Ensign Merrill — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

A _ The island of Hwang Ho had long since faded away _beyona the western horizon, and the second on the ' group was just insight ahead when the officers returned on deck after the drill. Merrill stated that by the course then being steered the one they were approach- ing would be the last observed until striking T’sin Chu. ‘*In faect,’’ he added, “‘they are very close to each other, barely six miles separating them. ‘The island just in front is smaller than that passed this noon, but I believe it is not so flat. Weare on ticklish grounds now, and will have to keep a sharp lookout to-night. We'll mount the Gatlings after dark, and prepare the main battery for instant use.”’ Turning.to Ned, he continued: ‘“*T will remain on deck until midnight, and then lie down in the chart room. If you wish, you can turn in during sa earlier part of the evening, relieving me later on. The middy agreed, but with a mental fensrvalion that, if any excitement promised, he would remain up all night. Shortly before sunset the island was close aboard. It seemed little different from Hwang Ho, except for a wooded hill which rose sheer from the sea at the eastern extremity. ‘This eminence appeared to be about six hundred feet in height, and formed a peculiar Jandmark, with its white, rocky surface stretch- ing up from the very edge of the surf, which rolled and boomed in long foamy billows against the mighty Larrier. ‘The summit was covered with dense. verdure, showing an occasional palm in its midst. | It was not until the Badger arrived abreast of this promontory that the island of T’sin Chu became visi- THE LIGHT ON THE POINT. 105 ble. Owing to a haze that had crept up on the horizon, _ only a small portion of the western end could be seen, mn Eomicbooks.co