“You know Ned Warbeck?—Wildfire Ned, as he is called.”
“I do, well. He is one of the bravest—”
“Stop!” said Death-wing, with a fierce oath; “would you thus speak of my deadliest enemy?”
“Your enemy?”
“Yes, and that of all the band. I believe the young brat was born to bring disgrace and ruin on the Skeleton Crew, for ever since he was born misfortune has followed us.”
Captain Jack listened, but said not a word.
In his heart he loved Ned Warbeck, and hated both Redgill and his grim friends with his bitterest hate.
“Now, I tell you, Captain Jack, that this youth must die, by any means in your power or mine. Could you not, in some manner, fasten Farmer Bertram’s murder upon Ned Warbeck?”
“It is possible, but—
“No ‘buts’ with us—you must do one thing or the other. You must die here, where you now stand, or take a most solemn oath to arrest Ned Warbeck, and charge him with murder.”