298 LIEUTENANT BLIGH. 
Bligh, who had already served as master under 
Captain Cook, to convey a cargo of these young 
trees from the South Sea Islands, to the West 
Indies. Forty-six men formed the ship’s com- 
plement. 
After an excessively difficult voyage, during 
which he had vainly endeavoured, for thirty 
days, to double Cape Horn, and at length, 
yielding to necessity, had effected his passage 
by the Cape of Good Hope, he reached Tahaiti 
in safety in October 1788. 
Although the good-natured Tahaitians seem 
to have given great assistance, five months 
were occupied in lading the vessel ; perhaps be- 
cause Lieutenant Bligh and his crew found 
their station very agreeable. During this pe- 
riod the crew lived in the greatest harmony 
with the natives, especially the women; and 
this may probably afford a key to the subse- 
quent fate of Bligh. 
On the fourth of April 1789, he sailed from 
Tahaiti, touched at one of the Friendly Islands 
to replace such of the young plants as had been 
destroyed, and on the 27th of the same month 
continued his course, cheered by the conviction 
