“Oh, yes,” said Whistler. “We were in that fight; but we were on the Kennebunk.”
“And our gun made the first hit and we sunk a Hun battleship!” cried Al.
“Huh!” scoffed Frenchy, “you listen to Al and Whistler, and you’d think their old gun fought the whole battle.”
“Did you fellows really help work a gun in that fight?” cried George Belding, in amazement and admiration. Even the giant British seaman gazed at the Navy Boys with increased respect.
“We were in the fight, and we belonged to one of the gun crews,” admitted Whistler. “But we are willing to agree that we did not do it all. Frenchy and Ikey were there.”
Belding laughed. “Well, let’s go along to the admiral’s, and I’ll tell you how I came to get billeted on the Colodia. Uncle Sam is training more men than he has boats for—yet. But the Colodia’s lost several of her crew, hasn’t she, from one cause or another?”
“Of course. And are you a ‘filler-in’?” said Whistler.
“Guess so. I came over expecting to go right aboard the destroyer, as I say. But I had to wait for her to come back from the North Sea. And there was the old Sirius, with a chap in command that I knew. So I got a chance to take a trip. We took out a convoy bound westward; and on the way back we had a scrap with a sub.”
“Did you sink her?” asked Frenchy eagerly.
“We did something to it. The boys said they knew she was a goner. Oil and litter rose to the surface after we dropped a depth bomb. I’m sorry for her crew; but they are in bad business.”