Ensign Merrill — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

Peat ots rae. LaF a fe ipget - te | ie yo ; cine rf bontess - oe Won nits ing - inquiries,” ’ re] ) om his pocket, continued: ‘‘I have figured that we can purchase, arm, and equip a steamer sufficient fom our purpose for five hundred thousand dollars, hicks 4 pte salaries and all expenses for three. months. 3 \- ' 4a “se ' * Py Pr . *. j ' % eal that gentleman, then referring to a notebook | nia Sr Bi ae ns ave also ascertained that we can secure a vessel imme- In fact, it is in the outer harbor now. It will | D aacice at least a month to bring the cannon and other . . munitions of war from the United States, but I think I~ clon promise to have our cruiser at sea within five weeks at the most.”’ = _ “‘Now, another important question, Mr. Bevins,’’ ex- Pied his questioner. ‘‘Who can we find with pee edes and bravery enough to command the expe-- dition?” At that moment a noise sounded at the door, ant a “Tithe, well-built young man, clad in the neat undress — a uniform of a naval paca stepped into the office pe: 4 Decry: ‘sood-morning’’ to those present. ae a ee Striding over to the newcomer, Mr. Bevins grasped _ * a him by the hand, and, leading him forward, anid, is = - simply: : aa 4 ‘This is theman, gentlemen; Ensign Mark Merrill, Ey a of the American Navy!’ k par CHAPTER II. ae MARK MERRILL AS A MIDSHIPMAN., AT the announcement, made in such a dramatic n ner, those present in the office glanced at each. oth astonishment. The handsome young officer _ _ Seemed rather bewildered, and gave Mr. ‘Bevins 1s