Tim, however, directly Wildfire Ned appeared upon the scene, gave a wild shout, which almost cost him his life.
One of the Skeleton Crew perceived that he had got out of the way among the beams and rafters of the ceiling, and fired at him.
The bullet just grazed his cheek.
An inch more and he would have tumbled down dead.
As it was he merely screened himself safely again.
When he saw a good chance he whipped out his knife, and cut several of the ropes with which some of the servants had been hung.
They fell to the ground heavily.
But the shock seemed to revive the almost extinct life of several.
Tim then slipped down from his lofty perch, picked up a sword, and rushed to the side of Wildfire Ned, and capered about, and was such a thin, wiry young rascal, that the Skeletons always missed their aim.
Tim seemed to them to be made of india-rubber.