Ensign Merrill — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

te Ws ¢! +e ane $5 = Rte \ ae | bay F ao% a by “a * EP His aioe a pol rifeton previous were stra s say the least, and if ever man expressed | “tron unwil __ Ingness at meeting another, Ah Foy did then. 2 oe _ “There isa traitor in camp. somewhere, and I am 7. | ae going to find out whether it is our esteemed Mongolian — 4 Bret ‘as mS or not,’’ decided Merrill, with determination. ‘‘If we Ee wir ae are subjected to such revelations in our plans at the a ae outset, it will do little good to—’’ He was interrujted oe i yy a by a hearty slap on the back, and a pleasant- faced — ae youth, clad in the uniform worn by a midshipman Ms Shen on duty, stood before him. a os ‘‘T say, Mark, you are having a good time all by 4 _ yourself,”’ exclaimed the newcomer laughingly. “‘You — ___ get more shore leave than any officer in the mess, and os now I hear you are going to ‘vacate’ for a year is that — <a so?”’ % aa oe “Yes; Ned Gage, you are rightly informed. My — time commences to-day. But sit down, old boy; Lam — a glad you came in, as I have something important to — tell you. Now, when I mention it, don’t get up and — &- yell—yjust ewan yourself an hour or two for pro- — --_priety’s sake.’ i After giving the lad this solemn warning, Merrill 7 s | rapidly told him about the expedition just organized, — ee and formally tendered him a commission as first leu- — tenant of the Badger, providing he could obtain leave — of absence. Despite the ensign’s previous remark, Ned a gave a whoop of joy, and, springing to his. feet, | - _gvasped Mark’s hand with no gentle force. | a “By Jove! [could almost hug you,’’ he exclaimed, a . his face glowing with pleasure. ‘‘Why, I can’t believe , P this is true. Say, Mark,”’ looking anxiously in that — Bs C beng ventleman’s eyes, ““you are not joking, eis i Be ey “Why, of course not,”’ laughed Merrill. yt ane RS AX Mr on (a% v4" me vee ' : oa | * ’ * & mb Wo - ‘ . ie #2 > A 7 by c * ‘*) . : >" nf j . . ais ms foe Ka ' ' » é , oe