Christian is in a state of despair…
April 1789 CE
His mood is worsened when Bligh accuses him of stealing coconuts from the captain's private supply.
Bligh punishes the whole crew for this theft, stopping their rum ration and reducing their food by half.
Feeling that his position is now intolerable, Christian considers constructing a raft with which he can escape to an island and take his chances with the natives.
He may have acquired wood for this purpose from Purcell.
In any event, his discontent becomes common knowledge among his fellow officers.
Two of the young gentlemen, George Stewart and Edward Young, urge him not to desert; Young assures him that he will have the support of almost all on board if he were to seize the ship and depose Bligh.
Stewart tells him the crew are "ripe for anything".