manner concerned in the theft, I could not
think of detaining them longer and called their canoes alongside. I then
told them they were at liberty to go, and made each of them a present of
a hatchet, a saw, with some knives, gimblets, and nails. This unexpected
present and the sudden change in their situation affected them not less
with joy than they had before been with apprehension. They were unbounded
in their acknowledgments and I have little doubt but that we parted
better friends than if the affair had never happened.

We stood to the northward all night with light winds.

Monday 27.

And on the next day the 27th at noon were between the islands Tofoa and
Kotoo. Latitude observed 19 degrees 18 minutes south.

Thus far the voyage had advanced in a course of uninterrupted prosperity,
and had been attended with many circumstances equally pleasing and
satisfactory. A very different scene was now to be experienced. A
conspiracy had been formed which was to render all our past labour
productive only of extreme misery and distress. The means had been
concerted and prepared with so much secrecy and circumspection that no
one circumstance appeared to occasion the smallest suspicion of the
impending calamity.

CHAPTER 13.

A Mutiny in the Ship.

1789. April. Monday 27.

We kept near the island Kotoo all the afternoon in hopes that some canoes
would come off to the ship; but in this I was disappointed. The wind
being northerly in the evening we steered to the westward to pass to the
south of Tofoa. I gave directions for this course to be continued during
the night. The master had the first watch, the gunner the middle watch,
and Mr. Christian the morning watch. This was the turn of duty for the
night.

Tuesday 28.

Just before sun-rising, while I was yet asleep, Mr. Christian, with the
master at arms, gunner's mate, and Thomas Burkitt, seaman, came into my
cabin, and seizing me tied my hands with a cord behind my back,
threatening me with instant death if I spoke or made the least noise: I
however called as loud as I could in hopes of assistance; but they had
already secured the officers who were not of their party by placing
sentinels at their doors. There were three men at my cabin door besides
the four within; Christian had only a cutlass in his hand, the others had
muskets and bayonets. I was hauled out of bed and forced on deck in my
shirt, suffering great pain from the tightness which with they had tied