The Blockade Runner — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

TH#H BLOUKADH RUNNER. o¢ . The night was dark, unrelieved by a sin a strong breeze was blowing from the sea. No longer roared the mad waves over the shuals, or raced like horses through the rocky channels. The air was cold,so cold that Bentham drew his cap around his bead. “T am ready, Jupe,” he said. “ Now for the Union fieet 1’ A moment later the boat would have left the shore, if two figures had not rushed to the water’s edge, and a voice exclaimed : | “Put off if you dare! Iam here to see you, lobert Bentham.” “Tt am Cap’n Powers, Massa Bob,” whispered Jupe, who still clutched the oars, as the flash of a lantern illumined the night. “I can send de ole boat out of his reach in a second.” “No,” said Bentham, rising and facing the figures on shore. ‘J am here, Captain Powers. What is it you-want of me?” He stepped from the boat as the last word dropped from his tongue, and throwing open his coat, he dis- played a sword and two pistols. “Just what I wisb!” continued the privateersman. “JT am here to check your flight to the Yankee fleet, but you are willing to fight ?” “Yes, 1 am eager to meet you, from what I have heard to-night,” was the reply. “If you want a prov- ocation let this prove suificient !” Hastily drawing his sword, Bentham struck Powers across the face with the flat side. An oath of rage fell from the captain’s lips as he - staggered from the blow. sal on ‘ gie star, and Connieboo S co