a vessel bound to Sierra Leone and back, then went to Calcutta, where he left his vessel, and proceeded in another to the Cape, hoping to procure a passage to Pitcairn by one of the numerous whale-ships which were in the habit of calling there for supplies; but he was taken ill, and unable to move for some time.

As no opportunity offered, he crossed to Valparaiso, and finding no prospect there of recruiting his exhausted. finances, he went as mate of a vessel to Callao. There he became acquainted with a man named Bunker, who had been master of a merchant bark, and was then proprietor of a launch of eighteen tons burden. The health of Bunker was so impaired, and his circumstances so reduced, that he could not fit her out. Mr. Nobbs therefore undertook the task, on the understanding that he was to become part proprietor, and that Bunker should accompany him on the voyage to Pitcairn. He spent the little money he possessed in fitting out the vessel, and the two men embarked alone on this voyage of 3500 miles. Fortunately they had a fine-weather passage, and accomplished it in six weeks. From fatigue and want of sleep during that period, Bunker became so ill that he died a few weeks after his arrival at Pitcairn; and the launch having been hauled up on the rocky shore of the island, her timbers and wood-work served for the construction of a house for Mr. Nobbs,* who became, like Evans and Buffett, a permanent settler in the colony.

The year 1829 was one of deep mourning to our islander's. On March 29th, aged 65, died John Adams, their venerated pastor and teacher. His was a life, the com

*He married Sarah Christian, grand-daughter of Fletcher Christian, the mutineer, whose son Charles, father of Sarah, married the little Tahitian girl brought by her mother to Pitcairn when she was only ten months old (see chap. iii., p. 53), and who thus became the mother of Mrs. Nobbs.

mencement of which had been marked by terrible and unusual events, but one that ended most peacefully. He passed away in the presence of his family and of his af fectionate flock, all of whom loved and revered him as a parent.

The son of a lighterman and brother of a waterman of London, John Adams had picked up his little stock of knowledge from printed papers collected in London streets and elsewhere, by the help of which he had taught himself reading and writing. Such was his slender amount of acquirements, when at the age of twenty-two he joined the Bounty as an able-bodied seaman, and at twenty-four found himself on Pitcairn Island, the only protector of so many helpless human beings. Well did he acquit himself of his mission! By the mercy of God, and by the aid of his Bible and Prayer-book, which he had so earnestly studied, John Adams succeeded in establishing such a community as has been the dream of poets and the aspiration of philosophers; and the result of his humble endeavors was shown by the exercise "of all that is lovely and of good report' " in the isolated Pitcairn colony, far away in the vast Pacific Ocean.

8*

CHAPTER III.

George Hunn Nobbs succeeds John Adams as Pastor of Pitcairn Island. -Emigration to Tahiti.-Return.-Arrival of Joshua Hill.-Arbitrary Proceedings.-Joshua Hill removed from Pitcairn.

THE death of John Adams was a serious blow to the islanders; but he had appointed George Hunn Nobbs, who had a vocation for the ministry, to succeed him in the pastoral office. In addition to a fair amount of education, Mr. Nobbs possessed some knowledge of medicine and surgery, and exercised his skill with much benefit to the community. He was often sorely tried by the want of necessary remedies, the arrival of supplies being very precarious; but his unwearying watchfulness and care greatly tended to alleviate the sufferings of his patients.*

In 1830, the colony consisted of eighty-seven persons, when a long drought, together with a bad season for their plantations, gave rise to fears that they might be overtaken by famine. It had long been a matter of grave consideration that, as their numbers increased, the want of water would be severely felt; and in consequence, a proposal was made to the islanders by the Government to remove them to Tahiti. This proposal in due course was submitted to Queen Pomaré, who seconded it with great

*Mr. Nobbs's remuneration (for in course of time this new arrangement was established) consisted, as pastor, in his house being kept in repair, while, as surgeon, he received three acres of land for cultivation, and, as school-master, the value of a shilling a month each from twenty-five to thirty scholars. But to the children of large families, whose parents could not afford to pay, he gave instruction gratis.