SYMPTOMS OF MUTINY. 51 
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 he imme- 
diately made concessions. I did not allow this 
to interfere with the harmony of the boat's crew, 
and everything soon became quiet." 
Immediately after this scene, he added in his 
MS. : " Kind Providence protects us wonder- 
fully ; but it is a most unhappy situation to be in 
a boat among such discontented people, who don't 
know what to be at, nor what is best for them." 
Again, " Our little well still supplies plenty 
of water. 
" Saw a bee, and some lizards. I read prayers, 
and returned thanks for our safety." 
One of the three men who had been sent on 
the 31st of May to catch noddies, chose to pro- 
ceed by himself, and disturbed the birds to such 
a degree, that only twelve were brought back 
by the party. This man, Eobert Lamb, for 
his folly and obstinacy, received a good beat- 
ing from Bligh, and afterwards confessed 
when at Java, that he had eaten nine birds raw, 
after he had separated from his two companions ! 
It was probably he who stole the pork. 
