68 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP. 
III. 
Dec. 
182 . 5 . 
ceeded in producing a bottle of ardent spirit. This success induced his 
companion, Mathew Quintal to “alter his kettle into a still, a con- 
trivance which unfortunately succeeded too well, as frequent intoxi- 
cation was the consequence, w ith M‘Coy in particular, upon whom at 
length it produced fits of delirium, in one of which, he threw himself 
from a cliff and was killed. The melancholy fate of this man created 
so forcible an impression on the remaining few, that they resolved 
never again to touch spirits ; and Adams has, I believe, to this day kept 
his vow. 
The journal finishes nearly at the period of MCoy’s death, which 
is not related in it: but we learned from Adams, that about 1799 
Quintal lost his wife by a fall from the cliff* while in search of birds’ 
eggs ; that he grew discontented, and, though there were several dis- 
posable women on the island, and he had already experienced the fatal 
effects of a similar demand, nothing would satisfy him but the wife of 
one of his companions. Of course neither of them felt inclined to 
accede to this unreasonable indulgence ; and he sought an opportunity 
of putting them both to death. He w as fortunately foiled in his first 
attempt, but swore he would repeat it. Adams and Young having no 
doubt he would follow up his resolution, and fearing he might be more 
successful in the next attempt, came to the conclusion, that their own 
lives were not safe while he was in existence, and that they were 
justified in putting him to death, which they did with an axe. 
Such was the melancholy fate of seven of the leading mutineers, 
who escaped from justice only to add murder to their former crimes ; 
for though some of them may not have actually imbrued their hands 
in the blood of their fellow-creatures, yet all were accessary to the 
deed. 
As Christian and Young were descended from respectable parents, 
and had received educations suitable to their birth, it might be supposed 
that they felt their altered and degraded situation much more than 
the seamen who were comparatively w^ell off: but if so, Adams says, 
they had the good sense to conceal it, as not a single murmur or regret 
escaped them ; on the contrary, Christian was always cheerful, and his 
example was of the greatest service in exciting his companions to labour. 
