The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

- | a | - THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 53 SSS _ found out all about old Bertram’s murder, and were come to arrest him, Cold sweat poured from his brow. His heart f+lt chilly, and his sight grew dim. But when Captain Jack, with a broad smile on his ugly face, shook Phillip by the hand, and said, ‘ Ali serene, old fellow,” Redgill felt great relief, as he said to the company with a forced smile, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to your notice an eccentric friend of mine, who rejoives in the extraordinary title of Lord Smash. These gentlemen, also his companions, are friends of mine, every one; at least, they have proved themselves such, for I owe my life to their bravery and valour.” “Indeed !” said all, in surprise. ‘Men who would risk their own lives for the sake of another must be friends indeed,” “T quite agree with you there, ladies and gentle- men. I invited them to call upon me at their plea- sure, and although they have come at an unlooked- for moment, I am none the less pleased,” “ Certainly not,” chorused many, “certainly not ; but how did the affair happen ?” , “This, then, accounts for your ‘painful wound, Redgill ?” several gallants said. ‘Just so,” said Phillip, glad at the happy turn the whole affair had now taken, ‘and particularly pleased that the true character of the intruders had not leaked ont. Upon the instant, and with ready invention, Phillip Redgill concocted an imaginary story, in which he did not fail to laud his own valour, and that of the {new arrivals, all of which was agreed to in side-winks by Captain Jack and Faulkner, who, from time to time, drank heartily, and swore pounely that all the company heard was strictly rue, “But now.I come to look at your eccentric friend more closely,” said a gallant, tapping his snuff-box, and speaking in a whisper, ‘‘ the more he reminds me of one of the crown officers, called Captain Jack.’ This he said with a knowing wink to Phillip, who frowned. Captain Jack heard the observation, and ap- proached the speaker, and whispered in his ear, ‘And now I come to look at you, my friend, the more I find you exactly correspond to a young gentleman as Captain Jack has been on the look- out for on the charge of forgery.” The gallant blushed deeply, took a pinch of snuff, and bowed himself away, “Not so fast, my friend,” said Captain Jack to him, as he whispered again. ‘You are in very snug quarters at present, and I don’t wish to disturb you ; but if you know how to keep a still tongue in your head, while here in the company, so do 7, You understand ; is it a bargain ?” “T fear, my eccentric friend, that you have made a slight mistake,” said {the elegantly-attired young gentleman, with a curling’ lip. “I know you not.” “IT have made no mistake,” was the whispered answer; “I can, you know, when [I like, swear black’s white. But let me ask, do you know a certain person in the India House, a gay young spark about town, named Charles Warbeck ?”’ said Captain Jack, winking. The stranger tried to smile, but could not, It was Ned Warbeck’s elder brother ! He turned deadly pale, cast a quick glance at Phillip Redgill, and joined the card-players again. But, though he attempted to be merry and care- less, Care sat upon his brow, and he sighed to him- self, “Tam innocent, but still suspicion is strong against me. Whoever it was that forged Sir Richard’s signature to that bill was no friend of mine,” And he could not help thinking, as he sat in that gay and merry throng, “Tt was an unlucky day I ever made the ac- quaintance of you, Phillip Redgill. Still, the end is not yet.” Captain Jack’s companions made themselves very much at home, in a rough, off-handed manner. They were adepts at dice and cards, and, although they began to gamble on no capital whatever, they none of them were long ere they had won large sums from those present. This happened not so much through fair as foul play, and downright roguery. | However, as long as their cheating tricks were not discovered, or even suspected, they continued the play, and, together with fine wines, spirits, cigars, and the like, they seemed to be enjoying themselves very much, nor did they for a moment know the true reason why Captain Jack had called there that night. This, however, was soon explained. The first opportunity that offered, Captain Jack sought Phillip Redgill’s side, and began a whis- pered conversation, “You did not call at the ‘Cat and Bagpipes’ as you promised,” “ No,” said Redgill, ‘I was too unwell.” “ Perhaps the company didn’t suit you?” “Tine; I must confess it wouldn’t look well for a person of my standing to be seen in the company of thieves, vagabonds, and the like,” “ Of course not; I forgot all about that.” “Besides, my wound is painful at present.” ““OF course it is; it was on account of that 1 came here myself, in order to save you.a long journey.” “Why did you bring all those fellows with you?” “Tn case I might need them,” said Captain Jack, grinning. “Need them? I do not understand you,” said Redgill, turning red. “ But you may do so after a time.” “ Indeed ! and what may be your business here, I should like to know? Ido not allow persons of your standing to intrude upon me,” said Phillip, © with a curling lip. “Tndeed! Lor how amazingly proud you're cetting,” Captain Jack answered, with a sneer, and. tossing off a glass of wince. “I thought we should meet as friends.”’ ‘Sir, I do not understand you,” said Phillip, trying to shake off his rough companion, much like a sparrow frets and struggles when in the talons of ahawk. “In truth, your room is much better than your company.” ‘“T dare say ; that’s what a good many say. But, then, you see, the Crown can’t get along without such as me and my friends.” “The Crown, sir? And what have I to do with you or the Crown, I should like to know? You wish to insinuate something ; but, as a man about town, I know too much of you fellows.” “Ha! ha! how clever you are, Lor, who'd a thought it ?”’ “Thought it? Thought what?” “Why, that young Bolton is in prison,” said Captain Jack, with a smile. “Serve him right, then, if he is guilty of that foul deed of which you accuse him.” MICO Corn