"If you'll excuse me, sir, I want to speak a moment."
"Certainly."
"Well, sir, the Newt I hear is ordered home, but the Breezy will be out for some years longer, and I'd like to be in her to serve out my time, and Gunner Myers would take my place, if so be, sir, that you'd let us exchange."
"Readily, Jack, readily, and if he is only half as good a man as you, he will do for us."
"Thank you, sir, and God bless you, sir."
And Jack bowed and retired, and next day he was a gunner on the Breezy.
That's how things turn out in the Service.
CHAPTER X
THE BROADSWORD-MEN OF THE "BREEZY"--KEP CUTS OFF A LEG
Young Kep Drummond's work on board the Breezy was no sinecure from the very beginning. Not that any one forced him to do things, but he was good-hearted, and had all a well-bred boy's willingness to work and help as well.