The Blockade Runner — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

92 THE BLOCKADE RUNNER. . been well aimed, but took no effect, merely glancing upward and flying off. Bentham, who had watched the shot, turned quietly to the officer of the division. “We can’t stop that craft, sir,” he said respectfully. The next moment the Cumberland delivered a broadside which would ‘hhave sunk the largest wooden vessel afloat. The balls struck the Merrimac in every conceivable place, but she still moved on. Could nothing check her @ Was she destined to gain a victory which would place the great seaboard cities of the North at her mercy ! “Great heavens! she is going to strike us!” ex- claimed Bentham, who saw ie Merrimac rounding to after the broadside. ; This was the Confederate’s intention. Head on, she made for the Cumberland, from whose guns belched forth a perfect rain of iron and steel. The shock was terrible. The steel prow, which nothing could resist, ek the Cumberland about amidships, literally ayaie her open, and placing her at once in a sinking condition. Still her heroes stood by their guns. — Broadside after broadside they poured against the steel sides of their foe, while her guns continually raked them fore and aft, fillmg the cockpit with wounded, and making her decks slippery with blood. It was a terrible moment. Bentham, his face powder: burned and _ his clothes splashed by the blood of his comrades, fought his cun with the courage of a young lion. CoOMmMicoooksn.Go S|