“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.