60 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, stood upon the eminence overlooking the bay where the ship was de- 
stroyed, that the island had been previously inhabited. Some appre- 
Dec- hensions were, in consequence, entertained lest the natives should 
have secreted themselves, and in some unguarded moment make an 
attack upon them ; but by degrees these fears subsided, and their avoca- 
tions proceeded without interruption. 
A suitable spot of ground for a village was fixed upon, with the 
exception of which the island was divided into equal portions, but to 
the exclusion of the poor blacks, who being only friends of the seamen, 
were not considered as entitled to the same privileges. Obliged to 
lend their assistance to the others in order to procure a subsistence, 
they thus, from being their friends, in the course of time became their 
slaves. No discontent, however, was manifested, and they willingly 
assisted in the cultivation of the soil. In clearing the space that was 
allotted to the village, a row of trees was left between it and the sea, 
for the purpose of concealing the houses from the observation of any 
vessels that might be passing, and nothing was allowed to be erected 
that might in any way attract attention. Until these houses were 
finished, the sails of the Bounty were converted into tents, and when 
no longer required for that purpose, became very acceptable as clothing. 
Thus supplied with all the necessaries of life, and some of its luxuries, 
they felt their condition comfortable even beyond their most sanguine 
expectation, and every thing went on peaceably and prosperously for 
about two years, at the expiration of which Williams, who had the 
misfortune to lose his wife about a month after his arrival, by a fall 
from a precipice while collecting birds’ eggs, became dissatisfied, and 
threatened to leave the island in one of the boats of the Bounty, 
unless he had another wife ; an unreasonable request, as it could not 
be complied with, except at the expense of the happiness of one of his 
companions': but Williams, actuated by selfish considerations alone, 
persisted in his threat, and the Europeans not willing to part with 
him, on account of his usefulness as an armourer, constrained one of the 
blacks to bestow his wife upon the applicant. The blacks, outrageous 
at this second act of flagrant injustice, made common cause wdth their 
companion, and matured a plan of revenge upon their aggressors. 
