Читать книгу Men Against the Sea – Book Set. The Greatest Maritime Adventure Novels: The Bounty Trilogy, Lost Island, The Hurricane, Botany Bay, The Far Lands, Tales of the South Seas… онлайн

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“You may believe that I took my time in proceeding. I told the story from the moment when we went on deck together during Peckover’s watch. I’d forgotten nothing. I even told them how I’d confessed to you that I was one of the culprits who had stolen Bligh’s invaluable coconuts. I told them how I lay down to take a caulk between the guns just before Christian came along and engaged you in conversation. But above everything, Byam, thank heaven and Robert Tinkler for this: I remembered how Bligh came up at the very moment you were shaking Christian’s hand, when you said, ‘You can count on me.’

“The Commissioners sat leaning forward in their chairs. One old fellow sat with a hand cupped behind his ear. On his behalf I spoke with particular slowness and distinctness. ‘Mr. Christian replied: “Good, Byam,” or “Thank you, Byam,” I cannot be certain which, and they shook hands upon it. At this moment Mr. Bligh interrupted them; they had not heard him approach. He made some remark about their being up late, and....’ ”