At last, with a mighty effort, Wildfire Ned snatched up a small hatchet which his foe had let fall.
With one fearful blow he crushed in the skull of his grim enemy.
With a loud shout and laugh of triumph Wildfire Ned ran towards the deadly fusee.
The sparks were even then sputtering near to some waste powder.
In a second more all would be lost.
He fell upon the fusee!
He quenched its flame carefully in his hand.
Next instant, with a mighty blow of the axe, he smashed in the magazine door.
With a cry of joy, Ned saw before him the stolen bride!
She was tied unto several powder barrels!