One of the first things which Phillip did when he found it no longer possible to “screw” money out of his rich old parent, was to form the acquaintance of the notorious Death-wing, chief of the Skeleton Crew.
Old Redgill had two ships on their way from the Indies, laden with gold, spices, and silks.
In consideration of receiving half of the cargo, Death-wing and his infamous crew resolved to waylay these two ships and attack them when about fifty miles from the Land’s End.
This was done.
The crew of both ships were murdered in cold blood.
The vessels were run into a snug inlet on the West coast of England, near to where Death-wing’s caves and store-houses were situated.
Phillip received but one-fifth of the spoil, instead of one-half.
But he was much too wise to say anything about his disappointment and annoyance.
This system of villany was repeated more than once, but as his father’s ships did not arrive in port except at intervals of many months, Phillip often found his money running short, and without any visible means of replenishing his exhausted purse.
In his father’s offices he had often heard of old Farmer Bertram’s indebtedness, and of how much money was still due on the mortgages at Four Ash Farm.