The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

162 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. us attack Captain Jack’s store-house, and for ever silence the babbling of ‘the Dozen ;’ they are all braggarts.”’ With an unanimous voice the Skeleton Crew pro- posed to sally forth, and armed themselves to the teeth. Led on by Death-wing and Phillip Redgill, who was now recognized as one of their chiefs, they went forth into the darkness bent upon sacking the stronghold where for many years the Dozen had kept their plunder. “ We will serve Captain Jack out once and for all,” said Death-wing. “Yes, if he is there,” said Phillip ; “ but I doubt it. Both he and old Bates are too old birds to be caught with chaff.” “ No matter,” said Death-wing, “ we shall be sure to fall foul of some of the gang, and the beautiful Ellen Harmer shall be the wife of the first one who enters their stronghold.” “ Agreed !”? shouted all. With one accord they moved on through the dark streets like phantoms. In a short time they reached the strong and bar- ricaded store-house of the Dozen. The sounds of carousing were heard within. “ They do not suspect that anyone is aware of their doings. We cancapture the place without trouble of any kind.” “But the place is surrounded by high and thick palisadings of timber,” said Phillip ; “it has two gates, both of them of amazing strength.” — “So much the better,” said Déath-wing, “ when we have massacred all within we will keep the place as ourown. Does any of the King’s officers know of if? “T think not,” said Phillip, “for Captain Jack and his men had it built expressly for themselves in such an out-of-the-way place that I doubt much if even Colonel Blood ever heard of it.” “Excellent news,” said Death-wing ; “if Captain Jack and Bates have thoroughly ransacked the Colonel’s house there must be & great deal of trea- sure inside.” “No doubt of it,” “ Then let us surround it quietly. When I give the word let one and all of you scale the walls, and spare no living soul save Ellen Harmer, Have the scouts returned?’’ asked_Death-wing. “ We mustmot commence operations until the coast is clear.” “Here are the two scouts,” said Phillip; ‘they have just returaed.” ‘‘What news do you bring?” asked Death-wing of them. ‘Colonel Blood has been thrown off the scent; he and his soldiers endeavoured to follow Captain Jack and old Bates, but they escaped in the darkness.” “ Hang the trick,” said Death-wing, “so we shan’t have the pleasure of killing those two rascals after all,” “Never mind,’ said Phillip, “it will only bea pleasure for us to do it at some distant time,” “True,” said Death-wing, “but you don’t know them so long or so wellasI do. If these two no- torious rascals find that their men have been all killed or disbanded, they will form another gang, most likely, and cause us more trouble than they are worth. No matter, lef us hear what the scouts say, Whiat direction has Colonel Blood and his soldiers taken? ” “They bave returned to barracks.” ** And the Colonel?”’ “Tsaw him standing at the gate of his own house swearing like a madman at his-ill-success.” ‘So much the better,” said Death-wing, laughing hoarsely, “if he has been disappointed we shall not be. Come, follow me.” With this command all the crew followed him silently, like so many shadows. They approached the outer walls of the timber- built dwelling, and crept out of view. They could hear the sounds of revelry within, and the tipsy chorus of unsuspecting drunkards, “ Now,” said Death-wing. At the word of command he and his followers scaled the walls with the agility of monkeys. The next moment they descended into the spacious court-yard. - The huge old building was surrounded by them. The doors were smashed open. In a few moments the clanging of arms and the report of pistols were heard on all sides. But while this was taking place many good citizens were aroused from their slumbers by the noise and tumult, and stood at a respectful distance from the scene of combat, fearful to have anything to do or say in the matter. For they were horrified to learn that it was none other than the famous Skeleton Crew and Captain Jack’s band who were fighting within. This all could plainly perceive, for the skeleton forms of Death-wing’s crew were occasionally seen at the windows and on the roof in deadly struggle with the robbers. But now a change came over the aspect of the whole seene ; Wildfire Ned, with Lieutenant Garnet, Bob Bertram, and Tim, had heard of the atrocious robbery of and abduction of Nelly Harmer from the mansion of Colonel Blood. On the instant they formed a strong patrol of citizens, and having well armed them, all marched through the streets on the look-out for any of Cap- tain Jack’s notorious gang. ; They were not aware of what«Death-wing and his crew were doing that moment at the “Block House,” but the distant hum of voices told them that some‘hing more than ordinary was transpiring down by the river bank. “Come on,” said Ned to his patrol ; “come on, my merry men. There is something up down by the river ; who knows, it may be Captain Jack and his vagabond followers, after all? Come on, don’t let us give up our search for nothing. Follow me!” “Stop ! stop ! good» masters,’ said several affrighted citizens. ‘‘Stay where you are; several of the king’s men have been murdered! The Skeleton Crew -are out to-night ; the demons, led on by Death-wing, are making sad havoc down by the river, and nothing can stop them !” “The Skeleton Crew!’ said Ned. ‘Hurrah, boys, hurrah! we have met them before, haven’t we, Garnet ?” “Yes, my brave lad; andI am willing to meet the scoundrels again, whether on land or sea. Lead on, Ned ; lead on.” With a loud shout Wildfire Ned and his followers rushed towards the scene of tumult. 7 The citizens made way for them, as, led on by Ned Warbeck, Garnet and Bob Bertram, the gallant band of young citizens and London Apprentices, ran towards the Block House. | It was at this moment, and just as Ned Warbeck arrived on the scene of action, that the gate of the Block House was hastily opened and closed again. A man rushed forth, all bleeding, and with a sword in hand, 5 “ She is mine! she is mine!” said he. It was Phillip Redgill bearing away the uncon- scious form of Ejlen Harmer from the Block House | Gom Eboo (E(0) cS