DESTRUCTION OF THE SKELETON CREW BY YOUNG LORD WARBECK.
“Well,” said Ned Warbeck, when he had left the condemned cell, in
which he had had his interview with Captain Jack and old Bates.
“Well,” said he, in astonishment, “wonders never cease.”
“Just to fancy,” said Garnet, “that these scoundrels, with the advice
and consent of Phillip Redgill, should for years past have been
seeking your disgrace and destruction.”
“True,” said Ned Warbeck; “but evil designs and curses, like
chickens, come home to roost. What they intended and wished might
fall upon myself and Charley have overtaken themselves.”
“But Death-wing is not yet captured, Ned,” said Garnet; “it would
be an excellent finish to all our adventures to arouse the London
Apprentices, at least, a select hand of them, and utterly destroy
Death-wing and all that remains of his band.”
“I intend to do so,” said Ned, “and to-night shall see the
accomplishment of that design.”
During the day, Ned Warbeck, Garnet, Bob Bertram and Tim, were
continually on horseback, riding hither and thither, consulting with
some of the bravest and choicest spirits among the Apprentices, and
towards night all preparations were completed.
Select detachments of the young Apprentices, under the guidance of
well-known leaders, assembled at the halls of their several guilds,
all armed, and eager for the fray.
The butcher boys with long knives, cleavers, choppers, and ponderous
axes, were ready, and marshalled in fours ready to march at the given
time.
The blacksmiths’ apprentices, with sledge hammers, crowbars, and
other ponderous weapons, were assembled at another place.
The sword makers, cutlers, and others, with all manner of implements
of war, sharp and bright, had gathered together.
Five detachments, from no less than six trades, were under arms; but
none of them, save their chosen leaders, knew on what errand they
were bound.
“Who is to lead us?” some of them whispered.
“Wildfire Ned,” was the answer, given in a suppressed tone of voice.
When this fact became known that Ned Warbeck was to be the
commander-in-chief on this secret expedition, all rejoiced, for Ned’s
name acted like a charm on the youth of London, who had long heard
his name coupled with deeds of daring.
So secretly had the expedition been organized that but few of the
good old tradesmen of the town had any notion of what was on foot.
Hence during the night, that is to say, from eight o’clock until
eleven, was unusually quiet in the principal streets, and the night
watch went their rounds with staff and lantern, calling the hour
in croaking voices, but innocent of the great commotion which was
shortly to take place.
Carriers and messengers were galloping hither and thither from Ned
Warbeck to the leaders of the valiant Apprentices, giving his final
instructions and orders.
Chief of these messengers was Tiny Tim.
He did not like fighting much, but as message carrying was not very
dangerous work, and as he was passionately fond of riding good
horses, he galloped here and there in great glee, and assuming all
the airs of a commander-in-chief, that is to say, where he was not
known.
Ned Warbeck, however, had been the busiest of all.
During the day he had sent out trusty scouts to ascertain the precise
locality in which Death-wing and his infamous gang were secreted.
All manner of reports were brought back to him, but so contradictory
that he knew not which nor what to believe.
At last, when night had fairly set in, he went forth himself,
accompanied by Bob Bertram and Garnet, and by superior intelligence
and tact he soon discovered where Death-wing and his gang were
hiding, and laid his plans accordingly.
Death-wing indeed was not without information of what was intended by
Ned Warbeck, for he also had scouts out, who speedily informed him of
the intended attack; but none of them knew when it was to take place,
or the number and class of persons who were to take part in it.
Since his defeat and disgrace at the Block-house the leader of the
Skeleton Crew had been recruiting his forces.
He sent messengers to different parts calling in scattered parties of
the crew who were out on their usual depredations.
So that on the night in question Death-wing had a large number of
followers around him, each and all of whom swore to perish rather
than allow Ned Warbeck, that hated name, to triumph over them.
One of the skeleton spies had fast returned to Death-wing with the
latest information he was able to procure when all the Skeleton Crew
sat down to a splendid repast, and drank wine more extravagantly
than ever.
“If this is to be our last night let it be a merry one,” said
Death-wing.
“Bravo!” shouted fifty voices.
“I understand that Captain Jack, old Bates, and all his lot were
gibbeted to day,” said one.
“No doubt of it; I heard the bells tolling.”
“And I,” said a third, “saw crowds of people following the carts.”
“It was a tremendous gathering, I hear,” said Death-wing; “such a
sight as London never saw before.”
“I passed under several of the gibbets to-night,” said one of the
scouts, “and the night-birds and vultures were very busy with the
bodies already. Colonel Blood kept his word with them.”
“Serve them right,” said Death-wing; “they were always cunning,
tricky knaves, every one of them, and our enemies. Has any one heard
of Phillip Redgill?” said Death-wing.
“Yes,” one replied; “he is still in the madhouse.”
“I know that; but is he better?”
“I did not hear.”
“Perhaps he will recover, and, when I am gone,” said Death-wing, “he
will lead the Crew as I have done.”
“Never,” said a sepulchral voice near him.
It was the ghost of Phillip Redgill!
All the Crew started to their feet as they saw this ghastly
apparition, all gory and horrible.
“Never!” said a voice.
“Dead!” said Death-wing, dropping a goblet of wine from his hand.
“Dead! Yes; for ever dead!” said the apparition, as it stalked
through the apartment. “Dead! for ever dead!” it said, and vanished.
Death-wing and his followers had scarcely seated themselves once more
when they were again startled out of their propriety by the entrance
of a tall stranger, robed in a black cloak from head to foot.
“Who and what art thou?” said Death-wing, with drawn sword.
“The Red Man of the Gibbet!” said the stranger, dropping the disguise
from off his shoulders.
Every one rose.
“What wouldst thou with us, worthy chief?” said Death-wing. “You
never come without bad tidings. What would you have us do?”
“Prepare for death!” was the solemn answer; “your hour has come!
This is the last time I can ever quit my iron cage and prison house.
No more can I walk abroad at certain times, to aid, to guide, and
protect you; the spell is broken. Phillip Redgill has ceased to live,
and all is over. Farewell, farewell! Ned Warbeck triumphs.”
Thus he spoke, and disappeared.
“Ned Warbeck triumph! never!” said Death-wing, with an oath.
“Never!” shouted all assembled, brandishing swords, daggers, guns,
pikes, and all sorts of deadly weapons.
“Let our bones be ground down to powder ere the hated house of
Warbeck shall triumph! Victory or death!” said Death-wing. “Comrades,
swear!”
Each and all raised a goblet, filled to the brim, and swore, “For
victory or death!”
At that moment, however, and as if by magic, all assembled dropped
their goblets, and started from their seats.
A loud shout outside rent the air.
“It is Warbeck and his followers; to arms, men, to arms,” said
Death-wing; “spare no living soul; each of you seek out Ned Warbeck,
for if he falls we shall triumph.”
* * * * *
It must be explained that after making all preparations, Ned Warbeck
had issued orders that as the church clocks chimed half-past eleven
o’clock all the detachments of London Apprentices should march
towards Smithfield, and there join Lieutenant Garnet and Bob Bertram,
each of whom had a company of stalwart fellows under his command.
This they did, and in great order, silently marching in military time
and step, without disturbing the sleeping inhabitants.
They all arrived before midnight, and were marshalled by Ned Warbeck
himself.
When twelve o’clock tolled from old St. Paul’s the order to march was
given, and by various routes, guided and commanded by Ned, Garnet,
and Bob, they took up various positions within a stone’s throw of
Death-wing’s stronghold and rendezvous near the river.
Having done this, and then cut off all hope of retreat for the
Skeleton Crew, Ned Warbeck advanced with twenty youths, and examined
all the strong points of Death-wing’s retreat.
“Who comes there?” asked one of the Skeleton Crew, who was on guard.
“Ned Warbeck and his merry men,” said Bob Bertram.
“Three cheers for Ned Warbeck, and death to the Skeleton Crew!”
shouted the brave apprentice youths.
The three cheers were given with great heartiness, and these were
sounds which startled Death-wing in his banquet-hall.
A moment before all was quietness, and silent as the grave.
But now commenced a scene that baffles all description.
One company, under Garnet, advanced from the river side.
A second, under Bob Bertram, marched towards the north side of the
rendezvous.
A third attacked the left side with great fury, led on by the chief
of the London Apprentices.
And the fourth and last, commanded by Ned Warbeck in person, assailed
the front.
In all directions shouts and cheers and yells were heard.
Sledge hammers, crowbars, guns, pistols, swords, and pikes were
making a discordant din.
Dogs barked, people rushed from their beds in terror, and ran
affrighted through the streets.
Night watchmen bellowed and bawled, and sprung their rattles.
All the river side was in dire affright and commotion.
“’Tis young Ned Warbeck and the Skeleton Crew,” shouted old men and
women, in alarm.
“Let us fly—let us fly! we shall all be murdered!”
“Call the night-watch!”
“Go and call out the king’s guard!”
“Murder! thieves! Help, help!”
“Rouse up, good citizens, rouse up, the whole river side is running
with human blood!”
These and such like were the cries, now heard on every side; while,
on the other hand, nothing but cheers were heard from the bold
Apprentices and their leaders, as they gallantly assailed Death-wing
and his crew from front, flanks, and rear.
It was a most terrible battle, and lasted long.
For Death-wing had an immense quantity of fire-arms, already loaded
and at hand, fit for instant use.
This being the case, he and his followers fired quick and deadly
volleys into the ranks of the gallant youths, and knocked over very
many.
The sight of their bleeding companions only served to nerve the
gallant Apprentices, and instil new courage.
Some of them got ladders, and clambered in through the barricaded
windows, axes and hatchets in hand, cutting down all and every
obstruction before them.
The blacksmiths battered in all the doors and bolts and bars.
Once they had got possession of the doors and passages the scene was
most fearful.
Some of the crew attempted to jump out of the windows, but in doing
so they were caught on the spear and pike-heads of those below.
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.
“Fire the magazine!” said he. “Let us blow up the rendezvous and all
in it; better that than defeat and torture at Ned Warbeck’s hands.”
But this could not be done.
Garnet had fought his way to the magazine, and drowned it with water.
“No, no,” thought the gallant sailor, “I know their tricks before
to-day; but they are not going to blow up all my brave lads in that
way. They must fight; every man-jack of them shall perish with the
sword, and their skulls and limbs shall decorate Temple Bar and
London Bridge.”
Foiled in all his efforts, surrounded on every side, and with the
building burning in half a dozen places, the Skeleton chief held a
hasty council of war.
Unexpected, they sallied forth, fifty grim Skeletons, led on by
Death-wing.
With loud shouts and oaths, they assailed Ned Warbeck’s little band.
Ned himself singled out Death-wing, and a terrible battle took place
between them.
Thrice did Ned Warbeck stab the grim leader, and his life blood was
ebbing fast.
But thrice did he refuse to surrender.
He endeavoured to retreat and shun the combat, and had almost
succeeded in doing so, when, with the quickness of thought, Ned
Warbeck rushed at him, and, after one moment of exciting cutting and
thrusting, Ned Warbeck seized Death-wing’s battle flag, and ran the
chieftain through and through the heart.
This desperate hand to hand combat was witnessed both by friends and
foes, and loud shouts rewarded Ned Warbeck as he waved the banner of
the Skeleton Crew high in triumph.
After this episode the battle did not last more than ten minutes.
Every one of the Skeleton Crew were slaughtered, and their bleeding
mangled bodies strewed the ground, while the rendezvous itself was
committed to the flames amidst the applause and frantic cheering
of thousands, who had now run to witness the dreadful conflict,
and Ned Warbeck, Garnet, Bob Bertram, and the chief of the London
Apprentices, were carried through the streets in triumph, with links
and torches, and music, and uproarious applause.
The cheers of assembled thousands greeted him as they carried him to
old Sir Richard Warbeck’s mansion; and as his brother Charley and
his wife, old Dame Worthington, and others, joyfully welcomed his
return, old Sir Richard Warbeck took him by the hand before the whole
multitude, and said aloud, “Welcome, Ned, to your ancestor’s home.
I am no longer the owner of the estates; here is the royal warrant,
read it. Wildfire Ned is now Lord Edward Warbeck, of Darlington Hall,
and I simply the faithful steward of his fortunes.”
* * * * *
Our story is now soon brought to a close.
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.
Lieutenant Garnet followed the sea for many years, but afterwards
distinguished himself so greatly in many ways, that he became one of
the Lords of the Admiralty.
Bob Bertram returned to his native village and was honoured and
respected by all who knew him.
He succeeded to several very large farms which his father had rented
of Sir Richard Warbeck, for Ned, now Lord Warbeck, insisted upon his
accepting them.
Bob, and the old miller Harmer, were great companions, and many a
night in the village inn would they recount their strange adventures,
and of the various villanies of the famous Colonel Blood.
Colonel Blood, for many years hung around the royal court; but how it
was the King could countenance such a rascal, history itself has been
unable to explain. Suffice it to say that after a career of roguery,
he was seized and cast into prison, charged with plotting against the
Duke of Buckingham, and soon afterwards died of a broken heart, or,
as some said, from want of sleep caused by terrible remorse for all
his crimes.
Old Sir Richard lived to a good old age, as did also good dame
Worthington, and Charley Warbeck, who, in the company of Clara,
seemed to be the happiest of men; and oftentimes at Christmas, when
all were assembled round the festive board, to which Tim and Bob
Bertram were always invited, Sir Richard used to shout out merrily,
“Fill your goblets high, my boys, let me propose the great toast of
the evening.”
“Hurrah,” shouted Tim in great glee.
“Bravo, Sir Richard,” Bob would say.
“And the toast, ladies and gentlemen, which I hope we may all live
long to give is this,—
“Success, long life, and all honour to Wildfire Ned who exterminated
the Skeleton Crew.”
THE END.
Transcriber’s Notes
pg 7 Changed: bloodthirsty pirates and buccanneers
to: bloodthirsty pirates and buccaneers
pg 7 Changed: infested the neigbouring seas
to: infested the neighbouring seas
pg 8 Changed: I well tell you
to: I will tell you
pg 15 Changed: In an intant, however, and as if by magic
to: In an instant, however, and as if by magic
pg 20 Changed: Sir George to Sir Richard (3 times).
pg 22 Changed: various beverages washed the prog down
to: various beverages washed the grog down
pg 22 Changed: watches, snuff-boxes, the diamond bilts
to: watches, snuff-boxes, the diamond hilts
pg 30 Changed: The sight they then beheld was appaling
to: The sight they then beheld was appalling
pg 30 Changed: One of the dancers had a tambarine
to: One of the dancers had a tambourine
pg 33 Changed: Wildfire Ned with a long, stedfast gaze
to: Wildfire Ned with a long, steadfast gaze
pg 37 Changed: out pounces a score of villians
to: out pounces a score of villains
pg 38 Changed: I fear yon not, you cannot bite any one
to: I fear you not, you cannot bite any one
pg 39 Changed: But it seemed as if to no pupose
to: But it seemed as if to no purpose
pg 39 Changed: said Ned, never for a moment loosing
to: said Ned, never for a moment losing
pg 40 Changed: Ned sought out Death-wing, but not where could
to: Ned sought out Death-wing, but nowhere could
pg 40 Changed: seen at one moment he disappoared
to: seen at one moment he disappeared
pg 43 Changed: all in a blaze of lured light
to: all in a blaze of lurid light
pg 44 Changed: unable to stir, riggling and writhing
to: unable to stir, wriggling and writhing
pg 45 Changed: was to form the acquaintence
to: was to form the acquaintance
pg 46 Changed: and the yound villain cried for mercy
to: and the young villain cried for mercy
pg 47 Changed: in the direction were Phillip sat
to: in the direction where Phillip sat
pg 55 Changed: couldn’t have been a better fac simile
to: couldn’t have been a better facsimile
pg 56 Changed: bottle in the cupboard which lodgers marked ‘pison’
to: bottle in the cupboard which lodgers marked ‘poison’
pg 61 Changed: Death-wing and his grissly band
to: Death-wing and his grisly band
pg 63 Changed: swing and loose the four hundred
to: swing and lose the four hundred
pg 64 Changed: justice was fairly meeted out
to: justice was fairly meted out
pg 64 Changed: ease and luxurance of a palace
to: ease and luxuriance of a palace
pg 68 Changed: you’ll be be my father-in-law soon
to: you’ll be my father-in-law soon
pg 70 Changed: who gratified his audienee
to: who gratified his audience
pg 74 Changed: Clara Haylark was Dame Worthington’s chief comfortor
to: Clara Haylark was Dame Worthington’s chief comforter
pg 79 Changed: I don’t know all about your seheme
to: I don’t know all about your scheme
pg 81 Changed: She had committed a grevious theft
to: She had committed a grievous theft
pg 82 Changed: under the secret anspices of her mother
to: under the secret auspices of her mother
pg 82 Changed: was never reen ahere more
to: was never seen here more
pg 83 Changed: the evening passed extremly cheerful
to: the evening passed extremely cheerful
pg 86 Changed: bullied and harrassed the servants
to: bullied and harassed the servants
pg 86 Changed: How he maintined himself
to: How he maintained himself
pg 91 Changed: her imagination was uncontrolable
to: her imagination was uncontrollable
pg 94 Changed: one hundred points in in the rear
to: one hundred points in the rear
pg 96 Changed: as Homer wery nicely remarks
to: as Homer very nicely remarks
pg 99 Changed: plainly saw by the die
to: plainly saw by the dye
pg 107 Changed: He attemped to descend the horse-block
to: He attempted to descend the horse-block
pg 109 Changed: friends never waited for invitions
to: friends never waited for invitations
pg 112 Changed: You will be botter
to: You will be better
pg 112 Changed: Nonsence, Edward; you know she has
to: Nonsense, Edward; you know she has
pg 112 Changed: he had occasion for never forgeting
to: he had occasion for never forgetting
pg 113 Changed: few who are greater favouites
to: few who are greater favourites
pg 114 Changed: Lord Stoner’s manison was but a short distance
to: Lord Stoner’s mansion was but a short distance
pg 114 Changed: the purfume of flowers
to: the perfume of flowers
pg 114 Changed: While gaity reigned at Lord Stoner’s
to: While gaiety reigned at Lord Stoner’s
pg 115 Changed: no blood bespattered him, and cooly
to: no blood bespattered him, and coolly
pg 115 Changed: fetch my instruments, and galop
to: fetch my instruments, and gallop
pg 119 Changed: awoke in a maudling state
to: awoke in a maudlin state
pg 122 Changed: every morning with cheerfullness
to: every morning with cheerfulness
pg 122 Changed: and curse everything and everbody
to: and curse everything and everybody
pg 125 Changed: altered his mind again for the hundreth time
to: altered his mind again for the hundredth time
pg 130 Changed: Redgill exchauged with Bob
to: Redgill exchanged with Bob
pg 135 Changed: your own band, Castain Jack
to: your own band, Captain Jack
pg 139 Changed: sounded like that of a female in distresss
to: sounded like that of a female in distress
pg 147 Changed: men who proferred exile to death
to: men who preferred exile to death
pg 148 Changed: He was amusing, and the Merry Audrew
to: He was amusing, and the Merry Andrew
pg 154 Changed: even relationship caunot warrant
to: even relationship cannot warrant
pg 158 Changed: looking at his kneeling bother
to: looking at his kneeling brother
pg 160 Changed: He pursuaded me to wed yon whited falsehood
to: He persuaded me to wed yon whited falsehood
pg 161 Changed: True, said the grissly visitor
to: True, said the grisly visitor
pg 161 Changed: a slight as air
to: as light as air
pg 164 Changed: said Tim, pompuously
to: said Tim, pompously
pg 168 Changed: Do you sea this ring
to: Do you see this ring
pg 172 Changed: His four confederates noiselessy entered
to: His four confederates noiselessly entered
pg 172 Changed: into my breakfafast parlor
to: into my breakfast parlor
pg 178 Changed: if indeed you allude to any on at all
to: if indeed you allude to any one at all
pg 184: Changed: he hoped she was not in earneet
to: he hoped she was not in earnest
pg 184 Changed: spoke loudly againt the knavery
to: spoke loudly against the knavery
pg 184 Changed: So as to screen Phillip Redill
to: So as to screen Phillip Redgill
pg 184 Changed: great suprise at the coolness of Jack
to: great surprise at the coolness of Jack
pg 188 Changed: Lords of the Admiratly.
to: Lords of the Admiralty.
Punctuation has been normalized throughout the book.
Chapter heading numbers have been corrected.