What those consequences were to be neither of the Dreadnought Boys dreamed at that instant. Perhaps it was as well they did not.
While the congratulations were still going on, a boatswain's mate came bustling up.
Perhaps he detected the symptoms of something unusual having occurred in the excited faces of the jackies and in Ned's still heaving chest and flushed face, but he was too wise a man to inquire into something he had not witnessed with his own eyes. As it was, therefore, he simply contented himself by inquiring for Kennell.
"With the gun crew," suggested one of the throng.
"He won't be long," replied the boatswain's mate shortly and with a meaning look.
"Why not?" asked old Tom, the privileged character.
"Because, my boy, he has been relieved from duty in the forward turret and the two recruits put there in his place."
"Phew!" whistled the jackies, as the boatswain's mate hurried forward on his quest.
"Now look out for squalls!"