its taste is insipid, with a slight sweetness, some •
what resembling that of the crumb of whealen bread
mixed with a Jerusalem artichoke. From such a
description, it is not surprising that the West India
planters should have felt desirous of introducing it
into those islands ; and accordingly the introduction
of it was subsequently accomplished, notwithstand-
ing the failure of the present voyage; it has not,
however, been fomid to answer the expectation that
had reasonably been entertained. The climate, as
to latitude, ought to be the same, or nearly so, as
that of Otaheite, but there would appear to be some
difference in the situation or nature of the soil, that
prevents it from thriving in the West India islands.
At Otaheite, and on several of the Pacific islands,
" The bread-tree, which, without the ploughshare, yields
The unr. ap'd harvest of unfurrow'd fields,
And bakes its wnadultertited loaves
Without a furnace in unpurchased groves.
And flings off fannine from its fertile breast,
A priceless market for the gathering guest — "
IS, to the natives of those islands a most invaluable
gift, but it has not been found to yield similar bene-
fits to the West India islands.
On the 23d December, 1787, the Bounty sailed
from Spithead, and on the 26th it blew a"^ severe
storm of wind from the eastward, v/hich continued
to the 29th, in the course of which the ship suffered
greatly. One sea broke away the spare yards and
spars out of the starboard main-chains. Another
heavy sea broke into the ship and stove all the boats,
.'^-jveral casks of beer that had been lashed upon
(u^.:k were broke loose and washed overboard; and
it was not without great difiiculty and risk that they
were able to secure the boats from being washed
away entirely. Besides other mischief done to them
in this storm, a large quantity of bread was dam
aged and rendered useless, for the sea had stove in
the stern and filled the cabin Avith water.
THE BKEAD-FRUIT. 49
This made it desirable to touch at Teneriffe to put
the ship to rights, where they arrived on the 5th
January, 1788, and having refitted and refreshed,
they sailed again on the 10th.
" I now," says Bligh, " divided the people into three
watches, and gave the charge of the third watch to
Mr. Fletcher Christian, one of the mates. I have
always considered this a desirable regulation wheU'
circumstances will admit of it, and I am persuaded
that unbroken rest not only contributes much to-
wards the health of the ship's company, but enables
them more readily to exert themselves in cases of
sudden emergency."
Wishing to proceed to Otaheite without stopping,
and the late, storm having diminished their supply
of provisions, it was deemed expedient to put ail
hands on an allovvance of two-thirds of bread. It was
also decided that water for drinking should be passed
through filtermg-stones that had been procured at
Teneriffe. " I now," says Bligh, " made the ship's
company acquainted with the object of the voyage,
and gave assurances of the certainty of promotion to
every one whose endeavours should merit it." No-
thing, indeed, seemed to be neglected on the part of
the commander to make his officers and men com-
fortable and happy. He was himself a thorough-
bred sailor, and availed himself of every possible
means of preserving the health of his crew. Con-
tinued rain and a close atmosphere had covered every
thing in the ship with mildew. She was therefore
aired below with fires, and frequently sprinkled with
vinegar, and every interval of dry weather v.^as taken
advantage of to open all the hatchways, and clean
the ship, and to have all the people's wet things
washed and dried. With these precautions to se-
cure health, they passed the hazy and sultry atmos-
phere of the low latitudes without a single com-
plaint.
On Sunday, the 2d March, Lieutenant Bligh ob-
50 THE BREAD-FRUIT.
serves, " after seeing that every person was ciearv,
divine service was performed, according to my usual
custom. On this day I gave to Mr. Fletcher Chris-
tian, whom I had before desired to take charge of
the third watch, a written order to act as lieutenant."
Having reached as far as the latitude of 36^ south,
on the 9th March, " the change of temperature," he
observes, " began now to be sensibly felt, there being
a variation in the thermometer, since yesterday, of
eight degrees. That the people might not suffer by
their own negligence, I gave orders for their light
tropical clothing to be put by, and made them dress
in a manner more suited to a cold climate. I had
provided for this before I left England, by giving di-
rections for such clothes to be purchased as would
be found necessary. On this day, on a complaint of
the master, I found it necessary to punish Matthew
Quintal, one of the seamen, with two dozem lashes,
for insolence and mutinous behaviour. B#^fore this
I. had not had occasion to punish any person on
board."
The sight of New-year's Harbour, in Staateii
Land, almost tempted him, he saj^s, to put m ; but
the lateness of the season, and the people being in
good health, determined him to lay aside all thoughts
of refreshment until they should reach Otaheite.
Indeed, the extraordinary care he had taken to pre-
serve the health of tlie ship's company rendered
any delay in this cold and inhospitable region un-
necessary.
They soon after this had to encounter tremendous
weather off Cape Horn, storms of wind, with hail
and sleet, which made it necessary to keep a con-
stant fire night and day; and one of the watch
always attended to dry the people's wet clothes.
This stormy weather continued for nine days; the
ship began to complain, and required pumping every
hour; the decks became so leaky that the com-
mander was obliged to allot the great cabin to those
THE BREAD-FRUIT. 61
tvlio had wet berths, to hang- their hammocks in.
Findhig they were losing ground every day, and tliat
it was hopeless to persist in attempting a passage by
this route, at this season of the year, to the Society
Islands, and after struggling for thirty days in this
tempestuous ocean, it was determined to bear away
for the Cape of Good Hope. The helm was accord-
ingly put a- weather, to the great joy of every person
on board.
They arrived at the Cape on the 23d May, and
having remained there thirty-eight days to refit the
ship, replenish provisions, and refresh the crew, they
sailed again on the 1st July, and anchored in Adven-
ture Bay, in Van Dieman's Land, on the l^Oth August.
Here they remained taking in wood and w-ater till
the 4th September, and on the evening of the 25lh
October they saw Otaheite ; and the next day came
to anchor in Matavai Bay, after a distance which the
ship had run over, by the log, since leaving England,
of twenty-seven thousand and eighty-six miles, being
on an average one hundred and eight miles each
twenty-four hours. Of their proceedings in Ota-
lieite a short abstract from Bligh's Journal will
suffice.
Many inquiries were made by the natives after
Captain Cook, Sir Joseph Banks, and others of their
former friends. " One of my first questions," says
Bligh, " was after our friend Omai ; and it was a
sensible mortification and disappointment for me to
hear, that not only Omai, but both the New-Zealand
boys who had been left with him, were dead. There
appeared among the natives in general great good-
v;ijl towards us, and they seemed to be much
rejoiced at our arrival. The whole day we expe-
rienced no instance of dishonesty ; and we were so
much crowded, that I could not undertake to remove
to a more proper station without danger of dis-
obliging our visiters, by desiring them to leave the
ihip."
52 THE BREAD-FRUIT.
Otoo, the chief of the district, on hearing' of the
arrival of the Bounty, sent a small pig and a young
plantain-tree, as a token of friendship. The ship
was now plentifully supplied with provisions ; every
man on board having as much as he could consume.
As soon as the ship was secured, Lieutenant Bligh
went on shore with the chief, Poeeno, passing
through a walk delightfully shaded with bread-fruit
trees to his own house, where his wife and her sister
were busily employed staining a piece of cloth red.
They desired him to sit down on a mat, and with
great kindness otTered him refreshments. Several
strangers were now introduced, who came to offer
their congratulations, and behaved with great de-
corum and attention. On taking leave, he says,
*' the ladies, for they deserve to be called such from
their natural and unaffected manners, and elegance
of deportment, got up, and taking some of their
finest cloth and a mat, clothed me in the Otaheitan
fashion, and then said, ' We will go with you to
your boat ;' and each taking me by the hand, amid
a great crowd, led me to the water-side, and then
took their leave." In this day's walk, Bligh had the
satisfaction to see that the island had received some
benefit from the former visits of Captain Cook.
Two shaddocks were brought to him, a fruit which
they had not till Cook introduced it ; and among the
articles which they brought off to the ship, and
offered for sale, were capsicums, pumpkins, and two
young goats. " In the course of two or three days,"
says he, " an intimacy between the natives and the
ship's company was become so general, that there
was scarcely a man in the ship who had not already
his tayo or friend."
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
THE BREAD-FPUIT. 63
plants were plentiful, and no apparent objection oif
tlie part of the natives to collect as many as might
be wanted. Nelson had the gratification to meet
with two fine shaddock-trees which he had planted
in 1777. and which were now full of fruit, but not
ripe.
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 re-
turn ?" — " Yes," he said, "I will send him anything
I have ;" and then began to enumeratie the different
articles in his power, among which he mentioned the-
bread-fruit. Tliis was the exact point to which
Bligh was endeavouring to lead him, and he w^as im-
mediately told that the bread-fruit-trees w^ere what
King George would like very much, on which he
promised that a great man}^ should be put on board.
Hitherto no thefts had been committed, and Bligh
was congratulating himself on the improvement of
the Otaheitans in this respect, as the same facilities
and the same temptations were open to them as b-e-
fore. The ship, as on former occasions, was con-
stantly crowded with visiters. One day, hoAvever,
the gudgeon of the rudder belonging to the large
culter was drawn out and stolen, without being per-
ceived b}^ the man Avho was stationed to take care
of her; and as this and some other petty thefts,
nidstly owing to the negligence of the men, were
commencing, and would have a tendency to interrupt
the good terms on which they were with the chiefs,
*' I thought," says Bligh, ""it would have a good
effect to punish the boatkeeper in their presence,
and accordingly 1 ordered him a dozen lashes. All
who attended the punishment interceded very ear-
nestly to get i* mitigated ; the women showed great
E
64 THE BREAD-FRUIT.
sympathy, and that degree of feeling which charac
tehzes the amiable part of their sex."
The longer they remained on the island the more
they had occasion to be pleased with the conduct of
the islanders, and the less incommoded, either on
board or when on shore, by the natives following
them as at first. Into every house they wished to
enter they always experienced a kind reception.
The Olaheitans, we are told, have the most perfect
easiness of manner, equally free from forwardness
and formality ; and that " there is a candour and sin-
cerity about them that is quite delightful." When
they offer refreshments, for instance, if they are not
accepted they do not think of offering them a second
time ; for they have not the least idea of that cere-
monious kind of refusal which expects a second in-
vitation. " Having one day," says Bligh, " exposed
myself too much in the sun, I was taken ill, on which
all the powerful people, both men and women, col«
lected round me, offering their assistance. For this
short illness I was made ample amends by the plea-
sure 1 received from the attention and appearance
of affection in these kind people."
On one occasion the Bounty had nearly gone
ashore in a tremendous gale of wind, and on another
did actually get aground ; on both which accidents
these kind-hearted people came in crowds to con-
gratulate the captain on her escape ; and many of
them are stated to have been affected in the most
lively manner, shedding tears, while the danger in
which the ship was placed continued.
On the 9th December the surgeon of the Bounty
died from the effects of intemperance and indolence.
This unfortunate man is represented to have been in
a constant state of intoxication, and was so averse
from any kind of exercise that he never could be
prevailed on to take half a dozen hours upon deck
at a time in the whole course of the voyage. Lieu-
tenant Bligh had obtained permission to bury him
THE BREAD-TRTTIT. 55
on shore ; and on going with tlie chief Tinah to the
spot intended for his burial-place, " I found," says
he. •' the natives had already begun to dig his grave."
Tinah asked' if they were doing it right. " There,'*
says he, " the sun rises, and there it sets." Whether
the idea of making the grave east and west rs their
own, or whether they learned it from the Spaniards
who buried the captain of their ship on the island in
1774, there were no means of ascertaining; but it
was certain they had no intimation of that kind from
anybody belonging to the Bounty. When the fune-
ral took place the chiefs and many of the natives
attended the ceremony, and showed great attention
during the service. Many of the principal natives
attended divine service on Sundays, and behaved
with great decency. Some of the women at one
time betrayed an inclination to laugh at the general
responses ; but the captain says, on looking at them
they appeared much ashamed.
The border of low land, which is of the breadth
of about three miles between the seacoast and the
foot of the hills, consists of a very delightful coun-
try, well covered with bread-fruit and cocoa-trees,
and strewed with houses in which are swarms of
children playing about. " It is dehghtful," Bligh ob-
serves, " to see the swarms of little children that
are everywhere to be seen employed at their seveiai
amusements ; some flying kites, some swinging in
ropes suspended from the boughs of trees, others
walking on stilts, some wrestling, and others play-
ing all manner of antic tricks, such as are common
to boys in England. The little girls have also their
amusements, consisting generally of heivahs or
dances." On an evening, just before sunset, the
whole beach abreast the ship is described as being
like a parade, crowded with men, women, and chil-
dren, who go on with their sports and amusements
till nearly dark, when every one peaceably returns
to his home. At such times, we are told, from three
66 THE BREAD-FRUIT.
to four hundred people are assembled tog-ether, and
all happily diverted, good-humoured, and aflectionate
to one another, without a single quarrel having ever
iiappened to disturb the harmony that existed among
these amiable people. Both boys and girls are said
to be handsome and very sprightly.
It did not appear that much pains were taken in
their plantations, except those of the ava and the
cloth-plant ; many of the latter are fenced with stone,
and surrounded vtith a ditch. In fact, Nature has
done so much for them that they have no great oc-
ca.-iion to use exertion in obtaining a sufficient sup-
ply of either food or raiment. Yet when Bligh com-
menced taking up the bread-fruit plants he derived
much assistance from the natives in collecting and
pruning them, which they understood perfectly well.
The behaviour of these people on all occasions
was highly deserving of praise. One morning, at
the relief of the watch, the small cutter was missing.
The ship's company were immediately mustered,
when it appeared that three men were absent.
The)'- had taken with them eight stand of arms and
ammunition ; but what their plan Avas, or which way
they had gone, no one on board seemed to have the
least knowledge. Information being given of the
route they had taken, the master was despatched to
search for the cutter, and one of the chiefs went with
him ; hut belore they had got half-way they met the
boat with five of the natives, who were bringing her
back to the ship. For this service they were hand-
somely rewarded. The chiefs promised to use every
possible means to detect and bring back the de-
serters, which in a few days some of the isl.mders
had so far accomplished as to seize and bind them,
but let them loose again on a promise that they
would return to their ship, which they did not ex-
actly fulfil, but gave themselves up soon after on a
search being made for them.
A. few days after this a much more serious occur*
THE BREAD-FRUIT. 57
rence happened, that was calculated to give to the
commander great concern. The wind had blown
fresh in the night, and at daylight it was discovered
that the cable by which the ship rode had been cut
near the v/ater's edge in such a manner that only
one strand remained whole. While they were se-
curing the ship Tinah came on board ; and though
there was no reason whatever to suppose otherwise
than that he was perfectly innocent of the transac-
tion, nevertheless, says the commander, " I spoke to
him in a very peremptory manner, and insisted upon
his discovering and bringing to me the offender. He
promised to use his utmost endeavours to discover
the guilty person. The next morning he and his
wife came to me, and assured me that they had made
the strictest inquiries without success. This was
not at all satisfactory, and I behaved towards them
wiTh great coolness, at which they were much dis-
tressed ; and the lady at length gave vent to her
sorrow l3y tears. I could no longer keep up the ap-
pearance of mistrusting them, but I earnestly recom-
mended to them, as they valued the King of Eng-
land's friendship, that they would exert their utmost
endeavours to find out the offenders, which they
faithfully promised to do."
Here Bligh observes, it had since occurred to him
that this attempt to cut the ship adrift was most
probably the act of some of his own people, whose
purpose of remaining at Otaheite might have been
effectually answered without danger if tlie ship had
been driven on shore. At the time it occurred, he
says, he entertained not the least thought of this
kind, nor did the possibility of it enter into his ideas,
having no suspicion that so general an indication or
so strong an attachment to these islands could pre-
vail among his people, as to induce them to abandon
every prospect of returning to their native country.
This after-thought of Bligh vvill appear in the se-
queHo be wholl_v gratuitous ; and yet he might natu-
5S THE BREAD-FRUIT.
rally encrugh have concluded that so long and unre-
strained an intercourse with a people among whom
every man had his tayo or friend, among whom every
man was free to indulge every wish of his heart,
where from the moment he set his foot on shore he
found himself surrounded by female allurements in
the midst of ease and indolence, and living in a state
of luxury without submitting to any kind of labour,
— such enticemenfs to a common sailor might natu-
rally enough be supposed to create a desire for a
longer residence in such a country ; but this suppo-
sition is not borne out by subsequent events. The
damage done to the cable was, in all probability,
owing to its chafing over the rocky bottom.
The Bounty arrived on the 26th October, 1783,
and remained till the 4th April, 1789. On the 31st
March, the commander says, " To-day all the plants
were on board, being in seven hundred and seventh-
four pots, thirty-nine tubs, and twenty-four boxes.
The number of bread-fruit plants were one thousand
and fifteen ; besides which we had collected a num-
ber of other plants : the avce, which is one of the
finest flavoured fruits in the world ; the ayyah, which
is a fruit not so rich, but of a fine flavour, and very
refreshing; the raltalh not much unlike a chestnut,
which grows on a large tree in great quantities;
they are singly, in large'pods, from one to two inches
broad, and' may be eaten raw, or boiled in the same
manner as Windsor beans, and so dressed are equally
good ; the orai-ab, which is a very superior kind of
plantain. All these 1 was particularly lecommended
to collect by my worthy friend Sir Joseph Banks."
While these active preparations for departure were
going on, the good chief Tinah, on bringing a pres-
ent for King George, could not refrain from shedding
tears. During the remainder of their stay there ap-
peared among the natives an evident degree of sor-
row that they were so soon to leave them, wliich
they showed by a more than usual degree of kind-
THE BREAD-FRUIT. 59
ness and attention. The above-mentioned excellent
chief, with his wife, brothers, and lister, requested
permission to remain on board for the night pre-
vious to the saihng of the Bounty. The ship was
crowded the whole day with the natives, and she
was loaded with presents of cocoanuts, plantains,
bread-fruits, hogs, and goats. Contrary to what had
been the usual practice, there was this evening no
dancing or mirth on the beach, such as they had long
been accustomed to, but all was silent.
At sunset the boat returned from landing Tinah
and his wife, and the ship made sail, bidding farewell
to Otaheite, where, Biigh observes, "for twenty-
three weeks we had been treated with the utmost
affection and regard, and which seemed to increase in
proportion to our stay. That we were not insensi-
ble to their kindness the events which followed
more than sufficiently prove ; for to the friendly and
endearing behaviour of these people may be ascribed
the motives for that event which effected the ruin
of an expedition that there was every reason to
hope would have been completed in the most fortu-
nate manner."
The morning after their departure they got sight
of Huaheine; and a double canoe soon coming along-
side containing ten natives, among them was a young
man who recollected Captain Biigh, and called him
by name, having known him when here in the year
1780 with Captain Cook in the Resolution. Several
other canoes arrived with hogs, yams, and other
provisions, which they purchased. This person con-
firmed the account that had already been received
of Omai, and said, that of all the animals which had
been left with Omai, the mare only remained alive ;
that the seeds and plants had been all destroyed ex-
cept one tree, but of what kind that was he could
not satisfactorily explain. A few days after sailing
from this island the weather became squally, and a
thick body of black clouds collected in the east. A.
60 THE BREAD-rRUlT.
water-spout was in a short time seen at no errep*.
distance from the ship, which appeared to great ad-
vantag-e from the darkness of the clouds beliind it.
The upper part is described a's being about two feet
in diameter, and the lower about eight inches. It
advanced rapidly towards the ship, when it was
deemed expedient to alter the course, and to take
in all the sails excepi the foresail ; soon after
which it passed within ten yards of the stern, mak-
ing a rustling noise, but w'ithout their feeling the
least effect from its being so near. The rate at
which it travelled was judged to be about ten nnles
per hour, going towards the west, in the direction
of the wind ; and in a quarter of an hour after pass-
ing the ship it dispersed. As they passed sp.vpral
low islands, the natives of one of them came ouc in
their canoes, and it was observed that they all spoke
the language of Otaheite. Presents of iron, beads,
and a looking-glass were given to them ; but it was