Ensign Merrill — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

180 THE PIRATE CHIEF. had missed the target, striking a smaller house just be- - yond. The second shot proved more successful, land- re ing on the roof and tearing a great hole in the hatch. It was reserved for the third attempt to accomplish _ the wishes of the ensign, however. Watson was longer and more careful in aiming this time, and when they were enabled to penetrate the sulphurous vail, they saw the stone house enveloped in a cloud of dust which set- tled presently, exposing to view a mass of ruins. Two walls were still standing, but the others, with the roof, had fallen to the ground. Immediately after the last shot had beak fired, a man was seen to dart from behind the house and run toward the opening leading to the road. He paused before en- tering and shook his fist at the cruiser, -then vanished. _‘*That looks very much like Ah Foy,” said Merrill, using his glass. ‘‘The scamp thinks it 1s time to make himself scarce. I wonder where the chief is?’ —— ‘“‘He may have retreated to one of the underground storehouses,’’ replied Chow Tow. ‘“‘There are several in the hill on which his house is built. Ha! who is that?’” | : The renegade’s sudden question was called forth by the appearance of two men from the shadow of the walls. One was evidently supporting the other, who seemed — only.able to hobble along. ‘They proceeded out into the opening, and then edged their way to where the slope of the hill gradually hid them from view. Mark lowered his glass with an exclamation of excitement. “Tt is he; I recognize him now,’’ he said; ‘‘and that is his lieutenant, the one poor Ned shot before he was — wounded.”’ “Ves, sir; that is the chief and his ajid,’”’ agreed | the ee Chinaman eravely. ns he «92 have no dou bt fled to. 2 tho eT +4 a* r (exe) Va eo ae “comicboo cor : . ‘ , wi J ; ‘ vag n4 ss “ i oe ities’ & '