Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-05

Young, who died at an advanced age in the year
1850 From all this it may appear that the Inu-
tineers must have found the barren rock TO which
they betook themselves, become very hell upon
earth.
THE ISLAND PATRIARCH.
The last male survivor was the John Adams
above mentioned, seaman; and marvellous, In
deed, was the change which reflection and mercl
full experience contributed to effect in his mind
and character He had lived not only among
scenes of violence and blood but in constant terror
of being discovered by some ship approaching the
island, and taken home to be hanged AS saIr-
pie of his suferings on this score, in the year 1875
4 ship was seen coming near the island, on which
he and his brother mutineers hid themselves in
the bushes, in great terror. When at length they
dared to venture out they stole cautiously to the
landing place, and found that the ship had dsap-
peared but as knife and some cocoa-nuts were
lying near the waters edge, it was clear that some
one had landed, but doubtless, not having seen a
ny traces of occupation, had left and the ship had
proceeded on its voyage.
In the year 1900, Adams, then only thirty-six
years old, found himself the only man in the is
land-his companions being twenty ofthe children
of his deceased comrades; but they had come 10
regard him as their common father, with rever-
ence and affection. He was providentially pos
sessed Of one solitary copy of Bible, and of a
prayer book, which had belonged to the Bounty,
and of these he made unceasing use. Two re
markable dreams occurred to him in the year lolO,
which he always regarded as having been design
ed to awake in him reflection and repentance; and
he became very devout maintaining up in
Christianity the young semi pagans who surroun-
ded him. He had constant morning and evening
prayers, and was never tired of reading to them
the Scriptures, in which they took such delight,
that on one OCCASION two Of the lads having earn
ed little present of gunpowder-a very precious
commodity there-as reward for their labour In
preparing the ground for planting yams, proposed
that, instead of the present, he should read them
some extra lessons from the Bible! He became,
in truth, as he has since been called, an island pa
trarch
In the year 1908 an American captain landed
at the island, not little to Adams alarm, and,
on quitting, took with him a chronometer and
compass which had belonged to the Bounty, and
forwarded them to the Admiralty of course,
acquainted with the story of tho mutny. No
steps, however, were taken by the British govern
ment but, six years afterwards, Adams beheld
with dsmay two men-ofwar approaching the IS
land, and no reasonably apprehended that at length
his hour was come, for the two captains, with
some officers and men, were seen descending the
ships sides, and Immediately landed. Adams
made no attempt 70 conceal himself-resgned 20
his destiny but was quickly comored by the IL
dings that he was not to be arrested that quar-
ter of a century had passed away, and his pres
ence was considered useful to the young Islanders
Then, indeed, a milestone fell from his neck
How the weight of it had worn him may be CUES
sad from the fact, that Sir Thomas Staines, one of
the captains, styled him in his despatch, ''a zen
cradle old man'-whereas he was then only,tJty
years old Sir Thomas added, ellis exemplary
conduct, and fatherly care Of the whole little COL
ony, could not but command admiration. The
pous manner in which all those born on the is
land have been reared-the correct sense Of reli-
giun which has been instilled into their minds by
this old man, has given him the pre-eminence
over the whole of them-who look up TO hlm as
the father of the whole, and one family" When
Sir Thomas and his companions saw the island
they did not suppose it inhabited, and were greatly
surprised to observe, as they approached, planta-
tons laid out and very neatly constructed huts and
houses! When within two miles from the land
ing-place, some natives were observed bringing
down their canoes on their shoulders, in which
! lH6y udSlleu III uCd'y 0uii, ouU PuiiOu oh
10 the ships. What was the astonishment of the
sailors to hear one of the two savages exclaim, on
approaching the ship, won't you heave us a rope,
now 2" And who should these prove to be, but
a son of Christian, twenty-five years old, and of
Young, eighteen years old! ''They were fine,
handsome fellows, tall and well proportioned. and
their features were those of an honest English
face" Their only dress was piece of cloth
round their luns, and straw hat ornamented with
the black feathers of the domestic fowl. When
they had got on board, Sir Thomas Staines took
them down into his cabin to g i've them lunch. and
was moved with sudden tenderness on seeing one
of them rise up, place his hands in posture of de-
yotion, aud distinctly and solemny say, "For
what we are going to receive, the Lord make us
truly thankfully" On acc mpanying them back
to the island, and accomplishing the landing with
no little difficulty, Sir Thomas was charmed with
the scene and reception which awaited him. Poor
old Adams and his wife, who was blind and ln-
firm, conducted their great guests to his snug and
neat house, and spread out for them little repast
of vans, cocoa nuts, and fine fresh eggs. Ihey
found the settlement TO consist OF torty-slX grown
up young people, with number of infants. The
Vounr men were all fine, athletic young fellows,
their faces full of frapkness but the young wo-
men excited great admiration. They were tall
and finely formed their faces beamng with smiles,
hut wearing an air Of modesy and bashfulness that
would do honor to the most virtuous nation on
earth Their teeth like ivory, even, regular,
and beautiful, without single exception and all
of them, both male and female had the most
marked English features" Their little houses
were models Of comfort and cleanliness, and the
grounds all around were carefully cultivated
They were very systematic in conducting their
little affairs. Old Adams, for instance, kept
careful register, containing the times and account
oftheir work, and what each had acquired by it;
and they had regular system of barer-as OF
salt for fresh provisions; vegetables and fruit for
poultry and fish, sc. All were engaged in the
cultivation of the ground Growing chiefly yams)
and fishing and when one had cleared sufficient
quantity Of ground, and had stock enough to main
tain family, he was allowed to marry-but al
WAYS with the consent of Adams. The utmost
harmony prevailed in their little society. They
were simple, sincere, anectionae and pious, and
most exemplary in dischargng their religious du-
ties.
Thus matters continued till the year 1925, when
Captain Beechey visited the island in the Bios
soa and has left on record an affecting picture of
their primitive simplicity and happiness. They
were still under the care OF their old patriarch
Adams. ''These excellent people" said Captain
Beechey, 'appear to live together in perfect iar-
mony and contentment; to be vlrtuons, religious !;
cheerful and hospable even beyond the limits
of prudence; to be patterns Of conjugal and paren
tai affection and to have very few vices. We re-
mained with them many days, land their unreserved
manners gave US the fullest opportunity OF becom-
ing acquainted with any faults they might have
possessed" Their reverence for the Sabbath
would shame many highly Christian
community. 1t was, ind ed, ''kept holy'-a day
of rest, in truth, and Of cheetul reverence towards
the Most Hrh Their services were conducted