The Blockade Runner — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

56 THE BLOCKADE RUNNER. SIO on the Conferate navy. My mission to Wilmington is: _ completed. Nothing need keep me here.” The twain turned away and proceeded at a rapid gait toward the mouth of Cape Fear River. Jupe led the way with the air of one who was con- fident of success, and ere long, Just beyond the confines of the city, he drew a strong boat from beneath the water, and looked up into Bentham’s face with a grin of satisfaction. , “Ob course dis yere boat wasn’t hyer by chance,” said the negro. “I knowed jes’ whar to find it. Mebbe I war savin’ it fo an’ emergency like the _ present one. Anyhow, it am jis’ de help we want.” Bentham looked over his shoulder at the lights of Wilmington, and thought of the people he was leaving behind. His mind went back to beautiful Norah Narcross, who would question his hasty departure, and perhaps charge it against him. They had never exchanged vows of love, yet there seemed to be a secret under- standing that they were destined for one another, but the spell might be broken, and from that hour their lives might drift apart, never to meet again on the ocean of life. The war would keep them separate ; 1t might prove death for one, sorrow and bitterness for the other. “We mus’ be off, Massa Bob, said the negro. “ Dar’s no tellin’ what Tom’s gone an’ done. De ribber am wide hyer, an’ we kin git through de picket boats if we watch de corners.” Bentham stepped into the boat, followed by his dusky friend, who took up the oars and prepared to push out into the stream. - Comichbooks.co 5}