Anonymous

“ Redgill did so, and bit his lips until they became bloodless and white.
“Why carry a sword if afraid to use it?” said Ned, scornfully turning on his heel.
After a pause Wildfire Ned said, calmly and slowly—
“Redgill, you are not a man; you are a coward, a snake in the grass; you leave a poisonous slime wherever you go. Bloody deeds follow in your wake wherever you tread! There is no love lost between us, ’tis true; but you are a mischief-maker; a deceiver; I could say more perhaps.”
“Say on,” said Redgill, turning pale.
“Murderer is marked on your face, Phillip Redgill,” said Ned, sternly. ”

“ He made a last blow at his fierce antagonist and fell prostrate over Garnet.
Death-wing, with a laugh of triumph, raised his sword high in the air on the point of cutting Ned in two, when, with a wild shout, he rushed from the spot!
His sword was knocked from his firm grip!
He and his band looked with terror at the sight which then appeared.
A man in armour, glittering from head to foot in polished steel, rose out of the stone flooring as if by magic.
With shield and sword he was ready for the fray!
Sir Richard and the sailors were struck dumb at the strange apparition, and fell back in awe. ”

“ Solemn silence ensued, as Bates said,
“Blood is going down to Darlington to-night, to arrest Jack, who is here. I have put the colonel off the right scent.”
“The devil!—to arrest me?” said Jack, with an oath.
“Silence! Jack,” growled several, with threatening looks. “Silence, and listen to Master Bates; he is our captain now—not you.”
“Well, and while Blood is away on this wild-goose chase, Jack has proposed to rob his house.”
“Capital idea,” said all.
“So think I,” said Bates; “so come, prepare yourselves. Put masks in your pockets, and bring a rope ladder with you.” ”

“ Wildfire Ned, as Sir Richard had said to the multitude, had been created Lord Warbeck, or rather, though the younger brother, the King had granted him the title when fully informed by Sir Richard of how much Sir Edward Lawrence had done and suffered in the cause of Charles the First; and if history is not at fault, young Wildfire Ned not only greatly distinguished himself in after years, but also married one of the lovliest maidens of great title which England could boast, and was long the pride and the boast of every youth who had read of his daring exploits. ”

“ Phillip began, at length, endeavouring to suppress the rage he felt.
“Me want with you?” said Jack. “Oh! I really beg pardon for intruding—ha! ha! but I thought you might want to see me, that’s all.”
As he spoke he smiled like a demon.
“You have acted the knave towards me, Captain Jack.”
“Have I, though? How complimentary you are!”
“Yes, you have, Captain Jack; you have acted like a black-hearted scoundrel!”
“Go on, go on, I am listening; you can’t hurt anybody with your tongue; you are bound too fast to the stone floor to do much harm.” ”

“ Redgill stood stock still as if he had suddenly beheld a spectre.
“Ned Warbeck,” he gasped, “again across my path! Make way, fool, or die!”
“Stir but another inch with your precious burden,” said Ned Warbeck, with a determined oath. “Stir but an inch farther this way, and my sword to the hilt shall be buried in your craven carcase!”
With wild-looking eyes and dishevelled hair, almost on end with unnatural fright and alarm, Phillip Redgill was about to drop the insensible girl from his arms, when, with a sudden spring, and a gleaming sword, Ned Warbeck plucked her from his grasp. ”

“ Roger and Tim had another sound thwack on the jaws from their skeleton guardians, which shook every tooth in their heads.
“Sling your ropes,” said the grim Skeleton Chief, quaffing more wine.
In a moment each threw one end of his rope up in the air over the numerous beams and rafters of the servants’ hall.
“Make each his noose; mind they fit their necks nicely.”
“Oh, the cold-blooded rascals!”
“The merciless villains!”
“Mercy!”
“Have pity on us,” gasped the servants, as the Skeletons were making the noose in each rope.
“If they speak again despatch them with your daggers,” said the chief. ”

“ Captain Jack lost every farthing he had, and was so aggravated that he could have danced around the room with passion, and felt as if he could have shot old Gingles, who, calm, quiet, and unruffled, played on, and still continued to win with astonishing good fortune.
“No matter,” thought Captain Jack, “he will have to pay me a thousand pounds for his friend, which will make me all right again. I wish they’d stop playing, I want to present this note, and learn what he’ll do in the matter. If he refuses, I’ll get one or two of my lads to waylay the old rascal and rob him. ”

“ It was some moments ere Miss Clara was released from the strong arms of Mr. Charles, and even then he seemed much loth to part with the mass of curls which had nestled so affectionately and confidingly around his neck.
But her little scream had been heard by Mistress Haylark, who, in maternal anxiety for her fair, accomplished, and only child, quickly arrived upon the scene, puffing and blowing, and, discovering the true state of things, gave a second edition of her daughter’s little scream, and sank upon the capacious sofa completely exhausted with her efforts. ”

“ You cannot, you dare not look an honest lad openly in the face. Your own cowardly heart tells you I speak the truth; and, were it not for the disgrace to good Sir Richard, I could slay you as you sit, and think, aye, know that I had done right in the sight of man and heaven. Sir Richard, I now leave the Hall, my everlasting love is yours. Upon the wide world I go to seek my fortune; but beware of that man’s evil eye. Sir Richard, shun him like a snake. Phillip Redgill, we shall meet again. ”

“ We are all here to die, if there’s any need for it; but that isn’t the trouble. It’s how we are to die—that’s the question. Are we to stay here and be shot like timber-rats, or to volunteer, as I do now, axe in hand, to go and cut down the palings that immediately join the house? By that we may have a clear dig at the savages inside. I’m for that. If anybody’s willing to go along with me, let him up hands—no talk—we have too much of that already.”
“I’m ready—here!” cried Ned Warbeck, approaching, and laughing good humouredly, and his hands were thrust up at the instant. ”

“ There was now a pause of some few moments’ duration, after which the king said—
“Gentlemen, are you satisfied?”
“We are,” said Sir Richard. “I cannot so far malign human nature than to do otherwise than believe that what the colonel has said, on his word of honour, is perfectly true.”
“Stop,” said Ned, fiercely. “Will you say, Colonel Blood, if you are in possession of any knowledge or information of any kind whatever respecting Ellen Harmer?”
“Sir,” said Blood, coldly, “I have no right to say more than in all honour will clear myself of every imputation. ”

“ If the master is only like the servant, now. Here, guard,” said he, “seize this man; he is a murderer; seize him, I say, in the king’s name.”
“In the king’s name, hold off your hands,” said Ned Warbeck, in a passion, as he and Garnet now advanced into the moonlight.
The soldiers knew not what to do.
“Who are you, sir, that dares interfere in this serious matter? This fellow is a murderer, or, at least, suspected of being such.”
“He is no murderer, sir,” said Ned Warbeck, “and, if he was, I have the king’s pardon. Read,” said he, placing the royal warrant under the astonished colonel’s eyes. ”

“ His breast heaved with remorse and passion.
“Wine wine,” he said, with a fiendish laugh; “wine, wine, I say!”
His wife handed him a goblet brim full.
He gulped it down.
He threw the goblet into a corner of the room, and in fury struck Fanny to the ground.
The gallants present immediately stepped forward to protect the fallen woman.
With bitter curses on their lips for his brutality they drew their swords.
“Ha! ha! my braves!” said Phillip, pale as a ghost, and looking half idiotic and wild; “ha! ha! my braves! I see, my wife hath many ready to defend her. ”

“ The Butchers’ Apprentices cut all who opposed them limb from limb without mercy.
But still Death-wing and his men fought like demons.
Three times had Ned Warbeck fought with and slain those he supposed to be the Skeleton chief.
But Death-wing was still alive and busy.
More than twenty times he took deliberate aim with guns and pistols at young Ned, and each time had he missed him.
“He is charmed! his life is charmed!” swore the grim chief, as he looked around him, and each instant saw that his men were falling thick and fast. ”

“ Away, Warbeck!—I command!’
“‘Shall I forget thy wrongs, Leoline?’ said Warbeck.
“‘Wrongs! they are forgiven, they are no more. And thou, Sir Charles— (here her voice faltered) —thou, does thy conscience smite thee not—wouldst thou atone for robbing me of hope by barring against me the future? Wretch that I should be, could I dream of mercy—could I dream of comfort—if thy brother fell by thy sword in my cause? Sir Charles, I have pardoned thee, and blessed thee and thine. ”

“ Do I not know thee? Why thou wouldst fool all men—save Redgill.’
“‘And thou, cruel, wouldst thou leave me?’ said the bride, weeping; ‘how shall I live without thee?’
“Redgill laughed slightly.
“‘Can such eyes ever weep without a comforter? But farewell; I must not be found with thee. To-morrow I depart for London; we shall meet again.’
“As soon as the door closed on Redgill, the bride rose, and pacing the room, said—
“‘Selfish, selfish; how could I ever trust him? Yet I dare not brave Sir Charles alone. ”

“ Lawrence met Clare in the entrance-hall, and although her hand shook perceptibly in his, a blush tinged her cheek as she bade him welcome, and opened the drawing-room door.
“‘Now, sir truant,’ began Emma, in mock heroics; ‘deliver up your arms. Let me unbuckle your sword, sir knight—that’s it. I’m sure you don’t want it clanking at your heels while with us. Now, Edward Lawrence, Esq., M.A., you are at our mercy; and if you don’t ask pardon for your long absence, and promise to be a better boy for the future, prepare for the block,’ she continued, flourishing the sword with both hands. ”

“ Few words were passed by Ned. He mounted his famous mare “Starlight,” and, followed by Tim, galloped away towards the village of Darlington.
“Tim, are you brave?” said Wildfire Ned, grinning, as they rode along side by side.
“Brave, master Ned, why of course I am. I’d face the very devil if I had any one to back me. I always feel safe when I’m with you.”
“Well, do you know what I’m going to do?”
“No, master.”
“You know Bob Bertram?”
“The old farmer’s son, sir? Yes, sir; and a fine good-hearted young fellow he is as ever was born.” ”

“ That was Wildfire Ned.
He visited Bob in prison, and spent several hours with him.
When he came away he told old Sir Richard that the prisoner was an innocent man, and was sure he had been duped by some cunning villain.
“Bob must not suffer,” said Ned; “he shall not suffer, while I’ve got a hand to help him.”
“Shall not!” said Sir Richard, in amazement; “Who’s to prevent it, if he’s found guilty?”
“Who? why, I will,” said Wildfire Ned, colouring to the temples.
“You?”
“Yes, me, uncle. No rope shall ever go round Bob’s neck while there is a sword in the village to prevent it.” ”

“ On every part of the ship did the Skeleton Crew swarm like bees.
Up the rigging they climbed like monkeys, making the most hideous noises.
Death-wing, with his black banner on high, and with an immense cutlass in hand, seemed to mow down Sea-hawk’s men; and in less than fifteen minutes from the time the action commenced, the Phantom Ship was cleared of all its intruders save the dead and dying.
The smugglers, entrapped as they had been, fought like bears; but nothing could withstand Death-wing and his grisly band. ”

“ To be patronized by the son of such a person poor Charley considered “a very fine thing.”
“Wasn’t Phillip Redgill one of the sparks of fashion? Did not fair dames (of doubtful virtue, perhaps) smile bewitchingly upon him? Was he not nodded to by this lord and that one? Could he not handle a sword with almost any man?” said Charley, and many others. “And was it not a ‘great thing,’ therefore, to be known to, and to be hand and glove with such a person when I am only a chief clerk in the India House, and nought to depend upon but my own advancement and old Sir Richard’s generosity?” ”

“ I will kill two birds with one stone. I hate these two Warbecks, both Charley and Ned. I detest the very name of Ned,” said he, writhing with his wound. “I know how it shall be done; I will get Charley disgraced, and then old Sir Richard will disown him. Aye, that’s it.”
Thus the villain thought; and yet, as he bade Charley good-night, Redgill smiled, and shook him by the hand as cordially as if he were the truest and best friend in the world.
[Pg 55]
“How innocent he is,” thought Phillip, when left alone, “and how handsome, too! Well, never mind; I care not who suffers so I do not. ”

“ I took you for a gentleman—a man—but I am deceived—you are a scoundrel. Let me go—unhand me, I say, once for all, or I’ll shame you before all the world—I’ll raise the whole mansion with my cries.”
“’Tis useless to struggle, angelic being,” was the impassioned answer; “your beauty has entranced my very soul. Come, let us fly hence; all wealth, honour, and adulation shall be thine.”
“Help, help, help!” was the female’s feeble cry.
At that time a struggle was heard going on in the room.
At that moment Captain Jack, lantern and sword in hand, dashed the door open and entered. ”

“ Having spent most of his money, except what he had paid to Captain Jack, he visited Charles Warbeck in prison, and condoled with him in an off-handed manner, and at the same time mentally chuckling at his own superior tact, and cursing Charley’s simplicity, or, as he termed it, his “stupidity.”
“Why couldn’t he have kept it to himself; he could never be found out, the fool? Conscience be hanged! Whoever heard of such a thing in these days? Well, I’m all right, that’s all I care about, let every one look after themselves; a rogue is honest till found out. ”

“ With a laugh, loud and mocking, they seized Tim by his arms, and would have borne him away.
Tim, almost in a jelly with fear, wriggled and writhed like an eel.
The skeletons swung Tim to and fro for a second [Pg 34] or two, and then threw him with great violence into a corner near the coal cellar, and there he lay very humbly and meekly, and did not dare stir an inch.
“Are such the men, young Warbeck,” said the two skeletons, “you would gather round ye to slaughter the Death-wing’s band?”
“No, foul fiends,” said Ned, rising and brandishing his sword, “such are not the men; but here are two. ”

“ We should have to fight hard, that’s all.”
“That’s all, eh?” thought Tim; “but that’s a little more than I should care about.”
“Why, a fight once in a while is the life and soul of a bold smuggler. You have no notion how it gives one an appetite.”
“I should think that a ten-pound cannon shot in one’s stomach would be a trifle more than even a smuggler could digest,” said Tim; “but, as you very wisely remarked once before, there’s no telling when one gets used to it.”
“Just so, my brave lad,” said the smuggler chief, laughing. ”

“ 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; I don’t see anything very strange.”
“No, sir; but I do. Look! look! see the red eyes are rolling about. I told 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. ”

“ In rage and disappointment he growled, “This brat must have a charmed life; on to him, men, on to him, cut him limb from limb!”
With a shout of defiance Wildfire Ned met the onslaught of more of the Skeleton Crew.
But he handled his sword with such quickness and precision that he gallantly beat them back.
The tide of battle ebbed and flowed.
Success for a moment attended the Skeleton Crew, and they drove the sailors to the wall.
In an instant, however, and as if by magic, Wildfire Ned dashed again to the front.
“They are beaten!” he cried; “they give ground! Down with the demons! ”

“ The dead body was that of poor Andrew, her old and faithful lover, who had been brutally slain out of revenge by Colonel Blood’s spy.
She was led away from the spot in a swooning condition by two men.
“Do not go with them—do not trust yourself with those two ruffians,” said a haggard-looking old woman who now came upon the scene.
“Hold thy tongue, Hannah,” said the gipsy chief, with an oath.
“I will not, I cannot!” said the old woman; “you mean the girl no good; you have evil in your eye. Miss Harmer, Miss Harmer, do not go with them through Darlington Woods. ”

“ CHAPTER XLVII. THE OATH—NED WARBECK IS ARRESTED FOR MURDER.
When Captain Jack had run himself out of breath, and had come to a dead standstill from sheer exhaustion, he leaned against a lamp-post, and, puffing and blowing, began to think what he had better do.
“What the devil must I do?” he mused. “I know not which way to go, or what to be up to. If I attempt to rob Colonel Blood to get money, the chances are ten to one I shall get a pistol ball in my head, or a sword through my side. If I do not get the money, why, then, those grim devils will skin me alive. ”

“ Could you not, in some manner, fasten Farmer Bertram’s murder upon Ned Warbeck?”
“It is possible, but—
“No ‘buts’ with us—you must do one thing or the other. You must die here, where you now stand, or take a most solemn oath to arrest Ned Warbeck, and charge him with murder.”
“But where are the witnesses to carry out the charge of murder?”
“You can do that easily enough. Once he is in prison, there will be no difficulty in bringing up men to swear to anything we ask of them. Some of your own band, Captain Jack, could do that.” ”