noon
Climbing up on deck again through the conning tower , the boys found themselves out on top of the projection in what Witt explained was the deck steering station whence the _ Dewey _ was navigated when cruising on the surface . Down on the deck the boys inspected the smart-looking four-inch guns with which they later were to become better acquainted , and the trim little anti-aircraft guns to be used in case of attack by Zeppelins or aeroplanes . `` Keep your eyes and ears wide open all the time ; remember what you are told and you 'll soon catch on , '' Witt told them . Shortly before noon Lieutenant McClure , commander of the _ Dewey _ , a youthful-looking chap who , they learned later , had not been long out of Annapolis , came aboard . It was soon evident that there was something doing , for in a few minutes the propeller blades began to churn the water , and the exhaust of the engines fluttered at the port-holes . The tow lines ashore were cast off and then very gracefully and almost noiselessly the _ Dewey _ began slipping away from its dock . The head of the vessel swung around and pointed out the harbor .