The Blockade Runner — page 237: what you’re looking at

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

238 THE BLOCKADE RUNNER. Throxton advanced a stride. “Write or die, captain !” he said, in tones not to be mistaken. ‘ We do not intend to trifle in this matter. Repeat the message, Bentham. He will sign!” Powers hesitated for a moment, during which time he glanced from Throxton to the young gunner, who stood ready to carry out the Unionist’s command. All at once he stooped and tore the pen from the carpet. “This triumph will not last!” he grated, fixing his eyes fora momenton Bentham. “Carry your infamy through to the end, Robert Bentham. - I swear that you shall never tread the Destroyer’s quarter-deck as her commander !” With the last word he turned to the paper on the desk, and waited for Bentham’s dictation. “ There, you are satisfied now !” he exclaimed, when he had written the last word and turned upon Ben- tham. “ You have triumphed; but the game has not been played through. Iam free now?’ He strode toward the door as he concluded. “Not yet. We must detain you here, captain,” said Throxton. The privateer groaned. ‘‘T am a prisoner still ?” he said. 66 Yes.”’ “ For how long ?”’ “ Until after the Destroyer, with Captain Randolph, has sailed,” smiled Bentham. There was no reply. If Powers’ glance could have killed at that moment, Bentham would have fallen dead in his tracks. Comichbooks:co 5} —