Ensign Merrill — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

oO IN 2 ee eA Se) a ee ee ee ae <\ Pye . * 3 - . . ; . - j . . . >ae% * ~~ ke : ; “vs ~ (* 7 * 4 ' J \ “\ e id ‘ * _ 4 a e 4 P x eae » ‘ Dg Teele Se eet ; "SF . - + ’ * . s * oot ‘a’ - ; « ‘ > - a ’ « _« 104 © THE LIGHT ON THE POINT. and maneuver the ponderous puns with incredible speed. During the two hours set apart for the work, the men were kept constantly occupied working the guns. No ammunition was handled, simply ‘‘dummies,’’ as they were called, being utilized. A muslin bag stuffed with sawdust represented the powder, and wooden models of shells took the place of the real article. Every individual of each division was instructed in the duties of his companions, so that any one could temporarily perform. the work of those disabled or killed. This familiarity with all the branches, super- ficial though it was, made a gun’s crew ES efficient in time of action. Up on deck, Mark had a number of seamen employed in mounting the Gatlings on the bridge, simply to ex- plain their mode of operation to several men he had selected to work them. ‘The guns were kept under cover in the pilot-house until needed, as they would attract instant attention, if exposed to view in such a promi- “nent position. The young commander laid. great store by them, and justly, toc, as they were then the sinseivie: type of death-dealing weapons in use. After two hours of battery practice, the balance of the afternoon was devoted to cutlass drill. The men were taught the different feints, guards and cuts, and then put through the various interesting maneuvers of ‘‘repel boarders’’ and ‘‘board with a cheer,’’ the latter being a method of attacking calculated to carry con- sternation to the hearts of the enemy by its very noisi- ness. Mark inspected the ‘‘fighting crew’’ at the fin- ish, and noted with pleasure their general efficiency and knowledge. He also privately expressed to Ned his - earnest desire for a speedy opportunity of testing them in actual combat, a sentiment shared . by the eg cob 5 com ee Beak per n= —_ —