There stood before him a gaunt, ghastly member of the Skeleton Band, sword in hand. “Who calls so bravely on the Skeleton Crew, and defies them?” said a sepulchral voice, in mocking tones. “Is Death-wing’s band to be laughed and scoffed at by a babbling boy?” “Boy!” said Ned, indignantly. “Yes, _brat_, if that will suit your pride the better; get you gone from this awful place.” “I came by appointment. Death-wing and I are to try conclusions to a deadly issue here,” said Ned, bravely. “_You_ face Death-wing?” said the skeleton guard, with a mocking laugh. “He who has braved the land and sea this many a year, ha! ha! Look above ye, and see there dangling the lifeless bodies of more than a dozen who have dared intrude upon this deadly spot.” “Bombastic liar!” said Ned, in tones of scorn. “Death-wing fears me. But, at all events, I will not be disappointed; these rows of bodies shall no longer grace these oak branches as tokens of your prowess. Have at ye! man or fiend, my good battle-axe shall prove to all what ye are.” With a desperate rush Wildfire Ned dashed to the fray. The skeleton guardian of the gibbet, however, was not taken unawares. He also was armed, and parried Ned’s desperate blows. The combat was a fearful one. Sparks flew from their weapons. Wildfire Ned, with the courage and endurance of a dozen men, stood his ground. His blows fell thick and fast upon his grim opponent, and the clash of marrowless bones resounded upon the night air. For a moment Wildfire Ned paused in the combat and looked upon his opponent with wonder. “He must be a devil,” thought Ned, “or my last blow would have cleaved him to the earth.” “Ha! ha!” growled the skeleton, as he rushed at his enemy again, “one more victim for our gibbet!” “Never!” said Ned, aloud, and with an angry oath. The fight was again renewed, and now with still greater bitterness and fury. Ned was getting weaker and weaker. His rival, however, danced around him as nimbly as ever, and every limb seemed to be acting on springs. He struck at Ned repeatedly, but could not do more than draw blood. It seemed impossible to hit Ned Warbeck in any vital part, for he was so well guarded with his weapon. He bled, however, as we have said, and the sight of gore seemed to act like electricity on the skeleton guard, who shrieked aloud with joy. He made a terrific dash, a last and final attempt upon Ned, and shouted aloud, “Edward Warbeck, die! Down, down! die!” “Never!” said Ned, as with a well-aimed and powerful blow he struck his opponent fair on the head, and felled him to the earth. “Conquered, conquered!” shouted Ned, aloud, in wild triumph. He turned to look for his smitten foe. He was nowhere to be seen! Astonished as he was at this strange occurrence he was much more astounded at what he then heard. While looking about in search of some trace of his grim, gaunt opponent, the sounds of pistol shots and loud shouts reached his ears! He listened.