The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

Se i el A a ea 16 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED, ; ere eee eee Se But no harm came to him, His life was charmed, but he knew it not. As if he had the strength of a young lion he fought his way to where Death-wing was, hand to hand with Garnet. The lieutenant was struck to the ground, and in a moment would have been despatched. Ned rushed to the rescue, He stood over the body of the fallen sailor, He confronted Death-wing face to face. The Skeleton Chief retreated a step or two in fear from Wildfire Ned. “T have tried to avoid you, but cannot,” he gasped; “wherever I go you are in my way. Retire, boy, or I'll cleave ye in twain.” “From you! Never!” said Ned, “never, while I have health left in my body or strength to wield a sword |” With these words he rushed at the grim chief, and again their weapons clashed in deadly conflict. Sparks flew from their flashing blades, Ned was getting weaker and weaker, His legs trembled violently. He made a last blow at his fierce antagonist and fell prostrate over Garnet. Death-wing, with a laugh of triumph, raised his sword high in the air on the point of cutting Ned in two, when, with a wild shout, he rushed from the spot ! His sword was knocked‘from his firm grip ! He and his band looked with terror at the sight which then appeared. A man in armour, glittering from head to foot in polished steel, rose out of the stone flooring as if by magic. With shield and sword he was ready for the fray | Sir Richard and the sailors were struck dumb at the strange apparition, and fell back in awe. Death-wing and his Skeleton Crew hastened from the spot like shadows, Before Sir Richard and his friends could recover from their astonishment the spectre of the armed knight in dazzling armour had vanished, They were now alone, _ With wondering eyes they looked at one another 1n mute astonishment. “Ts this all adream 2?” gasped Sir Richard, breath- ing with great difficulty. No one replied. At that instant, however, all could hear the heavy tread of a mailed warrior as he clanked across the stone floor. They looked about in surprise, for now all was darkness, Their torches had been lost’ and extinguished in the heat and fury of battle. Again they heard the heavy clanking footsteps, and the jingle of spurs cross the stone floor, but could see nothing. They turned towards the door, through which they had found their way, There stood the spectre knight glittering in steel and with vizor down. ate: x A long blue plume waved from his helmet, His shield was of dazzling brightness, Over his armour he wore a’ white tunic with 2 large red cross on his breast, He raised his gauntlet-covered hand on high, and pointed to the adjacent stone corridor, as he said, “Cut the victims down! Succour the wounded ! Bury the dead !” And vanished | ; 3 But long after these solemn words were uttered, and before any one could recover from surprise, they heard the heavy, distant foot-falls of the Spectre Knight. bes Darlington Hall was haunted! ~ Cold perspiration oozed from their brows. They trembled with awe, as, turning to the window, they saw a strange-like Will-o’-the-Wisp light dancing in the distant gloom. Another moment, and the casement was dashed open. Then asound as of the clanking of chains and bones was heard, and a hollow voice saying, “ Behold, I am the Red Man of the gibbet!” The Will-o’-the-Wisp light still danced round about, and in the centre stood the skeleton of the Red Man. ! “ What art thou?” said Sir Richard, fear, like an electric shot, passing through his frame. The figure remained silent. “ Speak,” said Wildfire Ned, “or my sword shall find out if you are man or devil !” Saying so, Ned advanced towards the horrid shape at the casement. “Back !” said the Skeleton form, stretching out his finger at Ned. ‘‘ Your time has not yet come ; but know, boy, I am your fate. Yes. Ha! ha! your fate |” Ned, for a moment, felt slightly awed at the strange words spoken by the mysterious figure, who, with the light still playing about his head, stood regarding all with a terrible look, ‘‘You lie!” replied Ned. “My fate is not in your hands, and I defy you. The Skeleton Crew shall find I have not gained my name of Wildfire Ned without being able to keep it.” | “The Red Man,” said the voice, “in the name of the Skeleton Crew, accept your challenge, and I now throw down my gage in token of defiance.” So saying, the figure threw down a hard substance on the fioor. Wildfire Ned picked it up. It was a glove, and inside a SKELETON HAND! “Hal ha! now follow me if you dare !” shouted the Red Mar, clanking his chains. “T do dare, and will,” said Ned, breaking from his uncle’s hold, and dashing through the window after the Skeleton, ** Follow, follow quickly !”? cried Sir Richard, At the same moment they all fell back in fear as a shriek of mortal agony was borne along the wind and resounded throughout the old building. “Oh, God !” cried the old man, ‘I fear the brave boy is slain.” ; UC CO NOTICE TO OUR READERS. REMEMBER!—A most valuable present is in prepara- tion, and will be presented to all our regular Sub- scribers with an early Number. Full particulars will be announced in Number 6. Eomichooksi.co =}