CH A P . ceeded in producing a bottle of ardent spirit. This success induced his
companion, TMathew Quintal to “ alter his kettle into a still,” a con-
Dec. trivance which unfortunately succeeded too well, as frequent intoxi-
cation was the consequence, with M‘Coy in particular, upon whom at
length it produced fits of delirium, in one of which, he threw himself
from a cliff and was killed. The melancholy fate of this man created
so forcible an impression on the remaining few, that they resolved
never again to touch spirits ; and Adams has, I believe, to this day kept
his vow.
The journal finishes nearly at the period of M‘Coy’s death, which
is not related in it: but we learned from Adams, that about 1799
Quintal lost his wife by a fall from the cliff' while in search of birds’
eg g s; that he grew discontented, and, though there were several disposable
women on the island, and he had already experienced the fatal
effects of a similar demand, nothing would satisfy him but the wife of
one of his companions. Of course neither of them felt inclined to
accede to this unreasonable indulgence; and he sought an opportunity
of putting them both to death. He was fortunately foiled in his first
attempt, but swore he w'ould repeat it. Adams and Young having no
doubt he would follow up his resolution, and fearing he might be more
successful in the next attempt, came to the conclusion, that their own
lives were not safe while he was in existence, and that they were
justified in putting him to death, which they did with an axe.
Such was the melancholy fate of seven of the leading mutineers,
who escaped from justice only to add murder to their former crimes;
for though some of them may not have actually imbrued their hands
in the blood of their fellow'-creatures, yet all were accessary to the
deed.
As Christian and Young were descended from respectable parents,
and had received educations suitable to their birth, it might be supposed
that they felt their altered and degraded situation much more than
the seamen who were comparatively well off; but if so, Adams says,
they had the good sense to conceal it, as not a single murmur or regret
escaped them ; on the contrary, Christian was always cheerful, and his
example was of the greatest service in exciting his companions to labour.
He was naturally of a happy, ingenuous disposition, and won the CH AI’.
good opinion and respect of all who served under him ; which cannot , ,
be better exemplified than by hi,s maintaining, under circumstances of Dcr.
great perplexity, the respect and regard of all who were associated
with him up to the hour of his death; and even at the present moment,
Adams, in speaking of him, never omits to say, “ Mr. Christian.”
Adams and Young were now the sole survivors out of the fifteen
males that landed upon the island. They were both, and more particularly
Young, of a serious turn of mind; and it would have been
wonderful, after the many dreadful scenes at w'hich they had assisted,
if the solitude and tranquillity that ensued had not disposed them to
repentance. During Christian’s life-time they only once read the
church service, but since his decease this had been regularly done on
every Sunday. They now, how'ever, resolved to have morning and
evening family prayers, to add afternoon service to the duty of the
Sabbath, and to train up their own children, and those of their late unfortunate
companions, in piety and virtue.
In the execution of this resolution Young’s education enabled
him to be of the greatest assistance; but he was not long suffered
to survive his repentance. An asthmatic complaint, under whicli
he had for some time laboured, terminated his existence about a year
after the death of Quintal, and Adams was left the sole survivor of
the misguided and unfortunate mutineers of the Bounty. The loss of
his last companion tvas a great affliction to him, and was for some
time most severely felt. It was a catastrophe, however, that more than
ever disposed him to repentance, and determined him to execute the
pious resolution he had made, in the hope of expiating his offences.
His reformation could not, perhaps, have taken place at a more
propitious moment. Out of nineteen children upon the island, there
were several between the ages of seven and nine years ; who, had they
been longer suffered to follow their own inclinations, might have
acquired habits which it w'onld have been difficult if not impossible for
Adams to eradicate. The moment was therefore most favourable for
his design, and his laudable exertions were attended by advantages
both to the objects of his care and to his own mind, which surpassed
I, Ilii
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