deck, either
induced thereto by the sweet influences around them, or by some
indefinable impression that a storm sometimes succeeds a calm as well in
the moral as the material world. As the ship had no way through the
water, it was impossible for the rash youth to carry out his plan either
during the first or middle watches. He was therefore compelled to give
it up, at least for that night, and about half-past three in the morning
he lay down to rest a few minutes, as he was to be called by Stewart to
relieve the watch at four o'clock.

He had barely fallen into a troubled slumber when he was awakened by
Stewart, and rose at once to go on deck. He observed in passing that
young Hayward, the mate of his watch, had lain down to take a nap on the
arm-chest. Mr Hallet, the other midshipman of the watch, had also gone
to sleep somewhere, for he was not to be seen. Whether the seriously
reprehensible conduct of these two officers roused his already excited
spirit to an ungovernable pitch, or their absence afforded a favourable
opportunity, we cannot tell, but certain it is that Fletcher Christian
opened his ear at that time to the voice of the tempter.

"_Better try to take the ship_," seemed burning in words of fire into
his brain.

Quick to act as well as to conceive, he looked lustily and earnestly at
the men of his watch. The one who stood nearest him, looking vacantly
out upon the sea, was Matthew Quintal. To him Christian revealed his
hastily adopted plan of seizing the ship, and asked if he would join
him. Quintal was what men call a deep villain. He was quite ripe for
mutiny, but from some motive known only to himself he held back, and
expressed doubt as to the possibility of carrying out the plan.

"I did not expect to find cowardice in _you_," said Christian, with a
look of scornful indignation.

"It is not cowardice, sir," retorted Quintal. "I will join if others
do. Try some one else. Try Martin there, for instance."

Isaac Martin was a raw-boned, sallow, six-foot man of about thirty, who
had been undeservedly flogged by Bligh. Christian went to him at once,
and put the question, "Will you join me in taking the ship?"

"The very thing, Mr Christian. I'm with you," answered Martin,
promptly.

The eager readiness of this man at once decided Quintal. Christian then
went to every man in his watch, all of whom had received more or less
harsh treatment from the Captain, and most of whom were more