52 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, a refit, and arrived at her destination in October, 1788. Six months 
were spent at Otaheite, collecting and stowing away the fruit, during 
Dec. which time the officers and seamen had free access to the shore, and 
made many friends, though only one of the seamen formed any alliance 
there. 
In April, 1789, they took leave of their friends at Otaheite, and 
proceeded to Anamooka, where Lieutenant Bligh replenished his stock 
of water, and took on board hogs, fruit, vegetables, &c., and put to 
sea again on the 26th of the same month. Throughout the voyage> 
Mr. Bligh had repeated misunderstandings with the officers, and had 
on several occasions given them and the ship's company just reasons 
for complaint. Still, whatever might have been the feelings of the 
officers, there was no real discontent among the crew ; much less was 
there any idea of offering violence to their commander. The officers, 
it must be admitted, had much more cause for dissatisfaction than 
the seamen, especially the master and Mr. Christian. The latter was 
a protege of Lieutenant Bligh, and unfortunately was under some 
obligations to him of a pecuniary nature, of which Bligh frequently 
reminded him when any difference arose. Christian, excessively an- 
noyed at the share of blame which repeatedly fell to his lot, in common 
with the rest of the officers, could ill endure the additional taunt of 
private obligations ; and in a moment of excitation told his commander 
that sooner or later a day of reckoning Avould arrive. 
The day previous to the mutiny a serious quarrel occurred be- 
tween Bligh and his officers, about some cocoa-nuts which were missed 
from his private stock ; and Christian again fell under his commander’s 
displeasure. The same evening he was invited to supper in the cabin, 
but he had not so soon forgotten his injuries as to accept of the civility, 
and returned an excuse. 
Matters were in this state on the 28th of April, 1789, when the 
Bounty, on her homeward voyage, was passing to the southward of 
Tofoa, one of the Friendly Islands. It was one of those beautiful 
nights which characterize the tropical regions, when the mildness of 
the air and the stillness of nature dispose the mind to reflection. 
Christian, pondering over his grievances, considered them so intolerable, 
