The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

Se eae THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 18 men or devils, it matters not; but of this rest assured, they are bent on your destruction.” | A grim smile played upon Ned’s features as he was reluctantly led back to the hall by Sir Richard and a large troop of friends. When left alone to his own thoughts, and in the silence of his chamber, Wildfire Ned began to ponder on all that he had seen and heard. “This is a terrible state of things; but I will not sleep this night until I learn more of this strange horrible mystery, if it costs me my life.” When all was silent in the Hall, Ned buckled on his sword, and slowly left his chamber. He traversed the lonely galleries of the Hall like a spirit, with noiseless step. He quietly went towards the stables to saddle his favourite horse. As he approached the stable door he was con- fronted by Tim, who looked more dead than alive. ‘‘T could not sleep, master,” said the groom, “the horrid sights as I have seen this ere night is enough to turn one grey.” “ Nonsense,” said Ned, with a light laugh, ‘‘ nonsense, lad, you see it hasn’t turned me grey.” “No, sir, truly; but then you ain’t made like common folks; they say Wildfire Ned is all cast iron,” ‘ ‘‘ Nonsense, Tim ; it’s all a delusion to think that this Red Man of the Gibbet could leave his chains and go prowling abont when he likes.” “ No it ain’t, sir, all respect to you, sir. I’ve heard people say that at some seasons of the year he does leave his chains. Ifhe could talk to me, as I rode home, he can do anything ; that’s my humble opinion,” ‘Tt can’t be true,’ said Ned. ‘“ And, to prove it, I'll wager a hundred gold pieces that if we ride over to the Lonely Heath this very night we shall find the gibbet tenanted as it always is.” “Ride over to the gibbet, master ?’’ said Tim, in horror. “ Surely, you can’t think of doing any- thing so rash, and to night, too, when we know that all the country around is alive with that demon gang called the Skeleton Crew?” ‘Yes; but Ido though, Tim. I shall mount my brave mare, Starlight, and go at once.” “ Oh! master, pray don’t,” pleaded Tim; ‘‘I’m sure that some harm will befal you.” “ And I’m equally sure none will. Prepare Star- light at once. Saddle the brown cob also.” “The brown cob, sir? You surely don’t want two horses ?” ‘Yes I do, Tim.” “ What, the brown cob for the Red Man of the Gibbet,” said Tim, aghast. “ You surely ain’t going to take a moonlight ride with‘such a horrible devil as he is,”’ “True, Tim, I am not,’’ said Ned, laughing ; “the brown cob is for yourself.” “For me ?” said Tim, rolling his eyes. “Yes, you. Come, be quick, Let us start off at once.”’ With many groans, Tim prepared the horses, and ere many minutes had elapsed, both master and servant were on their’way to the heath. Tim sadly tried to lag behind, but Wildfire Ned would not allow him to do so. * Here, Tim,’ said Ned, producing a brandy- flask ; ‘take a good suck at this ; it will drive all the blue-devils out of you. Have courage, lad, no harm can possibly befal you.”’ Tim liked the brandy, but did not much relish his young master’s stubborn resolution. Nevertheless he had not got far upon the journey SS SS —_— became light and giddy. imaginary foes. Ned perceived the effects the brandy had upon his servant, and gave him some more. Tim with false courage. Ere long he began to curse and swear at the Skeleton Crew and the Red Man of the Gibbet, in very loud tones. After some time they approached the edge of the heath. As they did so, the gibbet gradually came into view. Tim's courage now began to ooze out of his toes, and he rode very close to his brave young master, but somewhat behind him. ‘There it is, Tim,’ said Ned, pointing to the gibbet in the distance. ‘ Can’t you hear the creak- He Os of its rusty iron as it sways to and fro ?’ ‘“ 'Y.e-e-s,” answered Tim, and his teeth began to chatter. ‘ Y-e-e-s, young master, I do; butif you haven’t any objection, I’ll stay where I am until. you return.” ‘“‘But I have objections, Tim, and very grave ones. Haven’t you promised to go to sea with me, and brave all the dangers and perils of the ocean?” “True, sir; but I didn’t bargain to go and con- front living devils though,” groaned Tim. “Very well, then, it is in order to make you ac- customed to strange sights and strengthen your nerves, that I brought you with me to-night.” “Very kind of yon, sir,” said Tim; “very indeed ; but I thinks as how I’ve seen enough of strange sights to-night to strengthen my nerves for ever, if it’s all the same to you, sir.” It was all to no purpose, Ned would not allow Tim to remain behind on any consideration, but smiled, as he cast a sidelong glance at his servant's long, pale face. ‘ They had now approached within a few yards of the gibbet, and stopped to gaze at it. “T told you how it was,” said Ned, laughing. “Tt must have been all a trick, or delusion. Why here is the Red Man safe and sound in his iron gibbet ; he couldn’t be in two places at once. For some time the two horsemen remained motionless, intently gazing at the horrid gibbet, as it creaked and swayed in the moonlight. The skeleton’s bones were of unearthly whiteness and stood erect in their iron cage. The winds sighed mournfully through the trees. A feeling of awe took possession of the horse- men as they stood and gazed at the ghastly object. Their steeds even trembled with excitement, and ~ snorted and shied at the gallows and the shadow of its skeleton tenant. “What are you trembling about?” said Ned. “Be more of a man, Tim; J don’t see anything very strange.” ‘“No, sir; but J do. Look! look! see the red eyes are rolling about. Itold you it were alive, See! see! Oh, horrors!” said Tim, shivering. He would have backed his horse away, but Ned seized Tim’s rein with his right hand firmly, True enough, however, the skeleton in the gibbet did move. Its eyes, which before were invisible in their deep-sunk sockets, now turned a deep, dark, fiery red colour, and rolled about most alarmingly. Ned’s horse reared and danced about, and he sat micboo (E(0) S (E(0) “i when his spirits began to rise rapidly, and his head Me He pulled out his sword in a very valorous man- | ner, and made vicious cuts and slashes at the trees | as he passed them, like a man valiantly fighting — This had the desired effect of fortifying Master — } a ) i