hey had. On examining it they
found there was a hundred and fifty pounds of bread, thirty-two pounds
of pork, six quarts of rum, six bottles of wine, and twenty-eight
gallons of water.
As they were so near Tofoa they determined to put in there for a supply
of breadfruit and water, so that they might keep their other provisions.
But after rowing along the coast for some time, they only discovered
some cocoanut trees on the top of a stony cliff, against which the sea
beat furiously. After several attempts they succeeded in getting about
twenty nuts. The second day they failed to get anything at all.
However, some natives came down to the boat and made inquiries about the
ship; but the captain unfortunately told the men to say she had been
lost, and that only they were saved.
This proved most disastrous; for the treacherous natives, finding they
were defenceless, at first brought them presents of breadfruit,
plantains and cocoanuts, rendering them all more hopeful and cheerful by
their kindness. But towards night their numbers increased in a most
alarming manner, and soon the whole beach was lined by them.
Presently they began knocking stones together, by which the men knew
they intended to make an attack upon them. They made haste to get all
the things into the boat, and all but one, named John Norton, succeeded
in reaching it. The natives rushed upon this poor man and stoned him to
death.
Those in the boat put to sea with all haste, but were again terribly
alarmed to find themselves followed by natives in canoes from which they
renewed the attack.
Many of the sailors were a good deal hurt by stones, and they had no
means at all with which to protect themselves. At last they threw some
clothes overboard; these tempted the enemy to stop to pick them up, and
as soon as night came on they gave up the chase and returned to the
shore.
All the men now begged Captain Bligh to take them towards England; but
he told them there could be no hope of relief until they reached Timor,
a distance of full twelve hundred leagues; and that, if they wished to
reach it, they would have to content themselves with one ounce of
bread and a quarter of a pint of water a day. They all readily agreed to
this allowance of food, and made a most solemn oath not to depart from
their promise to be satisfied with the small quantity. This was about
May 2. After the compact was made, the boat was put in order, the men
divided into watches, a
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