Ensign Merrill — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

| THE PIRATE ontER. eae need ph 179 o. “Turn the Gatlings on them; quick!’’ shouted Mark , to the crews attending the Praehine guns. Springing to one of them, he whirled the muzzle around and rap- idly worked the crank. Bang, bang! rattle! bang! The leaden hail, directed by Merrill’s experienced hand, swept into the midst of the fleeing pirates doing terrible execution. A number fell to the ground, and remained there motionless. Others staggered as they ran, but finally managed to reach shelter with their more fortunate companions. In the twinkling of an eye there was not a living soul visible. A commotion of the bushes beyond and above the cominencement of the road showed they were in full re- treat toward the top of the cliff. Merrill sent a few shots in that direction, but the distance was too great to allow of good results. Turning to the surgeon, he asked if he had noticed the white leader. ‘“*T saw two men dodge behind that stone house, one of whom I believe was him,’’ replied Agnew excitedly. “They were trying to stop the stampede, from all ap- pearances, but when you opened fire they went up the little hill and disappeared.”’ **We will soon reach them in that case,’’.said Mer- rill grimly. Calling a gailor, he sent him below to the second officer (who had returned on board) with instructions to fire a couple of solia shot at the house. ‘“Tell him to destroy it, and then shell the others,’ se he added. ‘‘We will not leave a splinter large esored : for a toothpick of the whole collection.’’ Mr. Watson was evidently awaiting such an order, as the messenger had been gone but a moment when the deafening report of the pivot gun sounded from below. 0) After the smoke cleared away they observed that he S m ;