He was to join Lieutenant Garnet’s ship on the morrow, for on the spot the brave sailor offered Ned a commission as midshipman, which he readily accepted. Away then they sped across the country and soon reached Walton Abbey, when the soft crash of music, and the gliding of graceful figures past the many windows, proclaimed that the marriage festivity was at its height. When the truth was told about Wildfire Ned and the others, and of their gallantry in dispersing the Skeleton Crew, every one was amazed, and fair dames smiled on Ned as he gaily whirled in the dreamy mazes of the dance. But soon a change came o’er the festive scene. The bells of the village church, with muffled peals, suddenly broke forth upon the night with a discordant funereal clang. The dance was stopped. All looked amazed. Young Lord Walton entreated all to be calm, and meanwhile with an old and trusty servant went to the entrance hall to ascertain the cause of a sudden noise heard there. The doors were flung open. There stood before him a grim sight. Death-wing, among his mounted band, with torch and link in hand, all in a blaze of lurid light, in a hoarse voice, demanded admittance to the ball. For a moment the young lord remained motionless. He could scarcely believe the evidence of his own eyesight. He had often heard of the Skeleton Crew before, but had never seen anything of them. Until that night he looked upon that band as a myth, believed in only by the dull and ignorant rustics around him. Had not the story come from the lips of young Warbeck and Lieutenant Garnet, who had more than once encountered those grim creatures, he would have still believed that they were all imaginary creatures. But here was proof positive of their existence. The hair of the old servant who accompanied the young lord to the hall door stood up with fright as he looked out upon the ghastly gang before him, and his knees began to tremble. “Who and what are ye?” asked the young lord, in firm and determined tones. “Death-wing and his crew,” was the hoarse response. “What want ye here, at this hour of the night?” “Open wide the door,” said a chorus of Skeletons. “Stand back,” said young Walton, as he drew his sword, and flourished it; “the first of ye that stirs shall perish!” A coarse laugh was the only response. In a second Death-wing, with a heavy blow, knocked young Walton senseless to the floor. The old butler fell flat upon his face with horror in the entrance hall. Before they entered the Skeleton Crew threw their torches in a heap upon the ground, and walked boldly into the hall. Some few of them remained behind to mind the horses. All was now darkness. On the first landing Death-wing halted, and directed his men to enter the rooms to the right and left. One of these rooms was at that moment being prepared for the bridal supper, and many servants were engaged in laying out the tables with costly plate. Two or three Skeletons entered.