Ensign Merrill — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXV. THE COMBAT BEGINS. _ <AcLOoUD of steam rushing up through the engine- room grating proclaimed that some disaster had hap- pened below. Springing to the speaking-tube Mark tried to ascertain the nature of the accident, but the loud roaring of the escaping vapor prevented his being heard. Just then the assistant engineer appeared on deck with a message from the chief stating that the high pressure cylinder had blown out, and it would require at least four hours to rope it. ‘This was seri- ous news. _ ‘Miller, call some of the hands from the gun deck and set the fore and aft sails,’’ exclaimed Mark, hur- riedly. ‘*Work lively, or we will have those devils down on us before we can get the ship under control. Spread the staysails first.’’ A man came up from Ned to see what had happened. Calling him over the ensign bade him run down and tell Mr. Watson to fire at the junk in front and to try and cripple her rigging. | Seizing the telescope, Merrill poked astern and saw by the excitement on the pursuer’s decks that the acci- dent to the cruiser had been discovered. Extra sails were being hoisted, and a bustle around the _ batteries forward indicated the promise of a speedy attack. The young commander stamped his feet in an excess of vexation and disappointment. Everything had been in his favor, and now at the supreme moment something had to occur to snatch the prize from his hands. He thoroughly realized the peril. the predicament had placed them in. The few sails they were able to spread THE COMBAT BEGINS. 137 comicbooks:.co mi