The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

THE SKELETON CREW;3 OR, WILDFIRE NED. 187 en a ep. 5. - @ splendid repast, and drank wine more extrava- gantly than ever. “If this is to be our last night let it be a one,”’ said Death-wing. 5 nace oi “Bravo!” shouted fifty voices. “T understand that Captain J ack, old Bates, and all his lot were gibbeted to day,’’ said one, * No doubt of it ; I heard the bells tolling.” “ And I,” said a third, “saw crowds of people fol- lowing the carts.” “It was a tremendous gathering, I’ hear,* Said Death-wing ; “sucha sight as London neve? saw before.” “I passed under several of the gibbets to-night,” said one of the scouts, “and the night-birds, and vultures were very husy with the bodies already. Colonel Blood kept his word with them.” “Serve them right,” said Death-wing; “they were always cunning, tricky knaves, every. one of them, and our enemies, a3 any one heard of Phillip Redyill 2?” said Death-wing. “Yes,” one replied; “he is still in the mad- house.” “T know that ; but is he better ?” “T did not hear.” Bod “‘ Perhaps he will recover, and, whien I am gone,” said Death-wing, ‘le will lead the Crew as I liave done.” “‘ Never,” said a sepulchral voice near him. It was the ghost of Phillip Redgill ! Al the Crew started to their feet as they saw this ghastly apparition, all gory and horrible. © “ Never !”” said a voice. “Dead !” said Death-wing, dropping 4 wine from his hand. “ Dead !' Yes’; for ever dead!” said the appari- tion, as it stalked througlhi the apartment Dead ! for ever deud !”’ it said, and vanished. ~ Death-wing and his followers had scarcely seated themselves once more when they were again startled out of their propriety by the entrance of a tall stranger, robed in a black cloak from head’to foot, “Who and what art thou ?” said Death-wing, with drawn sword. — r i “The Red Man of tlie Gibbet !” said the stranger, dropping the disguise from off his shoulders. ~ Every ose rose. De : «What wouldst thou with us, worthy chief?” said Death-wing. “You never come without bad tidings, What would you have us do?” — “Prepare for death!” was the solemn answer ; “your hour has come!, This is, the last. time I can ever quit my iron cage and prison louse. No more can I walk abroad at ceriain times, to aid, to guide, and protect you ; the spell is broken. Phillip Red- gill has ceased to live, and all is over. Farewell, farewell ! Ned Warbeck triumphs.” Thus he spoke, and disappeared. * Ned Warbeck triumph! never!” said Death- wing, with an oath. “Never !” shouted all assembled, brandishing swords. daggers, guns, pikes, and all sorts of deadly weapons, | “Tet our bones be ground down to powder ere the hated house of Warbeck shalltriamph! Vic- tory or death)” said Death-wing. “ Comraies, swear !”” : Each and all raised a gob’et, filled to the brim, and swore, “ For victory or death !” At that moment, however, and as if by magic, all assembled dropped their goblets, and started from their seats. A loud shout outside rent the air. goblet of “Tt is Warbeck and his followers; to arms, men, to arms,” said Death-wing ; “spare no living soul ; each of you seek out Ned Warbeck, for if he falls we shall triumph.” * * * * * Tt must be explained that after making all prepa- tions, Ned Warbeck' had issued orders that as the church clocks chimed half-past eleven o'clock all the detachments of London Apprentices should march towards Smithfield, and there join Lieu- tenant Garnet and Bob Bertram, each of whom had a company of stalwart fellows under his command. This they did, and in great order, silently march- ing in military time and step, without disturbing the sleeping inhabitants. They all arrived before midnight, and were mar- shalled by Ned Warbeck himself. When twelve o’clock tolled from old St. Paul’s the order to march was given, and by various routes, guided and. commanded by Ned, Garnet, and Bob, they took. up various positions within a s.one’s throw of Death-wing’s stronghold and ren- dezvous near the river. Having done this, and then cut off all hope of retreat for the Skeleton Crew, Ned Warbeck ad- vanced with twenty youths, and examined all the strong points of Death-wing’s retreat. “Who comes there ?” askei one of the Skeleton Crew, who was on guard. “Ned Warbeek and his*merry men,” said Bob Bertram.» 9° © “ Three cheers for Ned Warbeck, and death to the Skeleton Crew!” shouted the brave apprentic2 youths. The three cheers were given with great hearti- ness, and these were sounds which startled Death- ; wing in his banquet+hall = A moment before all was quietness, and silent as the grave. ‘ f But now commenced a scene that baffles all de- scription, One company, under Garnet, advanced from the river side. A second, under Bob Bertram, marched towards the north side of the rendezvous. A third attacked the left side with great fury, led on by the chief of the London Apprentices. And the fourth and last, commanded by Ned Warbeck in person, assailed the front. In all directions shouts and cheers ani yells were heard, Sledge hammers, crowbars, guns, pistols, swords, and pikes were making a discordant din. Dogs barked, people rushed from their beds in terror,,and ran affrizhted through the streets. Night watchmen bellowed and bawled, and spruog their'ratiles. ~ All ‘the river side was in dire affright and com- motion, “Tis young Ned Warbeck and the Skeleton Crew,” shouted old men and wo.ien, in alarm. “Tet us fly—let us fly! we shall ail be mur- dered !”’ “Call the night-watch !”’ “Go and call out the king’s guard !” “Murder! thieves! Help, help !” “Rouse up, good citizens, rouse up, the whole river side is running with human blood !” These and such like were the cries, now heard on every side; while, on the other hand, nothing bat cheers were heard from the bold Apprentices and MICLOOo S,CoOnn