238 LETTER FROM. THE REV. G. H. NOBBS. 
relating to me the history of their privations, 
said the circumstance which used to affect her 
most was, that the younger children would wake 
up about midnight, and cry for hours from 
sheer hunger, so unsubstantial was the fare they 
had partaken of previous to their going to bed. 
And I well know, when my children cry from 
hunger, their good mother's sufferings, mentally 
and bodily, must have been very great. After 
remaining with us twenty-four hours, the good 
Admiral was constrained to leave us, by reason 
of the water on board for drinking getting short ; 
his destination was Callao. Myself and my son 
and daughter, who came with me, escaped the 
epidemic, and the rest of the community have 
nearly recovered ; no deaths have occurred ; so 
that we are able to sing of mercy and judgment. 
" I have administered the Holy Sacrament 
once since my return, and design (D.V.) to do 
so monthly. We have about 75 communicants. 
The number of inhabitants amount to 172 ; 85 
males, 87 females. A dreadful accident occurred 
during my absence. H.M.S. Virago was just 
on the point of quitting the island ; most of the 
community were on board taking leave ; the few 
who remained on shore had assembled round 
the Bounty's gun, with the intention of firing a 
farewell salute. Matthew M f Coy was employed 
ramming home the cartridge, when the gun 
accidentally exploded ; the poor man was dread- 
fully injured, and survived but a few hours, 
although he had the attendance of two surgeons 
from the Virago. He left a family of nine 
children to mourn his loss. Two other persons 
