The Blockade Runner — page 250: what you’re looking at

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

THE BLOCKADE RUNNER. 251 neglectful in his duty, for the second steamer was close aboard off the Seabird’s quarter, and had evidently run out of the mist that was slowly clearing away. At that moment a rocket soared upward from the Destroyer’s bow and burst into a myriad of sparks. “What the devil can that mean?” exclaimed Powers. “It’s very strange.” The newcomer, which was heading directly for the Seabird, now altered her course several points and edged down for the privateer ahead. “Great Scott!” cried Powers, after he had examined her dark, heaving hull through his glass. “It’s the Avenger. I thought she was leagues away. Put on full steam, Nugent; we must reach the Destroyer first.” “It’s too risky, Powers. I never could put you aboard your craft in this sea, and get away myself. I’m in range of the Yankee as it is. All that saved us, if we are safe, was that rocket from your own vessel. You'd better give up and trust the rest to chance. Your vessel is not yet lost. Bentham will have to fight his own obi = -be exposed, and I guess that would set- tle his goose.” Powers made no reply—he was far too excited at the sudden change in the aspect of affairs, and Cap- tain Nugent took advantage of the diversion to change the course of his steamer. He determined to sneak out of harm’s way if he could. Powers noticed the variation in the aids course ‘and _remonstrated. ~ “T’ve taken all the risk I can afford,” said Nugent decidedly. “To go further will be to throw away my Ss s Comichoo S (©) |