This mess tent had behind it the cooking
quarters.

The opposite end of the camp site had been leveled for a parade
ground, and here a tall flagpole had been erected, from the top of
which floated the Stars and Stripes in all of their glory.

"Oh, see how close we are to the water!" exclaimed Randy. "That looks
mighty good to me. I'm going in swimming at the first opportunity."

The cadets were allowed to rest for half an hour, and then they were
set to work to erect the tents and otherwise get the camp in order. A
few of the lads grumbled at the work to be done, but the most of them
were cheerful and obliging.

[Illustration: THEY WERE SET TO WORK ERECTING THE TENTS. _Page 199_]

Down at the water's edge there was one spot where there was a wide,
sandy beach, and here several small tents had been put up for use as
bathing houses.

"Any one who cares to do so can take a dip in the bay just before
supper," announced Captain Dale, after the work of putting up the
tents had come to an end. "But don't stay in longer than fifteen
minutes."

Away rushed about half of the cadets, the Rovers among them. They lost
no time in divesting themselves of their uniforms and getting into
their bathing trunks, and then there was another rush to see who could
be the first in.

"Wow, but it's cold!" exclaimed Fred, as he ran in up to his knees.

"Cold!" exclaimed another cadet. "Gee, it's icy!"

"This is the way to go in!" cried Jack, and, rushing in part way, he
took a plunge and disappeared from sight.

Almost immediately a score of cadets followed him. Then came a wild
plunging and swimming about, those in the water sending the spray
flying over those who were too afraid to enter. There was a good deal
of horseplay, but every one enjoyed himself immensely.

Following the evening meal the cadets were told they could do as they
pleased until nine o'clock, but must not leave the confines of the
camp. Many of the lads were too tired to do much of anything, and so
sat around, taking it easy and talking over the prospects.

"Don't forget that we have got to fix up things for Werner and
Glutts," whispered Andy to his brother, when it was almost time to
retire.

"Right you are!" returned Randy. "Come on--let's slip away while the
others are not noticing."

The first move the twins made was in the direction of the cooking
quarters of the camp. Watching their chance, they entered a tent where
the stores were kept, and soon fou