DEATH OF THE SURGEON. 19 
regulations it was ordered, that at the Society 
or Friendly Islands no person whatever should 
intimate that Captain Cook was killed Iby 
Indians, or that he was dead. No one was to 
give the least hint that the party had come for 
the purpose of getting the bread-fruit plant, 
until Bligh should have made known his plan to 
the chiefs. Every one was to study to gain the 
esteem and goodwill of the natives ; and no one 
was ever to fire but in defence of his life. It was 
against the rules to purchase curiosities, or pro- 
visions, except by application to a person duly 
appointed as a purveyor. Immediately on an- 
choring, these orders, signed by Bligh, and dated 
October 25, 1788, were stuck up on the mizen- 
mast. With respect to curiosities, it appears 
that none struck the seamen so forcibly as a 
roasted pig, and some bread-fruit; and these 
came in abundance. 
In about six weeks after their arrival, the 
number of the party was reduced to forty-four, 
by the death of the surgeon, who could have 
been but of little use to them, as he had suffered 
from a long illness, the effect of his intemperance 
and indolence. During the whole course of the 
voyage he had scarcely ever stirred out of his 
cabin, and had never been prevailed upon to 
take half-a-dozen turns upon deck at a time. 
Bligh wished that the body should be buried 
on shore ; and the natives were not only ready 
to meet his wishes ; but on the day following 
the surgeon's death, they were found digging the 
grave. Without any communication with the 
ship, these kind people had marked out the 
