Ensign Merrill — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

Ce LOOROUD POIN TA 7. ee 49g _ crawled up one at a time was a little group of China- 4 men, five in number, clustered at the head of what seemed to be a pathway leading down the sloping side of the hill. They were armed with guns held in readi- ness to fire at an instant’s warning. Ned smiled grimly when he saw the preparations for _@ warm reception which was undoubtedy intended for his party. When a dozen of sailors had ranged them- selves ut his side he bade them level their pieces, and, then stepping shghtly forward, called out, fiercely : ‘“Surrender, or 1711 fire!’’ | The effect was magical. The pirate guard wheeled around with surprising agility and stood dumfounded, staring at the line of frowning muzzles threatening them from the rear. ‘“Drop those guns!~ Drop them, I say, or we’ll fire!”’ shouted Gage, flourishing his revolver. in the excitement of the moment one of the men dis- charged his piece and the bullet, whistling past their ears, emphasized the middy’s words in a manner that produced immediate results. _ « Gesticulating and jabbering away in their peculiar language the entire five threw their guns upon the ground and then stood with hands raised in token of surrender. Bidding half his men keep their rifles leveled, Ned went over with the balance and soon had the pirates bound hand and foot. Selecting one whom by his actions seemed to be the leader, the middy asked him if he understood English. At first the Chinaman shook his head, but the manner in which he did 1t impressed Gage with the belief that he was lying. Grasping him roughly by the aliohides he placed the muzzle of the revolver against his head, and exclaimed, piomnly:: Gomicbooks.com