A Narrative Of The Mutiny, On Board His Majestys Ship Bounty | Page 3

determined on the latter, and the carpenter was ordered into the boat. He was permitted, but not without some opposition, to take his tool chest.
Much altercation took place among the mutinous crew during the whole business: some swore "I'll be damned if he does not find his way home, if he gets any thing with him," (meaning me); others, when the carpenter's chest was carrying away, "Damn my eyes, he will have a vessel built in a month." While others laughed at the helpless situation of the boat, being very deep, and so little room for those who were in her. As for Christian, he seemed meditating instant destruction on himself and every one.
I asked for arms, but they laughed at me, and said I was well acquainted with the people where I was going, and therefore did not want them; four cutlasses, however, were thrown into the boat, after we were veered astern.
[Sidenote: 1789. APRIL.]
When the officers and men, with whom I was suffered to have no communication, were put into the boat, they only waited for me, and the master at arms informed Christian of it; who then said--"Come, captain Bligh, your officers and men are now in the boat, and you must go with them; if you attempt to make the least resistance you will instantly be put to death:" and, without any farther ceremony, holding me by the cord that tied my hands, with a tribe of armed ruffians about me, I was forced over the side, where they untied my hands. Being in the boat we were veered astern by a rope. A few pieces of pork were then thrown to us, and some cloaths, also the cutlasses I have already mentioned; and it was now that the armourer and carpenters called out to me to remember that they had no hand in the transaction. After having undergone a great deal of ridicule, and been kept some time to make sport for these unfeeling wretches, we were at length cast adrift in the open ocean.
I had with me in the boat the following persons:
Names. Stations.
JOHN FRYER Master. THOMAS LEDWARD Acting Surgeon. DAVID NELSON Botanist. WILLIAM PECKOVER Gunner. WILLIAM COLE Boatswain. WILLIAM PURCELL Carpenter. WILLIAM ELPHINSTON Master's Mate. THOMAS HAYWARD } Midshipmen. JOHN HALLETT } JOHN NORTON } Quarter Masters. PETER LINKLETTER } LAWRENCE LEBOGUE Sailmaker. JOHN SMITH } Cooks. THOMAS HALL } GEORGE SIMPSON Quarter Master's Mate. ROBERT TINKLER A boy. ROBERT LAMB Butcher. MR. SAMUEL Clerk.
There remained on board the Bounty, as pirates,
FLETCHER CHRISTIAN Master's Mate. PETER HAYWOOD } EDWARD YOUNG } Midshipmen. GEORGE STEWART } CHARLES CHURCHILL Master at Arms. JOHN MILLS Gunner's Mate. JAMES MORRISON Boatswain's Mate. THOMAS BURKITT Able Seaman. MATTHEW QUINTAL Ditto. JOHN SUMNER Ditto. JOHN MILLWARD Ditto. WILLIAM M'KOY Ditto. HENRY HILLBRANT Ditto. MICHAEL BYRNE Ditto. WILLIAM MUSPRAT Ditto. ALEXANDER SMITH Ditto. JOHN WILLIAMS Ditto. THOMAS ELLISON Ditto. ISAAC MARTIN Ditto. RICHARD SKINNER Ditto. MATTHEW THOMPSON Ditto. WILLIAM BROWN Gardiner. JOSEPH COLEMAN Armourer. CHARLES NORMAN Carpenter's Mate. THOMAS M'INTOSH Carpenter's Crew.
In all 25 hands, and the most able men of the ship's company.
[Sidenote: 1789. APRIL.]
Having little or no wind, we rowed pretty fast towards Tofoa, which bore N E about 10 leagues from us. While the ship was in sight she steered to the W N W, but I considered this only as a feint; for when we were sent away--"Huzza for Otaheite," was frequently heard among the mutineers.
Christian, the captain of the gang, is of a respectable family in the north of England. This was the third voyage he had made with me; and, as I found it necessary to keep my ship's company at three watches, I gave him an order to take charge of the third, his abilities being thoroughly equal to the task; and by this means my master and gunner were not at watch and watch.
[Sidenote: 1789. APRIL.]
Haywood is also of a respectable family in the north of England, and a young man of abilities, as well as Christian. These two were objects of my particular regard and attention, and I took great pains to instruct them, for they really promised, as professional men, to be a credit to their country.
Young was well recommended, and appeared to me an able stout seaman; therefore I was glad to take him: he, however, fell short of what his appearance promised.
Stewart was a young man of creditable parents, in the Orkneys; at which place, on the return of the Resolution from the South Seas, in 1780, we received so many civilities, that, on that account only, I should gladly have taken him with me: but, independent of this recommendation, he was a seaman, and had always borne a good character.
Notwithstanding the roughness with which I was treated, the remembrance of past kindnesses produced some signs of remorse