The island, though but a dot on the broad Pacific, being but two and one-quarter miles long by one and a half miles wide, is an interesting spot, and its history reads like a romance. Its location is a favorable one, being about two degrees south of the tropic of Capricorn, for which reason the weather is never so intensely hot as in some of the islands of the south seas, and is never cold. Beautiful tropical trees,—the tall, graceful cocoanut palm, the wide-spreading banyan, the pandanus palm, and others,—cover its surface from end to end. Refreshing breezes, cooled and moistened by passing over thousands of miles of ocean, constantly fan the surface of this lovely isle. It can be truthfully said of this island that “Every prospect pleases.” The people who inhabit this little Eden are half castes, their dark features and black hair plainly betraying their Tahitian blood, though some of them have quite light complexion and blue eyes. At present there are but about one hundred and thirty of the inhabitants. The kindness and hospitality of this interesting people have been remarked by all who have ever called at the island. We believe this little book will be read with profit and delight by all who are so fortunate as to secure a copy. E. H. GATES. _St. Helena, Cal., July 30, 1894._ CONTENTS. PAGE. CHAPTER I. The Bounty and the Mutineers 13 CHAPTER II. The Arrival at Pitcairn 21 CHAPTER III. The Mutineers Discovered 32 CHAPTER IV. The Gem of the Pacific 44 CHAPTER V. John Buffett and John Evans 54 CHAPTER VI. George Hun Nobbs. Death of John Adams 65 CHAPTER VII. Mr. Joshua Hill 75 CHAPTER VIII. The Flag of Old England 86 CHAPTER IX. The Queen’s Birthday 96 CHAPTER X. Visit of H. M. S. _Portland_ 107 CHAPTER XI. Removal to Norfolk Island 118 CHAPTER XII. A Goodly Heritage 126 CHAPTER XIII. Ho! for Pitcairn 137 CHAPTER XIV. An Unpleasant Surprise 145 CHAPTER XV. The Second Party Returns 156 CHAPTER XVI. The Reception 165 CHAPTER XVII. At Home Again 172 CHAPTER XVIII. Wreck of the _Cornwallis_ 188 CHAPTER XIX. Visit of Rear-Admiral de Horsey 201 CHAPTER XX. Friendly Visits 215 CHAPTER XXI. The Wreck of the _Oregon_ 224 CHAPTER XXII. Arrival of Mr. John I. Tay 229 CHAPTER XXIII. The Missionary Ship _Pitcairn_ 237 APPENDIX 255