Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/96

80 then Gell in the Hope, while I brought up the rear with the America. We moved forward in echelon, so as to shape a course for three of the blockading squadron.

Those were anxious minutes as we steamed swiftly down the three miles that parted us from the enemy's line. As we neared it we could see that he was preparing to give us a warm reception. What precise methods of offence he would display we knew not, but it was not for nothing that those queer spars of steel were performing strange antics on each of the uncanny looking crafts.

And now we are close upon the central ships of the blockading squadron. They were not at anchor; on the contrary we saw them set their engines in motion and steam furiously to meet us. Dana being slightly in advance was the first to encounter his opponent. The two vessels, having a cumulative speed of nearly fifty knots, met with a terrific crash. But the Roanoke passed on but slightly injured, while the other immediately began to fill and sink. The cheer sent up by Dana's men was re-echoed from our decks.

An instant later Gell charged a second vessel.