The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

LL Ss sss sss 38 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. NF I “Don’t forget our appointment,” said. Redgill to Jack, ‘I suppose he is——” “Dead as a herring,’’? whispered Captain Jack. “T shot the old ’un through the head, but we couldn’t do much with the young ’un, though, so had to hook it.” “Young ’un?”’ said Redgill, in surprise. ‘f What young ’un do you allude to?” . “Why, that young Wildfire devil as came gallop- ing and pistolling and slashing among us single- handed,” © ‘Who could it have been?’ said Redgill. ‘‘ Was he near my size ?” “No, less than you; not near so strong ; but, lor bless yer, he’s as active as a cat, and rode a splendid mare he called Starlight.” “Starlight?” said Redgill. ‘‘ There is but one ‘mare of that name around Darlington, and that one belongs to-——” ‘“Wildfire Ned,” said young Warbeck, entering at the moment, : Redgill turned pale as death, and averted his ace. ' Tim and Bob Bertram were overjoyed at this un- looked for arrival, Captain Jack and his party were thunderstruck, “The devil !” ¢ Tishe 1 “The very one I spoke of.” “ Edward Warbeck, gentlemen, at your service,” said Wildfire Ned, bowing. ‘Cut the brat in two!” fsaid. old Bates, with his eyes glaring in anger like two live coals, ‘Cut the brat in two.” “Blow out his brains—the bastard !” said Philip Redgill, feeling safe among so many friends, ““Blow out the bastard’s brains!” he said, in a hissing tone. “ Down with him !” “Spare him not!” “ H-o-l-d !” said Wildfire Ned, in a loud tone, and waving his hand in command. ‘ H-o-l-d! Isay! The first man that stirs shall fall by my sword.” These words were said in such a clear, ringing tone, and with an air of such cool defiance that Captain Jack and his followers were astounded, Without a word of apology, Wildfire Ned cut the rope that bound Bob Bertram, and then said to Captain Jack— : ‘‘ You are the leader of this party ?” “Tam,” was the gruff reply. ‘“How dare you interfere with our prisoner, then? We are officers of justice.” “ Injustice, you should haye said,’’.Ned. coolly replied, laughing, ““and if you are not all hung within a week you owe it to #2 clemency.” “To you?” said Bates, with a curling lip. “Yes, to me, old man; nay, don’t growlso, I fear yon not, you ¢annot bite any one, ‘Think your- self very lucky that I do not punish your insolence on the spot.” Ned’s manner was so firm, cool, and brave, that it seemed to act like aspell on all present, for no one moyed from where they stood or sat, but looked on with surprise and curiosity at what then took lace. : . Walking up to Redgill, Ned said, calmly, but in tones which all could hear— ‘We have met. again.” ‘We have,” was the hoars2 response of the dark villain, as he curled his lip in demon-like scorn, ‘‘You called me bastard,” said Wildfire Ned, in a tone of fiery anger, ‘‘ this is my answer !”’ So speaking, he slapped Redgill in the face, and then spat upon him, spss ‘“‘ Hollo.! what’s all this?” “ He’s struck our friend.” ‘‘ Knock the brat down,” said one and another, “Keep your places,” said Ned, with a look of scorn ; “‘the first man of you that dare interfere in this quarrel shall in less than.a, minute lie at my feet a bleeding corpse!” _ | Throwing off his cloak, he stood before Phillip Redgill, sword in hand, ' “Come on!” said he, ‘I told you we should meet again; draw, I tell you, draw villain, or I will slay you where you stand, Phillip Redgill !” ‘He shall not fight !” said Captain Jack ; “ but, if you will kick upa shindy, and insist upon blood- letting, why, then, Z will accommodate you,” “Yes, and I !” “AndI!” sat “ Wait, then,” said Ned. “Trust me, you shall all have your turn, but I will commence with this one first. Phillip Redgill, draw !”’ He did so, but with an air of great reluctance, Ned stood upon his guard. On the instant, however, and before he was aware of any treachery, Redgill fired at him, ’ The ball grazed Ned’s cheek. f “Cowardly hound!” he eried, and rushed on his foe with the fury of a fiend. In an instant, the whole place was in an uproar. Bob Bertram, Tim, and the landlord were sur- rounded by Captain Jack’s followers, and a deadly encounter took place. The clash of swords, the report of fire-arms, and the shouts and cries of all in the house, awoke wild echoes in the silent night. To add to the confusion all the lights were over- turned and extinguished. At the: first opportunity Master Tim crept under the table out of harm’s way. | But Bob, the publican, and Wildfire Ned, pushed their antagonists so fiercely that in less than ten minutes Phillip Redgill was carricd out into the yard bleeding and pale, Captain Jack and his. men were thoroughly beaten, but they continued the fight outside the house, on the spacious green in front of the door- Way. Here in the moonlight was seen the flash of swords, and heard the deep guttural curses of the antagonists. . : “We must get out of this at all cost,’ said Captain Jack to Faulkner; ‘all our chaps are wounded ; we must beat a retreat at once. Get our horses, Faulkner,” Captain Jack vaulted upon one animal, Faulkner did so upon another, Just when about to start off, they were surprised to see a horseman approaching at a terrific gallop. In his arms he held a lovely female, whose snow- white garments were streaming in the wind. It was Colonel Blood with Ellen Harmer ! In about five minutes Captain Jack and Faulkner were seized with horror at- what they then saw. Colonel Blood’s carriage, with its skeleton coach- man and footman, and with weird-wild skeleton forms inside, dashed past the inn door in pursuity waving their bony arms and_ shrieking most hideously. This strange, unearthly spectacle seemed. to fill all with horror, ! Even Wildfire Ned desisted from the combat and gazed steadfastly upon the grim cortége agit | passed the inn. Suddenly a piercing and uncommon cry was uttered by Phillip Redgill as. he turned his eyes towards the vehicle. = michboo (E(0)