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Optic, Oliver, 1822-1897

"On The Blockade"


"Stop, there! What are you about?" shouted the fat man on the deck of
the schooner.
"About going," replied Christy.
"These vessels are the property of a citizen of the Confederate States,
and I command you to stop," yelled the fat man with all the voice he
could muster.
"All right," replied Christy, as the gong sounded to stop her. "Now, Mr.
Flint, cast off the fasts, and let the schooner go astern," he added to
the second lieutenant.
"All clear, sir," replied Flint a moment later, and after the steamer
lost her headway, the vessel continued to back, though the Havana was
checked by the engine.
The fat man went adrift in the schooner, but Christy gave no further
attention to him. The steamer was started ahead again; her bow was run
alongside of the other vessel at the wharf, and Flint proceeded in the
same manner as with the first one.
"Orderly!" shouted the fat man, evidently addressing the man who had
come to the schooner with him, and had retreated to the wharf when the
vessel began to move.
"Captain Rowly!" replied the man, who was doubtless the orderly sergeant
of the company.
"Go to the barracks and have the men haul the four field pieces over to
the wharf," yelled the fat captain.


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