“Port!” said Dodd, calmly.

“Port it is.”

The giant prow darted at the escaping pirate.  That acre of coming canvas took the wind out of the swift schooner’s foresail; it flapped:  oh, then she was doomed! . . .  CRASH! the Indiaman’s cut-water in thick smoke beat in the schooner’s broadside:  down went her masts to leeward like fishing-rods whipping the water; there was a horrible shrieking yell; wild forms leaped off on the Agra, and were hacked to pieces almost ere they reached the deck—­a surge, a chasm in the ear, filled with an instant rush of engulfing waves, a long, awful, grating, grinding noise, never to be forgotten in this world, all along under the ship’s keel—­and the fearful majestic monster passed on over the blank she had made, with a pale crew standing silent and awestruck on her deck; a cluster of wild heads and staring eyeballs bobbing like corks in her foaming wake, sole relic of the blotted-out Destroyer; and a wounded man staggering on the gangway, with hands uplifted and staring eyes.

NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY

From “Chamber’s Miscellany,” ANONYMOUS

About the year 1786, the merchants and planters interested in the West India Islands became anxious to introduce an exceedingly valuable plant, the bread-fruit tree, into these possessions, and as this could best be done by a government expedition, a request was preferred to the crown accordingly.  The ministry at the time being favorable to the proposed undertaking, a vessel, named the Bounty, was selected to execute the desired object.  To the command of this ship Captain W. Bligh was appointed, Aug. 16, 1787.  The burden of the Bounty was nearly two hundred and fifteen tons.  The establishment of men and officers for the ship was as follows:—­1 lieutenant to command, 1 master, 1 boatswain, 1 gunner, 1 carpenter, 1 surgeon, 2 master’s mates, 2 midshipmen, 2 quarter-masters, 1 quarter-master’s mate, 1 boatswain’s mate, 1 gunner’s mate, 1 carpenter’s mate, 1 carpenter’s crew, 1 sailmaker, 1 armourer, 1 corporal, 1 clerk and steward, 23 able seamen—­total, 44.  The addition of two men appointed to take care of the plants, made the whole ship’s crew amount to 46.  The ship was stored and victualled for eighteen months.

Thus prepared, the Bounty set sail on the 23d of December, and what ensued will be best told in the language of Captain Bligh.

Monday, 27th April 1789.—­The wind being northerly in the evening, we steered to the westward, to pass to the south of Tofoa.  I gave directions for this course to be continued during the night.  The master had the first watch, the gunner the middle watch, and Mr. Christian the morning watch.