The day was dawning when the helmsman called me. I had not slept more than an hour and a half; but my interest in the mission upon which I had been sent thoroughly roused me. I took the helm, and going to the eastward of the South Shoe, I headed the Grace through the narrow channel between the Horse Shoe and the Shooter, which would enable me to obtain a fair view of both camps. Major Toppleton’s fears were not groundless, for I found that the Wimpletonians had not devoted the night to sleep, as the Toppletonians evidently had, for the former had just effected a landing on the northern part of the Horse Shoe. As the Grace passed out of the channel, I saw the bateaux, loaded with tents and baggage, landing their freight. A battle impended. CHAPTER XV. THE IMPENDING BATTLE. I certainly did not expect to find anything at the Horse Shoe or in its vicinity, so early in the morning, to indicate a battle, or even a change of position. Men engaged in a holy cause, or in realizing the promptings of ambition, may fight all day on the bloody field, and then look out for the chances of another day during the darkness of the night; but boys do not do so, as a general rule. The Wimpletonians had evidently done something besides sleeping during the night. Dissatisfied with the proceedings of the first day, they were determined to make a better show the second day. On the other hand, the Toppletonians appeared to be fast asleep, without even a guard to protect or warn them of the approach of their enemy. Before daylight the Centreport battalion had been transported from the Shooter to the Horse Shoe, and were now in position to give battle to their haughty foe--if either was more haughty than the other. I saw them on the shore, landing the last of their baggage, and securing their boats in a little cove. On the highest part of the island I could distinguish, in the gloom of the early morning, a line of sentinels stretching entirely across the land. Before the Grace was clear of the island, Skotchley, who had made a good night’s rest of it, came on deck, and I pointed out to him the change which the Wimpletonians had made. “What do you think of it, Skotchley?” I asked. “I think there will be an awful row before noon,” he replied, shaking his head. “Of course the Wimps haven’t gone over there for nothing.” “I don’t know but it would be the best thing in the world to let them fight it out. If one side or the other should get thoroughly thrashed, perhaps both would be willing to keep the peace.” “I think not; for of course the vanquished party would never be satisfied till it had retrieved its fortunes.” “When do you think the fight will commence?” “I should say it is liable to begin at any moment,” added Skotchley; “but I shall not expect it for several hours after our fellows find out that their territory has been invaded.” “Can we do anything to prevent the fight?” I asked, earnestly.