The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 65: 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. 59 WSs Se Eee ee ee “ Just so, Sea-hawk,” the Dolphin replied ; ‘‘ if he can Manage to rid us of such grim devils as they are, all well and good ; for, you see, we don’t stand much of a chance with them, for they have played the very devil with us smugglers of late years, And as to Death-wing, I don’t think there is any hope of getting him out of the way, for he seems to be made of cast iron.” ~ Tonly hope this young dare-devil, Ned War- beck, will only let ws alone, though,” said the Chief, “because you know he might turn his attention this way after doing the first job.” * That's just what he is going to do,” ‘“ You don’t mean that ?” “I do, though, I found out all his plang, as well as his instructions.” “ Indeed !—how ?” ‘‘ You remember what I said about the marri age at Walton Abbey, and of Death-wing running away with the young bride ?” 6 Yes.” “ Well, Garnet and Wildfire Ned, accompanied by Bob Bertram, and others, started in pursnit.” ‘‘ Did they overtake the Crew 2” ‘That you will quickly hear.” _* For seme time, Wildfire Ned and Garnet con- tinued the chase over hedge and ditch; but they went at such a terrific pace, that in less than half an hour they had distanced all who followed them, save Bol) Bertram. “ But still they could not make out or trace the route taken by Death-wing. ‘Jn about an hour, however, they perceivedsome of the band in the distance, ‘‘ With swords drawn, they shouted in defiance, aud made at them, ‘“‘ But the Skeleton rascals declined the combat. “ The chase then continued. ‘ But, as before, they lost sight of them, for the last trick was only a ride to gain time in order that meee and his fair captive might get off clear.” “Clever, artful devils,” said the Chief, with a gruff laugh; “ and did they get off clear?” he asked, “They did. Wildfire Ned rode like a madman in every direction after them. But it was all to no purpose. They escaped, and Death-wing and his crew made their way to the sea-shore, and got safely on board their Phantom ship before Garnet or Wildfire Ned could overtake them.” “Well, and what next ?” ‘* Wildfire Ned and Bob Bertram made the best of their way to Garnct’s ship, the ‘ Diamond,’ and went on board. The ship set sail immediately in search of the Skeleton Crew, and every man on board swore to be revenged.”’ “Tf they fall in with Death-wing, then, we may expect.to hear of some stirring news,” said the chief, “If they conquer Death-wing, or he conquer them, it’s all the same to us, you know, Dolphin.” “True,” replied the messenger; “ but I would much rather hear they bad made short work of the Skeleton Crew, for we can generally manage to escape the revenue cruisers, but it would puzzle the very devil to get out of the way of these grim and ghastly wretches,” said the Dolphin, ‘So far we agree,” said the grim Chief. ‘ But now to business. Have you found out anything more about that vessel you wrote to me about?” “ What, that ship which we have long expected from the Hast Indies ?” ves ‘Of course I have ; she is now in the offing ; and, if the wind rises, we may expect her abreast of this place by midnight,” “Good. Did you hear how many men she carries ?” “Only fifteen,’’ * That ain’t too many ; so far, so good ; but about her guns, Dolphin, that’s the question ; I heard she had four,” ‘But I know better; she hasn’t got a single one.” “ Not one?” “No; not even a pop-gun on board.” ‘‘ What’s her name, say you?” ‘The ‘Sea Spray.’ ” ‘Then she will prove an easy prize?” ‘“‘ No doubt of it.” ‘““ What’s her cargo?” “Silks, spices, and gold dust.” ‘“WYem,” said Sea-hawk, “then we must prepare for her. Tell the night-watch to have a bright look-out, and get all the boats ready, How is the weather ?”’ ‘It looks as if we should have a dense fog to- night.” “So much the better, then,” said the Smuggler Chief. ‘‘There’s nothing half so nice as a thick fog when one wants to come up to a craft unseen. Get all the boats ready, and let them be moored outside the cave for instant service,” These orders were obeyed. During the day great preparations were made to board and capture the long-expected East India- man, and a look-out man was perched high upon the rocks outside, with telescope in hand, watching the distant movements of the ‘Sea Spray” as she lay becalmed in the far distance, her sails lazily flapping in the foggy atmosphere. As night approached the wind freshened, and all was wild excitement and merriment among the smugglers, who looked forward to the capture of the vessel with impatient joy. Master Tim saw all the warlike preparations going on, and felt very uneasy. The sight of pistols and knives, cutlasses, board- ing pikes, and the like, struck terror to his soul. But he dared not show it, or express any thought about the danger all were about to encounter, He even tried to smile and lock merry.” But it was all sham. Poor Tim could be as brave as any one as far as words went, but when it came to blows and hard knocrs he wished himself a thousand miles away. Some of the smugglers provided Tim with plenty of arms. ‘As I must go,” thought Tim, “and as there is no getting away from these villanous, black-look- ing band of smugglers, I might as well arm myself to the teeth ; the more weapons I have the greater chance I have for my life.” With this thought uppermost in his mind, Master | Tim put on an immense pair of water-boots ihat reacued above the knee; and although he could scarcely walk in them, on account of their weight and clumsiness, he never said a word. ‘“For,” thought Tim, ‘‘it won’t do to kt these devils think I am afraid, after all the hard lies I have told ’em to-day; besides, if they thought I wanted to get away, they’d scrag me on the ~ instant,” Next he put on an immense waist-belt, and stuck into it half-a-dozen pistols, all double-sbotted. Besides these, he thrust into his belt a heavy cutlass, a dagger, and a long knife. Not satisfied with all these warlike preparations, OmMiclboooks.com