OK people, there are coincidences and then there are coincidences. Consider this: when La Revenante arrived in Shawville we noticed a curious item aboard, which was clearly a game, but not one with which I was familiar. Since it's case was coming apart at the seams I finally brought it home, and put the power of the internet to work to find out more about it. Those more nautical than I will perhaps already have recognized that the game in the illustration is known as " The Captain's Mistress". What is surprising ( and amazing!) is the origin of the name. Those following this blog please take note at this point of the historical links already established between La Revenante and pinky schooners of the 18th century, with Joseph Banks, and with one James Cook...
I quote: " Legend has it that on his three major voyages, Captain Cook played this game nightly to relax with his fellow shipmates. . .naturalist Sir Joseph Banks and botanist Daniel Solander. Cook spent so much time playing the game that it came to be known as "The Captain's Mistress."
I rest my case.
