Ensign Merrill — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

eee “THE EXPLOSION. te Seta a oey ne afteothat 18, BA bror on by poracaatis or poop—thus | affording a good protection for the crew. Arranged at _ intervals on each side were a half-dozen steel ports, _ formerly used for loading and unloading cargo, but _ now particularly adapted for broadside guns. There was very little sail-power, she being only fitted with two schooner-rigged masts, but this was counter- __ balanced by spacious bunkers, in which could be carried an ample supply of coal. Another advantage was the _ peculiar shaped stern, or counter, which descended _almost to the water’s edge, thus protecting the rudder- post, a decidedly vulnerable part of a vessel. ‘The — sharp cutwater forward also added to her beauty from a naval standpoint, and, as Mark was rowed alongside, - he can be pardoned for feeling proud of his ship. CHAPTER VI. THE EXPLOSION. THE secret company formed by the five principal merchants of the bund, as represented by Bevins & Rollins, had bought the Badger outright through her agents in Shanghai, paying for her immediately, and taking possession on the day of the purchase. — She had arrived light for orderssome weeks previous, and it was therefore only a few hours’ work to pay off the crew and turn the vessel over to a watchman in the firm’s employ. Her previous anchorage was some p distance down the river, but at Mark’s request a tug- boat had towed her up within easy reach of the bund that morning. As stated before, Merrill intended to move on board the following day and make the ship his - headquarters for the enrolling of the crew and other _ preparations. Eomicbooks:com.