Ensign Merrill — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

DHE SUBMARINE MINE. — Bo leuae 1 “Do you know whether there are any torpedoes planted in this basin?’’ bah ‘“Torpedoes?’”’? replied the Mongolian slowly; ‘I | don’t know what 4 | ‘“Why, explosives hidden beneath the surface of the water, against which a vessel would probably strike and be blown to pieces,’’ explained Merrill impatiently. “*There may be such things here,’’ admitted Chow. ‘*‘T have been here when the chief was working out near ~ that point. He was using several large boats, but. I don’t know what for.’ That wag enough for Mark. aK messenger brought © Watson on deck at once. In obedience to orders, the second officer had the cutter lowered and then pulled ahead of the Badger a hundred July the steamer fol- lowing slowly. “By Jove! that will explain why no resistance was offered,’’ exclaimed the ensign, wiping the perspiration from hisforehead. ‘*Clem—I mean the chief, is sharp, there is no doubt about that, but, fortunately, we have taken the precaution of investigating in time.”’ ek “Didn’t I hear you mention some person’s name, then?’ asked the young surgeon curiously. But the ensign had hurried to the other end of the bridge, where he could obtain a better view of the boat, so the question passed unanswered. It was well Mark had sent the second officer ahead, as he had not pulled far before those on board saw his oarsmen check the boat’s way suddenly, and Watson, after peering into the water for a second, elevated his hand with a signal that Merrill understood to mean stop the ship, It was obeyed immediately. Using the Easpet Mark asked what he had found. era vA Oe. toxpedo, or submarine mine,’’? game the _