There was more comfort below, so the two newly-made friends went down.

Chester met the other elders who were younger men, one destined for Scandinavia, the other for the Netherlands.

It did not take long for the four men to become acquainted.
Presently the dinner gong sounded, and all became interested in the first meal on ship-board.
Practically every one sat down to that dinner, and did full justice to it.

For many, that was the only meal eaten for days.

Chester was not seated at the same table as his friends.