Ensign Merrill — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

a tN ie pin OBS TO he is © ee cs ERR ee? LO etc ie 5 eS il nee Dol ied on Some pO Wire Ah et Sgkal, ees aie * z, ~< = y Paik ay, 8 core came ‘the one eehtly 4 ) legs the masthead light plainly visible?”’ “Yes, sir; it is well trimmed, sir.’ Satisfied that every signal was in good order. on the is Badger, Mark resolved to let the stranger, who had _ shown no light as yet, approach a trifle closer and then edga away himself... Bhe rules of navigation strictly : allow the right of way to sailing ships, directing that eraft under steam power must change their course first. But the ensign wished to see more of the junk if possi- ble. He shrewdly connected it with the attempt at signaling that night, and communicated his idea to Watson, who stood near by. “‘Itis not improbable,’’ he added. ‘‘Of course we have traveled some distance since then, but in a breeze like this one, one of those junks could easily keep pace with us. We haven’t been making more than nine knots under our bare poles. What did she log the last time?’’ : “Hight and a quarter, sir.’ “That is still less. No, it is entirely possible for that vessel to have been our neighbor’ since last even- mg. lt remember Mr. Miller noticed a sail close in- shore just about dark. ‘Then he told me he saw the glimmer of a light a few minutes before he and I say with the accident. Tomy mind she is following us.’ ‘“W hat do you suppose is their object?’ asked Ned. ‘‘Blood’s mates on board are naturally unaware of kis detection and are awaiting for a. prearranged sienal,’’ replied Mark, still watching the junk. ‘‘That is My opinion. Of course we don’t know what they mean to do, nor, in fact, are we sure that it 1s not some peaceful trader, but I think they will bear watching.’”? — *Eomicbooks.¢co