His two eye-sockets emitted a bluish flame, and his hands were long, bony, and fleshless.
“Who speaks of the Red Man of the Gibbet?” he said.
He turned round and looked contemptuously at the Skeleton Crew, as he said,
“You have listened to Death-wing’s story; but he has not told you the origin of the famous Skeleton Crew.
“It dates farther back than to the period of which he has spoken. No one knows it but myself.”
“Then, ghastly object, speak!” said Death-wing. “Tell to me and my followers how it came to pass that thou, the tenant of a lonely gibbet, should walk the earth like mortal.”
The Red Man grinned in a most ghastly manner as he said, “Peace, and listen.”
All were as silent as the grave as the Red Man began:—
“The Skeleton Crew was founded centuries ago.
“Their deadliest enemies have been the Warbecks.