Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1851-02-08

Nothing surprised US more than the little oc-
casion we found of adapting our remarks or
phraseology to their comprehension, soon
perceiving that we might assume the possess
ion of as much general information, or Of
even more, than would be expected among
the corresponding class in the old countries;
and that upon subjects which might have
been supposed entirely beyond their reach.
About the different British colonies and their
governments they were specially curious in
enquiry, and was not a little amused at be-
ing catechised, even in this nook shotten isle,
the St. Helena fthe Pacific, about the mis-
deeds of Governor Grey. His reputation,
such as it is, appears to travel fast. He has
said that he is determined to make himself a
name, and name he has got, all over the
Southern hemisphere, as well spread and as
little to be envied as that Of Dante's Flor
Godi, Firenza, poi che sci 81 erande,
Che per mare per terra BATH fae
per 10 Inferno ii iuoo nome 81 sPande
Those gentlemen who are so greedy of notO-
riety make dangerous legates: whatever may
be their talents, in the pursuit Of double
object, they are sometimes tempted to sacri-
flee realities to appearances. and to forget
their mission in themselves
The traditions about the Bounty are al
ready assuming Legendary, or even mythic
character. Old John Adams journals lost,
carried away by the master of Boston
wbaler to whom it had incautiously been
trusted; and though few stray anecdotes
remain, nothing like a connected account Of
the mutiny is now to be recovered The
island version, however, is widely different
from that put forth by Captain Bigh. His
assertion, that connexions formed with Ia
hitian women by his crew were the prime
cause ofthe mutiny, is distinctly denied, the
outbreak being attributed entirely to his own
arrogant and overbearing behaviour. With
the subsequent adventures of that doomed
ship, her voyages backward and forward be-
tween Touboui and Tahiti, the landing
sixteen Of their number at the latter island
and the final proceeding of Christian and
eight others, accompanied by Tahitian men
and women, to Pitcairn's Island, we have
been already made acquainted through the
narratives Of captains Pipon, Staines, and
Beechey. But they had not opportunity to
gather the after history of the mutineers with
equal accuracy. 1t is a sad but instructive
tale. Secure from retribution as they now
believed themselves to be, they were still
followed by an avenging Nemesis, which
never Stacked from her pursuit, until she had
exacted full measure Of atonement for the
disloyal deed. As usual, they were them
selves the instruments Of their own punish.
ment Freed from all control, but cut off, bv
their very situation, from so many of the
chances of wickedness which civilized life
presents, their passions broke loose through
the only channels that were left open to then
l-broiIs among themselves, and i'll usage o
their native dependents, paving the way fo
the catastrophe that followed hard upon. o
that possess most interesting account, -
\ taken down by Mr.. Walter Brodie, one o
my fellow passengers, from the recital of on'
Of the oldest male inhabitants; ofwhich how
ever, on account Of its length, can only
venture to offer you an abstract. Williams
one of the mutineers, having lost his owl
wife. took by force the wife of TahitiaI
named Talolo. The husband formed
scheme ofrevenge, which was discovered ant
divulged by the very woman who had beel
taken from him. Christian attempted t
shoot him, but his gun missed fire, and Talolo
RI with another native called Ohuhu, ESCAPED
into the bush, where the former was shortl,
Joined by his wife, The Englishmen thel
sent up three puddings by the hand of a th;r
native, named Manale, one of them, intend
ed for Talolo, being poisoned; but his sus
picions were awakened, and he shared wit
his wife the one that she, herself, had receiv
ed Manale's instructions were to XII
Talolo, in case he escaped the snare; an
| watching his opportunity, ,ciih The assistanc
Of the ,coman he accomplished his purpose
nh,,I, ..,ho hol QoI bo tbor .Ia off
island. was likewise despatched by Manale
aided by fourth native named Temua. Al
/ ter this all was quiet for while; but tn
tyranny of the white men still continuing tn
, four remaining natives,-instigated, accord
ing to Adams belief, by Young, the mid
shipman-again organised a revolt, and she
8 Christian, Mills. Martin and Brown success
sively as they were at work in their sewers
gardens, Martin having been made an end {
by the sledge hammer Of the Bounty. Adam
4 was wounded in the neck, by mistake; fo
! after firing at him they recoIIected tha
= Young, who did not wish to be left withor
one companion, had given orders to save hin
and called out that he need not be afrait
: Quintal and Mccoy escaped into the busf
2 There were now only four white men an
four natives left. Manale killed Temua in
: fit of jealousy, and having.6ed to the busf
o was himself slain by the two white refugee
who were still in hiding. Young, the prot
able instigator Of the massacre, feeling th'
a he could no longer live in security while an
: Of the native men were left, resolved to di
: patch the other two: one of them he sho
the other was killed with an axe by Young
. wife, who played the part-differing only
one particular-of Jael or Judith. Tht
ended the Tahitian tragedy.
}. Young was halfcaste West Indian, boz
a in ST. Kits, where he had unfortunately al
e quired the knowledge Of distiIlation, whic
h ne now turned to fatal account. by producIr
d spirit from the root Of the Ii tree. d,
). sentions were speedily revived: Quintal ha
d inc lost his wiis claimed one Of the widow
ii who was refused him by tue others, 10 CO.
n seouence of which he threatened to take the