With a groan he endeavoured to cling to the inside of the tree.
The effort was vain.
When least expected he felt himself gradually going.
At last he suddenly fell into a cave some twenty feet below!
CHAPTER XIV.
THE BRIDAL BALL—UNEXPECTED VISITORS—THE DREAD ALARM—THE MUFFLED PEAL OF BELLS.
Wildfire Ned, Bob Bertram, Lieut. Garnet, and the brave old innkeeper, followed the Skeleton Band as far as they possibly could, but, as we have said, soon lost sight of their grim and bloodthirsty enemies.
The sailors, meanwhile, acting under Garnet’s orders, now returned to the burning tavern and exerted themselves with great courage and labour to extinguish the flames.
This they succeeded in doing to some great extent, and soon were joined by crowds from the village of Darlington, who had been attracted to the spot by the lurid glare in the sky.