aring this, remarked:

"I suppose if he did send any news it would be to the _Bug Hunter's
Review_, describing the life of an insect on an army transport."

"Very likely," agreed Ned.

And so, amid the blaring whistle salutes of river craft, the former
German liner dropped down the bay and started for France with the
young soldiers who were to do their part in ending barbarous
militarism forever.

It was not exactly a gay trip. There were many who were seasick in
spite of the calm weather, and there was little to do on board. Only a
few books were available to read, and these were in constant use.
Aside from lifeboat drill there was little to occupy the boys.

But there was always the fear of a submarine attack when they should
reach the infested zone, and the boys looked forward to this as
something that would relieve the monotony.

There was a gun crew on the transport--several of them, in fact--and
the troop ships were escorted by war vessels and the swift, snake-like
destroyers, which moved with such remarkable speed.

One day, after the usual lifeboat drill, which was held at different
hours each day so that none would suspect when it was coming, the
three chums were standing near the forward gun, rather idly scanning
the water. The night had been a dreary one, cooped up as they were in
the darkness, for now that they were approaching the danger zone, all
but the most necessary lights were dimmed.

Up above, and on various parts of the deck, were the lookouts,
scanning with strained and eager eyes the expanse of water ahead of
them for a sight of the white wake that would indicate a periscope,
or, perchance, hoping to see the wet, glistening sides of a "steel
fish" itself, as it broke water before sending the deadly torpedo.

"Well, boys, how goes it?" asked a voice behind the three chums, and
they recognized Professor Snodgrass.

As Jerry turned to speak to him, having finished a remark in which he
had speculated as to what had become of Noddy Nixon, who was not on
board, one of the men cried:

"What's that?"

He pointed to a spot about two points off the port bow, and Ned, Bob
and Jerry, as well as several others, distinctly saw a little
commotion in the water.

"A sub, as sure as you're a foot high!" cried a marine, just as a
bugle call to quarters was blown, for a lookout, too, had observed the
disturbance in the water.

Instantly the gun crew was in action, and several shots were fired
from