-
Articles/Ads
Article TO THE READER. ← Page 8 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Reader.
Tinah regularly visited Christian every day both on shore and on board the vessel . This chief , however , could . not conceal his dissatisfaction at the absence of Captain Bli g h and the other officers , nor could he , indeed , reconcile it to himself why the captain would not return and abide in Otaheite in preference to any other island , lddeah , Tinah ' s wifewho had been remarkably attached to Captain
, Bligh , became exceedingly melancholy at his seeming indifference . On this account she entertained an aversion to Christian and his accomplices , and seldom or ever accompanied her husband in his visits . During the intervals of solitude Christian was frequently seized with remorse and horror at what he had done . Reflection almost
set him mad , and he certainly felt more anguish at the commission of the mutiny than any of those who had been his first chosen confederates . Whenever Churchill or Stewart were in his company he endeavoured to resume his vivacity , and shake off those gloomy terrors which occasionally clouded his mind . Churchill was naturally possest of a sprihtldispositionhis thereforein a
gy , presence , , great measure dispelled his uneasiness , and helped to keep up his companion ' s spirits . Martin likewise expressed much nnhappiness when alone , but none ofthe men dared to shew the least disapprobation of what was done , for fear of being immediate ]} ' - destroyed ; for several suspected that
Christian had given secret orders to some of his most particular friends , to put to instant death any who should complain or mutter at their present situation , lest the natives mi g ht discover what had happened , and of course revenge their ill-treatment to Captain Bligh . Whether or not Christian had issued such directions is not to be ascertained ; but , considering his situation , it is by no means unlike !} -villains being always jealous of each other .
, Some ofthe natives who visited the Bounty committed several depredations . Christian complained to Tinah of his people ' s thefts and misbehaviour . This chief , when Captain Bli g h was in the island , was very assiduous in recovering whatever was stolen , and testified great concern whenever such dishonesty was practised ; but now affairs seemed to wear a different complexion . Tinah paid little or
no attention to Christian ' s complaints , nor seemed to be the least concerned for whatever loss he sustained . The fact was , the natives thought they were at liberty to do whatever they liked , since the captain , whom they looked upon as the chief of those English , was absent ; and Christian was afraid to assume too much authority , for fear he might incur their displeasure , and be consequently abandoned to ruin and misery .
Here Christian seemed again deficient in prudence ; for as he pretended that the captain had appointed him chief in his stead , he should certainl y have arrogated that consequence ( which lie no doubt would had he been honestly invested with the power ) , and by occasionally displaying his authority , he would certainly have com-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Reader.
Tinah regularly visited Christian every day both on shore and on board the vessel . This chief , however , could . not conceal his dissatisfaction at the absence of Captain Bli g h and the other officers , nor could he , indeed , reconcile it to himself why the captain would not return and abide in Otaheite in preference to any other island , lddeah , Tinah ' s wifewho had been remarkably attached to Captain
, Bligh , became exceedingly melancholy at his seeming indifference . On this account she entertained an aversion to Christian and his accomplices , and seldom or ever accompanied her husband in his visits . During the intervals of solitude Christian was frequently seized with remorse and horror at what he had done . Reflection almost
set him mad , and he certainly felt more anguish at the commission of the mutiny than any of those who had been his first chosen confederates . Whenever Churchill or Stewart were in his company he endeavoured to resume his vivacity , and shake off those gloomy terrors which occasionally clouded his mind . Churchill was naturally possest of a sprihtldispositionhis thereforein a
gy , presence , , great measure dispelled his uneasiness , and helped to keep up his companion ' s spirits . Martin likewise expressed much nnhappiness when alone , but none ofthe men dared to shew the least disapprobation of what was done , for fear of being immediate ]} ' - destroyed ; for several suspected that
Christian had given secret orders to some of his most particular friends , to put to instant death any who should complain or mutter at their present situation , lest the natives mi g ht discover what had happened , and of course revenge their ill-treatment to Captain Bligh . Whether or not Christian had issued such directions is not to be ascertained ; but , considering his situation , it is by no means unlike !} -villains being always jealous of each other .
, Some ofthe natives who visited the Bounty committed several depredations . Christian complained to Tinah of his people ' s thefts and misbehaviour . This chief , when Captain Bli g h was in the island , was very assiduous in recovering whatever was stolen , and testified great concern whenever such dishonesty was practised ; but now affairs seemed to wear a different complexion . Tinah paid little or
no attention to Christian ' s complaints , nor seemed to be the least concerned for whatever loss he sustained . The fact was , the natives thought they were at liberty to do whatever they liked , since the captain , whom they looked upon as the chief of those English , was absent ; and Christian was afraid to assume too much authority , for fear he might incur their displeasure , and be consequently abandoned to ruin and misery .
Here Christian seemed again deficient in prudence ; for as he pretended that the captain had appointed him chief in his stead , he should certainl y have arrogated that consequence ( which lie no doubt would had he been honestly invested with the power ) , and by occasionally displaying his authority , he would certainly have com-