The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 133 Old Bates was so triumphant in his manner, that» Captain Jack looked staggered and amazed. “Why, you take all the breath out of my body, Tates,”’ said Jack. “The breath soon will be taken out of your body, if you don’t mind ; there’s a nice new gibbet wait- ing for you, so Colonel Bland saye,”’ “Why, what is all this for ?” “It has come to the colonel’s ears that you have been playing false to him, and you know he never forgives an enemy.” “The devil!” said Jack ; “do you mean to say, then, that he knows all about Redgill ?” ““He does; and since he has escaped, he has made up his mind to have revenge on you.” Old Bates smiled like an old ogre as he pulled out of his capacious pocket a sealed document. _ “Yo you know what this is ?”’ said Bates. “Tt looks like a warrant.”’ “And so it is—you are not mistaken—it is for your own appreliension.,”’ “ You are joking.” “T was never more serious in all my life.” “ And do you mean to arrest me ?” “That depends,” said Bates. ‘The Dozen and I have had several meetings, and it was resolved to throw you out of the captaincy, and put me in.” “Well !” “TY begged for your life hard, very hard, Jack, for all the lads swore you had played foully with them, and deserved to die.” * But I baven’t, Tom.” “You have, Jack ; you have been flashing about town for a long time like a lord, and spending lots of money, which ought to have been divided among us ; for we’ve been as poor for the last few months as church mice.” “What do you propose to do, then ?” said Jack, drinking his wine; “ what do the lads intend to do? Surely you cannot think I’d let myself be taken by any of my old pals while I carry a sword by my side. | “Your sword would do very little good for you, Jack ; for I could call upon the citizens here in this place, and carry you off by fair means or foul, if [ liked. Here’s my warrant, as you see, ‘ Arrest him, dead or alive ;’ those are the colonel’s words.” “The colonel is a scoundrel,” said Jack, striking the table ; “and if I ever come across him I’d—” “Hush !” said old Bates; “ don’t talk so loudly ; you might be heard by somebody.” “ Well, go on, let’s hear the very worst. you’ve got me in a very tight corner.” “Yes, Jack, and one from which you cannot possibly escape, if I only say so.” “ Well, no matter; a short life and a merry one,” said Jack. ‘Here, landlord, bring me another bottle.” “You have not paid for the last one yet, sir,” said the landlord. “What!” said Jack, indignantly, “not paid? What mean ye, sirrah ?” “‘T don’t mean anything in particular,’’ said the landlord ; “but I know your face well.” ** What of that ?” ¢ “To fact, I know it too well.” “Explain yourself. Do you wish to insult a gentleman like me, eh, knave ?” “ Nay, sir, I do not ; but the last time you called here you had a party of friends with you; you had the best supper I could provide, and dozens of my best wine, and not a single farthing was paid for anything.” * Zounds, villain, would you insult’ me?” said Jack, attempting to draw his sword. “ Zounds, I know knayve, have I lost all spirit that I must be insulted thus by such a pot cleaner as thou? Out on the man; for a groat I would run thee through and through thy fat carcase.” “Silence, Jack, silence,” said Bates ; “if you make any disturbance the officers will be called in, and then it will be all up with you. Put up your sword, I say.” Jack thrust his blade back into its scabbard, and growled out a fierce oath of vengeance. Bates waved off the landlord with a promise to pay all arrears, and then he said to Jack calmly, and in a whisper, “Never mind the pot-bellied publican’s account. I will make that all right. Time is precious; I haven’t many minutes to stop here.” “Well, what do you intend to do? Are you going to blow the gaff on an old pal like me?” “That depends.” “ On what ?” “‘ Why this ; none of us like Colonel Blood.” “T know that well enough.’’ “ Well, one or t’other must die.” “How do you mean? I or the colonel ?” “ Just s0; we've conie to that agreement. it depends upon you which it is.”’ “Why, then, the colonel, of course,” said Jacl» laughing, and half drunk, “the colonel, of course. I wouldn’t think of having the honour myself yet awhile, you know, Bates.” ‘‘That’s what all of us thought.” “ And the lada were right. I hate Blool; yes, I hate him worse than the devil himself,” ‘And what do you intend to do ?” “Why, waylay him and give him asly poke in the ribs; for if he’s not put out of the way soon, all of us will be hung, one by one, when he’s served his turn with each.” “That’s my idea, and also the opinion of every man in the Dozen,” “Took you here,’ said Jack, suddenly brighten- ing up, “if the colonel has made up his mind to act in such a rascally manner towards me, I can do so towards him.” “ What do you mean ?” said old Bates, pricking up his ears. “Why, I mean that there is a secret about him he little dreams I know anything about.” ‘« Ah, indeed ! what is it, then ?” “Tt’s worth a great deal of money,” said Jack, winking. “ How much ?” “ Why, £500.” “T don’t understand.” “Of course you don’t, but I do.” “Then out with it.” “‘Secresy and honour,” said Jack. “Yes, of course.”’ “ Well, then, read this,” said Jack, pulling out of his pocket a printed proclamation, which he placed Now before the wondering eyes of Tom Bates. ‘You read it ; there it is.’’ C: R. ATTEMPTED ATTEMPTED MURDER ! £300 REWARD ! MURDER! “ WHEREAS an atrocious attempt at murder has been made upon the accepted suitor of one Ellen Harmer, the daughter of the miller at Darlington “ And whereas, by a most miraculous chauce, the body of the unfortunate youth, Andrew, was timely discovered in the river, and resuscitated. (COIN KS CoOmmiclooaol =|