“Remember that I’m a champion crawler!” admonished Monkey, who evidently did not believe in keeping his light hidden under a bushel and felt that no one could blow his horn so well as himself.
“The plans have not all been worked out yet,” Hugh told them, “but from certain things the captain let fall, I’m of the opinion the scouts will be set ashore at some secret cove with instructions to make their way up the beach unobserved until they can spy on the fort. After that I reckon it’s up to them to have a series of posts, so that they can send the news flashing down the line. The scout who is furthest south can relay it aboard where one of our number will be waiting to take the messages. In that way you see it will be all scout work from beginning to end. If only the fellows at the head can find out the weak points of the defense of the fort, the Naval Reserve men can capture the place as easy as you please.”
“It sounds like the boss scheme, Chief,” Billy admitted. “And please don’t pick me out to stay aboard while the rest of you have such a glorious time ashore, with chances of your being captured by the enemy and put in the darkest dungeon under the magazine of the fort.”
“You forget that the one who does have to stay will occupy a post of honor,” Hugh told him. “The receiving of the messages will depend on the able way he takes them, whether by heliograph or wigwag work. And besides, a scout always stands ready to do his duty, however disagreeable it may seem.”
“Oh! I reckon I’d look at it that way if I had to,” admitted Billy, “but I only hope I’m lucky enough to be one of the shore party, that’s all.”
“Now, if only Arthur were along,” said Don Miller. “He might get up some kind of a scheme to work his wireless on this job. We’ve got the fixtures right on board here,” and as he spoke he glanced upward to where the delicate antennae of the naval outfit could be seen strung like spiders’ web tracery between the wireless masts of the Vixen.
“I don’t believe that would answer,” said Hugh. “There’d be too much chance of the enemy discovering our tall masts. The relay system is better all around. Besides it gives us scouts an opening to show what we can do. When the full plans are worked out I’ll be in a position to tell you more. By then, too, I’ll have decided just what part each scout is to have in the game. And now let’s go aft to see what’s the next thing on the program for to-day.”
“I’m a-hopin’ it’ll be that sweet bugle call,” sighed Billy as he rubbed a hand over his stomach. “Beats all how keen this salt air makes a fellow. Seems like I could begin one meal where the other left off. A little seasickness must be a sort of tonic calculated to build up poor appetites.”
At that remark the others broke out into a jeering laugh that indicated that they did not believe the speaker could be so afflicted.