The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

THE SKELETON CREW; ee eee ae Meee Set WILDFIRE NED. sg 34 a sched oraralcl the Bice smiled on Ned ag he gaily whirled in the dreamy mazes of the dance. But soon a change came o’er the festive scene. The bells of the village church, with muffled peals, suddenly broke forth upon the night with a discordant funereal clang. The dance was stopped. All looked amazed. Young Lord Walton entreated all to be calm, and meanwhile with an old and trusty servant went to the entrance hall to ascertain the cause of a sudden noise heard there, The doors were flung open. There stood before him a grim sight, Death-wing, among his mounted band, with toreh and link in hand, all in a blaze of lured light, in a hoarse voice, demanded admittance to the ball. ° - ; For a moment the young lord remained motion- ess. He could scarcely believe the evidence of hisown eyesight. He had often heard of the Skeleton Crew before, but had never seen anything of them. Until that night he looked upon that band as a myth, believed in only by the dull and ignorant rustics around him, Had not the story come from the lips of young Warbeck and Lieutenant Garnet, who had more than once encountered those grim creatures, he would haye still believed that they were all imagi- nary creatures, But here was proof positive of their existence. The hair of the old servant who accompanied the young lord to the hall door stood up with fright as he looked out upon the ghastly gang before him, and his knees began to tremble. ‘“Who and what are ye?” asked the young lord, in firm and determined tones. “Death-Wing and his crew,” was the hoarse response, “What want ye here, at this hour of the night ?” ‘“ Open wide the door,” said a chorus of Skeletons, « Stand back,” said young Walton, as he drew his sword, and flourished it; ‘‘the first of ye that stirs shall perish |” A coarse laugh was the only response. In a second Death-Wing, with a heavy blow, knocked young Walton senseless to the floor. The old butler fell flat upon his face with horror in the entrance hall, Before they entered the Skeleton Crew threw their torches in a heap upon the ground, and walked boldly into the hall, Some few of them remained behind to mind the horses. All was now darkness. On the first landing Death-Wing halted, and directed his men to enter the rooms to the right and left, One of these rooms was at that moment being prepared for the bridal supper, and many servants wha engaged in laying ont the tables with costly plate. Two or three Skeletons entered. The servants gave a loud shout of terror, and vanished through an opposite door. They made their way at a terrific pace towards the ball-room, “What means all this commotion?” said the mar uis, here is my son?” demanded. the marchioness, “ My brother, has aught happened to him?” said the trembling bride, Before any, explanation could be given one of the —————— — 43 doors opened, and in rushed several of the Skele- ton Crew. On the instant they were confronted by Wildfire Ned, Lieutenant Garnet, and Bob, and most of the gentlemen present, who whipped out their swords, and darted at the grim intruders, Some of the ladies fainted. One or two old gentlemen jumped on the window- sills out of danger. Others tried to escape. But, as they rushed in one direction out of harm’s way, other doors opened and different parties of the Skeleton Crew came into view. All was a scene of terror and confusion. It seemed to the affrighted assembly as if the dead had risen from their graves. The combat was fierce and fiery. The bridegroom was one of the first to fallin the melee. Lady Julia ran forward to assist him. On the instant, however, and unperceived by the many, Death- Wing advanced with hasty stxides, seized the bride, and carried her from the room. This was the sole object of Death-wirg in making his visit. When it was accomplished he darted down stairs, with the fair one fainting in his arms, and mounted his horse. A shrill cry he gave, which was recognised by all his followers, as he mounted his strong horse, and cvalloped away. His band understood the manceuvre, and as quickly as they could, fought their way towards the entrance-hall, leaped upon their horses, and flew away like the wind, with wild shouts of triumph, ‘Pursue! pursue!” shouted Ned, fierce with anger, His advice was followed on the instant, Horses were called for ; but the terrified servants were loth to come forth from their hiding-places to answer the summons. They had madly rushed to all manner of places for concealment, Some shad made their way to the top of the mansion, and there concealed themselves behind chimney-pots, and even in the deep rain gutters, One or two had actually climbed up chimneys, and were almost smothered in soot. ‘© Anywhere! anywhere!’ was the cry among them. Somewhere or anywhere to hide, so as to be out of sight aid reach of Death-wing’s awful band. More than one had locked themselves, into pantries, among the plates, dishes, and so forth, and great was the crash of valuable earthenware. No one among |the whole household seemed to » care what they did or what they broke, so that they could get out of the way. A fat footman who jhad rushed to the coal- cupboard, found it occupied by another corpulent servant, who had managed to squeeze himself in there, Dirty as he was, he darted into the beautiful bridal chamber, turned down thebed-clothes, and tumbled in boots and all! With this state of confusion reigning, therefore, it was impossible for Wildfire Ned, Garnet, or any one else, to get their horses quick enough to pursue the villains with any chance of success. Bob Bertram was foremost, at; the stables, There were more. than, twenty horses, there, besides his own, and those of his friends. He ran hither and thither, busy, with hands and voice, and ere long a party of gentlemen started in cConmiclboo S ————————— Lee a a er a ae aaa aS SS Corn