“I guess that would fetch about five dollars in Germany,” said Nelson, “if what we hear is so. They’d probably butter their bread with it.”
“It’s a sight better spread than they deserve,” grunted the gunner. “Axle grease is what those criminals ought to have. Help me with this jacket, will you?”
Nelson lent a hand and the canvas covering was drawn back over the gun and laced tight. Staples wiped his hands thoughtfully on a bunch of waste. “Know what I’d rather have happen than a plate of beans and a quart of coffee, Chatty?” he asked, gazing westward over the plunging bow. Nelson didn’t and said so. “Well, I’d rather see a U-boat come up right over where that gull’s dipping. That’s my rather.”
“You’re likely to see it,” laughed Nelson.
“Why shouldn’t I?” demanded the other. “What’s the use of us fellers kiting around here if there’s never going to be any fun? Mark my words, Chatty, some day you’re going to be surprised. Government isn’t paying us wages to give us sea trips. Not by a long shot! We’re here because we’re needed here. It’s Lanky Staples that’s telling you!”
CHAPTER III
THE LONELY REEF
The Wanderer slid into New Bedford shortly after one o’clock, fluttered a greeting to the torpedo boat Hollis, lying off Fort Point, and dropped anchor in the inner harbor. There was liberty when dinner was over, and Nelson and a half-dozen others spent the afternoon exploring the streets of the old whaling town. The Wanderer replenished fuel tanks and stole out again shortly after dusk, just as the lights were appearing along shore. A group of Jackies on the after deck of the Hollis cheered and shouted raillery as the little patrol sped past so close one could have counted the chevrons of their rating badges. Billy Masters, apprentice seaman, stopped by the forecastle break, where Nelson was on lookout duty, and jerked his head in the direction of the receding torpedo boat.
“I suppose those fellows think a lot of themselves because they’re on a regular boat, eh? Bet you anything you like, Chatty, we have a lot more fun than they do.”