Past the windows and on the roof could be seen flitting about the forms of Death-wing’s and Captain Jack’s men, who were nearly roasted alive.
Bravely they fought, but they dared not rush forth to encounter the valour of Ned Warbeck’s escaped followers.
Some of the Crew leaped from the roof into the river; others jumped from windows upon the weapons of those below, until at last a fearful explosion occurred.
Several barrels of powder exploded in the cellars, and in a moment afterwards the old Block-house, which for years and years had been the rendezvous of Captain Jack’s men, was a mass of ruins.
While in the river were numerous of the Skeleton Crew and others, who were swimming for their very lives far away from the bright crackling mass of timber.
CHAPTER LIV.
CAPTAIN JACK AND OLD BATES ARE FUGITIVES—THEY FLY FROM LONDON AND CONCEAL THEMSELVES IN HORNSEY WOOD—THEIR DEPREDATIONS.
With the arrest or dispersion of the principals of their gang the greater part of Captain Jack’s anxieties and difficulties ceased.
The remainder of the vagabonds pursued through the villages and woods soon fell into the hands of justice.