think we might
be able to do something like that. I know a lot of fellows that have
made experiments with toy ones, that wind up with a spring that's made
out of rubber bands. They see how far they will fly."

"I think that would be great sport, Pete. But we won't have any time for
that until after we've been through the maneuvers. But I'll tell you
what some of us may get a chance to do next week, though it's a good
deal of a secret yet."

"What's that, Jack! We'll promise not to say a word about it, won't we,
Tom?"

"You bet we won't, Jack! Tell us--do!" pleaded Tom Binns.

"I guess it's all right for me to tell you if you won't let it go any
further. Well, it's just this. They're going to do a lot of
experimenting with a new sort of automobile for scout duty, and I think
some of us will get a chance with them."

"Gee, I wish I knew how to run a car the way you do, Jack. I'd love that
sort of thing."

"I can soon teach you all I know, Pete. It isn't much. Come on down to
the factory garage after work to-morrow morning, and I'll explain the
engines to you, instead of eating lunch. Are you on?"

"You bet I am! Will they let us?"

"Mr. Simms will, if I ask him, I'm sure."

CHAPTER II

THE RED ARMY

The Scouts, under Durland and Dick Crawford, went to Guernsey on a
special car of a regular train. Durland, in making the arrangements for
the trip, had told the adjutant-general of the State militia that he
wanted to keep his Troop separate from the regular militiamen, as far as
possible.

"I've got an idea, from a few words I've heard dropped," he told that
official, "that some of the boys rather resent the idea of the Boy
Scouts being included in the maneuvers. So, for the sake of peace, I
think perhaps we'd better keep them as far apart as possible. Then, too,
I think it will make for better discipline if we stick close together
and have our own camp."

"I guess you're right," said the adjutant-general. "I'll give you
transportation to Guernsey for your Troop on the noon train on Sunday.
There'll be a special car hitched to the train for you. Report to
Colonel Henry at Guernsey station, and he'll assign you to camp
quarters. You understand--you'll use a military camp, and not your
regular Scout camp. The State will provide tents, bedding and utensils,
and you will draw rations for your Troop from the commissary department
during the maneuvers."

"I understand, Colonel," said Durland. "You know