The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

146 As he spoke one of thet crew advanced, and said, “T threw off my disguise and went to Barnet fair, where I fell in with two of Captain Jack’s band.” “Tt is against our rules to ‘work’ with any other band ; but go on, let us hear,”’ said Death-wing. ‘We went to a farm-house, and stripped it of everything, and got clear away without being de- tected.” “Very good! cleverly done. What then ?” “We were about to divide the spoil, but I drugged their wine and ran off with all the booty.” “Capital! it serves Captain Jack’s men right. What did the plunder consist of ?” “ Silver and gold coin, plate, fine linen, and such like. I brought it-all safe away ; it is here, stowed in the rendezvous.”’ aft “Ts that all ?” “Tt is.” “You may sit down, And now for the next,” said Death-wing, pointing to a huge fellow, who now advanced to give an aecount ‘of his doings. “ What have you accomplished 2” ‘“‘T have had a strange adventure, Captain Death: wing,’ was the gruff reply. “ With whom ?” “With a party of noble ladies and gentlemen,” | “Indeed, ’tis seldom you trouble them much, But how did it happen ?” ‘‘ There was a wedding party down in the countrys and I heard that the father of the bride was going to give her a large sum of money as a dowry.” “Who was the father ?” “A very wealthy old farmer.” ‘Well, and how did you manage it ?” “The night before the wedding I took with me many of the crew in order to make sure of the prize. ‘* We soon reached the farm, and hid under the walls of the garden and orchard. ‘Tt was ten o’clock, and the night was cold and dark. “ As we intended to have a fine feast in the woods after our little jo’ of robbery, one of my comrades here got over the wall and crept into the hen- house, and in less than five minutes he passed over to us no less than a dozen chickens, lots of ergs, and, besides all that, strangled two dozen of ducks, and threw them over also. “One of our party secured all these things, and concealed them in a neighbouring wood until such time as we had performed all we intended’ to do at the farm-house. | “One hour passed after another, and still we remained concealed under and’ behind the orchard wall. _ “As the village clock struck’ ten, we clambered over, and the first thing we did was to approach the watclidogs as best we could, and kill them on the spot. “This difficult little bit of business was accom- plished, and all things promised succeas, “We next potin- at the’old parlour window, and began operations. "While 80 engaged, the o!d farmer awoke, and came down stairs, gun in hand, ‘We heard him approaching, and’ remained a3 silent as mice. «Whois there?” he asked, “We made no answer. «Who is there?’ he again said, in a determined tone. “But we-all remained perfectly. still, and stirred not an inch, “Tie fire’ both barrels of his gun. » together with plenty of wine we had also stolen, made up a first-rate supper.” * But he missed his aim, and the next monient he ( ee. THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. found himself gagged and bound both hand and foot. “ The noise of the report, however, had thoroughly aroused all his servants, and now began a horrible scene. “Any one but members of the Skeleton Crew would have fled before such impending danger. “But not so with us. “Ina few moments we prepared for the farmer’s servants, and beat them back. ‘Indeed, after a few moments of fighting all was’ over with them, for, seeing our skeleton attire, they fled in the utmost consternation. ‘Their shouts and eries were awful. ‘ We did not lose much time, but ransacked the house of everything valuable, placed the articles in a light cart, and drove away.’ “Did you get the old man’s money ?” “Yes, every farthing. There were five large bags of gold discovered in an old oak chest, whichI have reason to believe | was intended for his daughter’s dowry. “But the adventure did not end here.” “ What, then, happened ?” asked Death-wing. “ We went inta the forest, and hid part of our treasure until such time as we could convey it away more conveniently. “We lighted our fires in a deep hollow of the ground, and cooked the ducks and chickens, which, “© So I should think,’’ -' ©This is some of the very wine you are now drinking,” said the speaker to his chief. “Very good stuff it is,” said Death-wing, quaffiing off a bumper, and smacking his lips. “Very good stuff it is ; but if has one great fault—there is not enough of it, We must pay the farmer another visit, I think, shortly. Go on with your story.” ‘During the night, while we were drinking and smoking, and enjoyiog ourselves in the forest, never thinking that any one had observed us, or knew anything of what we had done, a gipsy woman crept up to me, and before I was aware of it, said, “« The officers sre on your track.’ «How do you know it?’ I answered. ‘*T have just come from the farm, and all is in an uproar. They have got all the county officers there, and are preparing to follow you,’ “T laughed at this, for I knew they could neyer filid out where we had got to. _' However, I listened to the gipsy, and gave her some refreshment, and she became very chatty. “She seemed to know all about our doings, and. said if she had a mind to do so she could ‘find out you, Captain Death-wing, any day she liked.” - “Indeed ; she must be very clever, ‘then.”’ “At all events that is what she said; and’re- marked that more than once she has’ sécn rewards offered for you, but would never divulge who, what, nor where you were,”’ “A capital woman, and what was fier’ tanté [sg 'c1) * tTannah |” “T know her,” said Death-winz, “but will not speak of her new. We have had business together. more than once; she is a living repository of secrets. Goon,” “She told me that the firmer’s daughtér was coming from London, aud that she possessed pre- sents of-immense value which her intended Jordly’ husband had given her as bridal presents.” *** Ts she coming alone ?’ J asked. “No, was the reply ; ‘but it is me ‘ensy to. oO nn Ehboo (E(0) co :