CHAPTER LV.
COLONEL BLOOD MEETS WITH DISAPPOINTMENT.
But, although Wildfire Ned, as narrated in a previous chapter, made a vow never to rest until he had captured or destroyed all who belonged to Captain Jack’s band and the Skeleton Crew, he did not succeed so well with Death-wing’s followers as he could have wished.
During the night of the terrible commotion and desperate encounter at the Block-House, that part of the town was thrown into a fearful state of commotion.
Excited citizens rushed to and fro in all directions.
Colonel Blood, himself, was one of the first who was informed of the whole transaction.
For the second time that night he pushed off to the royal palace, and asked for the assistance of the military.
Two companies were entrusted to him, and he marched to the scene of conflict as speedily as possible.
When he got there, however, the Block-House was nought but a blazing mass of ruins.
When informed that it contained most, if not all, of the property and valuables which had been stolen from his own house, he fumed and raved like one half demented.
But what else could be done?
He stood gazing at the fiery element feeding on his own property, and gnashed his teeth in rage.
“Who led on the citizens to the attack?” he asked.
“Ned Warbeck, ‘Wildfire Ned,’ as he is called,” the simple citizens replied.
“What, Sir Richard Warbeck’s nephew, as he is called?”
“Yes, Colonel.”
“I have heard of him before. He bares no love towards the Skeleton Crew or Captain Jack’s followers, I hear.”
“If you had seen how fiercely the gallant youth fought, you would have been sure there was no love between them,” laughed several shopkeepers triumphantly.
“Who else helped him?”
“Lieutenant Garnet, of the Royal Navy, Colonel, and a strong determined young man from the country; they call him Bob Bertram, Colonel.”
“Were any of the assailants killed?”
“Yes, a brave and gallant youth, who was the first to break through the barricaded gates.”
“Any one else?”
“Yes, Colonel, several other good citizens were killed or much injured in the fray.”
“And where is this Ned Warbeck?” asked Colonel Blood, biting his lip. “I should like to see him; I wish to report the full particulars to the king.”
“He has saved you that trouble most worthy Colonel,” said Tim, who was still in the crowd, “he has gone to the palace himself; as he did most of the fighting, he thought he had a good right to most of the honor and reward.”
“And who are you that speak so boldly?”
“I, sir, am Mr. Edward Warbeck’s groom—a faithful and brave servant, I have ever proved to be; and, although I say it, no man behaved more gallantly in the encounter than I did.”
A general laugh followed this speech, and the crowd around tittered again with merriment.
“And what did you do?” asked the colonel, with a smile.
“Well, in the first place, most worthy sir, I made a most capital speech to the mob in order to stir them up, and excite them to deeds of valour. The best speech it was as ever I made in my life.”
“And what then, my good fellow?”
“Don’t believe him, colonel.”
“He is telling a string of lies.”
“A perfect coward, sir.”
“As timid as a mouse, colonel,” said one and another, as they still laughed outright at Tim’s account of the affair.
“On my word, most noble colonel, all I say is true.”
“Well, go on then, I am listening. What part did you take?”
“Well, sir, when the fight was at its highest, and when the smith, by not following my advice, got killed, I exhorted all to be more prudent, and to hide their heads well behind the palings and wood-work, for I could see that those devils called the Skeleton Crew were dead shots and knocked over every one they aimed at.”
“Well?”
“Oh, it was beautiful to see how they jumped out of the windows, and off the burning roof into the river,” said Master Tim, grinning and chuckling.
“I dare say it was, but I didn’t ask for any description of that. I asked and still ask, what did you do, not see?”
“Well, sir, when my master, Lieutenant Garnet, and Bob Bertram made their fierce attack upon the burning Block-House, and, followed by their gallant fellows, were fighting in the court-yard, in the passages, and other places, I—— Well—I—that is to say, most worthy colonel, because I couldn’t get near enough to engage in the combat myself—I——”
“He stood on a door-step and looked on, colonel,” said a dozen voices at once.
“Yes, sir,” said Tim, meekly bowing, and trembling, as he saw the colonel’s blood mounting; “I stood on the door-step, and acted as commander-in-chief, cheering the lads on.”
“I thought so,” said Colonel Blood, angrily.
At the same time he rewarded Tim for his great valour by giving him a sound smack in the face, which knocked him right among the applauding crowd.
This was more than Master Tim expected.
But, for fear he’d get any more, Tim sneakedaway among the crowd like a dog who has lost his tail.
“Who is that I saw just now borne away upon a shutter?” said Colonel Blood.
“That is one of the rascals who were in the Block-House, colonel,” said several.
“Is he dead?”
“Not quite, I think; but if he isn’t he ought to be, for I saw a sword go right through him.”
“How did it happen?”
“The unfortunate young man was making his escape from the Block-House with a female captive whom he claimed as his own, and was making his way off with her, when he was stopped by Wildfire Ned and challenged.”
“Carrying off a female?” said Colonel Blood, in surprise. “Did any of you hear her name?”
“Yes, colonel. I heard her name was Ellen Harmer.”
“Ellen Harmer?”
“The same.”
“You are sure?”
“Quite sure.”
“And did this Ned Warbeck fight a duel with the wounded man?”
“Yes. His name was Phillip Redgill.”
“I have heard of him; as great a rascal as ever lived. And where was the maiden taken to?”
“Nobody knows for certain, colonel. She was insensible when he took her away to a cottage near by, but when the fight was over he came with a coach and galloped away, no one knows whither.”
“I’d give a hundred pounds to find where he has taken her to,” said Blood, with a bitter smile. “I am foiled again, and by a mere boy,” said he to himself; “but I must have her; yes, I will!” he thought. “Take care, Ned Warbeck, take care! you are treading on very dangerous ground when you cross my path. I am not to be trifled with. You may be brave, noble and handsome, but if you endeavour to thwart my plans, I will tread you under my heel like a worm!”
There was nothing now to do upon the spot, so, crestfallen and in a rage, he returned with his soldiers, leaving it to the night-watch to keep order among the excited crowd.
“I will go to the palace,” he said, “and will be the first to inform the king of this strange affair. It will be good excuse for me, for now I can tell the truth for once in my life, and say that in my absence Ellen Harmer was abducted from my mansion. Yes,” he thought, “I will go to the king at once, and be the first to inform him of all that has happened; he will be sure to believe me.”
But Colonel Blood was not the first to see the king, as will quickly be seen; neither was he believed.