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A deep silence followed this statement. The men looked toward him, a pathetic, wistful eagerness apparent on every face. All wished to believe; and yet the chances against us seemed overwhelming. But there was no shadow of uncertainty in Bligh’s voice or manner. He spoke with a confidence that cheered us all.

“And another thing we will see there,” he went on: “Fletcher Christian hanging by the neck from a yardarm on one of His Majesty’s ships, and every bloody pirate that joined him.”

“It will be a long day, Mr. Bligh, before we have that satisfaction, if we ever do,” Purcell replied.

“Long?” Bligh replied. “The arm of His Majesty’s law is long, mind you that! Let them hide as they may, it can reach and take them by the neck. Mr. Nelson, where do you think they will go? I have my own opinion, but I should like yours.”

This was the first time since we had lost the ship that Mr. Bligh had made more than a passing blasphemous reference to the mutineers, or would suffer any of us to speak of them.