadsurvivedthenightsofthethirteenthandfourteenthgaveusnewcourage.Weknew,now,whatourboatcoulddo.

Wewereonacourse,N.W.byW.Ofasuddenthegrayskytothesouthwestlightened,andafewmomentslatertherewasabreakintheclouds.Wehadallaroundus,aswethought,nothingbutemptysea;butpresentlywe

saw,orthoughtwesaw,pale-bluemountainsthatseemedtobefloatinghighinair.Tinklerwasthefirsttospythem,andbeforesomeofuscouldraiseourheadstolook,theyhadagainvanishedinthemists.Thosewhohadnotseencouldnotbelieveintherealityofthevision,butanhourlater,thereitwasagain;andthistimetherewasnodoubtinanyone'smind.Cloudsofdensevapourliftedslowly,revealingalandofloftymountainsthatstoodincoldbluesilhouetteagainstthegraysky.Atfirstwethoughtitoneisland;butasweapproachedwefoundtherewerefour,whichboreS.W.toN.W.byW.,anddistantaboutsixleagues.Thelargestwas,inCaptainBligh'sjudgment,abouttwentyleaguesincircuit.

Wealteredourcoursetopassalittletoeastwardofthemostnortherly

one.Blighhadonlyhisrecollectiontoservehim,buthebelievedthemapartoftheNewHebrides,whichCaptainCookhadnamedandexploredduringhissecondexpeditiontotheSouthSea,in1774.Allthroughthemorningweweresailingatabouttwoknots.Theseawasnowsocalmthatbuttwomenwererequiredatthebailingscoops.Therestofusfeastedoureyesupontheland.ManyananxiousandappealingglancewasthrowninCaptainBligh'sdirection,buthegavenohintastowhathisplanwas.Bythemiddleoftheafternoonwehadleftthelargerislandswellastern,andwerenomorethantwoleaguesdistantfromthenortherlyone.Thewindwasagainblowingfresh,andourcoursewasalteredtoapproach



stillcloser.Wecouldseethesmokeofmanyfiresrisingfromtheforeshore;thethoughtoftheirwarmthincreasedourmisery.

Thelandwasofahorseshoeshape.Aridgeofhighmountains,fallingsteeplytothesea,enclosedalargebaywithanortheasterlyexposure.Wepassedtheentrancetothisbaynotmorethantwomilesoff.Inabouthalfanhourwehadroundedthenortherncape,andwerewellinthelee.

Nowordhadbeenspokenduringthistime.WewaitedwithdeepanxietytolearnwhatCaptainBligh'sintentionswere.

"Trimthesails,"heordered.

Weheadedup,approachingtowithinaquarterofamileofasmallcovethatresembled,inageneralway,theoneatTofoa;butheretherewasasmoothsandybeachinsteadofarockyone,andthevegetationwasof,therichestgreen;indeed,theislandseemedaparadisetoourfamished,sea-wearyeyes.Thesailwasdroppedandtwomenweresetattheoarstokeepusofftheland.

"Now,Mr.Purcell,"saidBligh,"wewillrepairourweathercloth.Lookalive,forIwishtolosenomoretimeherethanisnecessary."

Ourweatherclothhadbeenmuchdamagedbytheseathenightbefore.

Adeepsilencefollowedthisorder.Purcellremainedwherehewas.Presentlyheraisedhishead,sullenly.

"Mr.Bligh,"hesaid,"ifyoumeantogoonfromherewithoutgivingusachancetorefreshourselves,I'mopposed;andthere'smorethatfeelsasIdo."

Forallthestiffnessinhislegs,Blighgottohisfeetinaninstant.Hislipsweredrawninathinlineandhiseyeswereblazingwithanger,butashelookedattheforlornfiguresbeforehimtheexpressiononhisfacesoftenedandhecheckedhimself.

"Therearemore?"heaskedquietly."Whoarethey?Letthemspeakup."

"I'mone,sir,"Elphinstonerepliedinahollowvoice;"andI'llaskyoutobelieveI'mspeakingforothersmorethanmyself."

"Weareinapitifulstate,sir,"Fryerputin."Anightofrestonshoremightbethemeansofpreservingthelivesofsomeofus.There'ssuretobefoodonsorichanisland."

"There'scoconuttrees,sir,"Lenkletterputineagerly."Lookyonder,halfwayuptheslope."

Aclumpofcoconutpalmscould,infact,beseen,raisingtheirplumed

topsabovetheforeststhatcoveredthesteephillsides.Blighlookedfromustotheland,andbackagain;presentlyheshookhishead.

"Lads,wedarenotriskit,"hesaid."YoucannotsupposethatIdonotfeelforyoursufferings,sinceIsharethemwithyou.GodknowsIshouldbegladtoresthere;butthedangeristoogreat.Wemustnot!"

"There'snoIndianshere,sir,"saidPurcell."That'splaintobeseen."

Blighcontrolledhimselfwithdifficulty."Atthemomenttherearenone,"



hereplied;"butwehaveseenthesmokeofmanyfires,andwewerewellwithinviewaswepassedthebayonthenorthernside.Makenomistake,wehavebeenseen;andIwillsaythis,whichmaycoo!yourdesiretogoashore:CaptainCooktoldmethatthesavagesoftheNewHebridesarecannibalsofthefiercestsort.Theseislandsmustbeapartofthesamegroup."

"Idon'tfearthem,"Purcellinterrupted,"whatevermaybethecasewithyourself."

Blighjerkedbackhishead,asthoughhehadbeenstruckintheface.Purcell,alwaysacantankerousoldrogue,hadneverbefore,daredtospeakinthisfashion.Someallowance,perhaps,canbemadeforhimunderthecircumstances.Althoughhehadbornehardshipswell,itispossiblethathefeltthepangsofhungermorekeenlythananyofus.

Mr.BlighbehavedwithaforbearanceIhadthoughthimincapableofexercising.Frequently,onthe_Bounty_,Ihadseenhimflyintoapassionuponslightprovocation.Nowthathehadamplecauseforanger,hekepthimselfwellinhand.Thereasonwas,Ibelieve,thatheknewhowdesperatelywearywewereandhowbitterourdisappointmentatbeingwithinviewofwhatappearedtousEdenitself,andforbiddentorestandrefreshourselvesthere.Noinsultcouldhavebeenmoregrossandunjustthanthatofthecarpenter,andhewellknewit.ForamomentBlighdid

nottrusthimselftospeak.Thenhesaid:"Setaboutyourwork,Mr.Purcell.Ifyoudonot,byGodyoushallgoashore--withme,andwithmealone."

Thecarpenter,knowingthathewasinthewrong,obeyedatonce.Thosewhohadthestrengthassistedhim;therestofuskeptwatchonshore.

PresentlyLebogueexclaimed:"Aye,sir,we'vebeenseen,rightenough!Lookyonder!"

Halfadozensavagesemergedfromthethickbushandcamedowntothewater'sedge,gazingouttowardus.Weweredirectlyoppositetheentrancetothecove,andcouldseethemplainly.Theywerenakedsave

forshortkirtlesaboutthemiddle,andwerearmedwithspears,bows,andarrows.Aboutthissametime,TinklerandHaywarddiscoveredapathleadinguponeofthehillsatthebackofthecove.Atonepointitwasinplainview,whereitroundedagrassyknoll.Keepingwatchuponthisplace,wesawmoreIndianspassingitastheyhastenedintothevalley.Thebeachwassoonthronged,andwecouldfaintlyheartheirshoutsastheyranthiswayandthat,evidentlyinastateofgreatexcitement.Wehadtheentirehalfcircleofthebeachwithinview;nocanoesweretobeseenthere,butwedidnotknowwhattheymighthaveconcealedamongstthetrees.

InviewofPurcell'sboldstatementofhalfanhourbefore,itwasinterestingtoobservehisnervousnessasthethrongofsavages

increased.Manyanapprehensiveglancedidhethrowintheirdirection.

"Keepyoureyesonyourwork,sir!"Blighordered."Yourfriendsashorewillwaitforyou."

PresentlyTinkler,whohadthekeenesteyesamongstus,informedBlighthathehadseenthreeorfouroftheIndiansrunningupthehill,evidentlyreturningtothelargebayontheothersideofthemountains.

"Theymustbesendingwordtothepeopleoverthere,sir,"Fryer



remarked,anxiously."Nodoubttheyhavecanoesinthebay,andmeantogetatusbysea."

"Ishouldthinkitmorethanlikely,sir,"Blighreplied,quietly."Nevertheless,weshallhavetimetofinishrepairingourweathercloth."

Never,Ifancy,hadPurcellworkedmoreearnestlythanhediduponthisoccasion.Blighwatchedhimgrimlyandwouldallowhimtoskimpnothing.

Justastheworkwasfinished,alargecanoe,containingbetweenfortyandfiftysavages,appearedroundthenorthernpromontory,aboutamiledistant.Theyhadnosail,but,withtenorfifteenpaddlersonaside,theycameonswiftly.

"Now,Mr.Purcell,"saidBligh;"isityourdesirethatweletthemcomeupwithus?Yousayyouhavenofearofthem."

Itwasallbutimpossibleforthecarpenterevertoadmithimselfinthewrong;butuponthisoccasionheswallowedhisstubbornprideatonce.

"No,sir,"hereplied.

"Verywell,"saidBligh."Getsailonher,Mr.Cole."

Forallthestiffnessofourlimbs,thetwosailswerehoistedinaninstant,andwedrewawayfromtheland.Forthemoment,atleast,weforgotourhunger,ourwetcloathing--everythingwaslostsightofintheexcitementoftherace.Atfirstthesavagesgainedrapidly,anditwasplainfromtheiractionsthattheirintentionswereanythingbutfriendly:thosewhowerenotpaddlingbrandishedtheirweapons,andseveralofthemshotarrowsafterus,someofwhichfellonlyalittledistanceastern.Thenwecaughtthefullforceofthewind,andthespacebetweenusgraduallyincreased.Presentlytheygaveupthepursuit;wesawthementerthecoveoppositewhichwehadlain.Wethenstoodawayupontheoldcourse.

Never,Ithink,duringthewholeofourvoyage,wereourspiritssolow

asuponthissame,afternoon.Theseastretchedaway,grayandsolitary,andwedarednotthinkofthehorizonsbeyondhorizons.thatremainedtobecrossedbeforewecouldsetfootuponanyshore.Mostofusknewthatwewerestillfarfromhalfway,even,tothecoastofNewHolland.Attheearliestwecouldnothopetoreachitbeforeanotherfortnighthadpassed.

InowcometoanincidentconcerningwhichIammostreluctanttospeak,andyetitmustnotbepassedoverinsilence.Therewas,itseems,onemaninourcompanysolosttoallsenseofhisdutytowardtheothersastostealapartofourprecioussupplyofpork.Thetheftamountedtoonetwo-poundpiece,andwascommittedduringthenightofthissameday.Withrespecttothebread,CaptainBlighhadputtemptationbeyondthe

powerofanyone:itwaskeptunderlockandkeyinthecarpenter'schest.Buttheporkwasnotsoguarded.Itwasstored,wrappedinacloth,inthebow.Wehadpassedawretchednight,withastrongnortheastwind,aroughsea,andperpetualrain.Therehadbeennosleepforanyone.Atdawnthenextmorning,CaptainBlighorderedateaspoonfulofrumandhalfanounceofporkforourbreakfast;anditwasthenthatthetheftwasdiscovered.IwellrememberthelookofhorrorinMr.Cole'sfaceashereportedit."There'sapiecemissing,sir,"hesaid.

Ishouldnothavesupposedthatanymanguiltyofsuchacrimeagainst



hiscomradescouldhavemaintainedanairofperfectinnocenceuponthediscoveryofthetheft;butsoitwas,here.CaptainBlighquestionedeachofusbyname,beginningwiththemaster:--

"Mr.Fryer,didyoutakethispork?"

"No,sir,"Fryerreplied,withasinceritythatnoonecoulddoubt.Thequestionwasrepeatedseventeentimes,andtheseventeenrepliesallcarriedconviction.

Irememberhavingheard,orread,thatmenreducedtostarvationincompanysometimesloseallsenseofmoralresponsibility,andthatcaseshavebeenknownwheremenofintegrity,undernormalconditions,havecommittedsuchcrimeswithoutanyqualmsofconscience,stoutlyandindignantlydenyingthem,nomatterhowdamningtheevidenceagainstthemmightbe.Withustherewasnoevidenceastothepossibleculprit;mostofourcompanyhadtakenturnsatbailinginthebowduringthenight,whichwassoblackthatonecouldnotseeone'snextneighbourintheboat.

Ishallsaynomoreofthiswretchedaffairexceptthatthethief,whoeverhemayhavebeen,mustsurelyhavedespisedhimself.CaptainBlighbroughthometohimtheenormityofthewronghehaddonehisfellowsufferersinwordsthathecouldneverforget.

Ibelieved,onthenightofthefourteenthofMay,thatourcompanyhadsufferedtothelimitsofendurance."Anothernightasbadasthis..."Ihadthought.Andthereweretobeninetofollow--ninedaysandnights,duringwhichtimewewerecontinuouslywetandallbutperishedwithcold.Thewindshiftedfromsoutheasttonortheast,nowblowinghalfagale,nowdyingawaytoadeadcalmwhentheoarswouldbegottenouttokeepthelaunchbeforethesea.Thereweremomentsoffugitivesunshine,butofsuchbriefdurationthattheybutaddedtoourmisery,forwewereneverabletodryourcloathes.

OursituationontheafternoonofMaytwenty-thirdwassolikethatof

thetwelfththatitseemedtimehadstoodstill.Werodethesamemountainousseas,underthesameloweringsky.WhataddedtomyconfusedsensethatweweredoomedtoaneternityofmiserywasthatMr.BlighhadagainremarkedtoFryer:"Ithinkwe'veseentheworstofit."

Wehadbeenonstarvationrationsfortwenty-onedayspast,and,duringthewholeofthistime,wettotheskinandchilledtothebone.Ourbodieswerecoveredwithsalt-watersores,sothattheslightestmovementwasagony,yetwewerecompelledtomoveconstantlyforthepurposeofbailing.Manyofuswerenowtooweaktoraiseourselvestoourfeet,butwecrawledandpulledourselvesaboutsomehow,and,knowingthatourlivesdependeduponit,wecouldstillmanagetothrowoutwater.

NeverbeforehadIrealizedwhatatormentthebodycouldbe.ButImustaddthis:neitherhadIrealizedthetoughness,thefineness,ofthehumanspiritunderconditionsthattryittotheutmost.Themiscreantwhohadstolentheporkservedonlyasafoiltotheothers,whoseconductwassuchduringtheseinterminablehoursoftrialashasgivenmeanewandexaltedopinionofmyfellowbeings.Whatevermenmaysayinmen'sdespiteinthefuture,orwhateverunfortunaterevelationsconcerningthemmaycomeundermyownobservation,Ishallthinkofthecompanyinthe_Bounty's_launchandretainmyfirmbeliefthat,intheirdarkesthours,andinsituationsthatbearuponthemevenpastthelimits



ofendurance,mostmenshowaheroismthatliftsthemtoheightsbeyondestimation.Thecynicmaysmileatthis.Icarenot.IknowwhereofIspeak.Ihaveseenthematterputtotheproofinacompanyofeighteenwhosemembers,withtwoexceptions,--CaptainBlighandMr.Nelson,--weremensuchasonemightfindinanyseacoasttowninEngland.

Iwillnotsaythattherehadbeennocomplaints,nourgent,piteousrequestsforadditionalfood.Therewere.IcanunderstandbetternowthanIcouldthenwhatstrengthBlighneededtowithstandtheentreatiesofstarvingmen.Hefedtheweakestuponwine,afewdropsatatime;buteverydemandforadditionalfoodwasrefusedsaveupontheoccasionswhenatinymorselofporkwouldbeaddedtoourmouthfulofbread.

IhaveavividrecollectionoftheeventsoftheeveningandthenightofMaytwenty-third.Blighhadbeencontinuouslyatthetillerforthirty-sixhours,andheremainedthereuntildawnthefollowingmorning.Isatinthebottomoftheboatfacinghim,proppedupagainstthethwartimmediatelyforwardofthesternsheets.Nelsonlaybesidemewithhisheadonmyknee.Hewasfrightfullyemaciated,andsoweakthatIbelievedhehadnotmorethantwenty-fourhourstolive.ThestrongestofournumberwereMr.Bligh,Fryer,Cole,Peckover,Samuel,andthetwomidshipmen,TinklerandHayward.Thetwolatterwereattheoarsasthelastofdaylightfaded,keepingthelaunchbeforethesea.

Ithadbeendeadcalmformorethantwohours,butneitherpastexperiencenorthelookoftheskygaveusreasontoexpectthatitwouldremainso.Thelastgraylightfadedquickly,andsoonwewereinthecompletedarknessthathadbeenourportionduringsomanyterriblenights.

AboutthreehoursaftersunsetIhadfallenintoadoze,andonlyamomentlater,itseemed,Iwasawakenedbythedeephummingofthewindandthehissandwashofbreakingsea.IheardBlighcallingtoCole,whosestationwasforwardbythereefedforesail,andimmediatelyafterwardsolidwatercamepouringoverourquarters.Neverhadwecomesoneartofounderingasatthatmoment;indeed,forafewsecondsIthoughtwewerelost.Blighshouted:"Bailforyourlives!"andsowedid.Notamanofusbutrealizedthatwewereintheimmediatepresence

ofdisaster.

ThehorrorofthatexperienceIshallnotattempttodescribe;butithadthisgoodeffect:thatitarousedeventheweakestfromapathy,andcalledintoplayreservesofnervousforcethatwedidnotknowwepossessed.AsforCaptainBligh,hedisplayed,throughoutthewholeofthisnight,acouragefarabovemypoorpowerstodepict.Nowandthenhisemaciatedformwouldbeclearlyoutlinedforasecondortwoinaglareoflightning,thenswallowedupindarkness.WhenIhadsaidtoNelson,atTofoa;thatourswasasituationthatBlighwasborntomeet,IlittlerealizedhowtruthfullyIspoke.Worndownthoughhewasbyhungerandhardshipandlackofsleep,heshowednosignofweakeningtothestrain.Indeed,themoredesperateoursituation,the

moreheseemedtorejoiceinit.Isaythiswithnodesiretoexaggerate.Hedisplayedonthisnightanexhilarationofmindthemorestrikinginviewoftheperilofoursituation.Wepassedthroughaseriesofviolentsquallsaccompaniedbythunderandlightning,andIshallneverforgetthevividglimpsesIhadofhim,onehandgrippingthetiller,theotherthegunwale,theseasthatthreatenedtoswampusfoamingupbehindhimandshoweringhimwithspray.

AndIcanstillhearhisvoiceinthedarkness,hearteningusall:



"We'redoingafullsixknots,lads!Letthatwarmyourbloodifbailingcan'tdoit--butdon'tstopbailing!"

Once,inabrieflullbetweenstorms,Fryerhadsuggestedthataprayerbesaid."No,Mr.Fryer,"hereplied."Prayifyoulike,buttomywayofthinking,Godexpectsbetterthanprayersofusatatimelikethis."Itwasinthissamelull,Iremember,thatColecalledback,"Sir,shallIrelieveyouatthetiller?"

"Sitwhereyouare,Mr.Cole,"Blighreplied."Doyouthinkyoucanhandleherbetterthanmyself?"

"IknowverywellIcan't,"Colereplied."Iwasthinkinghowtiredyoumustbe."

Amomentofsilencefollowed;thenweagainheardBligh'svoice:"Youareagoodman,Mr.Cole,andanableman.Iwishthereweremorelikeyouintheservice."

Itwasahandsomeapology,andpraisewelldeserved.IknewhowitmusthavewarmedCole'sheart.

Thepausebetweensquallswasofshortduration.Therewasmore,andworse,tocome;andinthemidstofitIsawCaptainBlighatthesummit

ofhiscareer.

Therewasablindingglareoflightning,followedbyapealofthunderthatseemedtoshaketheverybedofthedeep.Atthatmomentagreatseaflungthelaunchintoanallbutverticalposition.AndtheresatBlighasonathrone,liftedhighaboveusall,exaltedinmorethanaphysicalsense.

"Bail,lads!"heshouted."ByGod!We'rebeatingtheseaitself!"

CHAPTERVIII

Duringthefollowingnighttheseverityoftheweatherrelaxed;atdawntheseawassocalmthatforthefirsttimeinfifteendayswefounditunnecessarytobail.Ihadmanagedtosleepfortwoorthreehoursinamiserablycrampedposition.WhenIawoke,Ilaywithoutmovingforsometime,gazinginakindofstuporatwhatIcouldseeoftheothersintheboat.

Nelsonlaybesideme.Hiseyeswerehalfopened,andwithhispartedlips,lookingblueinthemorninglight,hishollowcheeksandsunkentemples,Ithoughtforamoment,untilawareofsomeslightsignofbreathing,thathemusthavediedduringthenight.CaptainBlighsatin

thestern,besideElphinstone,whoheldthetiller.Althoughreduced,liketherestofus,toskinandbone,andclad,likeourselves,insoddenrags,therewasnothinggrotesqueinhisappearance.Wearwhathemight,hewasstillanoblefigure,andsufferingbutaddedtothedignityandfirmnessofhisbearing.

"Comeuphereinthesun,Mr.Ledward,"hesaid."Itwillmakeanewmanofyou."

Istruggledtostand,butwasunabletorise.Mr.Blighhelpedmetothe



seatbesidehim.HemadeasigntoHaywardandTinklertohelpNelsonup.Thebotanistgavemeaghastlysmile,designedtobecheerful.

"Ifeelbetteralready,"heremarkedinaweakvoice.

Thecaptainnowaddressedallhands."Luck'swithus,"hesaid;"we'veleftthebadweatherbehind.Offwithyourcloathes,beforethesungetstoohigh,andgivethemadryingwhileyou'vethechance.Thesunonourbarehideswillbeasgoodasaglassofgrog...Mr.Samuel,issueateaspoonfulofrumallround!"Heglancedaboutatthepeopleappraisingly,andthenadded:"We'llcelebratethegoodweather,lads!Anounceofporkwithourbreadandwater!"

Ourcloathing,reducedtoragsbysoakinginrainandwringingoutinseawater,washungalongthegunwalestodry,andwenowpresentedastrangeandpitifulspectacle.Ourskins,fromlongsoakingintherain,lookeddeadwhite,likethebelliesoffish;someofthemenweresoreducedthatIthoughtitawondertheywereabletostand.Nothingwasmoreremarkablethantheircheerfulnessinbearingtheirafflictions.Thewarmsun,notyethighenoughtoscorchus,wasexceedinglygrateful,andourbreakfast,enrichedbyabitofpork,wasacheerfulmeal.

ThemorningwasasbeautifulasanyIhaveknownatsea.Thebreeze,atE.N.E.,ruffledtheseatothatshadeofdarkblueonlytobeseen

betweenthetropics,andfilledoursailsbravely,withoutbeingboisterousenoughtoshoweruswithspray.Theskywasclearsaveforthesmall,tufted,fairweathercloudsonthevergeofthehorizon.

Mr.Fryerreachedoverthesideandbroughtupabitofcoconuthusk,onwhichthefirstgreenbeginningsofmarinegrowthappeared.Hehandedittothecaptain,whoexamineditwithinterest.

"Thishasbeenremovedbyman,"heremarked."Andlook!Ithasnotbeenoverlonginthesea!We'recloseinwithNewHolland,notadoubtofit!"

NelsontookitshakilyfromBligh'shand."Aye,thenutwashuskedbyIndiansonapointedstake.Thegrowthofweedsproutsquicklyinthese

warmseas."

"Look!"exclaimedElphinstone,pointingofftostarboard.

Ourheadsturned,andwesawacompanyofthesmallblackternscallednoddies,flyingthiswayandthat,lowovertheseaastheysearchedforfish.

"Now,byGod!"saidthecaptain."Thelandisnotfaroff!"

Thebirdsswungawaytothewestanddisappeared.Theywereofthesizeofpigeons,andtheirflightresembledapigeon'sflight.

"Theworstofourvoyageisover,"saidBligh."Weshallbeinsidethereefsbeforetheweatherchanges.YouhaveborneyourselvesliketrueEnglishseamensofar;Iamgoingtoaskforfurtherproofsoffortitude.IdonotknowcertainlythatthereisaEuropeansettlementonTimor,andshouldthereprovetobenone,itwouldbeimprudenttotrustourselvesamongtheIndiansthere.Forthisreason,Ithinkallhandswillagreethatwehadbestreduceourrationsstillfurther,inordertobeabletoreachJavaifnecessary.MytaskistotakeyoutoEngland.Tomakesureofsuccess,wemust,fromnowon,dowithoutourissueofbreadforsupper."



Iglancedatthemencovertly,knowingthatsomeweresoreducedthattheymightconsiderthatCaptainBlighwascuttingoffthemeansoflifeitself.Iwassurprisedandpleased,therefore,toseewithwhatcheerfulnessthecaptain'sproposalwasreceived.

"What'satwenty-fifthofanounceofbread,sir?"askedoldPurcell,grimly."I'venocomplaint!I'dassoonhavenoneaswhatweget.IreckonIcouldfetchJavawithnobreadatall!"

Blighgaveashort,harshlaugh."Ibelieveyoumight!"hesaid.

"Onceinsidethereefs,"remarkedNelson,"we'llneedlittlebread.There'llbeshellfish,andnodoubtweshallfindvariousfruitsandberriesontheislets."

Tinklersmackedhislips,andgrinned.Liketheothermidshipmen,hehadwithstoodthehardshipsbetterthanthegrownmen.EvenHalletseemedtohavegrownbutlittlethinner.

Ihadviolentpainsinmystomachthroughthisdayandsufferedmuchfromtenesmus,asdidnearlyeverymanintheboat.Twoorthreewereconstantlyatthegunwales,attemptingwhattheywereneverabletoperform,fornotoneofus,sinceleavingthe_Bounty_,hadhadevacuation

bystool.AtnightfallIlaydowninthebilgesinakindofstupor,tilldawn.IwasawakenedbyBligh'svoice.

"Don'tmove!"hesaid.

ThenIheardthevoiceofSmith,fromthebows:"I'llhavehimnexttime."

Iopenedmyeyesandsawasmall,blackbirdpassoverhead,lookingdownattheboat.Nelsonwasalreadyawake,andwhisperedweakly:"Anoddy!Twicehe'smadeasiftoalightonthestem!"

"Hush!"saidthecaptain,lookingdownatus.

Thelittleternpassedoverheadoncemore,sethiswings,andslanteddowninthedirectionofthebow.NextmomentIheardafeebleshoutgoupfromthepeople,andthesoundofflutteringwings.

"Goodlad!"saidBlightothemanforward."Don'twringhisneck!"

ImanagedtopullmyselfuptoasittingpositionwhiletheywerepassingawineglasstoSmith,whoheldthebirdwhileHallcutitsthroat,allowingthebloodtoflowintothesmallglass,whichwasfillednearlytothebrim.

"Nowpluckhim,"saidBligh,whiletheglasswasbeinghandedaft.He

motionedthemidshipmentohelpNelsontositup."Foryou,Mr.Nelson,"hewenton,givingTinklertheglassfulofblood.

Nelsonsmiledandshookhishead."LambandSimpsonneeditmorethanI.Giveittothem."

"Iorderyoutodrinktheblood,"saidBligh,withasmilethatrobbedthewordsofsternness..."Mr.Hayward,holdtheglassforMr.Nelsonwhilehedrinks."



Thebotanistclosedhiseyesandtookthebloodwithaslightgrimace,raisingatremblinghandtowipehislips.Theyoungstersmadehimascomfortableastheycouldbyproppinghisbackagainstthethwart.

Fryerwasatthetiller.Thepluckednoddy,nolargerthanasmallpigeon,wasnowhandedtoMr.Bligh,wholaiditonthecarpenter'schest,tookaknifefromhispocket,anddividedthebirdintoeighteenportions.Itwasdonewiththeutmostpossiblefairness,thoughasixthportionofthebreastwaspreferabletooneofthefeet,andIshouldhavepreferredthenecktotheheadandbeak.

"Comeaft,Mr.Peckover,"saidthecaptain..."Faceforward,Mr.Cole,andcalloutwhenMr.Peckovergivestheword."

Theboatswainturnedsothathewasunabletoseewhatwenton.Peckoverlookedoverthesharesofrawbirdandtookupachoicebitofthebreast.

"Whoshallhavethis?"hecalled.

"Mr.Bligh!"repliedCole.

"No!No!"thecaptaininterrupted."Theremustbenoprecedencehere,Mr.Cole:youwillbeginwithanyone'sname,atrandom.Shouldwecatch

anotherbird,theordermustbechanged.Thepurposeofthisoldcustomistobefairtoall."

Peckoverlaiddownthebitofbreastandtookupawing."Whoshallhavethis?"

"PeterLenkletter!"

Thewingwashandedtothequartermaster.WhenBligh'sturncamehewassounfortunateastogetafootwithnothingonitbutthewebandashredortwoofsinewwhereithadbeendisjointed,buthegnawedthismiserableportionwitheveryappearanceofrelish,amthrewawaynothingbutthebarestbones.Theheadandbeakfelltome;anditamazesme,as

Iwrite,torecollectwithwhatenjoymentswallowedtheeyes,andcrunchedthelittleskullbetweenmyteethassuckedouttherawbrains.SmallastheamountofnourishmentwasIfanciedthatitbroughtmeanimmediateincreaseofstrength.IwashappywhenNelsongotarich,redmorselofthebreast.Hewishedtoshareitwithme,andwhenIrefused,helingeredlongoverit."Thenoddyeatswell!"hesaid."Nopheasantathomeeverseemedbetterflavoured!"

Lambwasoneofthosemenwhoseemborntomaketheworstofeverymisfortune;hewasunabletositup,andhadscarcelyenoughstrengthtocomplainofthepaininhisbowels.Whenhisturncame,hegottheotherfoot;andCole,whohadjustreceivedaportionofbreasthandedittohim."Here,"hesaidgruffly."Yeneedthismorethanme.'

"Thankee,Mr.Cole,thankee!"saidLambinaquaveringvoiceashestuffedthebitoffleshintohismouth.

Theweathercontinuedfairthroughouttheday,withacalmseaandagoodsailingbreezeatE.N.E.Itwasfortunatethatwewerenotobligedtobail,formanyofuscouldnothaveundertakenthetask.Ourlogshowedthatweweremakingbetweenfourandfourandaballknots.Duringtheafternoonwepassedbitsofdriftwoodonwhichthebarnacleshadnotyetgathered,andElphinstonepickedupabamboopole,suchastheIndians



useforfishingrods.Itwasslimywiththebeginningsofmarinegrowth,butcouldnothavebeenmorethantwoorthreeweeksinthesea.Purcelltookthebamboo,driedandcleanedit,sawedofftheendssquare,andsettofittingandseizingaworn-outfileintothelargeend,tomakeaspearforfish.

Towardevening,aloneboobyappearedastern,andcircledtheboatforalongtime,asifhedesiredtoalight.Wesatinsuspensefortenminutesormore.Thebirdwasnotunlikeourgannetsathome,withabodyasgreatasthatofalargeduck,andafive-footspreadofwings.Iheldmybreatheachtimehisshadowpassedovertheboat;IcouldhearBligh'shearty,whisperedcurseswhenthebirdcamesailinginasiftoalightandthenslantedaway.

AtlastyoungTinklerwhispered:"Letmetry,sir--withthebamboo.I'veseentheIndiansatOtaheitetakethemso,bybreakingtheirwings."

Blighnodded.Thebirdhadagainturnedaway.Theyoungstercreptforward,tookthespearfromPurcell,andstoodonathwart.Theboobyswungbacktowardtheboat,whileTinklerwavedhisbamboobackandforthgently.Itwasstrange,asthebirdturnedbacktowardthelaunch,toseehowthemovingspeararousedhiscuriosity.Hecameonwitharapidflapofwings,turninghisheadtoseebetter,andpassedoverusverylow,thoughstilltoohightobereached.Tinklercontinuedtomovetherod

gently.

Thistimetheboobydidnotrise,butturnedandheadedback.Theyoungsterheldthespearwithbothhands,readytostrike.Oncamethebird,lowerthanever,hiswingsheldrigidly.Tinklerraisedtherodtothefullextentofhisarms,andstruck.Theblowcaughttheboobywhereoneofthewingsjoinedthebody,andwithagratingcryheplungedintothesea.

"Hardup!"shoutedCaptainBligh.

ForthefirsttimesinceleavingTofoa,theboatwasturnedintothewind.Hersailsflutteredasshelulledandloststeerageway;wemadea

boardandcameaboutontheothertackbeforewewereabletopickupthebird.

"Mr.Tinkler,"saidthecaptain;"yourfishingwiththeIndianswasnotwastedtime!"

Thelaunchshotupintothewind.Manyeagerhandswentoverthegunwaletopickupthewoundedbird.Leboguecaughthimandtossedhimintotheboat.

ThistimethebloodwassharedamongstNelson,Lamb,andSimpson,whoreceivedafullwineglasseach;andwhenthecarcass--legs,head,bones,entrails,andflesh--wasapportionedbythemethodof"Whoshallhave

this?"ourshareswereofasizetomakeusfeelthatweweresittingdowntoafeast.Threeflyingfish,eachaboutsevenincheslong,werefoundinthebird'sstomach;theywerefresh,andIwasoverjoyedwhenonefelltome.IhadeatentherawfishpreparedbytheIndiansofOtaheite,andfounditpalatablewhendippedinasauceofseawater.Inowopenedmyknifeandscaledtheflyingfishgloatingly,beforecuttingitintomorselswhichIdroppedintothesaltwaterinmycoconutshell.Nothingwaswasted;Ievenatetheentrails,andquaffedoffthebloodysaltwaterinwhichthefishhadsoaked.



Thoughwesailedwell,theweatherremainedserenethatdayandduringthetwodaysfollowing.OnTuesdaywepassedfreshcoconuthusksanddriftwoodwhichappearedtohavebeeninthewaternomorethanaweek.Wehadthegoodfortunetocatchthreeboobiesonthisday;withouttheirbloodandrawfleshIamconvincedthattwoorthreeofusmusthavesuccumbed.ThesunwassohotatmiddaythatIfeltfaintandsick.OnWednesdayitwasapparenttoallthatthelandwascloseahead.Thecloudstothewestwerefixed,andtherewereinnumerablebirdsabout,thoughwecouldcatchnone.Theheatofthesunagaincausedmuchsuffering.

"Soakwhatragsyoucanspareinthesea,andmaketurbansofthem!"saidthecaptain,whenheheardsomeofthepeoplecomplainingoftheheat.Helaughed."Englishseamenarehardtoplease!I'dratherbehotthancoldanyday,anddrythanwet,forthatmatter!Wringoutyourturbansfrequently.Thecoolwater'llsoonmakeyoufeellikefightingcocks.Weshouldsightthereefsto-morrow,withthisbreeze."

Theboatswainsmackedhislips."There'llbefinepickings,sir,oncewefindapassage.Cockles,andclams,andwhoknowswhat!"

"We'llfindawayin,neverfear.Fromourlatitude,weshouldsightthelandclosetoProvidentialChannel,throughwhichCaptainCooksailedthe _Endeavour_."

Nelsonlayonthefloorboards,listeningtothetalkascoollyasifdiningwiththecaptainaboardthe_Bounty_.

"FromwhatIhaveheardCaptainCooksay,"heremarked,"theremustbemanypassagesleadingintotheshelteredwater.Nodoubtweshallhaveseveraltochoosefrom."

"SoIbelieve,"saidBligh.

Ataboutnineo'clockthatnight,thecaptainlaydownbesidemetosleep.

"Keepasharplookout,Mr.Cole,"hesaid;"wemaybeclosertothereefsthanwesuppose."

Aswellfromtheeasthadsetin,butthebreezewassteadyandlight,andtherewerenowhitecapstowetuswithspray.Ilayhalfinadoze,halfinastupor,forseveralhours,listeningtoBligh'squietbreathing.AtlastIfellasleep.

ItmusthavebeenalittlepastmidnightwhenIwasawakenedbytheboatswain'svoice:--

"Mr.Bligh!Breakers,sir!"

Inaninstantthecaptainwasonhisfeetandwideawake.Iheardadistant,long-drawnroar;andBligh'sabruptcommand:"Hardalee!"

Threeorfourotherswereupbythistime,readyforduty."Close-haulher!"

Themoonwasdown,butthebreakerswerevisibleinthestarlightasweclawedoff.

"Shelayswellclear,"remarkedthecaptain."ByGod!Whatasurf!Letit



break!We'llfindawaythroughwhendaylightcomes!"

Manyofusinthebottomoftheboatweretooweakortooindifferenteventoraiseourheads.BlighnoticedthatIstirred.

"ThereefsofNewHolland,Mr.Ledward!We'llbesailingcalmwatersoon,andstretchingourlegsashore!You'llbefeastingonshellfishto-morrow,mywordonit!"

Imanagedtoturnonmyside,andfellasleeponcemore,lulledbyanewsound:thecrispslapofwaveletsunderthelaunch'sbowasshestoodofftheland,close-hauledonthestarboardtack.

Atdawn,thoughthenighthadbeenwarmandcalm,mostofthepeopleweredreadfullyweak.Thebirdswehadeatenhadmerelyprolongedourlives,withoutimpartinganyrealstrength.Atthefirstsignsofdaylight,Mr.Blighgavewordtoslackawaytothewest,butitwasmid-morningbeforeweagainsightedthebreakers.ThewindhadshiftedtoS.E.duringthenight.

Twoteaspoonsofrumwereissuedbeforewedrankourwaterandateourscantmouthfulofbread.Heartenedbythespiritandtheprospectofsmoothwaterandfood,Istruggledtoasittingposition.Nelsonwasunabletositup.Mr.Blighhadpouredafewdropsofrumbetweenhis

lips,buthehadshakenhisheadweaklywhenofferedbread.Icouldseethatthebotanist,forallhiscourage,wasattheendofhistether;unlesswecouldsecurefreshfoodforhim,anotherdayortwowouldseehimdead.LambandSimpsonwereinapiteousstate,andseveralotherswerenearlyasbad.

Towardnineo'clockalineoftossingwhitestretchedawayasfaraswecouldseetothenorthandsouth.ThevastrollofthePacific,brokenbythecoralbarrier,thunderedandspoutedfuriously.

Notmorethanahundredyardsbeyondthefirstbreakoftheseas,Blighsteeredtothenorth,orderingTinklerandColetotrimthesheets.

"There,lads!"hesaid."Thatshouldputheartinyou!Neverfear!Weshallsoonbeinside!"

Itwasindeedastrangeandhearteningsighttomeninoursituationtosee,justbeyondthebarrieroffuriousbreakers,theplacidwatersofavastlagoon,scarceruffledbythegentlesoutheastbreeze.AnditseemedtomethatIcouldperceivetheoutlinesofland,blueandmistyinthedistance,farawayacrossthecalmwater.

Wehadroundedapointofthereefandcoastedforsomedistanceinanorthwesterlydirection,whenitfellcalmforafewmomentsandthewindchoppedaroundtoeast.Blighboreupandorderedthesailstrimmedoncemore,whenweperceivedthatthereefsjuttedfarouttoseaaheadofus.

"Forwardwithyou,Mr.Cole!"saidBligh,and,whentheboatswainstoodinthebowswithahandontheforemast,"Canshelayclear?"

Colegazedaheadintentlyforamomentbeforehereplied:"No,sir!Can'tyepointupabit?"

Thoughclose-hauled,theluffofthemainsailwasshiveringalittleatthetime.Blighshruggedhisshoulders."Hardalee!"heordered."Letgothehalyardsandgetherontheothertack!"



Wehadnotsailedaquarterofamileonthelarboardtack,whenitwasevidentthatwewereembayed.Theeastwindhadcaughtusunaware,andwecouldnotlayclearofthepointstonorthorsouth.Weturnedthelaunchnorthoncemore.

"Whocanpullanoar?"Blighasked.

Lenkletter,Lebogue,andElphinstoneattemptedtorise,andsankbackashamedoftheirweakness.Fryer,Purcell,Cole,andPeckovertooktheirplacesatthethwarts.Theypulledgrimlyandfeebly;inspiteoftheircourage,theyhadnotsufficientstrengthtoenableustoclearthepointofreefabouttwomilesahead.

"Now,byGod!"Blighexclaimed."Wemustweatherthepointorshootthebreakers--oneofthetwo!...Mr.Tinkler!Areyoustrongenoughtosteer?Takethetillerandpointupascloseasyoucan!"

Thecaptainsetatholepinontheleeside,ranoutanoar,andbegantopullstronglyandsteadily.

Theprospectofshootingthebreakerswasenoughtomakethehardiestseamanpause.Icouldsee,fromtimetotime,thedark,jaggedcoralofthereef,revealedbyaretreatingsea.Amomentlaterthesamespot

wouldbeburieddeepinfoamingwater,rushingoverthereefwiththethunderofamightycataract.Itwasincrediblethatourboat,smallanddeepladen,couldliveforaninstantinsuchaturmoil.AsIglancedaheadmyheartsank.ThenTinklershouted:--

"Mr.Bligh!There'sapassageahead,sir!Wellthissideofthepoint!"

Blighshippedhisoarandroseinstantly.Afteraquickglanceahead,heturnedtothemen."Ceasepulling,lads,"hesaidkindly."Providencehasbeengoodtous.Yonderliesourchannel;wecanfetchitundersail."

CHAPTERIX

Thepassagewaslessthanamileahead,andaswewerenowabletobearoffalittleandfillthesails,wewereabreastoftheopeninginaboutaquarterofanhour.Itprovedtobeagoodtwocable-lengthswide,andclearofrocks,withasmall,barrenisletjustinside.Weenteredwithastrongcurrentsettingtothewestward;presentlytherolloftheseawasgone,andthelaunchsailedbrisklyoverwatersascalmasthoseofalakeathome.

Ilookedwithlongingattheisletcloseabreastofus.Thoughsmallandbarren,itwasatleastdryland.Purcell'slonginggotthebetterof

him.

"Letusgoashore,sir,"hesuggested,whenitwasapparentthatthecaptainwasgoingtosailon."Cannotwelandandstretchourlegs?"

Blighshookhishead."Weshouldfindnothingthere.Lookahead,man!"

Twootherislands,oneofthemhighandwooded,werenowvisibleatadistanceoffourorfiveleaguestothenorthwest;andclosebeyond,IcouldseethemainofNewHolland--valleysandhighland,denselywooded



inparts.

Theafternoonwaswelladvancedwhenwereachedthefirstofthetwoislands--littlemorethanaheapofstones.Thelargerislandwasaboutthreemilesincircuit,high,wellwooded,withasheltered,sandybayonthenorthwestside.Fromthisbay,thenearestpointonthemainwasaboutfourhundredyardsdistant.AstherewerenosignsofIndiansinthevicinity,webeachedtheboatatonce.Fortwenty-sixdayswehadnotsetfootonland.

Mr.Blighwasthefirsttosteponshore,staggeringalittlefromweaknessandtheunaccustomedfeeloffirmground.Fryer,Purcell,Peckover,Cole,andthemidshipmenfollowed.Allthesecouldwalk,thoughwithdifficulty.Hall,Smith,LebogueandSamuelmanagedtogetoutoftheboat,andeitherstaggeredorcrawledtoaplacewherethesandwassoftandshadedbysomesmall,bushytrees.Therestofuswereinsuchastateasforcedourstrongercompanionstohelpusashore.

Mr.Blighnowuncovered,whilethosewhowereablekneltroundhimonthesand;andifevermenhaveofferedheartfeltthankstoGodfordeliverancefromtheperilsofthesea,surelywewerethosemen.

Afterabriefsilence,Blighclearedhisthroatandturnedtothemaster."Mr.Fryer,"hesaid,"takethestrongestofthepeopleandsearchfor

shellfish.Thereshouldbeoystersormusselsontherocksyonder...Mr.Peckover,youwillaccompanymeinland...Mr.Cole,remaininchargeoftheboat.Takecarethatnofiresarelittonight."

NelsonandIhadeachhadasmallsupofwine,administeredbythecaptain'shand.This,togetherwiththeprospectofsomethingtoeatandthedelightofbeingoncemoreonland,gaveusfreshstrength.Welaysidebyside.Thesandwaspleasantlywarm,andaclumpofdwarfishpalmscastanagreeableshade.

Wetalkedbutlittle.Weneededtimetoaccustomourselvestothefactthatwewerestillalive,andtolieoutstretchedondrylandwasaprivilegesogreatthatwecouldscarcelybelieveitours.

"Canyourealize,mydearLedward,thatourtroublesareover?"Nelsonasked,atlength."IhaveoftenheardCaptainCookspeakofhispassageinsidethereefsofNewHolland.Amongtheseislandsweshallfindsomethingtoeat:shellfish,certainly,aswellasberriesandbeansthatarefitforfood.Thereshouldbewateronsomeofthelargerislands."

"Itiscurious,"Ireplied;"atpresentIfeelnottheslightestdesireforfood.Iwouldnotexchangetherestweareenjoyingforthebestmealthatmightbesetbeforeus."

"Ifeelthesame,"hesaid."Itisrestweneednowaboveeverything."

Wefellsilentagain,andremainedsoforalongtime.Aflockoflargebirds,parrotsofsomesort,passedoverheadwithharshcriesanddisappearedinthedirectionofthemain.IsawNelson'seyesrovingthiswayandthatashestudiedthevegetationaboutus.

"Thesepalmsarenewtome,"hesaid;"yetIfeelcertainthattheirhearts,likethoseofthecoconutpalm,willprovideexcellentsalad."

Presentlythesunwentdown,andfaralongthebeachwesawtheforagingpartyreturning.Iknewhewwearytheymustbe,andfeltashamedofmy



ownlackofstrength.

"We'reauselesspair,Nelson,"Isaid."Whywerewenotgivenstrongerbodies?"

"Neverfear,"hereplied."We'llsoonbetakingourshareoflabour.Ifeelgreatlyrefreshedalready."

ThecaptainandPeckoverhadtheirhatspartlyfilledwithfruitsoftwosorts.

"Havealookatthese,Mr.Nelson,"saidBligh."ByGod!We'vefoundlittleforthelengthofthewalk.Iobservedthatthebirdseatfreelyoftheseberries.Maywenotdothesame?"

"Aye,theylookwholesomeandgood.Irecognizetheirfamilies,butthespeciesarenewtome.Thesepalms,sir--cannotsomeofthepeoplecutoutafewofthehearts?We'llfindthemdelicious,I'llbebound."

"There,Peckover!"Blighexclaimed,turningtothegunner."Thatshowstheneedforabotanistineveryship'scompany.We'vewalkedmilesforafewberries,andMr.Nelsonfindsfoodforuswithinadozenpacesoftheboat!"

"Aye,"saidPeckover."I'dbepleasedtohavetheknowledgeinsideMr.Nelson'shead.We'vefoundgoodwater,Mr.Ledward,andplentyofit.Wecandrinkourfillwhilehere."

Fryerandhismenwerecomingupthebeach--wellladen,asIperceivedataglance.

"Weshallfeastto-night,"hecalled."We'vefoundoystersgalore!Andlargerandbettertastingthanthoseathome!"

"Come,lads,"saidBligh;"letusturntowithoutwasteoftime."

Ihaveneverbeenaversetothepleasuresofthetable,andhavehadthe

goodfortunetopartakeofmanyexcellentmeals;butneverdoIrecollecthavingsuppedwithmorepleasurethanonthisnight.Fryerhadadoptedthesimpleexpedientofopeningtheoysterswheretheygrew,withoutattemptingtoloosethemfromtherocks.Ourcopperpotheldclosetothreegallons,anditwasmorethanhalffullofoystersofanamazingsize,soakingintheirownjuice.Someofthepeoplehadwovenbasketsofpalmfronds,anarttheyhadlearnedfromtheIndiansofOtaheite,andinthesetheycarriedasupplyofunopenedoysters,prizedofftherockswithacutlass.Thefruitswereexcellent,particularlyonekindwhichresembledagooseberry,buttastedsweeter;thepalmheartswereliketenderyoungcabbage,eatenraw.

IrecommendedNelson,Lamb,andSimpsontoeatofnothingbutoysters

thatnight,--adietsuitabletotheirdistressedstate,--andImyselfrefrainedfromanythingelse.Thenightwaswarmandclear.Whenwehadsupped,anddrunktoourheart'scontentofthecool,sweetwateroftheisland,Icomposedmyselfforsleeponthesand.

Thefirmgroundseemedstilltorockandheave.Butitwaswonderfullyagreeabletostretchmylegsouttotheirfullextent;tolieonthewarmsandandgazeupatthestars.Iwassorryforsomeofthepeople,whohadbeenorderedtoanchorthelaunchinshallowwater,nearthesands,andtosleepaboardofher.Mr.Blighthoughtitnotunlikelythat



Indiansmightbeabout.PresentlyIclosedmyeyestothankmyMakerbrieflyforHisgoodnessinpreservingus;afewmomentslaterIfellintoadreamlesssleep.

Iwasawakenedbytheloudchatteringofparrots,flyingfromtheinteriorofourisland,wheretheyappearedtoroost,tothemain.Flockafterflockpassedoverheadwithagreatclamour;thelastofthemhadgonebeforethesunwasup.Mycompanionslaysleepingcloseby,intheattitudestheyhadassumedthenightbefore.IsawtheboatswainwadeashorefromthelaunchandkneelonthewetsandwhileherepeatedtheLord'sPrayerinarumblingvoice,plainlyaudiblewhereIlay.Herose,strippedoffhisshirtandraggedtrousers,andplungedintotheshallowbay,scrubbinghisheadandshouldersvigorously.Longingtofollowhisexample,Imanagedtostruggletomyfeet,andwaspleasedtodiscoverthatIcouldwalk.

Stillsplashinginthesea,Colegreetedme."Noneedtoaskhowyeslept,Mr.Ledward!Yelookanewman!"

IfeltonewhenIhadbathedinthecoolseawaterandresumedmytatteredgarments,whichaLondonragpickerwouldhavescornedtoaccept.TheotherswererisingasIturnedinland,walkingwiththeuncertaingaitofayear-oldchild.

Nelsonmanagedtostandatthesecondattempt,butwasforcedtosinkdownagainimmediately,doubledupwithasharppaininhisstomach."I'veamindtoaskyoutophysicme,"hesaidwithawrysmile.disappearedinthedirectionofthemain.IsawNelson'seyesrovingthiswayandthatashestudiedthevegetationaboutus.

"Thesepalmsarenewtome,"hesaid;"yetIfeelcertainthattheirhearts,likethoseofthecoconutpalm,willprovideexcellentsalad."

Presentlythesunwentdown,andfaralongthebeachwesawtheforagingpartyreturning.Iknewhewwearytheymustbe,andfeltashamedofmyownlackofstrength.

"We'reauselesspair,Nelson,"Isaid."Whywerewenotgivenstrongerbodies?"

"Neverfear,"hereplied."We'llsoonbetakingourshareoflabour.Ifeelgreatlyrefreshedalready."

ThecaptainandPeckoverhadtheirhatspartlyfilledwithfruitsoftwosorts.

"Havealookatthese,Mr.Nelson,"saidBligh."ByGod!We'vefoundlittleforthelengthofthewalk.Iobservedthatthebirdseatfreelyoftheseberries.Maywenotdothesame?"

"Aye,theylookwholesomeandgood.Irecognizetheirfamilies,butthespeciesarenewtome.Thesepalms,sir--cannotsomeofthepeoplecutoutafewofthehearts?We'llfindthemdelicious,I'llbebound."

"There,Peckover!"Blighexclaimed,turningtothegunner."Thatshowstheneedforabotanistineveryship'scompany.We'vewalkedmilesforafewberries,andMr.Nelsonfindsfoodforuswithinadozenpacesoftheboat!"

"Aye,"saidPeckover."I'dbepleasedtohavetheknowledgeinsideMr.



Nelson'shead.We'vefoundgoodwater,Mr.Ledward,andplentyofit.Wecandrinkourfillwhilehere."

Fryerandhismenwerecomingupthebeach--wellladen,asIperceivedataglance.

"Weshallfeastto-night,"hecalled."We'vefoundoystersgalore!Andlargerandbettertastingthanthoseathome!"

"Come,lads,"saidBligh;"letusturntowithoutwasteoftime."

Ihaveneverbeenaversetothepleasuresofthetable,andhavehadthegoodfortunetopartakeofmanyexcellentmeals;butneverdoIrecollecthavingsuppedwithmorepleasurethanonthisnight.Fryerhadadoptedthesimpleexpedientofopeningtheoysterswheretheygrew,withoutattemptingtoloosethemfromtherocks.Ourcopperpotheldclosetothreegallons,anditwasmorethanhalffullofoystersofanamazingsize,soakingintheirownjuice.Someofthepeoplehadwovenbasketsofpalmfronds,anarttheyhadlearnedfromtheIndiansofOtaheite,andinthesetheycarriedasupplyofunopenedoysters,prizedofftherockswithacutlass.Thefruitswereexcellent,particularlyonekindwhichresembledagooseberry,buttastedsweeter;thepalmheartswereliketenderyoungcabbage,eatenraw.

IrecommendedNelson,Lamb,andSimpsontoeatofnothingbutoystersthatnight,--adietsuitabletotheirdistressedstate,--andImyselfrefrainedfromanythingelse.Thenightwaswarmandclear.Whenwehadsupped,anddrunktoourheart'scontentofthecool,sweetwateroftheisland,Icomposedmyselfforsleeponthesand.

Thefirmgroundseemedstilltorockandheave.Butitwaswonderfullyagreeabletostretchmylegsouttotheirfullextent;tolieonthewarmsandandgazeupatthestars.Iwassorryforsomeofthepeople,whohadbeenorderedtoanchorthelaunchinshallowwater,nearthesands,andtosleepaboardofher.Mr.BlighthoughtitnotunlikelythatIndiansmightbeabout.PresentlyIclosedmyeyestothankmyMakerbrieflyforHisgoodnessinpreservingus;afewmomentslaterIfell

intoadreamlesssleep.

Iwasawakenedbytheloudchatteringofparrots,flyingfromtheinteriorofourisland,wheretheyappearedtoroost,tothemain.Flockafterflockpassedoverheadwithagreatclamour;thelastofthemhadgonebeforethesunwasup.Mycompanionslaysleepingcloseby,intheattitudestheyhadassumedthenightbefore.IsawtheboatswainwadeashorefromthelaunchandkneelonthewetsandwhileherepeatedtheLordsPrayerinarumblingvoice,plainlyaudiblewhereIlay.Herose,strippedoffhisshirtandraggedtrousers,andplungedintotheshallowbay,scrubbinghisheadandshouldersvigorously.Longingtofollowhisexample,Imanagedtostruggletomyfeet,andwaspleasedtodiscoverthatIcouldwalk.

Stillsplashinginthesea,Colegreetedme."Noneedtoaskhowyeslept,Mr.Ledward!Yelookanewman!"

IfeltonewhenIhadbathedinthecoolseawaterandresumedmytatteredgarments,whichaLondonragpickerwouldhavescornedtoaccept.TheotherswererisingasIturnedinland,walkingwiththeuncertaingaitofayear-oldchild.

Nelsonmanagedtostandatthesecondattempt,butwasforcedtosink



downagainimmediately,doubledupwithasharppaininhisstomach."I'veamindtoaskyoutophysicme,"hesaidwithawrysmile.

Ishookmyhead."Itwouldbeimprudentinourstateofweakness.Ourpainandtenesmusareduetotheemptinessofourbowels."

Blighjoinedusatthatmoment."Soundadvice,sir,"hesaid;"ifalaymanmayexpressanopinion.Tophysicmeninourstatewouldbutweakenusstillmore.Ihavesufferedfromthesameviolentpains.We'llbequitofthemonceourbelliesarefilled."Heturnedtohailtheboatswain."Comeashore,Mr.Cole,thelotofyou."

Fryerwassentoutwithapartytogetoysters,andtwomendispatchedinlandforfruit.ColeandPurcellweresettoputtingtheboatinorder,incaseweshouldfindsavagesabout.Iwasamongfourorfivewhomthecaptainorderedtorestthroughoutthemorning.Nelsonlaybesidemeintheshade.

"WhatthedevilisColeupto?"heremarked.

Theboatswainwaswadingaboutthelaunch,movingincirclesandstaringdownintothewater.Aftersometimehecameashorewithalongface.Blighwaswritinginhisjournal,andglancedupasColeaddressedhim.

"Thelowergudgeonoftherudder'sgone,sir,"hesaid."Itmusthavedroppedoffaswewasenteringthebay.It'snotonthesand--thatI'llvouchfor."

Blighclosedhisjournalwithasnap,andstoodup."Unshiptherudder.Areyousureit'snowhereundertheboat?"

"I'vemadecertainofthat,sir."

"ThenlendMr.Purcellahand."HeturnedtoNelson."We'veProvidencetothankthatthisdidnothappenafewdaysago!Ihadgrummetsfixedoneithersideofthetransom,asyouobserved,incasewewereforcedtosteerwiththeoars;butinsevereweatheritwouldhavebeennextto

impossibletokeepafloatwiththem.Weshouldhavebroached-to,almostcertainly."

Presentlythecarpenterbroughttherudderashore.

"It'sbeenunderheavystrains,sir,"heexplained."The'screwsholdingthegudgeontothesternpostmusthaveloosenedinthewood."

"Well,whatcanbedone?"

Purcellheldoutalargestaple."Ifoundthisunderthefloorboards.Itwillserve."

"Doyourbest,andseethatitisstoutlyset.Wemustbeachtheboatandexamineherbottomto-day."

Thecaptaintookleaveofusandwanderedinlandtosearchforfruit.Purcellhammeredathisstapleonarock,fittingitscurvetothepintleoftherudder.Irecommendedtheinvalidstodrinkfrequentlyofwater,takingasmuchastheycouldhold,andsetthemanexamplebydoingthesame.

"It'sgrubIneed,notwater!"saidLamb,makingawryfaceasIhanded



himacoconut-shellful.

"You'llhaveplentyofthatshortly,mylad!"Isaid.

Simpsoncrawledoffforanotheruselessattempttoperformtheimpossible."Poordevil!"Nelsonsaid."I'llsoonbedoingthesame."

Alittlebeforenoontheoystergatherersreturnedwithabountifulsupply.NelsonandIhadarrangedahearthofstones,andfoundstrengthtogatheraquantityoffirewood.Blighwassoononhandtokindlethefirewithhismagnifyingglassandsupervisethemakingofthestew--ourfirsttasteofhotfoodsinceleavingTofoa,nearlyamonthbefore.Thepeopleweregatheredinacircleaboutourfireplace,staringatthepotlikeapackofwolves.

Whenalltheoystershadbeenopened,wefoundthattheyandtheirliquorfilledthepottowithinfourinchesofthebrim.CaptainBlighorderedSamueltoweighoutatwenty-fifthofapoundofbreadforeachman,makingthreequartersofapoundinall.Apoundoffatporkwasnowcutupveryfineandthrownintothestew,alreadybeginningtobubbleoverabriskfire.IwassittingwithNelsonontheleeside,inhalingsavourywhiffsofsteamthatdriftedpast.

"Letusaddaquartofseawater,"saidthemastertoMr.Bligh."Itwill

serveassalt,andmakethestewgofurther."

"No,Mr.Fryer.Whatwithoystersandthepork,itwillbesaltyenoughasitis."

"Wecouldaddfreshwatertomakemoreofit.There'llnotbeenoughtogoround."

"Notenough,withafullpinteach?"saidBlighimpatiently."Ifitwilldoforme,itwilldoforyourself,sir."

Fryersaidnomore.

Presentlythestewwasready.ItwasservedoutinBligh'sowncoconutshell,knowntoholdexactlyapint.Myownshellhelddoublethat,andwhenIhadbeenservedIwishedwiththemasterthattheamountmighthavebeenmore.Thecrumbledbitsofbreadhadboileddowntominglewiththeliquorfromtheoystersandthefatpork,formingasauceanaldermanmightnothavedespised.ItastedasmallquantitywithalittlespoonIhadwhittledoutofabitofdriftwood.

"Damme,sir!"saidBligh,turningtoNelson."Many'sthetimeI'veeatenworsethanthisonHisMajesty'sships."

"Andmanyabettermealyouhaveenjoyedless,Idaresay,"Nelsonreplied.

"I'veservedonships,"saidFryer,"wherewe'dnotsuchamealforsixmonthstogether."

"Aye,"saidthecaptain."Hunger'stheonlysauce.Itwasdamnnearworthstarvingforamonthtohavesucharelishforvictuals...Doyoumindwhatdayitis,Mr.Nelson?"

"Whatday?Icouldnotbesureoftellingyouwithinaweek."



"ItisFriday,thetwenty-ninthofMay:theanniversaryoftheRestorationofKingCharlestheSecond.WeshallcallthisRestorationIsland,inhismemory.Thenamewillserveinadoublesense.Wehavebeenrestored,Godknows!"

Employingsomeself-restraint,Imanagedtoeatmysharesoastotakeafullhalfhourtofinishit.Fryer,Iobserved,gulpedhisdowninaninstant,andheldouthisshellforthefewspoonfulsleftoverforeveryman.PurcellandLenkletterplayedthegluttonsaswell,andIwasforcedtowarnSimpson,stillinaveryweakstate,againstswallowinghisfoodtoofast.

NelsonandIfeltsomuchrevivedafterdinnerthatwesetoutforatotteringwalkintotheisland.Wefounditrocky,withabarrensoil,supportingagrowthofstuntedtrees.Thereweremanyofthesmallpalmswhoseheartswehadfoundgoodtoeat;Irecognizedthe_purau_,ofOtaheite,inastuntedform;andtherewereothertreeswhichNelsoninformedmeresembledthepoisonousmanchineeloftheWestIndies.Aboutthesummitoftheisland,notaboveonehundredandfiftyfeetinheight,greatnumbersofparrotsandlargepigeonswerefeedingontheberriesheregrowinginabundance,butthoughwetriedtoknockthemdownwithstones,thebirdswereashardtoapproachaspartridgesinEngland.Wegatheredaquantityofthebettersortofberries,whicheatverywellindeed,andaswewanderedtowardtheeasternsideoftheislandwecame

upontwotumbled-downhutsoftheIndians.ThesewereruderthananyIndianhabitationsIhadseen.Nelsonstoopedovertheblackenedstonesofafireplacetotakeuparoughlyfashionedspear,withthesharpendhardenedinthefire.

AtthatmomentIperceivedinthesandthetracksofsomelargeanimal,unlikethefootprintsofanybeastknowntome.Nelsonexaminedthetrackswithinterest.

"IthinkIcannamethebeast,"hesaid:"Mr.Gore,Captaincook'slieutenant,shotoneatEndeavourRiver,southofhere.Itwasasgreatasaman,mouse-coloured,andranhoppingonitshindlegs.TheIndianscalledit_kanguroo_."

"Howcouldithavecomehere?"Iasked."Dotheyswim?"

"ThatIdon'tknow.Perhaps;oritmaybethattheIndiansstocktheseislandswithyoungones,wheretheymaybeeasilycaughtwhenrequired."

"Isthefleshfitforfood?"

"Cookthoughtitwasgoodasthebestmutton.Thebeastsaresaidtobetimid,andtorunfasterthanahorse."

Asweapproachedtherockyshoreontheeastsideoftheisland,Nelsonchosehimselfalong,widepalmfrond,andsatdown,Indianfashion,to

plaitabasket.Iadmiredthedeftnessofhisfingersastheywovetheleafletsswiftlythiswayandthat;intenminuteshehadcompletedastoutbasket,handleandall,fittoholdafullbushel.

"Nowfortheshellfish!"heremarked,asheroseshakilytohisfeet."Gad,Ledward!Ifeelanewmanto-day!"

Isettoworkwiththecutlass,openingtheoystersgrowinghereandthereontherocksbelowhighwatermark;withhisIndianspear,Nelsonwadedamongthepools.Isoonhadthreeorfourdozenoystersinthe



basket.NelsonaddedtwolargecocklesoftheTridacnakindtoourbag:thepairofthemamealforaman.Itwasmidafternoonwhenwetookupourburdensandtrudgedbacktotheencampment,haltingfrequentlytorest.

Ourstewthatafternoonwasanobleone--oysters,cockles,andchopped-upheartofpalm.ThislatterwasaddedatNelson'ssuggestion,andwasthecauseofsomemurmuring.

"Arewetohavenobread,sir?"askedthecarpentersourly.

"No,"repliedCaptainBligh;"weshallsaveourbread.Mr.Nelsonsaysthesepalmheartsareasgoodcookedasraw."

Fryerstoodbywithagloomyface."Itwillruinthestew,"hesaid."Thebreadwasthemakingofitatdinnertime."

"Aye,sir,"putinPurcell,"giveusbuthalfthefullamount.It'llbepoorstuffwithoutthebread."

Blighturnedawayimpatiently."Damnit,no!"hereplied."You'regrownqueasyasyoungladiesontheislandhere!Waittillyoutastethestew,ifyoumustcomplain."

Ourmealwassoonpronounceddone,andeachmanreceivedafullpintandahalf.Thesauceseemedtomeevenbetterthanthatwehadeatenatdinner,andoncethementasteditallmurmuringceased.

Atsunset,whenitfelldeadcalm,weobservedseveralcolumnsofsmokeatadistanceoftwoorthreemilesonthemain.Blighorderedsomeofthepeopletopassthenightintheboat,andawatchwaskeptonshore.

"Wemustbeonourguard,"hesaid;"thoughIbelievethereissmalldangeroftheIndiansvisitingusto-night.Ourfiremadenosmoke,andtheycannothaveseentheboat."

Asdarknesscameon,Blighwentdowntothebeach,whereColewason

watch,andremainedforalongtimeseatedonthesandchattingwithhim,whiletherestofusretiredtooursleepingplaces.

Nelsonwasasleepalmostatonce;butreturningstrengthhadleftmewakeful,andIlayforalongtimegazingatthestarlitsky.Purcellandthemasterlaycloseby,conversinginlowtones.Perhapstheythoughtmeasleep;inanyevent,Icouldnotavoidoverhearingwhattheysaid.Afteratime,Iperceivedthattheirtalkhadturnedtothemutiny.

"Ungrateful?"thecarpenterwassaying."Damnmyeyes!Whathadtheytobegratefulfor?Christianwastreatedworsethanadoghalfthetime.Iexcusenoneof'em,mind!I'dbepleasedtoseeeverymanofthelotswingingatayardarm;butI'llsaythis:Ifeveracaptaindeservedto

losehisship,oursdid."

"Ifthat'syourfeeling,whydidn'tyoujoinwithChristian?"saidFryer.

"It'snoloveforCaptainBlighthatkeptmefromit,I'llpromiseyouthat,"saidPurcell."He'shimselftothankforthemutiny,andsoI'llsayifwe'vethelucktogethome."

"Hehashisfaults,"saidFryer."Hetrustsnoneofhisofficerstoperformtheirduties,butmusthaveahandineverything.Butifyou



thinkhimaTartar,youshouldsailwithsomeofthecaptainsI'veservedunder.TherewasoldSandyEvans!Thelasttopmanofftheyardgothalfadozenwithacolt.Hecalledit'encouraging'them."

"I'dratherbefloggedthancursedbeforemyownmen,"growledPurcell."YoumindwhathecalledmebeforemymatesinAdventureBay?AndwhathesaidtoChristian,withallthepeopleabout,thedaybeforetheyseizedtheship?"

"He'soverfreewithhistongue,"admittedFryer."Butwhatcaptainisnot?TheNavy'snoplaceforthinskins.Hardwordsandfloggingsarewhatseamenunderstand."Hepausedforamoment."I'veservedundereasiercaptains,"headded."He'sahardmantoplease.Butwherewouldwebewithouthimnow?Tellmethat.Whomwouldyouwishinhisplaceinthelaunch?"

"I'mnotsayinghelackshisgoodpoints,"thecarpenteradmittedgrudgingly.

WhenIfellasleepatlast,theirvoiceswerestillmurmuringon.Iawokefeelingbetterthanformanydayspast.Nelsonwasalreadyup,andapartywassettingoutdownthebeachinsearchofnewbedsofoysters.BlighwasspeakingtoPurcell.

"Isawsomegood_purau_treesnearthesummitoftheisland,"hesaid."Takeyouraxeandseeifyoucanfindusapairofspareyards."Heturnedtotheboatswain."Mr.Cole,seethatthecasksareallfilledandplacedintheboat."

IwentoffoysteringwithNelson,bothofusabletowalkprettywellbynow.Whenwereturned,preparationsfordinnerwereunderway.Mr.Blighheldinhishandthelastofourpork,apieceofabouttwopounds'weight,wellstreakedwithlean.HehandedittoHall,motioninghimtocutitupforthepot.

"We'llsailwithfullbellies,"heremarked."Sincesomevillainrobbedhismatesoftheirpork,we'llputitoutofhispowertoplaythat

scurvytrickagain."

HelookedhardatLambashespoke,anditseemedtomethatthemanhunghisheadwithsomeslightexpressionofguilt.

Withplentyofoysters,aboutacoupleofouncesofporkforeachman,andtheusualrationofbread,wedinedsumptuously;hadwehadalittlepeppertoseasonit,thestewwouldhavebeenpronouncedexcellentanywhere.Wehadscarcefinishedeatingwhenthecaptainspoke:--

"Weshallsetsailabouttwohoursbeforesunset.Withthismooncomingon,wecanavoidthedangerofcanoesbytravelingasmuchaspossiblebynight.Mr.NelsonandIwillremaintoguardthelaunch;therestofyou

gatheroystersforaseastore."

Themasterhadjuststretchedoutforasiestaafterhisdinner,andhesatupwithagloomyexpressionatBligh'swords.

"Canwenotrestthisafternoon,sir?"heasked."Noneofushashisfullstrengthasyet,andsurelyweshallfindoystersateverylandingplace."

"Aye,"growledPurcell."Youpromisedusweshouldtouchatmanyislands



beforeclearingEndeavourStraits."

"Idid,"saidthecaptain;"butwhatassurancehaveyouthatweshallfindoystersonthem?We_know_thatthereareplentyhere."Heflushed,controllinghistemperwithsomedifficulty."We'venaughtbutbreadnow,andlittleenoughofthat.Fetchwhatoystersyouwish,ornoneatall!I'mtiredofyourdamnedcomplaints!"Heturnedhisbackandwalkedawayasiffearingtolosecontrolofhimself.Shamedintoacquiescence,Fryerandthecarpenternowjoinedtheotherssettingoutalongtheshore.

Thecaptain'sclerkwasstrollingsouthwardwithabasketonhisarm,andIjoinedhim,sinceNelsonwastoremainwiththeboat.

"YouknowyourBible,Mr.Ledward,"remarkedSamuel,whenwewereoutofearshotoftheothers."DoyourecollectthepassageconcerningJeshurunwhowaxedfat,andkicked?"

"Aye;anditfallspatonRestorationIsland!"

Samuelsmiled."Wherewouldtheybe,wherewouldweallbe,withoutCaptainBligh?Yettheymustmurmurthemomenttheirbelliesarefull!I'venopatiencewithsuchmen."

"NorI."Glancingattheclerk'sformerlyplumpbody,nowreducedto

littlemorethanskinandbones,andcladinrags,Icouldnotrepressasmile.

"Thoughwekick,"Isaid,"noneofuscouldbeaccusedofwaxingfat!"

Towardfouro'clockwereturnedwithwhatshellfishwehadbeenabletosecure,andfoundallinreadinesstosail.Wetookourplacesinthelaunch,thegrapnelwasweighed,andweweregettingsailonher,whenaboutascoreofIndiansappearedontheoppositeshoreofthemain,shoutingloudlyatus.Theheadsofmanyotherswerediscernibleabovetheridgebehindthem;but,toourgreatcontent,theyseemedtobeunprovidedwithcanoes.Owingtothisfortunatecircumstance,wewereabletopassprettyclosetothem,withafreshbreezeatE.S.E.They

carriedlong,slenderlancesintheirrighthands,andintheirlefthandssomesortofweaponorimplementofanovalshapeandabouttwofeetlong.

TheseIndianswereunlikeanywehadseenintheSouthSea;theywerecoalblack,tall,andremarkablythin,withlong,skinnylegs.Twoofthemenstoodleaningontheirspears,withonekneebent,andthesoleofthefootpressedagainsttheinsideoftheotherthigh--anattitudecomicalasitwasuncouth.Thoughtoofarofftodistinguishtheirfeaturesclearly,theyseemedtomequiteasuglyasthenativesofVanDiemen'sLand.

Thebreezefreshenedaswedrewoutofthelee,andthelaunchfootedit

brisklytothenorth,whilethehallooingofsavagesgrewfainterandfinallydiedaway.

CHAPTERX

RestorationIslandhadprovedwellworthyofitsname.ItmightastruthfullyhavebeencalledPreservationIsland,forthereisnodoubt



whateverthat,hadwebeendelayedadayortwolongerinreachingit,severalofournumbermusthavesuccumbed.NelsonandIwouldhavebeentwoofthese;weweredrawinguponourlastreservesofstrengthwhenwepassedthroughthechannelintothegreatlagoonsofNewHolland.But,afterthreedaysofrestandasufficiencyoffood,wewerewonderfullyrestored;somuchso,thatwecouldtakeinterestandpleasureinthescenesbeforeus.

Ourswas,infact,agreatprivilege,andIwasgratefulforthefactthatIhadrecoveredstrengthenoughtorecognizeit.Wewerecoastingtheshoresofamightycontinent,throughwatersandamongislandsallbutunknowntowhitemen.Indeed,insofarasIknew,CaptainCookalonehadpassedthiswaybeforeus.Onourleftlaythemain,stretchingaway,weknewnothowmanyhundredsorthousandsofleagues,andwrappedinasilencethatseemedtohavelaintheresincethebeginningoftime--adeep,all-pervadingstillnesslikethatofmid-oceanonacalmday.Notoneofus,Ithink,butfeltthevastnessofthispresence.

Wehadinviewalow,barren-lookingcoastthatappearedacompletesolitude,uninhabitedanduninhabitable;andyetweknew,fromourexperienceofthedaybefore,thatafewbandsofsavages,atleast,mustfindsustenancethere.Wesawmoreofthembeforewehadsailedmanymiles.

Anumberofsmallislandswereinsighttothenortheast.CaptainBlighdirectedourcoursebetweenthemandthemain.Thestraitwasnomorethanamilewide,andaswewerepassingthroughit,asmallpartyofsavageslikethosewehadalreadyseencamedowntotheforeshoreonourlefthandandstoodregardingus.

"Now,"saidBligh,"Imeantohaveacloserviewofthosefellows."

Accordingly,westeeredinshoreandlaidtheboatascloseaswasprudenttotherocks.Meanwhile,thesavages,observingourintent,hadrunawaytoadistanceofabouttwohundredyards.

Blighshouted:"Comeaboard,there!"andstoodinthesternsheetswaving

ashirtaloft;butnotafootwouldtheystirfromtheirplaces.Theywerewithoutavestigeofcloathing,andtheirbodieslookedasblackasinkintheclearmorninglight,againstabackgroundofsandandnakedrocks.Theirtimiditywasencouraginginourunarmedandweakenedcondition;wefeltthatwehadlittletofearfromanysmallbandsofthesepeople.

"They'llnevercome,"saidNelson,afterwehadlainatouroarsshoutingandbeckoningtothem."It'sapity,too,fortheyseemharmlessenough,andtheymusthavewaysofgettingfoodthatwouldbemostvaluabletouscouldwelearnwhattheyare."

"No,wemayaswellproceed,"saidBligh."Ishouldliketoseethemnear

athand.SirJosephBanksismostanxioustohaveadescriptionofthesavagesofNewHolland.HeshallhavetobecontentwiththelittleIcantellhimoftheirgeneralappearance."

"Thatisacurious-lookinginstrumenttheycarryintheirlefthands,"Iobserved."Whatcanitspurposebe?"

"Inmyopinion,itissomesortofaspearthrower,"saidNelson."OnethingyoucantellSirJoseph,"headded:"ThereareprobablynosavagesinalltheSouthSeamoreuglyanduncouththanthese.Whatacontrast



theymaketotheIndiansofOtaheite!"

Weagainhoistedsail,andsteeredforanislandinviewbeforeusandaboutfourmilesdistantfromthemain.Thiswereachedinaboutanhour'stime.Theshorewasrocky,butthewatersmooth.Wemadealandingwithoutdifficulty,andsecuredourboatinalittlebasin,whereitrodeincompletesafety.Webroughteverythingashore,thattheboatmightbethoroughlycleanedanddried--puttingourwatervesselsandthecarpenter'schest,withitsprecioussupplyofbread,intheshelterofsomeoverhangingrocks.

Whenwehadscrubbedouttheboat,Mr.Blightoldofftwopartiestogoinsearchofshellfish.Purcellwasplacedinchargeofoneofthese;theothermemberswereTinkler,Samuel,Smith,andHall.Thesemenstoodwaitingforthecarpenter,whohadseatedhimselfonthebeachwiththeairofonewhomeanttopassthedaythere.Theotherparty,inPeckover'scharge,hadalreadygonesouthwardalongthebeach.CaptainBligh,whohadaccompaniedthemalittledistance,nowreturnedtowheretheboatlay.

"Come,Mr.Purcell,"hesaidbrusquely;"setoutatoncewithyourmen.Wehavenotimetolosehere."

Thecarpenterremainedseated."I'vedonemorethanmyshareofwork,"he

said,inasurlyvoice."Youcansendsomeoneelsewiththisparty."

Blighglareddownathim."Doyouhearme?"hesaid."Getyougone,andquickly!"

Thecarpentermadenomotiontoobey."I'masgoodamanasyourself,"hereplied;"andI'llstaywhereIam."

Nelson,themaster,andmyself,besidesthemembersoftheforagingparty,werethewitnessesofthisscene.Ihadlongexpectedsomethingofthesorttohappen,andhadonlywonderedthatanopenbreakbetweenCaptainBlighandthecarpenterhadnotcomebeforethistime.Therewasadeepandnaturalantagonismbetweenthetwomen;theyweretoomuch

alikeincharacterevertohavebeenanythingbutenemies.

Blighstrodeacrossthebeachtowherethecarpenter'schesthadbeenplaced,withtwoofthecutlasseslyinguponit.Seizingtheweapons,hereturnedtowherePurcellsatandthrustoneofthemintohishand.

"Now,"hesaid."Standupanddefendyourself.Standup,Isay!Ifyouareasgoodamanasmyself,youshallproveit,hereandnow!"

TherewasnodoubtoftheseriousnessofBligh'sintent.Despitethegravityofthesituation,asIthinkofitnow,therewassomethingfaintlycomicinitaswell.Inthemind'seyeIhavethesceneclearlyinmind:Thesandyspitofbeach,backedbythenakedrocks;thelittle

groupofspectators,theircloatheshanginginragsontheiremaciatedbodies,lookingonatthesetwo,who,despitestarvationandhardshipsincredible,stillhadfightinthem.Atleast,soIthoughtatfirst;butthecarpenterquicklyshowedthathisrelishforitwasfaintindeed.Herose,holdinghiscutlassslackly,andgazedatBlighwithafrightenedexpression.

"Standback,youothers!"saidBligh."Upwithyourweapon,youmutinousvillain!I'llsoonprovewhetheryouareamanornot!"



Headvancedresolutelytowardthecarpenter,whobackedawayathisapproach.

"Fight,damnyou!"Blighroared."DefendyourselforI'llcutyoudownasyoustand!"

Purcell,althoughalargermanthanBligh,hadlittleofthelatter'sinnerfireandstrength.Blighwasthoroughlyroused;andhadthecarpentertriedtomakegoodhisboast,oneortheotherofthemwould,Iamconvinced,havebeenkilled--andIhavelittledoubtastowhichwouldhavebeenthevictim.ButPurcellmadeacompleteabout-face,andranfromhispursuer,whohaltedandgazedafterhim,breathingrapidly.

"Comeback,Mr.Purcell!"hecried."YouhaveevenlessspiritthanIgaveyoucreditfor!Comehere,sir!...Nowthen;doyouretractwhatyouhavesaid?"

"Yes,sir,"Purcellreplied.

"Verywell,"saidBligh."Letmehavenomoreofyourinsolenceinthefuture.Getaboutyourwork."

ItistoBligh'screditthatheneverafterwardsmentionedthisincident.Asforthecarpenter,hewaswillingenoughtohaveitforeverputoutof

mind.Hehad,Ibelieve,flatteredhimselfthathewasamatchforhiscommander.Fromthistimeon,therelationsofthetwomenwereonabetterfooting.

Theislanduponwhichwehadlandedwasofaconsiderableheight.Whiletheforagingpartieswereout,Mr.Bligh,Nelson,andmyselfwalkedinlandtothe,highestpartofitforabetterviewofoursurroundings;butwecouldseelittlemoreofthemainthanappearedfrombelow.Inourweakenedconditiontheclimbhadbeenafatiguingone,andwetookshelterintheshadeofagreatrocktorecoverourbreath.Thelagoonsweremiraclesofvividcolouringintheclearmorninglight.Wecouldplainlyseethetinyfiguresoftheforagingpartiesastheymadetheirway'slowlyalongtheshallows,searchingforshellfish.Almostdirectly

belowuswasthelaunch,lookingsmallerthanachild'stoyinthebightwhereshelay.

"Thereshelies,"saidBligh,gazingfondlyatthetinycraft."Iloveeverystrakeofplanking,everynailinher.Mr.Nelson,couldyouhavebelievedthatshecouldhavecarriedeighteenmensuchavoyageaswehavecome?Couldyou,Mr.Ledward?"

"Iwasthinkingofjustthat,"Nelsonreplied."WehavebeenunderGod'sguidance.Itmusthavebeenso."

"Aye,"saidBligh,noddinggravely."ButGodexpectedustoplayourpart.WeshouldnothavehadHishelp,otherwise."

"Whatdistancehavewecome,inall,sir?"Iasked.

"Ihavethismorningreckoneditup,"saidBligh."IthinkIamnotfaroutinsayingthatwehavesailed,fromTofoatothepassagewithinthereefsofNewHolland,adistanceoftwothousand,threehundredandninetymiles."

"Godbethankedthatwehavesomuchofthevoyagebehindus,"saidNelson,fervently."Thisleavesuswithonethousandmilesahead,doesit



not?"

"Morethanthat,"Blighreplied."AsnearlyasIcanrecollect,wehavebetweenonehundredandfiftyandtwohundredmilestocoastNewHollandbeforewereachEndeavourStraits;butonceagainintheopensea,weshallhavenomorethanthreehundredleaguesbetweenusandTimor."

Nelsonturnedtome."Ledward,howlongcanamango,intheordinarycourseofnature,withoutpassingstool?"

"Tendaysisalongperiodundermorenormalcircumstances,"Ireplied,"butoursituationisanythingbutausualone.Wehavehadsolittlefoodthatourbodiesseemtohaveabsorbedthewholeofit."

"SoIthink,"saidBligh."Therecouldhavebeennothinginourbowelsuntilwithinadayortwopast.Youlookanotherman,Mr.Nelson,nowthatyouhavehadrestandbetterfood.WeshallallhavetimetogainnewstrengthbeforewepushoffforTimor."

"Imeantosurvive,"Nelsonreplied,smilingfaintly;"ifonlytodefeatthepurposeofthewretcheswhocondemnedustothismisery."

"Spokenlikeaman,sir,"saidBligh.Acoldglintcameintohiseyesandhislipsweresetinathinline."ByGod!Icouldsailthelaunchto

England,ifnecessary,withnothingbutwaterinmybelly,forthesakeofbringingthemtojustice!"

Herosetohisfeetandstrodebackandforthacrossthelittleflat-toppedeminencewherewerested;thenhehaltedbeforeus.Pale,hollow-eyed,hisshredsofcloathinghanginglooselyuponhisbones,heyethadwithinhimafundofenergythatamazedme.Mentionofthemutineershadstirredhimasthecallofatrumpetstirsanoldcavalryhorse.Helaughedinhisharshmirthlessway."Theyflatterthemselvesthattheyhaveseenthelastofme,"hesaid;"theGoddamnedinhuman,black-heartedbastards!ButDivineProvidenceseesthemandwillhelpmetotrackthemdown!"

Nelsonthrewaquick,quizzicalglanceinmydirection.Blighwasquiteunconsciousofthemixtureofblasphemyandreverenceinhisremark.

"Shallyouendeavourtosearchforthemyourself?"Nelsonasked.

"Endeavour?ByGod,Ishallmorethanendeavour!IshallsitonthedoorstepattheAdmiraltydayandnightuntiltheygivemecommandoftheshipthatistosearchthemoutandbringthemtojustice.Ihavefriendsathomewhowillmakemyinteresttheirown.IshallnotdrawaquietbreathuntilIamoutwardbound,ontheirtrail."

"Yourfamilymaytakeadifferentviewofthematter,sir,"Isaid."IfwearefortunateenoughtoreachEngland,Mrs.Blighwillnotwishtolet

yougososoonagain."

"Youknowmelittle,Mr.Ledward,ifyouthinkIshalldawdleathomewiththosevillainsunhung.NotadayshallIspendthereifIhavemyway.AsforMrs.Bligh,sheisnoordinarywoman.ShewillbethefirsttobidmeGodspeed...Letusgodown,"headded,afteramomentofsilence."Igrudgeeverymomentthatwearenotproceedingonourway."

NelsonandIrosetofollowhim.Blighstoodlookingtowardasmallsandy



caythatcouldbeseenataconsiderabledistancetothenorthward,andseveralmilesfartherfromthemainthantheislanduponwhichwethenwere.

"Weshallgothereforthenight,"hesaid."Itwillbeasaferrestingplace.Thesavagesyondermusthaveseenuslandhere.Theyseemharmlessenough;andyet,withoutweaponstodefendourselves,Imeantotakenorisks."

Wewentdownbyanotherway,tothenorthernsideoftheisland,stoppingnowandthentoexaminetheshrubsandstuntedtreesthatgrewoutofthesandandamongcleftsintherocks.Wefoundnothinginthewayoffoodexceptwildbeans,whichwegatheredinahandkerchief.

"Youaresuretheseareedible,Mr.Nelson?"Blighasked.

"Yes,thereisnottheslightestdanger,"Nelsonreplied."Theyaredolichos.Theflavourisnotallthatmightbewished,butthebeanisanourishingfood.ItisofthegenusofthekidneybeantowhichtheIndiangrambelongs."

"Good,"saidBligh."Letushopethattheothershavecollectedsomeaswellasourselves."

Uponreachingthebeach,wediscoveredanoldcanoelyingbottomupandhalfburiedinthesand.Wedugawayaroundit,butourcombinedstrengthwasnotsufficienttobudgeit,tosaynothingofturningitover.Itwasaboutthirtyfeetlong,withasharp,projectingbow,rudelycarvedintheresemblanceofafish'shead.Weestimatedthatitwouldholdabouttwentymen.

"Hereisproofenough,"saidBligh,"thattheNewHollandersarenotwhollylandlubbers.Inviewofthisfind,Iamallthemorewillingtoproceedfartherfromthemain.Wemustkeepasharplookoutforthesefellows.Inourweakenedconditiontheywouldfindusaneasyprey."

WewerenowjoinedbyPurcellandhispartyofforagers,carryingour

copperpotonapolebetweenthem.Theyhadhadsplendidluck--thepotwasmorethanhalffulloffine,fatclamsandoysters.Blighputthecarpenterateasebygreetinghiminhisusualmanner.

"Itcouldn'tbebetter,Mr.Purcell,"hesaid."Everymanshallhaveabellyfulto-day.Astewofthese,mixedwithdolichobeans--manyaship'scompanywillfareworsethanourselvesthisday."

Iwaspleasedtofindahealthyhungergnawingatmystomach;nothingcouldhavelookedmoresucculentthantheseafood,andeverymanofuswaseagertobeatthecampwiththepotsetoveragoodfire.Itwashighnoonwhenwejoinedtheothers.Peckover'spartyhadjustcomeinwithasupplyofclamsandoystersalmostequalinamounttothatinthe

pot.Theyhadalsofound,onthesouthsideoftheisland,anabundanceoffreshwaterinhollowsoftherocks--morethanenoughtofillourvessels.Everycircumstancefavouredus.Thesunshoneinacloudlesssky,sothatCaptainBlighwasable,withhismagnifyingglass,tokindleafireatonce.Theoystersandclamswerenowdumpedintothepot,togetherwithaquartandahalfofdolichobeans.Therequisiteamountofwaterwasadded,andtomakeourstewyetmoretasty,eachman'susualamountofbreadwasaddedtoit.SmithandHall,ourcooks,hadwhittledoutlongwoodenspoonswithwhichtheystirredthestewasitcametoaboil,sendingupasavourysteamthatmadethewallsofouremptybellies



quiverwithanticipation.Whenthestewhadcookedforagoodtwentyminutes,--thetimehadseemedhourstomostofus,--thepotwassetoffthefire;andwegatheredroundwithourhalf-coconutshells,whilethecooksladledintoeachman'sshellallthatitcouldholdofclams,oysters,beans,anddeliciousbroth;andwhenallhadbeenserved,therewasstillenoughinthepotforahalfpintmore,allround.Thebeanswerenotsotastyaswehadhoped,butwemadeasmallmatterofthat.

Afterourmealwerestedforanhourintheshadeoftherocks.IhadjustfallenintoarefreshingsleepwhenMr.Bligharousedme."Sorrytodisturbyou,Mr.Ledward,"hesaid,"butwemustpushon.Wearetooclosetothemainhere,andIhavenodesireforanynightvisitsfromthesavages."

Itwasthenaboutmid-afternoon.Withalightbreeze,wedirectedourcoursetoagroupofsandycayswhichlayaboutfiveleaguesoffthecontinentalshore.Darknesshadfallenbeforewereachedthemand,aswecouldfindnosuitablelandingplace,wecametoagrapnelandremainedinthelaunchuntildawn.Allthroughthenightweheardthecriesofinnumerableseafowl,anddaylightshowedusthatoneofthecayswasaplaceofresortforbirdsofthenoddykind.Wefoundthatwewereonthewesternmostoffoursmallislands,surroundedbyareefofrocks,andconnectedwithsandbankswhosesurfacewasbarelyabovehightide.Withinthemlayamirrorlikelagoonwithasmallpassage,intowhichwe

broughtthelaunch.

Thisplace,sofarfromthemain,seemeddesignedbynatureasarefugeformeninourcondition.CaptainBlighnamedit"LagoonIsland,"andgladdenedourheartsbyinformingusthatheproposedtospendthedayandthefollowingnighthere.Unfortunately,thecayswerelittlemorethanheapsofrockandsand,coveredwithcoarsegrassandasparsegrowthofbushandstuntedtrees;buttherewereenoughoftheselattertoprotectusfromtheheatofthesun.

Ourforcesweredividedsothatsomecouldrestwhileotherssearchedforfood.Thelagoonaboundedinfish;buttryaswewould,wecouldcatchnone.Thiswasagreattrial;afterrepeatedunsuccessfulefforts,we

wereforcedtofallbackuponoystersandclamsandtheonevegetablewhichtheseislandsafforded--dolichobeans.Eventheshellfishwerenotabundanthere,andthepartysentinsearchofthemreturnedataboutteninthemorningwithaverysmallnumber,sothatourdinnerthisdaydidlittlemorethanaggravateourhunger.DuringthelongvoyagefromTofoawehadbeensocoldandmiserablethegreaterpartofthetimethatthepangsofhungerwerekeptincheck.Furthermore,theconstantperiloftheseahadpreventedusfromdwellinguponthethoughtoffood.Thecasewasalterednow,andwethoughtoflittleelse.

Afterourmiddaydinner,Elpinstone,withapartyoffour,wassenttotheisletadjoiningthatatwhichwelay,tosearchforseafowlandtheireggs,forwehadobservedthatthebirdscongregatedatthatplace.

Therestofusweregladenoughtotakeourrest,crawlingintotheshadeofbushesandoverhangingrocks.

OnthisafternoonIenjoyedalongandundisturbedsleepwhichgreatlyrefreshedme;indeed,Ididnotwakenuntilnearsundown,justasMr.Elphinstone'spartywasreturning.Theycameinallbutempty-handed,havinggottennobirdsandonlythreeeggs.Thiswas,evidently,notthenestingseason:theyhadfoundtheisletpracticallydeserted;thebirdswereawayfishingforthemselves,andthefewtheyhadseenweretoowarytobecaught.



"Nevertheless,wemusttryagain,"saidBligh."Theywillsoonbecominghomewithfullgullets.Wecanbesureofcatchingthematnight,andtherewillbeagoodlightfromthemoontohuntby...Mr.Cole,youshalltrythistime.Gowarily,mind!Letthebirdssettleforthenightbeforeyougoamongstthem."

"Aye,sir,we'llseetothat,"saidCole.Samuel,Tinkler,Lamb,andmyselfweretoldofftomakeuphisparty;and,havingprovidedourselveswithsticks,wesetoutforthebirdisland.

Itwasabeautifulevening,coolandfreshnowthatthesunhadset.Therewasnotabreathofairstirring,andthesurfaceofthelagoonsglowedwiththecoloursofthewesternsky.Ourwayledoveracausewayofhard-packedsand,laidoverthecoralreef.Itwasscarcelyadozenpacesacross,andcurvedinawidearcacrossashallowseafilledwithmushroomcoralthatrosetowithinafewfeetofthesurface.Thebarconnectingtheislandswasabouttwomileslong.TinklerandLambweresoonfarahead;theboatswain,Samuel,andIfollowedatamoreleisurelypace,stoppingtoexaminetherockpoolsalongthereefforclamsandoysters,thoughwefoundnothingsaveafewsnails,scarcelylargerthantheendofone'sthumb.Nevertheless,wegatheredthemintothebreadbagwehadbroughttocarrybackthebirds.

WhilstinMr.Bligh'scompanywehadbeencarefultomakenoreferencetothemutiny.Ononeoccasion,Iremember,youngTinklerhadventuredtospeakindefenseoftwoofthemidshipmenwhohadbeenleftbehindonthe _Bounty_;butBlighhadsilencedhiminsuchamannerthatnooneelsewastemptedtobringupthesubjectinhispresence.Butnow,thethreeofus,freedfromrestraint,fellnaturallyintotalkoftheseizureoftheshipandofwhathadleduptoit.

"Whatpuzzlesme,"saidCole,"isthatMr.Christiancouldhavemadehisplanwithoutanyofusgettingwindofit."

"Itwasasuddenresolveonhispart,Iamfairlycertainofthat,"Ireplied.

"That'smyopinion,"saidSamuel."Nodoubtthevillainhadplotteditlongbefore,buthebidedhistimebeforeopeninghismindtotheothers."

Colenodded."Aye,itmusthavebeenso,"hesaid."Whatcouldhavebroughthimtosuchamadact,Mr.Ledward?Canyoureasonitout?He'dnobetterfriendthanCaptainBligh,andhemusthaveknownitinhisheart."Heshookhishead,wonderingly."I'dalikingforMr.Christian,"headded.

Samuelstoppedshortandgazedattheboatswaininahorrifiedmanner.

"'Liking,'Mr.Cole?"heexclaimed.

"Aye,"saidCole."Hewashot-temperedandanythingbuteasyunderMr.Bligh'scorrection;butIneverdoubtedhimagentlemanandaloyalofficer."

"HisMajestycanwellsparegentlemenofChristian'skidneyfromhisservice,"Ireplied."You'retoolenientinyourjudgments,Mr.Cole.Whateverelsemaybesaidofhim,Christianisanintelligentman.Hemusthaveknownthathewascondemningustoallbutcertaindeath."



"Beggingyourpardon,Mr.Ledward,Idon'tbelievehedidknowit.Hemusthavebeenoutofhismind...ThisIwillsay:Mr.Christianwillneveragainknowpeace.He'llhaveusonhisconsciencetillthedayofhisdeath."

"He'llhang,"saidSamuel,confidently."Hidewherehemay,CaptainBlighwillfindhimandbringhimtojustice."

"Letthatbeasitwill,Mr.Samuel,"saidCole."I'llwarranthe'sbeenpunishedenoughasitis."

"DoyouthinkGodcouldforgivehim,Mr.Cole?"Iasked,outofcuriositymorethanforanyotherreason.

"Hecould,sir.There'snocrimesoblackthatGodcannotforgiveitifamantrulyrepents."

"Haveyouforgivenhim?"Ithenasked.

Hewassilentforamomentasheponderedthisquestion.Then,"No,sir,"hereplied,grimly."HeshallneverhavemyforgivenessforthewronghehasdoneCaptainBligh."

Wewerenowclosetothebirdisland.Tinkleralonewasawaitingusthere.

"Where'sLamb,Mr.Tinkler?"Coleasked."Itoldbothofyoutowaitforus."

"Hewashereamomentago.Iorderedhimtohelpmelookforclamswhilewewaited.I'mdamnedifIknowwherehe'sgotto."

"It'syourplacetoknow,Mr.Tinkler,"saidSamuelshortly."CaptainBlighshallhearofthisifanythinggoeswrong."

"Nowdon'tbeatelltale,Samuel,forGod'ssake,"saidTinkler

anxiously."Whatdidyouexpectmetodo--throwhimdownandsitonhishead?Hecan'thavegonefar."

"Theman'safool,"saidSamuel."He'snottobetrustedoutofsight."

"Aye,"saidCole,"ifthere'sawrongwayofdoingathing,Lambwillfindhiswaytoit.Wemayaswellwaithere.There'stimeenough."

NoLambappeared,forallourwaiting.Theafterglowfadedfromthesky,andthemoon,nearingthefull,shonewithincreasingsplendour,palingallbutthebrightestofthestars.Thebirdsmusthavesensedthepresenceofenemies,fortheywerelonginsettling.Theycircledinthousandsovertheisland,fillingtheairwiththeirgratingcries,but

atlastthedeafeningclamourdiedawayandweventuredtoproceedonourexpedition.Theislandwas,roughly,amilelongandabouthalfaswide,andthebirdsappearedtohavecongregatedforthenightonthefarthestpartofit.Weseparatedtoadistanceofaboutfiftyyardsandhadgonebutalittlewaywhentheairwasagainfilledwiththeircriesandthemoonallbutdarkenedbytheirbodies.Icouldguesswhathadhappened:thepreciousLamb,withoutwaitingforus,hadblunderedinamongstthebirds,totheruinofourplans.IsawTinklerandtheboatswainbreakintoarun.Myownlegswerenotequaltotheaddedexertion;indeed,IhadsolittlestrengththatIhaddrawntothelimitofitinreaching



thebirdisland,anditwasallIcouldnowdotowalk,tosaynothingofrunning.BypurechanceImanagedtoknockdowntwonoddiesthatcircledlowovermyhead.Oneofthemwasonlyslightlyhurt,andflutteredawayfromme,butIatlengthmanagedtocaptureit.Havingdoneso,Imyselffelldown,completelyexhausted.ShortlyafterwardIfeltanattackoftenesmuscomingon,buttomysurpriseandreliefIdiscoveredthatIwasevacuating,forthefirsttimeinthirty-threedays.PerhapsIshouldpassoverthismatterinsilence;itisnot,underordinarycircumstances,onetobereferredto;butmembersofmyownprofessionwillunderstandtheinterestItookbothintheperformanceofafunctionsolongdelayed,andtheresultofit.Theexcrementwassomethingcurioustosee--hard,roundpelletsnotsolargeassheep'sturds,andlookingperfectlyblackinthemoonlight.Theamountwaswoefullysmall,andyetIbelievethatitwasallmybowelscontainedatthattime.ItconfirmedmeintheopinionIhadventuredtoMr.Nelson--thatourbodieshadabsorbedallbutaninfinitesimalamountofthelittlenourishmenttheyhadreceived.

Withmytwopreciousbirds,Inowwalkedfeeblyonaftermycompanions,whomIatlengthfoundinonespot,gatheredaroundthecrouchingformoftherecreantLamb.

"Lookatthiswretch,Mr.Ledward!"Samuelshouted,hisvoicetremblingwithrage."Doyouseewhathehasdone?"

Colesaidnothing,butstoodwithhisarmsfolded,gazingattheman.Overhead,thenoddiescircledaboutinthousands;buttheywerefarbeyondreach.Theircrieswereallbutdeafening;wehadtoshouttomakeourselvesheard.

Butnowordswereneededtotellmethetaleofwhathadhappened.Lamb'sfaceandhandsweresmearedwithblood,andaroundhimlaythegnawedcarcassesofninebirdswhichhehadcaughtanddevoured.Imustdohimthecredittosaythathehadmadeagoodjobofthem;scarcelyanythingremainedbutfeathers,bones,andentrails.Hewasmakingsomewhiningappealthatcouldnotbeheardabovethetumultofbirds'cries.Ofasuddentheboatswaingavehimacuffthatknockedhimsprawlingatfull

lengthinthesand.ThenMr.Colebentoverhim."Stophere!"heroared."Ifyoumovefromthisspot,yourogue,I'llthrashyouwithinaninchofyourlife!"

Wecontinuedaquestthatwasnowallbuthopeless.Thebirdswerethoroughlyalarmed,andalthoughwewaitedforafulltwohours,theywouldnotagainsettle.Afewventureddown,butbeforewecouldreachthemtheywouldtakewingagain.Wecaughtbuttwelveinall,thoughweshouldhavereturnedwithourbagfilled.

Wetrudgedbackslowly,wornoutwiththefatigueofthejourneyandreluctanttoreachourcamp,forwewellknewhowbitterwouldbethedisappointmentofthoseawaitingourreturn.Thiswasthefirstbird

islandwehadmetwith,andwehadlookedforwardtoamealofroastedseafowlwithanexpectationthatmighthavebeenlaughablehaditnotbeensopathetic.

Mr.Colecarriedthehag,drivingLambonbeforehim.Themanpersistedinhisabjectentreaties,beggingthatnothingbesaidofthemattertoMr.Bligh:--

"Iwasouto'mehead,Mr.Cole.Iwas,straight.Iwasthatstarved--



"Starved?"saidSamuel."Andwhatoftherestofus,youbloodythief?Outofyourhead!YoucantellthattoCaptainBligh!"Theboatswainhalted."Mr.Samuel,we'dbestnotlethimknowthewholetruthofit."

"What?"exclaimedSamuel."Wouldyoushieldsuchavillain?Whenhe'srobbedsomeofus,itmaybe,oftheverychanceoflife?"

"It'snotthatI'dshieldhim,"saidCole,"butI'dbeashamedtoletCaptainBlighknowwhatapoorthingwe'vegotamongstus."

"Heknowsalready,"Samuelreplied."Hasn'tthemanbeenadeadweighttousallthewayfromTofoa?He'sdonenothingbutlieandwhineinthebottomoftheboatallthevoyage.We'vehimtothank,I'llbebound,forthestolenpork!"

"Ididn'ttouchit,sir!Ididn't!"

"Youdid,yourogue!Itmusthavebeenyou!There'snonebutyourselfwouldhavebeensuchacurastostealfromhisshipmates!"Hewas,inalltruth,awretchedcreature,theinestimableLamb.IhavelittledoubtthatSamuelwasrightinsurmisingthathewasthethiefofthepork.Butasthatwasgone,andthebirdsaswell,IagreedwithColethatnothingwastobegainedbydisclosingLamb'sgorgeofrawbirdflesh.Tinklersidedwithus,andSamuelatlengthagreedtokeepthatpointasecret.

"ButCaptainBlighshallknowwhosefaultitwasthatthebirdswerefrightened,"hesaid.

"Aye,"saidCole."Weoweittoourselvesthatthatshouldbetold."Andsoitwasagreed.

CaptainBlighwas,ofcourse,furious.Hetooktheman'sbirdstickandthrashedhimsoundlywithit;andneverwaspunishmentmorerichlydeserved.

Wewereasadcompanythatevening.Afireofcoalshadbeencarefullytendedagainstourreturn,whenthefowlsweretoberoasted,andevery

manhadpromisedhimselfatleasttwoofthebirds.ButwhenMr.Blighsawthemiserableresultofourexpedition,althoughthetwelvebirdsweredressedandcooked,theywerecarefullypackedawayforfutureuse;andwehadforsupperwater,thehandfulofseasnailswehadfound,andafewoysters.ElphinstoneandHaywardwerethensetatwatch,andtherestofuslaydowntosleep.

ItseemedtomethatIhadnomorethanclosedmyeyeswhenIwasarousedtofindtheislandinaglareoflight.Thenightwaschillandthemasterhadkindledafireforhimselfatadistancefromtherestofus.Somecoarsedrygrasswhichcoveredtheislandhadcaughtfromthis,andthefirespreadrapidly,burningfiercelyforatime.ItwasthelaststrawforMr.Bligh.Wemadeavainefforttobeatouttheflames,and

whenatlasttheyhadburnedthemselvesout,hegavethecompanyingeneral,andMr.Fryerinparticular,adressingdownthatlastedforthebetterpartofaquarterofanhour.

"You,sir,"heroaredatFryer,"whoshouldsetanexamplewithmyselftoalltherest,areadisgracetoyourcalling!Youarethemostincompetentbloodyrascalofthecompany!Markmywords!We'llhavethesavagesonusasaresultofthis!Andserveyourightifwedo!Whatareyouworth,thelotofyou?Amoreuselesssetofroguesithasneverbeenmymisfortunetocommand!Isendyououtforbirds,toanislandwhere



theycongregateinthousands.Youfrightenthemlikealotofchildren,andgetnone.Isendyououtforshellfish.Yougetnone.Isetyoutofishing.Yougetnone.Andyetyouexpectmetofeedyou!AndifIclosemyeyesfortenminutes,you'reuptosomedeviltrythatmaybetheruinationofusall!AndyouexpectmetotakeyousafetoTimor!ByGod,ifIdo,itwillbethankstononeofyou!"

Hequieteddownpresently."Getyoutosleep,"hesaidgruffly."Thismaybeourlastnightashoretilltheendofthevoyage,somakethemostofit."

Ilayawakeforsometime.Nelson,whowaslyingbesideme,turnedpresentlytowhisperinmyear.

"Whatamanheis,Ledward,"hesaid."Itcomfortedmetoseehiminapassionagain.We'llfetchTimor.Ididhimagreatinjusticeevertodoubtit."

Ihadpreciselythesamefeeling,andIthankedGod,inwardly,thatBlighandnootherwasincommandofthe_Bounty's_launch.

CHAPTERXI

Wewereastirbeforedaylight,greatlyrefreshedbysixorsevenhoursofsleep.Mr.Blighawokeinthebestofhumours,intendingtoembarkimmediately,butwasirritatedwhenhefoundthatLambwastooilltogointothelaunch.

"Whatailsthefellow,Mr.Ledward?"heasked,lookingdownatthemanwithanexpressionofdisgust.

Lambwasdoubledupwithcrampsfromhisgorgeofthenightbefore;therewasnodoubtingthepainhesuffered.IwastemptedtoletBlighknowthetruthofthematter,formyimpatiencewiththisworsethanuseless

fellowwasequaltohisown.Irefrained,however,andwasabouttopurgehimwhenhewasseizedwithaviolentflux.Halfanhourlaterhewascarriedintotheboatandweproceededonourway.

Itwasabeautifulmorning,withcloudlesssky,andafreshbreezeatE.S.E.ThispartofthecoastofNewHollandlies,asoursailorswouldsay,"intheeyeofthesoutheasttrades";andduringthetimewesailedwithinthereefswehadconstantlyafine,freshsailingbreezeabaftthebeam.

Mr.Fryerwasatthetiller.CaptainBlighsatbesidehimwithhisjournalopenonhisknees,engagedinhisusualoccupationofchartingthecoast.Heglancedfrequentlyatthecompasstoobtainbearingsonthe

points,indentationsandlandmarksashore;atshortintervals,withoutraisinghiseyesfromhiswork,hewouldorder"Heavethelog,"andmakeanoteofthelaunch'sspeed.Nelsonhadtoldme,whatIcouldreadilybelieve,thatCaptainCook,inspiteofBligh'syouthatthattime,consideredhimamongthemostskilledcartographersinEngland.AndIamconfidentthattheofficerwhowillonedaybeappointedtomakeathoroughsurveyofthiscoastwillbeamazedattheaccuracyofBligh'schart,drawnwithonlyhissextant,acompass,andarudelogtoaidhim,inthesternsheetsofatwenty-three-footboat,sailingfasttothenorthwithscarcelyahalt.



AllthetimewesailedwithinthereefsofNewHolland,Blighwasabsorbedinthiswork,tosuchanextentthatforhoursatatimeheseemedtoforgetourverypresence.Mr.Blighwasanexplorerborn,buthisinterestwaslessinthestrangepeopleandnaturalcuriositiestobefoundthaninthechartingofnewcoasts.Ifeelassuredthattherewereentirehourswithinthereefswhenheforgotthe_Bounty_,forgotthemutiny,forgotthathewasinasmallunarmedboat,halfstarved,atthemercyofsavagetribes,andhundredsofleaguesfromthenearestEuropeansettlement.Hisexpressionofinterestandhappinessatthesetimeswassuchthatitwasapleasuremerelytolookathisface.

Wehadsailedabouttwoleaguestothenorthwardwhenaheavyswellbegantosetinfromtheeast,leadingustosupposethattheremustbeabreakinthereefswhichprotectmostofthisshore.Theseacontinuedroughaswepassedbetweenashoal,onwhichweretwosandycays,andtwootherisletsfourmilestothewest.Towardmiddaywesailedpastsixothercayscoveredwithfreshgreenscrubandcontrastingwiththemain,whichnowappearedbarren,withsandhillsalongthecoast.Aflat-toppedhillabreastofus,CaptainBlighnamed"Pudding-PanHill";andtworoundedhills,alittletothenorth,hecalled"ThePaps."Attwohoursbeforesunsetwepassedalargeinlet,whichBlighlongedtoexplore.Itappearedtobetheentrancetoasafeandcommodiousharbour.

Threeleaguestothenorthwardofthisinlet,wefoundasmallislandwherewedecidedtospendthenight.Theseawasrough,thewindwasnowmakingupingusts,andtherewasastrongcurrentsettingtothenorth.Thoughwellwooded,withlowscrub,theislandappearedthemerestpileofrocks,withonlyonepoorlandingplaceintheleeofapoint.Asharkofmonstrousproportionsswamalongsidetheboatforsometimewhileweapproachedtheland,andasweroundedthepoint,someofthepeoplesawalargeanimalresemblingacrocodilepassundertheboat.

"Bigger'nthelaunch,hewas,"saidColewhenthecaptainquestionedhim;"withfourlegsandagreatlongtail.Acrocodile,yecanlaytothat,sir."

Itwasawretchedanchorage,forthecoraldroppedinaverticalwallfromthesurfacetoadepthoftwofathoms,andthebottomwasveryfoul.Thewindwasmakingup,andthecurrentsweptinfastaroundthepoint.

Layingtheboatalongsidetherocks,CaptainBlighorderedFryerandsomeofthepeopletospendthenightonshore,sincetheanchoragewastoouncertainforalltoleavetheboatinsuchweather.Aswedriftedfasttoleeward,thegrapnelwasdropped.Itdraggedforamoment,andpresentlyheldasscopewaspaidout;then,astheweightofthelaunchfetchedupagainstit,thelinepartedsuddenly.

"Enoughscope,youfools!"roaredBligh,notknowingwhathadhappened."Damnyou,boatswain!Whatareyouabout,there?"

"We'velostthegrapnel,sir!"Coleshouted.

"Totheoars!"

Themenranouttheiroarsandpulledwithawill,fortheyrealizedaswellasthecaptainthedangersofbeingblownoff-shoreonsuchanight.Theirutmostexertionswerejustsufficienttogainslowlyagainstcurrentandwind.BlighmadehiswayforwardwhereColewasexaminingthebrokenline.



"Arottenspot,sir,"saidtheboatswain;"therustofthegrapneldidit."Heopenedhisclaspknifeandcutawaytherottenline.Blighwaspeeringdownintothewaterahead."Holdherhere!'heorderedwithoutturninghishead."

Therewassomethingominousabouttheplace,andthewildredsunset;thethoughtofthemonsterswehadseensoshortatimebeforewouldhavedeterredmostmenfromdoingwhatBlighnowdid.Hestrippedoffhisraggedshirtandtrousers,seizedtheendofthegrapnelline,andplungedintothesea.

Colegazedafterhimanxiously;then,seeingthatthepeoplehadstoppedrowingforamomentintheirastonishment,heroaredout:--"Pull,Isay!Doyouwanttodragthelineoutofthecaptain'shands?Pull,damnyourblood!"

Hewaspayingoutlineasheshouted,andgazingearnestlydownintothewater.CaptainBlighcametothesurface,drewthreeorfourlongbreaths,anddivedoncemore.Nearlyaminutepassedbeforehereappeared.Thistimeheswamtothesternoftheboatandpulledhimselfaboard.Foramomentortwohesatonthegunwale,breathingrapidly.

"ByGod,sir,"Iremarked."I'mgladyoudidnotaskmetodive."He

laughedgrimly."Iwasnonetooeagertogodown;butI'llasknoonetodowhatIfeartodomyself.Thethoughtofthemonstroussharkwasneveroutofmymind."Heshivered."Nelson,whatwasthatotherthingwesaw--acrocodile?"

"I'velittledoubtofit,"Nelsonreplied."CaptainCooksawwhathebelievedwerecrocodilesinthesewaters."

Blighshiveredinspiteofhimself."I'masgladtobeintheboatagain,"hesaid."Weareinabadpositionhere,andthesecurrentsarethedevil;theyseemtosetfourwaysatonce."

"Youwerefortunatetogetdowntothegrapnel,sir,"saidPeckover.

"Aye,Mr.Peckover,theIndiansofOtaheitearethemenforthatwork.ImanagedtogetthelinerovethroughitsringbeforeIhadtocomeuptoblow;butoneofthemwouldhavestoppeddowntobenditon.Wewhitesaregoodfornothingunderwater."

Duskwassettingin,andweprofitedbywhatremainedofdaylighttoeatoursmallportionsofthehalf-dressedbirdsleftoverfromthoseobtainedonLagoonIsland.Inthestrongwindandcurrent,theboatrodeuneasilytohergrapnel,andwepassedawretchednight.Themoon,closeontothefull,setsometimebeforedaylight;inthefirstgrayofdawn,CaptainBlighandsomeoftherestofuslandedtoseewhatwecouldobtainonshore,leavingColeandPeckoverinchargeofthelaunch.

Nelsonhadpassedaprettycomfortablenightintheleeofsomerocks;Ifoundhimawake,andheandIsetouttoexplorethefarsideoftheisland.Aswecrossedthroughthescrub,wefoundthebacksofmanyturtles,someofgreatsize,andthefireplaceswheretheIndianshadroastedtheflesh.Iwasengagedinafutilesearchforclamsonasmall,sandybeachexposedtotheeastwind,whenIheardNelsonshout.

Iswungabout,andsawhimtryingtoturnoveraturtleofimmensesize,whichhadjustemergedfrombehindsomebushesandwasmakingherwaytothewater'sedge.



"_Ledward!_"heshoutedagain,inanagonizedvoice.

InaninstantIwasathisside,butourcombinedstrengthwasnotenoughtoraiseonesideoftheturtlefromthesand.Allthetimewestruggledtoturnher,shewasplyingherflippersdesperately,sendingshowersofsandoverusandmovingrapidlytowardthesea,onlyafewyardsdistant.Herstrengthwasprodigious;shemusthaveweighednotlessthanfourhundredpounds.Perceivingtheimpossibilityofturningher,wegaveuptheattempt,andseizedahindflippereach,holdingbackwithallourmight.Butshehadreachedthedampsandbynow,whereherpowerfulforeflipperscouldobtainahold,andinspiteofourutmostexertionsshedraggedus,littlebylittle,intothesea.Throughtheshallowsshewent,whileourgripsweakened;thensuddenly,assheplungedintodeepwater,wewereforcedtoletgo.

Panting,andwetfromheadtofoot,wehadbarelythestrengthtomakeourwaybacktothesand.Oncethere,wesankdownsidebyside.AfteralongsilenceNelsonlookedupatmewithawrysmile.

"Thatwastragedy!Therewasafortnight'sfoodinthebeast,Ledward!"

"Allofthat,"Ireplied."Shemayhavelaidsomeeggs.Letusgoandsearch."

Nelsonshookhishead."No.Isurprisedherasshewasbeginningtodig.Shehadjustcomeupfromthesea,forherbackwasstillwet."

Wefellsilentoncemore,andatlasthesaid:"We'llsaynothingofthistotheothers,eh,Ledward?"

Wewalkedslowlybackacrosstheisland,haltingonabitofrisinggroundtorest.Alittletotheleftwecouldseetheothersgatheredonthebeachnearthelaunch.Nelsonlaybackforamoment,hishandsbehindhishead,andstretchedouthislegsatfulllength.

"You'dbestfollowmyexample,"hesaid."Itmaybethelastchancewe

shallhave."

"Thelast?Surelynot!"Iexclaimed.

"Blighthinksweshallbeclearofthecoastbyto-morroworthedayafter."

Imanagedtosmilesomewhatdubiously."Betweenourselves,Nelson,I'llconfessthatnomanintheboatcandreadtheprospectmorethanI."

"Dreadit?Ipositivelyquakeatthethought!GodhelpusifwehaveanymorenightslikethoseonthewaytoNewHolland!"

WefoundBlighawaitingus.Theothershadobtainednothing,sohehailedthelaunch,andwesoonsetsail.ThemainatthisplaceborefromS.E.toN.N.W.halfW.,andahigh,flat-toppedislandlaytothenorth,fourorfiveleaguesdistant.

Onpassingthisisland,wefoundagreatopeninginthecoast,setwithanumberofmountainousislands.Tothenorthandwestthecountrywashigh,wooded,andbroken,withmanyislandscloseinwiththeland.Wewerenowsteeringmoreandmoretothewest,andCaptainBlighinformedusthathewastolerablycertainweshouldbeclearofthecoastofNew



Hollandinthecourseoftheafternoon.

Towardtwoo'clock,asweweresteeringtowardthewesternmostpartofthemainnowinsight,wefellinwithavastsandyshoalwhichextendsoutmanymilestosea,andwereobligedtohaulourwindtoweatherit.Blighnamedtheplace"ShoalCape."Justbeforedarkwepassedasmallisland,orrock,onwhichinnumerableboobieswereroosting.Therewasnolandinsighttothenorth,south,orwest.

ThreehundredleaguesofemptyseanowlaybetweenusandTimor.

ThesixdayswehadspentwithinthereefsofNewHollandhadallowedustosleepinsomecomfortatnight,andtorefreshourselveswithwhatlittletheislandsafforded.And,aboveall,thebarriersofcoralshieldedusfromtheattacksofouroldenemy,thesea.

Buttheseahadnotforgottenus,andlayinwait,onthefarsideofShoalCape,armedwithstronggalesfromtheeastanddelugesofrain,unabatedforsevendays.OnthemiseryofthatweekIshallnotdwell.

OnthemorningofJunetenth,Iwaslyingdoubledupinthesternsheets.Lamb,Simpson,andNelsonwereinastateasbadasmyown;andLebogue,the_Bounty's_sailmaker,oncethehardiestofoldseamen,layforwardwith

closedeyes.Hislegswereswolleninashockingmanner,andhisfleshhadlostitselasticity;whenitwaspinchedorsqueezed,theimpressionofone'sfingersremainedclear.

Thebreezewasstillfresh,thoughtheseahadmoderatedduringthenight,andonlytwomenwereatthebails.Elphinstonewassteering,withBlighathisside.Thecountenancesofbothmenlookedhollowasthoseofspectres;butwhilethemaster'smatestaredatthecompassdully,thecaptain'seyeswerecalm.OurfishinglinewasmadefastclosebehindBligh.Wehadtoweditconstantly,dayandnight,formorethanthreethousandmileswithoutcatchingafish,thoughColeandPeckoverhadexhaustedtheiringenuityindevisingavarietyofluresmadefromfeathersandrags.Peckoverhadseizedanewoneonourhookthenight

before,employingthefeathersofaboobyCaptainBlighhadcaughtwithhisownhandsonthefifth--theonlybirdwehadsecuredsinceleavingNewHolland.

Bemusedwithweakness,Ihappenedtoglanceattheline.Weweresailingatnotlessthanfourknotsatthetime,andIwassurprisedtoobservethattheline,insteadoftowingbehindus,ranoutatrightanglestotheboat.ForamomentIdidnotrealizethesignificanceofthis.ThenIsaid,inthebestvoiceIcouldmuster:"Afish!"

Mr.Blighstarted,seizedtheline,rosetohisfeet,andbegantohaulinhand-over-hand,withastrengththatsurprisedme.

"ByGod,lads,"heexclaimed,"thisoneshan'tgetaway!"

Itwasadolphinofabouttwentypounds'weight.Thecaptainbroughtitinleapingandsplashing,swungitoverthegunwale,andfelltothefloorboards,claspingittohischest.

"Yourknife,Mr.Peckover!"hecalled,neverforaninstantrelaxinghisholdonthestrugglingfish.

Inaninstantthegunnerhadcutthecordbeneaththegills,butMr.



Blighheldfasttothedolphinwhileitblazedwiththechangingcoloursofdeathanditsshudderinggrewweaker,tillitlaystillandlimp.Thecaptainroseweakly,rinsedhishandsovertheside,andsatdownoncemore,breathingfast.Peckoverlookedathimadmiringly.

"Nousehistryingthemjumping-jacktricksonyou,sir!"hesaid.

"You'veMr.Ledwardtothank,"saidBligh."We'vetowedsolongwithoutluck,thatI'llbeboundnoothermanwouldhavenoticedit!"Peckoverwasgazingdownlonginglyatthebulgingsideofthefish,andBlighwenton:"Aye,dividehimup--guts,liver,andall."

Peckoverkneltbesidethefish,mutteringtohimselfashelaidoutimaginarylinesofdivision,andthenchangedhismind.Atlasthebegantocut.Thepeoplewatchedthisoperationwithaneagernesswhichmighthavebeenlaughableunderhappiercircumstances.OnlyElphinstone,atthetiller,hadpreservedanattitudeofindifferencethroughouttheaffair,gazingvacantlyatthecompassandupatthehorizonfromtimetotime.

UnderBligh'sdirection,thegunnerdividedthefishintothirty-sixshares,eachofabouthalfapound.Eighteenofthesewerenowdistributedbyourmethodof"Whoshallhavethis?"Afinesteakfelltome;thecaptaingottheliverandabouttwoouncesofflesh.Lebogueshookhisheadfeeblywhenhissharewasofferedhim,andwhispered:"I'm

pasteatin',lad."

ImanagedtoturnonmysidewhenTinklerhandedmemyfishinacoconutshell,butIwasnowinsuchastatethatthesightofrawfleshrevoltedmystomach.SeeingthatNelsonfeltthesame,Ididmybesttomakeapretenseofeatingbeforestowingmyshellawayoutofsight.Iamnotofaruggedconstitution,anditirkedmetobesofeeblewhenotherswerestillabletobailandworkthesails.Nelsonwasclosebesideme,andhesaidinalowvoice:"Damme,Ledward,Icannoteatthefish."

"NorI,"Ireplied.

"Nomatter,we'llsoonraiseTimor."

"Mr.Samuel,"saidBligh,"issueaspoonfulofwinetothosewhoareweakest."

Hewaseatingthedolphin'sliver,andIcouldseethatherelishedthefoodnomorethanI.Butheforcedhimselfsternly,mouthfulbymouthful,tochewandswallowit.

Towardnoon,thewindshiftedfromE.S.E.tonearlynortheast,forcingustoloweroursailsandraisethemonthestarboardtack.Thenablackrainsquallboredownonus,fillingourkegsandpermittingustodrinkourfill.Thosewhowereablewrungouttheirsoddenragsinsaltwater,andperformedthesameofficefortheirweakermates.Theskywasclouded

over,andthoughtherewasalongswellfromtheeast,thewindwaslightandweshippedlittlewateroverthestern.Theboatswainwasstaringaft.

"Look,sir!"heexclaimedsuddenlytoBligh.

Severalofthepeopleturnedtheirheads;asIraisedmyselfalittletolook,IheardHalletsay:"What'sthat?"

Directlyinourwakeandnotmorethanaquarterofamileaway,ablack





sleep.Thecaptainmanagedtodozeforatimeintheearlyhoursofthenight;whenthemoonwasabouttwohoursup,herelievedFryeratthehelm.Themoonwasatitszenith,fromwhichIjudgedthetimetobefourinthemorning,whenBlighrousedElphinstone,andagainlaydowntosleep.Thewindwasateast,andthoughthemoonlightpaledthestars,IcouldseetheSouthernCrossonourlarboardbeam.

Ihadsaidnothingtotheothersofmyfears,butforadayortwopastIhadhadreasontosuspectthatElphinstone'smindwasgivingwayunderthestrain.Hewasaslittlewastedinbodyasanymaninthelaunch,yethisvacanteye,hislackofinterestinwhatwentonabouthim,andhisstrangegesturesandmutteringsweresymptomsofafailingmind,althoughtherewasnoreasontothinkhimunequaltohisduties.WhenBlightookhimbytheshouldertowakenhim,hesaid"Aye,sir!"inadullvoice,andtookthetillermechanically.

ItwasPeckover'swatch;turningmyhead,Icouldseehimseatedwithsomeothersforward.Hisshoulderswerebowed,andfromtimetotimehenoddedandcaughthimself,makingheroiceffortstostayawake.Acontinualsoundoffaintgroansandmutteringscamefromthemenasleepinthebottomofthelaunch;dreamlesssleephadbeenunknowntousformanydays.SoonBlighbegantosnoregentlyandirregularly.

Elphinstonesatmotionlessatthetiller,staringaheadwithavacant

expressiononhisface.Icouldseehislipsmoveashemutteredtohimself,butcouldhearnosound.ThenforatimeIdozed.

ItwasstillnightwhenIawoke,thoughclosetodawn.Themaster'smatewashunchedatthehelm,seemingscarcelytohavemovedsinceIglancedathimlast.ForatimeInoticednothingoutoftheway;then,lookingoverthegunwale,IperceivedthattheCrosswasnolongeronourbeam.Itwasonthelarboardbow;ourcoursehadbeenchangedfromwesttosouthwest.Elphinstoneleanedtowardme.

"Theland!"hewhisperedeagerly."Yonder,deadahead!Takecare!Don'twakenMr.Bligh!"

Istruggledwithsomedifficultyintoapositionwhichenabledmetolookforward.Peckoverandtheotherssatsleeping,bowedonthethwarts.Aheadofthelaunchwasonlythevastmoonlitsea,andanhorizonemptysaveforafewscatteredclouds.

"Timor,"whisperedElphinstone,triumphantly."God'swithus,Mr.Ledward!Hecausedthewindtoshifttothenortheast,sowe'redeadbeforeitstill.Youseeitnow,eh?Themountainsandthegreatvalleys?Afineisland,I'llbebound,wherewe'llfindallweneed!"

HespokewithsuchsinceritythatIlookedaheadoncemore,beginningtodoubtmyowneyes;butIsawonlytherolloftheemptyseaunderthemoon.Blighstirredandstruggledtoasittingposition.Hetookinthe

situationataglance.

"What'sthis,Mr.Elphinstone?"hesaidinaharshvoice."Whoorderedyoutochangethecourse?"

"Theland,CaptainBligh!Lookahead!IsteeredforitwhenIsightedthemountainsanhourago."

Blighswungabouttostareoverthesea."Land?"hesaid,asifdoubtingtheevidenceofhisownsenses."Where?"



"Deadahead,sir.Can'tyouseethegreatvalleyyonder,andthehighridgeabove?ItlooksanislandasrichasOtaheite!"

Blighgavemeaquickglance."Goforward,Mr.Elphinstone,"heordered."Liedownatonceandgetsomesleep."

Tomysurprise,themaster'smatesaidnomoreabouttheland,butgavethetillertoBlighandmadehiswayforwardamongstthesleepingmen.Hisfaceworethemild,vacantexpressionofamanwalkinginhissleep.

"Mr.Peckover!"calledBlighharshly.

Thegunnerstartedalittleandstraightenedhisbackslowly."Aye,aye,sir!"hesaid.

"Don'tletmecatchyousleepingonwatchagain!Youandthosewithyoumighthavebeentheruinofusall!"Theothermembersofthewatchwerestirring,andthecaptainwenton:"I'mgoingtowear.Tothehalyards!Getheronthestarboardtack!"

Whenthehalyardshadbeenslackedawayandtheyardsofourlugsailspassedaroundtothelarboardsidesofthemasts,Blighboreuptothewest,andthementrimmedthesailstothenortheastwind.

Thisday,theeleventhofJune,seemedthelongestofmylife.Theyhadeatenthelastofthedolphinthenightbefore,andatsunriseaquarterofapintofwaterandourusualallowanceofbreadwereissued.Idrankthewater,butcouldnoteatthebread.Thecaptainmadeagrimaceinspiteofhimselfasheraisedhismorselofbreadtohismouth,buthemuncheditheroically,nevertheless,andcontrivedtokeepitdown.TheboatswainhadadministeredaspoonfulofwinetoLebogue,andwascomingtodothelikeforNelsonandme.Steppingovertheafterthwartwiththebottleinhishand,hecamefacetofacewithBligh,whileanexpressionofhorrorcameintohiseyes.

"Sir,"hesaidsolicitously,"yelookworse'nanymaninthelaunch.Ye'd

besthaveadropo'this."

Blighsmiledattheoldfellow'ssimplicity,andsaid:"I'llpayyouahandsomercompliment,Mr.Cole:youhavelastedbetterthanmanyoftheyoungermen...No,nowineforme.Therearethosewhoneeditmore."

Coletouchedhisforelockandturnedtoserveme,shakinghishead.

Ilayhalfdozingwhilstthesuncrawledinterminablytowardthezenith.SometimesIopenedmyeyesafterwhatseemedthepassageofhours,onlytodiscoverthattheshadowofthehelmsmanhadshortenedbynomorethananinch.Mywholelife,uptothetimewehadleftTofoa,seemedbutaninstantbesidetheeternityIhadspentintheboat,andonthisday,

afteralongprocessofslowingdown,Ifeltthattimehadcometoahaltatlast:Ihadalwaysbeensailingwestbeforeafresheasterlybreeze,withthesunstationaryandlowbehindthelaunch,andwouldsailthusforeverandever,onalimitlessplainoftossingblue,unbrokenbyanyland.AndMr.Blighwouldalwaysholdthetiller--ascarecrowcladingrotesquerags,withaturbanmadeofanoldpairoftrousersonhishead.

*****



Nooncameatlast,andColetookthetillerwhilethemasterandPeckoverheldBlighuptotakethealtitudeofthesun.Owingtohisownweaknessandthatofthemensupportinghim,hehaddifficultyingettinghissight;thoughnotbreaking,theseawasconfused,andthelaunchtossedandpitcheduncertainly.Aftersometime,hehandedhissextanttothemasterandsatdowntoworkoutourposition.Finallyhelookedup.

"Ourlatitudeisninedegrees,forty-oneminutessouth,"hesaid;"thatofthemiddleportionofTimor.Bymyreckoning,wehavetraversedthirteenandone-halfdegreesoflongitudesinceleavingShoalCape,--morethaneighthundredmiles,--andtothebestofmyrecollectionthemosteasterlypartofTimorislaiddowninonehundredandtwenty-eightdegreeseastlongitude,ameridianwemusthavepassed."

"Whenshallweraisetheland,sir?"theboatswainasked.

"Duringthenightorearlyinthemorning.Wemustkeepasharplookoutto-night."

Towardsunset,whenIawokefromalongdoze,thereweregreatnumbersofseabirdsabout.Lyingonmyback,Icouldseethempassingandrepassingoverhead.TinklercontrivedtostrikedownoneboobywiththespareyardwehadcutatRestorationIsland,buttheotherstookwarning.atthisandavoidedtheboat.Thebirdwasreservedforthenextday,butIwas

offeredawineglassofitsblood,whichImanagedtoswallowonlytovomititupinstantly.Therewasmuchrockweedaroundus,andcoconuthuskssofreshthattheywerestillbrightyellowincolour.

Darknesscame,andstillthewindheldsteadyandfair.Everymanabletositupwasonthethwarts,staringoutoverthetossingseaahead,dimlyvisibleinthelightofthestars.

Likeasentientbeing,awarethattheendofherlongjourneywasathand,thelaunchnowseemedtosurpassherself.Withallsailsetanddrawing,sheracedwestward,shippingsolittlewaterthattherewaslittleneedtobail.Sometimesthepeopleweresilent;sometimesIheardthemspeakinginlowtones.Iwasawareofanundercurrentofnewcourage

andconfidence,ofdeepcontentmentthatourtrialsweresonearlyatanend.NotonceduringthelongvoyagehadtheirfaithinMr.Blighwaned;hehaddeclaredthatweshouldraisethelandbymorning,andthatwasenough.

Itmusthavebeennearlyeleveno'clockwhenthemoonrose,directlyasternofthelaunch:abrighthalf-moon,sailingacloudlesssky.Hourafterhour,asthemoonclimbedtheheavens,thelaunchranwestward,whilstwelistenedtothecrispsoundofwaterrushingunderherkeel.

EvenoldLeboguerevivedalittleatthistime.Nomanofushadenduredmoregrievoussuffering,andyethehadbornehispartintheworkwhenothersnoweakerthanhimselflayhelpless.

Blighhadtakenthetilleratmidnight,afteranattempttosleep;andtowardthreeinthemorning,whenthemoonwashighabovethehorizonastern,youngTinklersteppedupontotheafterthwarttopeerahead.Hestoodthereforsometime,swayingtothemotionoftheboat,withhandscuppedabovehiseyes.Thenhesprangdowntofacethecaptain.

"Theland,sir!"heexclaimedinashakingvoice.

BlighmotionedFryertotakethehelm,andstoodup.Iheardaburstof



talkforward:"Onlyacloud!"

"No,no!Land,andhighlandtoo!"Then,asthelaunchrearedhighonaswell,wesawtheshadowyoutlinesofthelandahead:pale,lofty,andunsubstantialinthelightofthemoon,agreatislandstillmanymilesdistant,stretchingfarawaytothenortheastandsouthwest.Thecaptainstaredaheadlongandearnestlybeforehespoke.

"Timor,lads!"hesaid.

CHAPTERXII

Thereweresomewhodoubtedthelandfall,whocouldnotbelievethatthegoalofourvoyagewasactuallyinsight.ForallMr.Bligh'squietassurance,andtheboatswain'srepeated"Aye,lad!There'stheland--neveradoubtofit!"theydarednotbelieve,lestdayshouldcomeandthedimoutlinesmeltintotheshapesofdistantclouds.Wehauledonawindtothenortheast,andthosewhocouldstoodonthethwartsfromtimetotime,theirconfidenceinwhattheysawincreasingfrommomenttomoment.Somecoulddonomorethanraisethemselvestoasittingpositioninthebottomofthelaunch,clingingtothethwartsortothegunwales

astheystaredahead.

Veilafterveilofmoonlitobscuritywasdrawnaside,andatlast,intheclearlightofearlydawn,thereitlay:Paradiseitself,itseemed,itsloftyoutlinesfillinghalfthecircleofthehorizon,bearingfromS.W.toN.E.byE.Thesunrose,itsshaftsoflevel,goldenlightstrikingacrosspromontoryafterpromontory.Wesawgreatvalleysfilledwithpurpleshadow,and,highabovethecoast,forestsappeared,interspersedwithgladesandlawnsthatmightwellhavebeenthehauntswhereourfirstparentswanderedintheinnocenceoftheworld.

Ourcapacitiesforjoyandgratitudewerenotadequatetotheoccasion.Mr.Blighwas,Ibelieve,asneartotearsashehadeverbeeninhis

life,butheheldhimselfwellundercontrol.Othersgavewaytotheiremotion,andweptfreely;indeed,weweresoweakthattearscamereadily.PoorElphinstone,aloneofourcompany,wasrobbedofthejoyofthatnever-to-be-forgottenmorning;hissufferingshaddeprivedhim--temporarily,atleast--ofreason.Hesatamidships,facingaft,scanningtheemptyseabehinduswithanexpressionofhopelessbewilderment,anobjectofcommiserationtoall.Despiteourefforts,wecouldnotconvincehimthatthelandlaycloseahead.

Atthesunrisewewerewithintwoleaguesofthecoast.Alandmoregreenandfairhasnevergladdenedseamen'seyes;scarcelyamanofusdidnotlongtogoashoreatonce.Thecoastwaslow,butonthehigherregionsbeyond,wesawmanycultivatedspots.Nearoneoftheplantationswe

observedseveralhuts,butnopeoplethereorelsewhere.PurcellandthemasterventuredtosuggesttoMr.Blighthatweland,inhopesoffindingsomeoftheinhabitants,whomightinformusastothewhereaboutsoftheDutchsettlement.

"Icanwellunderstandyourimpatience,Mr.Fryer,"saidBligh;"butweshalltakenounnecessaryrisks.Ifmyrecollectionservesme,Timorisallofonehundredleaguesinextent.IhavetoldyouthatIambynomeanscertainthattheDutchhaveapermanentoutposthere.Iftheyhave,theymayhavesubjectedonlyasmallpartoftheislandtotheirrule.



Theinhabitantsare,Ibelieve,Malays,wellknowntobeacruelandtreacherousrace.Weshallplaceourselvesintheirpoweronlyasalastresort."

Therewasnodisputingthewisdomofthisdecision.Whatwefeared,ofcourse,wasthatnoEuropeansettlementexistedontheisland;butwedidnotpermitourselvestoconsiderthismelancholypossibility,andbothBlighandNelsonrecollectedthatCaptainCookhadbeeninformedthatthemosteasterlystationoftheDutchwasuponTimor.

WeboreawayagaintotheW.S.W.,keepingcloseenoughtothecoasttoavoidmissinganyopeningthatmightexist;butthroughoutthemorningneithercovenorbaydidwesee,noranyplacewherealandingmighthavebeeneffected,becauseofthegreatsurfbreakingallalongthiswindwardshore.

Atnoonwewereabreastofahighheadlandonlythreemilesdistant,and,havingpassedit,wefoundthelandstillbearingoffinasouthwesterlydirectionforasfarastheeyecouldreach.Ourdinnerwastheusualallowance:onetwenty-fifthofapoundofbread,andahalfpintofwater--forMr.Blighwasnotthemantorelaxhisvigilanceuntilassuredthattheneedforvigilancewaspast;butthebirdwehadcaughtthenightbeforewasdividedinthecustomarymanner.Ireceivedaportionofthebreast,which,aweekearlier,Ishouldhaveconsideredatidbitof

therarestsort;butnowmystomachrevoltedatthesightandtaintedsmelloftherawflesh,andIcouldnoteatit.IgavemyportiontoPeckover,andmerelytoseetherelishwithwhichhedevoureditupsetmethemore,sothatIfelltoretchingviolently.Sixorsevenotherswereinasbadastate.Mr.Blighgavetheweakestofusaswallowofrum,ofwhichwestillhadthreequartersofabottle.

Allthroughtheafternoontheweatherwashazy,andwecouldseenogreatdistancebeforeus,butwerecloseenoughintoobservetheappearanceofthecoast,whichwaslowandcoveredwithaseeminglyendlessforestoffanpalms.Atthistimewesawnosignsanywhereofcultivatedspots,and,asweproceeded,thelandhadamorearidlook.CaptainBlighsaidnothingofthematter;butIcouldseethathewasworriedlestwehad

gonebeyondthehabitablepartoftheisland.Iknownothowmanytimesduringthisdaywehadbeforeusadistantpromontory,beyondwhichnothingoftheislandcouldbeseen;butalways,uponroundingit,wefoundanotherfarahead,andthelandstillbearingawaytothesouth.Atsunset,wehadruntwenty-threemilessincenoon;andinthegatheringduskwebroughttounderaclose-reefedforesail,inshoalwaterwithinhalfaleagueoftheshore.

Wedidnotknowhownearwemightbetotheendofallourtroubles.Perhapsonlyafewmilesfarther,wethought,laytheDutchsettlement;butwedarednotrisksailingon,lestweshouldrunpastitinthedarkness.Theexcitementofthepreviouseighteenhourshadexhaustedourlittlestrength,and,haditbeenpossible,IbelievethatCaptainBligh

wouldhavelandedhere,ifonlytogiveustherefreshmentofstretchingoutourcrampedandachinglimbs.Thesurfonshorewasnotgreatatthispoint,butweweretooweaktohaverunourboatthroughit;sowelayhuddledinthelaunch,mostofustoofarspentevenforconversation.Inmyowncase,muchasIregrettoadmitit,IwasinaweakerconditionthananyofthecompanysaveLebogue,andIhadagreatulceronmylegthatkeptmeinconstanttorment.Wewereallofus,infact,coveredwithsores,duetotheconstantchafingofouremaciatedbodiesagainsttheboardsoftheboat,andkeptopenandrawbytheactionofsaltwater.Nelsonastonishedmeatthistime;helookedlikeadyingman,but



heseemedtohavedrawn,merelyfromthesightofTimor,astrengthwhichhewas,somehow,abletoimparttoothers.Together,heandBlightookovertheofficeoflookingafterthesick,andIshallnotsoonforgettheircomforting,hearteningwordsastheymadetheirwayamongstus,helpingsomepoorfellowtochangetoamorecomfortableposition,anddolingoutafewdropsofrumorwinefromthelastofourprecioussupply.

Weweredrawntogetherthatnightasneverbefore.Wehadsufferedsomuchthatweseemedofonebody.Antipathies,whethersmallorlarge,arisingfromourdifferentcharacters,vanishedquiteaway,andarichcurrentofsympathyandcommonfeelingranthroughourforlornlittlecompany,makingus,forthatnightatleast,brothersindeed.IhadobservedmanydifferentaspectsofMr.Bligh'scharacter,and,profoundlyasIrespectedhim,Ihadnotsupposedthathehadinhimanydeepfeelingofcompassionforthemenunderhiscommand.Onthisoccasionherevealedagentlenesswhichquitealteredmyconceptionofhisnature.Theexperiencebroughthometomethedifficultyonehasinformingatruenotionofanyofone'sfellowcreatures.Theymustbeseenoveralongperiodoftime,andundermanyandvariedconditionsnotoftenpresentingthemselvesinsequencetoasingleobserver.Butsomemenareeverthesame,unchangingandunchangeableasrock,nomatterwhattheconditions.Cole,theboatswain,wasoneofthese.Loyaltytohiscommander,devotiontoduty,sympathyforthoseweakerthanhimself,and

anabidingtrustinGodwerethecornerstonesofhisnature.Allthroughthatinterminablenighthewaseveronthealerttodosomesufferingmanakindness.

Abouttwointhemorning,weworeandstoodclosealongthecoasttilldaylight.Seeingnosignsofhabitation,weboreawaytothewestward,withastronggaleagainstaweathercurrent,whichoccasionedmuchseaandforcedustoresumethewearyworkofbailing.ThisfellchieflyuponFryer,Cole,Peckover,andtwoofthemidshipmen,TinklerandHayward;othersdidwhatlittletheycould,sittingproppedupagainstthethwarts.

Bythistimeeverymanofus--saveBligh,perhaps--hadafeelingof

mingledfearandhatredtowardthesea:asthoughitwerenotamindlessforcebutaconsciousone,bentuponourdestruction,andbecomingincreasinglyenragedthatwehadsurviveditscrueltyandwereabouttoescape.EvenBlighmusthavehadsomethingofthefeeling,forIheardhimsaytothemaster:"She'snotdonewithusyet...Bail,lads!"hecalled."I'llsoonhaveyououtofthis."

Oncemorewehadbeforeusalowcoast,withpointsopeningtothewest;andagainwewereencouragedtothinkwehadreachedtheextremityoftheisland;but,towardthemiddleofthemorning,wefoundthecoastreachingontothesouthawearywayahead.Eventheland,tomydistortedfancy,appearedhostileunwillingtoreceiveus,temptingusonwithfalsehopesonlythatwemightbethemorebitterlydisappointed.

Presentlywediscerned,tothesouthwest,thedimoutlinesofhighland,butinthemoisture-ladenairwecouldnotbesurewhetherornoitwasapartofTimor.Seeingnobreakbetweenitandthecoastwewerefollowing,Blighconcludedthatitmustbeadistantheadlandoftheisland;thereforewestoodtowardit,andseveralhourspassedbeforewediscoveredthatitwasaseparateisland--theislandofRoti,asweafterwardlearned.

ShortlyafterMr.Blighhadalteredourcoursetoreturntothecoastwe



hadleft,Ilostallknowledgeofwhatwenton.Thesunhadbeenextremelyhot,andwehadnoprotectionfromitsrays.ItmaybethatIsufferedaslightstroke,andthis,combinedwithmyothermiseries;hadproventoomuchforme.Atanyrate,Isankintoastuporwhichleftmeadimconsciousnessofmiseryandoflittleelse.NowandthenIheardtheconfusedmurmurofvoices,andIvaguelyrememberhavingbeenrousedfromfrightfuldreams,whenIthoughtIwasstrugglingaloneintheseaanduponthepointofdrowning,tofindthatIwasstillinthelaunch,beingraiseduptoescapethewaterthatcameovertheside.Iwas,indeed,fargone,powerlesstodoaughtformyself.Thenfollowedaperiodofcompletedarkness,whenIwasnothingbutaninertmassofskinandbones;andmynextrecollectionwasofsomeonerepeatedlycallingmyname.TryasIwould,Icouldnotrousemyselfsufficientlytoreply.IheardBligh'svoice:"Givehimthewholeofit,Mr.Nelson.He'llcomeround."

AndsoIdid.Aquarterofapintofrumwaspoureddownmygullet.Irememberhowtheheatandthestrengthofitseemedtoflowintoeverypartofme,clearingmybrainandgivingmeablessedsenseofwell-being;butoh!moreblessedwasthesoundofNelson'svoice:"Ledward!Ledward!We'rehere,oldfellow!"

Itwasdeepnight,thecloudlessskysprinkledwithstarsdimmedbythesoftsplendourofthewaningmoon.Ifoundmyselfsittingproppedupin

thesternsheets.Nelsonwaskneelingbesideme,andColesupportingmewithhisarmaroundmyshoulders.AsIturnedmyhead,Colesaid:"That'swhatwasneeded,sir;he'scomingroundnicely."

IwasconsciousofafeelingofshameandvexationthatI,the_Bounty's_ surgeon,shouldbeinsuchadeplorablestate--anencumbranceinsteadofahelptotheothers.

"What'sthis,Nelson?"Ifaltered."Damme!HaveIbeenasleep?"

"Don'ttalk,Ledward,"hereplied."Look!Lookyonder!...Turnhimalittle,Mr.Cole."

TheboatswainliftedmegentlysothatIsathalffacingforward.Thesailhadbeenlowered,andthereweresixmenattheoars,pullingslowlyandfeeblyacrosswhatappearedtobetheheadofagreatbay,socalmthatthewaveringreflectionofthemoonlayonthesurfaceofthewater.Outlinesofthelandwereclearlyrevealed;nothalfamileawayIcouldseetwosquare-riggedvesselslyingatanchor,andbeyondthem,onahighforeshore,whatappearedtobeafortwhosewallsgleamedfaintlyinthemildlight.

"Easy,lads,"Blighcalledtothemenattheoars,"don'texertyourselves";andthen,tome:"Howisitwithyou,Mr.Ledward?Iwasboundyoushouldn'tmissthismoment."

Icouldnotspeak.Ihesitatetoadmitit,butIcouldnot.Iwasweakasasix-months'child,andnow,forthefirsttime,tearsgushedfrommyeyes.Theywerenottearsofrelief,ofjoyatourdeliverance.No.Icouldhavecontrolledthose.ButwhenIlookedatMr.Bligh,sittingathisoldpositionwithhishandonthetiller,therewelledupwithinmeafeelingtowardhimthatdestroyedthebarriersweEnglishmenaresoproudoferectingagainstoneanother.Isawhimthenashedeservedtobeseen,inalightthattransfiguredhim.Enough.Thedeepestemotionsoftheheartarenotlightlytobespokenof,andnowordsofminecouldaddtothestatureofthecaptainofthe_Bounty's_launch.



Imanagedatlengthtosay:"I'mdoingverywell,sir,"andleftitatthat.

Thesilenceofthelandseemedtoflowdownuponus,healingourwearyhearts,fillinguswithadeepcontentthatmadeallspeechsuperfluous.Thelaunchmovedforwardassmoothlyasthoughshewereglidingthroughair,andthefaintcreakoftheoarsagainstthetholepinsandthegentleplashofthebladesinthewaterweresoundsbywhichtomeasurethevastnessofthispeace.

Itwasthenaboutthreeinthemorning.Nearerwecameandnearertothelittletownhushedinsleep;notevenadogwasastirtobayatthemoon.Aswedrewinwesawthatthetwoshipswereanchoredaconsiderabledistancetotherightofthefortandaboutacable-lengthfromshore.Wemadeoutasmallcutterridingnearthem,andnotalightshowinginanyofthesevessels.

Weturnedthentoapproachanopenspaceonthebeachthatappearedtobeapointofembarkationforboats,andMr.Colemadehiswaytothebow.Afishinglinewithastoneattachedservedasourleadline.AtMr.Bligh'sorder,Tinklerbeganheavingit."Sixfathoms,sir,"hecalled.Wemovedslowlyonintoshallowerwater.Inthemoonlightwecouldnowseetheghostlygleamofroofsandwalls,emboweredintreesand

floweringshrubswhoseperfumefloatedouttouswiththecool,moistairthatfloweddownfromthevalleyoftheinterior.

"Wayenough!"saidBligh,andthen:"Dropthegrapnel,Mr.Cole."

Theoarsweregottenin;therewasalightsplashasthegrapnelwentovertheside.Theboatswainpaidoutthelineandmadefast.Ourvoyagewasatanend.

Therewerebuteightofourcompanystrongenoughtosituponthethwarts;theotherswerelyingorsitting,proppedupinthebottomoftheboat.

"Letuspray,lads,"saidBligh.WebowedourheadswhilehereturnedthankstoAlmightyGod.

Welaywithinthirtyorfortyyardsofthebeach.Alittledistancetotheright,thewallsofthefortrosefromtheirrampartsofrock.Allwassilentthere;notsomuchasagleamoflightappearedanywhereinthesettlement.CaptainBlighhailedthefortrepeatedly,withnoresult.

"Tryyourvoiceon'em,Mr.Purcell,"hesaid.

Purcellhailed,thentheboatswain,thenthetwotogether;buttherewasnoresponse.

"ByGod,"saidBligh,"wereweatwarwiththeDutch,I'llwarrantwecouldcapturetheplace,weakasweare,withnothingbutfourrustycutlasses.They'venotsomuchasasentinelonthewalls."

"We'verousedsomeoneatlast,"saidNelson."Lookyonder."

Astrange-lookingmanwasjustemergingfromtheshadowsofthetreesliningtheroadthatledtothebeach.Hewascladonlyinshirtandtrousers,andhadwhatappearedtobeawhitenightcaponhishead.Hewasexceedinglyfat,andwalkedatawaddlinggait.



"CanyouspeakEnglish,mygoodman?"Blighcalled.

Hecameforwardanotherpaceortwo,asthoughforaclearerviewofus,butmadenoreply.

"Isay,canyouspeakEnglish?Youunderstand?"

Whetheritwereastonishment,orfear,orboth,orneither,thatmovedhim,wewereatalosstoknow;butofasuddenheturnedonhisincrediblyshortlegsandwaddledawayattwicethespeedwithwhichhehadapproached.

"Ahoythere!"Blighcalledafterhim."Don'tgo!Wait,Isay!"

Themanturned,shoutedsomethinginadeep,powerfulvoice,anddisappearedundertheshadowofthetrees.

"WasitDutchhespoke,Nelson?"Blighasked.

"Undoubtedly,"saidNelson;"butthatisasmuchasIcansay...Weshallfarewellhere,that'splain."

Blighlaughed."Aye,soweshall,ifthatfellowisanaveragespecimen

oftheinhabitants.Damnhiseyes!Whatpossessedhimtorunofflikethat?"

"Likelyhe'sgoneforhelp,sir.TheremaybeEnglish-speakingpeoplehere."

"Letushopeso,Mr.Fryer.Possessyoursoulsinpatience,lads.Wemustnotgoashorewithoutpermission,andthatweshallsoonhave,Ipromiseyou.Dawnisscarcelyanhouroff."

InalittletimetheDutchmanreturnedwithanothermandressedinaseaman'suniform.

"Ahoy,there!Whatboatisthat?"calledthelatter.

"Whoareyou?"Blighreplied."AnEnglishman?"

"Aye,sir."

"IsthereanEnglishshiphere?"

"No,sir."

"Thenhowcameyouintheseparts,myman?"saidBligh,withsomethingofhisoldquarter-deckmanner.

"I'mquartermaster'smate,sir,oftheDutchvesselyonder.CaptainSpikerman."

"Good!"saidBligh."Listencarefully,youngman!Tellyourcaptain--what'shisname,again?"

"Spikerman,sir."

"TellCaptainSpikermanthatCaptainBligh,ofHisMajesty'sarmedtransport_Bounty_,wishestoseehimathisveryearliestconvenience.



Informhimthatthematterispressing.Youunderstand?"

"Aye,aye,sir."

"Verywell;carryhimthismessageinstantly.Don'tfeartorousehim.Hewillthankyoufordoingso."

"Aye,aye,sir.He'ssleepingashore.I'llgothisinstant."

Wemusthavewaitedafullthreequartersofanhour,althoughthetimeseemedimmeasurablylonger.Thedelay,asweweretolearn,wasnotCaptainSpikerman'sfault.Heresidedinadistantpartofthetown,andcameassoonashecoulddress.

Dawnwasathand,andthepeopleinthetownwerestirringoutoftheirhouses,whenwesawhimapproachingwithtwoofhisofficersandthemanwhohadcarriedourmessage.CaptainBlighstoodupinthesternsheets.Hisclothingwasamassofragsrevealinghisfrightfullyemaciatedlimbs;hishaggard,bonyfacewascoveredwithamonth'sgrowthofbeard;butheheldhimselfaserectasthoughhewerestandingonthe_Bounty's_ quarter-deck.

"CaptainSpikerman?"hecalled.

Forafewsecondsthelittlegrouponshorestaredatusinsilence.CaptainSpikermansteppedforward."Atyourservice,sir,"hereplied.

"CaptainBligh,ofHisMajesty'sarmedtransport_Bounty_.Weareinneedofassistance,sir.Iwillbegratefulindeedifyouwillsecureuspermissiontoland."

"Youmaycomeashoreatonce,CaptainBligh.Icanvouchforthegovernor'spermission.Yourboatmaybebroughtdirectlytothebeach."

"Haulinthegrapnel,Mr.Cole.Twomenattheoars."TinklerandHaywardhauleditin,Colecoilingthelineneatlyastheydidso.PeckoverandPurcelltooktheoars,andthelaunchproceededonthelastfiftyyards

ofavoyageofmorethanthreethousand,sixhundredmiles."Easy,Mr.Cole!Don'tlethertouch!"

Theboatswainfendedoffwithourbamboopoleandattemptedtoleapouttoholdher,butthepoorfellowhadforgottenhiscondition.Hislegsgavewayandhefellintothewater,holdingontothegunwale,until,withagrimeffort,hemanagedtogethisfooting.TinklerthrewalineashorewhichtheEnglishseamanoftheDutchshiptookup.CaptainSpikermanandhisofficersstoodforamomentasthoughpowerlesstomove.Then,takinginoursituation,theythemselvessprangintotheshallowwatertodrawusalongside.

"Godinheaven,CaptainBligh!Whatisthis?Fromwhatplacedoyou

come?"Mr.Spikermanexclaimed.

"Thatyoushallknowingoodtime,sir,"saidBligh;"butImustfirstseetomymen.Someofthemareinapitiablestatefromstarvation.Isthereaplaceinthetownwheretheymaybecaredfor?"

"Youmaytakethemdirectlytomyhouse.Onemoment,sir."

CaptainSpikermanturnedtooneofhisofficersandspoketohimrapidlyintheDutchtongue.Theyoungmanmadeoffatonce,halfrunningalong



theroadtothetown.

Bythistimeacrowdofthetownspeoplehadcollectedaboutus,andotherscamefrommomenttomoment.Theywereofvariousnationalities,--Dutch,Malays,Chinese,andpeopleevidentlyofmixedblood,--andtheystaredatuswithexpressionsofmingledhorrorandpity.Meanwhile,thoseofuswhocouldhadgottenoutofthelaunch;butmorethanhalfofthecompanyhadtobecarriedashore.Weweretakenalittlewayupthebeach,wherematswerespreadforusonthesand.TherewewaitedthearrivalofconveyanceswhichweretocarryustoCaptainSpikerman'shouse,whilethetownspeoplegatheredinawidecircle,gazingatusasthoughtheywouldneverhavedone.

Ofourpeople,Leboguewasinthemostseriouscondition.Theoldfellowlayclosebesideme.Hewasnomorethanaskeletoncoveredwithskin;buthiswasaresolutespirit,and,weakashewas,heyethadwithinhimastrongwilltolive.Nelson,Simpson,Hall,Smith,andmyselfwereinaplightonlyalittlelessgrave.Nelsontriedtowalkashore,butafterafewstepshislegsgavewayandhewasconstrainedtoallowhimselftobecarried.Halletwasveryweak,butmanagedtokeephisfooting.PoorElphinstone'sdisabilitieswere,asIhavesaid,mentalratherthanphysical.Hisfacestillworeitsvacant,puzzledexpression,andheappearedtohavenoknowledgeofhissurroundings.

Inashortwhile,Mr.Spikerman'slieutenantreturnedwithlittersandascoreofMalaychair-men.Theycarriedusintothetown,Mr.Blighandthestrongerofthecompanyfollowingonfoot.Ihaveonlyadimrecollectionofthewaywewent,pastshopsandwarehouses,andalongshadedstreets,tillwecametoapleasanthouseinanelevatedsituationwhereCaptainSpikermanlived.Heandhisofficerswerekindnessitself;IshalleverhaveafeelingofsincerelikingforthepeopleoftheDutchnationbecauseofthehumanetreatmentwereceivedfromthosemembersofitwhoresidedatCoupang.Suchwasthenameofthehaven--whichImightbettercall"heaven"--atwhichwehadarrived.

WhenwehadbeenbathedwithwarmwateroursoresweredressedbyMr.Max,thesurgeonofthetown;whereuponwewereplacedinbedsandgiven

alittlehotsoup,ortea,whichwasallthatourstomachscouldreceiveatthistime.Iamspeakinghereofthegreatestinvalidsamongstus,whowerecaredforinoneroom.CaptainBligh,whenhehadbathedandrefreshedhimselfwithfoodandafewhours'sleep,accompaniedCaptainSpikermantothehouseofMr.TimotheusWanjon,thesecretarytoMr.VanEste,thegovernorofthetown.Mr.VanEstewasatthistimelyingveryill,andincapableoftransactinganybusiness.

OnthisdayIhadthesweetestsleepIhaveeverenjoyedinmylife.Thecoolingointmentwithwhichmysoreshadbeendressed,andthesoftbeduponwhichIlay,lulledmetorestwithinhalfanhour.Iwasaroused,towardevening,totakealittlesoupandbread,butfelltosleepagainimmediatelyafter,anddidnotwakenuntilabouttenoftheclockthe

followingmorning.

Afterfourdaysofcompleterest,wewerewonderfullyrestored,andallexceptLeboguecouldrisefrombedandwalkalittleinMr.Spiker-man'sgarden.Hisservicestouswereendless;hehadputusunderobligationsweshallneverbeabletorepay,butwedidnot,ofcourse,wishtodiscommodehimlongerthanwasabsolutelynecessary.Allhisroomsweretakenupbyourcompany,andhewassleepingatthehouseofMr.Wanjon.CaptainBlighfoundthattherewasbutoneavailablehouseinthesettlement.Havingexaminedit,hedecidedthatweshouldalllodge



there.Mr.SpikermansuggestedthatthehousebetakenbyCaptainBlighforhimselfandhisofficers,andthatthemenbeaccommodatedononeofthevesselslyingintheharbour,butCaptainBlighwasnotwillingatsuchatimetofarebetterthanhismen.Therefore,onourfifthdayinCoupang,weremovedtoournewquarters.

Thedwellingcontainedahallwitharoomateachend,andwassurroundedwithapiazza.Above,therewasaspacious,airyloft.OneroomwasreservedtoCaptainBligh;Nelson,Fryer,Peckover,andmyselflodgedintheother,andthemenwereassignedtotheloft.Thehallwascommontoalloftheofficers,andthebackpiazzawassetasidefortheuseofthepeople.Inordertosimplifythematterofourvictualing,thethreemidshipmenreadilyagreedtomesswiththemen.ThroughthekindnessofMr.VanEste,thehousewasfurnishedwithbeds,tables,chairs,settees--everything,infact,ofwhichwestoodinneed;andourfoodwasdressedathisownhouseandbroughttousbyhisservants.

Mr.VanEsteexpressedadesiretoseeCaptainBlighandsomeofhisofficers.ItwasthereforearrangedthatMr.Bligh,Nelson,andmyselfshouldwaituponhim,incompanywithMr.WanjonandCaptainSpikerman.Wefoundthegovernorproppedupinbed,sowastedbyhisillnessthathelooked--as,indeed,hewas--atdeath'sdoor.Hisvoicewasexceedinglyweak,buthiseyeswerefullofinterest.CaptainSpikermanactedasourinterpreter.Heacquaintedthegovernorwiththecircumstancesofthe

mutiny.Mr.VanEstewasnotawareofthepositionofTofoaandtheFriendlyIslands;infact,Ibelievethathedidnotknowoftheirexistence.Whenhehadbeentoldthatwehadmadeavoyageintheship'slaunchofabovethreethousand,sixhundredmiles,heraisedathinwhitehandandsaidbutonewordinreply.CaptainSpikermanturnedtoMr.Bligh.

"Mr.VanEstesays'Impossible,'CaptainBligh.Youwillunderstandthatthisisonlyamannerofspeaking,toconveyhisastonishment.Hedoesnotdoubtyourword."

Blighsmiledfaintly."YoumaytellMr.VanEstethatheisright:itwasimpossible;nevertheless,wedidit."

Hethenconveyed,throughMr.Spikerman,ourgratitudeforthekindandhospitabletreatmentwehadreceived,andwetookourleave.Thegovernorwasfartooilltobearthefatigueofalongconversation.

Thisday,Junethenineteenth,wasremarkableforstillanotherreason.Mr.Max,myDutchcolleague,andIhadagreedthatourcompanyneednotbekeptlongeronadiet.Mr.Wanjon,whohimselfoverlookedthematterofourvictualing,hadprovidedafeastequaltothegreatnessoftheoccasion;andhe,CaptainSpikerman,andMr.Maxreadilyconsentedtojoinusattable.Onourwayfromthegovernor'shouse,wecalledforMr.Max,andthenproceededtoourresidence,wherethemenwerealreadyattheirdinneronthebackpiazza.Colesatattheheadofthetable,with

themidshipmenoneithersideandtheothersbelow.EvenLeboguehadsufficientlyrecoveredtobepresent.Thetablewasloadedwithfoodthatwouldhavegladdenedanyseaman'seyes;itwasapleasuretoseethehalf-starvedmenstowingitaway.

AtCaptainBligh'sentrance,theyrose;butheatoncemotionedthemtobeseated.

"Eathearty,lads,"hesaid."There'snoneedtowishyougoodappetites,that'splain."



"We'redoin'famous,sir,"Colereplied.Amomentlater,CaptainBlighretiredwithourgueststothehall,whileNelsonandIremainedforalittletolookonatthismemorablefeast.

"Ihopeyou'llnotthinkwe'regoin'beyondreason,Mr.Ledward,"saidCole."BettervittlesInevertasted!"

"Andwellyoudeservethem,everymanofyou,"Ireplied."Eatasmuchasyoulike."

"Aye,they'lldo,"saidPurcell,grudgingly;"butI'dsoonersetdowntoagoodfeedofeggsandbacon.Alltheserichfaldelals...Idon'twellknowwhatI'meatin'."

"TrustoldChipstofindfault,"saidHayward.

"Here,Purcell;havesomeofthebread,ifyoudon'tlikeDutchfood,"saidHallet."Passitalongtohim,Tinkler."

"Mr.NelsonandMr.Ledwardwouldlikesome,I'msure,"saidTinkler."Tryalittle,Mr.Nelson."

Heroseandtookupalargeplatter,sethighinthemiddleofthetable

onfourtallwater-glasses.Heapedontheplatterwassomethingthatresemblednothingonearthsavewhatitwas:thebreadofthe_Bounty's_ launch.

"Well,I'mdamned!"saidNelson,withalaugh.

"Havejustacrumbasanappetizer.Wedid,thelotofus,"saidTinkler."Mr.Ledward,whataboutyou?"

"Wait!"Haywardexclaimed."Don'tyougive'emaration,Tinkler,withoutweighingit.Where'sCaptainBligh'sscales?"

Itwarmedmyhearttoseetheminsuchamerrymood,andthe_Bounty_

bread--thesightofit,atleast--wasindeedthebestofremindersofmiserypastanddonewith.

"Isthis,allthatwasleftinthelaunch,Tinkler?"Nelsonasked."Yes,sir."

"We'vebeenmakinganestimate,Mr.Nelson,"saidHayward."Whatyouseeontheplatterwouldhavelastedtheeighteenofusanotherelevendays,hadwenothadthemisfortuneoffindingCoupang."

"SaveforourabominableluckinlandingamongsttheDutch,wemightevenhavegothomeonit,"Tinkleradded."Whatdoyouthink,boatswain?"

Colelookedupfromhisplate,holdinghisforkerectinhisfist.

"I'llsaythis,Mr.Tinkler,"herepliedgravely."IfCaptainBlighwasforcedtotakeusallthewaytoEnglandinthelaunch,withnomorebreadthanwhat'sonthatplate,I'llwarranthecoulddoitifwe'dbackhimup."

AtCole'swordstherewasacheer,inwhicheverymanatthetablejoinedheartily.



"Butdon't,forGod'ssake,suggestit,boatswain!"saidHaywardinalowvoice."Hemightwanttotry."

Thedinneratthecaptain'stableproceededmoresoberly.Therewasfood,food,andmorefood:curriedprawnswithrice,bakedfishwithrice,roastfowlwithrice,andmanyotherdishes,withexcellentwineandschnappstowashalldown.Weofthe_Bounty's_launchhadbeensolongaccustomedtothinkingofwineandspiritsasthemostpreciousofcommodities,tobetakenonlyaspoonfulatatime,thatitwashardtoconvinceourselvesthatweneednolongerbesparingofthem.CaptainBligh,alwaysamoderatedrinker,wasstillsparing;buttherestofusdidbetterjusticetothegoodcheer;andourDutchcompanionsateanddrankwithasmuchzestasthoughtheyhadbeenmembersofourcompanyallthewayfromTofoa.Nelsonthrewaquizzicalglanceinmydirection,towardtheendofthemeal,whentheywereattackingnewdisheswithundiminishedappetite.

Ourguestswerenaturallycuriousabouttheeventsofthemutiny,buttheysoonrealizedthatitwasasoresubjectwithMr.Bligh,whichhepreferrednottodiscuss.

"Youhaveourswornaffidavits,Mr.Wanjon,"heremarked,atthistime."Thefactsarethere,attestedtobyeveryoneofmymen.Itisnot

likelythatthevillainswillcomethisway,butshouldtheydoso,seizeandholdthem.Letnotoneofthemescape."

"Youmaysetyourmindatrestonthatscore,"Mr.Wanjonreplied;andwiththisthediscussionofthemutinywasdropped.

"Igreatlydesiretoproceedhomewardassoonasmymenarefittoravel,"Blighremarked.Helaughedinawrymanner."Weareacompanyofpaupers,Mr.Wanjon.We'venotashillingamongstus;notahalfpennybit!"

"Donotletthatworryyou,CaptainBligh.Mr.VanEstehasinstructedmetoprovideyouwithwhateverfundsyoumaydesire."

"That'suncommonkindofhim.IshalldrawbillsonHisMajesty'sGovernment...CaptainSpikerman,isthereasmallvesseltobehadhereabout--onefittocarryustoBatavia?IwishtoarrivethereintimetosailhomewithyourOctoberfleet."

"Thereisasmallschoonerlyinginacoveabouttwoleaguesdistant,"CaptainSpikermanreplied."Shecanbebought,Iknow,foronethousandrix-dollars."

"Prettydear,isn'tit?"saidBligh

"She'swellworthit,Iassureyou.Sheisthirty-fourfeetlong,

perfectlysound,andwouldserveyourpurposeadmirably.Shouldyoucaretolookather,Icanhaveherhereforyourinspectionwithinadayortwo."

"Excellent,"saidBligh."I'llbegreatlyobligedtoyou."

Thedinnerwasatanend,andpresentlyourguestsleftus.Nelsonwasinajubilantmood.HehadaskedpermissiontobotanizetheislandintheenvironsofCoupang,andMr.Wanjonnotonlyagreedbuthadofferedtoprovideservantstoaccompanyhimonhisexpeditions.Nelsonwasinno



fitstatetogoabroad,andIdemurredstronglyagainsttheplan.However,hehadwonCaptainBligh'sconsentandwouldlistentononeofmyobjections.Asamatteroffact,Iwouldgladlyhavegonewithhim,haditnotbeenthatmyulceredlegmadewalkingoutofthequestion.

DuringthenexttendayshewasconstantlyawayfromCoupang,returningonlyoccasionallytobringinhisspecimens.Atfirstheappearedtothriveuponthework,butIsoonrealizedthathewasexertinghimselffarbeyondhisstrength.EarlyinJulyhecamedownwithaninflammatoryfeverwhichatlastconfinedhimtohisbed,whetherhewouldorno.Mr.MaxandIbothattendedhim,buthisconditiongrewsteadilyworse.Hisweakenedconstitutionhadbeentriedtooseverely,anditwassoonplaintobothofusthathewasdying.

HepassedawayonthetwentiethofJuly,atoneo'clockofthemorning.Ineednotsayhowhislossaffectedourcompany.Hewasrespectedandlovedbyeveryoneofus.Inmyowncase,wehadbeenfriendsfromthedayofourfirstmeetingatSpithead,andIhadlookedforwardtomanyyearsofhisfriendship.AsforMr.Bligh,Nelsonwas,Ibelieve,oneofthreeorfourmenwhomheheldinhisheartofhearts.Ithinkhewouldsoonerhavelostthehalfofhiscompanythantohavelosthim.

Weburiedhimthefollowingday.Hiscoffinwascarriedbytwelvesoldiersfromthefort,dressedinblack.Mr.BlighandMr.Wanjonwalked

immediatelybehindthebier;thencametengentlemenofthetownandtheofficersfromtheshipsintheharbour;andthe_Bounty's_peoplefollowedafter.Mr.Blighreadtheservice,anditwasasmuchashecoulddotogothroughwithit.Thebodywaslaidtorestbehindthechapel,inthatpartofthecemeterysetasideforEuropeans.

IrecallwithlittlepleasuretheremainderofoursojourninCoupang.Mr.Blighwasconstantlyemployedaboutthebusinessofourdeparture,andthe_Bounty's_peopleweredailyaboardtheschoonerhehadbought,makingherreadyforsea.Inmyowncase,Iwasasuselessnowas4hadbeenmuchofthetimeinthe_Bounty's_launch.Myulcerwouldnotheal,andIwasforcedtositinidlenessonthepiazzaofourdwelling,thinkingofNelson,andhowgladlyhewouldhavelivedtogohomewith

us.

Theschoonerwasastaunchlittlecraft,asCaptainSpikermanhadassuredus.Blighnamedher_Resource_,and,asweweretogoalongtheJavacoast,whichisinfestedwithsmall,piraticalvessels,hearmedherwithfourbrassswivelsandfourteenstandofsmallarms,withanabundanceofpowderandshot.

OnthetwentiethofAugust,beingentirelypreparedforsea,wespentthemorninginwaitinguponourvariousDutchfriends,whosekindnesshadbeenunremittingfromthedayofourarrivalatCoupang.Mr.VanEste,thegovernor,waslyingattheverypointofdeath,andCaptainBlighwasnotabletoseehim.Mr.Wanjonreceivedusinhisstead,andMr.Bligh

tenderedhimourgratefulthanksfortheinnumerableserviceshehadrenderedus.Mr.Max,thesurgeon,whohadcaredforourpeoplewhenIwasunabletodoso,wouldacceptnoremunerationforhisattendanceuponus,sayingthathehaddonenomorethanhisduty.HisactionwastypicalofthatofothersatCoupangwhohadbeenourhostsformorethantwomonths.

Throughouttheafternoonourhostsbecameourguestsonboardthe _Resource_,andweshowedthemwhatsmallhospitalitiesourpoormeansafforded.



CaptainBlighlookedhisoldselfagain.Hewasnowcloathedasbefittedhisrank,andhishairwasneatlydressedandpowdered.Ashestoodontheafter-deck,talkingwithCaptainSpikermanandMr.Wanjon,IcouldnotbutremarkthecontrastbetweenhisappearancenowandwhatithadbeenuponourarrivalatCoupang.Nevertheless,asIobservedhim,Iwasconsciousofacuriousfeelingofdisappointment.Itmaybethoughtstrange,butIlikedhimbetterashewasinthe_Bounty's_launch:ragshangingfromhiswastedlimbs,hishandonthetiller,thegreatseasfoamingupbehindhim,andthelowscudflyingcloseoverhead.Therehewasunique,onemanintenthousand.Ontheafter-deckofthe_Resource_,heappearedtobemerelyoneoftheinnumerablecaptainsofHisMajesty'sNavy.ButwellIknewinmyheartthequalityofthemanwhostoodthere.Forty-onedaysinaship'sboathadtaughtmethat.

Towardfouroftheafternoon,thelastofourguestsreturnedtotheshore.Thebreezefavouring,weweighedatonceandstoodofftowardtheopensea.Thebeachwasthrongedwithpeoplewavinghatsandhandkerchiefs,andaswedrewawaytheairquiveredwiththepartingsalutefromthefort.Mr.Peckover,ourgunner,wasrejoicedtobeemployedforthefirsttimethislongwhileinhisproperduties.OurbrassswivelsrepliedbravelytotheDutchsalutation.

Asforthe_Bounty's_launch,shewastowingbehind,withTinkleratthe

tiller,proudofthehonourconferreduponhim.PeckoverandIwerestandingattherail,lookingdownuponherinsilence,thinkingofherfaithfulservice.Welovedher,everymanofus,asthoughshewereasentientbeing.

PresentlyPeckoverturnedtome."Howwellshetows,"hesaid."Sheseemstowanttocome.Thoughwehadnolinetoher,I'llwarrantshe'dstillfollowCaptainBligh."

"ByGod,Peckover,"Isaid,"Ibelieveshewould!"

EPILOGUE

OnthefirstofOctoberwecastanchorinBataviaRoad,nearaDutchman-of-war.MorethanascoreofEastIndiamenwereridingthere,aswellasagreatfleetofnativeprows.Thecaptainwentashoreatonce,tocallonMr.Englehard,theSabandar--anofficerwithwhomallstrangersareobligedtotransacttheirbusiness;andonthesameeveningwewereinformedthatwemightlodgeatanhotel,theonlyplaceinthecitywhereforeignersarepermittedtoreside.

TheclimateofBataviaisoneofthemostunwholesomeintheworld.Themiasmaticeffluviawhichrisefromtheriverduringthenightbringonan

intermittentfever,orpaludism,oftenofgreatseverity,accompaniedbyunendurableheadaches.Weakenedbyourprivations,someofusfellimmediatevictimstothisdisorder,whichwastocostLenkletterandElphinstonetheirlives.Thehotel,whereIresidedwiththeotherofficers,thoughsituatedinwhatisconsideredahealthyquarterofthecity,andneartheriverbank,wasintolerablyhot,andsoillarrangedforafreecirculationofairthatamaninrobusthealthmustsoonhavesuccumbedtoitsstiflingrooms.

Afteronenightinthisplace,Mr.Blighwastakenwithafeverso



violentthatIfearedforhislife.Iwasunabletoattendhim,sinceIwassufferingfromafeveraswellasfromtheulceronmyleg,andMr.Aansorp,headsurgeonofthetownhospital,wassentfor.ByadministeringbarkofPeruandwine,thisskillfulphysiciansoimprovedCaptainBlighthatwithinadayhewasableoncemoretotransactthepressingbusinessonhishands.

WehadbeenfourdaysatthehotelwhenMr.Sparling,Surgeon-GeneralofJava,hadthekindnesstoinviteCaptainBlighandmetobehisguestsattheseamen'shospital,onanislandintheriver,threeorfourmilesfromthetown.Thishospitalisamodelofitskind,largeenoughtoaccommodatefifteenhundredmen.Thesickreceiveexcellentcareandattention,andthewardsarescrupulouslyclean.Mr.Sparling,whohadbeeneducatedinEngland,listenedwithgreatinteresttotheaccountofourvoyage,andinsistedthatCaptainBlighsendforthoseofhispeoplewhowereill.LateoneafternoonIwassittingonmycolleague'sshadyverandah.Hewassmokingalongblack_cigarro_;Ilayonasetteewithmybandagedlegstretchedoutonastool.Wewerediscussingthemedicalphasesofoursufferings,Mr.Sparlingexpressingsurprisethatanymaninthelaunchshouldhavesurvived.

"Yousaythatthreeofthepeoplewereforty-onedayswithoutevacuation?"heasked."Itisallbutincredible!"

"Somuchso,"Ireplied,"thatIhopetowriteapapertobereadbeforetheCollegeofSurgeons.Whatlittleweateappearedtobeentirelyusedupbyourbodies."

"Itisamiraclethatyouarealive.Butyourconstitutionshavebeentoomuchimpairedtowithstandsuchaclimateasthis.IamconcernedaboutMr.Bligh.Shouldhestaylong..."Heshruggedhisshoulders,pausedforamoment,andwenton:"Ihaveneverknownamanofgreaterdetermination!Withsuchafever,mostmenwouldbeontheirbacks.Yethegoesdailyintothetowntotransacthisbusiness.Ihavespokentothegovernor.Mr.Blighwillbepermittedtotakepassage,withtwoothers,onthepacketsailingonthesixteenthofthismonth."

"Youarekindindeed,sir!Mr.Blighsharedallofoursufferings,and,inaddition,theentireresponsibilitywashis.Thestrainhasimpairedhishealthgravely;Ihavefearedmorethanoncethathemightleavehisboneshere."

"Thatpossibilityisbynomeansremote,"saidSparling."ThereisahighmortalityhereamongstEuropeans.Mr.Bligh,Icansee,isamanwhowillattendtohisdutyeventotheseriousprejudiceofhishealth.Dowhatyoucan,Mr.Ledward,tourgeuponhimthenecessityforcaution."

"Ihave,sir,"Ireplied;"youmaybesureofthat;buthecannot,orwillnot,takeadvice."

Mycolleaguenodded."He'sastrong-headedman,that'splain.Ishouldimaginethathewasabitofatartaronthequarter-deck?"AtthatmomentaMalayservantappearedinthedoorway,bowed,andspoketohismaster.Mr.Sparlingrose.

"CaptainBlighisdisembarkingnow,"hesaid,asheleftme.PresentlyheusheredBlightoachairandmadeasigntotheservant,whobroughtinatraywithglasses,andadecanterofexcellentCapeTownwine.

"Letmeprescribeaglassofwine,"remarkedSparling."Thereisnofiner



tonicformeninyourcondition."

"Yourhealth,sir,"saidBligh,"andthatofourkindhostess,ifImayproposeit.Ihavehadaharddayinthetown;yourhouseisahavenofrefugeforawearyman."

Hisfacewasgauntandflushed,andhiseyesunnaturallybright,ashesatinoneofSparling'slongrattanchairs,wearinganill-fittingsuitofcloathes,madebyaChinesetailorinthetown.

"Oneofyourmenisverylow,"remarkedtheSurgeon-Generalpresently;"theonewevisitedthismorning.Ifearthereislittlehopeforhim."

"Aye--Hall,"saidBligh."Poorfellow."

"Thefluxseemsdeadlyintheseparts,"Iobserved.

"Yes,"saidSparling."Fewrecoverfromtheviolentformofthedisease.HemusthaveeatenofsomeinfectedfruitsinCoupang."

Weweresilentforatime,whileBlighseemedtobebroodingoversomeunpleasantthought.

"Ledward,I'vehadtopartwiththelaunch!"heexclaimedatlast.

"You'vesoldher,sir?"Iasked.

"Yes.Andtheschooner,too--butshemeantlittletome.Asforthelaunch,thoughIamapoorman,Iwouldgladlygivefivehundredpoundstotakeherhome!"

"Youcouldgetnospaceforheronthe_Vlydte?_"

"Notafoot!Damme!Notaninch!NotevenformysixpotsofplantsfromTimor."

Sparlingnodded."ThereareneverenoughshipsintheOctoberfleet,"heremarked."Everyfootofspaceandeverypassagehasbeenbespokenfor

months.Itwasonlythroughthegovernor'sinfluencethatIgotpassageforyouandyourtwomen.ShouldmywifedesiretosendafewgiftsofnativemanufacturetoheruncleattheCapeofGoodHope,Ideclaretoyouitwouldbeimpossibleatthistime!"

"Ihadhopedtotakethelaunch,"saidBligh."SheshouldbeplacedinthemuseumoftheAdmiralty.Afinerboatwasneverbuilt!Iloveher,everyframeandplank!"

"Howdidyoufareattheauction?"askedSparling.

Blighlaughedruefully."Damnedbadly!"hereplied."IfImayremarkuponit,sir,yourmethodofconductinganauctionstrikesmeasinferiorto

ours."

"Yes,fromtheseller'sstandpoint.IhaveattendedyourEnglishauctions.Wherethebidsmounthigherandhigher,thebiddersareapttolosetheirheads."

"Youshouldhavebeenthere,Ledward,"saidBligh."Theysetahighfigureatfirst,whichtheauctioneerbringsdowngraduallyuntilsomeonebids.Smalldangeroflosingone'sheadwhentherecanbeonlyonebid!SeveralDutchcaptainswereonhand;halfadozenMalays,aChinamanor



two,andsomeothers--Godknowswhattheymayhavebeen!TherewasoneEnglishmanpresentbesidesourselves,--CaptainJohnEddie,commandingashipfromBengal.He'dcomemerelytolookon,nottobid.Theauctioneerputuptheschoonerfirst,attwothousandrix-dollars.Thefigurecamedowntothreehundred,withoutanoffer!ByGod,Mr.Sparling,aScotoraJewwouldstarvetodeathincompetitionwithyourseafaringcountrymen!Atthreehundred,anoldChinamanshowedsignsofinterest,castingshrewdglancesataDutchcaptainstandingcloseby.Attwohundredandninety-five,CaptainEddieraisedhishand.ByGod!Iwasgratefultohimforthat!Thepricewasnotathirdofhervalue,butEddiekeptthosebloodysharksfromgettingher.Itwarmedmyhearttoseetheirdisappointment."

"Whatdidthelaunchfetch?"Iasked.

"Letusnotspeakofher.ColeandPeckoverwerewithme;theyfeltasbadlyasI.IfIcouldhaveleftherhere,insafehands,untiltherewasachancetosendherhome..."Hesighed."Itcouldn'tbearranged.Itcostmedeartoseehergo!"

OnthefollowingdaydiedThomasHall,ourthirdlosssinceleavingthe _Bounty_.Hehadenduredmanfullyourhardshipsinthelaunch,onlytosuccumbtothemostdreadedofEastIndiandiseases.Lenkletterand

Elphinstone,destinedalsotoleavetheirbonesinBatavia,weresufferingwiththesamepaludismthathadattackedCaptainBligh.

AtthistimetheSabandarinformedusthateveryofficerandmanmustmakedepositionbeforeanotaryconcerningthemutinyonboardthe _Bounty_,inordertoauthorizethegovernmenttodetainher,shouldsheventureintoDutchwaters.Blighconsideredthisunlikely;buthisdeterminationtoseethemutineersbroughttojusticewassuchthatheleftnocontingencyunprovidedfor.

OnthemorningofOctobersixteenthIwasawakenedlongbeforedaylightbysoundsinMr.Bligh'sroom,nexttomine.Hewastoberoweddowntherivertogoonboardthe_Vlydte_,andIcouldhearhim,throughthethin

wall,directinghisservant,Smith,howtopackthelargecamphorwoodboxhehadpurchasedsomedaysbefore.

Inthegraylightofdawn,Mr.Blighknockedatmydoorandenteredtheroom.

"Awake,Ledward?"heasked.Istruggledtositup,buthemotionedmenottomove.

"I'vecometobidyougood-bye,"hesaid.

"IwishIweresailingwithyou,sir!"

Helaughedhisshort,harshlaugh."Damme!I'mbynomeanssureyou'renottheluckierofthetwo!YoumayhavethegoodfortunetogohomeonanEnglishship.YesterdayIcalledonCaptainCouvret,aboardthe _Vlydte_;wehadsometalkconcerningthemannerofnavigation.Theycarrynolog,andscarcelysteerwithinaquarterofapoint.Nowondertheyfrequentlyfindthemselvesabovetendegreesoutintheirreckoning!ThestateofdisciplineonboardisappallingtoanEnglishseaman.ItwillbeamiracleifwereachTableBay;oncethere,IhopetotransfertoanEnglishship."



"Permitmetowishyouagoodvoyage,inanycase."

AtthatmomentMr.Sparlingcalledfromthepiazza:"Yourboatiswaiting,CaptainBligh!"

Blightookmyhandinabrief,warmclasp.

"Good-bye,Ledward,"hesaid."Don'tfailtocallonMrs.BlighwhenyoureachLondon."

"Ishallhopetoseeyou,too,sir."

Heshookhishead."It'snotlikely.IfIhavemyway,IshallsailforOtaheitebeforeyoureachEngland."

Hewasgone--thefinestseamanunderwhomIhaveeverhadthegoodfortunetosail.FromthebottomofmyheartIwishedhimGodSpeed.

THERUNOFTHELAUNCH

(_FromtheIslandofTofoatoCoupang,ontheIslandofTimor_)

YEAR1789NO.OFMILES------------------------------

May3864955946847798629641078111021289

1379148915(norecord)161O11710018106191002075219922130231162411425108

261122710928(norecord)EnteredtheGreatBarrierReef2918ToRestorationIsland30--AtRestorationIsland3130ToSundayIslandJun110ToLagoonIsland230335ToTurtleIsland4111ClearofNewHolland



5108611778881069107101111110912(norecord)SightedTimor1354CoastingTimor14(norecord)ReachedCoupang

Totaldistancerun,3618miles

THEEND

Men Against the Sea

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