The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

a ee THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 143 | Jack and-Bates being ood customers, were not turned out when the doors: were shut, but remained chatting together. _“ This ig a bad job,”’ a en Son ere bad job for you, Jack.” And so it is for you. 2 co You «will «be ales murder.” * And so will you for this robbery, for they will be sure to trace the sword to you.’ “Hang the luck,” said old Bates. “I widti we bad never seen the place. ty “« What must be done?” -o“Thaven’t the least idea.” | “They won’t be long before they are after us you may be sure,” i “J don’t care what ‘they ‘do!’ now that’Colonel Blood is killed,” said Jack’; “ he was ‘a deceitful, tricky, devil.” rn While they thus sat drinking, loud’ stanky were heard at the door outside. “Who's there ?”’ asked the Jandlord. “Don’t open for them,” said Jack, ‘it’s only some thirsty roysterer returnitig home.” “ House, ho !” Who are you ?” “What do you want ?” “Go home, I tell you ; the house is closed,” — * House, ho! within there ; ; eBeU: in the name of _the king.” “The what ?” said Jack, in alarm. “In the name of the king, *’ whispered Bates. “What can it be?” asked Jack ; “surely not a guard of soldiers, landlord.” ‘Yes it is, sir; IL have just -peeped out of window, There is a file of soldiers outside, with an officer at their head,” “ House, ho! math there ! ! Open, in the name of the king, landlord, or I'll burst in the door.” “ What do you want ie Open, [ say.” “ What are your or ders’ en “To search the house.” “ Your name, officer ?”’ “Tt matters not to you y open.” “T have no one herejbassure you.”’ “ You lie, landlord; you hal, if you havenot now, Open,, I say, once more. 1 “ Your warrant, sir.’ “ My name is, sufficient, old dolt.” «And what is it, I beg you ?”’ Colonel Blood! i Directly Jack, and Bates. heard this. ominous name, they dashed out of the room just’ asthe impatient soldiers were BH Ratiae open the heavy, oaken door. | “Fly,” said Jack, dashing out into the back yard, “fly for your life, Bates, ’tis the colonel himself; fly, fly !” BW OT f scragged : for this “SS CHAPTER XL, IN WHICH THE SKELETON CREW ARE VERY BUSY, AND MAKE A RICH HAUL OF | PLUNDER, LED ON BY DEATH-WING AND PHILLIP REDGILL. “ Wuar would you have, done without me ??? said Death-Wing to Phillip Redgill, when ,they, were once more alone, and in confidential, conversation. “ Why, T must have been hung, I SMPBORE, ? said Phillip, With an attempt at a smile, « A prospect you much liked, I know.” “ Well, it must have been, had; not your, men rescued me.” “T know it, and yet all through -your: career of villany you have looked upon me and my band as hardfisted, ungrateful scoundrels— I knowy you have,” & “Not so bad as that, quite; H. “Oh, yes, you, have, I hhaye. heard and, know more than you imagine about your doings about town.; Had you nof taken our, oath years ago, not all England.could have saved you. from gracing a gallows.” ‘* Well; I know, ib, and, ata glad Edd take, the oath, but what.do you require of me now ?”? «s Nay, we do not want jyou—it is. you who need us. ry) : 3 “ How do you mean ? “Have you forgotten your wife—is, there not yengeance in your heart against. Fumbleton, who has taken her from you ?” “There is, and against others besides him.”’ “Who ?” “The two young Warbecks.” “ And no one else ?” | «Yes, against old Sir Richard himself” * “Do you contemplate killing them ?”” ‘ldo * But how ?” “Through your sid, Death-wing, id « And the price ?”’ : “ Half of all the estates which fall to ae lp lington Hall and all its fair domains,” ; ‘‘But can you get them all at one stroke ?” “J can; for if these brats, Charley and Ned, are put out of the way, [am the sole heir, as I have said before.” “Then, so be it—it shall be done,” said the grim chief, ‘ but not yet.’’ “Why not ?” : “You must become a nTeThNeT of the Crew first— an active member, I mean—and then we can talk about it.” | 6 “T am willing.” “ Then to try your courage, I will soon find fitting opportunities, Are you a good shot one : “ Capital.” = ‘And can handle your sword ?” “ Like any gentleman,” “?Tis well, but——” He was about to say more, leh two of the Cee entered the room. “ Well,” said Death- wing to tae I - have | you. fol- lowed him?” ee * Yes, both night and day.” “What news ?” : “He has found favour with the Dozen again, and to-night they have robbed Colonel Blood’s house of all its wealth.” “ And escaped ?”’ Yess: ‘‘ You followed them ?”’ «| - “We, did, and saw, where they depisied their plunder.” “Very good. What else ?”’ “ They carried off Ellen Harmer * with them, and Captain. Jack is now in possession of the King’s signet ring.’ ag we re: ““ Impossible !” “ No, Death-wing, it is auite correct. Y '« How do you know ?” | “JT was in Captain J ack company to- night) and saw the ring upon his red, fat finger.” “Explain yourself,” “J knew the Darlington post-boy, and fora good price learned all the news ; dressed myself up in MICLOOOLS Corin