The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 173: what you’re looking at

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

167 en ie overwhelming proofs by the evidence of some of the culprits themselves, or of others who seemed to grow tired of the suspense of a trial, and convicted them- selves to put an end to it. It was by a very oarrow opening that night first entered, but day by day it grew larger. Confession followed confession. One appeared to stimulate the other, and they seemed to pride themselves as to who should outvie the other in recitalS of the atrocities they had committed. Much exaggeration was, it is true, mixed up with these communications, and it was only by close comparison and sifting, that the truth could be elicited regarding the atrocious doings of Captain Jack and his famous Baker’s Dozen. . But there they were in prison, through the instrumentality and industry of Wildfire Ned and Lieutenant Garnet. What became of most of them we shall quickly see, CHAPTER XLV. COLONEL BLOOD MEETS WITH DISAPPOINTMENT. But, although Wildfire Ned, as narrated in a pre- vious chapter, made a vow never to rest until he had captured or destroyed all who belonged to Captain Jack’s band and the Skeleton Crew, he did not: succeed so well with Death-wing’s followers as he Could have wished. During the night of the terrible commotion and desperate encounter at the Block-House, that part _of the town was thrown into a fearful state of com- motion.’ ' Excited citizens rushed directions. Colonel Blood, himself, was one of the first who was informed of the whole transaction. For the second time that night he pushed off to the royal palace; and asked forthe assistance of the military. Two companies were entrusted to him, and he marched to the scene of conflict as speedily as possible, to and fro in all When he got there, however, the Block-House. was nought but a blazing mass. of ruins. When informed that it contained most, if not all, of the property and valuables which had been stolen from his own house, he fumed and raved like one half demented. But what else could be done ? He stood gazing at the fiery element feeding on his own property, and gnashed his teeth in rage, ‘“ Who led on the citizens to the attack ?”? he asked. “ Ned Warbeck, ‘ Wildfire Ned,’ as he is called,” the simple citizens replied. “ What, Sir Richard Warbeck’s nephew, as he is called ?” “ Yes, Colonel.”’ “J have heard of him before. He bares no love towards the Skeleton Crew or Captain Jack’s fol- lowers, I hear.”’ “ Tf you had seen how fiercely the gallant youth fought, you would have been sure there was no love between them,” laughed several shopkeepers triumphantly. “ Who else helped him ?” Lieutenant Garnet, of the Royal Navy, Colonel, and a strong determined young man from the country ; they callhim Bob Bertram, Colonel.” “Were any of the assailants killed ?” “Yes, a brave aud galiant youth, who was the first to break through the barricaded gates,” * Any one else ?”’ “ Yes, Colonel, several other good citizens were killed or much injured in the fray.” “ And where is this Ned Warbeck ?”’ asked Colonel Blood, biting his lip. ‘‘I should like to see him ; I wish ¢o report the full. particulars to, the king.” “He has saved you that trouble most worthy Colonel,’’’ said. Tim, who was still in the crowd, “he has gone to the palace himself; as he did most of the fighting, he thought he had a good right to most of the honor and reward.” ‘ “ And who are you that speak so boldly ?” ‘T, sir, am Mr. Edward Warbeck’s: groom—a faithful and brave servant, I have ever proved to be ; and, although I say it, no man behaved more gallantly inthe encounter than I did.” A general laugh followed this speech, and the crowd around tittered again with merriment. ‘And what did you do ?”’ asked the colonel, with a smile. “Well, in the first place, most worthy sir, I made a most capital: speech to the: mob in order :to stir them up, and excite them to deeds of valour. The best speech if-was as ever I made in my life,” “And what then, my good fellow:?” * Don’t believe him, colonel.’*) ~ ‘“¢ He is telling a string of lies,” “A perfect coward, sir.’’ “ As timid’ as a mouse, colonel,’ said’ one and another, as they still laughed outright at Tim’s account of the affair. 1) “On my word, most noble colonel, all I say is true,” | “Well, go on then, I am listening, What part did you take 2? “Well, sir, when the fight was at its highest, and when the smith, by not following my advice, got killed, F exhorted all to be more prudent, and to hide their heads well behind the palings and wood- work, for I could see that those devils called the Skeleton Crew were dead shots and knocked over every one they aimed af.” “Well ?” “Ob, it was beautiful to see how they jumped out of the windows, and off the burning roof into the river,’ said Master Tim, grinning and chuckling. “T dare say it was, but I didn’t ask for any de- scription. of that. I.asked and still ask, what did you do; not see?” | Se eee ————————————— ee THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. “ Well, sir, when my master, Lieutenant Garnet,. and Bob Bertram made their fierce attack upon.the burning Block-House, and, followed by their gallant fellows, were fighting in the ecourt-yard, in the pas- sages, and other places, [—— Well—I—that is to say, most worthy colonel, because I coulda’t get near enough to engage in the combat myself— —— ‘‘ He stood on a door-step and looked on, colonel,” said a dozen voices at once. “ Yes, sir,”” said Tim, meekly bowing, and trem- bling, as he saw the colonel’s blood mounting; “I stood on the door-step, and acted as commander-in- chief, cheering the lads on.”’ “I thought so,’’ said Colonel Blood, angrily. At the same time he rewarded Tim for his great valour by giving him a sound smack in the face, which knocked him right among the applauding crowd. This was more than Master Tim expected. But, for fear he’d get any more, Tim sneaked MICLOOO SoCO