The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

~~ rT, _pride. nana 26 7 a; re THE SKELETON CREW; OR; WILDFIRE NED: Na nn mt ee Colonel Blood was thunder-struck. The action had been so sudden, and the weapon so cleverly wrenched from his grasp, that he stood gaping in surprise. ‘Make way there,” said Andrew, flourishing the sword in a malicious manner, much as a rustic would a stout oak cudgel. Colonel Blood retired a pace or two in evident fear of his brawny antagonist. “Villain ! you quail,” said Andrew, with a savage laugh ; ‘you quail and turn pale before the very man you just now threatened; but fear not, I will not, as you.would have done, raise my weapon against a defenceless man. I could take thy life ; for, until the unlucky day your shadow darkened our village, I was happy. Happy ! aye, as happy as a king. I loved, and was loved in return, but your hellish schemes and flattery have torn her from me; you have poured poison into my loved one’s ear, you have taught her to despise the one who would willingly have laid down his life for her. Listen, villain, your rascality has long been known to me, but chance has never thrown me in your way until now, and here upon the mill bridge, in the stillness of the night, let me tell you that one or both of us must die!” These words were uttered by Andrew Gamble with a great effort. His manly breast heaved, and his voice became tremulous as, in a few words, he disclosed the secret, and the cause of his enmity to the stranger. “ Die! said Blood, calmly, but with a trembling lip. He seemed charmed and fixed to the spot by the fierce brilliancy of Andrew’s eyes. “ Die!” he muttered again, half aloud. “Yes, die!” said young Gamble, with a fiery ‘Think you I care to live and see Ellen Harmer given to another? Could I, can I live, now that the only charm life had for me is snatched away ?”’ ‘‘T never harmed you,’ said Blood, coolly and collectedly. “Tis false, villain !” the youth replied. you not had spies around her? have you not dazzled her with your dishonest words and manner? have you not written dozens of letters to her inviting her to run from her father’s home, and become a lady in London? Why not show your face at her father’s house like any honest man? Why traduce me? AmInot as goodas you? If you are aman so am 1; we are equal; the tinsel and ribbons of your court-cut coat makes you no better gentleman than Andrew Gamble, the farmer’s son. Nay, curl not your lip, but hear me. This meeting: it is our first and last. You see this sword,” said Andrew, passionately ; “there is but one between us, we will divide it.” So saying, he placed the weapon across his knee, and snapped it in twain. “ Choose,” said Andrew, “the hilt or point, whiche’er you will.” ‘‘ You are bent upon bloodshed,” said the colonel ; “you are rash, wild, and know not what you do ; neither do you know me, if you did you would tremble at such an encounter, I am the best swordsman in all England.” ‘‘And I the worst,” said Andrew; “it matters not, come on.” Colonel Blood took the point half of the broken sword and wrapped his handkerchief round the thick end for a handle, Andrew had the thick half, The two blades met, Blood was as cool as ice, “ Have | There was upon his handsome face a smile of con- fidence and contempt for his rustic rival. Andrew, on the contrary, was all on fire, and trembled with haste and excitement. In an encounter between two such swordsmen the result could not for a moment be doubtful. Andrew made a lunge that was prettily stopped by Colonel Blood. His next attempt, however, was .more successful, Andrew rushed ‘to closer distance, and pricked the arm, from which blood flowed copiously. “Damnation !” swore the infuriated swordsman, “To be beaten by this country clown is a lasting disgrace ; nevertheless, he shan’t live to boast of it !” He gathered himself together for a final stroke, which would have proved fatal to the brave rustic, but Andrew turned the colonel’s point. A desperate struggle now ensued on the narrow bridge. They seized each other by the throat. Their weapons were in dead lock. A single moment would decide all. The strength of each was about equal, and giant- like were their struggles. But a trick saved Blood. He quickly placed one foot behind Andrew’s leg and back-heeled him. This was fatal to Andrew. He fell. In the act of falling Colonel Blood stabbed him. The brave rustic threw up his hands with a sharp cry of pain, and rolled into the shining river. “* Fool !’’ said Colonel Blood, with a contemptuous oath, as he looked into the bright waters beneath him, rippling and eddying in the moonlight. “Fool! How dare the village dolt to cross my path ; so be it with all who dare cross the path of Colonel Blood.” He threw the red blade into the small narrow river stream, and bound up his arm with his hand- kerchief, “Now for the pretty wench,” said he. “If I succeed in carrying her forth, my fortune is made. Stop |!’ what was that sound?” He stood and listened, “Help! help!” cried a distant yoice. ‘ Murder ! Help! help !” =< | CHAPTER X. JONAS MEETS WITH A STRANGE ADVENTURE, WHEN Jonas left his master to go to their rendez- vous he little dreamt of what was in store for him, The horses and carriage were drawn up at the appointed spot, and Jonas, thinking of the large reward which the colonel had often promised him, was on the bright look out for the pre-arranged signal, Now, as we have seen, Miller Harmer had been informed of this mysterious stranger in Darlington, and had watched him and his servant, and even heard the pre-arranged signal. He had long sighed for an opportunity of con- fronting the bold stranger, who so slyly had crept into the good graces of his daughter, but whose name, rank, and intentions he knew not. The first thing to do was to procure assistance, He'went straightway to the lock-up, and informed the authorities of his suspicions. ‘Tt may be one of them chaps as came in masks tother night and rescued Bob Bertram,” said a burly officer, indignant at the idea of the disgrace which had thus been cast upon them, a) Fy S| (C(O) nn Ehboo SCO o— eran