l piece of cloth
about his loins and a straw hat trimmed with cock's feathers. He spoke
English correctly and pleasantly both as to grammar and pronunciation.
He also told them he was married to a woman much older than himself, one
of those who had come with his father from Otaheite. His companion was a
fine boy of about seventeen or eighteen years, named George Young, son
of Young the midshipman.

[Illustration: The Pitcairn islanders on board the English frigate]

The islanders were much surprised at the many things new to them in the
ship, at the guns, and everything around them. They were greatly
entertained at the sight of a little dog. 'Oh, what a pretty little
thing it is!' exclaimed Young. 'I know it is a dog, for I have heard of
such an animal.'

The young men told the captains of many of the events that had happened
among the first settlers; but said that John Adams, now an old man,
could tell them much more. He was the only surviving Englishman that
came away in the 'Bounty,' and at that time he was called Alexander
Smith.

The captains determined to go on shore to see Adams, and to hear from
him the true story of Christian's fate, and of that of his companions.

Adams, who had been concealed since the arrival of the ships, when he
found that the two captains had landed and were not armed, and that they
did not intend to take him prisoner, came to the beach to meet them, and
brought his wife with him, who was a very old woman and nearly blind.

After so many years the sight of the King's uniform no doubt brought
back the scene of the 'Bounty' to Adams, for at first he was very
nervous and ill at ease.

However, when Sir Thomas Staines assured him they were not there with
any intention of taking him away, that they were not even aware that
such a person as himself existed, he regained confidence, and then told
them he had taken the name of John Adams since the sole care of the
women and children on the island had fallen upon him. He pretended he
had not taken any great share in the mutiny, that he was sick in bed
when it took place, and that he had been roused up and compelled to take
a musket in his hand. He said he was now ready and willing to go back to
England in one of the ships.

When the islanders heard him say this, all the women and children wept
bitterly, and the young men stood motionless and absorbed in grief. When
the officers again assured them that he should on no account be
molested,