HISTORIC MUTINEERS. 91 



their native wives has grown up a peaceful, 

 God-fearing community in an ocean home on the 

 other side of the globe. 



But few who listen to the Captain's stories 

 know that the Bounty, commanded by Lieutenant 

 Bligh, a Cornishman who had sailed with Captain 

 Cook, was fitted out to carry breadfruit plants 

 from Otaheite, one of the Society Islands, to the 

 West Indies. Certain slave holders with human 

 property in the West Indies had represented to 

 His Majesty George III. that breadfruit would 

 constitute a very cheap and entirely adequate 

 food for their bondsmen in those far away isles. 

 This view the monarch readily adopted, and 

 measures were quickly taken to secure the 

 suggested advantage. 



It was in 1787 the ship sailed away on her 

 adventurous voyage, and a stormy one it proved. 

 The vessel was buffeted by winds and waves, 

 she was badly provisioned, and her captain 

 and officers were severe and cruel. The route 

 marked out by the government was abandoned, 

 and the vessel touched at the Cape of Good Hope, 

 where she was refitted. From there she went to 

 Australia, and after a short stay sailed directly to 

 Otaheite, where she arrived in October. All 

 were well received, and Captain Bligh and his 

 officers were treated like royal visitors. 



