ISLAND OF TIMOR. 935 
Straits, and regained the open sea, all the in- 
conveniences and misfortunes to which they 
had before been subjected, returned with re- 
doubled severity. The whole crew was sick ; 
some were ready to expire; almost all had re- 
signed the hope of ever again finding safety in 
port, and besought Heaven only for deliver- 
ance from their accumulated sufferings by a 
speedy death. Bligh, though himself ill, did 
his utmost to inspire his men with courage, as- 
suring them that they were approaching land. 
The promise did not fail. On the morning 
ot the 12th of June, at three o’clock, the high 
mountains of the island of Timor rose in smiling 
majesty before them. This sight operated like 
an electric shock on the exhausted sufferers ; 
they raised their hands to Heaven, and never 
certainly were thanksgivings more sincere. 
Two more days brought them to the Dutch 
settlement of Cupang, where the Governor re- 
ceived them with the utmost benevolence. The 
whole party, except one only, whose strength 
was entirely worn out, soon recovered their 
health, and found means of reaching England 
in March 1790. 3 
