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Samuel stopped short and gazed at the boatswain in a horrified manner.

“ ‘Liking,’ Mr. Cole?” he exclaimed.

“Aye,” said Cole. “He was hot-tempered and anything but easy under Mr. Bligh’s correction; but I never doubted him a gentleman and a loyal officer.”

“His Majesty can well spare gentlemen of Christian’s kidney from his service,” I replied. “You’re too lenient in your judgments, Mr. Cole. Whatever else may be said of him, Christian is an intelligent man. He must have known that he was condemning us to all but certain death.”

“Begging your pardon, Mr. Ledward, I don’t believe he did know it. He must have been out of his mind.... This I will say: Mr. Christian will never again know peace. He’ll have us on his conscience till the day of his death.”

“He’ll hang,” said Samuel, confidently. “Hide where he may, Captain Bligh will find him and bring him to justice.”

“Let that be as it will, Mr. Samuel,” said Cole. “I’ll warrant he’s been punished enough as it is.”

“Do you think God could forgive him, Mr. Cole?” I asked, out of curiosity more than for any other reason.