Ensign Merrill — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER VIIL. THE BADGER SAILS. THE five members of the company were assembled on the after-deck of the steamer that afternoon, accom- panied by Mark and his able lieutenant, Ned Gage. Word had been received from Woosung, at the mouth | of the river, by a fast steam launch belonging to the firm, that the Ajax, from San Francisco, had been sighted off the coast. This was the vessel by which the guns and other warlike material was expected, so all those interested were early on board the private — erusier to witness the work of transfer. It was a delicate operation, hoisting the huge pieces — of metal from one ship to the other, but by dint of care- ful management and the use of a powerful floating derrick contributed by Mr. Shover, it was accomplished without mishap. In repairing the Badger’s bow a double port-hole had been constructed on each side, so that one cannon could be maneuvered ona pivot, swinging either way as re- quired. ‘The other two were placed aft as broadsides. The Gatlings were mounted on the bridge so as to secure a sweep fore and aft as well as on the beam. This was deemed necessary by Mark, as an occasion might arise when it would be expedient to train them on the deck, in case of the pirates boarding the ship. The powder.and ammunition were placed in magazines especially constructed in the forward hold, from whence it could be easily carried to the guns. Nothing was done, save mounting the cannon on their carriages, as the ensign did not care to make an 7 -. “ eae . Roe tr j o hm Ee rot e.- ‘ee 1A a We * Os , : y 1 4 : x + a ya" . “ Gy -", s ‘ JF t = : ‘ - Po oe vs pie Ms wh ' : , ; ee = dee ' a Pe ; ; , , , J a . - 4, * . + \ : ‘ fr ~ + f - 7 ° e * 4 . < ~*~ - 5 f - - * : * < ‘ - my . % ’ : , , / if : ; + - > - . Pa , 4 f - . / ' } i - unnecessary display in port. The machine guns were ys | | Eomicbooks. co