The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

—_—— re eee ee oe, THE SKELETON CREW; But the continual sight of the strange, wild, skele- ton dance seemed to discompose him, He seized Ellen Harmer round the waist, and with the greatest ease vaulted into his saddle, “These devils have seized my carriage and ser; vants,”’ said he, “but “tis lucky they did not dis- cover my horse here under the gateway, or all jwould have been lost.” While in the act of mounting his splendid ani- mal, the colonel did not, perceive that. the skeleton dancers had approached him. . When he looked to the right and left he found himself surrounded by the grim disciples of Death- wing, the grim skeleton.chief. With a shout, and an oath of surprise and annoy- ance, he raised his riding-whip and cut his way from the midst of those around him. He put spurs to his horse, and. plunged forward On the road towards London, with Ellen Harmer on the saddle before him. He had not gone two miles when he turned round to ascertain the cause of a distant rumbling noise. Not far behind him, he could perceive ‘his own carriage, driven by a skeleton coachman, in full pursuit ! Skeleton heads were protruding from windows on each side of the coach, who waved their long arms and shook them in esniases of savage re- venge, ‘ Pursued !” thought Blood ; terrible band.” He dug his spurs deeply into the flanks of his gallant steed, and flea like the wind. But the Skeleton Band’ was slowly and surely gaining on him, It. was now a race for lifs or death ! fi and by this CHAPTER XII. WILDFIRE NED, TIM, AND RAMBLING BOB SET OUT UPON THEIR TRAVELS—STRANGE AND EX- CITING ADVENTURES. THE first thing which Wildfire Ned did, when he Jeft his uncle’s presence, and had publicly insulted Redgill, was to proceed to the stables, and saddle his own gallant mare “ Starlight.” ‘‘ What, off again, Master Ned?” said Tim; rub- bing his eyes. ‘“ Why, surely you ain’t going any- where this time of night ?” “Yes, am, Tim, I am going to leave Darling- ton altogether. ‘* Leave it altogether, sir! joking,” “No I’m not, Tim. Come, saddle my mare at once. I must leave this place within half-an-hour, Will you come with me?” “ Why in course I will,” said Tim. “ But it did appear to me all so very strange like. I can’t understand it. What! you leave the Hall, and all for nothing ?” said Tim, in great surprise. “Never mind being surprised at all about it,” said Wildfire Ned, biting hislips, ‘‘ I’m going to leave, so that’s quite sufficient explanation. Ive got a good sum of money of my own in my pocket, so have resolved to go to sea, and chase those Skeleton Pirates we have heard so much of, Will you come, Tim?” “Yes, young master, in course I will. I’d goto the devil with you, thee knows. (But, for all that, thought Tim, I don't much care about facing them terrible skeletons led on by that awful wretch called Death-wing.)”’ Few words were passed by Ned, He mounted ~~ Why, you must be > ni OR, WILDFIRE NED. SI his famous; mare; “Starlight, andy! followed: ‘by Tim, galloped away towards the village! = Dar- lington. ) “Tim, are you brave ?” said Wildfire. Ned, ‘gtin- ning, as they rode along side by side.: | “ Brave, master Ned, why of course I am.) I'd face the very devil if Thad any one to back me. ol always feel safe when I’m with you.” Is * Well, do you know what Pm going to rn “ No, master. iq * You know Bob Bertram ?”’ » “The old farmer’s son, sir?) Yes, sir ; oe a fine good-hearted young fellow he is:as ever was borny’”? “Tm glad to hear you ‘Bay. SO, Tim ; and ‘glad also, to think you likevhim so much, for. he, BED, is) coming with us,’ ‘Him, master?” said Tim, in surprise.“ Why, how can that be? He’s inthe round-house, ‘and accused of murdering his old father. bBut.he didn’t do it, I'll swear,” said Tim to himself, |“ He couldm’t do it. Bob Bertram’s heart is too good for any such bloody work as that, or else. I’m sno judge of human nature.’ “Richt, Tim; you are right, my lad,’ said Ned, who had overheard his servant mumbling to him- self. “And I feel proud to think your opinion about that murder is the’ same as mine; but, then,’ you know, he’ll never suffer; he’s going to escape to-night,” ‘‘ Hscape, master! Why, I have heard that he’s guarded night and day. It were even whispered that some officers of the crown were coming down to take him down to London.” “T have heard all that, also,” said Ned, laughing ; “but when they do come, the bird will have fown, Do you see these, Tim? 1” said N ed, displaying. EW pair of pistols, ‘‘ Do you see these ” ** Yes, master.”’ ss Well, we call these things ‘barking irons,’ and if the. two officers won’t behave themselves, and act civilly towards us when we call, why then you must blow the brains out of one, while I do? the same to the other.”’ Ned said this very coolly, but Tim’s eyes rolled in fright at the bare idea of bloodshed. l He did not give utterance to his fears, however, but jogged along by his young master’s side. Ere long they approached the village, and Wild- fire Ned leaped from his mare. Tim did likewise, and both nags were tethered to a road-side post. “Come along, Tim, we must do the rest on foot. You know the ‘ Red Lion ? Well, go there, and tell the landlord I want a horse for a few hours ; when you come back I shall be here at this post waiting for you. Be quick, mind, and see that he lendsyou a good steed, for we have a long way to gallop.’ Tim went off on foot towards the “ Red Lion,” Wildfire Ned walked rapidly towards that part of the village where the. lock-up or round-house was situated. All was darkness and profound quietness in- the village. “This is just the time to do the trick,” choweht Wildfire Ned. Saying this, he put on a. black velvet naa: and walked up to the prison door. It was open, He walked in quietly. Two officers lay on benches before the’ fire lsadkibg loudly. tf | They did not hear his footsteps. | Ned looked around quickly to Adbet att 4 in which of the several cells Bob Bertram was confined.” He knew not which, 7 : . CoOnmiclboao