FROM THE MUTINY TO PITCAIRN ISLAND—-MAUDE 541 
inferior to their glazed, or varnished, ¢apa, which was considered 
to be more rainproof. The rest of the red feathers and also some 
Tahiti tapa, which if not highly regarded proved at least acceptable, 
were divided up amongst the Europeans in the hope of stimulating 
trade in local produce. 
On July 18 work commenced ashore in earnest; parties were detailed 
to prepare spades, hoes, and mattocks, to clear ground and plant yams, 
while the main body set to work on the construction of a fortress. 
This was to consist of walls 18 feet thick at the base, surrounded by 
a moat 18 feet wide by 20 feet deep crossed by a drawbridge, with 
four-pounders at each corner and swivel guns on each side, the whole 
measuring an area of 100 square yards including the moat. 
Though it never reached these ambitious dimensions, Fort George, 
as it was called, must have been a formidable edifice even in its un- 
completed state. Forty years later Moerenhout was shown the ruins 
(Moerenhout, 1887, vol. 1, p. 149), which were still standing in 1902, 
when they were examined by Seale, who wrote: 
The fort consists of the ordinary military square of earth work thrown up 
to the heights of perhaps 6—7 feet. Its open side faces the sea, about 300 feet 
distant; the size of the fort is 125 feet by 120 feet [see diagram, fig. 2]. It is now 
overgrown with trees and brush and a native house is in the open side (Seale, 
MS. 1902). 
Christian worked as hard as anyone on this unfamiliar task, which 
was intended to defend the community mainly against the natives, 
as shown by the fact that the side facing the shore was never com- 
pleted, but also from an attack by any European vessel sent to find 
them. Meanwhile, his difficulties were increasing: it was hard, for 
instance, to maintain discipline, and the ship had hardly been an- 
chored before Sumner and Quintal had to be punished for going 
ashore without leave, asserting that “we are now our own Masters.” 
Replying that he would show them who was Master, Christian 
promptly put them in irons at the point of a pistol. 
Native relations—To prevent further trouble from this cause two 
men were allowed to sleep ashore each night (and as many as wanted 
could go on Sundays). Whereupon Tinarou’s women set to work to 
entice them into his territory, where his men proceeded to take their 
clothes. 
On July 25 a party collecting coconuts was ambushed. A few days 
later John Adams, clad only in a shirt, had to be rescued from 
Tinarou’s own house. Unlike others, the girl he had followed proved 
a genuine friend, for she played no part in his discomfiture and indeed 
followed him back to the ship, fearing reprisals from her own people: 
one presumes this was after Jenny had left him for Isaac Martin. 
Despite what he probably felt to be unjustified provocation, Chris- 
tian continued his policy of conciliation. Messengers were sent to 
