He nodded to Seven Knott.  Then he took a chair at an empty table and ordered coffee, while the boatswain’s mate went around among the other tables making a list of the men’s names and their former billets.

Under the eyes of a commissioned officer the boys behaved with much more decorum; but it was still a jolly party that finally lined up on the sidewalk outside Yancey’s, prepared to march to the dock.

Ensign MacMasters sought out Whistler Morgan to speak to personally: 

“I shall expect you to keep the younger boys straight, Morgan.  We’re going to be in crowded quarters aboard the patrol boat.  Mr. Junior Lieutenant Perkins has come back to his command and we are only guests aboard,” and Ensign MacMasters laughed.

“We are about to have a taste of rough weather outside, too, I fancy.  But our instructions are to make the port where the Kennebunk lies before the morning tide.”

“Has the submarine patrol boat, Eight-hundred-eighty-eight, come into the harbor, sir?”

“I have just been relieved of her command.  I am assigned to take you chaps on her to the battleship.  I understand that we shall have a three months’ cruise in the Kennebunk before we are returned to the Colodia,” said the ensign.

Whistler’s eyes sparkled.  “Then some of us will have a chance of handling the big guns, sir?”

“That is the object, I believe.  That, and the fact that the full complement of the battleship’s crew cannot be at once made up.  There will be changes made in the crew of the Colodia when she returns from her European cruise.  If you youngsters do well on the Kennebunk some of you may soon be gunners’ mates.  The present cruise of the Kennebunk is mainly for practice work.”

“Oh, sir! won’t we see any active service in her?” cried Whistler.

Mr. MacMasters looked very mysterious.  “You must not ask too many questions.  I am telling you, Morgan, what is generally known about the orders under which the superdreadnaught sails.  But we may see plenty of real work At least, we need not suppose that the Kennebunk will run away from any enemy submarine that may appear along this coast.”

“Do you believe there are German subs over here again, sir?”

“It is my private opinion that at least one is here and more are coming,” declared Ensign MacMasters.  “And there is a supply boat for them lying somewhere off our coast, too.  We ran down that Sarah Coville yesterday, by the way, with another cargo of oil aboard.  Her captain and crew will surely be interned.”

Mr. MacMasters had no more time to talk with Phil Morgan then.  The men being ready, the march to the dock was made, Seven Knott bringing up the rear to see that there were no loiterers.

“See that narrow streak!” ejaculated one fellow, when they came to the dock where the chaser was moored.  “Oh, boy! got your sea legs with you?”