The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

oo > 340 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. ee ee SSS Al or two, and then threw him with great violence into a corner near the coal cellar, and there he lay very humbly and meekly, and did not dare stir an inch. ‘‘ Are such the men, young Warbeck,” said the two skeletons, “you would gather round ye to slaughter the Death-wing’s band ?” ‘‘No, foul fiends,” said Ned, rising and brandish- ing his sword, “such are not the men ; buthere are two. I and young Bertram here defy all your power.” | “ Foolish boy |”? said one, in tones of mock com- passion, ‘*I would not harm ye. Yet, when you have arrived at man's estate, I might meet you on equal terms.” “Nay, let not that be your vain excuse,” said Ned; ‘*old or young I defy you, and in token of my eternal hatred take that,’ said he, at the same moment throwing his glove at the skeleton face. “Tmpudent varlet |’ was the angry rejoinder. “ Tt seems as if your footsteps were purposely directed across my path. I know, I feel, that eternal, unquencbable hatred exists between us, and yet not now would I cross swords with ye. But think not, bold youth, that I reject your gauge of battle. No, lacceptit. Beneath the old oak, on the moor, meet me in an hour.’ “JT will; and with greater pleasure than e’er I did aught in all my life.” “Until the hour, then, adieu ! You will, of course, come alone?” “T will,” These few angry words were quickly spoken, and before any one could well realize the fact, the two grim skeletons disappeared, They mounted two horses that stood outside the inn door, and vanished like the wind. ‘Thank heavens, they are gone!” the publican gasped. “Amen!” groaned Tim, “ But you surely will not keep your promise with the grim rascals?” said Bob. ‘T most surely shall,” said Ned. ‘But they mean you mischief,” said the publican, ‘you will never return alive.” ‘You need not fear.” - But, brave youth, I do fear; yon know not so much of these awful creatures as I do,” ‘‘ Perhaps not, but I shall very shortly,” said Ned, laughing. “Why, that old oak tree on the heath is the favourite spot of Death-wing, their chief.’’ ‘So much the better, the sooner I sha!l make his acquaintance, then ; that’s all.” “ But there are, at least, a dozen dead men hang- ing on the leafless branches ; all have fallen yictims to Death-wing’s sword, and now hang rotting in the sun.” ‘So Ihave heard! will you be kind enough to show me the way thither, landlord?” asked Ned, smiling. ‘Me! lord bless the lad, I would’nt go near that tree for all the gold in fHngland; no one eyer comes back alive from that spot,” “ Then I will go alone,” “ Nay, stay |” “You must not go, Ned,’ said Bob, ‘‘ Why throw yourself in the way of those bloodthirsty scoun- drels? If you do go, I must accompany you, and so will your groom, eh Tim?” “ Y.e-e-s!’’ groaned Tim, who was rubbing his sore bones with a very rueful face. “I don’t mind if I go to the devil, for I’m going there yery fast it seems to me,” With a face flushed with excitement, and eyes sparkling with delight at the prospect of encounter- ing some one of the Skeleton Crew in mortal com- bat, Wildfire Ned rose from his seat and paced the room, - Before he was perceived Ned left the apartment in a free and easy manner, as if merely going into the back yard. Bob Bertram never imagined that Ned had any intentions of going forth alone. The old landlord saw him mount his horse, and turned pale as he thought of the great danger into which the bold, rash youth was about to plunge, “For heaven’s sake!” said old Boniface, ap- proaching Ned, ‘for heaven’s sake, give up this wild freak. How can you, a mere lad, think of conquering any one of that desperate gang when so many valiant men haye fallen in the attempt? Take my advice, Ned Warbeck, steer clear of that murdering crew.” “Look here, landlord,” said Ned, gaily, ‘‘ there is one favour I have to ask of you, and that is, keep a still tongue in your head, I shall only be absent an hour or two at most. Do not tell my comrades which way I have gone should they ask, but say you think I have gone towards the Hall for some- thing I have left behind. Do this, and I shall well repay you in times to come.” So speaking, Wildfire Ned dashed away into a neighbouring thicket, and was soon lost to view. In a few moments he emerged again into the open country. Over bridge and ditch he gaily rode, humming a tune. The moon came out, and shone with un- usual splendour, Ere long he approached the borders of the lonely heath, which, like a white expanse of silvered scenery, lay open before him, His brave mare Starlight had carried him nobly, but from pure instinct began to snort and slacken her pace as she approached the wilderness-like lain. In the far distance Wildfire Ned saw ravenous night birds circling in the sky, and alighting on a huge oak tree. As he approached still nearer his mare stood still, and cocked her ears. | Ned now had a full view of the famous old oak tree, and on its wide spreading branches he dis- tinctly saw dark rows of dead men hanging against the bright sky. ; The sight filled him with horror, but not with ear, “What inhuman scoundrels !” he sighed. ‘ They must be fiends ever to act in this manner.” Nothing daunted, he dismounted from his mare, and tied her to a stump. As he did so he heard a voice, which said, slowly and solemnly— “ Edward Warbeck, beware! Retrace your steps ; no one approaches the blasted oak and lives !” ‘““Lying fiends!” said. Wildfire Ned, “lying fiends! wherever you be, I fear not your crazy croakings!”’ As he spoke fire flashed from his eyes, and he boldly advanced, Dry leaves rustled in the wind, the breezes sighed, and as he looked up at that fearful gibbet with its many human forms dangling in the air a sudde tremor thrilled his whole frame. The face of each hapless victim was turned: downwards towards him, and they seemed to smile grimly and savagely at his upturned face. Beyond this, however, nothing was visible. " fhe sight is indeed horrible,” said Ned, half aloud ; “but where is the much-vaunted Skeleton comichooks;com