Row'd round in sorrow the sea-girded rock,
Then paused upon their paddles from the shock,
When, fresh and springing from the deep, they saw
A goddess rise-so deem'd they in their awe;
And their companion, glorious by her side,
Proud and exulting in his mermaid bride:
And how, when undeceived, the pair they bore,
With sounding conchs and joyous shouts to shore;
How they had gladly lived and calmly died,
And why not also Torquil and his bride?
Not mine to tell the rapturous caress
Which follow'd wildly in that wild recess
This tale; enough that all within that cave
Was love, though buried strong as in the grave
Where Abelard, through twenty years of death,
When Eloisa's form was lower'd beneath
Their nuptial vault, his arms outstretch'd, and press'd
The kindling ashes to his kindled breast.'

The waves without sang round their couch, their roar
As much unheeded as if life were o'er;
Within, their hearts made all their harmony,
Love's broken murmur and more broken sigh.

X.

And they, the cause and sharers of the shock
Which left them exiles of the hollow rock,
Where were they? O'er the sea for life they plied,
To seek from heaven the shelter men denied.
Another course had been their choice-but where?
The wave which bore them still, their foes would bear,
Who, disappointed of their former chase,
In search of Christian now renew'd their race.
Eager with anger, their strong arms made way,
Like vultures baffled of their previous prey.
They gain'd upon them, all whose safety lay
In some bleak crag or deeply-hidden bay:
No further chance or choice remain'd; and right
For the first further rock which met their sight
They steer'd, to take their latest view of land,
And yield as victims, or die sword in hand;
Dismiss'd the natives and their shallop, who
Would still have battled for that scanty crew;
But Christian bade them seek their shore again,
Nor add a sacrifice which were in vain;
For what were simple bow and savage spear
Against the arms which must be wielded here?
XI.

They landed on a wild but narrow scene,
Where few but Nature's footsteps yet had been;
Prepared their arms, and with that gloomy eye,
Stern and sustain'd, of man's extremity,
When hope is gone, nor glory's self remains
To cheer resistance against death or chains,-
They stood, the three, as the three hundred stood
Who dyed Thermopyla with holy blood.
But, ah! how different! 't is the cause makes all,
Degrades or hallows courage in its fall.
O'er them no fame, eternal and intense,
Blazed through the clouds of death and beckon'd hence;
No grateful country, smiling through her tears,
Begun the praises of a thousand years;
No nation's eyes would on their tomb be bent,
No heroes envy them their monument;

1 The tradition is attached to the story of Eloisa, that when her body was lowered into the grave of Abelard (who had been buried twenty years) he opened his arms to receive her.

However boldly their warm blood was spilt,
Their life was shame, their epitaph was guilt.
And this they knew and felt, at least the one,
The leader of the band he had undone;
Who, born perchance for better things, had set
His life upon a cast which linger'd yet:
But now the die was to be thrown, and all
The chances were in favour of his fall:
And such a fall! But still he faced the shock,
Obdurate as a portion of the rock
Whereon he stood, and fix'd his levell'd gun,
Dark as a sullen cloud before the sun.

XII.

The boat drew nigh, well arm'd, and firm the crew
To act whatever duty bade them do;
Careless of danger, as the onward wind
Is of the leaves it strews, nor looks behind:
And yet perhaps they rather wish'd to go
Against a nation's than a native foe,

And felt that this poor victim of self-will,
Briton no more, had once been Britain's still.
They hail'd him to surrender-no reply;
Their arms were poised, and glitter'd in the sky.
They hail'd again-no answer; yet once more
They offer'd quarter louder than before.
The echoes only, from the rocks rebound,
Took their last farewell of the dying sound.
Then flash'd the flint, and blazed the velleying flame,
And the smoke rose between them and their aim,
While the rocks rattled with the bullets' knell,
Which peal'd in vain, and flatten'd as they fell;
Then flew the only answer to be given

By those who had lost all hope in earth or heaven.
After the first fierce peal, as they pull'd nigher,
They heard the voice of Christian shout, "Now fire!"
And, ere the word upon the echo died,

Two fell; the rest assail'd the rock's rough side,
And, furious at the madness of their foes,
Disdain'd all further efforts, save to close.
But steep the crag, and all without a path,
Each step opposed a bastion to their wrath;
While placed 'midst clefts the least accessible,
Which Christian's eye was train'd to mark full well,
The three maintain'd a strife which must not yield,
In spots where eagles might have chosen to build.
Their every shot told; while the assailant fell,
Dash'd on the shingles like the limpid shell;
But still enough survived, and mounted stil,
Scattering their numbers here and there, until
Surrounded and commanded, though not nigh
Enough for seizure, near enough to die,
The desperate trio held aloof their fate

But by a thread, like sharks who have gorged the bait,
Yet to the very last they battled well,

And not a groan inform'd their foes who fell.
Christian died last-twice wounded; and once more
Mercy was offer'd when they saw his gore;
Too late for life, but not too late to die,
With though a hostile hand to close his eye.
A limb was broken, and he droop'd along
The crag, as doth a falcon reft of young.
The sound revived him, or appear'd to wake
Some passion which a weakly gesture spake,
He beckon'd to the foremost who drew nigh,
But, as they near'd, he rear'd his weapon high-

with a button of his uniform. Some circumstances on his court-martial raised a great interest amongst his judges, who wished to discover his real situation in life, which he offered to disclose, but to the King only, to whom he requested permission to write. This was refused, and Frederick was filled with the greatest indignation, from baffled curiosity, or some other motive, when he understood that his request had been deI now divided the people into three watches, and gave niede Thibault's work, vol. ii.-(I quote from memory). the charge of the third watch to Mr. Fletcher Christian

one of the mates. I have always considered this a desirable regulation when circumstances will admit of it, and I am persuaded that unbroken rest not only contributes much towards the health of the ship's company, Dut enables them more readily to exert themselves in cases of sudden emergency.

I

As I wished to proceed to Otaheite without stopping, I reduced the allowance of bread to two-thirds, and caused the water for drinking to be filtered through drip-stones, bought at Teneriffe for that purpose. now acquainted the ship's company of the object of the voyage, and gave assurances of certain promotion to every one whose endeavours should merit it.

On Tuesday the 26th of February, being in south latitude 29° 38', and 44° 44' west longitude, we bent new sails, and made other necessary preparations for encountering the weather that was to be expected in a nigh latitude. Our distance from the coast of Brazil was about 100 leagues.

On the forenoon of Sunday, the 2d of March, after seeing that every person was clean, divine service was performed, according to my usual custom on this day: I gave to Mr. Fletcher Christian, whom I had before directed to take charge of the third watch, a written order to act as lieutenant.

The change of temperature soon began to be sensibly felt; and, that the people might not suffer from their own negligence, I supplied them with thicker clothing, as better suited to the climate. A great number of whales of an immense size, with two spout-holes on the back of the head, were seen on the 11th.

On a complaint made to me by the master, I found it necessary to punish Matthew Quintal, one of the seamen, with two dozen of lashes, for insolence and mutinous behaviour, which was the first time that there was any occasion for punishment on board.

We were off Cape St. Diego, the eastern part of the Terre de Fuego, and the wind being unfavourable, I thought it more advisable to go round to the eastward of Staten-land than to attempt passing through Straits le Maire. We passed New Year's Harbour and Cape St. John, and on Monday the 31st were in latitude 60° 1' south. But the wind became variable, and we had bad weather.

the Cape of Good Hope, to the great joy of every one on board.

We came to an anchor on Friday the 23d of May, in Simon's Bay, at the Cape, after a tolerable run. The ship required complete caulking, for she had become so leaky, that we were obliged to pump hourly in our passage from Cape Horn. The sails and rigging also required repair, and, on examining the provisions, a considerable quantity was found damaged.

Having remained thirty-eight days at this place, and my people having received all the advantage that could be derived from refreshments of every kind that could be met with, we sailed on the 1st of July.

A gate of wind blew on the 20th, with a high sea; it increased after noon with such violence, that the ship was driven almost forecastle under before we could get the sails clewed up. The lower yards were lowered, and the top-gallant-mast got down upon deck, which relieved her much. We lay-to all night, and in the morning bore away under a reefed foresail. The sea still running high, in the afternoon it became very unsafe to stand on; we therefore lay-to all night, without any accident, excepting that a man at the steerage was thrown over the wheel and much bruised. Towards noon the violence of the storm abated, and we again bore away under the reefed foresail.

In a few days we passed the island of St. Paul, where there is good fresh water, as I was informed by a Dutch captain, and also a hot spring, which boils fish as completely as if done by a fire. Approaching to Van Diemen's land, we had much bad weather, with snow and hail, but nothing was seen to indicate our vicinity, on the 13th of August, except a seal, which appeared at the distance of twenty leagues from it. We anchored in Adventure Bay on Wednesday the 20th.

In our passage hither from the Cape of Good Hope, the winds were chiefly from the westward, with very boisterous weather. The approach of strong southerly winds is announced by many birds of the albatross or peterel tribe; and the abatement of the gale, or a shift of wind to the northward, by their keeping away. The thermometer also varies five or six degrees in its height, when a change of these winds may be expected.

In the land surrounding Adventure Bay are many forest trees one hundred and fifty feet high; we saw one which measured above thirty-three feet in girth. We observed several eagles, some beautiful blue-plumaged herons, and parroquets in great variety.

Storms, attended with a great sea, prevailed until the 12th of April. The ship began to leak, and required pumping every hour, which was no more than we had reason to expect from such a continuance of gales of wind and high seas. The decks also became so leaky The natives not appearing, we went in search of them that it was necessary to allot the great cabin, of which towards Cape Frederic-Henry. Soon after, coming to I made little use except in fine weather, to those people a grapnel, close to the shore, for it was impossible to who had not births to hang their hammocks in, and by land, we heard their voices, like the cackling of geese, this means the space between decks was less crowded. and twenty persons came out of the woods. We threw With all this bad weather, we had the additional mor- trinkets ashore tied up in parcels, which they would not tification to find, at the end of every day, that we were open out until I made an appearance of leaving them: Losing ground; for, notwithstanding our utmost exer- they then did so, and, taking the articles cut, put them on tions, and keeping on the most advantageous tacks, we their heads. On first coming in sight, they made a did little better than drift before the wind. On Tuesday prodigious clattering in their speech, and held their armis the 22d of April, we had eight down on the sick list, over their heads. They spoke so quick, that it was imand the rest of the people, though in good health, were possible to catch one single word they uttered. Their greatly fatigued; but I saw, with much concern, that it colour is of a dull black; their skin scarifieu about the was impossible to make a passage this way to the Society breast and shoulders. One was distinguished by his Islands, for we had now been thirty days in a tempes-body being coloured with red ochre, but all the others, tuous ocean. Thus the season was too far advanced for were painted black, with a kind of soot, so thickly laid us to expect better weather to enable us to double Cape over their faces and shoulders, that it was difficult 10 Horn; and, from these and other considerations, I or- ascertain what they were like. dered the helm to be put a-weather, and bore away for

On Thursday the 4th of September, we sailed out of

Adventure Bay, steering first towards the east-south-circumstances sufficiently proved; for to the friendly east and then to the northward of east, when, on the and endearing behaviour of these people may be as19th, we came in sight of a cluster of small rocky isl-cribed the motives inciting an event that effected the ands, which I named Bounty Isles. Soon afterwards ruin of our expedition, which there was every reason to we frequently observed the sea, in the night time, to be believe would have been attended with the most favourcovered by luminous spots, caused by amazing quanti-able issue. ties of small blubbers, or medusæ, which emit a light, Next morning we got sight of the island Huaheine; like the blaze of a candle, from the strings or filaments and a double canoe soon coming alongside, containing extending from them, while the rest of the body con- ten natives, I saw among them a young man who retinues perfectly dark. collected me, and called me by my name. I had been We discovered the island of Otaheite on the 25th, here in the year 1780, with Captain Cook, in the Res and, before casting anchor next morning in Matavai olution. A few days after sailing from this island, the Bay, such numbers of canoes had come off, that, after weather became squally, and a thick body of black the natives ascertained we were friends, they came on clouds collected in the east. A water-spout was in a short board, and crowded the deck so much, that in ten min- time seen at no great distance from us, which appeared utes I could scarce find my own people. The whole to great advantage from the darkness of the clouds bedistance which the ship had run, in direct and contrary hind it. As nearly as I could judge, the upper part was courses, from the time of leaving England until reach-about two feet in diameter, and the lower about eight ing Otaheite, was twenty-seven thousand and eighty- inches. Scarcely had I made these remarks, when I obsix miles, which, on an average, was one hundred and eight miles each twenty-four hours.

Here we lost our surgeon on the 9th of December. Of late he had scarcely ever stirred out of the cabin, though not apprehended to be in a dangerous state. Nevertheless, appearing worse than usual in the evening, he was removed where he could obtain more air, but without any benefit, for he died in an hour afterwards. This unfortunate man drank very hard, and was so averse to exercise, that he would never be prevailed on to take half a dozen turns on deck at a time, during all the course of the voyage. He was buried on shore.

served that it was rapidly advancing towards the ship. We immediately altered our course, and took in all the sails except the foresail; soon after which it passed within ten yards of the stern, with a rustling noise, but without our feeling the least effect from its being so near. It seemed to be travelling at the rate of about ten miles an hour, in the direction of the wind, and it dispersed in a quarter of an hour after passing us. It is impossible to say what injury we should have received had it passed directly over us. Masts, I imagine, might have been carried away, but I do not apprehend that it would have endangered the loss of the ship. Passing several islands on the way, we anchored at

man called Tepa, whom I had known here in 1777, and immediately recollected, came on board, along with others, from different islands in the vicinity. They were desirous to see the ship, and, on being taken below, where the bread-fruit plants were arranged. they testified great surprise. A few of these being decayed, we went on shore to procure some in their place.

On Monday, the fifth of January, the small cutter was missed, of which I was immediately apprized. The Annamooka, on the 23d of April; and an old lame ship's company being mustered, we found three men absent, who had carried it off. They had taken with them eight stand of arms and ammunition; but with regard to their plan, every one on board seemed to be quite ignorant. I therefore went on shore, and engaged all the chiefs to assist in recovering both the boat and the deserters. Accordingly, the former was brought back in the course of the day, by five of the natives; but the men were not taken until nearly three weeks The natives exhibited numerous marks of the pecuafterwards. Learning the place where they were, in a liar mourning which they express on losing their rela different quarter of the island of Otaheite, I went thither tives; such as bloody temples, their heads being dein the cutter, thinking there would be no great difficulty prived of most of the hair, and, what was worse, alin securing them with the assistance of the natives.most the whole of them had lost some of their fingers. However, they heard of my arrival; and when I was Several fine boys, not above six years old, had lost both near a house in which they were, they came out want- their little fingers; and several of the men, besides ing their fire-arms, and delivered themselves up. Some these, had parted with the middle finger of the right of the chiefs had formerly seized and bound these de- hand. serters; but had been prevailed on, by fair promises of returning peaceably to the ship, to release them. But finding an opportunity again to get possession of their arms, they set the natives at defiance.

The chiefs went off with me to dinner, and we car ried on a brisk trade for yams; we also got plantains and bread-fruit. But the yams were in great abundance, and very fine and large. One of them weighed above The object of the voyage being now completed, all forty-five pounds. Sailing canoes came, some of which ne bread-fruit plants, to the number of one thousand contained not less than ninety passengers. Such a numand fifteen, were got on board on Tuesday, the S1st of ber of them gradually arrived from different islands, March. Besides these, we had collected many other that it was impossible to get any thing done, the mul plants, some of them bearing the finest fruits in the titude became so great, and there was no chief of sufworld; and valuable, from affording brilliant dyes, and ficient authority to command the whole. I therefore for various properties besides. At sunset of the 4th of ordered a watering party, then employed, to come on April, we made sail from Otaheite, bidding farewell to board, and sailed on Sunday, the 26th of April. an island where for twenty-three weeks we had been We kept near the island of Kotoo all the afternoon treated with ne utmost affection and regard, and which of Monday, in hopes that some canoes would come off seemed to increase in proportion to our stay. That to the ship, but in this we were disappointed. The we were not insensible to their kindness, the succeeding wind being northerly, we steered to the westward in the

evening, to pass south of Tofoa; and I gave directions lon cask of water; and Mr. Samuel got 150 pounds of for this course to be continued during the night. The bread, with a small quantity of rum and wine; also a master had the first watch, the gunner the middle quadrant and compass; but he was prohibited, on pain watch, and Mr. Christian the morning watch. This of death, to touch any map or astronomical book, and was the turn of duty for the night. any instrument, or any of my surveys and drawings. Hitherto the voyage had advanced in a course of The mutineers having thus forced those of the seauninterrupted prosperity, and had been attended with men whom they wished to get rid of into the boat, circumstances equally pleasing and satisfactory. But Christian directed a dram to be served to each of his a very different scene was now to be disclosed; a con- crew. I then unhappily saw that nothing could be spiracy had been formed, which was to render all our done to recover the ship. The officers were next called past labour productive only of misery and distress; on deck, and forced over the ship's side into the boat, and it had been concerted with so much secrecy and while I was kept apart from every one abaft the mizencircumspection, that no one circumstance escaped to mast. Christian, armed with a bayonet, held the cord betray the impending calamity.

looks. But this was observed, and he was removed. He then got into the boat, attempting to leave the ship; however, he was compelled to return. Some others were also kept contrary to their inclination.

It appeared to me, that Christian was some time in doubt whether he should keep the carpenter or his mates. At length he determined for the latter, and the carpenter was ordered into the boat. He was permitted, though not without opposition, to take his tool-chest.

fastening my hands, and the guard around me stood On the night of Monday, the watch was set as I have with their pieces cocked; but on my daring the undescribed. Just before sunrise, on Tuesday morning, grateful wretches to fire, they uncocked them. Isaac while I was yet asleep, Mr. Christian, with the master- Martin, one of them, I saw, had an inclination to assist at-arms, gunner's mate, and Thomas Burkitt, seaman, me; and as he fed me with shaddock, my lips being came into my cabin, and, seizing me, tied my hands quite parched, we explained each other's sentiments by with a cord behind my back; threatening me with instant death if I spoke or made the least noise. nevertheless called out as loud as I could, in hopes of assistance; but the officers not of their party were already secured by sentinels at their doors. At my own cabin-door were three men, besides the four within: all except Christian had muskets and bayonets; he had only a cutlass. I was dragged out of bed, and forced on deck in my shirt, suffering great pain in the mean time from the tightness with which my hands were tied. On demanding the reason of such violence, the only answer was abuse for not holding my tongue. The master, the gunner, surgeon, master's mate, and Nelson the gardener, were kept confined below, and the forehatchway was guarded by sentinels. The boatswain and carpenter, and also the clerk, were allowed to come on deck, where they saw me standing abaft the niizen-mast, with my hands tied behind my back, under a guard, with Christian at their head. The boatswain was then ordered to hoist out the launch, accompanied by a threat, if he did not do it instantly, TO TAKE CARE

OF HIMSELF.

Mr. Samuel secured my journals and commission, 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 with-" Damn your eyes, you are well off to get what you have.”

Much altercation took place among the mutinous crew during the transaction of this whole affair. Some swore, "I'll be damned if he does not find his way home, if he gets any thing with him," meaning me; and when the carpenter's chest was carrying away, "Damn my eyes, he will have a vessel built in a month;" while others ridi

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 boat being hoisted out, Mr. Hayward and Mr.culed the helpless situation of the boat, which was very Hallett, two of the midshipmen, and Mr. Samuel, the clerk, were ordered into it. I demanded the intention of giving this order, and endeavoured to persuade the people near me not to persist in such acts of violence; but it was to no effect; for the constant answer was, Hold your tongue, sir, or you are dead this moment." The master had by this time sent, requesting that he might come on deck, which was permitted; but he was soon ordered back again to his cabin. My exertions to turn the tide of affairs were continued; when Christian, changing the cutlass he held for a bayonet, and, holding me by the cord about my hands with a strong gripe, threatened me with immediate death if I would not be quiet; and the villains 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 to 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 into the boat, were allowed to collect twine, canvas, lines, sails, cordage, an eight-and-twenty gal

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, 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 armorer and carpenter then called out to me to remem ber that they had no hand in the transaction. After having been kept some time to make sport for those unfeeling wretches, and having undergone much rids cule, we were at length cast adrift in the open ocean.

Eighteen persons were with me in the boat, -thre