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.
“I do not see that we can,” answered Skotchley. “What can we do? You know what Tommy is. If we should attempt to reason with him, he would flare up.”
“I don’t mean to reason with him; that would be stupid.”
“Of course we can’t do anything with Waddie.”
“All we have to do is to inform Major Toppleton of the state of affairs on the island,” I replied, as I put the helm down, and told Tom Walton to haul in the sheets till the yacht was close on the wind. “We shall get to Middleport with this breeze before the dummy starts.”
It was only four o’clock in the morning, and though we had to beat up to our destination, I was confident the Grace would do it in a couple of hours. I had not had quite rest enough to make me feel good, and giving the helm to Tom, I lay down again. I was soon asleep, and the two hours of rest which I obtained set me right.
“Middleport ahoy!” shouted Tom, as we approached our destination.
“What time is it, Tom?”
“Six o’clock. This yacht makes quick time of it.”
“Where is Joe Poole?”
“He has just turned out, and is getting breakfast.”
“That’s sensible,” I replied, going on deck. “Clear away the anchor, and stand by the jib-halyards.”
In a few moments more, the Grace was at anchor in the deep water off the major’s house. The great man was still asleep; but it would be necessary to wake him. The belligerents on the island would soon be punching each other with their bayonets if something was not done. But I could not help feeling that the presence of Major Toppleton at the scene of action would hardly better the situation. He was as violent, arbitrary, and exacting as his son. It was possible that he might do something to give the victory to the partisans of his own side; but it was hardly to be expected that he would prevent the fight.
“Skotchley, will you go ashore and call upon the major? You have only to tell him that the Wimps have landed on the Horse Shoe,” said I to the dignified student.
“I don’t object; but why don’t you go?” he replied.
“I wish to go somewhere else.”
“Where?” he asked, curiously.
“I will tell you some other time, perhaps.”
“Just as you like, Wolf.”
I pulled up the tender, and both of us got into it. I rowed to the steps in front of the major’s house, and landed Skotchley. I had made up my mind what to do, and I had but little time to carry out my purpose. I felt in duty bound to prevent the fight on the island, if I could, even independently of the mighty will and pleasure of Major Toppleton. It was wicked to permit those boys, armed with deadly weapons, and irritated by a long-standing rivalry, to plunge into a strife which might become more serious than either party intended.
“Mr. Wolf!” called the sweet voice of Grace Toppleton, just as I was about to push off the boat.
I was sorry to meet even her at such a moment, great as the luxury would have been on an ordinary occasion. She tripped lightly down the walk to the landing-steps; and certainly she never looked prettier and more graceful than on that pleasant summer morning, with the fresh dew, as it were, glowing upon her cheeks.
“Good morning, Mr. Wolf,” she continued, as, out of breath with the haste she had made, she presented herself before me. “That beautiful yacht!” she exclaimed, as she glanced at the elegant craft which bore her name. “Isn’t she a sylph!”
“She is all she seems to be,” I replied, with becoming enthusiasm, “and I think she is worthy of her name.”
“How very gallant you are, Mr. Wolf!” she pouted.
“I have been sailing her all night, and I ought to speak well of her.”
“Father said he had sent you to Hitaca after her; but we did not expect to see you till this afternoon. I want to go on board of her. I was so surprised when I first saw her this morning!”
It was very awkward, but I could not help myself. I had a mission to perform which must be done at once, or not at all. I could not disregard her wishes, and I assisted her into the boat.
“I have been up to the Horse Shoe, where the students are encamped, since I returned from Hitaca,” I continued, as I seated myself at the oars.
“I suppose they are having a nice time up there,” she replied.
“I’m afraid not;” and as briefly as I could, I told her the situation of affairs between the contending forces.
As I hoped and expected of one of her gentle nature, she was shocked and alarmed at the prospect of a fight, especially as her brother was foremost in the strife.
“Skotchley has gone up to call your father, and I suppose he will interfere,” I added.
“I hope he will;” but the manner in which she spoke seemed to indicate that she entertained the same doubt which had disturbed my calculation.
“I was thinking of doing something more,” I replied, rather doubtfully.
“What, Mr. Wolf?”
I related to her my adventure with Colonel Wimpleton during the night, and assured her that the great man of Centreport was very thankful to me for the service I had rendered him.
“I was going over to see him,” I added.
“To see Colonel Wimpleton!” she exclaimed, as though she thought such a step would be the sum of all abominations, for even she could not wholly escape the pestilent rivalry that existed between the two sides.
“I am not afraid of him. If I can induce him to compel the students from his side to leave the Horse Shoe, the fight will be avoided.”
“I am sorry you said anything to me about it, for father will not let you speak to Colonel Wimpleton about the matter. But, Mr. Wolf, you do as you think best, and I will not say a word.”
I assisted her on board of the yacht, and Tom Walton was as polite to her as her beauty and her position required. I was sorry to leave her; but I was intent upon the duty of preventing the fight. I pulled over to the other side of the lake. Haughty servants told me the magnate of Centreport was asleep, and must not be disturbed; but one who had seen me there in the night with the colonel, ventured to tell him that I wished to see him. I was promptly admitted to his bedroom, where I stated my business.
“I don’t think there is any great danger of a quarrel,” said he, after he had listened attentively to my story.
“I think there is, sir. The students from this side have landed on the Horse Shoe.”
“Well, our boys have always used that island for their camp.”
“But the Toppleton students engaged the Horse Shoe of the owner, and you will agree with me that they have the best right to the ground. If you will direct the boys from this side to leave the island, there will be no further trouble.”
“Do you think I shall tell our boys to run away from those on the other side?” demanded he, indignantly. “I am willing to do anything for you, Wolf, after what has happened; but I think you need not concern yourself about this affair.”
“I don’t want to have a fight, sir.”
“Nor I either.”
“Then I hope you will do the right thing, and send your boys off the island.”
“I will not do it.”
“Well, sir, suppose Waddie should get punched with a bayonet?” I suggested.
“I think Waddie can take care of himself. But, understand me, Wolf, if I can do anything for you, I will do it.”
“I have nothing to ask but this.”
“I will see what can be done,” he replied, rubbing his head, which I judged was still suffering from the effects of the brandy from the bottle that had been lost overboard. “I don’t want any fighting. I will go up to the Horse Shoe by and by, if I feel able.”
I pressed the matter as strongly as I could; but the stupid rivalry was too strong in his mind to permit anything which looked like yielding. I left him, hoping that the peril of Waddie, if no higher consideration, might induce him to take some active steps to avert the disgraceful alternative. I pulled with all my might across the lake, and I was not a moment too soon, for I had hardly jumped upon deck before Major Toppleton appeared on the shore, and hailed the yacht for a boat. Taking Grace with me, I pulled to the steps. The great man had his overcoat on his arm, and it was evident that he intended to be a passenger in the yacht to the scene of action.
“Let me go too, father,” said Grace. “I must sail in that beautiful yacht this very day.”
“We cannot wait,” replied the major, rather petulantly.
“I don’t want you to wait. I am all ready,” she added.
“If there is going to be a fight up there, you will be in the way.”
“I will stay in the yacht. Don’t say no; be a good papa.”
And he was a good papa. Miss Grace was permitted to have her own way, though, being like her mother, who was a very amiable and gentle lady, having her own way did not seem to injure her, as it did her brother. I need not say that I was delighted with the arrangement. We got up the anchor, hoisted the jib, and in a few moments were standing down the lake before the fresh breeze. On the way Joe Poole served up breakfast in good style, and even the major declared that the beefsteak and fried potatoes were excellent.
“The row has commenced!” shouted Tom Walton, at the helm, while we were at the table.
Fortunately our appetites had been satisfied before this startling announcement was made, and we all hastened on deck to see the fight.