240 



THE SEA. 



better do it instantly, and two of the midshipmen and others were ordered into it. 

 Bligh was simply told, " Hold your tongue, sir, or you are dead this instant ! " when he 

 remonstrated. "I continued/' says he, "my endeavours to turn the tide of affairs, 

 when Christian changed the cutlass which he had in his hand for a bayonet that was 

 brought to him, and holding me with a strong grip by the cord that tied my hands, 

 he threatened, with many oaths, to kill me immediately, if I would not be quiet; the 

 villains round me had their pieces cocked and bayonets fixed." The boatswain and 



BLIGH CAST ADRIFT. 



seamen who were to be turned adrift with Bligh were allowed to collect twine, canvas, 

 lines, sails, cordage, and an eight-and-twenty gallon cask of water; the clerk secured 

 one hundred and fifty pounds of bread, with a small quantity of rum and wine, also a 

 quadrant and compass, but he was forbidden to touch the maps, observations, or any of 

 the surveys or drawings. He did, however, secure the journals and captain's commission. 

 The mutineers having forced those of the seamen whom they meant to get rid of into 

 the boat, Christian directed a dram to be served to each of his own crew. Isaac Martin, 

 one of the guard over Bligh, had an inclination to serve him, and fed him with some 

 fruit, his lips being quite parched. This kindness was observed, and Martin was ordered 

 away. The same man, with three others, desired to go with the captain, but this was 

 refused. They begged him to remember that they had no hand in the transaction. " I asked 



