MEN IN THE LAUNCH. 35 
with a quantity of twine, canvas, and cordage, 
the mutineers sailed away. Christian, as if to 
keep up the courage of his comrades, and exert 
his usurped authority in the vessel, ordered a 
dram of spirits to be served to each. 
In an affidavit, signed, in the presence 
of witnesses at Batavia, October 15, 1789, by 
fourteen men who had been in the launch with 
Bligh, it was declared, not only that huzzas 
were uttered in the Bounty, but that several 
expressions were used, which made the men in 
the launch believe that the intention of the 
mutineers was to return to Otaheite. Little did 
those lawless seamen think, when shouting with 
joy at their miscalled liberty, what troubles they 
were bringing upon their own heads. 
Leaving the Bounty pursuing the course which 
she had just before traversed, on the bright 
waters of the Pacific, the history will now turn 
to Bligh and his eighteen companions. What 
must have been his feelings, when his well-stored 
vessel was rudely snatched out of his hands, 
and he was doomed to see all the hopes and 
prospects of an important and interesting expe- 
dition scattered to the winds ! What a change 
in his prospects had a few hours wrought ! 
The design, however, was not to be frustrated. 
Bligh was a man of sanguine temperament, and 
vigorous constitution ; and it is possible that, as 
he bent his last look on the Bounty, hope may 
have whispered in his ear, that the royal com- 
mission would again be placed in his hands, 
and be crowned with full success. Was this to 
be so ? The reader will see. 
