Ensign Merrill — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

® Te AA te as ach ue sae “3 eS Ba Rar oS ae Oe soi S- . *e sage u ¥ oe - a Zs * - > fa “pat : - oo | — —. he > Sar e ~ ~ a > i. owe = . Sore 5 4-3 . ® ps ’ ao “1d ys a guls: ‘‘He no doubt intended: using the sade pas - sage mentioned by Chow Tow after first cleaning it out, Another thing—I have an idea, as I said before, that he wanted to drop that mass of rock upon the Badger and annihilate us, otherwise he would have caused the explosion when we first entered the channel. As it was, from some unexplained reason the mine went off _ five minutes too late, leaving us still sound in life and — limb, but neatly trapped.’’ | ‘*We still have a chance to anyaEe in the small boats through the other. passage,’’ added Watson, a more - cheeerful look on his face. ‘‘And, when once outside, we can utilize the prize to take us back to Shanghai,”’ ‘“We will see what can be done when this den of pirates has been broken up,’’ replied Mark; then he added grimly: ‘‘That’s our first and most important duty. Take charge of the battery again, Watson, and be prepared to fire on receiving the signal. Have a few solid shot reaily, we may need them,”’ The second officer went below, followed by Agnew, who wished to explain affairs to Ned. Merrill addressed the crew briefly, to the effect that there was hope still for escaping, but that before any attempt would be made in that direction they would first consummate the - object of the expedition, and wipe out the pirate stronghold. “We have, if anything, lads, a greater reason thane ever for doing so,’’ he added. ‘‘I, for my part, am anxious to settle accounts with the band, and I think you are of the same opinion.’ cn The cheer that greeted his closing words ‘ndtecbcls that little mercy would be shown the enemy. Satisfied — with the effect of his short speech, Merrill stationed the proper crews at the Gatlings, and took his stand | ae Sone to Chow Tow, who was still on the bridge under _