Dick and Greg did not have far to go to reach their cabin.

In five minutes they reappeared on deck in the bulky contrivances intended to buoy them up in the water should they have the bad fortune to find themselves tossing on the waves.
"This makes the danger seem real," Prescott observed.
"Too blamed real!" grumbled Greg.

"We're ordered not to take these belts off, either, until the order is passed, and are told that the order won't be passed to-day, either.

Imagine our trying to get close to the dining table to eat in comfort!" "It may be in the plans that we're not to eat to-day," Captain Dick laughed.
Ahead, on either flank and at the rear, the torpedo-boat destroyers were scouting vigilantly, with gunners standing by ready to fire promptly at any periscope or conning tower of an enemy craft that might be sighted.
"I don't suppose there'll be any band concert this afternoon," said Greg Holmes suddenly and ruefully.

"And we have a mighty good band, too.