The present incumbents of the other elective offices were chosen without opposition, and the flurry was over; but it was clear enough, if Tommy did not mend his ways, he would never be elected again. The affairs of the railroad were finished, and those of the battalion were taken up. Tommy was chosen major by a small majority, and the other officers were elected. The location of the encampment caused considerable discussion. Those who had been the leaders of the opposition in the railroad company were in favor of pitching the tents on the Horse Shoe, an island on the lake, opposite Grass Springs, and two miles from the west shore. Tommy’s party advocated the Sandy Bay Grove, because the railroad passed near it. They urged that the Wimpletonians usually encamped on the Horse Shoe. One of the other side was bold enough to say that was the reason why he wished to go there. I do not know how long the discussion would have lasted if the landlord of the hotel had not given the president a broad hint that the supper was ready. This brought the matter to a crisis, and when the vote was taken, there was a large majority in favor of the Horse Shoe. A committee was appointed to wait upon the owner of the island, who was a resident of Grass Springs. The landlord of the hotel did justice to himself, and to the great occasion with which his house had been honored. Tommy sat at the head of the middle table, and presided with dignity and discretion. Some very good speeches were made, for boys, and the festival was a decided success. I left the table before the party broke up, in order to have the locomotive ready for the return. At six o’clock we started. Faxon informed me that the Horse Shoe had been engaged for the encampment, and that the sum of ten dollars was to be paid for the use of the island. “But I can tell you one thing, Wolf. There will be one of the jolliest rows over there that you ever heard of,” added Faxon. “I hope not.” “The Wimpleton fellows were going there; and if there isn’t a fight before the week is out, I never will guess again.” “Well, do our fellows know it?” I asked. “Know it!” exclaimed Faxon. “Of course they do, and that is the particular reason why they want to go there.” “Have the Wimps engaged the island?” “No; there is where we have the start of them. They have always used it without leave or license.” It did look like an exciting time for the next week. As soon as Tommy Toppleton understood the reason why his battalion had selected the Horse Shoe, he joined heartily with them; for no one hated the Wimpletonians more thoroughly than he did. He entered heart and soul into the project, and issued his order for the march at seven o’clock on Monday morning, so as to reach the island before the enemy could take possession of it. I was directed to have the train ready at that hour.