BLIGH'S VOYAGES 133 



could not possibly send us all in one ship ; and has con- 

 sented, as granting me a favour, to be allowed to go in 

 the packet ; for the Physician-General has represented 

 my life in danger if I remain here. I am," etc. 



Shortly told, the circumstances were these. The 

 Bounty reached Otaheite on October 26, 1788, after a 

 tedious and sometimes dangerous voyage. The first 

 reception by the people was naturally doubtful, but 

 Bligh's discretion, and the watchful eye he kept upon the 

 dealings of m's crew, soon won them over. The chiefs 

 became hearty friends. They asked after Captain Toote 

 and their former visitors. Everything was done to 

 cement their good-will, and caution was exercised as to 

 revealing prematurely their designs. 



At length, the relations between the islanders and 

 their visitors were altogether perfect. The process of 

 lading the ship was begun, and pursued not only without 

 difficulty, but on a basis of perfectly friendly trading 

 intercourse. At the end of five months there were on 

 board more than one thousand bread-fruit trees, beside 

 many other plants. Everything was in Bligh's favour. 

 So far his mission was accomplished. He sailed on April 4, 

 1789, with a " send-off " given by the chiefs to the ship's 

 company worthy of the heartiest of such things at 

 home. 



But the Bounty had been too long at anchor. Six 

 months of easy life in the tropics had demoralized the 

 crew. Already symptoms of licence had appeared, in the 

 desertion of three seamen, who carried with them the 

 small cutter, with fire-arms and ammunition. On their 

 being recovered, Bligh was absurdly lenient. They were 

 abject in their expressions of regret, and their " steadfast 

 resolution to behave better hereafter." With others, 

 the resumption of discipline on board was irksome. 

 There was nothing, however, in the conduct of any one 



