The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 112: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

106 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. es ¢ drei’ Seen oOo oe eee eS ee ee SS eS OOOO “ Dark gore stained the snow-white decks. “ The next moment, with a loud scream, Jacko fell a lifeless, mangled mass upon the deck. ‘‘Toud shouts recognised the middy’s victory. “Put his most dangerous task was yet before him. “ None of us expected he had the strength to reach the main truck and rescue the child, bat while I turned my head in sickened horror, I was suddenly startled by a cry from Black Jake— “<Oh! massa, massa! Massa Ned, the middy, is on de main truck !’ “A cold shudder ran through my veins as the words reached me. “T cast my eyes upwards to the dizzy height. “Tt was too true. “There, up aloft, and looking like a speck, the gallant Jad climbed and held on to the main track. “There was nothing above nor around him but the empty air. “But still he climbed. “ One moment more, and he has saved the child! “ A loud cheer greets him as he unties the little thing, and he waves his cap. ‘But why doesn’t he come down with the baby ? “He cannot ! “ He is too weak to attempt it ! “ What must he do? ‘‘ He climbs on to the top of the main truck. “He sits on the round piece of wood, which, from the deck, looks no bigger than a button. “Dreadful daring ! “‘ Tf he should attempt to stoop, he has nothing to take hold on. ‘Nothing was within reach beneath him but a long, smooth, naked spar, which eyen then bent with his weight. “ Any attempt to get down with the child would be almost certaim death. : . “He would lose his balance and be dashed to pieces ! “ Such was the nature of the thoughts of every- one on board, as they gazed at the adventurous youth up aloft. “The parents of the child were now almost frantic. “They had to be led into the cabin, for they were well-nigh crazed witli fear. ““ What was to be done ? “No one dared to go up after him, for the spar even now bent under his weight. “T looked up, and half thought I could see the brave lad’s limbs tremble and his cheeks all red with excitement. ‘‘ Rach second I thought would be his last. “T could not bear to look at him, and yet could not withdraw my gaze, “T myself had the sensation of one about to fall from a great heighit. “ Making a strong effort to recover myself, like a dreamer who fancies he is shoved from a precipice, I staggered up against the bulwarks. “ When my eyes turned from the dizzy height to which they had been riveted, sense and conscious- ness came back. “JT looked around: the deck was crowded with every man and boy in the ship. “ All the officers had now heard of the young midshipman, and hurried from their berths below to witness the appalling sight. ‘Every one, as he looked up and beheld the peril- ous, hopeless condition of the gallant midshipman and child, turned pale. “ Once a lieutenant seized a trumpet, as if to hail the middy up in the clouds, but, he had scarcely raised if to his lips, when his arm dropped again, a and sank beside him, as if from sad consciousness of the perfect uselessness of what he had been going to say. “very eye was now turned upward. “ All was dead silence. “¢ What is he doing ?’ said one. ““< He ig tying the child fiemly on his back,’ “< He ig strapping it tightly with his belt.’ «*¢ Well done.’ “<« Gallant lad’ ““¢ See how he rocks.’ “¢ What will he do next ?’ “¢ Death is certain for bot, or it is a miracle.’ «“ Thas whispered one to another, as they watched the brave youth now more intently than ever. “ At this moment there was a stir among the crew about the decks. “ Directly after another face was added to those on the quarter-deck, it was that of the infant’s father, the appalled commodore. “ He had come from the cabin in great haste, and without having been noticed by a single one of the erew, so intense and universal was the interest that had fastened every gaze upon the spot where the intrepid Ned now stood, trembling on the awful verge of fate! . ‘The commodore was a dark, austere man ; and it was thought by some of the midshipmen that he eritertained but little affection for the gallant Ned, “ However that might have been, it was certain he treated him with precisely the same courtesy and discipline that he would any other of the young officers. “Tf there was any difference at all, it was not the least in favour of Ned, for young Warbeck, if any- thing, was ‘ too fast,’ “Some who studied his character closely, afirmed that he admired young Ned as he might have done his own son, but not too well to spoil him. For Ned intending himself for the arduous profession in which the commodore had himself risen to fame and eminence, the old sailor thought it would be of ser- vice to him to experience some of its privations and hardships at the very outset. “The arrival of the commodore upon the scene how éhanzged the direction of several eyes; which how turned on him to trace what emotions the danger of his infant son would occasion. ‘But there scrutiny was foiled. “By no outward sign did he show what passed within. “ Tmmediately on reaching the deck, he had ordered a marine to hand him a musket. “ With this, stepping aft, and getling on the look- out block, he raised it to his shoulder, and took a deliberate aim at his infant son and Ned, at the same time hailing him without a trumpet, in a voice of thunder, ““¢ Ned,’ cried he, ‘jump! jump overboard! or I'll fire at you!’ “The gallant lad did not hear what was said, and seemed to hesitate ! “Tt was plain that he was tottering from intense weakness, for his arms were thrown out like one scarcely able to retain his balance. “ The old commodore raised his voice again, and, in a quicker and more emphatic tone, cried out, “«Jump | ’tis your only chance for life !’ “The words were scarcely out of his mouth before the gallant boy seemed to leave the truck and spring out into the air! “A sound between a shriek and a groan burst from many lips. “ The father spoke not—sighed not. “ Indeed he did not seem to breathe, (E(0) michboo ES) (E(0) in