The Blockade Runner — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

Fre a ri PS Al fee eee, tee a ae 4 ’ 1- bs , THE BLOCKADE RUNNER. 131 double shotted. 11 blow her out of water if another shot is fired at us.” The Swiftwing having had her rudder shot away was now unmanageable, and the cruiser had no diffi- culty in taking up a raking position where a broadside would have swept her decks from stem to stern. That would only have been a cruel act, however, for the privateer was now hors de combat. -The remnants of her crew were seen clambering over her lee bulwarks into the boats alongside. She was being abandoned. Captain Graham ordered his boats out to take possession of the prize. In the first were sent the ship’s carpenter and assist- ants to investigate the sinking vessel, which was slowly setting in the water. If it were possible to save her Captain Graham meant to do so, as that meant prize money for the victors ; but the prospect was not encouraging. The second boat carried Bob Bentham, whose last shot had been so effective. He sprang on board the Swiftwing at the head of a dozen blue jackets, and laid his hand upon the shoulder of a wounded privateersman who was trying painfully to get over the side into one of the boats. “Where’s, Captain Dick Powers—he commanded this vessel, didn’t he ?’ “JT don’t know where he is,” replied the man, sullenly. “He was reported dead after that last broadside from your vessel.” Bentham uttered an exclamation of disappointment. He ran to the quarter-deck. There were several bodies there, but none that resem- COMMicoooks 7 (C@ bled the Confederate captain.