at the helpless situation of the boat, being very deep, and so little room for those who were in her. As for Christian, he seemed as if meditating destruction on himself and every one else. 66 "I asked for arms, but they laughed at me, and said I was well acquainted with the people among whom I was going, and therefore did not want them. Four cutlasses, however, were thrown into the boat after we were veered astern. "The officers and men being in the boat, they only waited for me, of which the master-at-arms informed Christian; who then said, 'Come, Captain Bligh, your officers and men are now in the boat, and you must go with them; if you attempt to make the least resistance, you will instantly be put to death;' and without further ceremony, with a tribe of armed ruffians about me, I was forced over the side, when they untied my hands. Being in the boat, we were veered astern by a rope. A few pieces of pork were thrown to us, and some clothes, also the cutlasses. I have already mentioned; and it was then that the armourer and carpenters called out to me to remember that they had no hand in the transaction. After having undergone a great deal of ridicule, and been kept for some time to make sport for these unfeeling wretches, we were at length cast adrift in the open ocean. "I had with me in the boat the following persons: 6 "There remained in the Bounty Names. Fletcher Christian.... Peter Heywood Edward Young George Stewart Charles Churchill. William McKoy Stations. Master's Mate .Midshipmen. .Master-at-arms. Gunner's Mate. .Able Seamen. ............... .Carpenter's Crew. Thomas McIntosh In all twenty-five-and the most able of the ship's company. "Christian, the chief of the mutineers, is of a respectable family in the North of England. This was the third voyage he had made with me; and as I found it necessary to keep my ship's company at three watches, I had given him an order to take charge of the third, his abilities being thoroughly equal to the task. 66 'Heywood is also of a respectable family in the North of England, and a young man of abilities. "Young was well recommended, and had the look of an able, stout seaman; he, however, fell short of what his appearance promised. "Stewart was a young man of creditable parents in the Orkneys, and had always borne à good character." The question naturally arises, What were the motives that led to this violent outbreak? To this it is somewhat difficult to return a clear answer, nor is there reason to believe that those engaged in the mutiny, well knew what their aim was, beyond the gratification of a revengeful feeling toward their commander. An examination of the narration given by different actors in the tragedy, leads to the belief that had Captain Bligh feared God and kept his commandments-had he restrained his temper and controlled his tongue, he would have been spared much misery, and these wretched men have been saved from the commission of an atrocious crime. On the other hand, had the young officer, Fletcher Christian, not brooded over his wrongs, and nursed revengeful feelings in his breast, he would not have perpetrated this cruel deed, turning adrift eighteen unoffending shipmates with the commander, whom he was bound to obey, in a little boat on the wide ocean, nor would he have met a wretched and bloody death. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Had Captain Bligh possessed this wisdom, he would have learned a better way of maintaining his authority than oaths and abuse; and had Fletcher Christian begun in his youth to fear and serve the Lord, he would not have looked for happiness in the commission of crime. He made a wretched choice and suffered the consequences of his sin and folly. May the youth of our land learn from this story, that it is true wisdom to obey the |