The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 171: what you’re looking at

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

THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 5 en EE Ee ee ee country, shouldn’t be too nice as to which way he does it. “Now, the sword and the pistol are of monetrous little use here. » | “Phe muskets of our lads will keep off the Crew inside, while a few of us cut down the stakes ; so now, men, as time grows short. letthe boys keep a sharp look-out with the ticklers, and I’ll for the timber, let him follow who will. There are boys enough, I take it, to go with.” Thus saying, the blacksmith pushed forward. Tbe blacksmith was one of those blunt burly fel- lows who take with the populaze. It was not difficult for him to procure men where many were ready. _They had listened with much sympathy to the discussion narrated, and as the pomposity and as- sumption of Tim bad made him an object of vulgar ridicule, a desire to rebuke him, not less than a willingness to go with thesmith, contributed readily to persuade them to the adventure. In a few moments the gate of the Block-house was unbarred, and the party sallied through the en- trance, the smith at their head. In the meanwhile, with sleeves rolled up, jacket off, and face that seemed not often to have been en- tirely free from the begriming blackness of his pro- fession, the smith commenced his tremendous blows upon the contiguous palings, followed with like zeal, if not with equal power, by the men who. had vo- lunteered along with him. Down went the first post beneath his arm, and as, with resolute spirit, he was about to assail another, a huge skeleton warrior stood in the gap which he bad made, and with a powerful blow from the mace which he carried, had our blacksmith been less ob- servant, would have soon finished his career. But the smith was aman of agility as well as strength and spirit, and leaping aside from the stroke, as his eye rose to the corresponding glance from that of his enemy, he gave due warning to his axe-men, who forebore their strokes under his command. The aperture was yet too small for any combat of the parties ; and ignorant of the force against him, surprised also at their appearance, he dis- patched one of his men to Lieutenant Garnet, and gave directions, which, had they been complied with, had certainly given them the advantage. The Skeleton Crew rushed upon them, and for a time defeated the aim of Garnet’s musketry. Fighting like a lion as he retreated to the gate of the Block-bouse, the brave smith continued to keep unharmed, making at the same time some little em- ployment in the shape of ugly wounds to dress, in the persons of his rash assailants. Once more they gave back before him, and again the musketry of Garnet was enabled to tell upon them. A discharge from the Block-house ia the mean- time retorted with good effect the attack of the sailor, and taught a lesson of caution to Ned War- beck, of which he soon availed himself. Three of his men bit the dust in that single fire. The brave smith again reached the door with a single unwounded follower, himeelf unhurt. His comrades threw open the entrance, but an in- stant too late. A parting shot from the muskets of the Skeleton Crew was made with a fatal effect. The smith sank down upon the threshold as the bullet passed through his body. The axe fellfrom his hand, He grasped at it convulsively, and lay extended in part upon the sill of the door, when Garnet drew him in safety away. “You are not hurt, my old fellow?” exclaimed Garnet, his voice trembling with the apprehensions which he felt. ‘Hurt enough, lieutenant—bad enough. No more grist ground at that mill. But hold in—don’t be frightened ; youcan beat ’em yet. Ab!” he groaned, in a mortal agony. They composed his Jimbs, and pouring some spirits down his throat, he recovered in a few moments, and convulsively said, “When I die——”’ ** Die, indeed !—don’t think of such a thing, Garnet, sadly. ‘“ Ye:,” said the brave smith, “ it has come to that at last. I feel it. I have done my duty like a man, and am content to die.” After a very brief struggle the gallant fellow breathed his last. “ Avenge him! Avenge him!’ Ned Warbeck cried. “Follow me,’ shouted Lieutenant Garnet. With loud shouts, and amid a storm of shot and other missiles showered down upon them, three separate parties of stormers under the leadership of Ned Warbeck, Garnet, and Bob Bertram, as- sailed the burning stronghold. On every side the flames were now burning, and illuminated the darkness of the night. Past the windows andon the reof could be seen flitting abcut the forms of Death-wing’s and Captain Jack’s men, who were nearly roasted alive. Bravely they fought, but they dared not rush forth to encounter the valour of Ned Warbeck’s escaped followers, Some of the Crew leaped from the roof into the river ; others jumped from windows upon the weapons of those below, until at last a fearful ex- plosion cecurred. Several barrels of powder exploded in the cellars, and in a moment afterwards the old Block-house, which for years and years had been the rendezvous of Captain Jack’s men, was a mass of ruins. While in the river were numerous of the Skeleton Crew and otbers, who were swimming for their very lives far away from the bright crackling mass of timber. 7 said CHAPTER XLIV. CAPTAIN JACK AND OLD BATES ARE FUGITIVE5— THEY FLY FROM LONDON AND CONCEAL THEM- SELVES IN HORNSEY WOOD—THEIR DEPREDATIONS. Wirs the arrest or dispersion of the principals of their gang the greater part of Captain Jack’s apxieties and difficulties ceased. The remainder of the vagabonds pursued through the villages and woods soon fell into the hands of justice. Beggars, sham hawkers, deserters, came in suc- cession to swell the list of prisoners in the London gaols, Jack and his friend Bates had withdrawn to the country. There, in almost inaccessible thicket, they con- structed a but of branches and leaves, very skilfully contrived to deceive the eyes of the passers by. Only at night did they venture out into the ueigh- bouring commons, and the fears their audacity in- spired prevented the peasants from betraying their place of concealment. ; Ned Warbeck and others undertook to effect this difficult capture. -OMnicloooks. conn