around me had their pieces cocked, and bayonets fixed.

Certain individuals were called on to get into the boat, and were hurried over the ship's side; whence I concluded, that along with them I was

be set adrift. Another effort to bring about a change produced nothing but menaces of having my brains blown out.

The boatswain and those seamen who were to be put in the boat, were allowed to collect twine, canvas, line, sails, cordage, a 28-gallon cask of ater; and Mr. SAMUEL got 150 pounds of bread, with a small quantity of rum and wine; also a quadrant and compass; but he was prohibited, on pain of death, to touch any map or astronomical book, and any instrument, or any of my surveys and drawings.

The mutineers having thus forced those of the Beamen, whom they wished to get rid of, into the boat, CHRISTIAN directed a dram to be served to each of his own crew.

pily saw that nothing could be

I then unhapdone to recover

called on deck,

the ship. The officers were next and forced over the ship's side into the boat, while I was kept apart from every one abaft the mizen-mast. CHRISTIAN, armed with a bayonet, held the cord fastening my hands, and the guard around me stood with their pieces cocked

but on my daring the ungrateful wretches t fire, they uncocked them. Isaac Martin, on

of them, I saw had an inclination to assist me and as he fed me with shaddock, my lips being quite parched, we plainly interpreted each others' sentiments by looks. But this was ob served, and he was removed. He then got int the boat, attempting to leave the ship; how ever, he was compelled to return. Some other were also kept contrary to their inclination.

It appeared to me, that CHRISTIAN was som time in doubt, whether he should keep the carpenter or his mates. At length he deter mined on the latter, and the carpenter wa ordered into the boat. He was permitted though not without opposition, to take his took chest.

Mr. SAMUEL secured my journals and com mission, with some important ship papers this he did with great resolution, though strictly watched. He attempted to save the time keeper, and a box with my surveys, drawings and remarks for fifteen years past, which were very numerous, when he was hurried away and roughly told that he was well off to ge what he had.

Much altercation took place among the mutinous crew during the whole of this affair

Some swore,

that he would certainly find his way home if he got any thing with him," meaning me; and when the carpenter's chest was carrying away, they cried out that he would have a vessel built in a month; whilst others ridiculed the helpless situation of the boat, which was very deep in the water, and had so little room for those who were in her. As for CHRISTIAN, he seemed as if meditating destruction on himself and every one else.

I asked for arms, but the mutineers laughed at me, and said I was well acquainted with the people among whom I was going; 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-atarms informed CHRISTIAN, who then said, "Come Captain BLIGH, your officers and mcn 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, I was forced over the side by a tribe of armed ruffians, where they untied my hands. Being in the boat we were veered astern by a rope. A few pieces of pork were thrown to us, also the four cutlasses. The armourer and carpenter then called out to me to remember that they had no hand in the trans

action. After having been kept some time to make sport for these unfeeling wretches, and having undergone much ridicule, we were at length cast adrift in the open ocean.

Eighteen persons were with me in the bost, the master, acting surgeon, gunner, boatswain, carpenter, botanist, master, and quarter-master's mate, two quarter-masters, the sail-maker, two cooks, my clerk, the butcher and a boy.

There remained on board, FLETCHER CHRISTIAN, the master's mate, PETER HAYWOOD, EDWARD YOUNG, GEORGE STUART, midshipmen, the master-at-arms, gunner's mate, boatswain's mate, gardener, armourer, carpenter's mate, carpenter's crew, and fourteen seamen, being altogether the most able men of the ship's company. Having little or no wind, we rowed pretty fast to the island of Tofoa, which bore north-east about ten leagues distant.

The ship while in sight steered west-northwest, but this I consider only as a feint, for when we were sent away, "Huzza for Otaheite," was frequently heard among the mutineers.

Christian, the chief of them, was of a respectable family in the north of England. This was the third voyage he had made with Notwithstanding the roughness with which I was treated, the remembrance of past kindness produced some remorse in him.

me.

While they were forcing me out of the ship, I asked him, whether this was a proper return for the many instances he had experienced of my friendship? He appeared disturbed at the question, and answered with much emotion, "That -Captain BLIGH-that is the thing-I am in hell-I am in hell." His abilities to take charge of the third watch, as I had so divided the ship's company, were fully equal to the task.

HAYWOOD was of a respectable family in the north of England, and a young man of abilities as well as CHRISTIAN. These two had been objects of my particular regard and attention, and I had taken great pains to instruct them, having entertained hopes, that as professional men, they would become a credit to their country. YouNG was well recommended; and STU. ART was of creditable parents in the Orkneys; at which place, on the return of the Resolution from the South Sea in 1780, we received so many civilities, that in consideration of these alone I should gladly have taken him with me, and moreover he had always borne a good character.

When I had time to reflect, an inward satisfaction prevented the depression of my spirits. Yet a few hours before, my situation had been particularly flattering, I had a ship in the most perfect order, stored with every necessary both

B