Ensign Merrill — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

true friends and unduediona each other? A sapartvity: _ of words was not necessary. _ By this time the junk had entirely dieappenrel faded away in the darkness as if it never existed. The unex- pected discovery of the chief and Ah Foy on board had offered a new problem to the Badger’s youthful com- mander. He had started out to search for the Chinese - jooters and to break up their nefarious business, and here, almost within hailing distance was their apparent — leader on what would probable prove to be one of their junks. It seemed too good a chance to let slip. Mark stood looking out to sea, conning over the sub-— joct. He felt like changing his ceurse and steaming afier them until morning; then settling the matter quickly under his guns. But then, what if it would prove a mistake? Supp.se he had been deceived by — some fancied resemblance, highly possible under such conditious, and ascertain, after all bis trouble and loss of time, that they were merely merchantmen having as — much right to the sea as he. It would be a bitter pill © to swallow. Neh. Then again, on what grounds could he capture this leader and Ah Koy? Was ita crime to deliver or re- ceive notes in a public restaurant? Or to sail along the — coast at night? Would the judges condemn them simply because he, Mark Merrill, had certain wpecansia’ <: concerning the prisoners? Hardly! Be What says the old saw? ‘‘He who hesitates is lost.”? And so it proved. The ensign wavered, and then concluded to continue the voyage without delay. On such decisions does fate rule. If he had decided differ | ; ently, mayhap this story would not have been written. — _ © After forming this resolution, Merrill, who. really | needed rest and sleep, left Ned in general charge, with i smccuataede to lie down in the pee | nd th Hen De ive