. o s i r
54 VOYAGE TO THE
C H A P .
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some consideration, said he thought it a dangerous attempt, and declined
taking a part, ^'exed at a repulse in a quarter where he was
most sanguine of success, and particularly at having revealed sentiments
which if made known would bring him to an ignominious death,
Clmstian became desperate, exhibited the lead about liis neck in
testimony of his own resolution, and taxed Quintal with cowardice,
declaring it was fear alone that restrained him. Quintal denied this
accusation ; and in reply to Christian’s further argument that success
would restore them all to the happy island, and the connexions they
had left behind, the strongest persuasion he could have used to a mind
somewhat prepared to acquiesce, he recommended that some one else
should be tried—Isaac Martin for instance, who was standing by.
jMai’tin, more ready than his shipmate, emphatically declared, “ He was
for it; it was the very thing.” Successful in one instance, Christian
went to every man of his watch, many of whom he found disposed to
join him, and before daylight the greater portion of the ship’s company
were brought over.
Adams was sleeping in his hammock, when Sumner, one of the
seamen, came to him, and whispered that Christian was going to take
the ship from her commander, and set him and the master on shore.
On hearing this, Adams went upon deck, and found every thing in
great confusion ; but not then liking to take any part in the transaction,
he returned to his hammock, and remained there until he saw
Christian at the arm-chest, distributing arms to all who came for
them ; and then seeing measures had proceeded so far, and apprehensive
of being on the weaker side, he turned out again and went for a
cutlass.
All those who proposed to assist Christian being armed, Adams,
with others, were ordered to secure the officers, while Christian and the
master-at-arms proceeded to the cabin to make a prisoner of Lieutenant
Bligh. They seized him in his cot, bound his hands behind him,
and brought him upon deck. He remonstrated with them on their
conduct, but received only abuse in return, and a blow from the master-
at-arms with the flat side of a cutlass. He was idaced near the binnacle,
and detained there, with his arms pinioned, by Christian, who held
him with one liand, and a bayonet with the other. A h soon a.s the lieutenant
was secured, the sentinels that had been placed over the doors
of the officers’ cabins were taken off'; the master then jum{)ed upon
the forecastle, and endeavoured to form a party to retake the ship; but
he was quickly secured, and sent below in confinement.
This conduct of the master, who was the only officer that tried to
bring the mutineers to a sense of their duty, was the more highly
creditable to him, as he had the greatest cause for discontent, Mr. Ifiigh
having been more severe to him than to any of the other officers.
About this time a dispute arose, whether the lieutenant and his
party, whom the mutineers resolved to set adrift, should have the
launch or the cutter; and it being decided in favour of the launch,
Christian ordered her to be hoisted out. Martin, who, it may be remembered,
was the first convert to Christian’s plan, foreseeing that
with the aid of so large a boat the party would find their way to England,
and that their information would in all probability lead to the
detection of the offenders, relinquished his first intention, and exclaimed,
“ I f you give him the launch, I will go with him; you may
as well give him the ship.” He really appears to have been in earnest
in making this declaration, as he was afterwards ordered to the gangway
from his post of command over the lieutenant, in consequence
of having fed him with a shaddock, and exchanged looks with him
indicative of his friendly intentions. It also fell to the lot of Adams
to guard the lieutenant, who observing him stationed by his side, exclaimed,
“And you, Smith*, are you against me?” To which Adams
replied that he only acted as the others did—he must be like the
rest. Lieutenant Bligh, while thus secured, reproached Christian irith
ingratitude, reminded him of his obligations to him, and begged he
would recollect he had a wife and family. To which Christian replied,
that he should have thought of that before.
The launch was by this time hoisted ou t; and the officers and seamen
of Lieutenant Bligh’s party having collected what was necessary
for their voyage f, were ordered into her. Among those who took their
* Adams we n t by the name o f Alexander Smith in th e Bounty.
f Consisting of a small cask of water, 150 lbs. of bread, a small q u an tiw o f rum and
wine, a quadrant, compass, some lines, rope, canvas, twine, Kc.
C H A P .
HI.
Dec.
182.5.