The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 194: what you’re looking at

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

188 ——_— THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. een ee nn nnn nn a ee their leaders, as they gallantly assailed Death-wing and his crew from front, flanks, and rear. It was a most terrible battle, and lasted long. For Death-wing had an immense quantity of fire- arms, already loaded and at hand, fit for instant use. This being thé case, he and his followers fired quick and deadly volleys into the ranks of the gal- lant youths, and knocked over very many. The sight of their bleeding companions only served to nerve the gallant Apprentices, and instil new courage. Some of them got ladders, and clambered in through the barricaded windows, axes and hatchets in hand, cutting down all and every obstruction before them, - The blacksmiths battered in all the doors and bolts and bars. ! Once they had got possession of the doors and pissages the scene was most fearful. Some of the crew attempted tojump out of the windows, but in doing so they were caught on.the spear and pike-heads of those below. The Butchers’ Apprentices cut all who opposed them limb from limb without mercy. But still Death-wing and his men fought like demons. Three times had Ned Warbeck fought with and slain those he supposed to be the Skeleton chief. But Death-wing was still alive and busy. More than twenty times he took deliberate, aim with guns and pistols at young Ned, and each time had he missed him, “ He is charmed ! his life is cliarmed !”’ swore the grim chief, as he looked around him, and each instant saw that his men were falling thick and fast. “ Fire the magazine!” said he. ‘ Let us blow up the rendezvous and all in it; better that than defeat and torture at Ned Warbeck’s hands.” But this could not be done. Garnet had fought his way to the magaz ne, and drowned it with water. “No, no,” thought the gallant sailor, “I know their tricks before to-day ; but they are not going to blow up all my brave lads in that way. They must fight ; every, man-jack of them shall perish with the sword, and their skulls and limbs shall éecorate Temple Bar and London Bridge.” Foiled in all his efforts, surrounded on every side, and with the building burning in half a dozen places, the Skeleton chief held a hasty council of war. Unexpected, they sallied forth, fifty grim Skele- tons, led on by Death-wing. With loud shouts and oaths, they assailed Ned Warbeck’s little band. Ned himself singled out Death-wing, and a terrible battle took place between them. Thrice did Ned Warbeck stab the grim leader, and his life blood was ebbing fast. But thrice did he refuse to surrender, He endeavoured to retreat and shun the combat, ond had almost succeeded in doing so, when, with the quickness of thought, Ned Warbeck rushed at lim, and, after one moment of exciting cutting and thrusting, Ned Warbeck seized Death-wing’s battle flag, and ran the chieftain through and through the heart. This desperate hand to hand combat was wit- * nessed both by friends and foes, and loud shouts rewarded Ned Warbeck as he waved the banner of the Skeleton Crew high in triumph. After this episode the battle did not Inst more than ten minutes, Every one of the Skeleton Crew were slaughtered, and their bleeding mangled bodies strewed the ground, while the rendezvous itself was committed to the flames amidst the applause and frantic cheer- ing of thousands, who had now run to witness the dreadful conflict, and Ned Warbeck, Garnet, Bob Bertram, and the chief of the London Apprentices, were carried through the streets in triumph, with links and torches, and music, and uproarious ap- plause. The cheers of assembled thousands.greeted him’ as they carried him to old Sir Richard Warbeck’s mansion; and as his brother Charley and his wife, old Dame Worthington, and others, joyfully wel- comed his return, old Sir Richard Warbeck took him by the hand befure the whole multitude, and said aloud, “‘ Welcome, Ned, to your ancestor’s home. I am no longer the owner of the estates; here is the royal warrant, read it.’ Wildfire Ned is now Lord Edward Warbeck, of Darlington Hal', and ¥ simply the faithful steward of his fortunes. * * * % * Onur story is now soon brought to a close, Wildfire Ned, as Sir Richard had said to the mul- titude, had been created Lord Warbeck, or rather, though the younger brother, the King had granted him the title when fully informed by Sir Richard of how much Sir Edward Lawrence had done and suf- fered in the cause of Charles the First; and if history is not at fault, young Wildfire Ned not only greatly distinguished himself in after years, but also mar- ried one of the lovliest maidens of great title which England could boast, and was long the pride and the boast of every youth who had read of lis daring exploits. | te Lieutenant Garnet followed the sea for many years, but afterwards distinguis!:cd himself ‘so gréatly in many ways, that he became one of the Lords of the Admiratly. Bob Bertram returned to his native village and was honoured and respected by all who knew him. He succeeded to several very large farms which his father had rented of Sir Richard Warbeck, for Ned, now Lord Warbeck, insisted upon his accept- ing them. 3 Bob, and the old miller Harmer, were great compa- bions, and many a night in the village inn would they recount their strange adventures, and of thie various villanies of the famous Colonel Blood. Colonel Blood, for many years hung around the royal court; but how it was the King could counte- nance such a rascal, history itself has been unable to explain. Suffice it to say that after a career of roguery, he was seized and cast into prison, charged with plotting against the Duke of Buckingham, and soon afterwards died of a broken heart, or, as some said, from want of sleep caused by terrible remorse for all his crimes. Old Sir, Richard lived to a good old age, as did also good dame Worthington, and Charley Warbeck who, in the company of Clara, seemed to bé the hap- piestof men ; and oftentimes at Christmas, when all were assembled round the festive board, to which ~ Tim and Bob Bertram were always invited,» Sir Richard used to shout out merrily, “Fill your gob- lets high, my boys, let me propose the great toast of the evening.” “ Wurrah,” shouted Tim in great glee. “Bravo, Sir Richard,” Bob would say. “And the toast, ladies and gentlemen, which I hope we may all live long to give is this,— “ Success, long life, and all honour to Wildflre Nel who exterminated the Skeleton Crew,” THE END, as ae, we (E(0) nn Eboo CS) (E(0) ane