The Blockade Runner — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

126 THE BLOCKADE RUNNER. run out at the word of command, the crew of each gun standing as silent as statues beside their piece, the captain of each cannon standing in position with drawn sword. That was the aspect of the main gun-deck. Above, in the waist of the cruiser, the formidable Parrott rifle pointed his long nose menacingly over the bulwark at right angle with the bowsprit; but as it worked on a pivot, its range could be shifted at will. The vessels had drawn within a mile of each other, when a movement was noticed on the stranger’s fore- castle. | In a minute there was a flash of light, followed by a puff of white smoke, and as the report reached the cruiser, a heavy conical shot whizzed across her fore- castle. | The fellow evidently meant business and no mis- take. Captain Graham paced the deck but made no sign. Bentham patted the breach of his gun to allay the excitement that was coursing through his blood, swinging the weapon little by little as the line of range varied each moment. The captain paused a moment over the break of the poop, and looked down on his chief gunner. “Not yet, Bentham,” he said calmly. “She comes on with the pride of a conqueror. We’ll check her by and by. Wait till she places herself fairly at ‘Old Abe’s’ mercy.” , “Old Abe” was the name of the huge gun by which Bentham stood. As Captain Graham had said, the steamer was Comichbooks co 5}