early noon
Everlastingly and splendidly alert the naval craft had chased off the sea wolves ere the latter had had time to bare their teeth ! Still more the speed was increased . An hour passed in which there was no alarm . Then the enlisted men , forward , filed below decks to have their early noon meal . The first lieutenants of each company went below , too , to inspect the food served to their men . Half an hour later the Ninety-ninth 's officers descended to their own mess in the cabin dining-room . `` This trip through the danger zone is n't as exciting as I had supposed and expected it would be , '' announced Major Wells .