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Our guests were naturally curious about the events of the mutiny, but they soon realized that it was a sore subject with Mr. Bligh, which he preferred not to discuss.

“You have our sworn affidavits, Mr. Wanjon,” he remarked, at this time. “The facts are there, attested to by every one of my men. It is not likely that the villains will come this way, but should they do so, seize and hold them. Let not one of them escape.”

“You may set your mind at rest on that score,” Mr. Wanjon replied; and with this the discussion of the mutiny was dropped.

“I greatly desire to proceed homeward as soon as my men are fit to travel,” Bligh remarked. He laughed in a wry manner. “We are a company of paupers, Mr. Wanjon. We’ve not a shilling amongst us; not a halfpenny bit!”

“Do not let that worry you, Captain Bligh. Mr. Van Este has instructed me to provide you with whatever funds you may desire.”

“That’s uncommon kind of him. I shall draw bills on His Majesty’s Government.... Captain Spikerman, is there a small vessel to be had hereabout—one fit to carry us to Batavia? I wish to arrive there in time to sail home with your October fleet.”