LETTER FROM THE REV. G. H. NOBBS. 241 
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 pearly 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 
f 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'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 
were badly wounded, and it was doubtful for 
some time if they would survive : one of them 
etill suffers from his wounds. 
Q2 
