Ensign Merrill — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

140 “THE COMBAT BEGINS. Pee Suh) time ordering the wheelman to iottcarl the helm. The Badger fell off until finally the junks were on the port beam. Then with a thunderous roar that shook the deck, both sixty-pounders sent forth their iron mes- sengers of destruction. ‘‘Hurrah!’ shouted Miller from his position near the Gatlings, when the smoke cleared away. His cheer was echoed by Mark and the young surgeon, the latter having run up from the hospital quarters to see the commencement of the combat. There was good cause for their joy. The foremost junk had been hulled by both shells just at the water line, and the subsequent explosion inboard had created terrible havoc. Men were seen over theside endeavoring to stop with wooden plugs the cavities through which the water poured at every roll, while others flew about decks splicing the rigging in places where it had been cut. There was evidently a thorough discipline on board, as in a very few moments the disabled craft was again underway following her consort. The latter fired another broadside at short range, striking the Badger in several spots. One of the shells burst near the pivot gun onthe lower deck, killing and wounding five or six men, Dr. Agnew hastened to the after cabin, which had been turned into a sick-bay, and, assisted by An- thracite, immediately set to work alleviating the injured. A messenger came running up with the intelligence that Watson had escaped unhurt, and the gun was still fit for use. Another of the shells penetrated the fun- nel, carrying away several guys and tearing a jagged hole in the iron pipe.. As yet no damage had been created aloft, and the sails were still drawing finely. A cheering report came from the chief engineer. at this moment, stating that the repairs were Pikial in N comic vs, oA anti ade