maining behind, but take his
advice and go down below with him to get a few necessary
things, and make haste to go with him into the launch; adding
that, by remaining in the ship, I should incur an equal share
of guilt with the mutineers themselves. I reluctantly followed
his advice--I say _reluctantly_, because I knew no better, and
was foolish; and the boat swimming very deep in the
water--the land being far distant--the thoughts of being
sacrificed by the natives--and the self-consciousness of my
first intention being just--all these considerations almost
staggered my resolution; however, I preferred my companion's
judgement to my own, and we both jumped down the main-hatchway
to prepare ourselves for the boat--but, no sooner were we in
the berth, than the master-at-arms ordered the sentry to keep
us both in the berth till he should receive orders to release
us. We desired the master-at-arms to acquaint Mr. Bligh of our
intention, which we had reason to think he never did, nor were
we permitted to come on deck until the launch was a long way
astern. I now, when too late, saw my error.

'At the latter end of May, we got to an island to the
southward of Taheite, called Tooboui, where they intended to
make a settlement, but finding no stock there of any kind,
they agreed to go to Taheite, and, after procuring hogs and
fowls, to return to Tooboui and remain. So, on the 6th June,
we arrived at Taheite, where I was in hopes I might find an
opportunity of running away, and remaining on shore, but I
could not effect it, as there was always too good a look-out
kept to prevent any such steps being taken. And besides, they
had all sworn that should any one make his escape, they would
force the natives to restore him, and would then shoot him as
an example to the rest; well knowing, that any one by
remaining there might be the means (should a ship arrive) of
discovering their intended place of abode. Finding it
therefore impracticable, I saw no other alternative but to
rest as content as possible and return to Tooboui, and there
wait till the masts of the _Bounty_ should be taken out, and
then take the boat which might carry me to Taheite, and
disable those remaining from pursuit.[20] But Providence so
ordered it, that we had no occasion to