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that it often has upon the mysteriously compounded elements of human 

 nature : it drove into the background all those faults and failings which 

 had marked the days of his prosperity, and had at last brought upon 

 him this terrible penalty, and it developed heroic qualities of mind that 

 had hitherto lain dormant. Captain Bligh's first act after leaving the 

 "Bounty" was probably in accordance with Christian's expectations ; he 

 directed the boat to one of the neighbouring islands (called Tofoa), 

 either to seek a refuge until a ship should pass that way, or at any rate 

 to procure an additional supply of water and provisions. In the latter 

 object Bligh was partially successful, but the boat was suddenly attacked 

 by the natives (who were much more savage than the inhabitants of 

 Otaheite), and after losing one of his men in the fray, he was glad to 

 regain the open sea. Disheartened by this affair, the men now begged 

 their commander to make for the nearest European settlement. Un- 

 happily there was none nearer than Timor, a distance of 1,200 leagues; 

 but the men having all agreed to be content with one ounce of bread 

 and a quarter of a pint of water each per day, on the 2nd of May they 

 bore away towards Timor. The very next day a terrible hurricane set 

 in, which lasted for many days ; and to prevent the boat being swamped, 

 everything that could possibly be spared had to be cast overboard. 

 On the 5th they passed some islands, but after their experience at Tofoa 

 ihey did not venture to land. On the 7th they passed some of the now 

 well-known Fegee Islands, and were pursued by natives in canoes. In 

 the afternoon a heavy rain came on, and increased their discomfort, but 

 enabled them to add thirty-six gallons to their stock of water. This was 

 chiefly accomplished by means of stripping off and wringing out their 

 clothes as fast as they became soaked with rain ! From the 9th to the 

 19th the luckless voyagers encountered a succession of storms which 

 made constant baling necessary, and almost prevented their getting any 

 sleep. So much labour, anxiety, and exposure, with so little food and 

 sleep, now began to tell seriously upon their health and spirits. " I 

 could look no way," says Captain Bligh in his journal, " but I caught 

 the eye of someone in distress. Extreme hunger was too evident; the 

 little sleep we got was in the midst of water, and we often awoke with 



