The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

im 168 away among the crowd like a dog who has lost his tail, ‘‘ Who.is that I saw just now borne away upon a shutter ?”’ said Colonel Blood. ‘‘That is one of the rascals who were in the Block-House, colonel,’’ said several. “Ts he dead ?”’ “Not quite, I think ; but if he isn’t he ought to be, for I saw a sword go right through him.” “ How did it happen ?” “The unfortunate young man was making his escape from the Block-House with a female captive whom he claimed as his own, and was making his way off with her, when he was stopped by Wildfire Ned and challenged.”’ ‘Carrying off a female ?” said Colonel Blood, in surpri-e, ‘Did any of you hear her name ?” “Yes, colonel. I heard her name was Ellen Harmer,” ‘Ellen Harmer ?” “The same,” “You are sure ?” “¢ Quite sure.”’ “ And did this Ned Warbeck fight a duel with the wcunded man ?” “Yes, His name was Phillip Redgill.”’ “T have heard of him ; as great a rascal as ever lived: And where was the maiden taken to ?” “Nobody knows for certain, colonel. insensible when he took her away to a cottage near by, but when the fight was over he came with a coach and galloped away, no one knows whither.” “T’d give a hundred pounds to fin where he has taken her to,” said Blood, witha bittersmile. “Iam foiled again, and by a mere boy,” said he to himself ; ‘but I must have her; yea, I will!’’ he thought. “Take care, Ned Warbeck, take care! you are treading on very dangerous ground when you cross my path. Iam not to be trifled with. You may be brave, noble and handsome, but if you endeavour to thwart my plans, I will tread you under my heel like a worm !” There was nothing now to do upon the spot, se, crestfallen and in a rage, he returned with his soldiers, leaving it to the night-watch to keep order among the excited crowd. ‘-T will go to the palace,” he said, “and will be the first to inform the king of this strange affair. It will be good excuse for me, for now I can tell the truth for once in my life, and say that in my absence Ellen Harmer was abducted from my mansion. Yes,” he thought, “I will go to the king at once, and be the first to inform him of all that has happened ; he will be sure to believe me.” But Colonel Blood was not the first to see the king, as will quickly be seen; neither was he believed, CHAPTER XLVI, COLONEL BLOOD AND NED WARBECK, Wuen Wildfire Ned had hurried away with Ellen Harmer from the scene of strife, he was careful that no one should know whither he had taken her. In order to thwart Colonel Blood, whom he knew would try to ferret her out, he hired a coach, and, with Lieutenant Garnet and himself inside, he trusted the reins to Bob Bertram, who lashed up the animals, and started off at a great pace towards the town residence of Sir Richard Warbeck, “ You have done for Phillip Redgill at last,” said Garnet, in a whisper, for fear of disturbing the sleeping girl, She was | THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. — “ Yes, I think so,’’ Ned replied ; “but it was-in | fair fight.’’ : | “Oh, no doubt of that. I did not see it, but was | told by those who did; in fact, I was too much | engaged in storming the Block-house to observe | anything but the skeleton devils jumping ont of | window into the river. ! ‘‘ How the old building did burn, to be sure; such | a blaze.” “Yes; it was a grand sight, and lit up that part of the town most beautifully.” “ A fit end for such an infamous rendezvous.” ~ “So say I, and a gallant exploit it was, and re- flects all honour on those engaged in it.”’ | “T wonder what the king will say to it when he hears it ?” “Why, reward all who were concerned in it; at least, he ought to do so, if he’s got a spark of gene- rosity in him.” vs “ ‘What do you intend ?” askel Garnet, after a pause, ! Se |. ‘“T shall leave Ellen in charge of my uncle, an go to the palace at once.”’ “ But how can you gain admission ?” “Easily enough,” said Ned. “Do you see this ring? I found it near the ale-house.” ’ “ What a splendid one it is. Why, it is a signet ring,” said Garnet, “and bears the royal coat of arms.” rye “So it does; and inside, as you will perceive, it has the royal cipher, with the inscription, ‘ Who- ever presents this is admitted.’ ”’ “How could it have been lost ?’’ said Garnet, closely examining it. “ There is no doubt it belongs : to the king.” “T know it does.” “ How ?” ; 7 “Ellen Harmer explained it ail to me. Captain Jack and‘his men entered Colonel Blood’s house, and while there discovered the king, who was bent, » during the colonel’s absence, to forcibly abduct her. The king was recognised by Captain Jack, and to, regain his freedom without discovery by any one of the colonel’s household he gave the ring to Captain Jack ; in the hurry, I suppose, he lost it.” “ Tt was a lucky discovery for you,” said Garnet. “Yes ; and I intend to make the best possible use of it, as you will see,” said Ned, “and this very. night also.” By this time, and while they thus conversed in whispers, the carriage drove up to Sir Richard Warbeck’s residence. The door was soon opened, and, to the old knight’s great surprise, Ned explained to him: all that had happened. “What, in another scrape ?” said Sir Richard, ‘and bring a lady home with you ?” ‘Yes, uncle,’’ said Ned, laughing ; “one who is beautiful, and deserving of the temporary protection she asks of you.” “Whether beautiful or not an injured female is always welcome to the shelter and protection of my roof, Ned.’’ With the greatest gallantry the old knight opened the carriage door, and assisted Ellen Harmer up the stone steps into his princely, hospitable mansiov. “To the palace, Bob,’’ said Ned, jumping into the carriage again. “Where ?”? asked the old knight, in wonder, ‘‘Bent on some other mad freak to-night? Stop! stop ! Ned; here, stop!” But before he could be heard Bob Bertram lashed up the horses, and drove rapidly towards the palace, j , {2 AV 67 iboo (E(0) S (€(0)