CHAPTER LI.
THE SKELETON CREW HOLD A MERRY MEETING—ADVENTURES OF THE GANG—DEATH-WING NARRATES HIS EXPERIENCE IN FRANCE, AND OF HIS ESCAPE FROM GAOL WHEN UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH.
THE SKELETON CREW HOLD A MERRY MEETING—ADVENTURES OF THE GANG—DEATH-WING NARRATES HIS EXPERIENCE IN FRANCE, AND OF HIS ESCAPE FROM GAOL WHEN UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH.
When the spies of the Skeleton Crew had told their tales, Death-wing much commended them for the prudence and caution with which they had proceeded in all they had done.
“We will not stir out to-night,” said Death-wing, “there are too many on foot for us to do any business comfortably and quietly; besides, you know, comrades, Col. Blood will never be able to discover the hiding-place of the Dozen. When, therefore, this little affair has blown over and got cold by to-morrow night, we will give Captain Jack and his friends a call at their snug hiding-place, and secure everything.”
“Bravo!” resounded on all sides.
“To-morrow night, then, we will have ample revenge on the Dozen,” said Death-wing, “and punish the arch traitor Captain Jack as he deserves to be.”
“What do you propose, Captain Death-wing?” asked Phillip Redgill.
“I propose to-night to have a carouse, my lad, in honour of your joining our band.”
“Bravo!”
“Excellent!”
“Bring out the wine, boys, and let us enjoy ourselves to-night, for perhaps in less than twenty-four hours more than one of us will be laid low.”
“No fear of that, captain.”
“I don’t know about that,” said Death-wing, “something strikes me that it will prove a desperate fight between us and old Bates’s men, for he may turn tail and get the king’s troops to assist him. Never mind, bring out the wine, and let us enjoy ourselves.”
In a few moments the Skeleton Crew brought out a great number of bottles and glasses, and, sitting round the immense dining table, began to enjoy themselves in great glee.
“Now,” said Death-wing, “as our new companion here, Phillip Redgill, hasn’t any clear notion of what he will have to do among us, let each of you advance and detail all you have done of late, either by my orders, or according to your own whims, that will give our novice a better idea than all the instructions in the world. Advance in order,” said Death-wing, “and stand at my right hand, so that all may hear and see.”
As he spoke one of the crew advanced, and said, “I threw off my disguise and went to Barnet fair, where I fell in with two of Captain Jack’s band.”
“It is against our rules to ‘work’ with any other band; but go on, let us hear,” said Death-wing.
“We went to a farm-house, and stripped it of everything, and got clear away without being detected.”
“Very good! cleverly done. What then?”
“We were about to divide the spoil, but I drugged their wine and ran off with all the booty.”
“Capital! it serves Captain Jack’s men right. What did the plunder consist of?”
“Silver and gold coin, plate, fine linen, and such like. I brought it all safe away; it is here, stowed in the rendezvous.”
“Is that all?”
“It is.”
“You may sit down. And now for the next,” said Death-wing, pointing to a huge fellow, who now advanced to give an account of his doings. “What have you accomplished?”
“I have had a strange adventure, Captain Death-wing,” was the gruff reply.
“With whom?”
“With a party of noble ladies and gentlemen.”
“Indeed, ’tis seldom you trouble them much. But how did it happen?”
“There was a wedding party down in the country, and I heard that the father of the bride was going to give her a large sum of money as a dowry.”
“Who was the father?”
“A very wealthy old farmer.”
“Well, and how did you manage it?”
“The night before the wedding I took with me many of the crew in order to make sure of the prize.
“We soon reached the farm, and hid under the walls of the garden and orchard.
“It was ten o’clock, and the night was cold and dark.
“As we intended to have a fine feast in the woods after our little job of robbery, one of my comrades here got over the wall and crept into the hen-house, and in less than five minutes he passed over to us no less than a dozen chickens, lots of eggs, and, besides all that, strangled two dozen of ducks, and threw them over also.
“One of our party secured all these things, and concealed them in a neighbouring wood until such time as we had performed all we intended to do at the farm-house.
“One hour passed after another, and still we remained concealed under and behind the orchard wall.
“As the village clock struck ten, we clambered over, and the first thing we did was to approach the watch dogs as best we could, and kill them on the spot.
“This difficult little bit of business was accomplished, and all things promised success.
“We next got in at the old parlour window, and began operations.
“While so engaged, the old farmer awoke, and came down stairs, gun in hand.
“We heard him approaching, and remained as silent as mice.
“‘Who is there?’ he asked.
“We made no answer.
“‘Who is there?’ he again said, in a determined tone.
“But we all remained perfectly still, and stirred not an inch.
“He fired both barrels of his gun.
“But he missed his aim, and the next moment he found himself gagged and bound both hand and foot.
“The noise of the report, however, had thoroughly aroused all his servants, and now begin a horrible scene.
“Any one but members of the Skeleton Crew would have fled before such impending danger.
“But not so with us.
“In a few moments we prepared for the farmer’s servants, and beat them back.
“Indeed, after a few moments of fighting all was over with them, for, seeing our skeleton attire, they fled in the utmost consternation.
“Their shouts and cries were awful.
“We did not lose much time, but ransacked the house of everything valuable, placed the articles in a light cart, and drove away.”
“Did you get the old man’s money?”
“Yes, every farthing. There were five large bags of gold discovered in an old oak chest, which I have every reason to believe was intended for his daughter’s dowry.
“But the adventure did not end here.”
“What, then, happened?” asked Death-wing.
“We went into the forest, and hid part of our treasure until such time as we could convey it away more conveniently.
“We lighted our fires in a deep hollow of the ground, and cooked the ducks and chickens, which, together with plenty of wine we had also stolen, made up a first-rate supper.”
“So I should think.”
“This is some of the very wine you are now drinking,” said the speaker to his chief.
“Very good stuff it is,” said Death-wing, quaffing off a bumper, and smacking his lips. “Very good stuff it is; but it has one great fault—there is not enough of it. We must pay the farmer another visit, I think, shortly. Go on with your story.”
“During the night, while we were drinking and smoking, and enjoying ourselves in the forest, never thinking that any one had observed us, or knew anything of what we had done, a gipsy woman crept up to me, and before I was aware of it, said,
“‘The officers are on your track.’
“‘How do you know it?’ I answered.
“‘I have just come from the farm, and all is in an uproar. They have got all the county officers there, and are preparing to follow you.’
“I laughed at this, for I knew they could never find out where we had got to.
“However, I listened to the gipsy, and gave her some refreshment, and she became very chatty.
“She seemed to know all about our doings, and said if she had a mind to do so she could find out you, Captain Death-wing, any day she liked.”
“Indeed; she must be very clever, then.”
“At all events that is what she said, and remarked that more than once she has seen rewards offered for you, but would never divulge who, what, nor where you were.”
“A capital woman, and what was her name?”
“Hannah!”
“I know her,” said Death-wing, “but will not speak of her now. We have had business together more than once; she is a living repository of secrets. Go on.”
“She told me that the farmer’s daughter was coming from London, and that she possessed presents of immense value which her intended lordly husband had given her as bridal presents.”
“‘Is she coming alone?’ I asked.
“‘No,’ was the reply; ‘but it is very easy toattack the escort and secure her; in fact, I have received orders from Lord Rochfort to do so.’
“‘You?’ I asked.
“‘Yes, me,’ she proudly answered; ‘I have a numerous band at my command, and can do anything in that way.’”
“‘And why does Lord Rochfort wish to have her captured?’
“‘Because her beauty has enslaved his elder brother, whom he does not desire to marry, for if his brother dies without issue Lord Rochfort succeeds to his vast estates.’
“‘But have you told him that you can or will do this?’
“‘No,’ she replied, ‘not positively; she may be escorted by a powerful party of well-mounted, well-armed men.’
“‘No matter,’ said I, ‘if she is rich in jewels and diamonds, as you say, leave the matter in our hands, and I warrant we will not only secure the girl, but create no noise or bother about it.’
“‘But how?’
“‘Leave that matter to me,’ I replied.
“For some time she would not consent; but when I had pledged the honour of the crew that no harm should befall the wench she consented, and departed, after telling me the exact time at which the intended bride was expected to pass by that particular part of the road.
“As soon as Hannah had departed I and my comrades started out to have a look at the road.
“Now, not far from the forest wherein we were concealed, there were cross roads with finger posts.
“I hit upon my plan immediately.”
“And what was it?” Death-wing asked.
“Why, to change the finger posts, and thus send them in the wrong direction.”
“A capital plan,” said Death-wing.
“And did it succeed?” asked several.
“Yes, as I will explain shortly.”
“Early in the morning we got spades and loosened the finger posts, so as to be able to change them in a few moments.
“We waited for hours, but no carriages appeared.
“At last, a long way off, we espied two vehicles approaching.
“But one was about half a mile ahead of the other.
“The first one contained the intended bride, the farmer’s beautiful daughter, and a female attendant.
“In the second rode Lord Rochfort’s brother, and a few friends.
“Now, I had sent up the road for two of my men whose business it was in some way to stop or retard the progress of the second coach.
“This they managed to do, and very cleverly indeed.”
“How?” asked many.
“When the bride’s coach approached the cross roads we changed the finger boards.
“The driver followed their painted directions, and instead of going by the main read turned short into the forest carriage way.
“Before the mistake could be rectified, I had the gates closed after them, and thus they could not return.
“Meanwhile, however, those whom I had posted up the road had suddenly thrown a lasso round the horses’ legs, and down they tumbled carriages and all.
“My comrades then, before the nobleman inside could get out of the half-smashed carriage, jumped into the middle of the road, cut the traces, and vaulting on the backs of the horses galloped away, leaving the travellers in the mud, cursing and swearing most lustily.
“They dashed down the road and soon joined me, for I was at that moment engaged with the hinder carriage.
“When I ran up to the coachman and threatened to blow his brains out if he stirred, he began to tremble like an ass, much more so, indeed, than the fair one inside, who, all diamond decked, was fair and beautiful.
“Her attendant fainted as I opened the carriage door, but the other one quickly gave up to me all her trinkets and things of value.
“Having secured these, I directed the coachman to drive on along the forest carriage way, for I knew he could not go very far without falling in with Hannah’s tribe of gipsies.”
“So you secured all her property?”
“We did; but did not offer any violence to the trembling one.”
“What became of her?”
“Her coachman slowly drove onwards as I had directed him, and shortly got right into the midst of Hannah’s camp.”
“Strange to say, among the men there assembled at that moment was Lord Rochfort himself, disguised as a gipsy, and he it was who handed the bridal beauty from the carriage, while old Hannah, with outstretched hands, pointed to the girl, saying,
“Now has my prophecy come true?” (See cut in No. 17).
“But what prophecy was it?” Death-wing asked.
“Hannah told Rochfort that for a certain sum she could, by means of her magic art, cause the carriages of the bride to lose its way, and come voluntarily into her power. It was a trick on her part, but Rochfort believed it to be true, for he knew nothing of what we had done in the matter, and remains in ignorance of it up to the present moment.”
“So that is your adventure, eh?”
“It is, Captain Death-wing; we came back to the Rendezvous much richer than we went forth, and without receiving a single scar.”
“Very well done indeed,” said Death-wing, quaffing off more wine, and becoming very talkative. “Very well done indeed; but the thieves or professional gentlemen of the present day are not worth a pinch of snuff compared to what have been in my lifetime.”
“You have been in France, then, I heard you say?” observed Redgill.
“France! why of course I have; where is there a place I haven’t been to, I should like to know? I belonged to a gang there when I was young.
“It was made up of both English and French; English I mean who were obliged to leave their country for their country’s good, men who preferred exile to death.
“Well, when I was first introduced to the gang, it was in its full glory.
“We had a great many members in different parts, but the most cruel among them all was one we called the ‘Scorcher,’ and from him we were always afterwards called ‘Scorchers.’”
“This man, hardened as I am now, looked to me like a devil, and through all the years I have lived, I cannot forget the cold-blooded villany of the ‘Old Scorcher,’ who used to roast the feet of all those who would not confess where their money and valuables were. Now we are more merciful than that,” said Death-wing, laughing. “We kill ’em outright, and don’t torture; it’s much quicker and better, I think. But let me go on with my story.
“‘Look you, boys,’ said this old rascal one day, at a conference held at a place called Massette,’you scour the plain, and you work well enough sometimes. You can batter a door in, and garotte a fellow in pretty good style. But this is anybody’s work.
“‘You don’t understand the clean trick—the tender licks.
“‘When you have “quieted” a customer, you break open his chests and his cupboards expecting to find the shiners.
“‘But the yellow boys are not always kept in such places.
“‘Some shabby wretches hide their paltry money where the devil himself could not find it.
“‘You get nothing, you only lose your time, and find you have worked merely for the glory of it.
“‘That’s not the way.’
“‘Well, what would you do?’ I asked.
“‘What would I do, boys, if I had my youth again?
“‘This is what I would do,’ replied the old rat, becoming quite animated.
“‘I would do what I did more times than once when I roamed alone. Now, boys, this is the way.
“‘When a wretch will not squeak you must quietly light a wisp of straw between his legs, and if that does not loosen his tongue prick the soles of his feet with a fork, and scorch them.
“‘He must be very hardened to endure that without squeaking.
“‘If you have to do with a young married couple singe the wife in presence of her husband, or the husband in presence of his wife.
“‘It is not always that the singed one speaks first.’
“A less cruel but very important character among us was Baptiste, the surgeon.
“He was amusing, and the Merry Andrew of the gang.
“This Figaro of the treadmill handled the cups and cards as cleverly as he did the lancet and razor.
“This harmless pursuit gained him ready admittance to the farmhouses, where he bled patients for fivepence and a plateful of hashed meat.
“Every branch of industry has its brokers and warehousemen.
“In our gang the brokers were abundant.
“Among them was one Barbe, nicknamed the Cowkeeper, whose occupation was to contrive business or work for us.
“He hired himself as a labourer at farms, where he would only remain long enough to make himself acquainted with the number and character of the inmates, their habits and resources.
“He would then suddenly abscond, and carry to our head-quarters the intelligence he had picked up.
“The warehousemen or storekeepers were the receivers or fences.
“They existed in all the towns and villages within the territories of the gang.
“Some were thieves when opportunity served.
“Others contented themselves with buying stolen property, and robbing the robbers.
“The fences were almost all of them innkeepers or ‘knackers.’
“Sometimes the ‘knackers’ were also innkeepers, a fearful combination for the stomachs of their guests.
“The most notorious among the ‘knackers,’ of the gang, who had earned the right of bearing the title of his calling as a surname, was ‘The Knacker’—Peter Rosseau, the knacker, of the hamlet of Guendreville.
“In the garden of his house, which stood almost alone, was a subterranean passage, the origin of which was unknown.
“It was, however, supposed to be the secret outlet of some abbey, or feudal castle, long since destroyed.
“Near the edge of a dark, thick wood, intersected by capacious winding paths known only to the inhabitants around, this subterranean passage, a hundred feet in length, and thirty feet wide, solidly vaulted, extended unsuspected under a thick covering of earth.
The door, concealed by brambles, opened to the south, opposite the yard gate, so that it could be perceived only with great difficulty.
“Within it was fastened by a heavy iron bar let into the solid wall, and by a very strong lock, invisible on the outside.
“A staircase of sixteen steps led down into this vault.
“At the bottom was a very large chimney, which would contain a dozen persons, planned so as to facilitate the escape of those who might be surprised in the vault.
“This chimney, furnished with enormous pot-hooks, was filled with vast boilers on days devoted to great feasts.
“And its flue, large enough to allow a man to climb through, passed up into the mound of earth above, where it was concealed by thickly clustered thorns and bushes.
“Our gang had turned this subterranean vault to very profitable account.
“Here they concealed the spoils plundered from the unfortunate farmers, and their booty taken on fair days.
“Here the cries of their prisoners were drowned in the shouts of drunken madness.
“The clumsy thief, closely pursued to this spot, disappeared as by enchantment.
“It was the asylum and pandemonium of the gang, the common refuge of the weak, the staff-office of the place, and the general workshop of the “Scorchers,” as we were generally called.
“The ‘little knacker,’ Peter, concealed there, or thereabouts, what might be called the ‘unattached members’ of our gang.
“He had always the barber, surgeon Baptiste, and some tailors in readiness, by whose aid our features and costume could be quickly changed.
“There were storekeepers, also; and a sort of post-office formed part of this establishment, as complete in its organization as any social government could require.
“The two ‘fences’ at Boisseaux and Remolu, kept by the brothers Thèvenot, were ostensibly store-houses for hides and skins.
“Their tariff never varied.
“For a sheep-skin they gave sevenpence.
“For an ox or cow-hide half-a-crown.
“For a shepherd’s dog fifteen pence.
“When they had dealings with any one not belonging to the gang, they made it a rule to pay down half the price agreed upon.
“For theotherhalf the poor dupe had to wait for ever.
“However, by way of compensation, these worthies occasionally treated their customers with some highly flavoured dishes.
“They were ‘knackers,’ and this was a convenient way of disposing of the flesh of cow or horse, cooked in the vast cauldrons in the subterranean passage.
“At numerous other places ‘fences’ were established under the guise of innkeepers and other legitimate callings.
“Launay of Pithiviers amused his leisure hours by rubbing copper money with quicksilver, to make it pass for silver coin.
“One of the most useful fences to the gang was Peter Mongendre, vine-dresser and apple merchant.
“He bought the horses, oxen, cows, and sheep we stole.
“At Chartres was one Doublet, who kept an inn and eating-house.
“He had a relation in the Government offices, through whose aid he procured passports in difficult cases.
“The gang had also its own ‘fences.’
“There was Mother Tiger at Baudreville, whose house, much resorted to by the bandits, was as full of mechanical contrivances as a theatre.
“She possessed a cellar in which as many as fifteen brigands could be concealed if overtaken by the police.
“Mother Renaudin, of Apreux, was a great favourite with the gang.
“Her house was open at all hours, and she always gave the members a kind reception, whether they came with hands empty or full.
“Out of gratitude the brigands nicknamed her Goody Apreux.
“The inn itself had a most miserable, poverty-stricken appearance; but there was a well-furnished cellar, where the brigands regaled themselves jovially and in security.
“Adjoining this was a well-stocked granary, which contained enormous quantities of linen and other articles deposited there by the gang.
“There was also a strong box, employed as a savings’-bank, containing considerable sums in gold and silver, tied up in parcels, with the names of the owners written upon them.
“So far, then, you see,” Death-wing continued, “all our arrangements were of the most perfect nature, and we always felt prepared for any enterprize that might present itself.
“After being some time among this band of French and English I resolved to try my own luck, and make a big haul, and so leave the band.
“I took no one into my confidence but Baptiste, the so-called surgeon.
“‘Baptiste,’ said I, ‘you are a trusty fellow, and I have no doubt you are about as tired of these French and half English fellows as I am.’
“‘True,’ said the surgeon, ‘and if you would take my advice you would leave the band, for, although you have been working hard all the time, and are the cleverest among them all, they give you a smaller share of the plunder than any one else.’
“‘But it is no use of leaving the band,’ said I, ‘until I have got a considerable sum of money, for I want to return to England.’
“‘Well, that is right enough,’ said Baptiste, ‘and if you will be guided by me we will do a little business together, and then leave.’
“‘Agreed,’ said I,’but whom shall we rob? We must have a rich haul, wherever it comes from.’
“‘And so you shall,’ said Baptiste, ‘if you will only be guided by me.’
“I agreed to his proposal.
“‘And now,’ said Baptiste, rubbing his hands in high glee, ‘I’ll tell you who it is I intend to rob; she is immensely wealthy.’
“‘Whom?’
“‘Why the rich young widow, Donna Evelina.’
“‘What! that beautiful young Italian lady?’ I said, in surprise.
“‘Yes,’ he answered.
“‘Oh, I couldn’t think of being so cruel,’ was my reply.
“‘Nonsense,’ said Baptiste.
“‘She is an angel.’
‘Not quite,’ said Baptiste, laughing, ‘she is my wife.’
“‘Your wife,’ said I, in great surprise, ‘she is rich and noble, while you are——’
“‘A robber, you would say.’
“‘Quite so,’ I replied.
“‘That is nothing when you know all,’ said Baptiste. ‘I was always noted for my “winning ways,” as the ladies say, and am not bad-looking when I dress myself and pass off as a noble.’
“‘And what name do you go by?’ I asked, laughing.
“‘Count Ferdinand,’ said Baptiste, quite calmly.
“‘And do you mean to tell me, seriously, that you are married to the lovely and bewitching Donna Evelina?’
“‘I was never more serious in my life.’
“‘And how did it happen?’
“‘I robbed the house of her father once, and was concealed therein for three days, and could not get out again. During that time I saw a great deal of young Evelina from my hiding place, and fell desperately in love with her.’
“‘With her jewels, perhaps,’ I remarked.
“‘Just so,’ he answered, ‘and I resolved by fair means or by foul to become possessed of her.’
“‘Well, and how did you succeed?’ I asked.
“‘Unfortunately she got married a week afterwards, and I almost went distracted.’
“‘What did you do?’
“‘Why, with the money and jewels which I stole I dressed myself up, and often met her husband, Count Felix.
“‘He seemed to take a great liking to me, and, as he was rather old and ugly, I began to think it would not take much to make a fool of him.
“‘He invited me to dine with him, and I accepted, but after dinner business took him away from the festive board for an hour or so.
“‘She sang, and played the guitar divinely, and I got so warm in love that I began to whisper and throw out hints to her that her husband was unfaithful to her, and had at that moment gone forth to meet some strange flame.
“‘My words, however, instead of being listened to with pleasure, excited Evelina’s anger.
“‘I left before the count’s return.
“‘His wife told him all I had said.
“‘He left her with a smile, but with no indications of passion.
“‘She did not know or suspect whither he had gone.
“‘He sought me down by the river, where the gay world resort for an evening walk.
“‘He touched me on the shoulder, and whispered “villain, traducer,” in my ears, and touched the hilt of his sword.
“‘I knew what that meant, and followed him.
“‘We walked a long distance until we came to a small valley surrounded by high hills.
“‘No cottage was there, not a soul saw us.
“‘The moon alone was the light which gazed upon us.
“‘Draw,’ said Count Felix, with a quivering lip, ‘you or I must die!’
“‘I at first refused, and tried to get out of the duel; but he would listen to no excuses.
“‘Fight I must, and fight I did, for with all my faults,’ said Baptiste, ‘I am not a coward!
“‘Out came my trusty blade.
“‘We crossed swords.
“‘How long we fought I know not; but I shall not forget that terrible conflict for a whole lifetime.
“‘We must have been tilting at each other for fully half an hour, until at last, while he was giving a desperate lunge at me, his foot slipped, and I——I run him through the heart.
“‘He died without a groan.
“‘I took up the body and buried it with my own hands, digging a large hole in the ground as best I could with my own sword.
“‘I went home and washed myself, and walked about as if nothing had happened.
“‘For several days nothing was talked of but the sudden disappearance of Count Felix.
“‘I among the rest seemed greatly surprised, and was often asked my opinion about the matter.
“‘I told every one that my idea was that he had been visiting a strange beauty among the mountains, and very likely had fallen a victim to the revenge of some bold young mountaineer.
“‘After a diligent search for more than a month the remains were discovered by the sagacity of a favourite hound which the count had had for many, many years, who had scented it out, and unearthed the body.
“‘Every one now thought that my idea had proved too true.
“‘Even Evelina changed towards me, and believed my story.
“‘With successful robberies and roguery at dice I managed to keep up my appearance, and was not only always well attired, but had plenty of money.
“‘Through great perseverance I managed to make an impression on Donna Evelina, and often sought her hand in marriage.
“‘I was as often refused.
“‘I know not why it was, but from the first moment I came near her after Count Felix’s death, she seemed to take a greater partiality for the count’s favourite hound than before.’
“‘The one that scented out the dead body?’ I asked.
“‘Yes,’ he said, ‘and as often as I came in her presence as often would the beast try to fly at my throat.
“‘Evelina used simply to laugh at this, but she seemed to smile upon me more than ever, and after several months she consented to marry me privately.’
“‘Privately, and why so?’ I asked.
“‘I know not,’ said Baptiste; ‘but she promised to become my wife on one condition.’
“‘And what was that?’ I asked.
“‘Why, that I should never divulge the secret, or ask to live with her, or be for even half an hour alone with her until the end of twelve months.’
“‘Singular request?’ said I.
“‘Yes; but I agreed to it, and have kept my word, for she is immensely rich. But instead of this making me love her more, the conditions she imposed upon me turned my blood, and now I hate her.’
“‘When does the twelve months expire?’ I asked.
“‘This very day.’
“‘Then you will sleep there to-night?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘But has she never found out your connection with this band?’ I asked.
“‘No, nor even suspects it. Whenever I go there I always dress well, and have plenty of money, and so behave that no one would suspect me to be what I am.’
“‘And do you really intend to rob Donna Evelina, to-night?’ I asked.
“‘Yes, and you must help me. She has great wealth, and I know where it is kept.’
“‘Well, I don’t mind,’ said I, ‘since you don’t like the woman, and she has plenty of money. You are her husband, and have a right to some of it.’
“It was agreed on then between us to go to Donna Evelina’s that night.
“Baptiste and I left the band, and dressed ourselves out splendidly.
“He went up to her mansion, and knocked grandly at the door.
“It was opened by a servant in livery.
“I also got into the house, through the contrivance of Baptiste, but without any of the servants seeing me.
“Most of Evelina’s jewels were kept in a chest in the blue bed-chamber.
“I tried to discover it, but the mansion was so large I could not find it for a long time.
“At last I found it, and was about to search for the chest, when I heard footsteps upon the stairs.
“I hid myself in a closet.
“Two footmen led in Baptiste, who was half drunk.
“He was laughing and hiccupping and singing by turns.
“He threw himself upon the bed, and the servants retired.
“I intended to get out of the closet and wake him, but at that instant I heard a deep growl, and remained where I was.
“Through cracks in the closet I saw the chamber door open.
“There stood Donna Evelina, looking beautiful and grand, but deathly pale, and she was attired from head to foot in black velvet robes.
“In the left hand she held a chamber lamp.
“By the right hand she held a fierce-looking hound firmly by the collar.
“The dog’s eyes seemed to be like two balls of fire, as he writhed and tried to get away from her firm hold.
“Still Baptiste snored away loudly.
“With a curl on her lip Donna Evelina said, in a half whisper,
“‘Married, are we, eh? Yes, a mock marriage it was, by one who, for money, played the part of a priest. No more! And this is the nuptial night, eh? Sleeping fool! ha, ha!’
“These few words were spoken in such terrible tones of quiet anger that I began to fear for poor Baptiste.
“‘Thy marriage-bed shall be thy death-bed also,’ said she.
“And she loosed the hound!
“With a bound he darted towards the closet in which I was concealed.
“He growled and sniffed, as if in warning.
“As if by some supernatural instinct, the animal then leaped wildly on the bed.
“A heavy groan was all I heard.
“Baptiste was murdered!
“With one fierce bite the animal had severed his wind-pipe, as clean as if it had been done with a knife!
“The pure white sheets were quickly dyed in blood.
“With a loud laugh of triumph, Donna Evelina left the room, saying,
“‘Count Felix, thou art avenged!’
“I thought of escaping from my place of confinement, but I dared not do so.
“The hound lay before the door, and I could seehis white fangs glistening in the light through his gory jaws, as with fiery eyes he kept watch before the closet.
“In less than half an hour every bell in the house began to ring violently.
“The servants began to run to and fro in search of their mistress.
“At last they all rushed into the chamber, lights in hand.
“As they saw the ghastly sight before them they recoiled in horror.
“‘Where is the murderer?’ they shouted.
“The hound gave a fierce growl, and sniffed at the door.
“‘He is here! he is here!’
“‘In the closet he is hiding.’
“‘Hold the hound while we see,’ said many.
“Two powerful men seized the dog, and held him by the throat.
“A third and fourth footman, sword in hand, opened the door.
“I was discovered.
“With a fearful growl, the hound tried to burst away from those who held him, but could not.
“In a second I was seized by several retainers, who with swords pointed at my breast, led me away to prison.
“I was cast into a loathsome dungeon that same night on the charge of murder.
“Heavy irons and manacles weighed me down.
“But I could not sleep.
“The gory ghost of Baptiste was ever crossing before my excited imagination, and a cold sweat oozed out all over me.
“I thought that my last hour was come and that on the morrow I should be hung.
“Judge of my joy, however, when in the middle of the night the governor of the prison entered my cell, and ordered my release.
“He had received a letter from Donna Evelina, who had that same night entered a convent for life, stating the whole truth about what the hound had done.
“I was accordingly released.
“This was a narrow escape for me, and as soon as I got clear of the prison walls, I hired a horse, and left the town.
“I did not have much money to spare, so as I was riding along, I met a merchant.
“I robbed him in a very cool and clever manner, and beside his money, took a pair of pistols and a passport from him.
“I tied him to a tree, and left him alone in his glory.
“My mind was made up to leave France, and accordingly directed my way towards a small town on the sea coast.
“I had not gone far when I was overtaken by two mounted officers, who said it had been discovered that the person just liberated from the castle had turned out to be one of the ‘Scorchers,’ and they were in search of him.
“I muffled myself up so well, and assumed a strange voice so cleverly, that I threw the officers off the scent.
“I told them, however, that the very man they were looking for had attempted to rob me, but that I had proved more than a match for him, and in punishment had tied him to a tree, by the roadside.
“They believed my story, and hastily galloped back in the direction I had indicated.
“Of course I need not say that I rode off rapidly in the other direction.
“I came to the small town I intended, but it was walled in and had gates.
“I knocked at the gates for a long time, and at last they were opened by a stout sturdy porter.
“He demanded my passport.
“I gave him the one I had stolen from the merchant.
“He eyed me very closely, and said that the passport did not agree with my description, and he should detain me as a rough, dangerous-looking character.
“‘Don’t be quite so clever,’ I said, half annoyed.
“He tried to get hold of my bridle-rein, but I knocked the gate-keeper down with one blow, and started off at a hard gallop.
“‘Stop thief! murder! robbers! thieves,’ shouted the prostrate official, in stentorian lungs.
“The cry was quickly taken up by the rabble of the town, and I thought it best to gallop right off and gain the open country again.
“‘Stop thieves! robbers! murderers! stop him!’ shouted the excited mob, in full cry.
“Onward I galloped through the dirty, narrow streets of the straggling town as hard as possible.
“Once or twice my horse slipped, and fell under me.
“I raised him again.
“But from every hand came stones and dirt and rubbish, which was hurled at me on all sides.
“I did not know the right direction of the opposite gate, and so had to guess at it as best I could.
“Far behind me were my pursuers, panting and yelling like so many half-bred hounds, when suddenly my flight was stopped by a high dead wall.
“Escape seemed impossible.
“My pursuers gave a loud shout of triumph as they perceived my progress was arrested, and I had almost given up every hope of escaping, when a sudden thought struck me that the wall might be nothing less than the city wall.
“‘I could regain my liberty through a window of one of the houses down the street, and against the city wall,’ I thought.
“I saw one with the door open.
“I jumped off my horse, and entered the house with a pistol in each hand.
“My pursuers, however, had seen it, and as I entered one of the rooms I heard them thundering at the street door.
“There was no one save an old woman in the room I entered.
“Seeing a fierce-looking man suddenly enter with a brace of pistols cocked she fainted, and fell on the floor.
“I rushed to the window and looked out.
“Judge of my joy, the fields were beyond.
“I threw out some pillows and the bed into the field below.
“Next I locked and barred the door.
“After this I strongly barricaded it with the table, chairs, and whatever else I could.
“My next performance was to get up the spacious old chimney, and there I hid myself, wailing impatiently until night should come.
“As I imagined, all my plans proved successful.
“After banging at the door for a long time they broke it open, and rushed in headlong over each other.
“They were staggered when they found I was not there.
“‘He has escaped from the window,’ said one.
“‘Yes, sure; see the bed and pillows lying on the grass yonder.’
“‘Oh, the cunning knave,’ said a third; ‘he threw those things out to soften his fall.’
“They searched the room, and, in fact, all the house; but I was so well concealed up the windingchimney that although they looked up they could not perceive me.
“The old woman and her friends left the room, and there I sat among the soot thinking what should be done next.
“The bed was brought up again, and the old woman tidied her room, and towards night went out, for, as she said, she was afraid to sleep there alone that night.
“She locked the door upon me, and as soon as I heard her do so I crept down, and lay for an hour in her clean sheets.
“When midnight chimed from the church towers I got up and tore the old woman’s sheets into strips.
“With these strips I made a sort of rope, and let myself down into the fields below.
“Seeing a black-looking forest not far off I ran towards it, and slept for an hour or two.
“My first business in the morning was to make towards a village to get bread, for I was almost famished with hunger.
“But judge of my surprise when I discovered that in the flight and scuffle of escape I had lost every farthing I had in the world.
“The baker looked very hard and cunningly at me, but I offered to sell him one of my pistols if he would only give me some refreshment.
“The baker agreed to the bargain, and gave me plenty of bread and meat for my weapon.
“But, unfortunately for me, the baker himself had been robbed about a month before that, and he looked upon every rough person as a cut-throat or thief.
“When, therefore, he had got my pistol he told one of his apprentice lads to watch my movements while he went and informed the bailiff.
“The bailiff had exerted himself very much to find out who the persons were who had robbed his particular friend, the pot-bellied baker, so that he felt great pleasure at finding that one of them at least had been discovered at last.
“He fussed about a long time, putting on his sword and pistols, but in the meantime I made the best of my way to the forest again, and began to enjoy myself with the food I so much needed.
“I sat behind a tree smoking after my repast, and then had a gentle dose.
“I was suddenly awakened by four stout athletic fellows armed with clubs, and led on by the pompous bailiff.
“They seized me, hand and foot, tied me with cords, and then carried me through the village in triumph, and put me into prison.
“I protested that I was a runaway German, and wished to fight against Prussia in the French service.
“The French were then engaged in a heavy war, and wanted men; but they did not believe my story, and insisted that I must be one of the famous ‘Scorchers’ from my ugly looks.
“They treated me awfully in prison, and kicked and cuffed me until I was black and blue, and sore all over.
“As luck would have it, however, after a month’s confinement, a party of recruits passed through the village.
“Not being able to prove who or what I was, the bailiff felt very much inclined to give me over to the recruiting officer so as to get rid of me.
“Anything to me was preferable to a prison life, and I gladly volunteered to go into the French army to fight against the pot-bellied, money-grubbing Dutch and Germans.
“As I was a well-made young fellow, the soldier jumped at the chance of having such a fine recruit.
“I joined them, and, after a few days of hard marching, we reached Strasbourg, where I was drilled six times a day until, at last, I began to think they would drill the very life out of me.
“I was all along dreaming of and devising some plan to escape to England, but could not.
“At last an accident occurred which took me out of the army.
“My drill serjeant was more of a German than a Frenchman; in truth he was a naturalized German, and he thought the best way to make recruits learn their drill was to thrash them with a big stick.
“I saw him hit several poor devils about the legs and shoulders.
“Thinks I to myself, ‘this won’t do for me.’
“Nor did it.
“One day, however, as I couldn’t escape, I thought I’d do something, so as to be sent to prison for a day or two, so as to have plenty of time to think over new plans for getting away to England.
“I, among a great many more, were placed under this German drill master, and he began to knock the poor devils about most unmercifully.
“My turn came next.
“I did something wrong, and he was about to strike me with his thick club.
“On the instant I raised my musket, and, with one blow, knocked him down as dead as a herring.
“In an instant I ran away out of the barracks, gun and all.
“They pursued me.
“I turned upon them and shot several.
“Like a hare I ran towards the Rhine, and jumping into a small boat, which I found there, pushed off from shore, and before my pursuers could get near enough I was in the middle of the river, and out of reach.
“Down the river I flew with the wind in my favour, and soon reached the mouth of the river.
“There I hailed a ship which was under full canvas.
“It proved to be an English vessel, and they took me on board.
“For several weeks we were knocking about in very bad weather, and I made myself so useful that one and all took a great liking to me.
“But here again misfortune overtook me.
“After buffetting about for more than a month, we were driven on to the west coast of England, and one night, when least expected, the ship struck on a rock, and was driven violently on shore.
“The night being dark, none of us could form any idea where we were going to, or where we were.
“Next morning, however, explained everything.
“The ship was a total wreck.
“Not a soul among the whole crew was alive but myself.
“I was master of the wreck, and all it contained; but yet I could not get on board very well, for the waves were washing right over it.
“While I sat watching the stranded vessel, and thinking what it might contain, I was startled by what I there saw.
“All around me danced a dozen skeleton men, who seized me by my arms and legs, and bore me away to their rendezvous.”
“And who was it?” asked Phillip Redgill.
“The Red Man of the Gibbet. He was the chief of the Skeleton Crew in those days, and that’s how I became one of them.”