DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70300#0046
30
kirby’s wonderful museum.
remained faithful to their commander. A conjecture, not
improbable, is, that the plot was projected while Captain
Bligh was engaged on shore at Otaheite and other islands
collecting plants, and making charts. This officer only held
the rank of lieutenant in the navy. His merit pointed him
out to the Admiralty, as highly qualified for this expedition;
and the distresses he had undergone entitled him to every re-
ward. In navigating his little skiff through so dangerous a
sea, his seamanship appeared as matchless, as the undertak-
ing seems beyond the verge of probability. Mr. Nelson,
the botanist, died soon after the boat readied Timor. This
gentleman went out with his Majesty’s particular approval :
and a secondary object of the voyage was to collect curious
plants for the botanic garden at Kew.
PITCAIRN’S ISLAND.
We left the friendly Marquesans on the 2d of September,
and were proceeding on our vox age, to regain the port of
Valparaiso, steering a course which ought, according to the
charts, and every other authority, to have carried us nearly
three degrees of longitude to the eastward of Pitcairn’s
Island; and our surprise was greatly excited by its sudden
and unexpected appearance. It was in the second watch
when we made it. At day-light we proceeded to a more
close examination ; and soon perceived huts, cultivation, and
people ; of the latter, some were making signs, others launch-
ing their little canoes through the surf, into which they threw
themselves with great dexterity, and pulled towards us.
At this moment, I believe, neither Captain Bligh (of the
Bounty) nor Christian, had entered any of our thoughts; and
in waiting the approach of the strangers, we prepared to ask
them some questions in the language of those people we
had so recently left. They came; and for me to picture the
wonder which was conspicuous in every countenance, at
being hailed in perfect English, what was the name of the
ship ? and who commanded her ? would be impossible ; our
surprise can alone be conceived. The captain answered;
kirby’s wonderful museum.
remained faithful to their commander. A conjecture, not
improbable, is, that the plot was projected while Captain
Bligh was engaged on shore at Otaheite and other islands
collecting plants, and making charts. This officer only held
the rank of lieutenant in the navy. His merit pointed him
out to the Admiralty, as highly qualified for this expedition;
and the distresses he had undergone entitled him to every re-
ward. In navigating his little skiff through so dangerous a
sea, his seamanship appeared as matchless, as the undertak-
ing seems beyond the verge of probability. Mr. Nelson,
the botanist, died soon after the boat readied Timor. This
gentleman went out with his Majesty’s particular approval :
and a secondary object of the voyage was to collect curious
plants for the botanic garden at Kew.
PITCAIRN’S ISLAND.
We left the friendly Marquesans on the 2d of September,
and were proceeding on our vox age, to regain the port of
Valparaiso, steering a course which ought, according to the
charts, and every other authority, to have carried us nearly
three degrees of longitude to the eastward of Pitcairn’s
Island; and our surprise was greatly excited by its sudden
and unexpected appearance. It was in the second watch
when we made it. At day-light we proceeded to a more
close examination ; and soon perceived huts, cultivation, and
people ; of the latter, some were making signs, others launch-
ing their little canoes through the surf, into which they threw
themselves with great dexterity, and pulled towards us.
At this moment, I believe, neither Captain Bligh (of the
Bounty) nor Christian, had entered any of our thoughts; and
in waiting the approach of the strangers, we prepared to ask
them some questions in the language of those people we
had so recently left. They came; and for me to picture the
wonder which was conspicuous in every countenance, at
being hailed in perfect English, what was the name of the
ship ? and who commanded her ? would be impossible ; our
surprise can alone be conceived. The captain answered;