72 VOYAGE TO THE 



CI in P ' a y° un g officer, who afterwards perished in the Pan- 

 *—y-~' dora, to whom Christian communicated his inten- 

 1825. ti° n J recommended him, rather than risk his life on 

 so hazardous an expedition, to endeavour to take 

 possession of the ship, which lie thought would not 

 be very difficult, as many of the ship's company 

 were not well disposed towards the commander, and 

 would all be very glad to return to Otaheite, and 

 reside among their friends in that island. This 

 daring proposition is even more extraordinary than 

 the premeditated scheme of his companion, and, if 

 true, certainly relieves Christian from part of the 

 odium which has hitherto attached to him as the sole 

 instigator of the mutiny * 



It however accorded too well with the disposition 

 of Christian's mind, and, hazardous as it was, he de- 

 termined to co-operate with his friend in effecting 

 it, resolving, if he failed, to throw himself into the 

 sea; and that there might be no chance of being 

 saved, he tied a deep sea lead about his neck, and 

 concealed it within his clothes. 



Christian happened to have the morning watch, 

 and as soon as he had relieved the officer of the 

 deck, he entered into conversation with Quintal, the 

 only one of the seamen who, Adams said, had form- 

 ed any serious attachment at Otaheite; and after 

 expatiating on the happy hours they had passed 

 there, disclosed his intentions. Quintal, after some 

 consideration, said he thought it a dangerous at- 

 tempt, and declined taking a part. Vexed at a re- 



* This account, however, differs materially from a note in Mar- 

 shall's Naval Biography, Vol. ii. Part ii. p. 778: unfortunately this 

 volume was not published when the Blossom left England, or more 

 satisfactory evidence on this, and other points, might have been 

 obtained. However, this is the statement of Adams. 



