The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 29 a ee SN Dogs barked at him, men jeered, and women clapped their hands. He was cast into gaol by the chief constable with looks of professional pride and triumph. ‘‘ Got one of the scoundrels, any how!” said he. Wet and exhausted as he was, and presenting a very sorry sight, Master Jonas was thrust into a cell. The villagers crowded around him and gazed through the prison bars, with gaping mouths, as if they were looking at some strange, half- tamed animal in a travelling menagerie. But what has |become of his master, Colonel Blood? The next chapter will show, CHAPTER XI, THE ABDUCTION—THE SKELETON DANCE—THE PURSUIT—HORRIBLE DOINGS IN THE VILLAGE. THE sounds which Colonel Blood had heard for a moment aroused his bold spirit, and as he crossed the mill bridge,‘slowly and calmly, he resolved upon arriving at some explanation concerning it. But the very hubbub and confusion which reigned were of infinite use to him in regard to his pro- jected scheme with the pretty Ellen Harmer, Her father, the miller, and the whole of the villagers, as we have seen, were thoroughly aroused and greatly incensed at the behaviour of Jonas. Some began to talk of hanging the unlucky ser- vant on the morrow, and, dark as it was, they gathered together in groups, discussing the subject with great animation and many angry gestures. But this very confusion assisted Hla bold, con- scienceless colonel. He walked up to the miller’s onees and found it deserted. ~ ot a soul was in the dwelling, save Ellen her- se Half stupefied with the strange stories she had heard, Ellen remained in her own chamber, trem- bling ‘that the Skeleton Crew were in the village. ie single lamp :burned dimly in tke miller’s parlour. Colonel Blood, as he crept towards the house, felt Satisfied that she was alone. | ‘“ Nowis my time,” said he; “ none Dat the brave deserve the fair ; now or never.’ He walked boldly into ‘the: house, opened the parlour door hastily, and entered the apartment. Ellen had been on' her kneés ' praying, aud her face was deadly pale. She started suddenly as she saw the handsome stranger enter, “Fly! fly for your life, fair maid,” said Blood, in accents of alarm, “What means this intrusion, sir?” said Ellen, drawing herself up to her full height, and with a proud look, “What means this strange in- trusion 2” “It means this, Miss Harmer, that the village has been set upon by that desperate gang called the Skeleton Crew, and that they are intent upon murdering all who opposethem, Fly! I beg of you, do not delay a single instant, or all may be lost !” ‘* Sir !’? cried Ellen, half aloud, distrustful of her own senses, and yet knowing not whether to believe or disbelieve the colonel’s words. ‘‘ Nay, stop not to parley; dear Ellen,” said Blood, taking her by the hand; “there is not a single moment to be lost in explanation. Feel satisfied that what I say is true... Your father has sent ‘me; he begged of me to conduct you to a place of safety until such times as’ the horrible Skeleton Band should have departed again.” “Sir, all this may be true, but how am I to know it for a certainty ?” “Nay; do not hesitate; depend upon it,” ‘“And my honour also, sir,’ said Ellen, with a proud look. ‘“ Honour to me is dearer than life.” “Great Patience!” said Blood, in a petulant manner. ‘‘ Would you not save your father’s life?” ‘‘ My father’s life ?”” said Ellen, suddenly changing colour. ‘Is he in danger, then?” ‘“Heis. He is now in the power of the Skeleton Crew, and if you are found here five minutes longer you will surely be dragged off a captive by Death-wing, their chief.” “ Whither, then, would you lead me ?” “To Darlington Hall, Sir Richard and his ser- vants are out and armed against this famous band. It is by old Sir Richard’s desire, coupled with your father’s, that I now come here,”’ “Then you are known to Sir Richard ?” “Yes, fair one.. Iam a nephew of his. I have used deception with you up to the present ; but the time is now past for all that., Iam Sir Richard’s nephew. Come, fly with, meto the Hall, ’tis the only place of safety. Remember ,the dreadful scenes which have been enacted round the coast by this horrible band, and flee on the instant,” Ellen seemed stupefied by all she heard, and mechanically threw a light wrapper round her shoulders. In a few moments she left her father’s house, misled and deceived by the oily tongue of as great and fearless a scoundrel as ever lived. “ This way |—this way!” said’ Blood, blandly. “ Haste, fair one, haste |” He placed a rough, strong arm round the maiden’s waist, and helped her along. “This way is the nearest,” he said, with a grim smile of satisfaction, as they both hurriedly approached the mill bridge. When they were about to cross, several of the planks being old, loose, and rotten, began to creak ominously, and the winds sighed dolefully. Ellen stopped fora moment. Her eyes enlarged to twice their ordinary size, She saw something on the bridge that startled her, ‘“‘ What is that ?” she said, half-gasping, pointing to something on the planks which looked red. “Oh! nothing, nothing, fair one,’ said Blood, grimly smiling. “ But it 7s something,” said Hllen, turning pale, and gazing intently. ‘‘ Look! see here—and here —and here—they are large clots of gore !” ‘* Impossible !” said Blood, coolly. ‘Yes, they are ; and here,” she said, ‘is part ofa broken sword, How came all this?) N ay, do not hurry me onward... 1 tremble—my feet refuse to walk, for i fear something horrible may obstruct my path, “ Nonsense ! nonsense, fair creature !’’ said Blood. ‘Tf anything has happened it is all the doings of that horrible band of Skeletons. Nothing more. If you wish to escape yourself, follow my advice at once.” “TJ will, I will,” said Ellen Harmer, trembling in every limb. She and the colonel had crossed half of the bridge when both suddenly stopped. “What, was that? said the miller’s daughter, looking pale as death. . “‘ What voice was that?” “Oh, nothing, nothing, fair one; *twas only the murmuring of the wind among the oziers on the Your very life may con ee NST 8 or cinaales. com <S,con