astern, and was picked up in the canoe next tack, and taken on board the 'Pandora,' he being the first person. I, along with Stewart, was then standing upon the beach, with a double canoe, manned with twelve paddles, ready for launching; therefore, just as she made her last tack into her berth (for we did not think it requisite to go off sooner) we put off, and got alongside just as they streamed the buoy; and being dressed in the country manner, tanned as brown as the natives, and tattoed like them in the most curious manner, I do not in the least wonder at their taking us for natives. I was tattoed, not to gratify my own desire, but theirs; for it was my constant endeavour to acquiesce in any little custom which I thought would be agreeable to them (though painful in the process) provided I gained by it their friendship and esteem, which you may suppose is no inconsiderable object in an island where the natives are so numerous. The more a man or woman there is tattoed, the more they are respected, and a person who has none of these marks is looked upon as bearing a most repulsive badge of disgrace, and considered as a mere outcast from society. You may suppose, then, that my disposition would not suffer me to be long out of fashion. I always made it a maxim "when I was in Rome, to act as Rome did," provided it did not interfere with my morals or religion; and by this means I was a great favourite on shore, and treated with respect by every person on the island, in whose mouths my name ever was an object of their love and esteem. Perhaps you may think I flatter myself,' but I really do not. Adieu! my dearest mother. Believe me your truly dutiful and most obedient son, "P. HEYWOOD." Colonel Holwell to Mr. P. Heywood. "South Bro, Sept. 12th, 1792. "Your last informs me, my dear Peter, that this is to be the awful day, which we have no doubt will restore you innocent to society, and to the arms of your disconsolate relations and friends. Nevertheless, your aunt, as well as myself, cannot help feeling somewhat triste on the approach of this interesting day, not a moment of which shall we cease to implore that Power who has so miraculously preserved you hitherto, to continue His goodness, and support you through the hour of trial. When you are at liberty, I hope you will let us embrace you in your way to the island. Had my health permitted, I should surely have been now with you, and would have brought you to our little cottage. When you have made up your mind, your road lies in this direction. Adieu, my dear nephew, in the hope of seeing you soon well and acquitted. 66 'I remain, with our united loves, "Your affectionate uncle and sincere friend, "J. HOLWELL." 1 That he did not flatter himself, Captain Bligh's second voyage to Tahiti proves, from the many inquiries the natives made about him of the ship's company, and the great esteem and respect they professed for his character, young as he then was. CHAPTER VII. CORRESPONDENCE OF MEMBERS OF PETER COURT-MARTIAL THE court-martial assembled on board H. M. ship 'Duke,' under the presidency of Vice-Admiral Lord Hood, and continued from the 12th to the 18th September, Sunday excepted. The charges set forth were that Fletcher Christian, who was mate of the 'Bounty,' assisted by others of the inferior officers and crew, armed with muskets and bayonets, had violently and forcibly taken that ship from Lieutenant Bligh, and that he, together with the master, boatswain, gunner, and other persons (being nineteen in number) were forced into the launch and cast adrift. It was further set forth that Captain Edwards, in the 'Pandora,' was directed to proceed to Otaheite, and other islands in the South Seas, and to use his best endeavours to recover the said vessel, and to bring in confinement to England the said Fletcher Christian and his associates, or as many of them as he might be able to apprehend, in order that they might be brought to condign punishment, &c.; and that Peter Heywood, James Morrison, Charles Norman, Joseph Coleman, Thomas Ellison, Thomas McIntosh, Thomas Burkett, John Millward, William Muspratt, and Michael Byrne, had been brought to England, &c., and were now put on their trial. Mr. Fryer, the master of the 'Bounty,' being first sworn, deposed : That he had the first watch; that between ten and eleven o'clock Mr. Bligh came on deck, according to custom, and after a short conversation, and having given his orders for the night, left the deck; that at twelve he was relieved by the gunner, and retired, leaving all quiet; that at dawn of day he was greatly alarmed by an unusual noise; and that on attempting to jump up, John Sumner and Matthew Quintal laid their hands upon his breast and desired him to lie still, saying he was their prisoner; that on expostulating with them he was told, "Hold your tongue, or you are a dead man, but if you remain quiet there is none on board will hurt a hair of your head." He further deposed, that on raising himself on the locker he saw Mr. Bligh, in his shirt, going on deck by the ladder, with his hands tied behind him, and Christian holding him by the cord; that the master-at-arms, Churchill, then came to his cabin and took a brace of pistols and a hanger, saying, "I will take care of these, Mr. Fryer;" that he asked, on seeing Mr. Bligh bound, what they were going to do with the captain; that Sumner replied, "Put him into the boat, and let him see if he can live on three-fourths of a pound of yams a day;" that he remonstrated with such conduct, but in vain. They said he must go in the small cutter. "The small cutter!" Mr. Fryer exclaimed, "why, her bottom is almost out, and very much eaten by the worms!" to which Sumner and Quintal both said, "The boat is too good for him.” After much entreaty, he prevailed on them to ask Christian if he might be allowed to go on deck, which, after some hesitation, was granted. "When I came on deck," says Mr. Fryer, "Mr. Bligh was standing by the mizenmast with his hands tied behind him, and Christian holding the cord in one hand and a bayonet in the other. I said, 'Christian, consider what you are about.' 'Hold your tongue, sir,' he said; 'I have been in hell for weeks past; Captain Bligh has brought all this on himself.' I told him that Mr. Bligh and he not agreeing was no reason for taking the ship. Hold your tongue, sir,' he said. I said, 'Mr. Christian, you and I have been on friendly terms during the voyage, therefore give me leave to speak. Let Mr. Bligh go down to his cabin, and I make no doubt we shall all be friends again.' He then repeated, 'Hold your tongue, sir, it is too late,' threatening me if I said anything more." Mr. Fryer then asked him to give a better boat than the cutter; he said, "No, that boat is good enough." Bligh now said to the master that the man behind the hen-coops (Isaac Martin) was his friend, and desired him (the master) to knock Christian down, which Christian must have heard, but took no notice; Fryer then attempted to get past Christian to speak to Martin, but he put his bayonet to his breast, saying, "Sir, if you advance an inch further I will run you through," and ordered two armed men to take him down to his cabin. Shortly afterwards he was desired |