Ensign Merrill — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

hand, and, if nothing hindered, would be completed within less than the time stated before. The crews at ‘the guns were not as many in number as before the accident, over a dozen having been taken to work the various sails. HKnough remained to render efficient work, as the frequent reports testified. Neither the ‘middy nor Watson waited for further signals from the whistle, but fired as quickly as the guns could be loaded. The engagement had now become general. There was little advantage as yet on either side. EKach of the three combatants bore traces in plenty of the severe cannonading, but none had received any fatal injury. Mark, from his station on the bridge, directed the movements of the Badger with but little excitement in his manner. He was naturally cool and methodical, and under circumstances like the present his sang froid only increased. Thesplendid marksmanship displayed by Ned and the second officer inspired him with confi- dence, and he dispatched messenger after messenger down to both with a detailed description of the results as an incentive to renewed efforts. Miller, who from his lack of experience in military matters would be naturally expected to display some emotion, simply watched the progress of the combat with critical glances; every now and then uttering a smothered roar of delight when some shot would strike the enemy in a particularly invulnerable spot. Off to leeward, the disabled junk floated helplessly at the mercy of the waves, but a certain activity among her crew showed that repairs were being attempted. During the last half-hour the three vessels had drawn much nearer to each other, although Merrill was using every effort to keep the junks at a distance, outside of absolutely retreating. He wished to continue the fight ss PHE COMBAT BEGINS. 141 Gomicbooks.¢o m