The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

NSS ee —-—-—-—. ee SS... Q__———— ee 32 THE SKELETON CREW3 OR, WILDFIRE NED. ssa Presently, however, he saw two eyes peering between theiron bars, and from the hard breathing of the prisoner he felt sure it was Bob. Ned made a sign which Bob understood, and then approached the prisoner. “Those are the keys hanging up behind the door,’ said Bob, in a soft whisper ; ‘but be careful, Ned, or you will awake them.” On tiptoe Wildfire Ned took down the keys, and approached Bob’s cell. | He passed them through to Bob, and while he was turning the bolt of the leck Wildfire Ned stood over the two sleeping officers, pistol in hand. _ “Tf they should wake up while Bob is getting - out, these two little bulldogs will keep them quiet,” thought Ned. He had not thus stood guard over the two slumberers many minutes ere Bob Bertram was free. “Fly,” said Ned, “towards the Hall ; youll find the horses waiting for us on the road-side near the finger posts.”’ Young Bertram had scarcely quitted the prison ere the two officers awoke. They opened their eyes very slowly, but when they discovered the young man in the mask stand- ing over «them, pistol in hand, they rolled their eyes, and gaped in astonishment and wonder. “Oh, lors !” “Who are you?” “ Put down them pistols.” ‘‘ What do you want?” ‘“‘ Did you not expect some officers from London?” ““Wedid ; but, for the lor’s sake, don’t put the muzzle of that pistol so near my head, it might go off.”’ “Tam one of them,” said Ned, scarcely able to keep from laughing, “and have a very disagreeable duty to perform.” “What is it?” . “My comrades called here, and found you asleep. We took the prisoner in our own charge, and my duty here is to lock both of you up.” > “Tock us up?” Yes, both of you, and to feed you on bread and water for a month, for not attending to your duty.” “Tt warn’t my fault ; it were his watch,’ said one. : “ No quarrelling,” said Ned, grinning under his mask ; “rise, both of you; Bob Bertram’s cell is now open and empty/; go into it, both of ye, and this instant, knaves, or I’ll drive holes into each of you.” Ned’s manner was so firm, cool, and determined, that the two astonished officers were compelled to obey him. Reluctantly they rose, and hobbled after each other into the cell. Ned turned the key upon them, and there left them alone in their glory. ‘Tf either of you make any noise for the next half-hour [ll clip your ears off,” said Ned, as he walked coolly away. He had not gone many yards ere both of the officers began to baw] at the top of their voices. Ned returned to them, and just placed the muzzle of his pistol between the bars, when the two officers fell upon their knees and sued for mercy in a very humble manner. ‘T only asked you to remain quiet for half-an- hour before,”’ said he, “but now listen to me; if either of you make the slightest noise for the next twelve hours I will blow your brains out. Remem- ber, and rest assured if you do not Obey me this time both of you are dead men,” ee Ned left them a second time, but did not forget to bolt and bar and lock every door, so that 1t was a matter almost of impossibility for either of them to escape or even be heard by any one passing outside. Me In less than half-an-hour Wildfire Ned, Bob Bertram and Tim were on their way to the sea- ~ coast. : But ere they reached their journey’s end a strange adventure happened to Wildfire Ned. Each of them were well mounted, and they gal- loped along the road at a merry pace. Bob Bertram was in ecstacies at his unlooked-for liberation, and swore eternal friendship and fidelity to Wildfire Ned. He told Ned all, or at least as much as he knew, about his father’s murder, and what had happened to him on that eventful night. He also described the stranger who had exchanged clothes with him so minutely that Ned could not, or at least did not,for a moment hesitate to say that Redgill was the man, for he knew that from the garments Bob was then wearing. | He did not say much to Bob concerning it, how- ever, but bit his lip, and vowed to have revenge on Redgill the first opportunity that offered. The three riders stopped at a roadside inn, and knocked up the landlord. The old man opened his door with a trembling hand, and in the course of conversation informed his guests ‘that they must beware of the Skeleton Crew, for a party of that terrible band had called there that very night, ransacked and robbed the place of all it had, and were well-nigh murdering everybody. “ Was Death-wing, their chief, along with them ?” asked Ned. ‘“‘He was,” said the old publican, shaking ; “ but oh! young man, don’t smile, for if you had been as close to, and seen as much on ’em as [ have to-night, you would tremble in your shoes,” “I?” said Wildfire Ned, laughing boister- ously. ‘‘ Not I, landlord, you are much mistaken. Nothing in the world would give me greater plea- sure than to meet this same Death-wing to-night.” “You 2?” saifl the publican, aghast. ‘‘ Rash youth, beware |” ) ‘“ Nay ; you need have no fears for me. It is my resolve to beard the lion in his very den this very night. Think you they are on the heath?” ‘‘ Without doubt, young master, they are ; but take an old man’s advice, do not go near them. When you catch but a glimpse of their horrid forms, flee for your lives.” “Never mind, friend, never mind this Skeleton Crew. Bring us a bottle or two of your best wine,” said Ned. “If I do not unearth the hobgoblin devils to-night, my name is not Ned Warbeck.” “Warbeck?” said the old man, in surprise, ‘“Warbeck ?” “Yes, Warbeck. What makes you look so sur- prised ?” “They were speaking of you,” said the old man, turning pale. ‘Well, what of that?” * They drank to your death.” “To my death ?’’ said Ned. “What else, old man ?” NOTICE TO OUR READERS. REMEMBER !—A most valuable present is in preparation, and will be presented to all our regular Subscribers with an early Number. Full particulars will pe announced in No. 6. LE ak JAGT | michboo (E(0) =} ans