and an event occurred which, whether we consider the want of
motives, or the cold blooded and obstinate cruelty with which it was
perpetrated, has not often been equalled.--We speak of the want of
motives, because, although some occurrences which we shall mention,
had given the crew some ground for dissatisfaction, there had been no
abuse or severity which could in the least degree excuse or palliate
so barbarous a mode of redress and revenge. During our cruise to Japan
the season before, many complaints were uttered by the crew among
themselves, with respect to the manner and quantity in which they
received their _meat_, the quantity sometimes being more than
sufficient for the number of men, and at others not enough to supply
the ship's company; and it is fair to presume, that the most
dissatisfied, deserted the ship at Oahu.

But the reader will no doubt consider it superfluous for us to attempt
an unrequired vindication of the conduct of the officers of the Globe
whose aim was to maintain a correct discipline, which should result in
the furtherance of the voyage and be a benefit to all concerned, more
especially when he is informed, that part of the men shipped at Oahu,
in the room of the deserters, were abandoned wretches, who frequently
were the cause of severe reprimands from the officers, and in one
instance one of them received a severe flogging. The reader will also
please to bear in mind, that Samuel B. Comstock, the ringleader of the
mutiny, was an officer, (being a boat-steerer,) and as is customary,
ate in the cabin. The conduct and deportment of the Captain towards
this individual, was always decorous and gentlemanly, a proof of
intentions long premeditated to destroy the ship. Some of the crew
were determined to leave the ship provided she touched at Fannings
Island, and we believe had concerted a plan of escape, but of which
the perpetration of a deed chilling to humanity, precluded the
necessity. We were at this time in company with the ship Lyra, of
New-Bedford, the Captain of which, had been on board the Globe during
the most of the day, but had returned in the evening to his own ship.
An agreement had been made by him with the Captain of the Globe, to
set a light at midnight as a signal for tacking. It may not be amiss
to acquaint the reader of the manner in which whalemen keep watch
during the night. They generally carry three boats, though some carry
four, five, and sometimes six, the Globe, howev