Ensign Merrill — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

Xf i eae ‘ 1m +‘. or Shura... oe uy 4 eu E Wignn a tS he Por gistrust with "phlbesphical indifference, ‘His moral - epidermis was not of the most delicate description. | W hen the Badger, steaming slowly, entered the pig 4 patch of sea forming the break in the outer bar, it wa _ piainly seen that.an inexperienced pilot would oes _cometogrief. The narrow channel was thickly studded - with rocky points against any one of whicha vesseel ~ could pierce her hull. Under Chow “ow’s direction the course was changed ‘ a dozen times in almost as many minutes. The wheel was kent constantly spinning fromm one side to the other, and the engine-room gong gangled forth an alimost unceasing series of commands. Atmore than one place those on board felt the iron hull grate against the side of some hidden obstruction, but 1t was only a touch, doing no damage. Ai last the outer entrance was passed and, according» to the Mongolian, a clear channel lay befcre chant to the basin. Directly ahead was the sudden curve forming the blank wall, beyond which they could not see. It was here the first resistance could be made. “How high are those guns?’ Mark asked. ‘“About the height of this deck,’’ replied Chow. ‘They are mounted on each side in little chambers cut for the purpose in the solid rock. But, really, I don’t believe you need expect trouble from them; they are simply muzzle-loaders of small size. After we enter the basin, then something may de done.”’ ‘What do you mean by something?’ queried the ensign sternly. ‘‘Don’t speak in riddles, Chow Tow. ®, ‘ Tell me all you know at once; what have we to expect?”’ ‘That I cannot tell you, sir,’’ answered the pilot — earvestly. ‘‘Our worshipful chief is learned in the dark mysteries, and he can prepare spells which no : ‘mortal has the power to break.”’ yd cComicbooks. co) ow,