The Blockade Runner — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

20 THE BLOCKADE RUNNER. skipper’s head that he fairly staggered, and grasped the rail of the bridge to save himself. “We're done for!’ he exclaimed wildly. “ But they shan’t take me. ITIl go to the bottom first !” With a bound Powell sprang to the deck and rushed below. | “ard a-port!” screamed the pilot. “What does the cap’n mean?’ Bentham said to the pilot. ‘“ Dunno,” replied Foulweather Tom., “ What did he say ?” “Swore all was up, and that he’d send the Fox- hound to the bottom before he’d be taken.” “Then for God’s sake follow and stop him!” ex- claimed the man. ‘“ We carry a torpedo in the hold, and a fuse runs to the cap’n’s stateroom. The skipper is stark, staring mad! All’s not lost yet. Stop him quick, or we shall all be sent to Davy Jones in a flash.” “Great heavens!” exclaimed Bentham, his cheek paling at the awful possibility. ‘“ He is mad, surely. He must not be permitted to carry out his fearful purpose.” The next minute he was descending the companion- way after the reckless captain. It was a moment big with the fate of the noble vessel and fifty valuabie lives. The swing of the vessel as she roiled to the boiling seas threw Bentham forward on his hands and knees upon the cabin floor. He sprang to his feet and looked about. There was no sign of Captain Powell. His stateroom door was ajar, however, and the pas: senger ran to it and pushed it open. \ GOMIGIOOkKS (©