The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

12 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. Roger, the footman, like a brave man, trusted to his legs once more, followed by as many of his fellow servants as had any strength left in them; he vanished up the great staircase at lightning speed. It seemed to be a race for life or death with all of them, Round and round the staircase they manfully ascended, never casting a single look behind, They had gained the long, wide corridor which led to Sir Richard’s library, and all felt safe. Roger, ag may be imagined, was first, and opened the door. His foot caught in the carpet on the threshold, and down he went on his face, swelling his nose to the size of a cucumber. The others, in wild confusion, rushed after him and tumbled, men and women, head over heels on the prostrate footman, nearly smothering him with their combined weight. “‘ What mean all this uproar and fright?” said the old knight, rising in great anger. ‘Are ye all turned mad,ye noisy, raving knaves? Explain, I say, explain !” But none of the servants could explain anything, for they were all out of breath, and as pale as death. After a time, when Roger was dragged out with his nose bleeding, he looked about him with a wild and frightened gaze, as he stammered out, ““ Q-h-h-h, s-i-r | we-e-’ve s-e-e-n him !” “Seen him! Seen who,knave? Speak quickly ! or, by my honour, I'll whip my sword through your trembling carcase!’” said old Sir Richard, getting red in the face, ‘“‘ Speak, some of you!” he con- tinued, looking daggers at his alarmed domestics, “Oh! m-e-r-cy ! master, m-e-r-cy !” croaked out Roger, falling on his knees, ‘Speak, rascal! Who have ye seen?” “The skeleton! ghastly, ghostly, all bones, and sword in hand, grinning like an angry demon,” “ A skeleton !” “ Aye, sir; two on ’em,” ‘Two, do you say?” ‘Yes, Sir Richard; one at the bottom of the kitchen stairs, and t’other opened the drawing- room door! H-o-o! ask ’em all if it ain’t true, good master !” continued the footman, rolling his eyes and moaning, “‘ And another grim rascal in armour rushed at us lance in hand at the dining-hall door?” whined Tim, the valiant groom, “Oh, lor, the whole place is full on ’em, I do believe.” For some moments Sir Richard did not know what to do, All around him knelt his frightened domestics, groaning and shaking, “Why, but just now, knave, you said it was all a lark, perhaps, got up by some of the silly villagers to frighten us. Ghosts and living skeletons indeed |! There, go down and get your suppers at once, and let’s have no more of such silly nonsense,” “ Nay, good master, we dare not,” ‘* Stuff and nonsense,” said Ned, laughing; ‘how can you be geese enough to believe in such old women’s tales, Get up off your knees at once, I say, and don’t stick there shivering like leaves, I have lived in the Hall this many a year, and have never seen anything of the kind, I only wish I could come across the rascals who are playing such tricks, that’s all; 77d soon find out whether they were ghosts or not.’’ ‘““Would you? Ha! ha!” said suddenly ’a voice. “What was that? Who spoke?” said Ned, colouring with anger. | “Would you? Ha! ha! then you shall soon have a chance, bold youth,” said the voice again, ‘Who or what is that?” said old Sir Richard, starting. “That’s him, master; that’s him! the ghosts ! ho-o-o !” said Roger, with chattering teeth, ‘““This is strange,” thought Wildfire Ned, “ there cannot be any doubt but that there is some mystery hanging about the old Hall. I have long been persuaded of it, but it will not do to let my uncle or his people know what I think of this mystery.” “What is that you are saying, Edward?” asked Sir Richard. “Nothing, uncle,” he replied, ‘I was only smiling at the foolish fears of these tremblers here.” “‘ Come, rouse up all of you,” said old Sir Richard; “and follow me !” “ That’s just what I was about to propose, uncle,” said Ned. “ We'll soon get to the bottom of this strange affair,” Arming himself with a sword, Wildfire Ned led the way, lampin hand. “TI’ll lead the way,” said he; “follow me! Uncle you can remain behind ; there is nothing tofear. I care not for a hundre skeletons, or ghosts either ; follow me.” . CHAPTER VI. THE SKELETON CREW AT DARLINGTON HALL—THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE SERVANTS—DEFEAT OF THE SKELETON CREW BY WILDFIRE NED, VERY one knew what a brave, bold, adventurous boy Wildfire Ned was, and directly he said ‘follow me,” each one regained his courage, and prepared to follow him, They were all unarmed save Ned ; but Roger, very cunning, stole a short poker from the fire-grate without being perceived, and stuffed it under his coat, “‘T don’t so much fear now,” he thought. “I’ve got the poker, and if any of ’em come near me I'll try and smash their ugly skulls in quick time; that is, if they will let me.” Bold as a lion, and with an eye like a night hawk, young Wildfire Ned led the way, followed by the male sérvants, _ They searched in every place that could be peed, but neither ghosts nor skeletons could be ound, The rest of the servants were summoned and closely questioned by Wildfire Nec. No such thing as ghost or skeleton had been seen in other parts of the old Hall, and the bare mention of the armed man in armour, who rushed out upon them, caused great merriment among the majority of the servants, who laughed outright, and called Roger and Tim ‘‘two old women,” So there was every prospect of a quarrel among the servants on this great question, Roger was very indignant, and when he pulled out the short poker from under his clothes, he flourished it about in great wrath, threatening to (E(0) nfl Eboo SS com