Ensign Merrill — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

5 Ol et MERE ee y* oe. mee Mid sala Les = bd P) =~ 4 4 ‘<2 . a @ iw a 5 * ’ . a - a” > #9 . . : se. at nd THE MYSTERIOUS SIGNAL. ‘ oo ) In passing the maahinak a dark shadow moving up the starboard shrouds caught Ned’s eye, and, pointing it out to Merrill, he asked if any one had been ordered — aloft. HKven as he spoke the figure passed out of sight in the darkness enshrouding thetop. Before the ensign had time to answer, a peculiar light shone from the crosstrees, a faint reddish ray reflecting on the stand- ing rigging with momentary gleam, then it faded away. Mark grasped the middy’s arm. ‘There is treachery afoot!’ he whispered hurriedly. ‘Some one is signaling from the maintop. See! there it goes again!’’ The light suddenly reappeared, but this time it had a greenish tinge and lasted slightly longer. Uttering an imprecation, Merrill bade the middy watch one side of the rigging, and, rushing across the deck, made a spring for the futtock shrouds. In his haste his hand slipped, and he fell to the deck with a resounding crash. | Ned immediately jumped to his assistance, but the ensign had scrambled erect again, and was standing with one arm hanging limp and helpless, when the other reached him. ‘‘Are you hurt, Mark?’’ asked Gage aneiduales ‘“No—lI don’t Sasa Weurised my wrist, I guess, but don’t mind me. Run forward, and call all hands to quarters. Quick! I’ll watch here.”’ Ned darted toward the forecastle at the top of speed, but had not gone twenty paces, when he heard the sharp report of a revolver from aft. Wheeling around, he was just in time to catch the flash of another shot. Before the sound had died away, the cae was at his side with the smoking pistol in hand. ‘‘Look there, overhead!’’ cried Merrill, taking aim at the figure of a man just dimly visible above them. EComicbooks:c O m