“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.