here are any submarines around here," said
Randy.

"Don't be too sure about that," put in Jack. "Don't forget that the
Huns sent over several of their U-boats before we even got into the
war."

"There may be more German submarines lurking in these waters than we
have any idea of," remarked Spouter. "It is a well-known fact that the
Central Powers have an enormous number of submarines, and that they
have been sent to all the important lanes of travel in the Atlantic
Ocean, as well as the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea. They have
got the science of building U-boats down exceedingly fine, and they
evidently know exactly how to handle such craft. And not only that,
but they have invented some exceedingly destructive torpedoes, and
likewise some devices----"

"Say, Spouter, have you started to deliver a lecture on German
submarines?" demanded Randy.

"Please remember that we came to camp for the sole purpose of escaping
lectures," added his twin.

"I'm not delivering a lecture," returned Spouter coldly. "I was only
trying to pound into your somewhat bonelike heads a few important
facts. But, of course, the task is rather a useless one, because you
wouldn't be able to assimilate such knowledge even if----"

Spouter's oratory was cut short by a wad of wet leaves which Randy
picked up and hurled at him. Then Andy poked him with a long tree
branch he had picked up, and for a few minutes there was quite a
good-natured pitched battle, the girls looking on with much interest.

"Avast and heave to!" roared Andy, melodramatically. "Over the top and
at 'em! Chew 'em up alive! Don't let 'em cry '_Kamerad_'! Make 'em
yell, 'Have you used Brickbat's Soap!'" And at this there was a shriek
of laughter from the girls.

When the horseplay had finally come to an end, the young folks walked
out on the rocks where they might get a better view of the bay and the
ocean beyond. As was quite natural, the boys and the girls paired off
together, and Jack saw to it that Ruth obtained a seat that was
comfortable. Fred did the same for May, while Spouter and Gif walked
on a short distance further with the two Rover girls.

The knapsacks containing the food had been left on some flat rocks a
short distance to the rear. So that they might not get too warm, the
boys had placed some brushwood over them, along with some wraps which
the girls had brought along.

Although the Rovers and their chums did not know it, they had been
followed int