Revised Jun 21 2021
Much of Adams's trouble and anxiety in former years naturally arose from the fear of being discovered and taken. In May, 1795, he and his brother mutineers, having observed a ship nearing the island, in their terror hid themselves in the bush. Having, after some time, cautiously left their place of concealment, they proceeded to the beach, where they found a knife, and a few cocoa-nut shells, proving that some persons had landed. The visitors, however, it would seem, had not noticed any signs of houses, and had therefore left the island without further search.