This was Death-wing’s especial order!
Ned cut the cords which bound her, and let in a torrent of sea-water into the powder and swamped the magazine.
The bride was insensible.
He took her in his arms and hurried to the hatchway.
Then a fearful cry was heard from above.
“I defy you!” roared the terrible voice of Death-wing. “In one moment more the ship will be blown in the air. Ha! ha! the powder magazine is open! the fusee is burning. Away, my men, away to your rendezvous on shore! One moment more and Lord Walton’s sister will be a black and charred mass—vengeance against Wildfire Ned! eternal enmity is between us!”
“The ship is on fire!” Ned heard Garnet shouting. “Where is young Warbeck?—the ship is on fire in two places!”
“Help! help!” cried Ned, from the bottom of the lower hold.
His voice was heard from above.
“Help! help!”