reef, but in the course of the night the ship drifted past it. In his narrative of the wreck, laid before the court-martial, Captain Edwards says, "On getting soundings the topsails were filled; but before the tacks were hauled on board, and other sail made and trimmed, the ship struck upon a reef. We had a quarter less two fathoms on the larboard side, and three fathoms on the starboard side. The sails were braced about different ways, to endeavour to get her off, but to no purpose. They were then clewed up and afterwards furled, the top-gallant yards got down and the top-gallant masts struck.

"Boats were hoisted out with a view to carry out an anchor, but, before that could be effected, the ship struck so violently on the reef, that the carpenter reported she made eighteen inches of water in five minutes, and in five minutes after this that there were four feet of water in the hold. Soon after, eight and a half feet water was reported.

"About ten we perceived that the ship had beaten over the reef, and was in ten fathoms water; we therefore let go the small bower anchor, cleared away the cable, and let go the best bower, in fifteen and a half fathoms, some of the guns were thrown overboard, and the water gained on us only in a small degree, so we flattered ourselves that with the assistance of a thrummed top-sail, which we were preparing to haul under the ship's bottom, we might be able to lessen the leak, and to free her of water."

In this expectation, however, Captain Edwards was disappointed. During the night the water gained upon them despite their utmost efforts at the pumps. Three of the crew of the Bounty were let out of their "box" to assist in working the pumps. The others offered their assistance and begged earnestly to be allowed a chance of saving their

lives; but no answer was vouchsafed to them by their heartless commander, and two additional sentinels were placed over them, a most unnecessary piece of precaution, seeing that they were all ironed and handcuffed, besides being confined in their cage.

Seeing no prospect of escape these wretched men betook themselves to prayer. Meanwhile the ship showed evident signs of being about to sink; and the crew hastily betook themselves to the boats. As Captain Edwards passed over their prison-house on his way to the boats young Heywood earnestly implored him to have mercy on them. But the captain passed on without reply.

The ship was at that time lying on her broadside, with the larboard bow completely under water. Fortunately the master-at-arms possessed a heart not quite so hard as that of his commander. In slipping from the roof of the "Pandora's Box" into the sea, he let the keys of the prisoners' irons fall through the scuttle which he had opened just a few minutes before, and thus enabled them to commence their liberation. It is said that the master-at-arms let fall the keys by accident--we cannot believe it; undoubtedly it was done by design. But there was a kinder heart than even his there. William Moulter, a boatswain's mate, remained with the prisoners to assist in releasing them from their shackles, saying, as he did so, that he would set them free or go to the bottom along with them.

While they were thus engaged the ship went down, and the master-at-arms and all the sentinels sank to rise no more. The cries of the drowning men were fearful, and more than half an hour elapsed ere all the survivors were picked up by the boats.

Poor Stewart, the midshipman, and three of the other

prisoners went down with their hands manacled. The rest escaped. Young Heywood sprang overboard, seized a plank and was making for the shore when a boat picked him up. Morrison, one of the men, swam about with his handcuffs on until a boat came to his assistance.

Those who had escaped took refuge on a small sandy islet and hauled up the boats to repair those that were damaged. Then the people were mustered, and it was found that eighty-nine of the ship's company and ten of the mutineers were saved-thirty-one of the former and four of the latter had perished. After suffering great hardships the remnant of the Pandora's crew reached the island of Timor, and getting on board a ship there, returned to England.

Here the mutineers were tried for mutiny and piracy, and part of them condemned to death. Several of their number, however, who had not taken active part in the mutiny of the Bounty were acquitted, and some were pardoned; among the latter were young Heywood and Morrison.

Such was the end of this portion of the crew of the Bounty. Turn we now to Lieutenant Bligh and his companions.

CHAPTER X.

BLIGH'S EXTRAORDINARY BOAT VOYAGE.

FEW situations in which men can be placed are more dangerous or dreary than that of being out upon the wide ocean in an open boat.

That the risk is very great may be gathered, in some degree, by a glance at the annexed woodcut where a party of youths are seen caught in a squall and obliged to lower their sail in order to close-reef it. The water here is seen lipping up to the very edge of the gunwale near the stern, while it dashes past the bow in white foam. Obviously the great danger lies in the simple fact of the boat being open. Size is, comparatively, an unimportant matter. If the boat were decked over, it might venture out even upon the Atlantic with some degree of security; but, however large a boat may be, if it is not decked, the risk of being swamped in stormy weather is very great, because the waves break into it faster than they can be baled out, and no one who is not either mad, or at least influenced by a very strong and overpowering motive, will risk his life by going to sea in an open boat. Of course by "going to sea is meant undertaking a long voyage.

Nevertheless, although this be true, there are many instances on record of wonderful voyages having been accomplished in open boats. In some cases, men have been driven off shore in a gale and compelled to undertake such voyages.