The Blockade Runner — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

THE BLOCKADE RUNNER. ; 71 The glasses of the Union officers soon. discovered her as she moved steadily by the channel in front of Sewall’s Point. . The Federal batteries warned the ships blockading the mouth of the James, and everybody became on the alert. The long-looked-for hour was at hand, and one of the most desperate of naval battles was about to take place. Confident of her destructive powers, the ironclad ship made directly for the Cumberland and Congress. Her ports were closed, and as she came within range the Congress opened on her with her heavy guns. As well might the Federalists have hurled handfuls of peas against the Merrimac’s steel sheathing. All at once the fire of the Congress was returned by her mailed antagonist, and the terrible shot tore mer- - cilessly through her wooden sides. “We are in for it now,” said a young officer on board the Cumberland, as the Merrimac, after deliver- ing her broadside at the Congress, steered for her consort. ‘Give her the best you have in the locker, Bentham, The progress of this ram must be stopped if possible.” “ Ay, ay, sir,” replied Bentham, saluting the officer as he turned away. ‘‘I have my first chance for showing the result of my study, and that beneath the flag my father once fought under.” The Merrimac continued to approach. Bentham carefully sighted his gun, and all at once the heavy shot broke the silence that reigned on the gun-deck. | : The ball struck the Merrimac, showing that it had COMMicaoo S co 5}