f n n m m u
C H A P . and thus furnished, they again sailed for Tobouai, where, as they ex-
y , pected, they were better received than before, in consequence of being
Dec.
1825.
able to communicate with the natives through their interpreters.
Experience had taught them the necessity of making self-defence
their first consideration, and a fort was consequently commenced,
eighty yards square, surrounded by a wide ditch. It was nearly completed,
when the natives, imagining they were going to destroy them,
and that the ditch was intended for their place of interment, planned
a general attack when the party should proceed to work in the morning.
It fortunately happened that one of the natives who accompanied
them from Otaheite overheard this conspiracy, and instantly
swam off to the ship and apprised the crew of their danger. Instead,
therefore, of proceeding to their work at the fort, as usual, the
following morning, they made an attack upon the natives, killed and
wounded several, and obliged the others to retire inland.
Great dissatisfaction and difference of opinion now arose among
the crew ; some were for abandoning the fort and returning to Otaheite;
while others were for proceeding to the Marquesas; but the majority
were at that time for completing what they had begun, and remaining
at Tobouai. At length the continued state of suspense in which they
were kept by the natives made them decide to return to Otaheite,
though much against the inclination of Christian, who in vain expostulated
with them on the folly of such a resolution, and the certain detection
that must ensue.
The implements being embarked, they proceeded therefore a
second time to Otaheite, and were again well received by their friends,
who replenished their stock of provision. During the passage Christian
formed his intention of proceeding in the ship to some distant uninhabited
island, for the purpose of permanently settling, as the most
likely means of escaping the punishment which he well knew awaited
him in the event of being discovered. On communicating this plan to
his shipmates he found only a few inclined to assent to i t ; but no objections
were offered by those who dissented, to his taking the ship; all
they required was an equal distribution of such provisions and stores
as might be useful. Young, Brown, Mills, YVilliams, Quintal, M‘Coy,
Martin, Adams, and six natives (four of Otaheite and two of Tobouai) c h a p .
determined to follow the fate of Christian. Remaining, therefore, only
twenty-four hours at Otaheite, they took leave of tlieir comrades, and
having invited on hoard several of the women with the feigned purpose
of taking leave, the cables were cut and they were carried off to sea*.
The mutineers now' bade adieu to all the world, save the few
individuals associated with them in exile. But where that exile
should be passed, w'as yet undecided: the Marquesas Islands were first
mentioned, but Christian, on reading Captain Carteret’s account of Pitcairn
Island, thought it better adapted to the purpose, and accordingly
shaped a course thither. They reached it not many days afterwards
; and Christian, with one of the seamen, landed in a little nook,
which we afterwards found very convenient for disembarkation. They
soon traversed the island sufficiently to be satisfied that it was exactly
adapted to their wishes. It possessed water, wood, a good soil, and
some fruits. The anchorage in the offing was very bad, and landing
for boats extremely hazardous. The mountains were so difficult of
access, and the passes so narrow, that they might be maintained by a
few persons against an army ; and there were several caves, to which, in
case of necessity, they could retreat, and where, as long as their provision
lasted, they might bid defiance to their pursuers. Yuth this intelligence
they returned on board, and brought the ship to an anchor in a
small bay on the northern side of the island, which I have in consequence
named “ Bounty Bay,” where every thing that could be of
utility was landed, and where it was agreed to destroy the ship, either
by running her on shore, or burning her. Christian, Adams, and tlie
majority, were for the former expedient; but while they went to the
forepart of the sliip, to execute this business, Mathew Quintal set fire
to the carpenter’s store-room. The vessel burnt to the water’s edge,
and then drifted upon the rocks, where the remainder of the wreck was
burnt for fear of discovery. This occurred on the 23d January, 1790.
Upon their first landing they perceived, by the remains of several
habitations, morals, and three or four rudely sculptured images, which
* Tlie greater part of those who remained at Otaheite were taken by liis majesty’s sliip
Pandora, wdiioh was purposely sent out from England after Lieutenant Bligli’s return.
I 2