It was very dark, but the rookies could see a small rowboat head into the beach just a little way below them. There was one man in the boat, and he promptly sounded a low, cautious whistle. It was answered from behind the young recruits, somewhere. Then the sound of steps.
Some one was approaching, and the boatman, standing up in his craft, listened, then called in a low voice:
"That you, Sim?"
"Yep."
"Good!" answered the boatman. "I got your word, 'phoned from New York. I've got cit clothes for you in the boat, also a weight to sink your uniform with, when you make the change."
Now the newcomer trod down straight past the place of concealment of the boys. Something in his figure was wholly familiar.
"Why, that's Corporal Shrimp!" called Hal, springing up and running down toward the shore. Noll followed his chum on the instant, both arriving at once.
"Well, what do you rookies want here?" demanded Shrimp, turning upon them with an oath.
"I guess we're here on duty," clicked Hal resolutely. "You're supposed to be in arrest, Corporal, and here you are leaving the post on the sly!"
"I'm out of arrest, and on duty. Stand aside!" snarled Shrimp, his look becoming very ugly.