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John Fryer, master of the Bounty, was now called. He had not changed in the least since I had last seen him, on the morning of the mutiny. He glanced quickly in our direction, but there was time for no more than a glance. He was directed to stand at the end of the table, opposite Lord Hood, and was sworn.

The Court said: “Inform the Court of all the circumstances within your knowledge concerning the running away with His Majesty’s ship, Bounty.”

I shall give Fryer’s testimony with few omissions, for it provides a clear picture of what was seen by the Bounty’s master on the day of the mutiny.

“On the 28th of April, 1789, we tacked and stood to the south’ard and westward until the island of Tofoa bore north; then we steered west-northwest. In the first part of the evening we had little wind. I had the first watch. The moon was at that time in its first quarter. Between ten and eleven o’clock, Mr. Bligh came on deck agreeable to his usual custom, to leave his orders for the night. After he had been on deck some little time, I said, ‘Sir, we have got a moon coming on which will be fortunate for us when we come on the coast of New Holland.’ Mr. Bligh replied, ‘Yes, Mr. Fryer, so it will,’ which was all the conversation that passed between us. After leaving his orders, he went off the deck.