rouble in his vicinity, he will flash a warning to the next
tower. The scouts in that tower will flash the signal on until it
reaches the lookout at the garage. Then the motorcycle will be off to
the scene of trouble, tearing down the beach at a mile-a-minute clip.
How does that strike you?"

"Great," exclaimed several of the scouts in unison.

"Well, don't get the idea that it's all fun. Indeed, it's mighty serious
business, I'll have you know. On your quickness to respond to an alarm
and upon your bravery and cool-headedness in a crisis will depend a human
life, perhaps several of them," said Mr. Herrick.

"We realize that," said Bruce soberly.

"I guess you'll do, all right. I've heard a great deal about you Vermont
scouts and I guess you'll be able to do what I ask of you and do it
right. Now, if you are ready, we'll go down to one of the garages; there
are two of them. If you will look out of the window you will see one
about a mile down the beach there. The other is a mile to the north of
us. The distance between the two stations includes all of the beach
reserved for bathers and it will give each machine about a mile to
patrol.

"The garages have just been completed. Each will contain sleeping
accommodations for five boys. You will divide your crew into two
patrols, with a leader for each patrol. One patrol will occupy the north
station and the other the south. There will be two life savers and three
watchmen to each patrol. Do you understand?"

"Indeed, we do," said Bruce.

"Good," said Mr. Herrick. Then, after sending his little daughter out on
to the beach to romp with her collie companion, he continued: "Come on
and we'll inspect your new quarters." And, with Mr. Herrick in the lead
the scouts filed out upon the pier and down a long iron stairway to the
beach below.

Through crowds of bathers the lads made their way until they arrived at a
long, low structure built near the board walk. This was the south
station.

Carpenters and painters were putting the finishing touches on to the
building, and it looked to the scouts as if they were going to have a
capital home in which to spend the month of August.

Inside the big double doors were two rooms. The rear room was equipped
with five white iron beds and several chiffoniers and wash stand, while
the front apartment contained the life guard's motorcycle.

"Jimmy, look at that machine," exclaimed Gordon, who was the first one to
en