Not that any periscopes were now visible, however, for these had been instantly withdrawn under the surface.  The destroyers, however, went alertly in search of their enemy prey, even to dropping a few depth bombs on the chance of destroying the enemy sub-sea craft.

“A good warning, at least,” commented Captain Prescott.  “We don’t feel quite as foolish, now, in our life belts.”

Everlastingly and splendidly alert the naval craft had chased off the sea wolves ere the latter had had time to bare their teeth!

Still more the speed was increased.  An hour passed in which there was no alarm.  Then the enlisted men, forward, filed below decks to have their early noon meal.  The first lieutenants of each company went below, too, to inspect the food served to their men.

Half an hour later the Ninety-ninth’s officers descended to their own mess in the cabin dining-room.

“This trip through the danger zone isn’t as exciting as I had supposed and expected it would be,” announced Major Wells.

“Yet, sir, one attempt was made against us this forenoon,” said Dick.

“True, but the destroyers showed how promptly the attackers could be driven off,” the major argued.

“Yet suppose the destroyers had been half a minute longer in sighting the tell-tale periscopes?” Prescott suggested.

“But they weren’t tardy, and it wouldn’t be like the Navy to be slow,” rejoined Major Wells.  “I still contend that there is nothing very exciting in passing through the danger zone on a troopship.”

“And I hope, sir,” Greg put in, “that nothing will happen to change your mind about the danger.  For my part, I have been eating in momentary expectation of feeling a big smash against the side of the ship.”

“What is happening now?” demanded Lieutenant Noll Terry, half-rising from his chair.

All could feel that the big ship had suddenly changed her course to a violent oblique movement to starboard.  Yet, as no alarm had been sounded no officer cared to rise and hurry to deck.  It might make him look timid or nervous.

“There we go again, in the opposite direction.  We’re zig-zagging.  What do you make of that, Captain?” Lieutenant Terry asked.

“The enemy craft must be around and sending torpedoes our way,” Dick guessed, dropping a lump of sugar in his coffee and stirring it slowly.

“In a merry throng like this the suspicion that you’re being dogged by a hostile submarine doesn’t strike one as very terrifying, does it?” Greg inquired as he took a piece of cake from the plate held out to him.

At this moment the adjutant, Captain Craig, who had been eating with Colonel Cleaves in the latter’s quarters above, entered the dining-room briskly, stepping to a nearby table and rapping for attention.