-
Articles/Ads
Article TO THE READER. ← Page 5 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Reader.
for fear of disheartening his comrades , he endeavoured to conceal his emotions , and in order to keep up their spirits ordered each man a dram , this being the second they had taken since the mutiny commenced . Christian became somewhat pensive while , a few of the others began to laugh and joke about the dismal situation ofthe captain and
his officers . This raillery augmented Christian ' s agitation , which became so great that he wanted power to conceal it . As for Coleman , Martin , Norman , and M'lntosh , they were silent ; but their looks plainly testified that they were displeased with their present situation . Coleman once ventured , to give his advice , when Christian proposed a dram apiece , observing the-gre :. t danger they should be in if any of the men were intoxicated .
Christian remained on deck till the launch was out of sight , but he never looked at it without showing strong emotions . Afterwards he wished to retire to the cabin , but began to be afraid even of his own party , lest they rrii g ht rebel against him , be tempted to follow the launch , and deliver him up to the captain . He therefore enjoined Heywood and Churchill to stay ou deck , and be particularly vigilant . He then went down to the cabinand began to examine the stores .
, The thoughts of what was past prevented them from thinking upon what was to come . They were now returning to Otaheite , but never once consulted among themselves what they should say to the natives . Indeed Churchill hinted something of it to Christian , but he seemed quite indifferent about the matter , imagining that any story they thought proper to tell would be credited by the natives .
They were determined not to stop at any ofthe islands , but make the utmost expedition to reach Otaheite . The weather , however , becoming tempestuous , and the wind unfavourable , they were obliged to anchor at an island about seven leagues from their intended port . They tarried here three days , during which time they saw no inhabitants , and the land wore a dreary appearance . Having now a fresh breeze they weighed and proceeded for Otaheite .
While passing Annamooka they were visited by several canoe ' s from the nei g hbouring islands . These natives ( who knew them ) expressed great astonishment at their return , while Christian pretended that some very urgent reasons required their longer stay at Otaheite . Nothing material occurred during the remainder of thenpassage . All the mutineers agreed that Christian should take the command
of the vessel , which- at first he modestly declined , wishing to resign it to Stewart , who expressed great satisfaction at what they had done . Christian , however , reserved it , while Stewart acted under him . On their approaching the island Christian ordered every man to remain under arms , for fear the captain might have contrived to have visited some of the neighbouring districts and communicated his misfortunes to the king , more particularly Thrall , a chief of Otaheite , who was exceedingly partial to him . Christian , of course , knew that the natives would be inclined to take his part , and perhaps unite
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Reader.
for fear of disheartening his comrades , he endeavoured to conceal his emotions , and in order to keep up their spirits ordered each man a dram , this being the second they had taken since the mutiny commenced . Christian became somewhat pensive while , a few of the others began to laugh and joke about the dismal situation ofthe captain and
his officers . This raillery augmented Christian ' s agitation , which became so great that he wanted power to conceal it . As for Coleman , Martin , Norman , and M'lntosh , they were silent ; but their looks plainly testified that they were displeased with their present situation . Coleman once ventured , to give his advice , when Christian proposed a dram apiece , observing the-gre :. t danger they should be in if any of the men were intoxicated .
Christian remained on deck till the launch was out of sight , but he never looked at it without showing strong emotions . Afterwards he wished to retire to the cabin , but began to be afraid even of his own party , lest they rrii g ht rebel against him , be tempted to follow the launch , and deliver him up to the captain . He therefore enjoined Heywood and Churchill to stay ou deck , and be particularly vigilant . He then went down to the cabinand began to examine the stores .
, The thoughts of what was past prevented them from thinking upon what was to come . They were now returning to Otaheite , but never once consulted among themselves what they should say to the natives . Indeed Churchill hinted something of it to Christian , but he seemed quite indifferent about the matter , imagining that any story they thought proper to tell would be credited by the natives .
They were determined not to stop at any ofthe islands , but make the utmost expedition to reach Otaheite . The weather , however , becoming tempestuous , and the wind unfavourable , they were obliged to anchor at an island about seven leagues from their intended port . They tarried here three days , during which time they saw no inhabitants , and the land wore a dreary appearance . Having now a fresh breeze they weighed and proceeded for Otaheite .
While passing Annamooka they were visited by several canoe ' s from the nei g hbouring islands . These natives ( who knew them ) expressed great astonishment at their return , while Christian pretended that some very urgent reasons required their longer stay at Otaheite . Nothing material occurred during the remainder of thenpassage . All the mutineers agreed that Christian should take the command
of the vessel , which- at first he modestly declined , wishing to resign it to Stewart , who expressed great satisfaction at what they had done . Christian , however , reserved it , while Stewart acted under him . On their approaching the island Christian ordered every man to remain under arms , for fear the captain might have contrived to have visited some of the neighbouring districts and communicated his misfortunes to the king , more particularly Thrall , a chief of Otaheite , who was exceedingly partial to him . Christian , of course , knew that the natives would be inclined to take his part , and perhaps unite