The Blockade Runner — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

54 THE BLOCKADE RUNNER. topics, but no one seemed to notice Bentham as he passed along. He was proceeding toward the wharf at a smart pace, when he was touched by a hand before he was aware that any one was near. There was something that smacked of arrest in that touch, and Bentham’s hand moved toward a weapon as he turned. ) ) “ De Lord bress you, Massa Bob!” exclaimed a coal- black darky. ‘* You’se not goin’ away widout sayin’ good-by to old Jupe, is you ?” “Of course not, Jupe,’ said Bentham, giving the negro his hand; “but who told you I was going away ?” “T couldn’t help hearin’ yer last words at Massa Mowbray’s,” wasthereply. “I ain’t an eavesdroppah, Bob, but I happened to pass de window just den, an’ J heard a few words dat set me to tinkin’. Dar war an eavesproppah, dough.” “ An eavesdropper ?’ echoed the young man start- ing. ‘“T saw ’im creep away jes’ asl came up. Ha—ha! de brack rascal tink I didn’t know ’im !” “Who was it, Jupe ?” “Tom, ob course.” “One of Mowbray’s negroes ?” “Dat’s jes’ who he war. He am de nigger what’s goin’ to sail in de Swiftwing with de young Cap’n Powers when dey git ready. Dat Cap’n Powers is a mighty cute chicken, Massa Bob. -Him been comin’ mighty often to Massa Mowbray’s while vou’se been away ober de water. He’s got a heap ob business wid massa, somehow or other. I] tink some- CORNICIOOKSsE©