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.