Ken laughed.  ’I’m sure I’m agreeable.  But you see we’re not in the same regiment.  You’re New Zealand, Dave and I are Australians.  Still, I dare say we shall all be pretty much bunched when it comes to the fighting.’

Dave, who had been peering out into the night, turned to the others at this moment.

’Yes, there are only four transports altogether in our lot, and so far as I can make out three battleships and four destroyers taking care of us.’

‘Now, you men, come below and turn in,’ broke in a voice.

It was their sergeant, O’Brien, who had come up behind them.

‘Oh, I say, sergeant, can’t we stay and look at the pretty scenery?’ said Roy Horan plaintively.

‘No, ye can’t,’ was the gruff retort.  ’Orders are that all the men are to turn in and take what rest they can.  Faith, it’s mighty little slape any of ye will get, once you’re ashore.  Go down now and ate your suppers and rest.  I’m thinking ye’ll be taking tay with the Turks before you’re a dale older.’

‘Are we going to land, sergeant?’ asked Horan eagerly.

‘Am I your general?’ retorted O’Brien.  ’Get along wid ye, and if ye want to know what it is we’re going to do, faith ye’d best go and ask the colonel.’

Orders were orders.  The three obediently went below, and, although at first he was too excited to sleep, Ken soon dropped off, and never moved until he felt a hand shaking him by the shoulder.

‘Up wid ye, lad,’ said O’Brien’s voice in his ear, and like a shot Ken was out of his blanket and on his feet.

The screw had ceased to revolve.  The ship lay quiet, rocking ever so lightly in the small swell.  There was not a light to be seen anywhere, yet all was bustle, and the very air seemed charged with a curious thrill of excitement.

According to orders, Ken had lain down, fully dressed, with all his kit ready beside him.  Within a very few moments he was equipped and ready.  Then he and his companions were ordered down to the lower deck where the electrics were still burning, and there hot coffee and bread and butter were served out.  Also each man received rations for twenty-four hours.

Officers passed among the men, scrutinising their equipment with keen eyes, and presently Colonel Conway himself came along.

He glanced round and his eyes kindled as they rested on the ranks of long, lean colonials.

‘Men,’ he said, and though he hardly raised his voice it carried to the very ends of the big flat.  ’You know as well as I do what you have been training for during the past six months.  The day you have been waiting for has come.  See that you make the most of it.  Speed and silence—­these are the qualities required of you to-night.  The boats are waiting.’

Ken repressed with difficulty a violent desire to cheer.  Next moment came a low-voiced order from his company commander, and he found himself one of a long line hurrying up the companion to the deck.