Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to take orders from a mere merchant captain like Clipperton. For an-
other, this would probably be his last chance to provide comfortably
for his old age. He had given the best years of his life to the service
only to find himself, at the age of 38, retired without pay. Now he
had an opportunity to get what he felt was only his due. Throughout
the forthcoming cruise everything was to be subordinated to Shelvo-
cke's personal profit.
His first move was to lose contact with the
Success.
An obliging
storm when they were six days out provided the ideal opportunity.
Rendezvous orders had, of course, been issued to cover just such
an eventuality, but Shelvocke avoided the meeting place in the Cape
Verde Islands. He seems to have carried his crew with him in this de-
liberate disobedience. Doubtless, he persuaded them that the pick-
ings would be richer if they went it alone. He could also offer a more
immediate incentive: the
Speedwell
carried the expedition's entire
stock of wine and spirits.
A LIST OF SUCH OF MY SHIPS COMPANY AS DIED, DESERTED,
OR WERE TAKEN OR KILLED BY THE ENEMY DURING THE VOYAGE,
VIZ.:
