the commander, and a botanist, and gardener. They started with a fresh breeze, which moderated on the 25th, so that they were able to keep the Christmas festival with cheerfulness; but it increased to such a heavy gale by the 27th, that the vessel suffered damage; a sea which she shipped having broken some of the planks of the boats, and an azimuth compass. It also wet and injured a few bags of bread in the cabin, which, when the weather improved, were got up, and dried. The voyage was attended with many circumstances of difficulty and danger. The few hours of respite from the hard westerly winds that blew, were, according to a fine expression in Lord Anson's voyage, like the elements drawing breath, to return upon them with redoubled violence. Having tried in vain, in a tempestuous ocean, to go by Cape Horn, they at last made a passage round the Cape of Good Hope; and having visited Van Diemen's Land, and New Zealand, the ship arrived at Tahiti, anchoring in Matavai Bay, at ten in the forenoon of the 26th

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of October, 1788, having sailed over more than 27,000 miles of ocean.

The voyagers were received with kindness by the natives, who asked after Captain Cook, Sir Joseph Banks, and others who had visited them some years before. But their first inquiries of the strangers were, if they were Tyos, which signifies, friends; and whether they came from Pretanie, (Britain.) Having become satisfied on these two important points, they instantly crowded the deck in such numbers, that Bligh could scarcely find his own people. He had prepared and written down certain rules to be observed by all his men for facilitating a trade for provisions, and establishing a good understanding with the natives. Immediately on anchoring, these orders were stuck up on the mizen-mast. It was against the rules to purchase curiosities, or provisions, except by application to a person duly appointed as a purveyor. With respect to curiosities, it appears that none struck the seamen so forcibly as a roasted pig, and some bread-fruit; and these came in abundance.

Nelson, the gardener, and his assistant, being sent out to look for young plants, it was no small degree of pleasure to find them report, on their return, that according to appearances, the object of the voyage would probably be accomplished with ease; the plants were plentiful, and no apparent objection on the part of the natives to collect as many as might be wanted.

Presents were now given to Otoo, the chief of Matavai, who had changed his name to Tinah. He was told, that on account of the kindness of his people to Captain Cook, and from a desire to serve him and his country, King George had sent out those valuable presents to him: "And will you not, Tinah," said Bligh, "send something to King George in return?" "Yes," he said, "I will send him any thing I have;" and then began to enumerate the different articles in his power, among which he mentioned the breadfruit. This was the exact point to which Bligh was endeavouring to lead him, and he was immediately told that the breadfruit trees were what King George would

like very much; on which he promised that a great many should be put on board.

Having passed about six pleasant months in the island, and collected plants, the party took leave of their friends at Tahiti, and put to sea again April 27, 1789.

It is probable that Bligh would have been spared much trouble and misery had he quitted Tahiti sooner; but he had been prevailed upon by the kindness of the chiefs to delay his departure; and during the interchange of friendly civilities and hospitable receptions, both on board the Bounty and on shore, three of the men belonging to the ship, of whom more will be said presently, deserted, taking with them the small cutter, a chest of fire-arms and ammunition. They were soon captured by Bligh, with the help of some of the natives, at a neighbouring island, Tettaha. These three deserters wrote a letter of humble acknowledgment to their captain, for his clemency in not bringing them to trial, and promised good conduct in future: but they were very soon afterward engaged in a mutiny.

On the 27th of April, the Bounty was off Tofoa, one of the Friendly Islands. The day had closed, and the moon was shining mildly on the water, when the commander came on deck. It was one of those calm and beautiful nights, so common in tropical regions, whose soothing influence can only be appreciated by those who have felt it. After a scorching day the air breathed a refreshing coolness: a gentle breeze scarcely rippled the water, and the moon shed its soft light along the surface of the sea. Little did Bligh think, as he gazed upon the lovely scene, of the fearful deeds that would be enacted on his ship before the sun rose again. Little did he dream that he now for the last time trod the deck of the Bounty as its commander. Yet so it was-while the commander was pacing the ship's deck in the soft moonlight, one of his officers was brooding over his wrongs and meditating the fearful crime of mutiny. We will let Captain Bligh tell the story in his own words.

"In the morning of the 28th April, the north-westernmost of the Friendly Islands,

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