PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 77 



that island, and bore away for Tobouai, a small island c ^ p " 

 about 300 miles to the southward of it, where they ^-^r^ 

 agreed to establish themselves, provided the natives, 182 5. 

 who were numerous, were not hostile to their pur- 

 pose. Of this they had very early intimation, an 

 attack being made upon a boat which they sent 

 to sound the harbour. She, however, effected her 

 purpose ; and the next morning the Bounty was 

 warped inside the reef that formed the port, and 

 stationed close to the beach. An attempt to land 

 was next made; but the natives disputed every foot 

 of ground with spears, clubs, and stones, until they 

 were dispersed by a discharge of cannon and mus- 

 ketry. On this they fled to the interior, and re- 

 fused to hold any further intercourse with their 

 visiters. 



The determined hostility of the natives put an 

 end to the mutineers' design of settling among them 

 at that time ; and, after two days' fruitless attempt 

 at reconciliation, they left the island and proceeded 

 to Otaheite. Tobouai was, however, a favourite 

 spot with them, and they determined to make an- 

 other effort to settle there, which they thought 

 would yet be feasible, provided the islanders could 

 be made acquainted with their friendly intentions. 

 The only way to do this was through interpreters, 

 who might be procured at Otaheite ; and in order 

 not to be dependent upon the natives of Tobouai for 

 wives, they determined to engage several Otaheitan 

 women to accompany them. They reached Otaheite 

 in eight days, and were received with the greatest 

 kindness by their former friends, who immediately 

 inquired for the captain and his officers. Christian 

 and his party having anticipated inquiries of this 



