I applied to the Boatswain to know how I should proceed, but he was as much at a loss as myself, and therefore told me to lend a hand in clearing the boat, which I did. When she was out, and the small cutter hoisted again, Mr. Christian desired Messrs. Hayward and Hallet, the Midshipmen who had been in the habit of keeping watch with him, to go into the boat alongside, and ordered Churchill to send the Master and Clerk out of the ship also. Lieutenant Bligh now began to reason with Mr. Christian, but he only replied ‘Mă mōō[1]’, sir, not a word, or death is your portion: Messrs. Hayward and Hallet begged, with tears in their eyes, to be allowed to remain in the ship; but they were likewise ordered to be silent. The boatswain and carpenter came aft and asked for the launch, which after much hesitation was granted. While I was clearing her, the Master came up and spoke to Lieutenant Bligh: he afterwards came to me, and asked if I had any hand in the mutiny. I said No! and was then desired by him to try and raise a party for the purpose of rescuing the ship, which I promised him I would do. John Millward, who was near at the time, swore he would stand by me, and went to Muspratt, Burkitt, and the boatswain, in order to procure their assistance. Churchill, having observed the Master speaking to me, came and demanded what he had said. I told him that he was asking about the launch; but a mutineer, who stood on the other side of the booms, told him to look sharp after me, saying, ‘tis a d___d lie, Charles, for I saw him and Millward shake hands when the Master spoke to them.’ He then called to the other mutineers to stand to their arms, which put them on the alert; and as I saw no one near me inclined to make a push, but on the contrary, the officers and all of those who had not taken a part in the mutiny, busily employed in getting the launch out, I was induced to follow their example. That business over, every one hastened to get what he could into her, as the officers were immediately hurried over the side.
“Lieutenant Bligh, finding that he must go, again implored Mr. Christian to relent, saying ‘I’ll pawn my honor, I’ll give my bond, Mr. Christian, never to think of this if you will desist: consider my wife and family:’ to which the other replied, ‘No, Captain Bligh, if you had had any honor, things would not have come to this extremity; and if you have any regard for your wife and family, you should have thought of them before, and not behaved so much like a villain as you have done.’ Lieutenant Bligh attempted again to speak, but was ordered to be silent; the boatswain then tried to pacify Mr. Christian; but he said, ‘tis too late, I’ve been in hell this fortnight past, and am determined to bear it no longer – you know, Mr. Cole, that I have been treated like a dog all the voyage[2].’
“Mr. Fryer, the Master, solicited permission to remain, but without success; and Churchill was told to see that no arms were taken away. A dispute took place between him and. Mr. Purcell about the tool-chest,
