“But we’re going to have camps,” continued Bevis. “You’re going to have your camp just outside the hedge towards the hills, because you live that side, and you will come that way. Here,”--he showed Ted a circle, drawn on the map to represent a camp,--“that’s yours; and this is ours on this side, towards our house, as we shall come that way.” “The armies will encamp in sight of each other,” said Phil. “That’s quite proper. Go on, Bevis. Shall we send out scouts?” “We shall light fires and have proper camps,” said Bevis. “And bring our great-coats and cloaks, and a hamper of grub,” interrupted Mark, anxious to show that he knew all about it. Bevis frowned, but went on. “And I shall send one of my soldiers to be with you, and you will send one of yours to be with me--” “Whatever for?” said Ted. “That’s a curious thing.” “Well, it’s to know when to begin. When we are all there, we’ll hoist up a flag--a handkerchief will do on a stick--and you will hoist up yours, and then when the war is to begin, you will send back my soldier, and I will send back yours, and they will cross each other as they are running, and when your soldier reaches you, and mine reaches me--” “I see,” said Ted, “I see. Then we are to march out so as to begin quite fair.” “That’s it,” said Bevis. “So as to begin at the same minute, and not one before the other. I have got it all ready, and you need not have sent people to worry me to make haste about the war.” “Well, how was I to know if you never said anything?” said Ted. “And who are we to be?” said Val. “Saxons and Normans, or Crusaders, or King Arthur--” “We’re all to be Romans,” said Bevis. “Then it will be the Civil War,” said Phil, who had read most history. “Of course it will,” said Bevis, “and I am to be Julius Caesar, and Ted is to be Pompey.” “I won’t be Pompey,” said Ted; “Pompey was beat.” “You must,” said Bevis. “I shan’t.” “But you _must_.” “I won’t be beaten.” “I shall beat you easily.” “That you won’t,” very warmly. “Indeed I shall,” said Bevis quite composedly, “as I am Caesar I shall beat you very easily.” “Of course we shall,” added Mark. “You won’t; I’ve got the biggest soldiers, and I shall drive you anyhow.” “No, you won’t.” “I’ve got Val and Phil and Tim, and I mean to have Ike, so now--” “There, I told you,” said Mark to Bevis. “He’s got all the biggest, and Ike is a huge big donk of a fellow.” “It’s no use,” said Bevis, not in the least ruffled; “I shall beat you.” “Not you,” said Ted, hot and red in the face. “Why I’ll pitch you in the water first.” “Take you all your time,” said Bevis, shutting his lips tighter and beginning to look a little dangerous. “Shut up,” said Val. “Stop,” said Phil and Bill and George, pressing in. “Hush,” said Cecil. “It’s a truce.” “Well, I won’t be Pompey,” said Ted sullenly. “Then we must have somebody who will,” said Bevis sharply, “and choose again.”