Ensign Merrill — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

BLA ne se to ont % Eber oh iy. 42 Se , ‘ ‘e cr HH M Y. SERIO rs LETTER. SOR cia ae a Bs r >. at far from the coast. The follows 3 19 ae vague in a *; “his description, but from what I can make out must — mean one of the group just north of Foo Chow. He ~ says there are almost a thousand members of the gang, and that they have three powerful junks with a num- | ber of smaller vessels. 4 “The most important part of the information is that ee | he has seen the white leader, and gives a partial de- +a scription of him. He is a young man, probably not 5 over twenty-one, and from his speech evidently an 4 ~ American.”’ * a A flutter of surprise ran through his anditors. There had been vague rumors that the looters were com-— manded by a foreigner, or foreigners, but that the atro- cious leader was a native of the United States, and scarcely of age, came as a shock. ‘The members of the little circle took a renewed interest in the subject. Sev- — eral of them glanced at Mark, as if expecting him ta speak, but the young ensign leaned back in his chair, and gazed thoughtfully at Mr. Bevins, while the latter, after enjoying the excitement he had created, con- tinued : _ “Furthermore, this youthful descendant of Captain Kidd has a lieutenant of the same nationality and of — ubout the same age. The detective states that the — forces under them are well drilled, and that a strict naval discipline prevail on board the junks.’”? ‘“Have you any idea why he is not more explicit con- cerning the location of this island?’’ asked M. Benoit. on * 7 a - f a - e 4 ys 7 ‘ 5 : * ‘ 4 a " «8 # - + oT ~ « : ae “His information is good, but I should judge that Mr. — ~~ Merrill would like to know where to find them.” Bee x ‘“‘[ think that part wil! be easy enough, ? spoke up _ Mark, with a smile. ‘‘I intend to cruise under the - guise of a peaceful merchantman, and they will ‘soon : scent 1 me dap es sae hie ag a ee tre ee ae Bee CO >micbooks.com So Bee < Bay a ea eR aT CA tare SO RRL OE MONT Ome aE ALS oa EE Th ae