FAREWELL TO OTAHEITE. 23 
goodness in delivering us from a trial by Court 
Martial, the fatal consequences of which are 
obvious : and although we cannot possibly lay 
claim to so great a favour, yet we humbly beg 
you will be pleased to remit any further punish- 
ment ; and we trust our future conduct will fully 
demonstrate our deep sense of your clemency, 
and our steadfast resolution to behave better 
hereafter. We are, Sir, your most obedient 
and most humble servants, C. CHURCHILL, WM. 
MUSPRATT, JOHN MILLWARD." 
Three months had now rolled away, when 
early in the morning of February the 6th, the 
Captain discovered that the cable by which 
the ship rode had been cut close to the water's 
edge, so as to be very nearly divided. The 
offence was first charged upon some of the 
natives ; but it afterwards occurred to Bligh, 
that this malicious attempt to cut the ship adrift, 
was most probably made by some of his own 
people, who, if she had been driven on shore, 
might have succeeded in remaining at Otaheite. 
The reader will observe that the word, Otaheite, 
is here used, as spelt by Captain Cook. It is 
now often printed, Tahiti. 
The time was at length come for Bligh and his 
companions, with heavy hearts, to bid farewell 
to charming Otaheite. The ship was crowded 
by the natives, many of whom requested to be 
allowed to accompany the party. Cocoa-nuts, 
plantains, bread-fruits, hogs, and goats, were 
brought as presents. The chief, Tinah, who was 
six feet four inches high, and stout in propor- 
tion, though without the courage of a warrior, 
