44 BLIGH AND HIS CREW. 
tion, but the anniversary of King Charles the 
Second's Restoration, when it was discovered. 
As the boat sailed along the shore, many other 
parties of the natives came down, waving green 
boughs as a token of peace and friendship ; but 
Mr. Bligh thought it wise not to land. 
On the 31st, the voyagers landed on an island 
of good height, in order to get a distinct view 
of the coast, as well as to obtain food. Some 
of the men were sent for supplies ; the others 
were ordered to remain m the boat. A few of 
the former party, unwilling to work, owing to 
fatigue and weakness, said they would rather 
go without their dinner than have to search for 
it. The scene which followed was so remark- 
able, that it must be told in Bligh' s own words. 
" One person, in particular, went so far as to 
tell me, with a mutinous look, that he was 
as good a man as myself. It was not possible 
for me to judge where this might have an end, 
if not stopped in time : therefore, to prevent dis- 
putes in future, I determined either to preserve 
my command, or die in the attempt. Seizing a 
cutlass, I ordered him to take hold of another, and 
defend himself; on which he called out, that I 
was going to kill him, and immediately made 
concessions. I did not allow this to interfere 
with the harmony of the boat's crew, and every- 
thing soon became quiet." 
One of the three men who had been sent to 
catch noddies, chose to proceed by himself, and 
disturbed the birds to such a degree, that only 
twelve were brought back by the party. This 
man, Robert Lamb, received a good beating 
