246 NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY, &c. 



where the two first guns were posted — these he found in pos- 

 session of the mutineers ; but nevertheless contrived to spike 

 them. By this fortunate circumstance, the mutineers got only 

 one three-pounder. 



On their obtaining possession of my person, they told me, 

 ' they did not mean to do me, or any person the smallest injury : 

 all they wanted was the Governor's person, — whom they would 

 take, and send on board the Camperdown — that he should no 

 longer be Governor of the island, as he was a tyrant — would not 

 redress their grievances nor do them justice — that I must be their 

 Governor, and must go along with them to Plantation-house.' I 

 admonished them upon the impropriety of their conduct ; and 

 advised them to return, and behave as good soldiers ; — that if they 

 had any grievances, this was not the way to obtain redress ; — they 

 should complain through their officers ; but if they persisted in 

 such unlawful conduct, every man of them would be punished 

 with death. The Governor, I said, had done no more than his 

 duty in obeying the orders of the Court of Directors ; and that 

 even if they succeeded in getting possession of his person, (which 

 was veryimprobable) whoever was placed in charge of the govern- 

 ment, would act, just in the same manner as he had done : so 

 that they would be as far from obtaining their ends as ever. I 

 told them, their having me in their power, would be no security 

 whatever to them ; as my life was of no consideration when the 

 safety of the government was in danger; — that the Governor was* 

 a good man, — the soldier's friend, and did justice to every man. 

 Many of them then called out, ' No! No ! we have often com- 

 plained, but never could get redress.' I replied, that they had been 

 misled by some villains ; that none of their grievances had ever 

 come to the Governor's knowledge ; and asked them, what they had 

 to complain of. Some called out ' that he meant to starve them. 



