MARINER AT TOFOA. 29 
of the Natives of the Tonga Islands. It is not 
intended to give much weight to the story, 
there being many ways of explaining the 
seeming wonder. But a matter connected 
with one of the Bounty men, and so heroic 
a character too, deserves to "be recorded in 
this place. Those who related the marvellous 
part of the account were of such a treacherous 
and deceitful race, that Mariner, in visiting the 
volcano on the summit of Tofoa, in company 
with a native guide, thought it necessary to 
provide himself with a pistol, as a defence 
against any violent measures on the part of 
his companion. Nor would he advance with 
him too near the crater of the volcano, " lest 
the man might have some sinister intent."* 
After the murder of Norton, on the 1st of 
May, many of the natives in canoes followed. 
Bligh's boat very quickly, and renewed the 
assault with stones of which they had brought 
a great quantity ; but, being attracted by some 
clothes which were, by his order, thrown to 
them, and which they stopped to pick up, 
they lost time, and abandoned the pursuit. 
It was then resolved by the party, at 
* Mariner's " Tonga Islands," vol. i. chap. viii. 
