Harounaga encamped his troops on the beach, pitched his tent, and retired into it to consider the situation. Meantime his soldiers fired a few arrows in the direction of the island, by way of salute; they fell in the water, the island being out of range. Nevertheless, towards noon, a well-aimed arrow fell just outside Harounaga's tent, and stuck quivering in the sand. A paper was fastened to the feathered end of the arrow, which was plucked up and taken to the General. Harounaga unfolded the paper, and read as follows:-- "Prepare for attack. The enemy are in your power. I have deprived them of all means of escape. I will provide you with means of reaching them." The note was not signed. The General left his tent, and gazed across the water. A fishing-boat was crossing leisurely from Dragon-fly Island to the Soumiossi shore. "Whom can this letter be from?" thought Harounaga. "Is any one jesting with me? Am I to transport my whole army in that vulgar boat?" But, as he looked, other boats appeared upon the ocean; they came nearer; their number grew. Harounaga counted them. "Well! well!" he said, "the project seems feasible. Come, my men!" he cried, "take up your arms; here is a fleet to carry us across!" As soon as the movement of the troops was apparent, the boats advanced to the shore. The Prince of Nagato was first to land. The Prince recognized the General. "Ah! it's that stupid Harounaga," he muttered. Loo leaped ashore. He wore a superb sword at his waist. "Twenty men to a boat," he shouted. "There are forty of them, which will make eight hundred men to each voyage." The General came forward. "What! Prince Nagato!" he exclaimed. "I am Naiboum,"[1] said the Prince; "all the glory of the affair shall fall to you." "A sovereign expose himself thus to the risk of battle!" said Harounaga, in surprise. "I wage war at my caprice, subject to no one; and I find a certain pleasure in these novel sensations." "You!--you used to care for nothing but feasting!" "I prefer warfare now," said the Prince, smiling; "I am fickle." Shots and confused clamor were heard in the distance. "What is that?" asked the General. "A false attack upon the other side of the island, to favor the landing of your soldiers." "Why, you are as good a General as I am," said Harounaga. The Prince hid a contemptuous smile behind his fan. The boats, loaded with men, put off from shore, the General accompanying the Prince. Loo had picked up a sort of trumpet; and, leaning forward, blew into it with all his might and main. Hieyas' soldiers awaited them in a body, on the opposite coast, ready to oppose the landing to their utmost; arrows began to fly thick and fast from both parties. The Prince of Nagato sent forward to right and left a boat full of men armed with guns. They overwhelmed the foe, who had no firearms, with an incessant volley of shot.