104 



themselves to constant drinking. M'Coy died in delirium tremens, and 

 Quintal's conduct became so dangerous to the others that in self-defence 

 they took his life. 



John Adams and Young the midshipman were now the only 

 survivors of the nine mutineers who had found a refuge at Pitcairn's 

 Island nine years before. They became seriously impressed by 

 their forlorn state, and by the responsibility which devolved upon 

 them as the sole protectors of so many helpless women and young 

 children. The Bible and Prayer-book which Christian had diligently 

 studied were sought out, and regular morning and evening prayer was 

 established, as well as daily instruction for the children. Young being a 

 man of good education, took the lead in this duty, but was zealously 

 assisted by Adams, who also was at great pains to increase his own 

 slender acquirements. Young, who had long been a delicate man, sank 

 into the grave at the early age of thirty-six.* This happened in the 

 year 1800, and from that time until his death in 1829, John Adams 

 devoted all his energies to promoting both the outward and spiritual good 

 of the population, which by and bye increased in number from the 

 intermarriage of the children of the original settlers. Such was the 

 success that attended his teaching and example that crime and vice were 

 completely banished and forgotten, and for the first time perhaps in 

 history there was to be seen the picture of an entire society of men, 

 women, and children living in harmony and primitive innocence, and 

 seeking for no greater pleasure than the happiness which waits upon 

 virtue. Two years after the death of Adams a long season of drought 

 caused so great a scarcity of fresh water in the island that the British 

 Government induced the whole colony, now increased to eighty -seven 

 souls, to migrate to Otaheite, where a sufficient tract of land was allotted 

 to them by Queen Pomare. But the climate did not agree with the 

 immigrants, many of whom were cut off by fever ; and the loose habits 

 of the natives were so distasteful to them that the survivors took the 

 earliest opportunity of returning to Pitcairn's Island. 



*It has been stated that the celebrated Mormon chief, Brigham Young, is a lineal 

 descendant of this mutineer. 



