Besides the tents, there was much other equipment to be overhauled and set in order, for, before their departure, the boys were to be reviewed by their scout master and a field secretary from New York.  There were haversack straps to be replaced, laces mended, axes sharpened, “Billys” polished and made to shine like new tin, and a hundred and one things to be done.  At last, however—­although it seemed that it would never come—­the eventful Monday arrived, as eventful days of all kinds have a habit of doing; and the Eagle Patrol, spick and span and shining from tan boots to campaign hats, fell in line behind the band.  Proudly they paraded up the street, with their green and black Eagle Patrol sign fluttering gallantly in the van.

The “reviewing stand” was the post-office steps, around which most of the citizens of Hampton and the proud parents and relatives of the young scouts were assembled.

Plenty of applause greeted them, as, in response to Rob’s orders, given in the sharp, military manner, they drew up in line and gave the Boy Scout’s salute.  This done, the young scouts went through a smart drill with the staffs they carried.  Then, after saluting once more, and being warmly complimented on their appearance by the field secretary, they marched off to the wharf where they were to embark for their camp.

The day before Merritt, Hiram Nelson, Paul Perkins and the three “tender feet”—­Martin Green, Walter Lonsdale and Joe Digby—­had been told off by Rob as on “pioneer service”; that is to say, that they had gone down to the island in the Flying Fish.  Arrived there, they selected a good spot for the camp, aided by Commodore Wingate’s and Captain Hudgins’ suggestions, and set up the tents and made the other necessary preparations.  The camp was therefore practically ready, for the “army” to move into.

At Tubby’s special request, a list of the rations for the week’s camp had been made out by Rob and affixed to the bulletin board in the headquarters of the Eagles.  As perhaps some of my young readers may care to know what to take on a similar expedition, is the list, exclusive of meat, which was to be brought from the mainland, and fish, which they expected to catch themselves: 

Oatmeal, 8 lbs.; rice, 4 lbs.; crackers, 35 lbs.; chocolate, 1 1-2 lbs.; tea, 3 lbs; coffee, 1 lb.; lard, 6 lbs.; sugar, 8 lbs.; condensed milk, 10 cans; butter, 4 lbs.; eggs, 12 dozen; bacon, 20 lbs.; preserves, 14 jars; prunes, 8 lbs.; maple syrup and molasses, 4 quarts; potatoes, 1 bushel; white beans, 6 quarts; canned corn, 6 tins; canned tomatoes, 6 tins; flour, 35 lbs.; baking powder, 2 lbs.; salt, 4 lbs.; pepper, 2 ounces.

“Well,” Tubby had remarked, as he gazed attentively at the list, “we won’t starve, anyhow.”

“I should say not,” laughed Rob; “and besides all that, I’ve got lots of lines and squids, and the blues and mackerel are running good.”

“Can’t I take along my twenty-two rifle—­that island’s just swarming with rabbits, and I think I heard some quail when we were there the other day,” pleaded Merritt.