THE PITCAIRN ISLANDERS.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume III, Issue 4, 30 April 1857, Page 12

THE PITCAIRN ISLANDERS.

CHAPTER I. In the year 1767, when Captain Carteret was cruising in these seas, a young midshipman of the name of Pitcairn was the first to discover what seemed in the distance to be a tall rock. On drawing nearer, however, it was discovered to be a small island; but the tempestuous state of the waters forbade all landing upon it. It was named after the young discoverer, who died shortly afterwards ; the vessel passed on her way, and nothing was heard of the island for many years. The British Government being anxious to introduce the bread fruit into the West Indies, despatched a vessel named the Bounty to Tahiti for plants, of which an abundant supply was obtained. Calmly the ship sailed on her homeward voyage, apparently all peace and tranquility but within was a smouldering fire of passion waiting but an opportunity to break into a blaze. Captain Bligh, the officer in command of the ship, was a man of harsh and exacting disposition, and kept bis crew in a stale of exasperation. At length, on the 28th of April, 1789, a mutiny broke out on board, headed by one of the officers named Fletcher Christian, a v©ung man of good family and abilities, but of a passionate and revengeful spirit. Captain Isligh and the few men who remained faithful to him were placed in a boat, with a small allowance -of provisions, and set adrift on the boundless sea. The unhappy commander made a farewell appeal to the conscience of Christian on the subject of his unduiiful conduct. His reply expressed the storm of feeling that raged

within, "lam in hell,—l am in hell, Gap tain Bligh." Having seen llie last of the boat, the mutineers turned the head of the vessel back towards Tahiti longing for the revelry and ease they hoped to enjoy. Ere long they reached the shores, but a new difficulty arose. How could they account to the natives for their unexpected reiurn, and the absence of their commander and part of the crew? They followed the crime they had committed with a lie, and told ihe Tahitians they had met their old friend Captain Cook, who had been joined by Bligh and a portion of their comrades. The unsuspecting islanders believed their tale, and warmly welcomed them to their homes. It was not long, however, that they were permitted to enjoy the sensual pleasures they had so fondly anticipated. Reflection would at times paint the horrors endured by their late commander and his suffering comrades on the trackless ocean ; or represent them as safely guided to some friendly shore, —their tale of wrong stirring up the Government to despatch the avenger of blood to punish the offenders. The mutineers concluded that it was necessary to seek a safer shelter than what Tahiti afforded; so taking on board six Tahitian men, and twelve women, they again set sail, leaving some of their comrades behind them. Cain, the first murderer, found no rest for the sole of his foot, and so it seemed with this little company. Disputes arose, mutual recriminations ensued, and Christian's temper became moody and fitful. He again landed at Tubonai, and as the fratricide Cain built a city to rrflieve, by occupation, his-mental agony, he caused a fort to be constructed ; but the work prospered not, and he once more set sail to seek a spot where tie might hope to evade the hand of justice. Sailing thus hither and thither, the little island of Pitcairn was reached. Situated at a great distance from any other land, and inaccessible, except at certain states of the weather, it seemed to promise seclusion and protection; while its sunnv clime and rich fruits rendered it a most charming residence. The party landed, and unshipping their effects, carried them ashore; all having been removed, and the vessel stripped of everything they could make any use of, they set her on fire and burnt her.