Ensign Merrill — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

Pine ihe: crews, the at last found the bie éf his snatele Ries ee: Standing on the high poop of the vessel on the port side of the Badger was the man. He also held a revolver, — and, just as Ned discovered him, was in the act of aim-— ing it at Merrill, who formed a conspicuous target Ons thie bridge. dali ~ Quick as a flash, Blige fired. The bullet g bed true to | its inark, striking thie pirate lieutenant in the breast. — He sia betod back, then fell, clutching the wooden ~ bulwark as he sunk out of sight behind it. | Ned gave an involuntary cheer and coolly turned his atiention to a Chinaman who rushed to the assistance of his chief. Two more shots rang out from the niiddy’s pistol. Grasping frantically at the empty air, the Mongolian reeled, and then stumbled prostrate over the body of the other. Gage cheered again, and took rapid aim ata third — man, but at that moment he was hit by one of the many buliets flying in all directions. Dropping his revolver he clasped his hands with spasmodic effort to his breast and then quietly slid off the hatch unconscious. Mark happened to glance in that direction just as it occurred. He saw his friend fall, and, almost beside himself with raze and sorrow, shouted to several men forward to carry Gage below to the surgeon. As yet neither of the junks had come close enough to allow their men to board the cruiser. ‘The strenuous e:torts of the pirates were directed to that purpose, and all the work of the Badger’s crew was devoted to its prevention.. On the starboard quarter there was a space of about twenty feet between the steamer and one of the junks, but forward, near where the middy had met with disaster, the distance was not so great. : Forced by the wind and the exertion of her crew the ts pirate ship was gradually drawing nearer. A little cComichooks.com ~