The Blockade Runner — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE BLOCKADH RUNNER. 1] “J don’t wonder this war enriches some people very fast,” said the young man thoughtfully. “T should say it does. Why, sir, there are people, to my knowledge, who are now riding about in their car- riages, that a year—ay, six months ago—were compar atively paupers. What was Nassau before the wart The inhabitants were chiefly wreckers and fishermen, and but few vessels lay along the wharves or rode in the offing. Look at the place to-day! The harbor is alive with shipping, and its wharves are crowded with cotton bales awaiting transportation to Europe, as well as merchandise, contraband of war, ready to be shipped tor the blockaded Southern ports. It is the chief depot for the traffic. Confederate agents are established there, and the town has expanded into a port of immense importance.” Captain Powell’s passenger listened but said noth- ing. - “You understand that the Bahamas, being a British possession, the Yankee cruisers cannot effect a legal capture within the three-mile limit, so they are forced to take their station off Abaco Light, and run their chance. The blockade runners generally await a dark and foggy night for getting away, and as we are care- ful to show no lights, you may easily judge that the cruisers have no sinecure trying to catch us.” “Jt is unusual for a blockade runner to go direct to Europe and then return with a contraband cargo, as you have lately done, isn’t it, cap’n ?” said Bentham. “Yes. Most of these vessels are light-draught steamers built expressly for the trade, and intended only to make the trip, either from Bermuda, Nassau or Cuba. ‘The Foxhound is a superior vessel, and the CONNIE OO S (©)