"But where do we fit into all this?" sputtered Tubby, acutely coming to the main point. "I am coming to that," was the response. "From what I have told you, you will have gathered that no ordinary class of watchmen could be trusted to keep quiet about what is to go forward on the island. Yet it is necessary to have sentries of some sort to keep constant watch that no one approaches unexpectedly. For that purpose we have adopted various mechanical precautions, such as submarine detector bells, etc. But our main reliance must be on human intelligence." "I see," said Rob, nodding. The object of the officer's visit was beginning to dawn on him. "To come straight to the point," went on the officer, "how would you boys like to take a camping trip to the South Carolina coast on Uncle Sam's service?" "You mean to act as guards to the submarine?" almost shouted Rob. "Just that," responded the officer. "I have----" But a roar of cheers drowned any further remarks he might have had to make. "I knew it would happen," cried Merritt when the riot had, in a measure, subsided. "What?" demanded Tubby. "Action!" responded Merritt briefly. The hubbub grew tumultuous. All the Eagles were trying to talk at once. The wonderful prospect opened up before them of fresh adventures fairly set them wild. At last, above the turmoil, Ensign Hargreaves managed to make his voice heard. "Boys! Boys!" he exclaimed, "one minute till I outline the plans." A respectful silence at once ensued in which each Scout was prompt to join. "Of course, it will be necessary for you to obtain written consent of your parents," spoke the naval officer. At this some of the faces in the room fell several degrees. "The government will absolutely require such authority," he continued. "The service on Barren Island, as it is called, while not necessarily hazardous, may prove dangerous, and each boy's parents must be so informed." "We'll get plenty to eat, I suppose?" inquired Tubby anxiously. "Why, of course," laughed the officer; "moreover, I forgot to inform you that there is a wireless plant on the Island, and other conveniences unusual in so remote a situation." "Well, so long as the grub holds out, I'm satisfied," muttered Tubby in a contented tone. "How soon will we start, supposing our parents allow us to go?" asked Rob, as soon as the laughter over Tubby's remark had subsided. "At the end of this week if possible. Mr. Danbury Barr, the inventor of the _Peacemaker_, will meet us in New York. We shall voyage south on the U. S. Derelict Destroyer _Seneca_." "Derelict Destroyer," repeated Rob. "Those are the craft that Uncle Sam sends out to destroy drifting wrecks that might prove a menace to navigation, aren't they?"