, 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;