stood upon the eminence overlooking the bay where the ship was de-
^ stroyed, that the island had been previously inhabited. Some apprehensions
were, in consequence, entertained lest the natives should
have secreted themselves, and in some unguarded moment make an
attack upon them ; but by degrees these fears subsided, and their avocations
proceeded without interruption.
A suitable spot of ground for a village was fixed upon, with the
exception of which the island was divided into equal portions, but to
the exclusion of the poor blacks, who being only friends of the seamen,
were not considered as entitled to the same privileges. Obliged to
lend their assistance to the others in order to procure a subsistence,
they thus, from being their friends, in the course of time became their
slaves. N o discontent, however, was manifested, and they willingly
assisted in the cultivation of the soil. In clearing the space that was
allotted to the village, a row of trees was left between it and the sea,
for the purpose of concealing the houses from the observation of any
vessels that might be passing, and nothing was allowed to be erected
that might in any way attract attention. Until these houses were
finished, the sails of the Bounty were converted into tents, and when
no longer required for that purpose, became very acceptable as clothing.
Thus supplied with all the necessaries of life, and some of its luxuries,
they felt their condition comfortable even beyond their most sanguine
expectation, and every thing went on peaceably and prosperously for
about two years, at the expiration of which YVilliams, who had the
misfortune to lose his wife about a month after his arrival, by a fall
from a precipice while collecting birds’ eggs, became dissatisfied, and
threatened to leave the island in one of the boats of the Bounty,
unless he had another wife ; an unreasonable request, as it could not
be complied with, except at the expense of the happiness of one of his
companions; but Williams, actuated by selfish considerations alone,
persisted in his threat, and the Europeans not willing to part with
him, on account of his usefulness as an armourer, constrained one of the
blacks to bestow his wife upon the applicant. The blacks, outrageous
at this second act of flagrant injustice, made common cause with their
companion, and matured a plan of revenge upon their aggressors.
which, had it succeeded, would have proved fatal to all the Europeans. CHAP.
Fortunately, the secret was imparted to the women, who ingeniously , m
communicated it to the white men in a song, of which the words were,
Doc.
“ Why does black man sharpen axe ? to kill white man.” The instant
182.’).
Christian became aware of the plot, he seized his gun and went in search
of the blacks, but with a view only of showing them that their plot was
discovered, and thus by timely interference endeavouring to prevent
the execution of it. He met one of them (Ohoo) at a little distance
from the village, taxed him with the conspiracy, and, in order to intimidate
him, discharged his gun, which he had humanely loaded only with
powder. Ohoo, how’ever, imagining otherwise, and that the bullet had
missed its object, derided his unskilfulness, and fled into the woods,
followed by his accomplice Talaloo, who had been deprived of his wife.
The remaining blacks, finding their plot discovered, purchased pardon
by promising to murder their accomplices, who had fled, which they
afterwards performed by an act of the most odious treachery. Ohoo
was betrayed and murdered by his own nephew; and Talaloo, after
art ineffectual attempt made upon him w'ith poison, fell by the hands of
his friend and his wife, the very woman on whose account all the
disturbance began, and whose injuries Talaloo felt he was revenging
in common with his ow'n.
Tranquillity was by these means restored, and preserved for about
two years; at the expiration of which, dissatisfaction was again manifested
by the blacks, in consequence of oppression and ill treatment,
principally by Quintal and M‘Coy. Meeting with no compassion or
redress from their masters, a second plan to destroy their oppressors
was matured, and, unfortunately, too successfully executed.
It was agreed that two of the blacks, Timoa and Nehow, should
desert from their masters, provide themselves with arms, and hide in
the woods, but maintain a frequent communication with the other two,
Tetaheite and Menalee; and that on a certain day they should attack
and put to death all the Englishmen, when at work in their plantations.
Tctaheite, to strengthen the party of the blacks on this day, borrowed
a gun and ammunition from his master, under the pretence of shooting
hogs, which had become wild and very numerous ; but instead ot