Ensign Merrill — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

_ tried to speak, to utter cheerful words of encourage-— see you, that’s all. I have been hard hit, and doc. 4 looked mighty solemn when he dressed me, but I’ve ' got lots of life in me yet, eh, my gallant commander?” © stand, gir?’ in, “The ‘tday was Shes in his buuk wub ‘ise Fal a da -expectantly toward the door. At sight of “Mark: he | raised one hand in welcome and sated: 4 ‘‘T knew you would give mea moment, old boy. “Ant a said you were too busy, but you found time, didn’t you? I just wanted to ask about the news on deck, and—and—to ~ Merrill’s heart gave a great leap when he saw ae Wau face, white with au ominous pallor, And he ~ noted the weakness in the young lad’s voite. He © meat, but he could only stammer incoherently and turn ~ back in a transparent attempt at arranging the curtains. Ji was a manly weakness born of affection for his friend. 3 At iast he found strength to speak. | a ‘‘Ned, my boy, I would have given my right arm 4 rather than have this happen. Iam so sorry you are — compelled to suffer pain. If there is anything on earth | : lean do for you, say the word.’’ i ‘Nothing now, Mark,’’ replied the middy, with that | bright smile still on his face. ‘Nothing now, but -co:ne down and see a fellow when you can, won’t you? : It will be so lonesome lying here, and not being able to take a hand inthe work on deck. You haven't told me 4 the news yet.” Verrill briefly related the capture of the junk and bia’ present pursuit of the vessel carrying the pirate chief, © and then, putting bis hand on Ned’s, he said: | ‘‘Now look here, young man. You are first-lieuten-_ ant of this cruiser and under my orders. I command you to get well without loss of time, or else it’l] be my 3 melancholy duty to court-martial you. unde: