The Lonely Island | Page 5

berth.
He was roughly awakened and bidden to rise.
"What is the reason of such violence?" he demanded, addressing
Christian, as they half forced him out of bed.
"Silence, sir," said Christian, sternly; "you know the reason well
enough. Tie his hands, lads."
Disregarding the order to be silent, Bligh shouted "murder!" at the top

of his voice.
"Hold your tongue, sir, else you're a dead man," said Christian, seizing
him by the tied hands with a powerful grasp, and holding a bayonet to
his breast.
Of course no one responded to the Captain's cry, the hatchways,
etcetera, being guarded. They gave him no time to dress, but hurried
him on deck, where, amid much confusion and many abusive cries,
preparations were being made for getting out a boat, for it was resolved
to set Bligh and his friends adrift. At first there was some disputing
among the mutineers as to which boat should be given to them.
Eventually the launch was decided on.
"Hoist her out, bo's'n. Do it smartly and instantly, or look-out for
yourself."
The order was given sternly, for the boatswain was known to be
friendly to Bligh. He obeyed at once, with the assistance of willing men
who were only too glad to get rid of their tyrannical commander.
"Now, Mr Hayward and Mr Hallet, get into the boat," said Christian,
who seemed to be torn with conflicting emotions. His tone and look
were sufficient for those young midshipmen. They obeyed promptly.
Mr Samuel the clerk and several more of the crew were then ordered
into the boat. At this point Captain Bligh attempted to interfere. He
demanded the intentions of the mutineers, but was told to hold his
tongue, with threats of instant death if he did not obey. Particular
persons were then called on to go into the boat, and some of these were
allowed to collect twine, canvas, lines, sails, cordage, and other things
to take with them. They were also allowed an eight-and-twenty gallon
cask of water, fifty pounds of bread, a small quantity of rum and wine,
a quadrant, and a compass.
When all the men obnoxious to the mutineers were in the boat, Captain
Bligh was ordered into it. Isaac Martin had been placed as a guard over
the Captain, and appeared to favour him, as he enabled him to moisten

his parched lips with a shaddock. For this he was removed, and Adams
took his place. Bligh looked round, but no friendly eye met his. He had
forfeited the regard of all on board, though there were undoubtedly men
there whose detestation of mutiny and whose sense of honour would
have inclined them to aid him if they had not been overawed by the
numbers and resolution of the mutineers. The master, indeed, had
already made an attempt to rally some of the men round him, but had
failed, and been sent to his cabin. He, with the others, was now in the
boat. Poor young Peter Heywood the middy looked on bewildered as if
in a dream. He could not be said in any sense, either by look or act, to
have taken part with the mutineers.
At last he went below for some things, intending to go in the boat, but
was ordered to remain below. So also, it is thought, was Edward Young,
another midshipman, who did not make his appearance on deck at all
during the progress of the mutiny. It was afterwards said that the
leading seamen among the mutineers had purposely ordered these
officers below, and detained them with a view to their working the ship
in the event of anything happening to Christian.
Bligh now made a last appeal.
"I'll give you my honour, Mr Christian," he said, "never to think of
what has passed this day if you will desist. To cast us adrift here in an
open boat is to consign us to destruction. Think of my wife and
family!"
"No, Captain Bligh," replied Christian, sternly; "if you had any honour
things had not come to this; and if you had any regard for your wife
and family, you should have thought of them before and not behaved so
much like a villain. It is too late. You have treated me like a dog all the
voyage. Come, sir, your officers and men are now in the boat, and you
must go with them. If you attempt resistance you shall be put to death."
Seeing that further appeal would be useless, Bligh allowed himself to
be forced over the side. When in the boat his hands were untied.
"You will at least allow us arms, to defend ourselves from the savages,"

he said. Fire-arms were refused, but four cutlasses were ultimately
allowed him. At this point Isaac Martin quietly descended into the