OUTBREAK OF MUTINY. 239 



with several hundred men, women, and children, all good-humoured, and affectionate to 

 one another; their sports and games were continued till near dark, when they peaceably 

 returned to their homes. They were particularly cleanly, bathing every morning, and 

 often twice a day. 



It is sad to turn from this pleasant picture to find the spirit of desertion and mutiny 

 appearing among the crew. There can be no doubt that the allurements of the island, 

 its charming climate and abundant productions, the friendliness of the natives, and ease 

 of living, were the main causes. Bligh made one fatal mistake in his long stay of over 

 five months, during which the crew had all opportunities of leave ashore. Every man 

 of them had his tayo, or friend. From the moment he set his foot ashore he found himself 

 in the midst of ease and indolence, all living in a state of luxury, without submitting to 

 anything approaching real labour. Such enticements were too much for a common sailor, 

 for must he not contrast the islander's happy lot with his own hardships on board? 



One morning the small cutter was missing, with three of the crew. They had taken 

 with them eight stands of arms and ammunition. The master was dispatched with one 

 of the chiefs in their pursuit, but before they had got any great distance, they met the 

 boat with five of the natives, who were bringing her back to the ship. " For this service 

 they were handsomely rewarded. The chiefs promised to use every possible means to 

 detect and bring back the deserters, which, in a few days, some of the islanders had so 

 far accomplished as to seize and bind them, but let them loose again on a promise that 

 they would return to their ship, which they did not exactly fulfil, but gave themselves 

 up soon after, on a search being made for them." A few days after this it was found 

 that the cable by which the ship rode had been cut, close to the water's edge, so that it 

 held by only a strand. Bligh considered this the act of one of his own people, who 

 wished the ship to go ashore, so that they might remain at Otaheite. It may, however, 

 have chafed in the natural course of affairs. 



And now the Bounty, having taken on board over a thousand of the bread-fruit plants, 

 besides other shrubs and fruits, set sail, falling in soon after with many canoes, whose 

 owners and passengers sold them hogs, fowls, and yams, in quantities. Some of the 

 sailing canoes would carry ninety persons. Bligh was congratulating himself on his ship 

 being in good condition, his plants in perfect order, and all his men and officers in good 

 health. On leaving deck on the evening of April 27th he had given directions as to the 

 course and watches. Just before sunrise on the 28th, while he was yet asleep, Mr. 

 Christian, officer of the watch, with three of the men, came into his cabin, and seizing 

 him, tied his hands behind his back, threatening him with instant death if he spoke or 

 made the least noise. " I called, however," says Bligh, " as loud as I could, in hopes 

 of assistance; but they had already secured the officers who were not of their party, by 

 placing sentinels at their doors. There were three men at my cabin-door besides the four 

 within; Christian had only a cutlass in his hand, the others had muskets and bayonets. 

 I was hauled out of bed, and forced on deck in my shirt, suffering great pain from the 

 tightness with which they had tied my hands." The master and master's mate, the 

 gunner, and the gardener, were confined below, and the forecastle hatch was guarded by 

 sentinels. The boatswain was ordered to hoist the launch out, with a threat that he had 



