Ensign Merrill — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

Ln . J vay BAe ted a NESE 6/0 AONEALY Fae ar 7 “| v i Kt ) ese vel ews sy a Nf ap Oy fh Be tale Bai aN “It OH Tae yh LEIP wi YY 74 e ve Wns 7 5,” . UN ‘ - ee ‘ah " 7 . - ie e? See) AW iA ‘ ; vr, a wh [pe > « yes “Pel Dh Ve? Day hea 6 he UAE <3 i 4 oe @ 7 - ay" Pa ? : 4 reg HM: * gt ee vy ai ee ili CHIE er: 131 cave just beyond the house. It is cunningly hidden, and the entrance so disguised that no one could find it without previous directions. ”’ “*Where did the men go, those who ran up that road?’ asked Mark. | “They will scatter and conceal. themselves all over the island,’’ replied Chow. ‘‘There is no way of leav- ing, now the junks are destroyed. It will be rather difficult to eae them, though, and would take a month if not more.’ “We will attend to that later on,’’ said the ensign. “What I wish to do now is to secure the chief and the other one. They are more important than all the rest. How is the depth of water here—all right?”’ ‘Tt shoals rapidly in places. I think this is as far i in as safety will allow.’’ mi, Mark thought so too. They had now steamed within a quarter of a mile of theshore and it would be an easy pull to the little beach. Calling the boatswain to stand by the anchor, the young commander backed the cruiser slightly, and she soon swung quietly with the tide. Watson had not fired a gun after the third shot, as that had answered the purpose. ‘There was no one in sight to oppose their landing, and the necessity of shell- ing the miserable collection of huts had passed. He now came on deck and reported to Merrill. ‘‘Lower three boats armed and equipped,’’ ordered Mark. ‘‘Place fifteen men in each. Get them ready at once, please, as it is,drawing toward dark. You .will take charge of the Badger, as I wish to command | the expedition. Have a few men stationed at the pivot gun, Watson, as we may require another show of force. 1 am going to take Chow Tow with me to point out the entrance to the cave. When I return \ comicbooks.co