in his fight the most accomplished applications Churchill, would refer and agreeable. He gave a loofe to them to Heywood, Heywood to paffion, which ferved in a great mea- Chriftian, and fo on, by which means fure to difpel thofe gloomy thoughts they were amufed for a while; but which occafionally ftole in to the Tinah at last took an opportunity of great annoyance of his reft, and to renewing his request when they were banifh from his mind the commiffion all together. Chriftian, however, of that crime which he never recol- evaded giving him either a promife lected but with horror and confu- or a refufal, faying, that it was neifion. ther in his power to afcertain the time of his departure, nor to comply with their requeft till he had confulted Captain Bligh; for though he was Captain Christian, he gave them to understand that he was ftill fubfervient to the orders of Capt. Bligh, being all the fame as an inferior chief among them. Afterwards he gave Tinah, and many other chiefs who became trouble fome in their folicitations, an abfolute denial, by obferv ing, that the Bounty was too fmall a veffel for their reception, and that they had not at prefent a fufficiency of accommodations. Christian, however, to keep thefe people in good humour, told them that Capt. Bligh had given orders that a large fhip fhould be got ready as foon as poffible, and that every neceffary article should be provided for their fafe conveyance to England. Chriftian was in high eftimation among the ladies of Otaheite, who were not a little affiduous in their endeavours to render the place as agreeable and commodious as poffi, ble. Several prefents of cloth he received from his female vifitors, who, according to the cuftom of the ifland, came with it wrapt round their bodies, and as they feldom brought fmall quantities, they appeared uncommonly, bulky and corpulent whenever in this generous mood. 3 Next to Chriftian, Heywood, Churchill, Stewart, and Young, were the greatest favourites with the wo men. Coleman, who was exceeding, ly ingenious and prudent, was likewife highly refpected, but this man was fo referved and thoughtful that he partook of little amufement. His only pleasure was in affifting the na tives in building canoes, houfes, nou rishing their plants, &c. Being remarkably clever both for invention, and the execution of his works, he rendered no fmall affiftance to the people during his ftay in the island. As yet Chriftian had not indicated to the natives his defign of remaining among them, and feveral of the chiefs, particularly Tinah, who were defirous of visiting England, and being introduced to King George, made their application to Chriftian, Churchill, and Heywood, whom they looked upon as thofe of the greatest weight, for leave to accompany them to England, as they were ftill led to imagine that fome time or other they intended to depart. During these The mutineers, fome amore and fome lefs, began now to entertain fears of their fituation. Both Chriftian and Young doubted the permanency of the natives attachments, and fufpected that their plan of settling at Otaheite would be attended with inevitable danger. Martin and Norman lamented already their condition, which, in the words of the former, was no better than "perpetual banishment," as they were wandering about like "vagabonds upon earth," Churchill,, who was Chriftian's moft conftant counsellor and advifer, recommended to him to keep his ground, obferving, that they would have a worse chance with iflanders they were unacquainted with, than with those people with 15 whom nour, owing to their connections with the daughters of three refpect whom they had been fo long intimate; befides, Churchill was partial to their climate, which was remarkable chiefs belonging to the fame ably fertile and agreeable. districts. Chriftian, after fome confideration with himself, privately communicated to Churchill and Stewart his wishes of gaining the favour of all, or as many as poffible of the chiefs of the other districts, for fear fome unforefeen misfortune might compel them to take refuge in one of their iflands. In order, therefore, to fecure a warm reception elsewhere, whenever neceffity urged, he recommended to thefe, and afterwards to the reft, to take wives from the different islands, as by fuch union they might establish a future fettlement. He alfo advifed all his people to obferve the manners of the natives, and accuftom themselves to them; hoping by fuch imitation to win their good graces, and render their friendship more ftable. However, he cautioned them not to be too precipitate or remarkable in their exertions to please, but to affect a fimilarity of manner by degrees, and gradually to creep into their favour. Agreeable to Chriftian's advice, Stewart took a wife of no inconfiderable rank among the natives; the was related to a chief near Malavai Bay, who had chofen Stewart for his friend or Tayo, before the match had been thought of. Their union was celebrated with a grand feaft, and the congratulations of a numerous afferably were profufely beftowed upon the happy partners. Stewart's father-in-law was a native of great property, whose fortune confifted in land, this being esteemed here the greatest wealth. He now, conformable to their custom, took upon him the name of Stewart, and gave his own title to his fon-inlaw. Chriftian and Churchill likewife bore foreign titles by means of their Tayofhips; Mills, Morrifon, and Quintal, had alfo the fame ho Tinah and the chiefs of Otaheite did not much relish the connections between these two mutineers and their neighbours. Chriftian was not aware of the jealoufy it would cre ate, but from the diftant behaviour of Tinah afterwards, he perceived it was not altogether agreeable. In order to fecure his own fafety, and render himself the more agreeable to the inhabitants of Otaheite, he confined all his female connections to that island only. Let it not, however, be thought that Chriftian by fo acting was ftudying his own intereft alone; it was, on the contrary, the refult of after confideration; he was far from being feififh or unfriendly, for, fetting afide his base ingratitude to Captain Bligh, he difplayed many inftances of true friendship. He frequently condemned himself for the commiffion of his horrid crime, but as frequently declared that he would die before he would ever yield to undergo that punishment his country would inflict. "No never, never (were his words) fhall Fletcher be brought to juftice for what he has done: though thoufands and ten thousands attacked me, I'd die ere I would furrender. I'd rather meet a host of devils than once fee the injured Captain Bligh's relations." The mutineers, agreeable to their leader's voice, began now to imitate the manners of the natives. Church-. ill was the first who attempted to chew the Yava, a root of an intoxicating nature, but which, inftead of exhilarating the fpirits, rather ftupifies them. It is productive of many difagreeable confequences, as it not only debilitates the conftitution, but likewife occafions a diforder similat to the leprofy; notwithstanding which, it is a high honour to par take take thereof, as none but the chiefs, or arees, have the king's permiffion to use it. Previous to their taking it, it is first chewed by their attendants, who, as foon as it is well mafticated, put it into a neat wooden bowl made for the purpofe, and a fmall quantity of water being poured over, they fqueeze it well, ftraining the liquor always through a piece of cloth; after which they adminifter it to their mafters, who drink it with the greatest goût. This root, tho' quite different from our liquorice in tafe and effect, resembles it very much in shape and colour. Churchill could not conform to the custom of ufing it after it was chewed, and therefore had the first and best of it; but it made him fo exceedingly ill that he refufed to tafte it ever after. Ellifon alfo made a trial of it, but having drank or rather fucked a moderate share, he was not fo great a fufferer: he was induced to the attempt in hopes that it would answer the room of tobacco. Coleman was continually employing his ingenuity in promoting the welfare of the islanders. Imagining it poffible to extract rum and fugar from the remarkably fine fugar canes which grew in great abundance here, be made a ftill, and fucceeded in the experiment; but then, perceiving his own people were already inclined to animofity, and dreading that the produce of his labour might be the means of heightening thofe contentions by intoxication, and perhaps, of creating different broils between the Englify and natives, the effects whereof might have a fatal tendency, he im. mediately broke his fill, and thus terminated his labour! It is doubtful whether he is more deferving of praife for the ingenuity of his contrivance, or for his prudence in def troying it. Certainly their fituation was fo critical that inebriety might have been attended with dreadful confequences. So far had they now adopted the manners of the natives, that they not only had their meals at thofe ftated periods which the natives chofe, but likewife imitated their manner of eating-ufing fhells inftead of knives. Some of the feamen were likewife determined to undergo the operation of tattooing, which confifts in making figures on the body by fcarring, and is not only painful (while doing) but exceedingly tedious. In bearing thofe characteristic ftains they thought to render themselves the more agree, able to the inhabitants. The first who underwent this operation was John Sumner; and Oedidy, a chief, provided a person whole profeffion it was to perform it. The hinder part of his loins and thighs were marked, with black lines in various forms, Thefe marks were made by ftriking the teeth of an inftrument which refembles a comb juft through the skin, and rubbing a fort of pafte made of foot and oil into the parts thus ftruck, which leaves thereon an indelible fiain. Sumner made many wry faces during the performance, but he was afraid of incurring the ridicule and raillery of the natives by making any noife, therefore bore. the pain of this dreadful operation with as much patience as he poffibly could. After this a few of the other men were tattooed, Heywood and Coleman likewife underwent the operation. Thefe were marked in chequers, which are emblems of rank and diftinction. Stewart was the first who adopted the natives manner of dreffing meat, which he did in an entertainment he gave to feveral chiefs who were introduced by his father-in-law. Water being the chief drink of the island it was not much relished by our English heroes, who frequently wifhed for fpirits or wine, as by this time the liquors which they had on board were all ufed, except, a little that was referved for occafional diinkin drinking. Coleman was frequently upbraided for breaking the fill, and as frequently courted to renew his labour; but this he peremptorily refurled, being too well convinced of the difpofition of his partners, who, if they had had an opportunity, would certainly have indulged their intemperance. After dinner and fupper they had fugar canes to chew, which the natives ufed in the fame manner. With this they were oblig. ed to content themselves inftead of a bottle and glass. The chief who had made Churchill his Tayo was now taken ill, and notwithstanding all the affiftance that was adminiftred to him (for the people of this ifland are exceedingly kilful) he died. Their cures in furgery are wonderful, but their phyfi. cal knowledge is more confined. The chief was attended by one of the priests, who are alfo their phyfi-· cians; but after he had applied the juice of fome herbs he thook his head, in order to indicate that diffo. lution was inevitable. The title and eftate of this chief defcended to Churchill according to the law of Tayofhip; and a day being appoint ed for the ceremony, Churchill received all the honours which are paid upon this occafion." About this time feveral of the mutineers difagreed among themfelves, and that jealoufy and envy which Chriftian fo much dreaded, began now to spread their baneful influence among them, and be produftive of continual diffention. The refpect which the natives paid to fome more than others was the occafion of much private fpleen. Chrif tian, Churchill, Young, and Stewart, had feveral enemies, particularly the former, who carried himfelf, they thought, in too fupercilious a man rer, when, in fact, the pride and authority which Chriftian affected were for their general fafety. Soon after Churchill had come in to poffeffion of his new title and eftate, he defired Thompson, who was one of their feamen, to fill two veffels which he had with water. Thomfon felt himself hurt at being thus commanded, and asked if he knew whom he was fpeaking to? "To a feaman," "replied Churchill, with a stern look; " but perhaps you forget that I am mafter at arms." 19 "I remember," anfwered Thomfon, equally haughtily, "I remember what you were when Bligh was our commander; but as to what you are, I think you now no better than myself, although the people here have dubbed you a chief. To be a fervant to a villain is intolerable, for we are all villains alike; perhaps, if the truth were known, you are a greater villain than fome among us Churchill interrupted Thomson with a menace, which the other difregarding, faid with a fneer, “ D—n you, tho' you are a chief, you shall be your own fervant for me." Some of the natives were attracted to the fpot where thefe difputants were by the noife they made, and not understanding why their chief Churchill fhould be treated in this infolent manner, obliged Thomson to retire. This cut him to the very heart, and he began now to meditate revenge both against Churchill and Chriftian. It is neceffary to remark, that Chriftian had advised his men always to carry their guns ready charged with them, for fear of any fudden attack of the natives; for he did not know how foon a breach between them might take place. The next day Churchill and Thomfon met again, when the latter, being of a vindictive difpofition, renewed the contention; Churchill was exceedingly warm, having been provoked by Thomson's upbraiding him as one of the greatest villains (alluding to to his being one of the ringleaders,) in feeming perfection, though it soon and above all with his exclaiming in a fcornful manner, Oh, what a great chief!" that, lofing all patience, Churchill replied with much rage," Hold your tongue, fcoundrel, or, by G, I'll kick you." Scoundrel!" echoed Thomfon, who immediately levelled his musket at him, and lodged the contents in his breaft. › Three natives were prefent when Churchill fell, who by their loud lamentations foon collected others. Thomson, apprehenfive of their fury, fled. Churchill lived but a few minutes, during which time he could not fpeak; the ball had entered near his heart. He was conveyed in great folemnity to the habitation of that chief whom he fucceeded. The murder was foon reported to Christian, who was extremely affect ed at the news. Tinah inquired if he did not mean to put to death the offender: but Chriftian apprehended that if he threatened Thomfon with punishment he might be tempted to make a difcovery of the mutiny bufinefs and bring deftruction upon all their heads. Chriftian therefore evaded coming to any refolution, but hinted that Churchill, being a chief of theirs, and regarded by them as one of their own people, they fhould take the bufinefs under their confideration. In the mean time, both the men and women were bewailing the untimely death of Churchill; the latter were particularly clamorous in their grief, and continued their lamentations for feveral nights. Having obtained Chriftian's permiffion, they intended to bury him according to their own funeral ceremonies; the body was therefore difembowelled in order to avoid putrefaction, the inteftines and vifcera drawn out, and the cavities fapplied with cloth; after which it was conftantly rubbed with cocoa-nut oil, which keeps it Ed. Mag. June 1796. 1 waftes away. Thefe operations being performed, the corpfe was fhrouded, and the relations of the chief whom Churchill fucceeded being filent mourners, it was conveyed on a bier fupported on mens fhoulders, according to our fashion, while a prieft attended the proceffion, which was frequently repeated backwards, and forwards fprinkling the ground occafionally with water, and praying in broken fentences. Afterwards the body was laid on a kind of a fiage erected for the purpofe, as they never depofite a corpfe in the Morai, or burial-place, till the flesh is entirely' walted from off the bones. Thomson, in the mean time, being more afraid of his own people than of the natives, had fome thoughts of repairing to the island of Huaheine'; for he knew well that Churchill, whom he had murdered, was one of Chriftian's private counfellors, and he naturally fuppofed that Chriftian would refent his death; not only out of refpect to the memory of the deceafed, but in order to prevent any future disturbance among his own people, which might have a fimilar termination. He was, however, unprovided with proper neceffaries for his intended expedition, and wandered about feveral hours, fabfifting upon thofe berries which were edible, and which he pulled from off the trees in his way. Thomfon's prefent anxiety was in avoiding his own party, for he did not entertain the fmallest fufpicion of the natives becoming his enemies, who, as he thought, would leave it to Chriftian to punish his offence, not knowing that Chriftian had refigned that power to them: and in this, indeed, Chriftian may be thought to have acted wifely; for without incurring the refentment of any more of his people, the murderer was amply punished, and his fate was fuffeient to deter others from acting in 3 K the |