Ensign Merrill — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

“one ner then tis ether. very ike a Ones os Ader 4 : He Ze had calmed down enough to be rational, a mes- — senger was sent in guest of the other three rapier of the Secret Company. They lost no time in obeying cho summons, and, after the party was comfortably seated, Mark related his story. Many were the ejaculations of astonishment and won-- e der as he dilated with natural eloquence on the ative a scenes of the expedition. A commendable desire oi save Scott Clemmons’ family the disgrace of publicity — _ regarding his crimes, caused the ensign to keep his name a secret, and he simply stated that the chief was - : a young American from New England. W hen he mentioned the valuable stores found in the = caverl, an increased interest in his recital was notice- able, eae) each member found it incumbent to shake hands with his immediate neighbor. The ensign’s- proposition to take a steam dredger back to T’sin Chu — and release the Badger from her prison, was carried by — unanimous consent. They immediately gave him carte — blanche to purchase or charter what he cesired, and to_ secure more men, if necessary. When he told them of Ned’s injury, they all ex- pressed great Sympathy, and, without exception, offered the use of their homes to the middy. In fact, the two. be ; members of the firm, Bevins & Rollins, were so em- — phatic in their cae to secure the pleasure of extend- q ing hospitality to him.that Mark saw it would be policy — _to select theforeign: hospital—an institute famous for : | ‘its efiiciency—thereby offending neither. _ This was eventually done, and the lad slept hag : night within its walls, carefully attended by Agnew, who had signified his desire to remain with him until — convalescence. The wounded seamen were also ads ie | cs ce in the same hospital. ee oh se a ene ae comicboo CS.