58 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, and thus furnished, they again sailed for Tobouai, where, as they ex- 
pected, they were better received than before, in consequence of being 
m5 communicate with the natives through their interpreters. 
Experience had taught them the necessity of making self-defence 
their first consideration, and a fort was consequently commenced, 
eighty yards square, surrounded by a wide ditch. It was nearly com- 
pleted, when the natives, imagining they were going to destroy them, 
and that the ditch was intended for their place of interment, planned 
a general attack when the party should proceed to work in the morn- 
ing. It fortunately happened that one of the natives who accom- 
panied them from Otaheite overheard this conspiracy, and instantly 
swam off to the ship and apprised the crew of their danger. In- 
stead, therefore, of proceeding to their work at the fort, as usual, the 
following morning, they made an attack upon the natives, killed and 
wounded several, and obliged the others to retire inland. 
Great dissatisfaction and difference of opinion now arose among 
the crew ; some were for abandoning the fort and returning to Otaheite ; 
while others were for proceeding to the Marquesas ; but the majority 
were at that time for completing what they had begun, and remaining 
at Tobouai. At length the continued state of suspense in which they 
were kept by the natives made them decide to return to Otaheite, 
though much against the incHnation of Christian, who in vain expostu- 
lated with them on the folly of such a resolution, and the certain detec- 
tion that must ensue. 
The implements being embarked, they proceeded therefore a 
second time to Otaheite, and were again well received by their friends, 
who replenished their stock of provision. During the passage Christian 
formed his intention of proceeding in the ship to some distant unin- 
habited island, for the purpose of permanently settling, as the most 
likely means of escaping the punishment which he well knew awaited 
him in the event of being discovered. On communicating this plan to 
his shipmates he found only a few inclined to assent to it ; but no objec- 
tions were offered by those who dissented, to his taking the ship ; all 
they required was an equal distribution of such provisions and stores 
as might be useful. Young, Brown, Mills, Williams, Quintal, M‘Coy, 
