Major Tommy thought favorably of the idea; and I thought it would be safer for both parties to fight the battle by running and manœuvring than for them to make a stand-up conflict on the open field, as they had done. Briscoe was sent with his company to make the flank movement. He double-quicked his command towards the east shore of the island, and began to ascend the slope. Major Waddie promptly “smelt a mice,” and despatched Captain Bayard’s company to watch and check the movements of the flanking force. I went with Briscoe, intent upon using whatever influence I had to keep the parties from coming into actual contact with each other. We reached the summit of the slope by hard running, in advance of Captain Bayard; and here the Toppleton company halted on the highest ground on the island. “Now you are all right, Briscoe,” said I. “Send half a dozen fellows to demonstrate against their boats, and you will get them out of the way.” “You do that, Wolf,” replied he. “Go down, and shove them off, and I will do the rest.” I ran down the slope alone to the landing, where I found Colonel Wimpleton. CHAPTER XVII. THE PRISONER OF WAR. Colonel Wimpleton was just landing from a boat, in which he had been ferried over from the main shore, having come from Centreport to this point in his chaise. As soon as he landed, he dismissed the man who had brought him over. The two great men of the vicinity were both on the island. As soon as I left Captain Briscoe’s company, and moved towards the landing-place, Bayard, in command of the Wimpleton company, evidently suspected my purpose, though I really had no intention of meddling with the boats, but only of making a demonstration. Half a dozen soldiers were sent in a hurry to guard the fleet. This was Briscoe’s opportunity. The force before him was now reduced so that an attack was hopeful. I heard him shouting, and a moment later the company of Bayard came helter-skelter over the summit of the hill. Our fellows, mortified by their first defeat, had made a desperate charge, and driven the enemy before them. It was not safe, therefore, for me to meddle with the boats, even if I had intended to do so. “How goes the battle, Wolf?” asked the colonel, with a smile, as I met him on the beach. “Just now it seems to be going in favor of Toppleton,” I replied; “though our boys were just driven half way across the island by yours.” “Well, that’s good.” “But I can’t stay here now, sir; I am afraid I shall be captured,” I added, glancing at the six soldiers who were coming down the hill towards me. “Don’t be alarmed, Wolf; I will see that you are not hurt,” laughed the colonel. “I don’t wish to be captured.” “You shall leave when you please. After thinking over the matter, I concluded that I should take our boys off the island,” added the great man of Centreport; “but I don’t intend to have them driven off.” “I’m very glad to hear it, sir.” “Where is Waddie?”