DISCOVERY OF PITCAIRN ISLAND. 383 



seized Bligh while he was asleep. After binding him, Bligh was 

 placed in a boat with nineteen others who had not participated in 

 the mutiny. They were given twine, canvas, lines, sails, cordage, 

 a 28-gallon cask of water, a small store of rum and wine, together 

 with a quadrant and compass, and were then cut adrift. They 

 were then near the Tonga Islands (Sofoa, 19 degrees south latitude 

 184 degrees east longitude). After 41 days' extreme suffering they 

 reached the Island of Timor (9 degrees south latitude 125 degrees 

 east longitude), a distance of 3,618 nautical miles from where they 

 were cast off the " Bounty." 



Let us now follow the mutineers. They are, of course, now 

 cut off from old England — and so Christian heads the " Bounty 

 once again towards the enchanting shores of Otaheite. A 

 dilemma presents itself ; how shall they account to the natives 

 for the absence of the Commander and so many of his men ? A lie 

 must be invented to deceive the simple-minded children of nature ; 

 it is soon told. They had met with Captain Cook, the islanders' 

 old friend, and Lieutenant Bligh and some of their comrades had 

 rejoined him. 



Fearing that the frail boat may reach some island, and the 

 mutiny become known, they consult, and flight is determined upon. 

 The mutineers consequently seek a more secure retreat. Leaving 

 some of the crew behind they again set sail, taking with them 

 twelve Tahitian women and twelve Tahitian men ; of the former, 

 nine were wives of the sailors. Mutual recriminations ensue. 

 Fletcher Christian grows moody, fitful and impatient. They cruise 

 about Toobonai, and to divert their thoughts into healthier channels 

 Christian orders a fort to be erected, but progress is slow. 



Once more the anchor is hove and the " Bounty " takes 

 flight. At last, standing right across their path, are the peaks of 

 Pitcairn, which will be to them the Patmos of expiation. Its rock- 

 bound coast is difficult of accsss, and can only be approached with 

 certain tides and state of the weather. 



Coimcil is held, and the die is cast. A party proceeds to unship 

 their goods and carry them ashore. x\mongst other things, some 

 books are not forgotten, but little heed they how these are to 

 generate into glorious life and fruitfulness. The last boat has left 

 the ship, but before leaving a brand is applied to the fated vessel. 



Christian, still haunted with the dread of discovery from some 

 Government vessel sent in pursuit, erects a kind of fort on an 

 elevated spot from whence to observe any ship that might approach 

 the island. The Otahetians, watching their opportunity, took 

 Christian and four of his comrades unawares and killed them. 

 Between the mutineers that remained and the six Tahitian men a 

 civil war now raged ; the more astute and better armed whites 

 naturally in the end exterminated their unfortunate antagonists. 



One of the mutineers had learned the art of distillation in the 

 Fatherland, and in an evil hour he sought out a native plant, the 



