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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..916f777 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69654 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69654) diff --git a/old/69654-0.txt b/old/69654-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f3e42b5..0000000 --- a/old/69654-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7849 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Rambler Club's ball nine, by W. -Crispin Sheppard - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Rambler Club's ball nine - -Author: W. Crispin Sheppard - -Illustrator: W. Crispin Sheppard - -Release Date: December 29, 2022 [eBook #69654] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David Edwards, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RAMBLER CLUB'S BALL -NINE *** - - - - - - The Rambler Club's - Ball Nine - - BY W. CRISPIN SHEPPARD - - AUTHOR OF - - "THE RAMBLER CLUB AFLOAT" - "THE RAMBLER CLUB'S WINTER CAMP" - "THE RAMBLER CLUB IN THE MOUNTAINS" - "THE RAMBLER CLUB ON CIRCLE T RANCH" - "THE RAMBLER CLUB AMONG THE LUMBERJACKS" - "THE RAMBLER CLUB'S GOLD MINE" - "THE RAMBLER CLUB'S AEROPLANE" - "THE RAMBLER CLUB'S HOUSE-BOAT" - "THE RAMBLER CLUB'S MOTOR CAR" - - Illustrated by the Author - - THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY - PHILADELPHIA - MCMXIII - - COPYRIGHT - 1913 BY - THE PENN - PUBLISHING - COMPANY - - - - - Introduction - - -The Rambler Club of Kingswood, Wisconsin, formed by Bob Somers and his -friends, Dave Brandon, Tom Clifton, Dick Travers and Sam Randall, after -having numerous adventures in their own state, visit Oregon, Wyoming, -Washington and New York. In the mountains, on the plains, or deep -amidst the forest the five lads taste the joys, and also the trials, -of outdoor life, and in most unexpected or thrilling situations manage -to acquit themselves with credit. In the East, a house-boat trip up -the Hudson furnishes the club an eventful journey, while on a motoring -trip from Chicago to Kingswood another series of surprising and unusual -events befall them. - -The adventures of the Rambler Club are told in the following books: -"The Rambler Club Afloat," "The Rambler Club's Winter Camp," "The -Rambler Club in the Mountains," "The Rambler Club on Circle T Ranch," -"The Rambler Club Among the Lumberjacks," "The Rambler Club's Gold -Mine," "The Rambler Club's Aeroplane," "The Rambler Club's House-Boat" -and "The Rambler Club's Motor Car." - -Now the lads are back at the Kingswood High School, from which they -will graduate at the end of the term. Fired with an ambition to put -new life into the athletic affairs of the school, Bob Somers and his -friends take a hand and work some surprising changes. Their zeal and -enthusiasm are further aroused by a certain offer made to the school by -the town's most wealthy citizen, Mr. Rupert Barry. - -"The Rambler Club's Ball Nine," however, greatly to the boys' -astonishment, becomes the means of plunging the entire school into the -most turbulent period of its existence. No one can foresee the outcome -of the factional struggle until it is ended in a manner quite as -surprising as the disturbance itself. - -When the atmosphere finally clears observing students of the "High" -feel that they have learned many valuable lessons. - - W. CRISPIN SHEPPARD. - - - - - Contents - - - I. THE NEW BALL FIELD - - II. MR. BARRY - - III. THE "RETREAT" - - IV. THE LIST OF PLAYERS - - V. THE GRUMBLERS - - VI. THE FIRST GAME - - VII. FOUR TO NOTHING - - VIII. DISCOURAGEMENT - - IX. MR. BARRY ASKS QUESTIONS - - X. THE "FEARLESS" ARRIVES - - XI. GOOD BASEBALL WEATHER - - XII. "FOR THE GOOD OF THE SCHOOL" - - XIII. THE CHALLENGE - - XIV. REBELLION - - XV. A DECISION - - XVI. TOM IS "RATTLED" - - XVII. BENNY WINS A NOTE-BOOK - - XVIII. THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS - - XIX. THE VERDICT OF THE SCHOOL - - XX. THE WISH OF THE MAJORITY - - XXI. ROCKVILLE IS PUZZLED - - XXII. PLAIN TALK - - XXIII. BOB SCORES AT LAST - - XXIV. THE "HOPES" ARE BLASTED - - - - - Illustrations - - - "GET RIGHT BACK TO YOUR PLACE" - - "IT'S FOR THE GOOD OF THE SCHOOL" - - "WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE BALL NINE?" - - "I KNOW YOUR GAME" - - THE SOAP BOX WAS SHOVED VIOLENTLY - - - - - The Rambler Club's Ball Nine - - - - - CHAPTER I - - THE NEW BALL FIELD - - -"Great Scott! Maybe that chap can't run!" - -"You're right, Earl. But it will take more than running to beat the -Stars and Goose Hill fellows, to say nothing of Rockville Academy. That -crowd over there certainly has a corking team. Say, Roycroft, you ought -to be on Bob Somers' nine." - -Earl Roycroft, a six-foot boy weighing almost two hundred pounds, -settled his big frame in a more comfortable position on the rail fence. -His eyes mechanically followed the runners speeding one after another -around a lot used by the Kingswood High School students as a baseball -and training field. - -"Why, it isn't Bob Somers' team; it's the school's, Nat," he protested, -mildly. - -Nat Wingate, a handsome, dark-haired boy with flashing brown eyes, -smiled. - -"Well, Somers seems to be having things pretty much his own way," he -answered. "When I was captain, last year, it was mighty different. -Stand up for your rights, Roycroft. The team needs a great big chap -like you, and----" - -"Great Scott, but he can sprint!" - -"Well, it would be mighty funny if a fellow who has such long legs as -Tom Clifton couldn't sprint," returned Nat, dryly. - -The crisp crack of a bat suddenly attracted his attention. Then he -caught sight of the ball describing a long, graceful curve. He watched -the sphere flashing against the blue sky until it had reached such -a height as to appear but the merest speck, and then as it swiftly -dropped and was plucked from space by a slender boy in the outfield. - -"Good catch for Charlie Blake," exclaimed Roycroft. - -"And there was some class to the hit, too," commented Nat. "I don't -think any of the Rambler fellows swung the stick on that one. Whoever -he is, I wouldn't mind having him on my team." - -"Humph! Don't you recognize that chap? It's Joe Rodgers." - -"Gee whiz! The young fellow the Ramblers brought back with 'em on their -motor car trip last fall?" - -"Exactly!" laughed Earl. "Dave Brandon has been looking out for Joe, -and got him a job on Mr. Miles' farm. He goes to school every day with -a lot of little chaps about half his age. But Mr. Miles says, from -the way Joe's learning, he'll soon put all us high school fellows in -the has-been class. Come on, Nat. I want to get a whack at that ball -myself." - -Nat Wingate eased himself off the fence, flecked a few spots of dust -from his clothes, and followed the big form of Earl Roycroft. - -"My crowd is going to get the first whack at the Rambler Club's ball -nine, Roy," he exclaimed. - -A peculiarly sarcastic expression came over his face as Roy flung back: - -"Cut that out, Nat. You mean the school team." - -"Last season we trimmed the Goose Hill bunch," went on Wingate. "You -know what a husky lot they are. Tony Tippen was in the box for us. -If any of the scouts from the big leagues ever get to this burg I -shouldn't wonder a bit if they'd snap him up." - -"I'd be satisfied with the minors," laughed Earl. "Whew! The air is -kind of chilly to-day, Nat. Roger Steele didn't think he'd have the -boys practicing outside of the gym until next week. Great Scott, but -that fellow can sprint!" - -"Wonder if he learned the trick by having wildcats chase him out of the -woods," laughed Nat. "Ha, ha! We met one once. John Hackett and our -crowd ran across the Ramblers on their first trip, and----" - -A salvo of cheers suddenly interrupted his sentence, and upon looking -up to see the cause of it the captain of the Kingswood Stars saw a -stout, round-faced boy advancing leisurely to the home plate. - -"Ha, ha! We're going to see the new editor of the high school -'Reflector' in action. Did you read the last copy of that sheet, Earl?" - -Roycroft nodded. - -"Sure thing, Nat. Dave has written a history of the Rambler Club. The -first instalment appears in the 'Reflector's' next issue. Guess there -isn't a fellow in the school who won't dive into his pocket for a -nickel. Hello, Spearman!" - -A boy almost as tall as himself, but of a lighter build, stepped from -among a crowd of noisy students and walked toward them. Harry Spearman -had prominent aquiline features and a manner which suggested a nervous, -high-strung disposition. - -"I tell you, Roycroft, these fellows are going to give a good account -of themselves," he began. "Steele and Somers have just the right idea -of training. Don't push your men too hard, they say, but keep them -always on the move. Roger Steele'll soon have a crowd of base-runners -that will make some of the fellows on the other teams look as slow as -so many ice wagons." - -A shade crossed Earl's face. Bob Somers had often expressed the opinion -that if the big fellow only possessed a little more speed he would -make one of the best players in the school. But, while Roycroft was -good at almost every other angle of the game, he was sometimes apt to -slip up when quick action was absolutely necessary. - -"Better not boast too much, Harry," grinned Nat. "Wait until the -Ramblers stack up against the Stars. We expect to pull off a few plays -that may make 'em seem like never-wassers. The Rockville football -eleven came over last fall, you know, and Bob Somers' crowd didn't cut -any great figure in the game." - -Harry Spearman's eyes snapped scornfully. - -"Suppose they did beat us? That isn't much to brag about," he retorted. -"When the Ramblers got back to school this term there was no athletic -association; everything was disorganized--you know that, Wingate----" - -"Gee! Another dandy hit," broke in Roycroft. "Dave Brandon certainly -smacked the ball that time. Look at it--still sailing. I'll bet it's -bound for Rockville." - -"Of course you do, Nat," went on Harry, paying no attention to this -interruption. "Before, it was all hit or miss--mostly miss; and nobody -seemed to care." - -"Correct," added Earl. "Bob plunged right in, and, with -up-to-the-minute plans, got the athletic association started, football -and baseball committees formed, and made arrangements with all the -various schools around to play a regular schedule of games." - -"Oh, I suppose he has your big colleges beaten to a frazzle on the fine -points of the game," exclaimed Nat, with a barely perceptible sneer. - -Earl Roycroft laughed softly. He knew that it wouldn't take much to -start a lively wrangle between Wingate and Spearman, as Nat was of a -highly impetuous nature, while the latter's principal characteristics -were nervousness and excitability. But he found it easy to stem the -tide of belligerency which seemed on the point of beginning. - -Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, mingling in a fraternal -spirit, formed scattered groups all over the lot, occasionally -yelling with as much vigor and enthusiasm as though about to witness -a championship game. Many wore purple and white sweaters, and these -garments added a touch of bright color to the still barren landscape. - -"There's 'Jack Frost' in the box, fellows," remarked Earl. "He has a -slow ball that will puzzle the Rockville boys. I've been up against it, -and I know. Comes so slow that you almost fall asleep waiting for it to -pass over the plate." - -William Frost was the name of the player in question, though, of -course, his schoolmates generally called him "Jack." - -"And Tony Tippen has an inshoot that would make the Cannon Ball Express -look like a slow freighter," laughed Nat. "Gee, I wish the next two -weeks would roll around fast. I guess you high school fellows are in -for a pretty hard jolt. We hate to do it, too, for this is a mighty -poor ball field, and a few lambastings will probably knock all that -fine Rupert Barry business in the head." - -"Oh, it will, eh?" sniffed Spearman. "Next season the Purple and White -team will be using that new ball park, and we'll have a grand stand, -besides." - -"Sorry to have to put that happy train of thought off the track," -chuckled Nat. "Have you forgotten the Goose Hill crowd and a few -others?" - -"It wouldn't faze us if they were major leaguers." - -"Hello, you 'Pie-eaters'; hello! Where's the rest of the 'Doughnut' -crowd?" - -This hail, coming in very gruff tones from the tall sprinter who had -excited Earl Roycroft's admiration, made Nat Wingate's eyes glitter -ominously. - -"The nerve of that Tom Clifton is getting my nerve," he commented, in a -low tone. "It beats me how some of the chaps are willing to swallow all -he hands out." - -"He doesn't seem to like the idea of us swallowing pie," laughed -Roycroft. - -By this time the tallest senior in the school had almost reached -the group. Tom Clifton, bubbling over with good spirits, eyed Nat -quizzically. - -"Still making the pies over at Guffin's do the disappearing act?" he -asked. - -"Yes! And the doughnuts are following the same route." - -"How is it that Kirk Talbot didn't come over to see us practicing?" - -"Kirk had something more important on hand. He went to a moving picture -show instead." - -"I'll bet it was a nickel one," snickered Tom. "We're getting ready for -your crowd, Nat. Thanks, Roycroft! I can go some. I'll do better yet. -Wait till you see me making the circuit of the bases. And when we get -that new field--well! We'll make some of the 'Pie-eaters and doughnut -crowd' lose their appetites." - -Tom Clifton's gaze roved over the rather uneven field, which was -situated some distance from the rear of the Kingswood High School. -Great patches of weeds and small saplings had been leveled to the -ground and hollow places filled in by the willing hands of the boys. -But even all the zeal and enthusiasm with which they had worked could -not make the result of their labor a joy and delight. This particular -field seemed to have a grudge against all athletic sports. Treacherous -little bumps or depressions, as well as other irregularities, had often -spoiled what might have been brilliant plays. - -And now, Tom reflected, after a whole winter of neglect, conditions -looked more unpromising than ever. It did not at all fit in with his -ideas of what the Kingswood High School boys deserved, especially when -he considered the new lease of life which Bob Somers, ably assisted by -his friends, had injected into the athletic affairs of the school. - -To the north, the three story stone building of the school, the center -of which was surmounted by a cupola, shone brightly in the afternoon -sun. Beyond the residences which hemmed in the large lot on all sides -several towers and domes indicated the business portion of Kingswood. -It all made a very pleasing picture. - -But Tom Clifton did not allow his thoughts to stray very long from the -actual work in hand. He was too anxious to get in the thick of the -fray again, and pull down some of the "sky-scrapers" which little Joe -Rodgers was batting out with remarkable precision. - -"Say, Nat, that chap is a corker," he declared. "Stand wherever you -please, and he'll put the horse-hide right into your hands. Gee--see -that!" - -"What?" asked Nat. - -"Why, the way Blake picked up Dave's grounder--one handed, too! By -Jove, it was a scorcher! Where are you going, Roycroft?" - -"To bat," answered Earl, with a laugh. "Come on, Spearman." - -"Good! Try to knock me down. I'll show you a few fancy stunts, Nat." - -"We are reserving ours until Saturday week," returned Wingate. "That's -right, Tom. Snicker all you want. But it's the snickers which come -after the game that count." - -Tom's reply was not audible, as there was too much noise. Some hundred -schoolboys, whose vocal organs were in excellent condition, seemed to -be desirous of learning just how much sound they could produce at a -given moment. - -Bob Somers had pulled down one of Joe Rodgers' drives after a long, -hard run, and although the force of the impact had sent him rolling -over and over on the ground, the sphere was safe in his hands. - -"Bully--bully!" cried Tom, as the shouts subsided. "See you later, Nat." - -"Hold on, Tommy," said Wingate. A quizzical smile was playing about -his lips. A restraining hand seized Tom Clifton's wrist. "Anything the -matter with your optics to-day, son?" - -"Why?" queried Tom, in surprise. - -"Haven't they lighted on anything yet, eh?" - -"Yes; a whole lot of dandy plays." - -"That isn't what I mean." - -The earnest manner of his companion made Tom eagerly scan the field. -He saw a dozen balls flying about in all directions, students in -purple and white sweaters dashing from place to place, and "Jack -Frost" engaged in sending in a variety of curves to Phil Brentall, the -backstop. He also saw the ball being snapped from first to third and -back again with great rapidity. - -But the fact that he was not looking in the right direction was -speedily impressed upon his mind when Nat shoved him around in a most -unceremonious fashion. - -"Now what do you see?" demanded Nat. - -"Gee whiz--goodness gracious!" cried Tom--"Mr. Rupert Barry." - - - - - CHAPTER II - - MR. BARRY - - -A tall, thin man, who, although somewhat elderly, seemed to walk -with all the alertness of youth, was directing his course toward the -players. He wore a long, faded, dusty-looking black coat and a derby -hat of an equally old appearance. - -Mr. Rupert Barry, one of the best known and wealthiest citizens of -Kingswood, had retired from active business many years before, and, -with only a man and wife who acted as housekeepers, resided in a -stately mansion which crowned the summit of a hill. Mr. Barry was not -partial to visitors. Only a select few had entered his doors. Those who -did spoke enthusiastically of a collection of bric-à-brac and paintings -which his house contained. - -None of the present generation remembered having ever seen Mr. Barry -in other than his old-fashioned coat and derby hat. It was a standing -puzzle whether the coat and hat refused to be worn out, or whether, by -some mysterious process, he was able, year in and year out, to procure -garments of exactly the same color and texture. - -Mr. Barry seldom appeared without a dog to keep him company. And these -animals, which had succeeded one another up to the present time, -generally possessed but little beauty. - -On this occasion the dog which kept close to the elderly gentleman's -heels was a large, shaggy creature of a yellowish hue, with a -quarrelsome look in his eye. - -"Now it's time to get out on the field and pull off some of those -pretty stunts, Tom," advised Nat Wingate. "It may make him take down a -few of those no-trespassing signs on that lot of his." - -"That's right," laughed Tom. "It fairly bristles with 'em. 'Trespassers -dealt with according to law'; 'Private property'; 'No thoroughfare'; -'Keep out'; 'Any one found depositing ashes or refuse on this lot will -be prosecuted.' Have I missed any, Nat?" - -"Just one," chuckled Wingate, "over on the northeast corner: -'Intruders will be promptly ejected.' It's a wonder he hasn't a few -Gatling guns planted around." - -"And just to think," mused Tom, "he's going to give that field to us!" - -"Well, I like your cheek," blazed out Nat. "You must think you're the -whole show. Do you know what my idea is?" - -"Guess I will in a minute." - -"Mr. Barry knows it's such a safe proposition that you fellows will get -trimmed all around----" - -"Oh, get out, you 'Pie-eater'!" howled Tom. "Take a doughnut. It looks -like a cipher--meaning nothing for you!" - -"We can eat up lots of things besides doughnuts," said Nat, -sarcastically. "I'm going to trail Mr. Rupert Barry." - -"So am I." - -As they walked briskly toward the scene of action the noise and the -cracks of the bats seemed to be greater than ever. - -By this time Mr. Barry had almost reached the high board fence which -served as a backstop and score-board. - -It was at once observed that Dave Brandon had stopped practicing and -was coming forward to meet their visitor. Bob Somers, too, was walking -in from the outfield. - -"By Jupiter, they're almost falling over themselves," jeered Nat. "I -want to hear some of the soft stuff they hand out. Bet they'll have a -tremolo in their voices." - -Nat Wingate had the ability to provoke a wrangle at almost any moment. -A hot flush mounted to Tom's face. He was too eager, however, to learn -the reason for Mr. Barry's descent upon the ball field to reply. - -In and out through the noisy groups he led the way, soon hearing above -the medley of sound the harsh, rasping voice of Kingswood's eccentric -citizen. - -"I never could understand why boys have to make such a confounded -racket while they're playing ball," he jerked out, impatiently. "Good -energy all gone to waste. Lie down, Canis!" - -The yellow dog seemed to have taken a great dislike to the proceedings -going on all about him, and was giving voice to this feeling by a -series of savage snarls and barks. - -"Long distance conversation for me," laughed Wingate. "His ivories seem -to be in good working condition." - -"I'll bet he's as yellow inside as out," chuckled Tom. "One good -kick----" - -"And any hope for your ball field would be gone forever." - -"Don't stop for me, Somers." Mr. Barry was speaking. He waved a large, -knotty cane peremptorily in the direction of the outfield. "Get right -back to your place." His stick struck sharply against the wooden fence. -"Here, here, you boys over there: quit that howling; quit it, I say!" - -[Illustration: "GET RIGHT BACK TO YOUR PLACE"] - -The students who had been applauding a difficult pick-up by Charlie -Blake obeyed his authoritative command. - -"That's better. What's the use of howling like a pack of young pirates?" - -"If it ain't any use, it's lots of fun, mister." A stocky, -freckle-faced boy, handling a very large bat, gave this answer. "And -sometimes it puts a whole lot of ginger into the crowd," he added. - -"What's your name?" - -"Joe Rodgers." - -"Do you go to the high school? Keep quiet, Canis!" - -"Not yet, sir." - -"Then why are you practicing on this field?" - -"'Cause they let me." - -"As bold as brass," murmured Mr. Barry, in audible tones. "Somers, I -believe I requested you to keep right on with your playing." - -Mr. Barry looked at the captain of the nine as sternly as though he -were some culprit caught trespassing on his field. The afternoon sun -played on an angular, smooth-shaven face and a pair of cold gray eyes. -There was nothing in his expression to indicate any great sympathy with -youth or their pastimes. But it was observable that, even as he spoke, -his gaze was continually shifting from one group to another. - -"This is the first day we have practiced outside of the gym, Mr. -Barry," began Bob. "You see it was such a bully day----" - -"I must request that you eliminate such words as 'bully' when -addressing me," interrupted the visitor, stiffly. - -"Would you like to have a little bat-out and catch, Mr. Barry?" asked -Nat Wingate, in a very innocent tone. - -"I know you of old, Wingate," returned the other, frigidly. "You may -direct your remarks elsewhere. What did you say, Brandon?" - -"That we seem to be rounding out in pretty good shape, Mr. Barry; -and----" - -"I didn't come over to hear any boasting." - -"His figure rounded out in pretty poor shape years ago, so I'm told," -put in a tall, aggressive-looking lad to whom Nat had just beckoned. - -Mr. Barry turned sharply upon him, took a good look, and then remarked: - -"I don't think I ever saw you before, boy." - -"I don't think I ever saw you before, either." - -"And what might your name be?" - -"Owen Lawrence. You see, our folks just moved to Kingswood. Of course I -had to go to school somewhere, and so I'm a student at the High." - -"And if you have any sense you'll stick there until you get a good -education," snapped the irascible old gentleman. "Drat that confounded -dog! Keep still, Canis! If you boys have as much spirit in training as -he has out of training you'll do. Now don't stand around gaping as if -you'd never seen a man before. Go back to practice." - -Mr. Barry had a way about him which impelled obedience to his will. For -fully fifteen minutes, under his critical observation, the boys played -with a dash and vim that might have brought a smile of approval from -almost any one else. - -Then, without a word of comment, he waved his knotty stick in the -direction of the captain of the nine, and, closely followed by the -yellow dog, stalked back in the direction from whence he had come. - - - - - CHAPTER III - - THE "RETREAT" - - -Not far from the high school, at the end of a long row of houses, stood -an unpretentious two-story frame building painted white. Big black -letters almost covering the width of the house announced that therein -was located "Terry Guffin's Student Retreat." - -Terry had lived in the "White House" long enough to know generation -after generation of schoolboys. His pies, doughnuts and cakes were -famous; so were his chops. And many an old "grad" who had left his -student days far behind found it convenient to return to Kingswood so -that he might see the round, red face of Mr. Guffin, and once more -partake of his tasty wares. - -The interior of the Student Retreat was filled with interesting -souvenirs of school life--photographs, sketches, bits of writing--each -possessing a significance dear to the heart of Terry Guffin. -There were rather curious paintings, too, on door panels, or over -mantel-pieces, which showed ambition, if not high artistic ability. The -largest and most important, painted on real canvas, with a gold frame -around it, and hanging so conspicuously that all who entered must rest -their gaze upon it, was signed "David Brandon." - -The picture represented a wild stampede of cattle on the plains. -Cowboys, terror-stricken animals, and clouds of dust were depicted in -a spirit which had often aroused the enthusiasm of visitors to the -Retreat. - -At the rear of the building, a large yard enclosed by a high board -fence was a favorite spot with many of the students, for tables, -with the whitest of table-cloths, and comfortable chairs were placed -temptingly about. Several trees and palms, together with a number of -small flower beds, helped, in warm weather, to make the place very -attractive. - -When Nat Wingate and Owen Lawrence entered the "Retreat," late that -afternoon, their ears told them before they reached the yard that it -had been captured by a crowd of lively boys. And the new student of -the Kingswood school immediately noted that his companion seemed to be -highly popular. - -"Hello, Nat! Hello!" came from half a dozen throats. - -"Zip--boom--hooray for the captain of the Stars!" called out a boy -almost as tall as Tom Clifton. - -"Hello, Hackett! Hello, Talbot!" greeted Nat. "Gee--there's 'Crackers,' -too. Howdy, everybody! Fellows, let me introduce Owen Lawrence." - -The latter was busy for a few moments exchanging salutations. Then he -plumped himself down on a chair, which the smiling Terry Guffin pushed -toward him. - -Mr. Guffin was pleased--the round, cherubic face under his chef's white -cap plainly showed it. A new customer to the "Retreat" generally meant -a permanent customer so long as he remained a boy--and sometimes after. - -Owen was soon holding a rapid-fire talk with Kirk Talbot, John Hackett, -Benny Wilkins, Ted Pollock, and a heavy-set, stoop-shouldered boy -wearing spectacles, and who was invariably addressed as "Crackers." - -"'Crackers'?" queried Owen, at one of the infrequent pauses. - -The heavy-set boy flushed slightly. A ripple of mirth was communicated -to various groups. - -"Ha, ha!" grinned Nat. "He doesn't do it any more." - -"Do what?" asked the new student. - -"Why, at one time he almost supported a cracker foundry," explained -Nat--"never seemed to be separated from a large bag of them." - -"A continuous performance," supplemented Hackett. - -"And of course such an awful example had to be made an example of," -chuckled Benny Wilkins. "Anywhere within a five-mile zone his name is -'Crackers.' When he gets beyond, some people call him Dan and others -Brown. He's been done up brown, too; haven't you, Brown?" - -"Some greenies may think so." - -"Well, it's a good thing talk like that doesn't mean a black eye for -some one. What were you saying, Nat?" - -"I'm trying to put Owen straight on who we are and what we are," -answered Nat. "You see, John Hackett, Kirk Talbot and myself left -school at the end of last term, and have already begun our struggle in -life." - -"So far, it's been something fierce, too," confided Hackett. "I'm -working for my father, and the howl he raises when I want a day or two -off would almost make you run out of the store." - -"John's the meanest apology for a dry-goods clerk that ever skimped on -a yard of cloth," announced Benny Wilkins. - -Nat turned toward Lawrence. "Ted Pollock, an old chum of ours, is still -making the professors at the school throw up their hands in despair. So -are most of the other chaps around here." - -"I've seen Benny Wilkins at the school," said Owen. - -"We must whisper that he's seen too often everywhere. He totes around -a note-book--must fill one every week. What did you put down to-day, -Benny?" - -Wilkins slowly drew from his pocket the article in question, and, -opening it, read: - -"Four thirty-five P. M. Sized up the candidates for the -ball team. No good. Four forty P. M. Tom Clifton received -notification to that effect. Four forty-one P. M. Tom Clifton -said so much in about three minutes that I left it all out. Four fifty -P. M. Looked at a book containing logarithms, but decided that -Terry Guffin's was better." - -"There is hope for you yet, Benny," remarked "Crackers," solemnly. - -Owen Lawrence paid but little attention to the boys outside of his -immediate circle, for he quickly noticed that they were apparently but -a chorus playing a very secondary part to the principal "stars" of the -"Retreat." - -"Say, fellows, who was that elderly gentleman who came over to the ball -grounds this afternoon?" he inquired, presently. - -Several started to answer at once. But Nat Wingate silenced them. - -"Mr. Rupert Barry," he explained. "They say he's the oldest graduate -of the high school. Has a great lot of the stuff everybody's scrapping -for, too--money." - -"Awful queer old chap," confided Ted Pollock. - -"What's all the talk about a new ball field that Tom Clifton is -getting off every day?" asked Owen. - -"I was just about to tell you," answered Nat. "Hello, Terry"--he raised -his voice--"are you baking that pie?" - -The white cap and smiling countenance of Mr. Guffin immediately -appeared in the doorway. - -"Just a moment, Nat," he answered, rubbing his hands together. - -"Hurry it up, Terry. Well, Lawrence, Mr. Barry owns a large field about -three-quarters of a mile from the school. And, last year, he sprang a -sensation on the crowd which some of 'em haven't gotten over yet." - -"If I'd only known about it at the time I'd have stayed at the school -and won it for the boys," remarked John Hackett. - -"You?" scoffed Benny Wilkins. - -"Before night comes I guess I'll know the particulars," laughed Owen. - -"Everybody keep quiet until spoken to," commanded Nat. "Mr. Barry -ambled over to the school one day and saw Professor Hopkins." - -"I'll tell him what happened," interrupted Ted Pollock. "You weren't -there, Nat. I can see the principal now----" - -"You can't," declared Benny Wilkins--"unless you've eaten too much pie." - -"He came into the assembly room with Mr. Barry. 'Boys,' he said, in -solemn tones, 'you all know our esteemed fellow townsman. He tells me -that on several occasions some of you have attempted to play ball on -his lot.'" - -"Thought you were going to catch it, I suppose?" grinned Owen. - -"Certainly did. But the principal switched off on a line of talk that -filled the fellows with so much astonishment that it's a wonder they -could do any studying for the rest of the week." - -"I know a few that didn't," came from Benny Wilkins. - -Nat silenced him with a gesture, and went on to explain that the -eccentric old gentleman who occupied the house on the hill did not go -to the school to register a "kick," but had actually offered to present -them the field and a grand stand in case they should have a winning -ball team the following year. - -When Bob Somers, Dave Brandon and Tom Clifton returned from a trip to -the East they had started things moving with a vengeance. Assisted by -Dick Travers and Sam Randall, two other members of the Rambler Club, -they got the student body to vote on the proposition to form a regular -athletic association. The boys, much impressed by the various exploits -of the Rambler Club, responded with an enthusiasm that not only brought -the project to a successful issue but placed in office all those -who were champions of Bob Somers and his crowd. Sam Randall became -president, Harry Spearman, vice president, Dick Travers, secretary, -and Jack Carr, treasurer. And all the representatives from the various -classes were hot "rooters" for the Ramblers. - -Of course many candidates for the ball team appeared, the most -prominent being the big guard of the football eleven, Earl Roycroft. -Certain very strong rumors floating about, however, seemed to suggest -that while Earl wouldn't be given a chance, Charlie Blake, a lad who -had made a failure on the school team when Nat Wingate captained it, -was almost certain of being assigned a position by the coach, Roger -Steele. - -With so much at stake, some of the boys began to feel that the Ramblers -were having altogether too much say in the matter. Tom Clifton's calm -assumption that he would be a member of the nine was particularly -annoying to some of his schoolmates. - -"Crackers" insisted that a storm was brewing. In fact, his agitation -had already resulted in the formation of an opposition, whose murmuring -discontent, if things didn't go right, seemed liable to break out later -into a fierce roar of disapproval. - -The great prize for which the school was about to strive had the effect -of putting this small minority into a belligerent state of mind even -before the make-up of the team was actually known. - -When his various informers at length came to a stop, Owen Lawrence -drawled: - -"A very interesting state of affairs. I don't like to say anything -against the crowd, fellows, but, honestly, it seems to me that Tom -Clifton is about the limit." - -"Oh, you knocker!" snickered Benny Wilkins. - -"A conceited specimen, if there ever was one," asserted "Crackers," -nodding emphatically. "Have you heard the latest?" - -"Wait till I get out my note-book," said Benny. "Let's see--five ten -P. M. A revelation by 'Crackers' Brown----" - -"He's talking about the dieting racket for athletes. By Jove, he had a -crowd lined up in the gym this morning, talking bigger'n any M. D. you -ever listened to--fact." - -A chorus of groans greeted this announcement. - -"Pies and doughnuts barred out, I s'pose?" exclaimed Ted Pollock. - -"I believe if he even saw one in a window he'd cross over to the other -side of the street." - -"Ah! That's right, Terry." Nat Wingate was speaking. "Crickets--here -come the doughnuts!" - -Mr. Guffin had placed before the captain of the Stars and Owen Lawrence -as fine specimens of pies as the "Retreat" had ever turned out. An -assistant deposited a big plateful of doughnuts in the center of the -table. - -"We won't be able to eat much supper after this," ventured Owen. - -"You only say that because you're not used to Guffin's," chuckled Nat. -"These are regular appetizers. What was I saying?" - -"Nothing," said Benny. "How did you happen to think of it?" - -"What kind of work are you doing, Nat?" asked Owen. - -"I'm secretary to my uncle, Mr. Parsons Wingate," answered Nat. "I can -take dictation in shorthand and bang on the typewriter with all ten -fingers." - -"And find time to play ball besides?" - -"You bet! I get practice enough to keep on edge. The Stars can trim a -lot of would-be big leaguers." - -"You're going to play the school team, aren't you?" - -"Yes! And we expect to give 'em an awful drubbing, too." - -"Get out your note-book, Wilkins. I'm going to ask a question," said -Brown, banging the table sharply. - -"All right," assented Benny. "Five fifteen P. M. 'Crackers' -asks a question." - -"It is this," said Brown, staring solemnly over the rim of his glasses: -"he who dares to venture within this 'Retreat' must be more than -a Pie-eater; he must have the--the--how does that go? Oh, yes--the -courage of his convictions--it has to be perfectly straight talk." - -"The question--the question!" demanded Benny. "You must excuse him, -Lawrence. When he starts out to ask anything he generally forgets what -it is before he reaches the point." - -"You have been at the Kingswood High one week," said "Crackers," with -a stern glare at the grinning Wilkins, "and in that time have seen and -heard a lot. Where do you stand on this baseball situation?" - -Owen Lawrence pondered a moment. The tongues of the boys were silent. - -"Well," he said, slowly, "I'm not one of those chaps who is afraid to -tell what he thinks." He beat a tattoo on the plate with his fork. "No, -sir. I don't mind saying that from what I've seen of the Somers crowd -my sympathies are beginning to be with the opposition." - -"Hooray!" cried John Hackett. "We are all for the good of the school. -Do you play ball?" - -"Of course. I was on a scrub team for two years." He paused. "Fellows, -I'm going to try for the Kingswood team myself." - -"Great--great!" cried Benny, gleefully. "I'll make an entry of that." - -"Think you stand any show of getting on?" inquired Nat. - -"Yes. Why not? Hasn't any chap who can make good a chance?" - -"That's something we have to find out," growled John Hackett. "But our -crowd's afraid Bob Somers will manage to get most of his own chums on -the team, besides having the biggest say about the others." - -"If that's his scheme we'll nip it," declared the new student, -emphatically. "I'm going to have something to say--don't you forget it." - -"And just to make sure we won't, I'll make a note of it," chuckled -Benny Wilkins. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - THE LIST OF PLAYERS - - -Since their return in the preceding fall Bob Somers and his crowd had -certainly stirred things up at the Kingswood High. Of course, for many -years, the school had been represented in local sporting events by its -football and baseball teams. But there was no athletic association, -little discipline, and a general policy of letting things drift along -under no particular control. - -Now all this was changed. Immediately after the board of directors -was chosen, and they, in turn, had elected officers, the business of -securing a competent coach was attended to. Roger Steele, a graduate of -the school, who had afterward played on a university baseball team and -finally taken up the practice of law in Kingswood, readily assented to -assume this task. - -Roger, a great friend of Bob Somers, entered enthusiastically into -the scheme. There was plenty of good material to draw upon, a fact -attested to by the number of victories won before Nat Wingate left -school. - -As early as the beginning of February the coach sent out a call for -candidates. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors responded in such -numbers as to make it apparent that the boys were in hearty accord with -the new spirit of things. - -Even while winter storms were howling practice was begun in the -gymnasium. A net cage to protect the walls and windows from damage -was arranged. Often while the snowflakes pattered against the panes -aspiring candidates labored zealously to perfect themselves in the -national sport. - -Steele began to drill "Jack Frost" and Willie Singleton who soon gave -promise of becoming real pitchers. Charlie Blake, wishing to retrieve -his reputation, worked diligently. So did stout Dave Brandon. The -football team of which he and Bob Somers had been members had received -its bumps at the hands of Rockville Academy only a few months before, -and Dave did not wish to leave school with memories of defeat lingering -in his mind. - -Perhaps, after all, the biggest figure in these events was Tom -Clifton. He had had printed a set of by-laws which were to govern -the acts of the athletic association. Tom was mighty proud of this -achievement, for even Coach Steele expressed the opinion that they were -very good. There was no more strenuous candidate for a position on the -team than the tall senior, who was usually the first in the gym and the -last to leave. - -The greatest danger which the coach had to contend with was the -tendency of the boys to overdo things. As the time for a definite -selection of players drew near interest increased. The adherents of -rival candidates began to be heard. The Somersites, however, seemed to -be in the great majority, several of the Ramblers being almost certain -of winning places on the team. - -The Kingswood High School was surrounded by spacious grounds in which, -only a few moments' walk from the main building, stood the gymnasium. - -Early on the afternoon following the introduction of Owen Lawrence -into the select company of the "Pie-eaters," a great crowd of students -directed their steps toward it. A cold, drizzly rain fell steadily; -a brisk wind shook and rattled the branches of the stately elm on -the campus. But the unpleasant weather could not kill the ardor and -enthusiasm of the boys. - -Coats were doffed, and once again purple and white sweaters made an -aggressive note of color amid the surroundings. - -Among the throng who came to look on were "Crackers" Brown, Owen -Lawrence, Ted Pollock and Benny Wilkins. - -"Start 'er going, fellows!" - -The businesslike voice of Coach Steele rang through the room. - -"All right, Roger," responded Bob Somers. "Who's got my glove--you, -Dave? Good! Shoot that ball over here, Tom. Thanks! Here go, 'Jack -Frost.'" - -With a "Hello, 'Pie-eater'!" addressed to Ted Pollock, the pitcher got -to work, Phil Brentall, catcher, having taken his position behind the -big chalk mark on the gymnasium mat. - -"Take it easy, boys," warned Coach Steele. "Danger of straining your -arms if you don't. Cut out those fancy capers, Clifton." - -"Shoot it over, Dave," Bob Somers was saying. "Put plenty of ginger -behind it, too. Better get over this way a little further, so we won't -be in danger of putting 'Jack Frost' out of business." - -The snappy work which followed brought a smile of approval to the -coach's face. Several other candidates for pitchers followed Frost. -Then came batting practice. Some of the boys were able to solve "Jack -Frost's" delivery. Frequently the crack of the bats reverberated -sharply through the building, and the wire netting stopped some pretty -hard drives. - -Steele showed his men many fine points in the art of sliding to bases, -and Tom Clifton distinguished himself on the big mats spread about for -this purpose. - -Occasionally the candidates "cut loose," and by the time practice for -the afternoon was over most of them were warm and happy. - -Earl Roycroft had made a good showing. Everybody who liked the big -football guard--and that meant almost every one in the room--was -jubilant. - -"He's all to the good as a baseball tosser," declared Ted Pollock. -"We'll surely see him in a brand new uniform playing at first or short." - -The crowd began filing out of the building. - -"Hello!" cried "Crackers" Brown, suddenly. "That looks interesting." - -"Goodness!--'Crackers' discovers something interesting!" murmured Benny -Wilkins. "It's certainly not himself." - -"What do you see, Brown?" asked Owen Lawrence. - -"You fellows couldn't spy through a hole in a fence," growled -"Crackers." He lowered his voice. "Cast your optics over in the -direction of Steele and Somers. Now do you catch on?" - -"Gee Willikins! They seem to be looking over a long list of some kind," -cried Ted Pollock. "I wonder what it means." - -"If your brain cells don't operate actively enough I suppose I'll have -to tell you," said "Crackers," in his usual solemn tone. "It must be -a--a--what's the word? Oh, yes--tentative--a tentative list of eligible -players." - -"I believe that wearing spectacles must make a fellow smart," grinned -Benny. "What are you looking so glum about, Lawrence?" - -"Why, I wanted to try for the team myself," exclaimed Lawrence. "By -Jingo, they ought to give me a chance. Come on, fellows. I'm going to -find out right away where I stand." - -"Don't let 'em bluff you," counseled Benny. "Always remember that the -'Pie-eaters'll' back you up." - -There was no air of indecision about the new student. The lines of his -clean-cut face seemed to tighten. - -"I say, Mr. Steele," he called, "may I have a word with you?" - -"As many as you please," answered the coach, smilingly. He handed the -list which had excited "Crackers'" curiosity to Bob Somers and advanced -to the edge of the cage. "What can I do for you, Lawrence?" - -"Am I too late to try for the team, Mr. Steele?" - -Owen spoke in an aggressive manner, as though he anticipated an -affirmative answer and was ready to argue the point. But: "Certainly -you may," coming from the coach made the combative light fade from his -eyes. - -"Oh--oh! Thank you." - -"You have played a good deal, I suppose?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Very well. You may start in to-morrow." - -"Too bad! A revolution nipped in the bud," muttered Benny Wilkins. -"Lawrence's expression was something fierce. But it had the 'fade-away' -drop, all right. Back to the pie parlor for me." - -"I'd like to see that list," remarked "Crackers," wistfully. - -"Hi, hi, there, Tom Clifton," shouted Benny Wilkins, "trot over this -way." - -"Well?" inquired Tom, an instant later. - -"Is that--er--er--what was the big word you used just now, 'Crackers'?" - -"Tentative, you ignoramus." - -"Thanks! A tentative list of players, Tom?" - -Tom looked very wise. - -"Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't," he answered, slowly. "Just think -it over while you're eating doughnuts. Going to practice to-morrow, -Lawrence? Good! The more the merrier!" - -"The more the sorrier, you mean--when the list is pasted up," -interposed Benny. - -"I shouldn't be surprised if somebody got pasted after the pasting," -said "Crackers." - -"Don't worry," laughed Tom, turning away. - -During the next few days, whenever the weather was suitable, the boys -practiced out-of-doors. Owen Lawrence worked as hard as any of the -others. There was no doubt about his being a good player--even Tom -Clifton admitted this fact to Harry Spearman. - -"Joining that 'Pie-eating' crowd won't do him a bit of good, though," -he added. - -"Strikes me he'd be a rather hard chap to manage," confided Harry. -"Awful set in his opinions, isn't he?" - -"Owen makes me tired," confessed Tom. "He actually tried to jump on -Dave this morning. But Dave only grinned--that's all. Couldn't get him -going." - -"How did it happen?" - -"He's seen that Dave is chummy with the coach--asked him to put in a -good word in his behalf. 'Can't,' said Dave. 'We're leaving it all to -Steele.' Seemed to make Owen hot." - -"If he doesn't get on the team he'll be hotter yet," chuckled Spearman. -"You seem to be getting some of those base-stealing stunts down fine, -Tom." - -"Steele's put me onto a lot of tricks. 'Tisn't all in the sprinting, he -says. Even a slow man who knows how has a chance. He's got the list of -players about made up now. Next Monday he'll submit it to the athletic -association." - -"We've been talking things over with Roger for a long time," remarked -Harry. "From what I've seen, I'd say he's struck the list about right. -But there'll be a lot of kicks coming, son." - -"Sure," admitted Tom. "That officious 'Crackers' Brown, even before the -names are put up, is buttonholing everybody he thinks ripe for a row. -'Steele will be making the greatest mistake of his life if he doesn't -have Roycroft and Lawrence on that team,' he says. The nerve of him!" - -"One good thing: Roger knows his business too well to be influenced. -It's up to the coach to run the team, and the school hasn't a word to -say." - -"Of course not! Gee! I must get over to practice now," exclaimed Tom, -suddenly. - -Before the week was over Mr. Barry and his dog again appeared on the -scene. He was as garrulous as usual whenever spoken to, but otherwise -made no comments. - -To the anxious candidates Monday seemed very far off; and when it -rolled around few of the students were able to keep their minds on -the work in hand. Some "fell down" hard in the class room. All sorts -of rumors were afloat. Earl Roycroft looked hopeful; "Crackers" Brown -decidedly ominous; Owen Lawrence wore an air of belligerency. - -At the first opportunity a crowd began trooping over to the gymnasium. - -Yes, the list was there, posted in a conspicuous place. - -But, due to the noise, pushing and jostling, it was some time before -those on the outside of the excited mass could gather any clear idea of -what had happened. - -"Crackers" Brown and Owen Lawrence were not on the outside of the -mass. The former had his face shoved so close to the list that it was -with difficulty his neighbors could get a glimpse. - -"Gee whiz, 'Crackers,' I'm tired of looking at the architecture of your -head," complained Benny Wilkins. "How many of the seven candidates for -pitchers got their jobs?" - -Numerous exclamations of surprise and disappointment were soon being -heard. The ominous expression on "Crackers'" face increased. Lawrence -was looking positively savage. - -"Say, fellows, this is about the limit. What do you think!" Brown -turned to face a staring, noisy crowd. "Neither Roycroft nor Lawrence -is on the team!" - - - - - CHAPTER V - - THE GRUMBLERS - - -"Well, I'm mighty glad it's all settled, Steele," said Bob Somers. "I'm -afraid, though"--he smiled rather grimly--"that some of the chaps are -pretty badly disappointed." - -Coach Steele's gray eyes ran over the crowd congregated before the -bulletin-board. - -"It's the same old story, Bob. A coach's life is not always the biggest -snap in the world." - -"I wonder how Roycroft will take it," ventured Charlie Blake. - -"Like a good sport, I'm sure," answered Steele. - -"Of course he will," said Tom, who was bubbling over with glee. -"Honest, Bob, I can hardly wait for the umpire to call 'Play ball!' -Aren't we going to pulverize Nat Wingate's crowd? I'll bet we whitewash -'em. Doesn't it make you tired to hear some of those fellows boast?" - -"Ha, ha! I shall have to make a note of Mr. Clifton's comment on -boasting." Benny Wilkins, wearing his usual grin, approached. -"Congrats, Brandon and the whole bunch. Thought your weight and Somers' -delicate nerve would carry you through. Lucky dogs!" - -"I can see an awful lot of hard work before us," drawled Dave Brandon. - -"But just think what jolly good fun it'll be getting the school a new -athletic field," exclaimed Tom. "Hope some of the teams we play are -strong enough to give us a pretty good tussle." - -"Cut it out, fellows! I tell you I don't want you to say a word. I'm -not putting up any kick." - -Earl Roycroft's big form loomed up from among a group of gesticulating, -excited admirers. Voices echoed sharply through the big gymnasium. - -"How about Lawrence? How about Lawrence?" chorused a small coterie -surrounding the new student and "Crackers" Brown. - -"Rah, rah, rah for Bob Somers!" answered a challenging roar from lusty -throats. "Three cheers for Coach Steele!" - -The room seemed to shake with applause. The Somersites were clearly in -the majority. A stream began pouring over to offer their well wishes to -the members of the first regularly organized team of the Kingswood High. - -Bantering remarks, cat-calls, came from the minority. Never in its -history had the gym witnessed such a scene of noise, confusion and -bustle. From out of the babel of sound came the repeated cry of: - -"Roycroft--Roycroft!" - -The big guard, red-faced and flustered, found himself being pushed -toward Coach Steele. His emphatic protests fell on unheeding ears. - -"Quit it, fellows," he commanded, almost angrily. "If the coach didn't -want me on the team that settles it." - -"Don't roll off any such chicken-hearted stuff as that," growled Owen -Lawrence. "We've been handed a raw deal, and it's time to us we said -something." - -"This looks like the beginning of a real revolution," grinned Benny -Wilkins, who had walked over. - -"We might as well have a little talk with Mr. Steele right now," -suggested "Crackers." - -"That's right; strike while the Steele is cool," piped Benny. - -"Let go, fellows!" cried Earl. "Stop shoving, Luke Phelps. If I'm -satisfied, you haven't any right to fuss about it." - -"Oh, yes, we have. It's for the good of the school," declared -"Crackers" emphatically. "I told you all along how things would turn -out. A protest in time may save nine awful explosions." - -[Illustration: "IT'S FOR THE GOOD OF THE SCHOOL"] - -"Well, I'm in your hands," said the guard, with a rather weak smile. - -"I say, Mr. Steele!"--Owen Lawrence was speaking--"may I speak to you a -moment?" - -"Certainly, Lawrence. Go ahead." - -"I don't want to appear in the light of a sorehead, Mr. Steele; but it -seems to me--and a good many here will back up my opinion--that it's a -mistake to leave Roycroft off the team." - -"What has Earl to say about this?" asked the coach, quietly. - -"I told these chaps I was ready to abide by your decision," answered -Roycroft. "I'm not kicking." - -"That's all very well," said "Crackers," "but we happen to know the -kind of a game he can play; and the prize the school is going after----" - -"I have considered all that, Brown." - -The coach, scarcely more than a schoolboy in appearance, spoke so -unassumingly that "Crackers" was emboldened to continue. - -He began talking earnestly and emphatically, pointing out the various -reasons why both Roycroft and Lawrence should be added to the squad. - -The coach, however, shook his head. - -"I don't think I can make any change, Brown," he announced, firmly. -"There are so many promising players in this school that it means no -reflection whatever on those who were left off." - -"Just the way I take it," said Roycroft. - -"Then you're a big dunderhead!" exclaimed Owen Lawrence. "Three of the -Ramblers on that team; two others officers of the athletic association! -How can you swallow a proposition like that?" - -"Oh, go away and eat some pie!" scoffed Tom Clifton. "Steady your -nerves with a doughnut. Better wait and see us play before you get so -hot about it." - -"I'm afraid some one will be roasted if this thing keeps up," murmured -Benny. - -"We're going to do our level best for the school, fellows," spoke up -Bob Somers, earnestly. "A team is twice as strong when there's no -opposition or unpleasant feeling. All we ask is: give us a fair show. -Then, if things don't break right, it will be time enough to talk." - -"Let that idea soak in, Owen Lawrence," spoke up "Jack Frost," who had -won his place on the pitching staff. - -"All right. We'll give you all the chance you want." Owen, apparently -regretting his hasty outbreak, even smiled as he added: "Wherever I -study I'm always red-hot for the school." - -"Lawrence's thought arrangement unloosens his tongue before he thinks," -came from Benny. "I made a note of that the first day he was here." - -"Oh ho," yawned Dave Brandon. "I've got a lot of work to do on the next -number of the 'Reflector.' Guess I'll skip." - -"Crackers," the most solemn-looking boy in school, and yet, some -suspected, the most anxious to help along any row, realized that it -would be impolitic to allow the opposition to show its hand too freely. -He saw that it could only react upon themselves, and, perhaps, throw -into the other camp those undecided students who were not quite sure -which side to favor. - -"The 'Pie-eaters' will act as nice as pie," he confided to Owen -Lawrence, late that afternoon at Terry Guffin's. - -"I heard Steele speak about getting up a second nine to play the -regulars," said Benny Wilkins. "He told the fellows it was the best -kind of practice. Now's your chance, Lawrence." - -"Not for mine, son," answered Owen, emphatically. "Steele and Somers -threw me down. Now they can't pick up yours truly just to make a -convenience of him." - -"I'm not sore about it," added Earl Roycroft, "but, after being -considered a kind of star on the football eleven, I don't feel like -taking a back seat." - -"I should say not," agreed Brown. - -This seemed to be the general feeling among those who failed to get a -position on the team. Many thought "Crackers" had a great deal to do -with this state of mind. - -At any rate, the various teams which soon sprang into being did not -include any "big names" among their players. The regulars, for the -most part, had an easy time disposing of them, only occasionally being -obliged to extend themselves in order to win. - -"Wait till they play a real, live club," laughed Owen Lawrence. "Then I -guess the score-card will tell another story." - -The interest aroused in the coming contest with the Kingswood Stars -increased as the day approached. - -"An awful lot depends upon the first game," said Bob Somers to Coach -Steele, as the crowd left the gymnasium for practice on the following -day. "Tony Tippen is certainly a dandy pitcher, and for an all-around -player Nat Wingate is one of the best for his age I've ever seen." - -"There is plenty of go and courage to that lad," remarked Steele, -"though he needs discipline." - -"Oh, they're not such a bunch of wonders," laughed Tom--"even if they -did beat the Goose Hillers. I guess we can wade right through 'em -without half trying." - -"Overconfidence has lost many a game," admonished the coach. - -"Well, I reckon it won't lose any for us." - -"Boys, I think you have all the signals down pretty fine. Now be -careful not to cut loose too much. Keep your best in reserve, and when -Saturday comes don't let a lot of howling rooters get your nerve." - -"Not much," sniffed Tom. - -"Well, here we are on the field. Let's get busy. Hello, Joe! Glad to -see you. Guess you'll be on hand to see the game, eh?" - -An expansive smile rested on Joe Rodgers' freckled face. He looked very -different from the lad whom Dave Brandon had found as an employee of -Spudger's Great Combined Peerless Circus and Menagerie. - -"Won't I though, Mr. Steele?" he answered. "How are you, Dave! Howdy, -Bob! Maybe I wouldn't like to be on the team." - -"You'll get there some day," chuckled Dave. "Ready, 'Jack Frost'? I -want to get my batting eye in shape." - -Among the great crowd of boys who surged on the field not a word of -opposition was heard. The fast and snappy play brought forth ripples -of applause. Bounders, grass-cutters, line drives and high flies were -fielded or caught with admirable precision. There were few false -movements made in whipping the ball from one to another. - -It was an inspiring sight to the Somers partisans. They cheered and -yelled themselves hoarse. Joe Rodgers was in ecstasy. - -"They can't be beaten!" he cried. - -"Three forty-five P. M. Decision reached that the Ramblers -can't be beaten," chuckled Benny Wilkins, who happened to be near. "Too -bad we can't get some major leaguers out here and show 'em just where -they stand." - -"Saturday will be a great day for the school team," predicted Harry -Spearman. "Everybody is brimming over with confidence." - -"I never bank too much on parlor practice," put in Ted Pollock. "Hush! -Don't say a word. Here comes Tom Clifton. Strikes me he's up in the air -in more'n one way," he added, in a lower tone. "Gee, hasn't he changed! -'Member when he was a little timid sort of a kid, Wilkins?" - -"It hasn't been lately," growled Benny. "Of all the hot-air artists -that ever strutted around a ball field he carries off the bakery, pie -counter and all. If they get trounced on Saturday I won't shed any -tears for Tommy." - -"What's this--a conspiracy?" chuckled Tom. "Cut out the whispering. Did -you see Bob stop Hazel's grounder? Peach--wasn't it? Scooped the ball -on a fast run." - -"Too bad Mr. Barry didn't witness that performance," said Benny. "He -might have taken down the first of those no-trespassing signs. Wasn't -it queer of the old chap to make such an offer, anyway?" - -"Most staggers me even now," admitted Ted Pollock. "Say, Tom, tried on -your uniform yet?" - -"Certainly have. Guess it won't look so spick and span after I steal a -few bases." - -"Better be careful how you try it on Nat's crowd," warned Ted. "His -backstop, you know, has a big rep' for nippin' those sly dodges." - -"Oh, yes. But he'll have to eat some more pie before he can do the -nipping act on me. Look out--let me get it!" - -Tom made a frantic rush in and out among the crowd in an effort to -reach a high foul which had slipped from Dave Brandon's bat. Two -juniors were bowled over in the attempt; but Tom caught the ball, and, -flushed with triumph, snapped it over to "Jack Frost." - -"Nearly knocks a fellow's head off, an' never even says excuse me," -muttered one disconsolate junior, rubbing his forehead. "I like his -nerve." - -"So don't I," growled the other. "The silly chump rushed right between -us before we had a chance to move. Gee! Look at him now, chasing that -grounder. Guess he thinks he's the whole show. Listen! What's that?" - -A loud, discordant yell had blared through a megaphone. - -Turning in the direction from whence the sound had come the two saw a -small procession of boys headed by Nat Wingate and tall John Hackett -approaching. The majority had megaphones, and the din which they -produced indicated that all knew how to use them to the best advantage. - -On they came, singing a lusty chorus. - -"We are ready for the fray!" shouted Nat, at the end of a stanza. - -"Rah, rah, rah!" yelled Hackett. - -"Bing, bang, boom!" screeched Kirk Talbot. "We're the best bunch in the -amateur ranks." - -"And we're going to show just how rank you are!" howled Tom. - -An approving roar came from the purple and white. - -"That's like Nat Wingate--always butting in with a megaphone," -exclaimed one of the juniors. "But say, Freddy Sparker, he's just doing -it 'cause he thinks he can rattle Somers' crowd; an', take it from me, -some of 'em he can." - -"Who?" asked Sparker. - -"Charlie Blake, for one; Clifton for another." - -"Add Alfred Boggs for a third. Oh, yes; Nat and Hackett'll know how to -get some of 'em going." - -"I shouldn't mind being knocked down again if it were only time for -that game to be played," sighed the first junior. "Wouldn't surprise me -a bit if Nat gave our crowd an awful lacing." - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - THE FIRST GAME - - -"I declare, Bob Somers, I feel a bit nervous about this thing." - -Charlie Blake, the most studious boy in the Kingswood High, often -referred to as the "grind," paced a corner of the gymnasium floor. - -"Oh, forget it!" laughed Bob. "Pull yourself together, Charlie." - -"Oh, I think I can play the game all right--even if I didn't make good -while Nat was captain. But there's going to be an awful big crowd on -that field, Bob; the whole town seems to be talking about it. And Mr. -Barry will have his eagle eye on every move we make." - -"So much the better." - -"Maybe you're right," assented Charlie. "Wish I had Dave Brandon's -nerve. Bet he could take a nap right before the game." - -There was an undercurrent of excitement in the gymnasium. Each of the -players, in a new and spotless uniform, resplendent purple shirt and -striped stockings, found himself the center of a little group of eager -enthusiasts. - -"For the good of the school, boys, do your best!" bawled "Crackers" -Brown. "Nat Wingate is a dandy fellow; but I hope you'll beat his crowd -so badly they'll never wind off any of their megaphone stunts here -again." - -"Oh, what an awful bluff, 'Crackers'!" chirped Benny Wilkins. "You know -you want him to win." - -"There's a big mob on the field already, fellows." This announcement, -coming from Tom Clifton, added to the pleasurable excitement. - -"Well, it's most time to be getting over," said Bob. "Everybody ready?" - -A rousing chorus of assenting voices answered. - -"Oh, I say--I say--who's going to report this game for the -'Reflector'?" cried Benny. "Mr. Editor, may I?" - -"Write it up and submit your stuff," laughed Dave. "If it's good I'll -slip it in." - -"Bully! That's a go. Now don't try to back out, Dave Brandon. You heard -him say it, fellows." - -The team, headed by Coach Roger Steele, was already making for the -door, followed by as enthusiastic and hopeful a band of rooters as -ever backed up a school nine. - -Freshmen struggled for the honor of carrying bats, masks and other -paraphernalia. - -It was an ideal day, cool and crisp, but not chilly enough to stiffen -the players' muscles. - -A big crowd greeted the boys on the scene of the impending battle. -Almost every student of the school seemed to be there, while numbers of -the townspeople mingled with the groups. - -"Somers, Somers!" yelled the mob. The cry rose and fell in waves of -sound, causing a flush to mantle the captain's cheek. "Rah, rah, rah! -Boom!" - -Purple and white pennants flashed brightly in the sunlight. It -certainly looked like a great day for the Kingswood High. - -By the fence behind home plate the players gathered around Coach Steele. - -"Don't get rattled," he cautioned. "Remember, quick thinking at a -crucial point has won many a game. Feel 'em out in the early innings, -and don't let a single chance for stealing a base slip by." - -"You bet we won't," laughed Tom. "When that crowd finds out what we -have to show in the running line they'll open their eyes." - -"Get to work, boys," ordered the coach. "Hello, Lou Mercer!" He -extended his hand toward a good-looking boy, manager of the club. "I -hear Professor Hopkins is going to see the game." - -"That's so," said Mercer, gleefully; "and Mr. Rupert Barry'll be with -him. And say, what do you think? Professor Ivins actually said he'd -come, too." - -"What?" cried Tom. - -"Fact. Surprised me, I can tell you. Heard him say once he never could -see anything in the game." - -"He'll see something in this game." Tom selected a bat from several -which an exuberant freshman was lugging about. "Get out a bit further, -Dave!" he yelled. "I'm going to knock some cloud swipers." - -"Hey! Who's seen the Stars practicin'?" asked one boy of another. - -"Not I. Struck me they did all of their practicing over at Guffin's." - -"That's where you're wrong, son. Leslie Glinn--he's one of their -crowd--unloosened his tongue long enough to say they went through their -little turns in a field about two miles out the pike. Oh, Nat's cute, -all right; knows every trick of the game." - -"So does Bob Somers," growled the other. "Say, if we win this game -won't the crowd give him a big hand to-night!" - -"Well, ra-ther!" - -Twenty minutes later a sound from a megaphone in the distance brought -forth a wild cheer from the supporters of the Stars. All eyes seemed -to be turned in the direction of the valiant team which, as usual, was -headed by Nat Wingate and John Hackett. - -Following the players came a great crowd, the members of which were -singing in half a dozen different keys a song that "Jack Frost" -declared Nat had written himself. - -"Sounds like it," chuckled Benny. "Guess it's a first offense, though." - -The rooters of the visiting team did their best. But the fans who swore -allegiance to Bob Somers drowned their efforts in a turbulent roar. - -The Stars didn't present the neat appearance of the Kingswood team, -their uniforms, no two of which were alike, bearing unmistakable -evidence of hard usage. - -The eyes of many were centered upon Tony Tippen, the crack pitcher of -whom so much had been heard. Tony was a farmer's son, tall, gaunt, -and angular of frame. His face, burnt to almost a coppery hue, -indicated that much of his time was spent out in the open. Tony had the -reputation of being a cool, imperturbable chap whom nature seemed to -have forgotten to supply with nerves. - -"Have you fellows done practicing?" sang out Nat. "Good! Our boys'll -wade right in." - -"We'll need only ten minutes," yelled John Hackett. - -"That's right. Let's get the ball rolling in earnest," said Tony -Tippen, in a deep bass voice. - -Quiet settled over the crowd. The boys were too much interested in -getting a line on the opponents of the "High" to make any noise. They -presently had to confess that the visitors had a dash and vim about -their practice which promised an exciting contest. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - FOUR TO NOTHING - - -"Play ball!" - -These two words, uttered in a loud, authoritative tone, sent a sort -of electric thrill through the impatient audience, which was only -waiting for the first opportunity to expend its superfluous energy in a -hair-raising yell. - -The Stars having won the toss, Tony Tippen went to his place on the -mound, while Dave Brandon, smiling in his usual good-natured fashion, -walked briskly to the plate. - -"He'll have to show the best in the shop to faze old Dave," chuckled -Tom Clifton to Catcher Phil Brentall. "'Jack Frost' couldn't do it, -could you, Jack? Ah! Tippen is going to let 'er fly. Watch him." - -The boys were already watching with wide, staring eyes. They saw the -pitcher "winding up." Then almost instantly the ball seemed to smack -into the catcher's mit. - -"Strike one!" called the umpire. - -"Suffering doughnuts!" gasped Tom. "Why didn't he swing on it?" - -"I've heard it is hard to lam the ball when Tippen is on deck," said -"Jack Frost." "Cheer up, Tom. The game isn't lost yet." - -Once more the pitcher sent in the ball. - -"Strike two!" - -"Great Scott!" breathed Tom. "Gee! I hope Dave takes a chance on the -next." - -Dave Brandon had no intention of being caught napping a third time. He -had been stunned into momentary inaction by Tippen's terrific speed and -the quickness with which he delivered the ball. Doggedly determined, he -faced the pitcher, realizing that the eyes of hundreds were upon him, -and that he was there for the good of the school. Out of the corner of -his eye he caught a glimpse of Professors Hopkins and Ivins and Mr. -Rupert Barry. Warily, he watched the cool, grinning face of Tippen. - -But the inshoot which Dave half expected did not come. Instead Tony -Tippen slipped over a tantalizing slow ball, and Dave's vicious lunge -came a fraction of a second too late. - -"Three strikes and out!" bawled the umpire, amid shouts of approval -from the Star crowd. - -The rest of the inning passed quickly, not a player reaching first. - -The members of the school team looked glum but resolute as they -sallied out into the field. They had not started off with the dash and -brilliancy many expected. - -"But never mind," said First Baseman Tom Clifton, fiercely. "We've -eight more innings coming to us." - -"Batter up!" commanded the umpire. - -John Hackett, looking very important indeed, strode to the plate. "Jack -Frost" rubbed a little dust on the ball. He raised his arm in the air, -brought it down again, and a snappy drop was speeding toward the batter. - -John Hackett made a mighty swing--and missed. - -"Rah, rah, rah for 'Jack Frost'!" came from the field. - -Jack was a little nervous. He had not yet gained his usual control of -the ball. The next two went wide of the plate. - -Hackett, however, landed on the fourth. But the pitcher scooped up the -bounder which resulted and retired the batter at first. - -Kirk Talbot was the next to face the pitcher. - -At the very first ball delivered he sent a hot line drive whipping -straight toward Charlie Blake. Charlie, though still struggling against -a feeling of nervousness, easily made the catch. - -Jeff Wilber, right fielder of the Stars, reached first on balls; but -Nat Wingate's effort to advance him was nipped by Dave Brandon's clever -catch of a high fly in left field. - -"Ha, ha!" chuckled Tom Clifton. "It will take more'n Tony Tippen's -pitching to win this game. You can bet we'll get on to his curves -before long. Who's up--you, Blake? Don't let Nat rattle you. He's -beginning his holler already." - -Charlie selected his favorite bat. He reflected that when Nat Wingate -tried to rattle a fellow he generally made a pretty good job of it. He -tried to deaden his ears to the sarcastic quips which the captain of -the Stars was now hurling toward him. - -"It's easy, Tippen!" bawled Nat. "He couldn't hit a stuffed pillow. -You've got him going." - -"I'll bet he'll be going to first the next minute," muttered Tom, -hotly. "My, I hope we do soak it to this crowd." - -"Shoot 'em over--shoot 'em over!" howled John Hackett. - -And the imperturbable Tippen did shoot 'em over with a maddening skill -and persistency which made the high school rooters fairly gasp. - -It seemed but a moment before the players found themselves trooping out -upon the field again with a dull and deadly feeling that Tony Tippen -was more than living up to his reputation. The crowd, ready to voice -its approval or disapproval, yelled earnestly at every opportunity. - -It was not until the ending of the fourth inning, however, that the -Kingswood rooters had a chance to strain their lungs to the breaking -point. Tony Tippen, one of the hardest hitters on the Stars, had -reached first in safety. - -At the instant "Jack Frost" got into action he was off on a wild break -for second. - -A yell rose on the air as Big Bill Steever smashed the oncoming -sphere, sending it directly toward Third Baseman Fred Benson. Benson's -practiced eye told him it would be impossible to catch the runner at -second--Tippen's long legs were taking him over the ground at too great -a speed. - -His gloved hand pulled in the bounding ball. Instantly he whipped it -over to Tom, at first, then sprang back to his place on the sack. - -"Send it here, Tom; send it here!" he yelled. - -Charlie Blake, shortstop, was keenly alive to the possibilities of the -situation. Day after day, Coach Steele had drilled into his men the -importance of backing up players. "Even if it proves unnecessary nine -times out of ten, on the next occasion it may prevent the scorer from -chalking down a run," he said. - -"When Tom gets excited he's apt to throw wild," reflected Blake. - -Before Tony Tippen had touched second and was tearing on toward third -Blake was off to back up the baseman. - -A hundred throats poured forth volleys of encouragement to Tippen; and -above the shrieks and yells the voices of Nat Wingate and John Hackett -could be heard. - -"Go it, Tippen; go it!" howled the former. - -"Hi, hi, hi! Come all the way around!" screeched Hackett. - -Kirk Talbot was dancing up and down in an excess of joy. - -"Here's where we bring in the first run!" he yelled. "Ha, ha! I thought -so!" - -The ball had beaten Bill Steever to first, while Benson had judged his -throw so nicely that Tom Clifton was able to return it without moving -an inch from his position. - -But the horse-hide had no sooner left Tom's hand than he realized, with -a sinking feeling, that it would sail over the third baseman's head. - -The purple and white pennants were not waving now. The Kingswood boys -looked on in gloomy silence. The shouts of their opponents soared -higher as Benson leaped off the ground in a vain effort to stop the -speeding ball. - -He saw Tony Tippen slipping past and making a break for home. - -"Gee whiz!" he groaned. - -The swelling din from the field struck harshly on his ears. But with a -frantic dash, Shortstop Blake got into the path of the ball, leaped for -it and caught it and, although partly off his balance, sent it whirling -toward home plate. - -Phil Brentall watched the runner and the ball racing toward him. The -hot volley of sarcasm and the wild blasts sent up through megaphones in -the Wingate camp could not shake his nerves. - -"Slide for it, Tony; slide for it!" roared Nat. - -"Slide for it!" echoed Hackett, desperately. - -For an instant the tumult was stilled. - -Tony Tippen obeyed instructions, literally hurling himself with -outstretched arms toward the plate. From amidst a cloud of yellow dust -his hand shot forward. Then, just as victory seemed certain, a hard -thump jarred his shoulder. The ball had won the race. - -"Runner out!" called the umpire. - -The Star adherents left off shouting as the high school lads began. -Caps were thrown recklessly in the air; purple and white pennants waved -frantically; and as Blake, flushed with pride, walked in from the field -he heard his name rolling out on waves of sound. - -"Not so badly done, sir," remarked Mr. Rupert Barry, who sat on a -bench between the president of the Kingswood High and solemn-looking -Professor Ivins. - -"Dear me," said the latter. "I can't understand why the boys get so -dreadfully excited." - -"It is one of the very annoying features of the sport," returned Mr. -Barry. "They distract everybody's attention." - -"If they would only enter into their studies with the same enthusiasm -we might have a race of intellectual giants," said Professor Ivins, -gravely. - -"Young Blake is one of those rare combinations who seem to be able to -do both," remarked President Hopkins, smilingly. - -"The catcher who tagged that boy out is now going to bat," said Mr. -Barry, looking up from his score-card. "I don't understand how it is, -President Hopkins--your boys don't seem able to hit. I know Anthony -Tippen has quite a reputation; but surely, with all their practice, -sir, they ought to do better than this. By George--a most ridiculous -spectacle! That chap has actually missed another." - -"Strikes me it's a most dangerous game," said Professor Ivins. "I -declare, I should like to get a little further away, where those -balls--what do they call them?--yes, yes: foul tips--a most ridiculous -appellation, by the way--would not be so likely to hit us. I read of a -case----" - -"Strike two!" came from the umpire. - -"Disgusting--disgusting!" snorted Mr. Barry. "An exhibition well worth -missing. Sir?" - -Professor Hopkins seemed quite pained. - -"I was saying that Tippen looks bigger and stronger than any of our -players." - -His manner was almost apologetic. - -"There are plenty of boys in the high school quite as big," snapped Mr. -Barry. "If the coach knows his business, why didn't he select some of -them?" - -"Three strikes! Batter out!" - -Mr. Barry thumped the bench vigorously with his knotted cane. - -"I'm not sure that I shall wait to see the finish of the game," he -announced, stiffly. - -"I quite agree with you," added Professor Ivins, rising. "If it is your -pleasure, gentlemen----" - -"Not yet," answered Mr. Barry. He consulted his score-card. "Alfred -Boggs," he said. "I hope he does better than his predecessor." - -But "Alf," as the right fielder was generally called, didn't. He simply -fanned the air vigorously and was retired. - -"Now 'Jack Frost,'" exclaimed Bob Somers, "see if you can't be the -first to solve Tippen's delivery." - -"Get those glum looks off your faces, fellows," admonished Coach -Steele. "I'll admit Tippen is a mighty good lad; but, remember, they -haven't put a run across the plate yet." - -"And won't, either!" cried Tom. - -The team eagerly watched "Jack Frost," as he faced his rival. The Star -crowd still kept up their yells and quips. Frost, however, scarcely -heard them. He had a burning ambition to send a "grass-cutter" safely -out of reach of the shortstop. - -"Gee, if I only get half a chance!" he murmured. - -With every nerve at high tension he waited. - -Striking vigorously at the first pitched ball, an electrifying crack -filled his heart with glee. - -But the sphere, instead of taking the course he had hoped, launched -itself fiercely upward and in the direction of the three gentlemen on -the bench. The catcher, dashing his mask to the ground, sprinted hard. - -"Foul ball! Batter out!" told the story. - -As Jack threw his bat spitefully aside he observed a small body of -freshmen dragging the bench into safer territory, with three dignified -gentlemen following close behind. - -"If he only drives them away it would be worth losing the game," -chuckled Benny Wilkins. - -"I hope it gave 'em a jolly good scare," observed "Crackers" Brown, -sourly. "They haven't any business to be watching a game like this." - -"Ha, ha! That's so," laughed Benny. "When is a game not a game?" - -"When the Kingswood Stars play the Ramblers?" - -"Oh, you rude thing. No; when it's punk. Isn't the way our chaps play -ball enough to make Barry plant corn on his lot?" - -"Get out, you croakers!" snapped Harry Spearman. - -"The game isn't over yet," put in little Joe Rodgers, whose generally -smiling face looked grave. "Just wait till Dave Brandon gets another -chance at bat." - -"We've been doing nothing else but wait," growled "Crackers." "So far, -it's been a sad, sad spectacle." - -"Oh, cheer up," said Benny. "Who grabs the stick now?" - -"Con Fuller." - -The Stars were swooping in from the field. - -"Hurry up, fellows; crack out a few runs, and finish the game!" sang -out Nat. "Tippen can't win it all alone." - -"I need just one more chance," said John Hackett. "When it's my turn to -bat if I don't knock down one of those out-fielders I won't eat any -more pie until to-night." - -Con Fuller, a big, aggressive-looking boy, smiled grimly. - -"Just watch me, Hackett!" he called. "Here's where the cover gets -knocked off the ball." - -"Oh, my, a good dollar and a quarter ball gone to waste," grinned -Benny. "Don't do that, Con. Just dent it. Say, have you noticed how -fierce Roycroft and Lawrence look? I wonder if it's Guffin's or----" - -"Rah, rah, rah! Boom!" - -A furious blast rising from hundreds of throats made it evident that -Con Fuller's boast had almost come true. The cover was still on the -ball, and it probably wasn't even dented, but those who had been -looking in the right direction saw the sphere sailing far over the left -fielder's head and stout Dave Brandon making a wild effort to overtake -it. - -"A three-bagger, sure," groaned Phelps. - -But, as the shouting crowd calmed down, they saw that Dave Brandon's -rapid recovery and accurate throw had held the runner at second. - -"Well, that's going some, anyway!" cried Nat, hilariously. - -"Bet if I was at bat now I could bring him in," said Hackett. "If you -don't do some good stick work, Sam Manning, there'll be trouble." - -Manning, vigorously chewing gum, had a determined glint in his eye. - -"Frost is melting; Frost is melting; the pace is too warm for Frost!" -shouted Kirk Talbot. "He's getting weak; his nerve is gone! Hi, hi, hi!" - -"One ball!" - -"I told you so!" snickered Kirk. - -"One strike!" - -"Take it easy, Sam. That was only an accident," advised John Hackett. - -"Two strikes!" - -"Lam it, you pirate; lam it!" howled Nat. - -Manning smiled curiously. Then, as the ball again shot toward him, he -bunted just inside the third base line. - -Baseman and pitcher dashed simultaneously toward it. Benson, however, -stopped the ball, which he tossed to "Jack Frost" with the laconic -remark: - -"Too late." - -Fuller and Manning played off the bases as far as they dared, worrying -the pitcher to the best of their ability. - -"Two men on the circuit and none down!" yelled John Hackett. "Don't -be afraid to take a chance, fellows. Go it, Fuller; get right off to -third!" - -The number of gloomy faces among the high school contingent increased. - -"I've a dreadful fear that the Ramblers are going to pieces," muttered -Benny, disconsolately. "Dave Brandon will never, never print the -article I'm going to write. Hello--I reckon this settles it!" - -George Marlow, left fielder of the Stars, had connected with the ball -so successfully that next instant all three bases were occupied. - -The Stars found their voices once more. A vociferous din, in which -megaphones and tin horns added to the volume, came from all parts of -the field. - -"Ah, here's where I do it!" cried John Hackett. "Watch me, Nat. If I -don't everlastingly smack the pill I'll work an hour overtime at the -store." - -"I can stand Hackett's blow because it only makes you grin," mumbled -"Crackers." "He knows enough not to mean what he says." - -"Say, John looks as dangerous as a regular league player, doesn't he?" - -The Stars' coacher near first was bawling out his orders with -monotonous regularity. - -It was an anxious moment for the High. With none out, the situation -looked mighty serious, especially as one of Nat's strongest batters -stood at the plate. Two balls and a strike were called before John -Hackett got into action. The tall player then swung with all his force. - -A terrific bounder shot off in the direction of first base. - -At the crack of the bat Conway Fuller, with lowered head, started for -home. The rousing cheers of the Stars rose to frantic heights; the -purple and white rooters stood glum and silent. Tom Clifton sprang -off his base to intercept the ball. The yells--the sight of the -wildly-excited boys--made only an indistinct impression on his mind. -For the moment, to him, nothing existed but the ball lashing viciously -over the ground. - -It smacked resoundingly into his gloved hand. Without straightening up, -Tom drove it unerringly home and sprang back to the sack. - -There was a different sound to the cheers which now reached his -ears. They had a volume which made the preceding shouts fade into -insignificance. Fuller was out at the plate, and Brentall had whipped -the ball back to him. - -John Hackett was straining every muscle to reach the bag in safety. -But, as an object whizzed past his head and a dull thud sounded, he -realized that his effort had been in vain. - -In spite of a feeling of intense disappointment, he slapped Tom Clifton -on the shoulder. - -"Good work, old boy; good work--a corking double play!" - -Tom's eyes sparkled. Volleys of cheers for Clifton rang pleasantly in -his ears. - -"Thanks, Hackett," he replied. "I guess we can play a little when we -try." - -Sam Manning on third, not discouraged by Fuller's failure to score, -launched forward as Kirk Talbot singled. The followers of Nat Wingate -went wild with glee. The first run for the Stars was marked down on the -score-board, and there were two on bases. - -"Jack Frost" seemed to lose some of his control, while the high tension -was evidently affecting several of the other players. Right Fielder Alf -Boggs fumbled Jeff Wilber's hot liner. Once again the score-keeper made -an entry. - -"And still two on bases," groaned Joe Rodgers. - -"The school team is going to be defeated, sir," Mr. Rupert Barry was -saying to President Hopkins. "I've no doubt they will be white-washed." - -"Dear me--white-washed!" exclaimed Professor Ivins, somewhat startled. -He looked around, as though half expecting to see colored men with -pails and brushes. "White-washed!" he repeated. "Do you mean the fence?" - -"No!" snorted Mr. Barry. "The baseball nine." - -"Dear me--extraordinary!" murmured the elderly professor, in puzzled -tones. "Doubtless it is another of those preposterous expressions -connected with baseball parlance. Is it, I might ask, a--a general -custom to refer----" - -"I fear it will be whenever these boys play the Stars," said Mr. Barry, -grimly. - -It was a disastrous inning for the school team. Before big Bill -Steevers' pop fly fell into the hands of "Jack Frost" the Stars had -three runs to their credit. - -"Never mind, fellows," said Bob Somers, cheerily. "It's a part of the -game." - -"Of course," laughed Dave. "If it weren't for Tony Tippen we'd probably -have twice that many runs ourselves." - -"A game's never lost until it's over," said Coach Steele. "You're -playing against a pitcher of unusual ability. But don't let that -discourage you for a moment." - -The end of the eighth inning found the score four to nothing in favor -of the Stars. - -"We'll simply have to do something now," growled Tom Clifton. "Just -listen to Nat Wingate howling. If we don't, maybe he and Hackett won't -go strutting around town proud as peacocks." - -"Roycroft, if you'd been in this game there might be a different story -to tell," grumbled "Crackers"--"eh, Earl?" - -"I'm not saying anything," answered the former football guard. - -"But I am," put in Owen Lawrence. "These chaps seem to be weak on the -stick work." - -"You never faced Tony Tippen," sniffed Benny Wilkins. - -"Well, if I couldn't do any more than sideswipe the air I'd be sorry. -Who's up?" - -"Charlie Blake." - -"Then we might as well go home." - -Charlie, fully determined to do his share toward staving off a -disastrous defeat, stilled a nervous flutter at his heart. - -"Better to make a try than stand still and hear the umpire yell, 'Three -strikes and out!'" he reflected. - -He aimed at the second ball, and perhaps no one on the lot was more -surprised than he to hear a sharp crack and to see the horse-hide -whirling off into space. - -Spurred on by a furious din from the purple and white, he sped down the -first base line long before the ball was returned to the infield. - -The players who had looked so gloomy a few moments before brightened -up amazingly. After all, Tony Tippen could be hit. It was a pleasant -surprise to many. - -"Oh, ginger! If we'd only started this thing in the earlier innings!" -groaned Tom Clifton, as he picked up a bat. "If Blake could do it, so -can I." - -With all his judgment, he aimed at the first ball which cut the plate. - -It was the hardest swing of which Tom Clifton was capable. The ball, -struck squarely, flew to the left of second base. Nat Wingate, leaping -in the air with upraised hand, stopped its onward progress. The sphere -rolled to the ground. - -With a swift dive, Nat recovered it, stepped on the base and shot the -ball to first. - -It was the nearest the high school team came to scoring that day, Bob -Somers, the next batter, going out on a foul. - -The Kingswood Stars and their friends were warm and happy. Tony Tippen -became the hero of the hour. He accepted his honors modestly. - -But Nat Wingate and John Hackett, who came in for their share of -lionization, did not take the victory so quietly. - -"Now let somebody call us 'Pie-eaters'!" jeered Nat. "I say, Clifton, -do we need some dieting? Won't you join us at a doughnut party -to-night?" - -"Get out!" retorted Tom, angrily. "One more inning, and we'd have had -you going." - -"Oh, yes; you'd have had us going around the bases one after another." - -Over by the bench Mr. Barry was punctuating some remarks with emphatic -motions of his knotty cane. - -"Extraordinary--extraordinary! Not even one of them got as far as -second base!" - -"I suppose you will not come again, sir?" ventured Professor Ivins. - -"I most certainly shall," answered Mr. Barry. "But I hope to goodness -I'll see a more cheering sight on the next occasion." - -The boys who happened to hear these remarks told their companions. -As fast as though the air had wafted the words from one point to -another the school had them on the tip of its tongue. And they grew in -importance in the process of traveling about. - -"Never mind, fellows," remarked Bob Somers, as they gathered in -the gymnasium. "There are two more games with the Stars before the -inter-scholastic championship begins." - -A boy rushing wildly into the doorway attracted his attention. - -"Hello, Benny! What's up?" drawled Dave Brandon. - -"An awful lot!" cried Wilkins, breathlessly. "What do you think? Luke -Phelps just told me he heard that Mr. Barry said he was so disgusted he -thought of withdrawing his offer--honest fact. Say, Brandon, does that -article of mine have to be typewritten?" - -"I'm not so sure the 'Reflector' will touch very heavily on recent -sporting matters," answered Dave, smiling. - -"Is Phelps in the room?" - -Tom Clifton's gruff voice rose clearly. - -"Sure! Just came in. What's the row?" answered a voice. - -"Who told you what Mr. Barry said?" - -Phelps pushed his way between the groups toward the players. - -"Everybody. No one caught his exact words, but they must have been -something pretty hot. There are enough rumors floating around to hurt -your eyes if they could be seen. It's been a fierce day, hasn't it?" - -When Tom Clifton walked home that evening he passed the field for the -use of which the club was fighting. - -It had never looked more alluring. He stopped to gaze over its broad -green expanse with wistful eyes. His glances wandered from one -no-trespassing sign to another. They looked much more formidable now -than they ever had before. - -"Great Scott!" murmured Tom. "What a beginning--four to nothing!" - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - DISCOURAGEMENT - - -The sting of defeat lasted for some time with the students of the -Kingswood High. The friends of the Stars crowed loudly over their -victory; and Tom Clifton, whose boasting previous to the game had -annoyed so many, received a generous share of sarcastic flings. - -The disquieting rumors which resulted from Mr. Barry's remarks hovered -over the school with unpleasant persistency. - -"Honest, Bob, it wasn't fair of him to pitch into the crowd at the very -first crack of the bat," exclaimed Tom, morosely, in the gym a few days -later. - -"Nobody seems to know just what he did say," chuckled Bob. - -"Don't worry, Tom, old boy," said Dave. "Athletes should keep their -minds free from care." - -"Wonder if I hadn't better go and see him?" mused Tom. - -"Goodness, no!" - -"Well, here's the latest." - -"Wait till I get my note-book," cried Benny. "Three forty-five P. -M. 'The latest--as told by Mr. Clifton.' Go ahead, Tom." - -Tom scowled fiercely. - -"It isn't any laughing matter, son," he exclaimed, grimly. "You all -know what an eccentric old man Mr. Barry is----" - -"But not so much as to make him unreasonable," suggested Coach Steele. - -"Oh, I don't know. Listen." - -The squad "listened," as did many lads who crowded the big room. - -"He's an eccentric old creature," repeated Tom. He glanced sternly into -Benny's grinning face. "What do you think? I heard that one of the -fellows--one of our fellows, mind you--said the way we played ball was -enough to make Mr. Barry plant corn on his lot." - -"Oh--oh!" gasped Benny Wilkins, faintly. - -"Yes, it's so. I'd just like to find him and punch his head." - -"That isn't enough to get excited about," laughed Bob Somers. - -"You haven't heard the worst. Some chap with more tongue than brains -thought it was such a good joke he'd have to tell somebody else, and -Mr. Barry happened to hear what he said. And----" - -"What happened?" demanded Benny, even more faintly than before. - -"Mr. Barry got angry--told Professor Hopkins he hadn't thought of it -before, but if that was the way the school was talking he thought the -idea might be a good one. If I knew who said it in the first place I'd -punch him right here." - -"Maybe some one could point him out," suggested "Crackers" Brown, -pleasantly. "How about it, Spearman?" - -Benny Wilkins made a determined effort to look innocent and -unconcerned. It was a most distressing moment until he realized that -Spearman, although he guffawed loudly, had nothing to say. - -A solemn grin played about the corners of Brown's mouth. - -"I'll bet it was you, 'Crackers'!" cried Tom. - -"Couldn't have been I," mumbled Brown, "because I have more brains -than tongue. I didn't do it. But if you want to scrap I'll accommodate -you right now." - -"Never mind," said Benny, joining in a roar of mirth. "Wait until they -lose the next game." - -"I'll get him yet," announced Tom, fiercely. "See here, manager"--he -turned toward Lou Mercer--"we play the Goose Hill fellows next -Saturday?" - -"Correct!" - -"If any more boys in the school think Mr. Barry's lot ought to be -turned into a corn field they'll change their opinion after that game." - -"We'll see," said Owen Lawrence, shaking his head very knowingly. - -"What we shall see," supplemented "Crackers." - -"I think," mused Benny, "that I'll finish my article on the baseball -game. Goodness! Wouldn't it be awful if somebody should tell Mr. Barry -what Tom called him--an eccentric old creature?" - -Study and practice kept the boys busy for the rest of the week. - -The Goose Hill crowd had considerable reputation, although the Stars -had won a spirited contest from them by the score of five to three. - -Goose Hill was situated on the outskirts of Kingswood, not far from -Wolf River. The inhabitants of the Hill, for the most part, worked in -the big mills which skirted the river for some distance. They were -rough but honest people, living in neat little houses which generally -stood in the midst of spacious yards. Many cultivated the ground, or -directed their attention to the raising of poultry. The Hill owed its -name to the fact that a majority of the bird fanciers chose geese as a -means of adding to their incomes. - -There were some odd and picturesque corners on the Hill decidedly -pleasing to those artistically inclined. Dave Brandon had often -wandered about, sketch-book in hand, and, in this way, met Mr. Stephen -Kimbole, proprietor of the general store which crowned the elevation. - -No one within the confines of the Hill was ever heard to call him Mr. -Kimbole, however. To every man, woman and child he was "Uncle" Steve. -"Uncle" Steve, though a little, dried-up man of uncertain age, still -possessed plenty of life and energy. - -From his porch one could look down upon the river and the busy mills -sending up clouds of smoke and steam. Not far from the base of the -hill, and some distance in from the river, a large stretch of turf -was given over to the mill workers for their sports. They had crack -football and baseball teams, and had won notable victories. - -"Uncle" Steve seldom failed to attend the baseball games. He was -regarded as a crank on the subject. Few knew more about the fine points -of the game than the old storekeeper. - -The thought of the Goose Hillers having a series of games with the -Kingswood High filled him with delight. - -"I'll be there," he exclaimed to Dave Brandon the day before the game. -"I'd sooner lose a quarter's sales than miss it." - -So, on the next afternoon, "Uncle" Steve was a prominent figure among -the great crowd which gathered to witness the contest. Most of the Nat -Wingate contingent seemed to be on hand. - -On this occasion Nat's loyalty to the school made him a partisan of the -"Ramblers," as many still persisted in calling them. When the players -appeared on the scene a tremendous volley of shouts and blasts from -megaphones assailed their ears. - -"Just listen to the mean bunch!" growled Tom Clifton. "You'd think they -were all on our side. I guess Nat is going to try and rattle us." - -"Don't let him," counseled Benny Wilkins. "Oh, say, there's Mr. Rupert -Barry already." - -"If I hear of any of our fellows saying mean things about the club this -afternoon they'll find me down on 'em like a ton of red-hot bricks." -Tom glared around sternly. "Think I know, now, who got off that silly -jabber about the corn field." - -"Who?" asked Benny. - -"Owen Lawrence." - -"I--I don't think so," stammered Benny. - -"What do you know about it?" - -"I--I--that is--I just thought--er--er--that----" - -"Oh, of course, nobody said it was Lawrence. But he looks mighty funny -every time I mention it." - -Benny changed the subject. - -"The Hillers look like a likely bunch," he exclaimed. "Who's that funny -little man over there with a white beard? Shouldn't think he'd trot out -to see a game of ball." - -"You couldn't drive him away with one of Nat's megaphones," said Tom. -"It's 'Uncle' Steve Kimbole. Reckon he knows who stitched the first -ball and who broke the last bat." - -The school nine, in their natty uniforms, were given a cordial greeting -as they marched toward home plate. - -The big crowd witnessed a highly interesting game. - -But two costly errors and a great batting rally of the Goose Hillers in -the eighth were the two principal reasons for the home team winning by -the score of seven to three. - -On several occasions, under fire, both "Jack Frost" and Charlie Blake -showed signs of going to pieces. It was a mighty disgusted lot of boys -that finally boarded the Kingswood trolley. - -Several scouts, who had been eager to pick up whatever crumbs of -information fell from the lips of Mr. Barry, were on the same car, as -anxious to supply the news as the others were to hear it. - -"He was downright mad," announced Luke Phelps, who had the honor of -carrying three bats and three pairs of gloves. - -Phelps waited so that this news could have all the bad effect possible. - -"Anybody could see that," added a junior. - -Not all the boys had been able to find seats, but Phelps, nowise -bashful in company, spoke loud enough for all to hear, as he continued: - -"Yes--he said it certainly looked as if the corn would win the field. -He kicked about lack of judgment on several plays, and----" - -"Said Somers needs stronger and heavier players," broke in another -junior, eagerly--"heard that with my own ears." - -"You couldn't have heard it with anybody else's," growled Art Bowers. - -"Say anything more?" came a query from the front end of the car. - -"A whole lot of things," answered Phelps, with importance, "but I -can't think of any just now." - -"Another sad, sad day," remarked "Crackers" Brown, solemnly. - -"You chaps are talking like a bunch of quitters," howled Tom. - -"I'm just stating facts." - -"We're not discouraged, Brown," said Bob Somers. "The team hasn't shown -its true form yet." - -"Of course it hasn't," asserted Roger Steele. "Just give us a chance, -boys. There was a little lack of team work in to-day's game, and"--he -smiled rather grimly--"some of the boys were a bit rattled by the noise -and excitement. They couldn't do themselves justice." - -"I guess he means me." - -Charlie Blake's foot touched the heel of his neighbor's shoe. - -"Oh, I don't know," returned the other, encouragingly. He lowered his -voice. "When the fellows were most yelling their heads off, didn't -'Jack Frost' send three men to base on balls in succession?" - -"Just as soon as the game is over I feel how much better I could have -played," sighed Charlie. "Honest fact--all that rooting does get on my -nerves." - -"Just because you're not used to it." - -"Nat Wingate's crowd certainly acted handsomely by you chaps," remarked -"Crackers." "Nat is just as solid for the good of the school as we are." - -Suddenly the high, piping voice of the youngest junior rose clearly -above the clatter of tongues and the steady rumble and grind of wheels: - -"Yes; it was the funniest sight I ever saw. He acted just like a kid; -yelled as loud as a pirate! And the queerest part of all was that he -seemed kind of chummy with Mr. Barry." - -"I guess 'Uncle' Steve was figuring on selling him a bag of peanuts -after the game," said a sandy-haired sophomore. - -"Heard him say he was coming over to see the next game between the -Stars and Ramblers," announced the first. - -"Sure he didn't say slaughter?" asked "Crackers," gazing innocently -over the rim of his glasses. - -The crowd was in a tumult. - -"Put him off, conductor!" bawled Benny Wilkins. "He's been rude to the -nine." - -"If things don't go better I'll be ruder yet," said "Crackers." - -When the car swung into the depot the crowd seemed to melt away on the -instant, leaving the rather gloomy-looking members of the nine to make -their way to the gymnasium alone. Even Phelps seemed to consider it no -longer an honor to burden himself with bats, balls and other articles. - -"I can't understand it," growled Tom Clifton. "Just think, Dave--seven -to three!" - -"Oh ho! We can't win every time, Tom," returned Dave, dryly. - -"Cut out any gloomy talk, fellows," advised Coach Steele, earnestly. -"Be good losers. Let each defeat make you only grit your teeth and -plunge in all the harder." - -"That's the talk!" cried Blake, brightening up. "We'll do it." - -As the days followed each other, Steele's earnest efforts served to put -new life and vigor into the team. The Somersites stuck manfully to the -nine. Any set of boys who could inaugurate a new era in the athletic -affairs of the High were not going to be deserted simply because they -had begun the season by losing a couple of games. - -Even their ardor and enthusiasm, however, received a rude jolt when the -school nine and the Stars again clashed. The score, six to one, told -the story of an event which helped to make history for the High. Only -those who didn't favor Bob Somers and his crowd cared to talk about it. - -They were willing to admit the nine had made some brilliant plays, but -pointed out the fact that these same brilliant plays were always on the -defensive. They said, too, that when Blake got rattled he was badly -rattled; and, according to the way "Crackers" summed up the situation, -when the bases were full "Jack Frost" was likely to fall down harder -than a chimney in a gale of wind. - -"Sit tight and don't say a thing," advised Owen Lawrence. "The -school'll wake up in time." - -Benny Wilkins' articles on the ball games did not find a place in the -"Reflector," but, possibly, they were read by nearly as many students -as though they had. Some glanced over their contents with roars of -laughter, while others waxed so highly wroth as to cause Benny to steer -a careful course in another direction when they approached. - -Quickly following the game with the Stars came another against Goose -Hill, this time on the home grounds. - -Another disheartening page was written in the history of the school's -athletics. The official score-card bore this entry: - -"Goose Hill 8: Kingswood High 2." - -On the day following Coach Roger Steele received a laconic letter which -read: - - "DEAR SIR: - - "Kindly call and see me this evening. Bring Robert Somers with you. - - "Yours truly, - - "RUPERT BARRY." - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - MR. BARRY ASKS QUESTIONS - - -If there had been any guide-book of the prosperous town of Kingswood -undoubtedly Mr. Rupert Barry's mansion would have received a prominent -mention in its pages. Stone steps zigzagged between stone walls to the -top of the hill. The mansion of the eccentric millionaire, in the midst -of spacious grounds, could scarcely be seen from the road. It seemed -as though the architect and builder had found a positive pleasure -in concealing from view as much as possible of the rich and ornate -structure. - -It was already dark when Bob Somers and Coach Roger Steele began -mounting the steps. The glare from electric lamps on the street flooded -some of the flights; others were left in almost abysmal blackness. - -As the two neared the bronze gate at the top the sound of wildly -scurrying feet caused both to stop. A series of savage snarls and -barks echoed weirdly, as the yellow dog, dark and formless in the -gloom, hurled its body against the gate. - -"I don't wonder Mr. Barry hasn't many visitors," murmured Steele, -softly. - -"Hope we don't get as hot a reception inside the house," chuckled Bob, -in equally low tones. - -"Unless some one can persuade the menagerie department to leave I shall -leave," said Steele. "Ah! The situation is saved." - -"Come here, Canis; come right here!" - -The two recognized the harsh voice of Mr. Barry, and, an instant later, -heard the sound of his footsteps on the gravel path. - -"Who is there?" The words were flung at them with a sort of challenging -querulousness. "Confound that dog! Who is there, I say?" - -The tall, gaunt form of the millionaire presently loomed above the -ornamental curves and twists of the gate. - -"Roger Steele and Bob Somers," answered the coach. - -"Then why didn't you say so before?" - -The gate swung silently back on its well-oiled hinges. Several sharp -commands promptly reduced Canis to a state of docility. - -"Come in." - -Neither Bob Somers nor Steele had ever visited the Barry mansion, so, -as they followed the elderly gentleman along the path, they looked -about them with the greatest interest. - -It was a beautiful, starlit night with enough illumination to show a -profusion of shrubbery and flower beds. Here and there great pines, -dark and forbidding, rose like grim sentinels against the sky. Above -the stone coping of the wall which surrounded the grounds, masses of -buildings and scattered lights faintly indicated the town. - -The stately mansion looked dull and gloomy, six heavy columns at the -entrance alone showing in a lighter tone. All the windows but one were -staring patches of dark, while from the exception rays of greenish -light poured out, to streak across the veranda with weird effect. - -Mr. Barry immediately led the two boys into his study, brightly -illuminated by an electric lamp with a green shade. In the center -of the large room stood a table piled high with books. Everything -indicated that the millionaire had been busy writing when disturbed by -the barking of Canis. - -He motioned his visitors to seats near by, taking his own in the -revolving chair before his writing materials. - -The green light brought out his angular features with uncompromising -frankness, giving him the appearance of some inquisitor of old about to -interrogate an unwilling subject. - -"Mr. Steele," he jerked out sharply, after his stern gaze had rested on -their features for a moment, "what is the matter with the ball nine?" - -[Illustration: "WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE BALL NINE?"] - -"It has not shown its true worth yet," answered Steele, calmly. - -"Why so? You have played four games, and each time met defeat." His -eyes shifted to Bob Somers. "It is not what I expected. You understand, -of course, that in order to gain the field the nine must make a good -showing--a very good showing?" - -"Yes, sir; we understand," said Steele. - -"I had hoped by the enthusiasm displayed in putting the athletic -affairs of the school on a sound basis that the baseball team would -have a corresponding strength. I'm disappointed." - -Roger Steele was not flustered by the manner or tone of his questioner. - -"You must remember this, Mr. Barry," he answered, quietly: "the nine -has met two of the strongest amateur clubs in the vicinity. I'm not -offering excuses--only explaining the facts." - -Mr. Barry's silver knife rattled vigorously on the table. - -"What kind of teams did you expect to play?" he demanded. - -Coach Steele ignored the thrust. - -"Tony Tippen is a pitcher of exceptional ability," he said, "and has -good support. Without Tippen in the box I believe we could even now -defeat the Stars. The Goose Hill lads are big, husky chaps whose -players are much older and far more seasoned than ours." - -"Why didn't you select bigger boys--Earl Roycroft, for instance? As -guard on the football eleven he played exceptionally well." - -The coach flushed slightly. - -"I have played on a champion university team," he said, "and when -engaged by the athletic association of the Kingswood High I was given -a free hand to choose whichever candidates seemed to be the most -promising. I believe in the end my selections will prove to be wise -ones." - -"Am I to understand, then, that you consulted no one in the matter?" - -"No; I can hardly say that, Mr. Barry." - -"Have you any objections to letting me know from whom you received -suggestions?" - -"Not the slightest. Bob Somers, for one; also Sam Randall, Harry -Spearman and several others." - -There was an awkward pause while the two waited for Mr. Barry to speak. -The rattle of the silver knife alone broke the silence of the big room. - -"Your reply has the merit of frankness," said the millionaire, at -length. He leaned forward, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. -"Remember--there must be no sentiment in this matter. Throw off any -player who does not come up to requirements. To be honest with -yourself and the school you cannot do otherwise." - -Coach Steele quieted a feeling of indignation which suddenly flared -up within him. After all, he reflected, a man who had made such a -magnificent offer to the school, and who felt such a deep interest in -the welfare of its ball nine, must be pardoned if he spoke a little -brutally. - -"I don't believe there's a single member of the team who would not -cheerfully step out if he thought it best for the school," he said. - -"I'm sure of it, too," spoke up Bob Somers, earnestly. "You see, Mr. -Barry, several of us traveled around a good bit, and, as Roger said, -haven't had as much opportunity to play in regular games." - -"That doesn't affect the matter," returned Mr. Barry, bluntly. "If you -can't play, why are you on the team?" - -"Oh, we don't admit we can't play," laughed Bob. "I think, before very -long, your opinion of the club will change." - -"I hope so," said Mr. Barry. "My object in sending for you was to -enforce upon you--I am going to speak plainly--this principle: there -must be no favoritism. Meanwhile I suspend judgment." - -The two rose to their feet and bowed. - -"You may be sure there'll be no favoritism while I am coach," said -Steele, a trifle stiffly. "I hope, Mr. Barry, we shall see you at the -next game." - -"Very probably." Mr. Barry pressed a button. "Cassius will accompany -you to the gate." - -Coach Steele and Bob Somers, bidding the millionaire good-evening, were -presently joined in the hallway by the servant, already provided with a -lantern. - -"A little light on a dark night ain't such a bad thing," said Cassius, -cheerily, as he led the way outside. "A header down them steep steps -wouldn't be calc'lated to do a feller any good." - -"No; not even a ball player could stand it," chuckled Bob. - -Cassius laughed softly. - -"All who play ball ain't ball players," he remarked. "Great sport, -though. Nobody 'ud ever think it, but Mr. Barry's one o' the greatest -fans out--yes, sir. Never goes to any of the big cities without taking -in a game or two. Latin an' ball playin's his hobbies." - -The latch clicked sharply as Cassius pulled open the big bronze gate. - -"Good luck, boys. I sure hope you'll win the grounds," he said, as his -swinging lantern began to cut a pathway of yellow light down the zigzag -stone steps. - -Once on the street, Coach Steele and Bob Somers watched his form slowly -remounting, to disappear behind the first turn, leaving only erratic -spots of light flitting from place to place on coping or shrubbery. - -"Some visit, that!" laughed Roger. "Still there's a rugged honesty -about the man I like." - -"Eight forty-five P. M. 'Coach Steele discovers there's a -rugged honesty about the man he likes.' I'll make a note of that." - -A slight boy suddenly emerged from the deep shadow of a tree-box a few -paces distant, and, as he advanced into the cold glare of an electric -light, its rays revealed the grinning face of Benny Wilkins. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - THE "FEARLESS" ARRIVES - - -"Well I declare! What in thunder are you doing here, Benny Wilkins?" -cried Bob Somers, somewhat startled, and not altogether pleased at his -unexpected appearance. - -"Spying," answered Benny, candidly. - -"There's a rugged honesty about that answer that I like," laughed -Steele. "Still, you ought to be at home studying, instead of cavorting -around the street at this hour." - -"Never cavorted in my life," grinned Benny. - -"What were you doing here?" asked Bob. - -"Until about sixty seconds ago, hiding behind that tree-box." - -"Oh, come now, Benny!" - -"Sure! Which way?" Then Wilkins' manner abruptly changed; a serious -expression flitted into his brown eyes. "Say, Bob, what was it all -about? Why'd you go to Mr. Barry's?" His hand fell on the captain's -wrist. "Tell me. I can hardly wait. Did he sit on you hard?" - -"Not so hard as to make us feel soft," grinned Bob. "Now, Benny, before -I say another word----" - -"All right! I know what you mean. This is the way it happened. I -live close by here, you know, and I was standing at the front gate, -chinning to a couple of fellows, when I saw you and Roger walk by on -the opposite side of the street. When they left, a few moments later, I -chased after you, and was just about catching up, when--Gee Whitaker! -Astonishment still fills me--you turned into Mr. Rupert Barry's. -'Something's in the wind to make those chaps climb such a flight of -steps,' I said to myself. So it was me for the lying-in-wait act until -you trotted out, ready to give explanations. Ha, ha! Say--you fellows -looked awful glad to see me. Now fire away, Bob." - -"I must refer you to Mr. Rupert Barry," returned Bob, smilingly. - -"Oh, come, that's mean. What! Aeroplane up those steps to have an -interview with a big yellow dog at the top? Well, I should rather say -nix! Go on--tell me about it." - -"Nothing doing," said Bob. - -"Not a word for the note-book," chuckled Steele. - -"Well, I'll make an entry, just the same," snapped Benny, highly -aggrieved. "It'll read like this: 'Mysterious visit of Coach Steele and -Bob Somers to Mr. Rupert Barry's. Principals refuse to be interviewed. -Were they called down for the punk showing of the team?'" - -With a loud, "Good-night!" the tone of which indicated a decidedly -ruffled state of feeling, Benny was off. - -"A sarcastic little chap," declared Roger Steele. "I'm rather sorry -this happened. He's a regular chatterbox, you know." - -"Benny is good hearted enough, but thoughtless," mused Bob. "If the -fellows hear about our calling upon Mr. Barry they may put too serious -a construction on it." - -"And 'Crackers' Brown and his crowd haven't been silenced by any means." - -"They can't knock my confidence in the team. What kind of stuff would a -captain be made of to become discouraged at the very outset?" - -"That's the talk," said Steele, approvingly. "Let the croakers croak. -Perhaps we know our own business best." - -As Steele had feared, the news leaked out. Benny Wilkins told a friend, -in confidence; this friend unbosomed himself to a chum, in confidence, -and so on, until the "leak" could only be compared to the bursting of a -great water main that sends up streams far above the housetops. - -Naturally enough, it created a mild sensation. Boys discussed it -animatedly on the campus, as they walked home, and at Terry Guffin's. -In some remarkable manner vague suggestions of what Mr. Barry may have -said became changed, by a steady process of evolution, into definite -phrases. - -Bob expressed the situation correctly when he said: - -"Those 'They say' chaps have the floor." - -But the Somers party treated all insinuations and rumors with a hot -breath of scorn that almost, but not quite, extinguished the tiny fire -which was kindled. - -A few days later three lads strolling along the bank of Wolf River were -considerably surprised and interested to discover a large motor yacht -approaching. - -Some of the richer residents of Kingswood owned gasoline launches or -yachts; but none could be compared to the magnificent boat which now -cut swiftly through the placid water of the river. - -"Well, that's certainly a corker," remarked Luke Phelps, who had been -busily engaged in throwing stones at a half-submerged barrel. - -"Never saw a finer," said Jim Wilton, a junior at the High. "Wonder -what she's doing here? Slowing up, by Jingo!" - -"All boats slow up before they stop," grinned Phelps. "Say, fellows, -it's got a real saucy name, hasn't it?" - -"The 'Fearless,'" read Jim. "Makes me think of the high school ball -nine. They're fearless before defeat." - -"Or fearless afterward--in this case, the same thing," came from Aleck -Parks. - -"If Roycroft had any sand he'd be on the team. He seems to be as -soft as his muscles are hard. Well, I declare, that yacht is coming -inshore. Wonder who the lucky owner can be?" - -"They must have spilled a few barrelsful of white paint on it. Hello! -There's somebody getting ready to heave the anchor. Let's loaf around -here, fellows, and see what happens." - -The strange yacht was moored a bit further up-stream; and a few moments -afterward the trio saw a small boat being lowered and three people take -their places in it. - -Luke Phelps' curiosity was stirred. He began scrambling down the steep -bank to a stretch of flat shore which bordered the stream. - -The yacht's dory had already pushed off, and, under the strokes of a -muscular oarsman, was making steady progress toward a rude wharf. Long -rippling lines spreading out from its bow caught brilliant gleams from -golden and purplish clouds floating lazily above. - -The boys walked fast, reaching the rickety pile of boards just as two -occupants of the boat clambered upon them. - -Phelps was immediately impressed with a strange dissimilarity in their -appearance. One was a big burly man with a brown beard dressed in a -yachting suit of blue; the other a slight lad attired in clothes of the -finest texture, wearing a large checkered cap and a decidedly saucy -grin. - -"Looks as if he'd melt away in a rain storm," remarked Phelps, -confidentially, to Aleck. "Got a peach of a complexion, hasn't he? Just -the kind of a chap you have to talk gently to for fear o' hurting his -feelings." - -"Soak him a good one on the ribs and he'd most likely blubber," -whispered Aleck. "Speak to me, sir?" - -"I did," answered the man in the yachting costume. The strength of his -voice was in full accord with the size of his frame. "Do any of you -boys know Bob Somers?" - -"Bob Somers!" cried Phelps, arching his eyebrows in surprise. "Well, -ra-ther!" - -"And a tall, gawky chap named Tom Clifton?" came from the boy in the -checkered cap. - -"I should say so." - -"And Joe Rodgers?" asked the big man. - -"Yes, sir!" - -"Then I suppose you know Dave Brandon and Charlie Blake?" - -"No mistake about that, cap'n," answered Phelps, whose curiosity was -receiving additional impetus from the visitors' questions. - -"Will you kindly direct me how to reach Bob Somers' residence?" - -"I'll do more'n that; I'll lead you right to it," responded Luke -Phelps, eagerly. - -He reflected that this would be the best way to find out all about the -strangers in the shortest possible time. - -It was this same sort of feeling, no doubt, which prompted the others -to second his proposition. - -"It's mighty easy to get all twisted up in the woods around here," -explained Jim. "Oh, no; you won't be putting us to any trouble. We've -attended to our most pressing business engagements for the day." - -"You are a very accommodating lot," laughed the big man. "Lead on." - -In his new capacity as guide Luke Phelps made the best use of the -opportunity to satisfy his curiosity. This, he found, did not require a -great deal of diplomacy. The boys soon learned that they were talking -to Captain Ralph Bunderley, of Kenosha, and Victor Collins, his -nephew, son of a widely-known Chicago lawyer. - -They also became aware of the fact that the captain, who owned the -motor yacht "Fearless," and his young relative had met several of the -Ramblers, Charlie Blake and Joe Rodgers, during the preceding fall, -when the boys were making a motor car trip from Chicago to Kingswood. - -"As fine a crowd of youngsters as I ever met, too," declared Captain -Bunderley. "They said something about getting up a ball nine, and -wanted us to run over and see 'em. So here we are!" - -"Say, how is Tom Clifton getting on?" asked Victor Collins, abruptly. -"Has he pulled off any mighty stunts on the diamond yet?" - -Phelps exchanged significant glances with his companions. - -"Don't mention it. We're trying to forget baseball," he answered, -wearily. - -"What's the matter? Wouldn't Bob Somers take you on his team?" - -Victor Collins' voice was delicate and refined; but there was something -in his manner which impressed the boys with the idea that perhaps he -wasn't quite so easy as they had supposed. - -"I never tried to get on," grumbled Phelps. "I had better sense." - -"I thought those chaps were all corking good players," said Victor. -"From the way Clifton talked last fall you might have expected by this -time to see accounts of Bob Somers' ball nine in the Chicago papers." - -"Is that what he called it?" asked Jim. - -"Sure! Why?" - -"You mustn't even whisper such a thing before 'em now," snapped Aleck -Parks. "It's the Kingswood High baseball team. But the club is run by -the Ramblers, just the same." - -"I fear there are mutterings of discontent here," said Captain -Bunderley. He looked sharply at the trio. "I thought I'd find all -the boys red-hot for Bob Somers and his friends. I won't hear a word -against them from anybody--understand that. They're all good square -fellows with level heads." - -Captain Bunderley's bluff style of talking effectually squelched Aleck -Parks; and, having learned all he cared to know, the latter soon found -a convenient excuse for leaving the party. - -Luke Phelps, though not so easily affected, was wise enough to take a -hint. - -"Going to stay long in Kingswood, cap'n?" he inquired, at length. - -"That depends." The skipper shrugged his broad shoulders. "My time is -my own. At any rate I'd like to stay until the Rambler Club's ball nine -is carrying everything before it." - -"In that case I'm afraid you'll never get away," murmured Luke, softly. - -After passing through several patches of woods, then across broad -undulating fields, the four came to a wide highway. Captain Bunderley's -swinging gait before long carried them to the outskirts of Kingswood. -Finally the high school was passed, and a short time later Pembroke -Hall, the home of Bob Somers' father, loomed into view. - -"Boys, I thank you sincerely," said the burly skipper, as he at length -placed his hand on the iron gate at the entrance to the grounds. "I -hope we shall become better acquainted." - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - GOOD BASEBALL WEATHER - - -Bob Somers was delighted to see Captain Bunderley and his nephew. The -two visitors were entertained at the Somers home on several occasions, -and soon became familiar figures in Kingswood. - -The captain, putting up at the largest hotel in town, often visited the -high school and athletic field, where his bluff, hearty manner gained -immediate favor. Of course there were exceptions. "Crackers" Brown, -Owen Lawrence, Aleck Parks and some of their followers didn't seem so -favorably impressed. - -"He's got too much to say, and I don't like the way he says it," -growled Parks. "Makes you think of a steam roller flattening everything -before it." - -"He's as thick as paste with the Somers crowd," said Owen. - -"And when the captain drops in to Terry Guffin's he roars his opinions -out so loud that my delicate ear-drums rebel," remarked "Crackers," in -his usual grave tone. "Now, to change the subject. As Mr. Barry said -to Bob Somers and Steele the other night, 'There ought to be a change -mighty soon.'" - -"I guess there's no doubt about his saying it," grumbled Owen, "though -both of 'em are as mum as oysters." - -"They don't deny it," said "Crackers." - -"If the nine doesn't take a brace on the next game," observed Aleck -Parks, "I'll begin to believe our athletic field has joined the castle -in Spain class." - -There could be no doubt that the school was taking an intense interest -in the third contest with the Stars, scheduled for the following -Saturday. Coach Steele had his men out practicing every afternoon, -devoting his attention to strengthening the weak points. - -"Jack Frost" was developing more confidence in himself, and Willie -Singleton, another pitcher, whom Steele had not yet used, was rapidly -acquiring the knack of speeding shoots and curves over the plate. - -"Charlie Blake and Tom Clifton bother me a bit," confided Coach Steele -to Bob Somers. "Charlie's a mighty good player until something happens -to shake his nerves. Then he's apt to hit the toboggan. And Tom's a -little too excitable, especially when it comes to close plays. At their -best, however, I don't think any of the candidates could beat them." - -"Neither do I, though many of the fellows are kicking because Charlie -was chosen instead of Roycroft." - -"We shall have a distinguished audience on hand Saturday," said -Steele--"your friend, Captain Bunderley, and 'Uncle' Steve, of Goose -Hill fame, will join the president and Professor Ivins on the anxious -bench." - -"Yes; they'll have the bench, and we the anxious part," grinned Bob. -"How about it, Dave?" - -"I've got so much work to do on the next number of the 'Reflector' that -I haven't time to be anxious," said Dave. - -"Guess Benny Wilkins keeps you busy firing stuff," chuckled Tom, -sauntering up in time to hear his remark. "Say, Bob, Victor Collins has -bought a bugle. It'll help some to swell the noise of our rooters." - -"I hope the greatest part of the din will come right after the ninth -inning," remarked Steele. - -None of the boys looked forward more eagerly to Saturday afternoon's -contest than Victor Collins. Captain Bunderley, too, was expectant, -and made several emphatic observations in the "Retreat," which rather -jolted the susceptible feelings of the "Pie-eaters." - -On the day set for the game the weather turned out to be balmy and -springlike. During the past few days the color of the landscape had -changed surprisingly. The dull, yellowish grass had given place to -areas of cool, refreshing green; trees here and there were beginning to -hide their branches under myriads of leaves and blossoms. - -No wide-awake boy could have been discouraged or gloomy on a day like -this. The players romped through their practice like young colts. - -By the time the Stars appeared a happy, excited crowd thronged the -field. - -Professor Ivins had no desire to see the game, but, being a very -amiable man, did not like to refuse President Hopkins' request. - -"Our presence may help to encourage the boys," said the head of the -school. "What a superb day! I have an idea that we shall win this time." - -"If there was only some way by which those abominable foul tips could -be prevented I should feel safer," murmured Professor Ivins. "Ah! Here -is Captain Bunderley." - -"Very glad to see you, gentlemen!" exclaimed the skipper. "Magnificent -day, isn't it? Almost makes me feel like playing ball myself." - -The three men were seated on the bench reserved for them when Mr. -Rupert Barry appeared, with a little man trotting at his side. - -Captain Bunderley was thereupon introduced to the millionaire and -"Uncle" Steve. - -"Very glad to meet you, I'm sure," said Mr. Kimbole, rubbing his hands -nervously together. "Grand baseball weather, isn't it?" - -"Superb!" said Professor Hopkins. - -"Magnificent," added the captain. - -"Unexceptionable!" chimed in Professor Ivins. - -"Now that the status of the weather has been decided," remarked Mr. -Barry, dryly, "we can compose ourselves to witness--a--well, I hope, a -better game than it was our misfortune to see on the last occasion." - -The high school crowd seemed to be in a state of unusual tension when -the game began, and, as it progressed from inning to inning, they -relieved their pent-up feelings by uproarious yells. Victor Collins' -newly-purchased bugle ably assisted in producing noise. - -Tony Tippen, as before, was the stumbling-block in the path of success. -No matter how desperately the batters tried to land on his varied -assortment of curves the result was the same. At the end of the fifth -inning the score stood three to nothing in favor of the Stars. - -"Great Scott, Bob, this is awful," murmured Tom Clifton, wiping -his perspiring face, as they flocked out into the field. "The jinx -certainly has us again. Honest, Bob, Tony sent in a slow ball that I -thought, sure as shootin', I could knock a mile, and it didn't reach me -until after I'd swung the stick." - -"A fraction of a second counts," said Bob. "Don't get worried, Tom." - -"Oh, I guess I'm no more worried than anybody else," grumbled Tom. -"Just listen to Nat Wingate and Hackett bawling! The way those -'Pie-eaters' try to crow over our crowd certainly makes me weary." - -"Batter up!" called the umpire. - -"Enter Willie Singleton; exit 'Jack Frost,'" said Bob, his eyes on the -new pitcher stepping into the box. "Hope to thunder he can keep down -the hits." - -Singleton, a businesslike lad whom nothing seemed to rattle, put all -his energy and skill into the task. - -Tony Tippen, however, found him for a two-base hit; Nat singled, and -both made the circuit of the bases before the third out was recorded. - -"The same old--old story," remarked "Crackers," disgustedly. - -"A serial story," supplemented Benny Wilkins. "To be continued in our -next, I s'pose?" - -"You're a nice pair!" exclaimed Dick Travers, secretary of the athletic -association. "Haven't the boys put up a mighty good defensive fight?" - -"Of course!" broke in Harry Spearman. "If it hadn't been for good -fielding and some mighty fast throws to bases the score would now be -about ten to nothing." - -"It's only delayed; it's only delayed," said "Crackers." "You don't -need a spy-glass to see how Mr. Barry is looking." - -"Gee! What's up to make you chaps look so sour?" - -Victor Collins had appeared upon the scene. - -"Everything, Checkered-Cap," answered Aleck Parks. "Tell your uncle to -be at Guffin's to-night. We'd like to hear his opinion of the game." - -"Strikes me that you're kind of fresh," responded Victor, calmly. "But -I've noticed that you're mighty quiet when the captain's around." - -"Here, Checkered-Cap, don't throw any saucy remarks in this direction," -warned Aleck, bristling up. - -"I chuck 'em out whenever I please, and whoever gets in the way catches -'em." - -At the same moment Owen Lawrence was saying: - -"A mighty poor game, Roycroft. They're just as weak as ever on the -stick work." - -"I think it's partly because Tippen's in a class by himself," said Earl. - -"All the same, I'll bet if you had a chance at bat you'd rip the -stitches out of that ball." - -"Oh, I don't know. I'd like to try it, though." - -"If you'd only put up a stiff kick in the gym that day you might be -doing it now," exclaimed Luke Phelps. - -"Maybe," admitted the big football guard. - -"I call this a mighty good game, Owen Lawrence," piped Victor Collins. -"What's the dif if your side is losing?" - -"Only a big field with a diamond all laid out, and a grand stand -besides," sniffed Lawrence. - -"Get out! This is only the fifth game. Aren't there about ten more?" - -"To lose--most likely," growled Parks. - -"I reckon it'll do Clifton a lot of good. He used to be a regular -caution. I was going to nickname him 'Vanitas' a dozen times." - -"Just suited to him, too, Checkers," said Aleck Parks. "You've got a -wee bit of sense, after all." - -"Thanks! I can't return the compliment until I know you a bit better." - -"Some awful fresh remarks are being let loose," exclaimed Ted Pollock. -"'Vanitas'! That seems to hit Tom's case about right. What inning is -this--the eighth?" - -"Yes! And it's another case of whitewash," grumbled Parks. "There's our -grand editor of the 'Reflector' at bat. Watch him. He's going to swing. -Ah----" - -"Strike one!" came over the air. - -Harry Spearman dug his heel viciously into the yielding turf. The -sarcastic looks on the faces of "Crackers" Brown and Owen Lawrence -stung his sensitive nature. - -"Come on, Dick," he said, in a low tone. "I want to speak to Bob a -moment." - -They found the captain and Coach Steele coming away from the bench on -which Mr. Rupert Barry and the others were seated. - -Steele shook his head and laughed dryly. - -"Things are not breaking just the way we hoped, Harry," he said. "If we -could only put a man on base once in a while I'll wager they'd manage -to get around some way or other." - -"What does Mr. Barry think about it?" - -"He can't figure how it is that the boys aren't able to crack out a few -base hits." - -"The fellows who face Tony Tippen understand it," said Bob. "Side -out--back to the field for us!" - -The gentlemen on the "grand stand," as Victor Collins had dubbed the -bench, rose to their feet a short time later, when yells, hoots, -cat-calls and furious blasts from dozens of megaphones announced that -something had happened. - -That something was Big Bill Steever dashing frantically across home -plate, a feat which required the official scorer to jot down the -seventh tally for the Stars. - -The high school team made a desperate attempt to change the monotonous -list of ciphers which filled their run column. - -Tippen, however, held them safe. - -"Seven to nothing," growled Mr. Rupert Barry. - -"It has been a great game," chirped "Uncle" Steve. "Considering -everything, I think the schoolboys put up a pretty good fight." - -"So do I," exclaimed Captain Bunderley, in his deep bass voice. - -"Our ideas differ, sir," said Mr. Barry, gripping his knotted cane as -though he intended to knock some one on the head. "I'm disgusted--so -completely disgusted that I hardly know how to find words to express my -feelings." - -"Don't try, sir; don't try!" advised Mr. Kimbole, smiling benignly. -"What a grand sport baseball is! I trust, sir"--he turned toward -Professor Ivins--"that you have enjoyed the afternoon as much as I." - -"Ahem--ahem!" The professor polished his eye-glasses industriously. "To -be sure. After one has been cooped up indoors all week this sunshine is -really delightful," he admitted. - -"No matter who may be discouraged by the showing of the school, I am -not," declared Captain Bunderley, emphatically. - -"I believe, if we could get the consensus of opinion, you'd have few -supporters," snapped Mr. Rupert Barry. "Five straight defeats seem to -forecast a dismal failure." - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - "FOR THE GOOD OF THE SCHOOL" - - -A few days later, Bob Somers, hard at work studying in his "den," was -summoned down-stairs to the 'phone. - -"Now I wonder what's up?" he murmured, somewhat impatiently. "Haven't -much time to prepare for the next exercise in logarithms." - -As soon as he placed the receiver to his ear the gruff voice of Tom -Clifton began coming over the wire. And there was a note of pent-up -excitement in it which instantly caught the captain's attention. - -"I say, Bob, what do you think? Do you know what 'Crackers' Brown has -done? Never heard of such nerve in my life." - -"Tell me quick!" laughed Bob. - -"He's posted up a big notice on the gymnasium door calling for -candidates for another team. How does that strike you?" - -"I suppose there is nothing to prevent him, Tom." - -"You haven't heard all. The notice says that as the regular nine has -been tried and found wanting the interests of the school demand that -his players be given an equal show with the others." - -"I had an idea something like this was coming. Who told you?" - -"Benny Wilkins. Had the thing copied word for word in his note-book. -May be a joke, you say? No; nothing of the sort! It's an actual fact. -Gee! Maybe I don't feel mad enough to punch 'Crackers' Brown!" - -Bob Somers' face remained unruffled. - -"I don't think we want to indulge in any real warfare, Tom," he sent -through the transmitter. "'Crackers' plan may fizzle out. Besides, I -think we can count upon having the majority of the fellows on our side." - -"But Benny Wilkins says a whole lot are beginning to waver. He thinks -there'll be a sizzling hot time before many weeks. Aleck Parks and Owen -Lawrence are buttonholing every fellow in sight, telling 'em how the -grounds'll be lost unless Bob listens to reason." - -"What does 'Crackers' want us to do?" - -"Put Roycroft, Lawrence and a few others on the team, and discharge -Charlie Blake, Alf Boggs, and--and"--the tone of Tom's voice seemed -hot enough to scorch the wire--"myself. Honest fact, Bob--I don't know -whether I can keep from punching him or not. What are you going to do -about it?" - -"No Central American disturbance at the Kingswood High," said Bob, -dryly. "What am I going to do? Get right back up-stairs and finish my -work." - -"But we can't let a thing like this go on. Show the first sign of -weakening, Bob, and the wavering'll become a stampede most as bad as -any of the cattle rushes on the plains." - -"We don't propose to show any signs of weakening. It's up to the coach -to do what he thinks best. I'll stick by what he says." - -"Oh, I can see you're taking it pretty cool, Bob. But I was never -hotter in my life. Aleck Parks had the nerve to call me 'Vanitas' -to-day. Wonder where he got that from? I'm ready to put up the stiffest -kind of fight for the club." - -"So are we all, Tom," exclaimed Bob. "Going around to tell Dave, are -you? Good! Have to get to work now. So-long!" - -The captain snapped the receiver back in place. - -"Well, that's going some," he soliloquized. "A nice little scheme of -'Crackers' Brown to carry his point. But if he thinks he can force the -issue in this way he may be a trifle surprised." - -The bold move of Brown made a decided sensation. The big poster was -eagerly read by all factions. Hot arguments waxed to such extremes that -bosom friends soon passed each other without speaking. Some of the -freshmen seemed on the point of backing up their opinions with fistic -arguments. The original feeling that the Ramblers had too much power -broke out afresh; and through all the noise, excitement and confusion -Brown went serenely along, doing far more execution with his calm -methods than any loud, boisterous talking could have accomplished. - -"For the good of the school," was his slogan. - -Purple and white pennants with this motto began to appear. The -opposition to the Ramblers, though still in the minority, was -undoubtedly gaining strength. Cries for "Roycroft! Lawrence!" and -several other candidates who had failed to pass Coach Steele's critical -tests frequently rose on the campus. - -Brown's call for volunteers met with a hearty response, and the -self-appointed coach, determining that no time should be lost in -putting his plans into execution, had his squad out within a couple of -days. Brown's preference was evidently for big, husky chaps. - -"Sometimes the size of a fellow has an effect on the opposing team," he -said to Owen Lawrence. "A hundred and seventy-five pounds of bone and -muscle tearing along the base lines often does more good than the skill -of a hundred and thirty pound stripling. - -"Then, chaps like that have bigger hands to grab the ball; and when -they crack out a hit it has some steam behind it. - -"And, honestly, whenever I see Blake making a dash for a hot liner -it puts me in mind of an item like this: 'Baseball player seriously -injured by a bounder.'" - -"Ha, ha!" laughed Lawrence. "The idea of Steele putting him on instead -of Roycroft!" - -"Now the big fellow will have all the chance he wants," exclaimed -Brown, decidedly. "I'll stimulate his bump of ambition by making him -captain of the nine." - -"Capital idea! I suppose the Somers crowd will entrench themselves -behind the regularity racket. That set of iron-clad by-laws Tom Clifton -got up doesn't recognize any little outlaw scheme like ours." - -"Red tape versus common sense. I take it that the school has some say -in things of this sort. If Steele will agree to take on the players -we suggest--all right; if not"--"Crackers" spoke as mildly as though -ordering a plate of pie--"the worst insurrection in the history of the -school is about to begin." - -"The fellows'll soon be coming over to our side so fast that it will -make you think of an avalanche in the Alps," predicted Owen. "What's -that?" He put his hand to his ear. Faint cries of "Rah, rah, rah for -Somers!" were coming over the still air from somewhere in the distance. -"That kind of thing only makes it more interesting," added the new -student, with a grin. - -"Let's get over on the field. There's a big bunch ready for practice," -said Brown. - -Every member of the regular club was present when the "Outlaws," as -Benny Wilkins had dubbed the new set of players, got to work. - -Tom Clifton surveyed the proceedings with a heavy scowl, treating with -silent scorn, for the most part, the jibes which were occasionally -flung toward him by members of the opposition. - -"Honest, Bob, it makes me almost boil over," he confessed. "Listen to -that buttermilk voice of Brown's!" He turned, as a hand was laid on his -shoulder. "Oh! How are you, Steele! What do you think of this?" - -"I'm sorry there's disaffection in the school," answered the coach; -"otherwise I'm prepared to enjoy the afternoon." - -Things on the lot were not as they had been when the other players -alone occupied it. Sounds of heated arguments often rose above the hum -of voices. - -Fortunately there was enough room for the two clubs to practice without -interference, and the regulars and "outlaws" seldom came within -speaking distance. - -On this occasion Coach Brown and his men proved to be the great -attraction. A steady stream of schoolboys ebbed and flowed on the lot, -eagerly watching every move of the candidates. - -"Now we'll see some ball tossing that is ball tossing!" cried Aleck -Parks. - -"This does me good," said Luke Phelps. "There's Earl Roycroft over -there. Looks big enough for a hold-out major league player, eh? No -fanning the air for Earl." - -"Who do the Willie-boys play next?" asked Parks. - -"Oh, some club from Engleton. Don't know much about 'em; but Mercer -says they are players, though the Stars waltzed over one day, and, even -without Tippen in the box, put 'em in wrong to the tune of seven to -three." - -"Then Nat's team hasn't lost a game yet. Here, Checkered-Cap, you don't -belong on this field. Skip out!" - -"Oh, you saucy thing! Who's going to make me?" asked Victor Collins. - -"I will--if your line of talk doesn't suit," threatened Aleck. - -"Then you'll have to grow some. Gee! There's been an awful lot of -near-scraps to-day. In about a week I guess you'll be fighting all -over the field. Rah, rah, rah for Somers! How does that strike you, -Sourface? If it isn't strong enough I'll blow a bugle call." - -An irritatingly long blast immediately sounded. - -"Ta, ta! I go! 'Crackers' has a buttermilk voice. Got that from -Clifton. Ta, ta!" - -"He's a nice specimen for you," growled Parks, as Victor's small form -mingled with the crowd. "Wow--look at that hit! Who cracked out that -one?" - -"Bush. And he's a likely one for pitcher. If anything, he's stronger -than Roycroft." - -As the afternoon progressed the shouts constantly swelled out into a -greater volume. Little processions of Somers adherents moved recklessly -through the enemy's camp, yelling lustily for their favorites. - -"If we only win from Engleton," remarked Sam Randall, as they gathered -in the gym on the day of the game, "it may stop some of that foolish -fussing." - -"Whatever happens I suppose I'll get another eight-column article from -Benny Wilkins," sighed the editor of the "Reflector." "Still, I've -adopted one of his suggestions. The 'Note-Book' page will hereafter be -a feature of the paper." - -"Goodness gracious!" murmured Tom. "Now maybe he won't do some -strutting around." - -"Say, Bob," put in Charlie Blake, "I've been thinking pretty hard -over matters--can't help hearing a lot of things the fellows say, -you know"--he glanced toward Roger Steele--"and this affair has been -getting on my nerves. Now, I'm willing to step out for Roycroft, -Lawrence, or anybody else who----" - -"What! And be labeled a quitter?" howled Tom. "I didn't expect it of -you, Charlie--not this time." - -The emphasis laid on the last words brought a flush to Blake's face. - -"If there weren't so much at stake maybe I shouldn't be talking of such -a thing," he retorted. "But when a chap has it dinned into his ears -every day that he isn't doing the right thing by the school, why----" - -"Oh, you make me tired!" scoffed Tom. "Who wants you to get off the -team? No one but a lot of soreheads." - -Blake gloomily picked his favorite bat from the rack. - -"I don't know, Tom," he sighed. "Some of the boys who used to be pretty -good shouters for our crowd have flopped over to the other side." - -"A lot of weaklings!" jeered Tom. - -"Just go about your work as though nothing had happened," advised -Steele. "Now's the time to show what you're made of. I know a good -player when I see one. Don't let this noisy Brown crowd get your -nerve--that's all." - -Charlie Blake cast a grateful look at the coach. - -"I'm glad to hear you speak that way," he said. "But--but--somehow----" - -Steele slapped him heartily on the shoulder. - -"A little self-consciousness, Blake, is your only trouble," he -interrupted. "Get in the way of paying no attention to any one. And if -you do happen to make an error just remember that the highest salaried -player in the big leagues is occasionally bound to do the same." - -"The chap who doesn't take things too seriously is generally the one -who gets there," said Dave. "It's the easiest way to prevent your -nerves from getting all in a tension." - -"By George, that's right!" cried Charlie. - -"I knew you'd come around to our way of thinking," said Tom, -delightedly. - -The squad felt that a great deal depended upon the outcome of the -game with Engleton. And each member was chuck full of courage and -determination as he sallied out upon the field. - -They found the Engleton lads rather older and heavier than themselves. -One of the principal characteristics of their coach, a boisterous young -man named Finn, was the habit of making humorous remarks, and, as his -voice was of a caliber suitable for an auctioneer, his jokes sent -ripples of mirth all over the field. - -The game, as summed up tersely by Alf Boggs, was: - -"A nothing to three fizzle, with the high school holding the doughnut." - -His disconsolate audience was gathered before the fence near home -plate, their sad eyes showing no signs of brightening. Even several -exceptionally humorous remarks by Mr. Finn passed unnoticed. - -Suddenly they became aware of the fact that something not down on the -bill was taking place. Dan Brown, Owen Lawrence and Earl Roycroft, -followed by all the "outlaw" candidates, were winding in a serpentine -fashion--this movement being occasioned by the constantly shifting -crowds--toward home plate. - -"Mr. Finn," began "Crackers," "I'd like to have a word with you." - -"Nobody who ever did got stung," said the coach, pleasantly. - -"We"--"Crackers" waved his arm to include the grinning group behind -him--"wish to ask a small favor." - -"It can't be too small to suit me," laughed Mr. Finn. - -"I am forming a baseball nine----" - -"What! Is there a baseball nine at this school?" cried the coach, in -well-feigned astonishment. - -"We wish to state most emphatically that there is--just one; no more," -returned "Crackers," "and our great desire is to prove it." - -The members of the Engleton team crowded around. - -"How are you going to do it, Jack?" asked one, familiarly. - -"Well, Bill, it's this way." Brown beamed benignly over the steel frame -of his spectacles. "If you have any open dates for next week, and are -willing to play us, the thing is as good as done." - -"How about it, Finn?" asked the captain of the Engletons. - -The eyes of the visiting coach roamed over the forms of the "outlaws." - -"Suits me all right, Beebe," he answered. - -"We can't thank you too much, Mr. Finn," said "Crackers," mildly. -"Here's a chap"--his hand indicated Roycroft--"who is warranted to bat -anything hittable over the out-fielders' heads. We have some birds in -this bunch. Bush, our pitcher, requires only nine balls to put out a -side; he nearly always does it. We've an infield that a ball wouldn't -go by if it had a chance. Baseball as we play it can only be seen at -the big league games. I shall ask our esteemed friend, Mr. Bill, to -remember what I say." - -"What's the name of your nine?" asked Mr. "Bill." - -"The High School 'Hopes.'" - -"We'll promise to dash 'em," grinned the other. - -"Commiseration for your feelings after the game prevents me from making -a tart reply," said Brown. "What day shall we come over?" - -Finn consulted a memorandum book. - -"Next Thursday. Our lot is close to the largest ash heap in the county. -I may add, too, that some of the fiercest goats at liberty often chase -players off the bases. Bring all your nerve along. You'll need it." - -"Good!" cried "Crackers," in high spirits. "Why are we doing this, -fellows?" - -"For the good of the school!" bawled Lawrence. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - THE CHALLENGE - - -"A large slice of history made for the Kingswood High." - -This is the entry Benny Wilkins jotted down in his note-book at the -close of the "Hopes'" game with Engleton. Four boys had actually seen -him writing it, and perhaps a hundred others had had it flaunted in -their faces. - -The score, five to three in favor of the "Hopes," sent through the -ranks of Brown's followers a wave of enthusiasm that found vent in the -noisiest demonstration the quiet town of Engleton had ever known. - -Critical observers of the High's new team noted that the fire and -dash with which the big lads played seemed to impress their opponents -greatly. - -"Brown's bunch is the most unruly lot in the school," growled Tom -Clifton, who had ardently wished to see the "Hopes" sustain a crushing -defeat. "There won't be any discipline on that team very long." - -"They played a mighty good game, though," ventured Charlie Blake. - -Tom steered his companion out of the way of a procession of joyous -rooters, led by Aleck Parks and Luke Phelps. - -"How about the 'Pie-eaters and doughnut crowd' now?" yelled Parks, -waving his cap in the air. - -"If you want to win games go to Guffin's!" screeched Luke. "Ha, ha! -Five to three! Don't look so down in the mouth, 'Vanitas'!" - -"If it wasn't for this big crowd I'd punch him right now!" cried Tom. - -"I'm afraid the effects of Brown's victory will be rather bad," -mused Charlie Blake. He paused to watch the throngs hurrying for the -Kingswood car. "I wonder if Steele and Bob Somers haven't been a bit -stubborn." - -"Of course not," returned Tom. "Do you know what I heard this morning? -Some of the fellows Brown left off his team are putting up a kick -already." - -"Dear me! Then, I suppose, before long there'll be a half dozen nines, -all playing for the good of the school." - -Next day, in the gymnasium, Benny Wilkins had an opportunity to write -several very interesting items in his famous note-book. Immediately -after classes were over the regular nine assembled in the big room as -though nothing had happened. They had hardly donned their uniforms, -preparatory to practicing, when the door opened, and Dan Brown, heading -his entire aggregation of players, stepped inside. - -An eager crowd of freshmen, juniors, sophomores and seniors flocked at -their heels, their faces showing a degree of expectancy which indicated -that something was up. - -"Mr. Steele," began "Crackers," in deliberate tones, "the event of -yesterday must still be fresh in your mind. You saw us play the -Engletons, I believe?" - -The coach nodded. - -"Crackers" calmly paused to wipe his glasses. - -"Before I go any further I want it understood that we're not wishing to -make any trouble in the school." - -"Like fun you're not!" burst out Tom Clifton. "From the very first----" - -"Quit it, Tom!" commanded Dave Brandon. "Let's hear what Brown has to -say." - -"Put a doughnut in his mouth!" cried Benny Wilkins. - -"Stop your noise, fellows," insisted Brown. "We came here on serious -business. Mr. Steele, the school has been patient; it has given you -every chance to make good. What has been the result? Six straight -defeats, and a mysterious hurry call from Mr. Barry. We all know how -dissatisfied he is." - -"He talks like a senator," snickered Victor Collins. "Most of 'em never -reach the point." - -"Be patient, my young friend in the checkered cap," went on Brown. "Mr. -Steele, the school couldn't stand by and see a grand chance for getting -a ball field and stand slip away." - -"And it doesn't propose to!" cried Owen Lawrence. - -"We have a proposition--a fair proposition: play us a series of games, -and let whichever club wins represent the school. This is no time for -stubbornness. Personal ambition has no place at such an important -epoch in the history of the Kingswood High." - -As the leader of the "outlaws" paused a lively rattle of tongues began. -Excited students cheered, or voiced their protests until the room -echoed with a noisy din. - -"Don't do it, Steele; don't do it!" cried one. - -"The whole bunch ought to be thrown out of the school!" shouted a -second. - -"You're away off. Brown's the best friend the Kingswood High ever had!" -exclaimed another, hotly. - -"Crackers" looked at the excited groups about him with as much -unconcern as though reciting in the class room. - -"Order--order!" yelled Lawrence. "What do you say, Steele?" - -The coach was visibly annoyed--even angry. He shot a swift, questioning -glance at Bob Somers, then turned to face Dan Brown. - -"Your request should have been made in proper form to the athletic -association, Brown," he said, coolly. "If you choose, you can carry the -matter to them. Personally, I must emphatically decline to comply with -your wishes. What do you say, fellows?" He addressed the members of -the nine. - -A unanimous "No!" cut crisply above the buzz of conversation. - -"I thought so!" exclaimed Owen Lawrence, fiercely. "Afraid, eh? Have to -crawl? We want the whole school to know it." - -"Not so fast, Lawrence," protested Brown. "I'm sure Mr. Steele is -open to reason. What's the use of all this red tape about athletic -associations? Rules may be all right in their way; but there are times -when they had better be thrown on the scrap heap." - -"Our policy is not determined by rules or red tape, Brown." - -"What reason can you give for not playing us?" - -"Now you've got him!" came in a loud tone from Lawrence. - -"We're working on a definite plan," explained Roger Steele, in a -conciliatory manner. "Every one of us has the interest of the school -at heart; and if there are no internal dissensions the task will be -easy. Our team is going to do much better than you think; it's going to -improve steadily." - -"An answer that is no answer," remarked Brown. "You'll be saying the -same thing after the tenth consecutive defeat." - -"We can't be jollied," added Lawrence. - -"Come now, Mr. Steele, why not play the 'Hopes'?" said Earl Roycroft, -mildly. "I don't think there ought to be any row or ill-feeling. Two or -three games couldn't do any harm, and----" - -"I should like to oblige you, Roycroft, but I can't encourage the idea." - -"Well, I should rather say not!" howled Tom, whose pent-up wrath had -once more gotten the better of him. "I never heard of such nerve in my -life. Get out, 'Crackers'! Go back to Terry Guffin's and hatch up some -new plot!" - -"'Vanitas' heard from again!" sneered Aleck Parks. - -"Don't get too gay, Parks," warned Tom. "I shouldn't be a bit surprised -if you're the chap who made that mean remark about the corn field." - -"No such thing," answered Aleck, tartly. - -"Cut out all quarreling on the side lines, boys," interposed Brown. -"Now, Mr. Steele, I'll answer the question I asked you. Frankly, -brutally, and to the point: you won't play us because you and every -member of the nine is afraid. I dare you to come out on the field and -cross bats with us this afternoon. If you don't, what will the school -think?" He raised his voice. "The boys have no use for a team with a -yellow streak." - -"Brown, you're going a little too far," interposed Bob Somers. "Talk -like that won't make us budge. If you really are for the good of the -school you'll stop all this rumpus." - -"Really are for the good of the school!" echoed "Crackers." His mild -tone suddenly departed. "Do you mean to insinuate, Bob Somers, that I'm -doing this just for the sake of a row?" - -"I didn't insinuate anything." - -"Well, you'd better not." "Crackers" turned to face his "outlaws." -"Fellows, our perfectly reasonable proposition has been turned down. -It's up to us to break the red tape into a thousand pieces. Mr. -Steele"--his voice resumed its former mildness--"I shall put my request -in writing and send it to the athletic association." - -The room was in an uproar. The Somers party attempted, by sheer force -of noise, to drown the angry remarks of Brown's disappointed followers. -Benny Wilkins was thoroughly charmed. He noted, too, with satisfaction, -that the "outlaws" seemed to be in no hurry to leave. - -As the commotion was at its highest the door suddenly flew wide open, -and the form of a big, burly man was sharply outlined against the -bright outdoor light. - -He listened a moment in seeming astonishment, then strode heavily -across the floor, making for the point of loudest noise. - -"What does all this mean, boys?" bellowed Captain Ralph Bunderley. -"Do you want to take the roof off, or crack the window-panes? I've -been looking for my nephew, Victor Collins; and I've found him, and -something else I didn't bargain for." - -The unexpected appearance of the burly seaman in their midst had the -effect of quelling all but the most turbulent spirits. - -"I'd like to know what's going on!" - -"Uncle, let me introduce you to the biggest bunch of fire-eaters in -Wisconsin," called Victor. "It's a revolution--that's what it is, -isn't it, Brownie?" - -From a dozen points in the room came the explanation that Captain -Bunderley was seeking. - -The skipper was astonished and angry. "I should think you boys would -have better sense than to act this way," he stormed. "What do you -expect to gain by such conduct?" - -"A ball field and grand stand," answered Brown. - -"All ridiculous nonsense!" The captain struck the palm of his hand an -emphatic blow. "The boys have done right to refuse to play such an -organization." - -"Have you recently entered the High as a student?" asked Brown. - -A fierce glare sprang into the captain's eyes. - -"I would suggest, sir," continued Brown, smoothly, "that the students -are not asking advice from outsiders." - -"I beg pardon," said the captain, "but I thought a little friendly -counsel might not come amiss." - -"It's the way you offer your suggestions that hurts our feelings," -said Brown, quite candidly. "Really, I expected to find myself flying -through space." - -"'Crackers' felt as if he'd been banged on the head," added Benny -Wilkins. "Who's got a note-book? My new one's full already." - -"My esteemed young friend," said "Crackers," turning toward him, "I saw -a bargain sale on Central Avenue. Let me advise you to get a dozen at -once. Even then, I fear, it won't be enough to hold an account of what -our team--the 'Hopes'--are going to do." - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - REBELLION - - -"You can put your request in writing, Brown; but, honestly, I don't -think it will do a bit of good." - -Sam Randall, president of the athletic association and member of -the Rambler Club, seated at his desk in a room which adjoined the -gymnasium, gazed squarely into his visitor's face. - -It was late on the same afternoon, for Brown had determined to force -the issue at once. - -Within the last year Sam Randall had grown to be quite a young man in -appearance. All the lines about his clean-cut face tending to firmness -had become accentuated, and he had a quiet, decisive manner which even -had its effect on the imperturbable Brown. - -"I'm to understand, then, that my challenge has been thrown down flat?" - -Sam Randall toyed with a paper-weight on his desk. - -"No, I can't say that, Brown. I'm only one of the officers of the -association. The others must speak for themselves." - -"But you, as president, ought to have a great deal of influence," -suggested "Crackers," slowly pacing the floor. "I tell you plainly, the -fellows are getting worked up; they won't stand for any dictatorial -methods. Aren't you going to use your influence to prevent the -explosion that one more defeat would certainly bring? It might blow -nearly every member of the organization out of his job." - -"Ah!" said Sam. - -His keen eyes showed no sign of wavering. - -"You know how to take a hot proposition very coolly," said "Crackers," -in soft tones. "Is there any use of arguing the matter?" - -"I don't think so." - -"Neither do I. But, to make sure, I'll hunt up the rest of the -officers, and see what they think about having the match shoved so -close to the gunpowder." - -"Remember this," retorted Randall: "Some one has just said that the -fellows won't stand for any dictatorial methods. You must include -yourself as well as the rest. So-long." - -"Crackers" immediately reported to his lieutenants outside the -gymnasium. - -"Well?" queried Lawrence, eagerly. - -"He won't listen to reason," said Brown, shaking his head gravely. "His -abruptness almost pained me." - -"Why not call all this thing off?" asked Earl Roycroft, with a -disturbed expression. "Suppose we give 'em another week?" - -Owen Lawrence eyed him scornfully. - -"That's a fine way to talk," he growled. "If you're going to back down -at the very start we'd better know it now." - -The big captain of the "Hopes" flushed. - -"Of course I'm not," he answered, hastily. "All I want is to see -everybody get a square deal." - -"That stout gentleman who poked his delicate frame into the gym this -afternoon about typifies the actions of the Ramblers," remarked Brown. -"He has an idea that every one must bend to his will. So do they. Why, -in that room back there, I began to think I was talking to the head of -some big corporation doing business in a dozen states." - -"There's no use chirping all day. Let's get busy," broke in Lawrence, -impatiently. "What's the first move, Brown?" - -"A poster announcing our intentions would be about the proper caper," -answered Brown, reflectively. "I'll consult my special artist, Mr. -Benny Wilkins." - -"What! Can he draw?" - -"He may not have Dave Brandon's a-mazing talent, but, at any rate, his -sketches don't need explanations to go with 'em. I'll jolly him into -making one--that is, unless the other High Moguls of the association -overrule the iron hand back there." - -Before supper time Dan Brown had managed to interview Harry Spearman, -Dick Travers and the others. - -As Sam Randall had predicted, he got no encouragement. - -"That settles it," murmured "Crackers." "The next thing is to see Benny -Wilkins." - -Benny was decidedly surprised when the coach of the "Hopes" called upon -him that evening. He was also much pleased. - -"Gee whiz, Brown, this is going to boost me into a person of national -importance. Of course I can make the poster; I can draw even with my -eyes shut." - -"And color, too?" asked Brown. - -"Sure; coloring is easy for me. I know all about it. Here, pull up a -chair, Mr. Brown, and I'll make the sketch right now." - -After a great deal of thought and much hard work, Benny evolved an -idea which met with the chief "outlaw's" approval. On one side the -design represented an armor-clad knight with his heel on the neck of a -prostrate boy who was apparently yelling with all his might. - -"The chap on the ground represents the school," explained Benny. - -"Great idea!" exclaimed Brown. "What's the knight?" - -"A figure representing tyranny and oppression," answered Benny, glibly. -"I haven't studied history for nothing, have I, Brown?" - -"I'm agreeably surprised," murmured "Crackers." "I really didn't expect -it of you, Benny. The Ramblers are shown in their true light at last. -What's that mass of lines on the right--a house on fire?" - -"Goodness gracious, no! That's going to be the Goddess of Reason, -enthroned, bowing to the will of the school. I'll stick your phiz on -the front row, Brown, and the lady'll be giving you the glad hand." - -"Stunning idea!" said Brown. "I guess if the government ever catches -sight of this poster they'll have you design all their new postage -stamps. When will it be done?" - -"I'll bring it around to the school to-morrow morning." - -"Good! And I'll put on the lettering." - -Benny aided the gas company considerably that night, never stopping -work until a piece of heavy wrapping-paper two by three feet had been -liberally flooded with color. - -To be sure, it looked a little odd in the morning; for the surfaces -which seemed so delicately yellow at night proved to be of a startling -brilliancy. - -But the poster, mounted on a board, attached to a stout stick, and -planted in a prominent position on the campus, made the sensation for -which Brown had hoped. - -Pushing, jostling crowds quickly gathered before it. Every one seemed -to be asking questions or answering them. All through the school an -inquiry found its way: - -"Say, have you seen that poster?" - -Those who hadn't quickly joined the army of those who had. - -Only the calm counsel of Bob Somers and Dave Brandon prevented some of -their hot-headed supporters from hurling the offending object to the -ground and trampling it to pieces. - -"The drawing is very good indeed," said Dave. "Benny's an artist. He -ought to be encouraged." - -"How can you talk about the mean little duffer that way, Dave?" -exclaimed Tom, wrathfully. - -"Don't take it too seriously, Tom. We haven't lost our jobs yet." - -"All the same, I'm afraid I'll have to get out if the rumpus keeps up -much longer," reflected Charlie Blake. - -Brown's announcement called for a meeting that afternoon under an -enormous elm on the campus. His object was to explain to the students -the "Hopes'" contention that they had the better team and by gaining -recruits compel the regulars to yield to their demands. - -When class exercises were over "Crackers," Roycroft and Owen Lawrence, -followed by every member of the "outlaws," in uniform, made directly -for the tree. - -A dense, excited crowd of students awaited them. A rousing cheer went -up. - -"Rah, rah, rah for Roycroft! Hurrah for Brown and Lawrence!" was -carried off on a surging sea of sound. - -The Somers crowd, glum but determined-looking, seldom voiced a protest. - -Dan Brown promptly mounted a box placed under the wide-spreading -branches of the tree. The excitement and tumult found no reflection on -his face. - -"Fellows," he began, in a calm, even voice, "the school is going to get -those grounds!" - -A burst of wild cheering came from his followers. - -"In order to do this great work for the High we've been obliged to -match extraordinary conditions with extraordinary methods. Fellows, we -must determine which shall rule: red tape and regularity, or common -sense." - -"Common sense, common sense!" roared an admiring contingent. - -"So say we all! There's material enough here to form a nine which could -trim any team in the section." - -Another salvo of cheers rang out. - -"Some fellows seem to have the silly idea that we're doing all this to -stir up trouble. I was impolitely told yesterday to meander over to -Guffin's and hatch up another plot." - -Jeers, and shouts of "Vanitas!" from Lawrence. - -"Really, it quite pained me. Why are we doing this thing, boys?" - -"For the good of the school!" bellowed his team in chorus. - -"Exactly! Our proposition for the Ramblers to play us has been turned -down. Why?" - -"Because they know that you'd lick 'em worse than the Stars have done!" -yelled Aleck Parks. - -An emphatic roar of approval, mingled with hand-clapping and shrill -whistling, brought a gleam of pleasure into Brown's gray eyes. - -"That's it! Fellows, I have three propositions to offer. Alone, we -count as nothing; but with the school behind us our force would be as -irresistible as the--as the----" - -"He's stuck!" cried Victor Collins. "He's floundering!" - -"As the tides," completed Brown. - -"I told you! He's floundering in the tides," giggled Victor. - -"The first proposition is this: simply force the regulars to play -us, and prove they have the better team--if they can. If the crowd -continues to refuse, the second proposition is to demand a thorough -reorganization. I have players who ought to be on the school team." - -"Roycroft, Roycroft, Roycroft!" shouted the students. - -"And until the other day I never knew what star players we had in Platt -and Bush--both of 'em nearly six feet of bone and muscle--plenty of -skill and speed, besides." - -The noise and confusion became so great that "Crackers'" oration only -reached those on the outside of the mass as disconnected sentences. - -"The 'Hopes' will have such a string of victories----" - -"Hurrah, hurrah!" shouted the crowd. - -"Order, order!" bawled Lawrence. - -The tumult subsided. - -"Proposition number three is this: in case the Ramblers refuse all -overtures, the students shall recognize our team--the hard-working, -victorious 'Hopes'--as the official representative of the school!" - -The storm of approval which immediately followed grew to such -uproarious proportions as to make the combined efforts of the "outlaws" -to restore order futile. Their voices were drowned in a roar of sound -which carried a conviction to the hearts of Bob's friends that the -Kingswood High was about to be plunged into the stormiest period of its -history. - -Earl Roycroft looked hot and uncomfortable as he heard his name called -from every point of the campus. - -"Roycroft, Roycroft! Speech--speech!" - -This cry was caught up and repeated until the big fellow was literally -forced to take his place beside Dan Brown. - -Only husky throats and tired lungs brought the quiet for which Dan -Brown was pleading. - -"Look out--there'll be a perfectly good box busted under that ton -weight!" piped Victor Collins. - -"Fellows, I appreciate your kindness," said the big captain of the -"Hopes." "I only want to do the right thing for the school. We all know -that every effort should be made to win Mr. Barry's field; and I'm -afraid the regular team is not equal to the job. I am one of those who -believe the majority counts. If you agree with Brown--and it looks very -much as if you do--all I have to say is: give us your support." - -"We will--we will!" - -"Our team is going to develop rapidly. We ask you to watch its -progress." - -As Earl stepped down, to be slapped enthusiastically upon the shoulder -by Owen Lawrence, Brown spoke up: - -"If any of the officers of the athletic association or the Ramblers -are present I invite them to state their side of the case. That's fair -enough, isn't it?" - -There was an instant of tense silence. - -"They're over on the lot practicing, coachy," cried Victor Collins. -"Those chaps are right on the job, while you're putting up the biggest -blow I ever listened to." - -"Crackers" gazed toward him mildly, but made no reply. - -"Fellows"--he abruptly raised his voice to a pitch of harshness--"I ask -you to pledge your support. Those who are with us raise their hands." - -Arms shot up from every quarter, and the roar of voices which -accompanied the movement caused the boys practicing on the distant -field to stop and look around. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - A DECISION - - -"I hope you understand, Somers, that I have nothing against you -fellows. Nobody ever heard me squeal. But if the school wants me to -play what can I do?" - -Earl Roycroft, with an expression of embarrassment on his good-natured -face, was speaking to Bob Somers, not more than an hour after the -meeting on the campus. - -"I don't blame you, Roycroft," answered Bob, as the two walked along -Central Avenue. "I'm sure the rest won't, either." - -"Not even Tom?" queried the captain of the "Hopes," with a faint smile. - -"On reflection, I'm not so sure about that," grinned Bob. - -"We're old friends, Somers; and I hope this"--Earl paused. A troubled -look shone in his eyes--"this unfortunate muddle won't cause any -trouble between us." - -"It isn't going to." - -"Well, it must go against the grain to see one of your old chums on the -opposition line-up. Honestly, Somers, don't you think"--Earl hesitated -again--"that you'd better--well--reconsider this matter? It's a fact, -Somers: you're losing supporters every day. The thought of saying -good-bye to that field has put such a scrapping spirit into the boys -that they're ready to fight to a finish." - -Bob reflected a moment before answering. - -"Then you mean that we should yield to popular clamor?" - -"No, that isn't it. I hope--I hope you won't be offended if I speak -plainly." A smile from Bob encouraged the rival captain to continue. -"You chaps have been traveling about so much you haven't had a chance -to keep in the game like some of the others. I don't say you can't -play good ball--mind. When your crowd was practicing, as candidates -for the team, you looked good to all of us. But, somehow"--Earl became -considerably embarrassed again; his eyes shifted from the frank gaze -of his companion--"I suppose I'll have to finish it," he sighed--"you -don't seem to be of a quite strong enough caliber to truly represent -the school. Now, Bob, it's out; and I guess you feel mighty hot about -it?" - -"Not a bit, Earl. I admire your honesty and candor. I'll agree that -things look rather discouraging. Still,"--the captain seemed to weigh -his words--"don't you think your very contention that we've not had as -much practice as the others is an argument in our favor?" - -"How?" - -"Because, in a little time, we'll round into shape. The nine is -improving steadily, though some of the fellows are so excited and hasty -they can't see it." - -Roycroft shook his head. - -"I don't doubt you are sincere in feeling that way, Somers," he said, -slowly, "but the boys couldn't be made to think so. Then, again, you've -lost your batting eye. Mr. Rupert Barry has kicked enough about that, -I'm sure." - -"I've heard about it," laughed Bob, dryly. - -"And some of the fellows feel sure--I don't like to say it, -Somers--that you're not playing as well as you did a couple of years -ago. Tom Clifton, too, though he's done some pretty good work, doesn't -seem to have the necessary physical strength." - -Earl looked searchingly at his companion, expecting each instant to see -a gleam of anger in his eye. Bob, however, gave no indication that his -feelings were disturbed. - -"One thing, Roycroft," he said: "you spoke about our traveling around -so much we couldn't keep in good trim. This applies only to Dave, Tom -and myself. There are six others in every game." - -"Sometimes one man is enough to lose a contest," answered Roycroft, -dryly. - -"You're right there," grinned Bob. - -"Aren't you going to listen to my advice, Somers?" - -"Why, I'm not running things, Earl. I'm only captain of the team." - -"Come now, Bob, don't try to put up any such ridiculous bluff as that. -If you wanted the team reorganized it would probably be done." - -"Who do you want fired?" asked Bob, bluntly. - -"Blake, Clifton, Boggs and maybe a couple of others," answered -Roycroft, with equal bluntness. "Think it over, Somers. I'll leave you -here. Sure you don't feel sore about what I've said?" - -"Not a bit of it," responded Bob, heartily. "It hasn't ruffled a hair. -So-long, Earl. Yes; I'll think it over." - -On the same evening all five members of the Rambler Club met in Bob -Somers' study to discuss the situation. The languid air which usually -characterized Dave Brandon was entirely absent. - -"We must take a firm hand, Bob," he said, emphatically. "The only -question to consider is this: are we merely stubborn and mistaken, or -is our confidence in the team so justified that we can feel sure of -final success?" - -"If our nine isn't quite up to the 'Hopes' now I am certain that later -on it will be a great deal better," said Bob. - -"How did they manage to get such a good team?" - -"That's easy to figure out," replied Dick Travers. "Wherever he could, -'Crackers' selected the biggest men. Most of the chaps belong to the -roughest bunch in school--an unruly lot. They have plenty of brute -strength, and are sort of carrying things by rough-house methods." - -"But the club can play and is likely to go right on winning," said -Dave, emphatically. - -"Oh, I'm not saying anything against their ability," admitted Dick. -"But outside of Roycroft and several others, it is chiefly confined to -hitting." - -"They can line out the ball--and that's about all they can do," -supplemented Tom. - -"If it wins games it's enough," returned Dave. "Now suppose we could -beat the 'Hopes' to smithereens. Would you play 'em?" - -Dave broke into a broad grin, but the others looked very solemn indeed. - -"It's awful to feel that lots of fellows think we're crawling," said -Bob, "but, in that case, perhaps--perhaps--we would." - -After a short pause, Dave continued: - -"Since the organization of the Rambler Club the crowd has run into -some pretty stirring adventures, and has had quite a few thrills." He -smiled quizzically. "I refer you to the history now appearing in the -'Reflector.'" - -"Never read better writing in my life; it's stunning!" cried Tom. - -"Thanks! Now let's get back to the issue. We've had things pretty much -our own way. All of us graduate this year. We expected to leave school -in a blaze of glory, with the winning of Mr. Rupert Barry's field as -the final achievement of our student days. I agree with you, Bob: -in a short time the regulars will be a stronger nine than the Brown -aggregation." - -"Why not just call his bluff and play them?" exclaimed Tom, excitedly. - -"Oh, no," said Dave, with a twinkle in his eye. "They might beat us. -And if they did we'd find ourselves squelched and thrown on the scrap -heap." - -"And so fast that we'd never recover from it," added Sam Randall. "Our -crowd would have the pleasure of standing around watching the 'Hopes' -play in the inter-scholastic series." - -"There are a lot of chaps in the school who would help 'Crackers' throw -us out just for the sake of the excitement. Nothing to do, fellows, -except to fight the thing right out to a finish." - -"And we can hold our end up, too!" cried Tom. "Of all the mean chumps I -ever ran across that Earl Roycroft is the biggest. What do you think? -He had the nerve to speak to me this evening--honest, Bob, I came -mighty near calling him down--said he wanted to explain things; and I -told him he needn't mind." - -"Oh, Earl's all right," laughed Bob. - -"All wrong, you mean. Suppose Steele should put him and a few others -on the team? Do you think it would stop 'Crackers' Brown's hollering? -Not on your life! He'd groan like a wheezy old locomotive for something -else." - -"Just my idea," agreed Dick Travers. - -"Then I gather that we're going to stick it out, eh, Bob?" said Dave -Brandon. - -"Yes!" answered the captain, with emphasis. "I have studied the playing -of the 'Hopes' carefully. Roger Steele agrees with me that they won't -get much further in the fine points of the game." - -"And that's just the thing we're trying for," said Tom. - -Bob beat a tattoo on the floor with his foot. - -"We were a bit rusty, fellows," he confessed. "It's taken us longer to -get into condition than I expected. I feel that we are nowhere near our -true form yet." - -"I never thought things would turn out like this," said Tom, -disconsolately. "Nearly every time I pass one of the 'Pie-eaters and -doughnut crowd' they say something mean. Good thing they can't get my -nerve like they do Charlie Blake's once in a while." - -"Well, then, it's settled," said Sam. "We'll just let the opposition -howl itself hoarse." - -"If they'd only stop their yelp and let us alone it would show a lot -more sense," remarked Dick Travers. "How in thunder do they expect us -to win while they're kicking up such a row and knocking us on every -side? But never mind; they can't bluff us." - -"You bet they can't!" cried Tom. - -"Boys, I fear I have a big supply of the weaknesses of human nature," -said Dave. "I'm actually stirred up about this thing; I'm in a fighting -mood. Why are we acting this way?" - -"For the good of the school!" laughed Bob. - -"And for our own good, too!" - -"This little meeting has put us straight on the affair," remarked Sam -Randall. "Our only chance to win out is to stick together. The student -body elected us to take charge of the athletic interests of the High; -and, in doing so, they gave us rights which we must now force them to -recognize. If they have common sense enough to do so, the rest ought to -be easy." - -The boys enjoyed the evening more than any had anticipated, and, on -taking leave of one another, each firmly resolved to show the enemy a -bold, determined front. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - TOM IS "RATTLED" - - -"The fourth straight," said Aleck Parks. "The 'Hopes' are mowing -'em down as easily as a scythe cuts grass. How's that for playing, -Luke Phelps? Wasn't yesterday's game a peach? Nine to six against -Willington. Roycroft cracked out a homer, a two-base hit and a single. -Oh, yes; that's going some. I saw 'Vanitas' sneaking around in the -crowd looking kind of pale." - -"If the Ramblers lose the next game they'll be yanked from their -jobs as fast as a vacuum cleaner sucks up dust," remarked Phelps, -complacently. "They go over to play the Engletons again to-morrow." - -"Another bucket of white stuff for the official record," growled Parks. -"Let's get away. Here comes 'Checkered-Cap.'" - -"Afraid of him?" laughed Luke. - -"No! It's his own safety I'm thinking about. Ever since I met him I've -had a hard time to keep from handing him something that might disturb -his center of gravity." - -"Simply awful!" grinned Phelps. "Let's do the next worse thing--go over -and see the Ramblers practicing." - -An ominous calm seemed to hover over the school. The "Hopes'" string of -clean-cut victories was bringing more wavering Somers adherents into -the "outlaw" camp. The quiet did not lull the fears of the staunch -supporters of the regulars. It seemed to possess a deeper, more -significant meaning than the noisy, wild demonstrations which had taken -place on the campus. - -On the following afternoon the Engleton trolley did a flourishing -business. Eager students and townspeople packed the cars to their -fullest capacity. - -Engleton was a little town about five miles distant, nestling amidst an -amphitheater of hills. The baseball field was situated in the northern -part, hemmed in on three sides by steep, grass-covered slopes. At the -extreme end of the open section an immense pile of ashes covered what -was once a treacherous gully. Several ramshackle frame dwellings, -surrounded by rickety or broken fences, with here and there great piles -of rubbish, indicated that "Goatville" was not the most select part of -the town. - -By the time the regulars arrived the ball field and grassy hills were -crowded. - -"I hope you'll enjoy this game, Roycroft," said "Crackers" Brown. "I -can't help feeling kind of sorry for Bob Somers. He's a pretty good -sort. But I guess this is the last game the Ramblers will play as the -school team." - -"Here, Dan Brown, you cut out calling it the Ramblers' team, or -there'll be a whole lot of trouble!" cried a gruff voice so near at -hand that the captain of the "Hopes" was startled. - -Tom Clifton, with flushed face, was striding forward. - -"Trouble?" echoed Brown. - -"Yes! And more than you can handle. I know your game, Brown. You've -been sneaking around, trying to put it into everybody's head that the -Rambler Club is running this team. Do you get me, Dan Brown?" - -[Illustration: "I KNOW YOUR GAME"] - -"I shall pretty soon," returned "Crackers," solemnly. - -"Oh, you think you're mighty smart!" cried Tom. "But if your specs -weren't so blurred with conceit you'd see that you're going too far." - -"I suppose this is a little prelude to the show," said the coach, -pleasantly. "It's a bad thing for ball players to get overheated before -the umpire begins his chirp. Please oblige me: run away and cool off." - -"Two forty-five P. M. A ball player advised to run away and -cool off," piped Benny Wilkins, suddenly. "What's the best way, Mr. -Brown--shower bath or----?" - -"You're the meanest little duffer in the whole school!" cried Tom, -turning upon him wrathfully. "It's a wonder you have the nerve to show -your face inside the door!" - -"Well, I like that!" snorted Benny. "Now what's up?" - -"Oh, you thought you could keep it quiet. But I found out, just the -same." - -"Found out what?" - -"Why, it was you who said that mean thing about Mr. Barry planting corn -on his field!" fairly exploded Tom. "You ought to be ashamed to look -me in the face." - -Benny was aghast. - -"What--what?" he stammered. - -"I don't wonder you can hardly speak," went on Tom, fiercely. - -"Hardly speak?" interposed "Crackers." "Why, if you're not careful, -he'll let off such a blast that we'll all get blown down flat." - -"Well, suppose I did say it! It was all a joke!" admitted Benny. - -"A fine joke!" jeered Tom. "Didn't it make Mr. Barry so mad that he -almost felt like withdrawing his offer? Oh, I know all about it!" - -The look of embarrassment faded from Benny's eyes, to be replaced by an -expression of blazing anger. - -"I don't care if you do," he roared. "And I know something about you, -too, that ought to make you chuck off that uniform and beat it back to -Kingswood." - -"Get out!" snapped Tom. "You don't know anything, and never could know -anything. That wooden head-piece of yours wouldn't hold it." - -"You haven't got anything on me, 'Vanitas!'" Benny Wilkins stalked -forward, planting himself directly before the tall first baseman. "I -don't, eh?" he cried. "Just listen to this: one day in the gym you -called Mr. Barry an eccentric old creature--you know you did." - -Tom's face flushed a deeper crimson. - -"Well--well?" he demanded. - -"And Mr. Barry heard about that, too! I got it from a fellow who -knows. And maybe he wasn't riled!--said he wished he'd never made the -confounded offer." - -"I--I don't believe it," gasped Tom. - -"Ask Victor Collins, then. You will try to sit on me, 'Vanitas'--you -will, eh?" - -"If Mr. Barry heard about it, I'll bet you told him yourself!" howled -Tom, thoroughly angry. "You're small in every way, Benny Wilkins. Bob -Somers and Steele caught you spying." - -"You mean that I caught 'em trying to sneak into Mr. Barry's without -being seen," retorted Benny. "I never said a word to Mr. Barry. But if -you get too fresh with me, 'Vanitas,' he's going to learn the name of -the particular chap who made such an interesting remark; that's the -only thing he doesn't know. Now--will that hold you for a minute?" - -The altercation was attracting considerable attention. A grinning -crowd, industriously calling upon the two principals to "mix it up a -bit," presently brought the realization to Tom that his thoughtless -remark uttered in the gymnasium was being scattered broadcast. - -"Said Mr. Barry was an eccentric old creature!" jeered Benny, "and has -the nerve to try and call me down for something not a quarter as bad!" - -"You've got the tall one going!" cried an Engleton boy, encouragingly. -"Don't be skeered. Wade right into him." - -"I'll sic a goat on him; that's what I'll do!" exclaimed Benny. - -"Hello, Tom Clifton! Hello, Tom!" coming over the air was the most -pleasant sound the first baseman had heard for some time. "We're ready -for practice," continued the voice--Roger Steele's. "Hello, Tom! Where -are you?" - -"Coming!" bawled Tom. Then darting an angry, flustered look at his -little tormentor, he added: "I haven't done with you yet, Benny -Wilkins." - -"Is that so?" sneered Benny. "If you and Blake had sense enough to get -off the team maybe all this row in the school would come to an end." - -"Do you think I'll stand for being pushed off? Well, I rather guess -not!" cried Tom. - -"Have a wooden head-piece, have I? Well, it isn't a solid block like -yours. Just remember: If the school doesn't get those grounds T. -'Vanitas' Clifton will be one of the chaps who's most responsible. -Everybody's saying it." - -Embarrassed and confused by the staring, noisy crowd, so full of -emotion that his tongue seemed almost incapable of framing the words he -wished to utter, the first baseman turned away. - -"Everybody saying it, eh?" - -Tom Clifton's thoughts sprang back to the beginning of the season, -when, full of confidence and enthusiasm, he had expected the High's -team to go from one victory to another. "Vanitas!" The word rang in -his ears. He recalled now that his zeal and earnest efforts in behalf -of the nine had called forth remarks of a somewhat similar nature -before. But his armor of confidence was so great that the shafts -dropped harmlessly aside. - -"I never could have believed it," he murmured. "The fellows are -twisting my words and manner into something wholly undeserved. They -ought to see that it was only because I'm red-hot for the school and -team." - -The first baseman was so deep in thought that he scarcely heeded the -voices of the fans, or the sharp cracks of the bats as the balls were -sent flying over the field. - -"So everybody's saying it: if we don't get the field I'll be one of the -chaps who's most responsible, eh? By George! I wonder if it's true! -I'll find out before night." - -Tom's thoughts turned to the crowd--the fickle crowd--ever ready to -yell itself hoarse when things were breaking right, but which, he -reflected bitterly, was often equally ready to jeer and hoot a player -off the field on small provocation. - -"What's the matter, Tom? Aren't you going to practice to-day?" called -Roger Steele, catching sight of him from his position near home plate. - -"Sure!" responded Tom, making a strong effort to change the channel of -his thoughts. - -"Anything wrong, son?" Steele came forward. He lowered his voice. "You -look kind of down in the mouth." - -"Oh, it's nothing," said Tom. - -"Well, get busy. I think we can turn the trick to-day." - -Tom had been losing his self-consciousness. Now, however, it returned -with added force. The first baseman could not shake off a feeling that -the fans, friends and foes alike, had their eyes upon him, watching -every move. The vigorous shouts, the blasts from megaphones and the -strains from Victor Collins' bugle seemed to possess an importance -which he had never noticed before. He felt in a far greater degree than -the other players how much hinged on the contest. - -With his nerves at a tension Tom was, naturally, unable to do himself -justice. In his over-anxiety to play the best game of his life he made -several errors which called forth derisive yells of "butterfingers!" -from the familiar voice of Benny Wilkins. - -"Take him out!" yelled some one else. - -"How'd he get on the nine?" screeched Aleck Parks. - -"Who told him he could play ball?" shouted Jim Wilton. - -"It's enough to make any self-respecting trolley company refuse to -carry him home," growled Luke Phelps. "I wonder if he's selling out the -High?" - -"I suppose that kind of talk is for the good of the school?" roared a -tremendous voice. - -Captain Bunderley glowered savagely upon the group, the members of -which, a little startled at having their words overheard by so firm a -friend of the Ramblers, returned his gaze without speaking. - -"You remind me of a mutinous crew who deserts the captain of a ship in -the hour of peril." The skipper's tones spoke volumes of disapproval -and disgust. "How do you expect that lad to play when you're doing -everything you can to rattle him?" - -"Good! Soak it to 'em, Uncle Ralph," cried Victor Collins. "They -certainly need it." - -"You may have started out honestly enough," went on the captain, -relentlessly, "but your idea now seems to be to have your own way at -any cost." - -The group was silent and sullen. - -Then the heavy broadside of the captain seemed to waft them away like -the blasts of a hurricane. That part of the field knew them no more. - -"He's the noisiest old chap I ever saw," cried Aleck Parks, after a -distance of two hundred feet separated them from the skipper. "I'd like -to give him a piece of my mind." - -"Why didn't you?" asked Benny Wilkins. "Maybe your intellect suffered a -complete lapse." - -"You're like a two-edged sword, Benny," growled Aleck. "You've got -something mean to say to everybody. Fellows, the only thing I ask is -this: if you see me getting anywhere near 'Checkered-Cap' to-day grab -me at the front, back and sides. I'm afraid I might accidentally let -fly, and pulverize him." - -"By Jingo! There's Brown talking to the old salt water pirate, now," -put in Benny. "Another fifty feet for me. I wonder if we'd better run? -His voice gives me the staggers." - -"I'm going back," announced Parks, firmly. "Roycroft and Lawrence are -with Brown. Ha, ha! I think they'll protect us from violence." - -Captain Bunderley's arm, directed straight toward them, however, caused -Benny Wilkins' motion of fifty feet to be immediately seconded. - -"Those were the chaps," the skipper said to the imperturbable Brown. - -"But, captain, the boys are all worked up over this affair; you can't -expect 'em to act like a lot of little French dancing masters," -protested Brown. - -"All nonsense! I say emphatically you're not giving the nine a fair -show. I've noticed your carryings-on." - -"Sorry you feel that way, captain. We look upon things differently. -When a set of fellows chosen to represent the school doesn't make good -it's up to the boys to find another set who will." - -"And that's what we've done," put in Owen Lawrence. - -"I'm sorry all this has happened," put in Earl Roycroft. "No one wanted -to see Bob Somers succeed more than I." - -A tremendous volley of cheering and the sight of boys waving their caps -in the air put a stop to Captain Bunderley's reply. - -Looking over the scene, he saw hilarious groups racing down the -grass-covered slopes and the field being invaded by a stream of -humanity on its way to the break in the hills beyond. - -"Ah! The game must be ended," said Captain Bunderley. "I was so busy -talking I forgot to look. What is the score, young fellow?" - -He addressed a boy just passing. - -"Five--two, favor Engleton." - -"That clinches our argument, Captain Bunderley!" exclaimed Brown. -"Compare the showing the 'Hopes' made against Engleton with that -of the Rambler Club's ball nine." He paused an instant then added -significantly: "This is probably the last game they'll play as the -recognized team of the Kingswood High." - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - BENNY WINS A NOTE-BOOK - - -That night, Tom Clifton, a sadly-disturbed boy, paced the floor of his -room. Mental pictures of the events of the afternoon constantly passed -in a disordered array before his mind. - -He knew that he had made a wretchedly poor showing in the game. - -But whose fault was it? - -In a heated discussion with Roycroft he had attempted to place the -blame where he felt that it belonged, only to become convinced that his -efforts were wasted. The big fellow told him all he cared to know about -the general sentiment that existed among the students. - -In the quiet of the room Tom Clifton attempted to study the situation -from all sides. He owned to himself that he felt very unlike the boy -who played in the opening game. But it was not until to-day that his -confidence had received a blow in a vulnerable spot. - -What should he do? - -The thought of again facing the jeering, critical "fans" of the -opposition and the sarcastic cries which were bound to come from Benny -Wilkins and others on the smallest provocation made the hot blood mount -to his face. - -He paused before the window, to gaze out upon the starlit sky and the -long lines of houses and lights which lost form and brilliancy in -the distance. Mechanically, he watched the passers-by, envying their -apparent freedom from care and trouble. - -"I wonder if Bob has ever thought I should get off the team!" - -Tom Clifton had never before been assailed with such conflicting -emotions. Was Mr. Barry's field destined to become the monument to the -folly of a few? - -"I'll go right over and see Bob now," he decided, suddenly. - -And then, just as Tom was about to open the door, the sarcastic, -grinning face of Benny Wilkins seemed to flash before his eyes. - -"Am I going to let that chap think I'm a quitter?" he exclaimed, aloud. -"No, sir; not on your life! I'll play the game to the end." - -A heavy load of anxiety seemed to instantly take wing. The grim, set -expression about the first baseman's lips relaxed. He walked with a -springy step to his study table and plumped himself down on a chair -before it. - -"No, Mr. Benny Wilkins, you'll never have a chance to say I have a -yellow streak," he muttered. "I understand those chaps. Work to beat -the band to scare a fellow off the team, and when he does call him a -quitter." - -Once more Tom plunged into his studies, thinking his doubts and -perplexities were entirely cleared away. As he picked up a Latin -grammar, however, the mocking cries of "Vanitas!--Vanitas!" which of -late had become more frequent popped into his head. - -"Van-i-tas!" he repeated, slowly. He raised his elbow on the table; his -chin dropped into the palm of his hand. "And I heard that 'Crackers' -Brown said I was a conceited specimen, if there ever was one. It's all -a mistake. I never was either vain or conceited. Still----" - -Tom paused. He was studying hard to view himself and his conduct from -the disinterested standpoint of a spectator. He strove to reconstruct -scenes and incidents about the ball field. - -Yes; perhaps his remarks to the "Pie-eaters and doughnut crowd" had -carried a note of egotism, which, at the time, he never suspected. He -had talked in a "big" fashion, too, about what he expected the nine -to do on the diamond. It was pretty hard to throw the cold light of -analysis upon himself; yet, once started, he continued relentlessly. - -At last Tom leaned back in his chair with a sigh. A smile played about -his mouth. The flood of thoughts brought him to a better understanding -of himself than he had ever before possessed. He realized now how easy -it must have been for the boys to think him a shallow boaster. - -"Maybe this hasn't been such a bad thing, after all," he reflected. -"Even Dave, I remember, has looked at me in a queer way once in a -while. I'll be a bit more careful what I say from now on. As for all -those howling rooters, they'll never get me going again. And Benny can -keep right on yelling his 'butterfingers' and 'bonehead' in that little -piping voice of his until it goes on strike." - -Tom Clifton turned to his books again, and this time was able to give -his undivided attention to study. - -When the members of the nine got together in the gym on the following -day their faces looked grave but determined. - -"That last defeat seems to have made some of the fellows pretty sore," -remarked Bob Somers. - -"The biggest kick of all is coming mighty soon," said Alf Boggs. -"'Crackers' Brown and his crowd aren't saying much just now. But you -can bet your uniforms they're getting ready." - -"I have the pleasant sensation of a chap who is sitting on a keg of -gunpowder with some one behind about to touch it off," put in Dave -Brandon, dryly. - -"Oh, I wish to goodness it was all over," sighed Charlie Blake. - -"What! The touching off process?" laughed Dave. "I don't want to leave -the diamond that way. There's no glory in it." - -"Besides, it might hurt one's feelings," said Willie Singleton. - -"Well, I haven't had to go to a nerve specialist yet," grinned Fred -Benson. "How d'ye do, Joe Rodgers! Haven't seen you for two days. -What's doing?" - -"Seems to me an awful lot," answered Joe, with a grin. "Hello, Dave! -Teacher says I'm going to make the High in great shape one of these -days. What do you think? I'm playing on a baseball team." - -"Which one?" asked Dave. - -"The Stars. Nat Wingate said he'd give me a chance. Say, you don't -think it's mean of me, do you?" - -"Of course not," answered the editor of the "Reflector." "Good luck, -Joe! And play for all you're worth." - -Boys were flocking in and out of the big room, and above the general -noise Benny Wilkins' voice soon made itself heard. - -"I tell you it is so, Aleck Parks! Look out! Who's treading on my toes? -Yes, I saw him myself, only a few minutes ago, walking along as if he -owned the whole earth. And when he got to Mr. Rupert Barry's he turned -and went up those steps. Quit leaning against me, Luke Phelps. Are you -too lazy to support your own hundred and fifteen pounds? Oh--there's -Joe Rodgers over there!" - -"Finish your story!" cried Parks. - -"It isn't any story; it's true. Captain Bunderley didn't come out for -twenty-five and a half minutes." - -"Wonder what in thunder he went there for?" inquired Luke Phelps. - -"Crackers" Brown, standing near the doorway, moved leisurely toward the -group. - -"Straight goods, Benny?" he asked, pleasantly. - -"Certainly is. I jotted down a note, too. Reads like this: 'The -Crackerites probably get their first big jolt.' You know, Brown, what -the Cap thinks of this 'For-the-good-of-the-school' business." - -"He's an old meddler," said Brown, in a low tone. "The first thing you -know he'll be stirring up trouble." - -"I know something else, 'Crackers,' and it ought to put more ginger -into your voice. When he left Mr. Barry the 'Ancient Mariner' came -hiking right over to the school." - -"He did?" exclaimed Brown. - -"He did! He's in there now. Guess he's telling President Hopkins a few -fine things about Parks, Phelps and Company. Their squeak yesterday -didn't do your side a bit of good, Brown." - -The coach of the "outlaws" looked thoughtful. There was a gleam behind -the eye-glasses which made Aleck Parks hope that a first class row -might add zest to the afternoon. - -"S'pose we skip over by the big front door and see him come out," he -suggested. "Phelps, you an' I'll stand together close there; an' if he -gives us a steely glare it'll show, perhaps, that he's been up to some -mischief." - -"Not a bad idea," said "Crackers," approvingly. "But, mind now, I don't -want you chaps to say anything." - -Followed by a large group, the party walked outside, directing their -steps toward the school entrance. - -"Where are you leading that army, Brown?" called Owen Lawrence from a -distance. - -"Follow us, and see!" - -Lawrence relayed the message to Roycroft, who, with several other -"outlaws," was already on his way to the practice field, the result of -this move being that when Brown and his contingent arrived at the steps -a straggling army was headed in the same direction. - -Questions and answers were hurled from one boy to another. Naturally, -no one knew anything about the matter; but many thought they did. -Rumors born of a chance utterance seemed to spread with the speed of -a wireless message, until an excited and jostling crowd of students -surrounded the stoop-shouldered form of the chief "outlaw." - -"Hello, Brown! I say--what's the matter?" came from Owen Lawrence. - -"Is the school on fire again?" asked Earl Roycroft, glancing upward at -some smoke which emanated from a hidden chimney. - -"Yes! It's burning up with indignation. But the blaze won't get far -before the firemen are on the job and put it out." - -"Hooray for Brown!" yelled Aleck Parks. - -"Three rahs for the good of the school!" shouted Benny Wilkins. - -"And a 'tiger' to get after the Ramblers!" added Luke Phelps. - -"My only regret is that we haven't a moving picture machine to get some -films of our friend with the heavy-weight voice when he trips down the -steps and sees this crowd," remarked Brown. - -"You're a mean thing to want him to trip," said Benny Wilkins. "I guess -those specs hide a hard, cruel light in your eyes." - -"Boys, I think we'd better skip," said Earl Roycroft. "Our business is -ball playing; not gaping at visitors to the school. Don't you think -this will look rather queer to President Hopkins?" - -"The enemy must be fought with their own weapons," answered Brown. "We -wish to show the aid-de-camp of the Ramblers that those who have the -good of the school at heart see everything going on. They must be shown -that they can't play this game of favoritism." - -"All right," said Earl, resignedly. - -Murmurs of indignation began to be heard. Rumors had become almost -moulded into certainty. - -What right had the captain to interfere? - -Five minutes later a warning "Sh-h-h-h!" rippled from the various -groups. The door of the school was seen to open, and the portly form of -Captain Bunderley stood on the top step. - -As he walked down his gaze was directed toward the gathering. Upon -reaching the ground he paused. The lines on his good-natured face -tightened when he saw the serenely smiling countenance of "Crackers" -Brown. - -Aleck Parks found it convenient to avert his eyes from the glare which, -a second later, fell upon him. He momentarily expected to hear a -thunderous outburst. - -Captain Bunderley, however, showed no signs of recognition; and, -without a word, resumed his walk. The students watched his big form -swinging along the graveled path until it passed outside the ornamental -gateposts. - -"I feel sure he's tried to do us," growled Parks. - -"Such an opinion is creditable to your power of discernment," said -Brown. "Back to the field, boys. The show is over." - -On their way the coach called Benny Wilkins to his side. - -"Benny," he said, "thanks for telling us about this. Want a job?" - -"Not if there is any work to it." - -"I've too much sense to ask you if there was." - -"You put me in mind of a cannon cracker that hasn't been exploded," -grunted Benny. "Fire away!" - -"Victor Collins has a pretty good line on what the captain says and -does, hasn't he?" - -"Certainly!" - -"Well, if you find out just why the captain went to see Mr. Barry, and -what brought him over to annoy President Hopkins and tell me I'll give -you a new note-book." - -"The idea of asking me to act as a spy!" said Benny. "Outrageous! But -I'll do it. Understand, of course, I don't like the job. What are -crocodile tears, Brown? That's the kind somebody said you dropped -every time the Ramblers play a game and are made to eat nothing but -doughnuts." - -"I know there's a bunch of trouble-makers in this school, but that -doesn't worry me," answered Brown. "If the regulars had been winning -games I'd probably be half asleep now reading a book. Get busy, Ben. -Report to me after practice." - -"All right. Please remember, 'Crackers,' I don't want any book that -you've fished out of some waste-basket." - -Three-quarters of an hour later a slight boy wearing a large checkered -cap, and who was intently watching the "Hopes," now hard at work, was -approached by the grinning Wilkins. - -"Say, Benny, I haven't seen any of your articles in the 'Reflector' -yet," began Victor Collins. "I guess you can't write worth beans." - -"My talents can't be measured by the bean standard," returned Benny. -"They cost only six cents a quart. Look at Bush shooting 'em over -home plate! Suppose your old Ramblers had to face pitching like that! -Wouldn't they get bowled down in one, two, three order?" - -"Go on, Know-it-all!" snapped Victor. - -"I wonder what kind of a game Bush'll put up against Rockville Academy -next Saturday. The inter-scholastic series begins then." - -Victor Collins grinned. - -"Funny little ideas seem to creep into that funny little noddle of -yours," he remarked. "Neither Brown nor all the rest can bluff Bob -Somers." - -"Is that so? I know your Uncle Ralph is on the firing line, ready to -use up all the ammunition he has in the shop to help 'em. Guess Mr. -Barry told him the jig is up with the Ramblers." - -"Humph! Spying again!" sniffed Victor. "I don't know what Mr. Barry -said, and wouldn't tell you if I did." - -"You don't even know what your uncle went to see him about, I s'pose?" - -"Of course I do." - -"I dare you to tell me." - -"Who do you think I'm afraid of--you?" - -"Yes! And if you have the nerve to say that Captain Bunderley has been -saying anything against the 'Hopes' I'll attend to your case right -now." - -"You will!" howled Victor, beginning to pull off his coat. "You will! -Well, wade right in and mix it up! That's just what Uncle Ralph did do." - -"Thank you, Mr. Collins," said Benny, sweetly. "You've given me all the -information I wanted. Don't you think I make a pretty good spy? Ta, -ta!" - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS - - -During recess on the following day Dan Brown knocked gently on the door -of President Hopkins' private office. - -"Come in!" called a mild but authoritative voice. - -The president, a dignified figure, was seated at his desk near the -window. - -"Good-morning, Brown! What can I do for you?" - -He motioned the originator of the "Hopes" crusade to a seat close by. - -"I have been delegated by a committee to call upon you," answered -"Crackers," articulating each word with great distinctness. - -"Ah, indeed! Who is the committee?" - -"Earl Roycroft, Owen Lawrence and Frank Bush, representing the new -baseball club and almost the entire body of students." - -Professor Hopkins looked surprised. - -"What is the nature of your business?" he asked. - -"We think the time has come when an unfortunate exhibition of obstinacy -on the part of a few students should come to an end." - -"Go ahead, Brown," said the president, as the big lad paused. - -"We should be very glad indeed if you would allow us the use of the -assembly room to hold a meeting." - -"For what purpose?" - -"As you know, professor, the inter-scholastic series begins next -Saturday. Rockville Academy will send its team over here to play the -first game of the season. If the regulars meet them it is bound to be -a bad day for the High; the school team, so far, has failed to win a -single victory, while the 'Hopes' have not met with a single defeat." - -The professor gazed abstractedly out of the window. Brown, the -earnestness of his manner increasing, kept on. - -"When Mr. Barry made his generous offer he positively said that only a -winning team would get the grounds." - -"Quite true, Brown." - -"Can you blame the boys for objecting strenuously when they see such a -magnificent prospect fading with every game the regulars play?" - -The president's revolving chair wheeled sharply around. He removed his -eye-glasses, to stare searchingly into "Crackers'" impassive face. - -"Brown," he said, slowly, "the boys composing the athletic association -were elected to their respective positions by a great majority of the -students. A coach was duly appointed and players selected. Do you -think it is fair to them that, before the inter-scholastic season has -actually started, they should be hampered and discouraged by their own -comrades?" - -"We are working for the good of the school," answered "Crackers," -doggedly--"that's our motto." - -"But your ideas and the actual facts may not agree. You haven't yet -told me for what purpose you wish the assembly hall." - -"We would like to vote, to-morrow, on the question as to which team -shall play Rockville Academy. Our fellows are perfectly willing to -abide by the decision of the school. That seems to all of us a -perfectly fair proposition, professor?" - -"Have you submitted the matter to the athletic association?" - -"We asked them to reorganize the team, and met with a curt refusal. -We tried to get them to play our club, the 'Hopes'--same thing again, -although in the beginning they were quite ready to cross bats with any -team." - -"Perhaps so, Brown. But the circumstances in this case are entirely -different. The regular coach usually attends to such matters. You -have formed an organization which has no official standing; it is not -subject to the rules or direction of the athletic association. In fact, -it is directly antagonistic to them." - -"The reason we ask for the hall is to give the club official standing," -returned Brown, easily. "The students are clamoring to have this done." - -President Hopkins shook his head. - -"The faculty of the school never interferes with athletic affairs -unless for very serious reasons. Those stated are not sufficient -to justify me in acceding to your proposal." The president leaned -forward. "My attention has been called to the fact that some of the -boys have been shouting and carrying on in such a manner as to lead -one to suppose that they desired above all things to see the regulars -defeated. I heard this from a reliable authority." - -"I'm afraid the person who told you is not disinterested," said Brown. -"We know who he is. Besides, in every cause, there are nearly always -some foolish hotheads whose actions can't be controlled." He rose to -his feet. "Don't you think you could change your decision, professor? -I'm sure the students would appreciate having the use of the room; and -this troublesome matter ought to be ended at once." - -"No, Brown, I cannot." - -There was no expression of chagrin or disappointment on the chief -"outlaw's" face, as he turned away, exclaiming cheerfully: - -"I thank you very much for the interview, professor." - -Of course, through the agency of Benny Wilkins and several others, -"Crackers'" visit to the principal immediately became known throughout -the school. - -"And Brown got thrown down flat, Mr. Editor of the 'Reflector,'" -remarked Benny, addressing Dave Brandon. - -"Please don't send me a three-column article about it, Benny. What did -Brown want with the assembly room?" - -"Oh, that's telling! Spies have to keep mum. I've gotten to be the -greatest little sneak in the school, you know." - -"It's all right so long as you do your spying in the open," laughed -Dave. - -That afternoon the regulars went through their practice as usual. But -the boys who gathered on the field seemed to be much more interested in -comparing notes than they did in watching the players. - -"I reckon the big kick Alf Boggs spoke about is almost due," laughed -Coach Steele. "Anyway, fellows, in spite of all this commotion, every -one is steadily improving. I guess you've been a bit more disturbed -than any of us really imagined." - -"Perhaps so," said Bob. "I suppose it's like everything else; our -nerves have now become accustomed to the strain." - -"The unexpectedness of it was what got me," added Tom. "How'd you feel -about it, Blake?" - -"Pretty badly, until the last few days," admitted Charlie. - -"You've both done rattling good work this afternoon," put in the coach, -encouragingly. "Keep it up." - -"No one will ever see me play such a game as I did last time," said Tom. - -"We are finding our batting eye, too," remarked Dave. "With a couple -more weeks' practice we ought to be right on edge." - -"I notice the 'outlaws' are not working to-day," said "Jack Frost." -"Guess it means they're still busy for the good of the school. But -don't let it worry any one." - -The staunch Somers partisans who witnessed the practice were much -pleased. And they industriously spread this fact broadcast. - -When the students gathered in the assembly room next morning they -expected to hear only the usual introductory remarks from President -Hopkins. The head of the school, however, instead of dismissing them at -the customary moment, rose from his seat at a desk and advanced to the -edge of the platform. - -"Boys," he said, in an earnest tone, "I wish to speak to you about -certain matters which I find are dividing the school into two factions, -and, I regret to say, causing considerable ill-feeling." - -A murmur of suppressed excitement, which found relief in muffled -"Oh's!" and "Ah's!" spread through the hall. - -"I do not doubt that the boys who are causing this commotion have been -actuated by entirely good motives; but, unfortunately, movements of -this sort, which spring from disappointment, instead of helping matters -often act as a hindrance." - -"Crackers" Brown nudged his neighbor savagely in the ribs. - -"Did you get that, Platt?" he whispered--"a hindrance!" - -"You can just bet the 'Ancient Mariner' put the notion into his head. -Those Ramblers seem to have even the faculty of the school right where -they want 'em." - -"It's simply a-ma-zing!" - -"I am sure Mr. Barry regrets this state of affairs as much as I do," -went on President Hopkins. "We all cannot be winners as we go through -life; and to accept defeat manfully and philosophically is sometimes -just as creditable as wearing the crown of victory." - -"I never knew he was capable of remarks like that," observed Benny -Wilkins, cautiously. - -In another part of the room Owen Lawrence was saying: - -"Mighty fine words! But I'd a heap sooner hear the sound of the axe -chopping down those no-trespassing signs." - -"I sincerely trust you will think matters over calmly. Remember: the -boys whom you find so much fault with to-day are loyal to the school -and deeply interested in its welfare. Therefore, be sure that your -prejudices don't mislead you; give them the chance they deserve." - -As President Hopkins closed his brief address a round of applause -followed; but it seemed to come from but a very small portion of the -students. - -"Ha, ha! You will, will you?" laughed Alf Boggs, passing "Crackers" on -his way to the class room. "Got called down, eh? Guess that'll hold you -fellows for a while." - -"Brown is so pained he'll never do it again," chirped Benny Wilkins. -"Give me that note-book you promised, 'Crackers,' and I'll make an -entry: 'End of the Brown agitation.' Ha, ha! Lots of fun going to -school, isn't there?" - -"You'll think so to-morrow," said Brown, ominously. - -With quick, springy steps Owen Lawrence reached the side of his chief. - -"I don't like the way the president talked a bit," he snapped. "He -practically accused us of being hot-headed and prejudiced. It's all -very well to talk about accepting defeat; but what's the use when you -don't have to?" - -"There'll be no accepting defeat here," returned Brown. "What do you -think of this idea, Lawrence?" - -In a low tone he spoke earnestly to his companion. - -Lawrence nodded. - -"A capital scheme, Brown!" he cried, enthusiastically. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - - THE VERDICT OF THE SCHOOL - - -If any one ever imagined that Dan Brown would be "held for a while" by -the president's remarks they were sadly mistaken. - -The first thing which attracted Bob Somers' eye on reaching school next -morning was a large poster headed: "Indignation Meeting!" - -"By Jingo, that's interesting," murmured the captain of the regulars, -pushing his way through the groups toward it. - -"Oh, it really is dreadfully awful, Somers!" cried Benny Wilkins. "And -everybody thinking, yesterday, that that Brown chap was squelched." He -seized Bob by the arm. "Come along. He's said something there that may -hurt your feelings." - -"So I suppose you're trying to support me," returned Bob. He raised his -voice. "Hello, Dave!" - -The stout editor, beaming good-naturedly, as usual, sauntered over. - -"The blow has fallen, Bob," he laughed. "Have I read it? Oh, yes. Not -badly written, either. I wish Brown would scribble an article for the -'Reflector.'" - -"Oh--oh! And after firing everything of mine!" wailed Benny. "Isn't -that what some one called the 'unkindest cut'?" - -Next moment Bob Somers' eyes were scanning the contents of the two by -three foot poster, a proceeding which was beset with some difficulty, -as a great crowd of boys constantly shoved and pushed each other about -in an effort to read it. - -The announcement called for a meeting on the campus at three o'clock to -settle by a vote of the school which club should represent it against -the Rockville team. - -"The matter has reached a stage when the students must decide this most -important question," stated the poster. "The undersigned, who have been -working for the good of the school, will cheerfully abide by the wishes -of the majority. And, in order that no advantage shall be taken of the -regular team, we invite them, or any one they may designate, to speak -in their behalf. - -"We call upon all of the students to act calmly, and to refrain from -unpleasant observations or in any way disturbing the peace. And we -emphatically insist that no one shall shirk his duty. Be present -without fail--and vote." - -The poster was signed by Dan Brown, Owen Lawrence and Earl Roycroft. - -"It's an outrage, Bob Somers!"--Harry Spearman had reached the -captain's side--"a direct slap at President Hopkins. Didn't he -practically command the fellows to quit this row? Of course he did. For -my part, I shall insist that not one of our crowd pays the smallest -attention to their so-called invitation." - -"There will be no soap box oratory from me," declared Bob. - -"Nor from me, either," grinned Dave. "I'd rather practice." - -"All the same, I am fearful that something fearful will happen," said -Benny. "Here comes T. Vanitas. Oh, I say, T. Vanitas Clifton, here's -the shock of your young life." - -"You'd better cut out such talk," warned Tom. "I absorbed the contents -of that silly thing half an hour ago. It doesn't faze us in the least." - -"It isn't expected to. But what happens this afternoon is." - -The general feeling of unrest and excitement so affected the students -that work in the class room suffered greatly. Professor Ivins was much -disturbed. - -"I declare, Professor Hopkins, I don't know what we shall do," he said -in the president's office. "Several of the brightest boys in the school -failed lamentably to-day. It is deplorable that this thing has taken -such a hold upon them. Cannot something be done?" - -"If conditions get any worse I shall be compelled to take a hand," -asserted Professor Hopkins. "It appears to me that young Brown is -actually becoming defiant. That flaring poster out there is one of the -boldest things I ever saw." - -"It certainly is," said Professor Ivins, solemnly. - -As the time for the meeting drew near "Crackers" Brown and his -assistants got into action. Several large boxes, with boards laid -across the tops, and designed for use as a table, were placed beneath -the big elm, while another box--the speaker's stand--stood only a few -feet away. - -By the number of students which poured out upon the campus it -looked as if the "Indignation Meeting" was destined to be a great -success. Occasionally, above the medley of noises, came the blare of -ear-disturbing megaphones or blasts from tin horns. Every cheer for -Brown was answered with a yell for Somers. The fighting spirit of the -students was aroused, and, in spite of "Crackers'" request, the boys -did not refrain from unpleasant observations. Only the leader of the -"outlaws" and Benny Wilkins wore their usual expressions. - -"Are you going to speak for the Ramblers, Mercer?" asked the latter, as -he approached the manager of the team. - -"I should say not!" - -"Haven't got the nerve, eh?" - -"Just as you say, Benny. After noting the terrible effect of Brown's -nerve I feel a little shy about cultivating any myself." - -"Gee whiz! This is the only time I ever saw a lot of fellows who were -elected by almost unanimous consent, and then fired out the same way," -mused Benny. "There's Brown getting up to speak. Wouldn't I laugh if -that soap box broke and upset him. Rah, rah, rah for Somers! Hooray for -the Ramblers. Take 'Crackers' down before he starts! Don't wonder he -has a buttermilk voice--he's sour!" - -Dan Brown looked leisurely around and began his speech. - -"Hooray for Captain Bunderley, hooray!" called out Benny, his shrill -tones soaring high above all other sounds. - -Not many of the boys could hear the words of the coach. It needed a far -stronger voice than his to overmatch the incessant din, which sometimes -rose into a loud, swelling chorus from every quarter of the campus. -But that made little difference. A large piece of cardboard, hung by -several cords from the tree, gave all the desired information. - -The proposition to be voted for was: Which team should represent the -school in the inter-scholastic series; all those favoring the regulars -to state whether the club should remain as it was or be reorganized. - -Owen Lawrence, who followed Dan Brown, and whose vocal organs were far -more powerful, promptly demanded to know if any of the Ramblers were -present. - -"We gave them a chance to speak on the last occasion, and do so now!" -he cried, looking over the heads of the crowd. - -The momentary silence which ensued was broken by the voice of Benny -Wilkins. - -"Hooray for Brown!" he yelled. "Hooray for Somers! Vanitas forever! One -school; one ball nine; one everything! Take him down from the stand. -Here I come! I want to make a speech myself." - -He was pushing his way forward when Parks thrust a very large fist -beneath his nose. - -"No, you don't, Benny," he growled. "For once in your life be serious. -This isn't any circus." - -"Jealous because you can't make a speech yourself!" jeered Wilkins. -"I dare you to. Let go! I want to say a word for Somers. All right, -Parksy. I'll sic Captain Bunderley on you." - -Aleck, with his hand on Benny's shoulder, forced him away. - -"I understand the regulars don't consider this occasion important -enough to bother about," continued Lawrence. "Will you fellows -stand for that? Will you stand for outsiders meddling with school -affairs--your affairs?" - -"Hooray for Captain Bunderley!" shouted the irrepressible Benny. - -The Somers party attempted in vain to stem the tide of enthusiastic -cheering which greeted Owen Lawrence's words. - -"I knew the boys were with us!" shouted Owen. "I feel that by your -votes to-day----" - -"You haven't any right to buy votes!" screeched Benny. - -"I am sure that through the votes you give us," corrected the speaker, -"the field which Mr. Barry has offered will become the property of the -school. A decisive victory, fellows, will show those who have been so -stubborn and unyielding that they dare not hide any longer behind their -refuge of regularity." He turned toward the table. "Get busy, boys." - -A half dozen lads, each carrying a box filled with slips of white -paper, at once began working their way through the crowd. - -"Don't miss anybody!" yelled Dan Brown. "And just let me say this: The -fellows who fail to vote are mollycoddles. We'll find out who they are." - -"Give me a slip--quick!" cried Benny. "I want to vote for the Ramblers. -No; I won't shut up, Dan Brown. You never gave me the note-book you -promised. Hooray for Roycroft! Get away from here, Aleck Parks. Your -language is always rude." - -"In order to avoid mistakes or squabbling over the result we ask every -student to put his name on the ballot!" called Brown. - -The noise and arguments ceased. Every lad felt the importance of the -proceedings and wished, if possible, to end the unfortunate situation -which had hovered over the school for weeks. In their eagerness to get -the slips of paper a jostling, clamoring crowd besieged each holder of -a box. Occasionally a small shower fell to the ground, to be pounced -upon by those nearest at hand. - -"It doesn't seem as if there are any mollycoddles here to-day," -exclaimed Owen Lawrence, triumphantly. "See 'em, Earl Roycroft--almost -scrapping for the ballots. What are you looking so sad about?" - -"I feel sorry for the Somers crowd," answered Earl. "They're all good -chaps; and we must give Bob a lot of credit for starting the athletic -association." - -"And us the credit for putting the useless thing out of business," -interposed Brown. "It might be a grand proposition for the school if -the chaps who compose it weren't so blind." - -"Do you suppose Bob Somers will have the nerve to fight the verdict of -the school?" asked Lawrence. - -"We'll call his bluff, if he does," answered the coach. "See how many -of the fellows who used to shout themselves hoarse for the Ramblers -have swung over to our side. This indifference stunt is the Ramblers' -last grand card. Mercer's face shows that he knows the jig is up." - -"We'll play Rockville sure as shooting," said Lawrence. He raised his -voice. "Any fellow who hasn't received a ballot please put up his hand. -Gee--look at that mean little codger!" - -Benny Wilkins, showing all the symptoms of keen enjoyment, was seen -running around scattering handfuls of the ballots and leaving a trail -of white behind him. - -"I'm going to snow 'em under!" he cried. "I crammed sixteen down -Parksy's neck. Hooray for the good of the school!" - -"An unmanageable little duffer," remarked Brown, gravely. "We ought to -vote on the question of allowing him to remain at the High." - -As soon as every one had been supplied with a slip collecting of the -ballots began. There seemed to be few wavering voters, a fact which -gave much encouragement to the "outlaws." - -Each box, upon being filled, was rushed over to the table and emptied. -Then the tellers began their work of counting. - -The great trunk of the elm partly shielded the busy students from a -brisk, pleasant breeze, which, having no regard for the importance -of the occasion, apparently strove its best to send the white scraps -dancing merrily to the ground. The soft music of the gently-swaying -boughs above kept up a steady accompaniment to the noises which once -more broke out on the campus. - -A dense crowd surged around the table, threatening at times to -interfere with the work. The Somers party, while refusing to admit the -right of the "outlaws" to put the question to a vote, were bent upon -seeing fair play. Several of the most aggressive struggled through the -mass and took up a position by the table. - -"You needn't be afraid, Lou Mercer," grinned Owen Lawrence. "We're -giving everybody a square deal. Carried the thing too far, have we? -Maybe--to suit you and Bob Somers; not the rest of the school." - -Incessant calls for information regarding the vote were hurled toward -the table. The boys found it hard to restrain their impatience. Only -the stern commands of Brown and Lawrence kept a semblance of order. - -As the work neared completion the excitement became so great that a -wildly-clamoring mob threatened to descend upon the table and sweep it, -workers and ballots, irresistibly aside. - -"You'll undo the whole business!" shouted Lawrence, in alarm. "Keep -back! We'll know the result in a few minutes. Stop your shoving and -pushing over there. I'll say this much: it's a landslide for----" - -"The good of the school!" came a rousing chorus. - -"Yes! You've hit the ball on the nose." - -At frequent intervals the cheering was renewed. The tabulators worked -desperately, and when the returns, added on a sheet of paper, were -handed to Brown, who was still standing on the soap box, he was obliged -to yell himself hoarse. - -"Keep still!" he bawled, holding the paper high above his head. "Keep -still! The result is----" - -"Order, order!" shouted Lawrence, frantically. - -In the midst of a temporary hush, Brown's voice rose clearly. - -"Out of a total of four hundred and nineteen voters only thirty-seven -have decided in favor of the regular club; ninety-eight are for -reorganization; two hundred and eighty-four--two hundred and -eighty-four, mind you--a tre-men-dous majority, have come out squarely -in favor of the 'Hopes.'" - -The greatest din which the campus had ever known was carried off in -waves of sound, and Brown, for the first time throwing off his mask of -calmness, shouted and hurrahed as lustily as any. - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - THE WISH OF THE MAJORITY - - -"Well, something has certainly happened over there," remarked Bob -Somers to Charlie Blake, as he lined a batted ball back to Singleton. - -"I guess I know what it is," sighed the "grind." "Suppose, by this -time, 'Crackers' Brown thinks he's it." - -In spite of the continual commotion which rang unpleasantly in their -ears the nine kept on practicing, with but a very small audience on the -field. - -At length the slight figure of Benny Wilkins was seen approaching as -fast as his rather short legs could carry him. - -"Hi, hi, fellows!" he gasped. "Hi, hi! No use for you to play any -more. I've got the awfulest news. Don't throw that ball, Dave Brandon; -it's no use, I tell you. 'Four ten P. M.'--got it all chalked -down--'Somers and Company thrown out by more than a unanimous vote! -Rambler Club changes its name to the Hikers.'" - -The sensation which Benny hoped to produce did not materialize. The -staunch Somers adherents who had refrained from voting were fully -prepared for the announcement, while most of the players merely grinned. - -"Well, you're a cool lot!" growled Benny, in disgust. "Haven't you -anything to say, T. Vanitas?" - -A few weeks before, Tom Clifton would probably have made a hot retort, -adding a few remarks which might have been twisted into something -highly boastful. Now, however, he merely shook his head, and answered -with a smile: - -"No news for the note-book, Benny." - -"Oh, you're a peacherino. I thought you'd go over and scatter that -howling mob single-handed. I can see Brown has your number." - -"Benny is agitated," laughed Alf Boggs. - -"Who wouldn't be when a chap's lifelong friends are given such an awful -sack? And I kept on hollering and hollering 'Hooray for Somers!' I did -so, Fred Benson. Ask Parksy. Say, for his size, he has the biggest -fist in school. Going to sell your uniforms, fellows? I know a good -second-hand dealer. You won't fight this thing, will you, Somers?" - -"There's nothing to fight, Benny." - -"Oh, my, oh, my! If 'Crackers' should ever hear that! I'm going to tell -him. Hooray! Guess that means a bigger scrap than ever. Look at this -bunch of hotheads coming over. Get ready to run." - -Shouts and songs rising on the air and constantly growing louder -announced the approach of the crowd. - -Rather fearful that some impetuous students might feel inclined to stir -up more excitement, Coach Steele stopped further practice. - -"We don't want to give them a chance," he explained to Dick Travers. - -The secretary of the athletic association nodded. - -"Quite right, Steele. They're so jolly well stirred up that a few words -might start a near-riot." - -The players quickly gathered up their belongings, and started for the -gymnasium just as the advance guard of the "bearers of evil tidings" -reached the lot. - -From more than a hundred tongues came the result of the afternoon's -work. The Somers party seemed to have dropped completely out, not even -a single cheer answering the ringing cries of the exultant supporters -of "Crackers" Brown. - -"You're fired out, Somers!" shouted Aleck Parks, with all his force. -"We didn't ask the 'Ancient Mariner's' permission to do it, either." - -"Don't rub it in, Parks," expostulated Luke Phelps. "Don't you see--the -poor duffers have given up already. Let's beat it over to the gym and -see the final surrender. Gee Whitaker, mustn't they feel cheap! Come -on, fellows!" - -The great crowd promptly fell in behind the players, a steady fire of -comments passing from mouth to mouth. - -"Aren't they a nice lot!" exclaimed Tom Clifton. "What do you think of -'em, Bob?" - -"I guess it's more Dan Brown's fault than any one else's," answered -Bob Somers. "By George--there's another bunch at the door of the gym. -Guess they think the excitement isn't over yet." - -"Nice job facing that staring mob!" grumbled Charlie Blake. "Wish to -thunder it was all over." - -"I almost feel like losing my temper and being rude to some one," -sighed Dave Brandon. - -In spite of their feelings the players swung toward the gymnasium door -with a firm tread, passing between lines of deeply interested, jostling -boys whose sallies and jests all allowed to pass unnoticed. - -Inside the big room conditions were pretty much the same. But the ball -players did not pause until the office of the athletic association was -reached. - -The indignation meeting had had the effect of bringing every officer -and some of the directors to the scene of action. As they entered Harry -Spearman was found pacing the floor excitedly. - -"Hello, Bob!" he called, catching sight of the captain. "This has been -a fierce afternoon, eh? Brown carried things with a high hand. By -George! Let any of you fellows waver, and I don't believe I'd ever -speak to you again." - -"No use to get excited, Spearman," admonished Sam Randall. "If there is -a sign of backdown anywhere I haven't been able to see it." - -"Only because you're short-sighted, Sammy," screeched Benny Wilkins, -who at that instant pushed open the door and peered in. "Get specs like -Brown." - -"Sneak away from there!" cried Harry Spearman, wrathfully. "Go on, now; -get!" - -"What's the matter? Can't a fellow even spy in the open any longer? -Dave Brandon said----" - -Harry thrust him aside and slammed the door. - -"Those fellows think the thing is all settled," he exclaimed. "If it -hadn't been for Brown and Lawrence talking a fierce streak to a lot of -weak dubs who don't know their own minds----" - -"Oh, what's the use of going all over that again?" broke in Dick -Travers, impatiently. "Let's----" - -Bang--bang! - -Two sharp cracks on the door echoed noisily. - -"Come in!" called Sam Randall. - -"Crackers" Brown, wearing a solemn expression, promptly entered, his -lieutenants, Lawrence and Roycroft, following close behind. - -"Good-afternoon, fellows!" exclaimed the coach of the "Hopes," without -a trace of excitement in his manner. "Gee! Awful big crowd in here for -such a small room." - -An awkward silence, broken only by the sound of footsteps and the -scraping of a chair, as Sam changed his position, added to the pent-up -feelings which Harry Spearman was finding it hard to control. - -Brown improved the moment by polishing his glasses industriously. Then -he sidled over to the window, where his stoop-shouldered form was -silhouetted in lines of uncompromising hardness against the panes. - -"Randall," he began, deliberately, "we three have been delegated by a -number of students to bring to your notice the fact that the 'Hopes' -have been chosen by a most decisive vote to represent the school. The -thing was done fairly and aboveboard. None of you fellows would even -speak a word in your own defense." - -Sam nodded coldly. - -"You cannot go against the wish of the majority." The chief "outlaw" -brought out his words emphatically. "We wish to state that the 'Hopes' -are going to play Rockville Academy on Saturday." - -"Are they?" cried Harry Spearman, excitedly. - -"No athletic association is greater than the school it represents. The -boys have spoken. Listen! Here is the result of the vote." "Crackers" -could not conceal a feeling of elation as he droned out the figures. He -paused to receive an answer, but, hearing none, continued: - -"This thing ought to be settled amicably. If you fellows are in earnest -about winning that field for the school you'll show it by handing your -resignations to the board of directors." - -"Indeed!" sneered Harry Spearman. "For an absolutely unmitigated piece -of nerve and impudence that's the worst I ever heard." - -"We didn't come here, to scrap but to talk quietly over the situation -and reach some conclusion," said "Crackers," smoothly. "Now, Randall, -what do you propose to do?" - -"The athletic association does not concede that the school has the -right to dictate to it in such a way. We don't intend to ask any -members of the baseball club to resign." - -"You don't, eh?" burst out Owen Lawrence. "Well, the boys are not going -to stand for any more exhibitions of obstinacy on your part. It's -either get out quietly or be thrown out!" - -"We'll do neither," returned Harry Spearman, crossing the floor to face -the new student. "You can't bluff our crowd!" - -"No use having a war of words," put in Brown, authoritatively. "I -tell you: when you fellows refused to play us a series of games you -started----" - -Bob Somers interrupted him. - -"We'd surely have played your club if it hadn't been gotten up for the -express purpose of chucking us out of our jobs," he said, coolly. "You -needn't shake your head, Brown." - -"I was talking to a chap yesterday who used to be one of your hottest -supporters," persisted "Crackers." "I asked him if he honestly thought -the regulars had a ghost of a show against the 'Hopes.' He smiled a -mighty sickly smile. 'Not the slightest, Brown,' he flashed back; 'the -Ramblers would probably be wiped off the map.'" - -"The 'Ramblers'!" repeated Harry Spearman. "That's one of your false -alarm cries that have done nearly the whole business." - -"All your team had to do was to play good ball," returned Brown, dryly. -"Then no one could have kicked. But you lost game after game; and when -the boys found that you wouldn't play the 'Hopes' because you expected -an awful trimming they made up their minds to assert----" - -Bob rapped on the table with his knuckles. - -"Brown, we have been telling you all along that the fellows only needed -a little time to round into good shape. I'll admit the 'Hopes' are a -fine team. But we are striking our real gait now, and don't admit that -your team is a bit better." - -"There's the plank we stand on," put in Roger Steele. "Frankly, if you -chaps had caught us unprepared this little disturbance would have been -nothing to the one which a few hotheads would now be engineering." - -"Ice-water is good for hotheads!" came through the keyhole. - -"Our policy has been dictated by a thorough belief in the team," said -Sam Randall, "and, incidentally, we have felt bound to stand up for our -rights." - -"We're to understand, then, that you defy the whole school?" exclaimed -Owen Lawrence. He glared at the boys ranged around the table. "Just -remember--there's a big crowd in the gym waiting to get your answer." - -"I wouldn't call it such a harsh word as that," said Sam Randall. "The -fellows are temporarily against us; that's all. They'll soon see it -themselves." - -"Crackers" Brown continued to argue, pointing out in his calm way -the consequences which might result if the regulars persisted in -their course. Owen Lawrence, of combative temperament, threatened and -stormed. Earl Roycroft took a middle course, doing his best to act as -peacemaker. - -But, to their combined efforts, Sam Randall, as spokesman of the -athletic association, gave a final, and negative answer. - -"All right--nothing doing here!" growled Brown. "There'll be a lot -doing somewhere else, however." - -"Crackers" Brown, with a curt "So-long!" strode to the door, throwing -it open so suddenly that Benny uttered an exclamation of surprise. - -"Can't you be more polite when a fellow has his eye to the keyhole, -Brown?" he complained. "Got thrown down hard, didn't you? I'm going to -tell the fellows." - -A crowd quickly surrounded the three "outlaws," loudly demanding -particulars of the meeting. - -"No one seems to have any rights in this school except themselves," -growled Owen Lawrence. "I thought it would be a waste of time to talk -to 'em." - -The boys became angry and belligerent. - -"They won't be dictated to by the school, eh?" sneered one. "Well, -we're not going to lose a championship and a dandy ball field just for -the sake of Bob Somers' pride. We've voted 'em out; and, by Jingo, -they're going out! That's all there is to it." - -"And if they try to play Rockville on Saturday," exclaimed Aleck Parks, -"there'll be a nice hot time on the old lot." - -"We ought to run them right off the field," added Luke Phelps. - -"Quit that kind of talk," commanded Earl Roycroft. "I know you'll try -to stir up the biggest row you can. Say, Brown," he added, "I'm going -over to see President Hopkins. Maybe he'll help us straighten out this -tangle. Get him on our side and those fellows might come down from -their perch." - -"Don't believe the prin'll do it," said "Crackers," "but try it if you -want. Yes; we'll wait right here." - -During the absence of the big first baseman of the "Hopes," the boys -discussed the situation in excited tones, some of the more impetuous -often hurrahing lustily. - -When Earl returned, in about fifteen minutes, a rush was made for the -door. - -"How about it?" demanded Parks. - -"President Hopkins says he can't interfere, boys," answered Roycroft, -slowly. "It's mighty easy to see that he's sore on our crowd, -too--good as told me so." - -"Of course that isn't any news to me," sniffed Owen Lawrence. "Didn't -Brown get handed the same dose?" - -"There's been enough talk about this thing, fellows," broke in -"Crackers." He looked over the rim of his glasses at the noisy crowd; -then, raising his voice so that it penetrated to all parts of the big -room, he added significantly: "What we want now is action." - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - - ROCKVILLE IS PUZZLED - - -Saturday! - -The inter-scholastic series! - -Rockville Academy! - -These were the thoughts uppermost in the boys' minds, for the great day -so long anticipated had at last arrived. - -"We'll certainly need all our nerve, fellows," remarked "Jack Frost," -as the squad left the gymnasium. "I think we're in plenty good enough -shape to beat those chaps; I'm not worried about that. But you may be -sure Dan Brown is ready to start something." - -Phil Brentall tossed the ball in the air and deftly caught it behind -his back. - -"Looks like it," he admitted, glancing toward the field, where the -"Hopes" were already busily engaged in practice. - -"We won't bother about them, boys," interposed Roger Steele. "To-day, -our business is to trim the Rockville nine by the biggest score we -can." He laughed dryly. "As Frost said: I think the 'Rambler Club's -ball nine' is now in a position to hold its own." - -"Guess the whole town'll be on hand to-day," observed Charlie Blake. -"I heard people talking about the game last night. Terry Guffin is -actually going to take an afternoon away from his pies." - -When the players reached the lot Victor Collins came rushing up to them. - -"Hello, fellows!" he cried. "Guess the 'Hopes' are getting ready to -build a bonfire to celebrate the opening game. They've got three or -four big soap boxes. I asked Brown what he wanted 'em for, and he said: -'You'll find out before long.' Is Uncle Ralph coming? Why sure! So is -'Uncle' Steve." - -"I see Brown has been good enough to leave us the regular diamond," -remarked Coach Steele. "Pitch in, fellows. The Rockvilles are almost -due." - -"I can't help feeling that something is in the wind," said Dave, as he -thrust his hand into a mit and started for the outfield. "Line them -over with plenty of steam, Bob." - -Dan Brown and the "Hopes" were not far distant. Their noisy yelling -came incessantly over the air. - -"I'd like to know why in thunder those fellows are wearing their -uniforms, Sam Randall?" exclaimed Harry Spearman. - -"I suppose they are up to some mischief, Harry. Hello, Benny Wilkins!" -He raised his voice. "Toddle this way!" - -Benny, giving Luke Phelps a punch in the ribs, immediately darted -toward the president of the athletic association, hotly pursued by the -other. - -The crowd, getting in Luke's way, however, soon caused him to desist. - -"That's the time I corked him a real good one!" cried Benny, gleefully. -"Phelps said something rude about Bob Somers. It was true, all right; -but I didn't like to hear it. Look at this, fellows." - -Benny exhibited an enormous book and a carpenter's pencil. - -"Gee whiz!" exclaimed Spearman. "What's that for?" - -"I'm going to write a regular serial story this afternoon and make -a lot of sketches besides," explained Benny. "This is the heaviest -ammunition I could find. Some class to me, eh? What did you say, Mr. -Randall?" - -"Why is Brown's crowd practicing to-day; know anything about it?" - -"Sure! I've got a whole lot of notes. But they haven't passed the -censor yet. 'Buttermilk' Brown's the censor. Gee--look at that! Somers -hits the ball so hard it smokes." - -"Run along about your business, Benny," said Spearman, in disgust. - -"Haven't got any business out here. Want to see a dandy picture? I'm -almost an artist--fact." - -He opened the blank book, and his interested schoolmates saw a drawing -representing a very fat and a very thin boy standing side by side. - -"Oh, you cheeky little duffer!" cried Harry Spearman. "It's Dave and -Tom." - -"It is not. They're over on the field. Honest, though, I've got it in -for Dave. He just handed me back the fifteenth article I've written for -the 'Reflector.' I call that getting bumped a trifle--don't you? From -now on I work for the Pie-eaters and doughnut syndicate. I'll make a -sketch in water color like this for Terry Guffin's. Suffering Ramblers! -What's all the screeching about?" - -The boys wheeled around, to discover the Rockville players, followed by -a good-sized crowd, rapidly approaching. In their natty blue uniforms -and red stockings, they presented a pleasing picture. - -"A likely-looking bunch," said Benny. "Luke Phelps says they can play -some, too. Hooray for the Rockvilles!" - -The bursts of cheering which came from various parts of the field -evidently pleased the visitors, who responded lustily. - -Within a few minutes Ed Barr, manager of the team, was conferring with -Lou Mercer. - -"Not a very extra field, is it?" he said, eying with disapproval some -of the irregularities which, in spite of the boys' earnest work, -were much in evidence. "Still, it's just as bad for you as it is for -us--that makes it even. Your chaps are through practicing, eh? All -right. We'll warm up for a few minutes." - -A feeling of tense excitement was in the air; and when the "outlaws" -presently left off work and sauntered nonchalantly over toward home -plate this feeling found expression in curious murmuring sounds. - -The "Hopes" disposed their forms comfortably on the turf, or sat -astride the soapboxes which had aroused Victor Collins' curiosity. - -From the players' bench the regulars keenly watched the work of the -visitors. - -"They seem to have a lot of steam," remarked Steele, reflectively. "See -the big chap over there in left field. That's 'Pinky' Crane--plays at -first. I've met him. He's the captain. Nice chap, too." - -"At one time, waiting for the game to start would have made my nerves -rather shaky, Bob," Charlie Blake was saying. "Thank goodness I've a -better grip on myself now. Honest, though, I might have dropped out but -for you and Dave. In those days I often wished I had Tom's spunk." - -The muscles around Tom Clifton's mouth twitched. His thoughts flew back -to the night when he had almost shown the white feather himself. - -"Gee--if I had!" he murmured. Then, aloud: "What's that, Dave?" - -"We want to play such a lively, snappy game that the Rockvilles will -be kept on the jump every second," said the editor of the "Reflector." -"You've gotten down those base-stealing stunts pretty fine, Tom. Try -'em for all you're worth." - -"I've got 'em right down to the ground," chuckled Tom. "Ah, but that -was certainly a pretty catch!" - -One of the Rockville players had nipped a high fly and returned the -ball to the first baseman. - -After fifteen minutes' practice the visitors flocked in from the field, -their faces glowing with anticipation and expectation. The umpire, -already wearing his chest protector, and carrying his mask in his hand, -detached himself from a group of interested spectators and walked to -the plate, ready to call out the "Play ball!" for which so many were -impatiently waiting. - -At the precise moment Dan Brown rose to his feet, shook the dust from -his uniform and made for the same point, closely followed by his entire -aggregation of players. - -This move raised an extraordinary commotion. The low, droning buzz of -voices suddenly broke forth into excited murmurings, and above this -came a renewal of the shouts and megaphone calls. - -The members of the Rockville team were plainly astonished. They scented -an unusual situation; and every face was turned toward the heavy, -stoop-shouldered form of "Crackers" Brown. - -A surging mob quickly surrounded the players, forming a solid wall of -humanity, each craning his neck to look eagerly over his neighbor's -shoulder. - -The throng became so dense that the regulars found themselves on the -outside, trying to storm the barricade. - -Above the excited jabbering of many voices "Crackers" Brown was heard -to speak. - -"Fellows," he exclaimed, addressing the Rockville nine, "I am the coach -of the team you play against to-day." - -This announcement, uttered with great distinctness, instantly caused a -hush to come over the crowd. - -For a moment the visitors were too dumfounded to speak. Then Captain -"Pinky" Crane, suspecting a joke, laughed boisterously. - -"Not so bad, boys!" he chuckled. "But I hope you don't think we're so -easy as that." - -"I was never more serious in my life," said Brown, sharply. "This -team"--he raised his hand toward the players packed closely about -him--"has been selected by the school to represent it. I can prove what -I say. If you're ready to start let's hear the word." - -"He's always wanting to start something," piped Benny Wilkins from the -rear. "Isn't his voice peppery though! Hooray for Brandon!" - -"But--but--I don't understand," gasped Ed Barr, quite helplessly. "Why -weren't we notified?" - -"I take it that you came here to play the Kingswood High baseball -team," answered "Crackers," blandly. "Here it is. The students have -thrown out an arbitrary lot of players who absolutely refused to listen -to reason. They kept on losing game after game until the boys wouldn't -stand for it any longer. If you don't believe me take a vote on the -question right now." - -"That's it--that's it!" cried Owen Lawrence, excitedly. "How many favor -the 'Hopes'? And how many the Ramblers?" he called loudly, raising his -hand. - -A rousing, prolonged yell for the former, which spread like a flash to -all parts of the field, carried such a strong indication of the temper -of the school that Captain Crane and his men were immediately convinced. - -"I don't know about the regularity of this affair," said Crane. "Our -crowd didn't come over here to mix up in any row, but to play ball, and -we don't care a base hit who takes the field against us. If you chaps -are scrapping among yourselves that isn't our business. The boys say -your team is the one; so start up the game and show us what you can do." - -"Hold on a moment, captain." - -Coach Steele, Bob Somers and Dave Brandon in a flying wedge were -forcing a passage through the dense mass of humanity. - -"Hold on, captain!" exclaimed Steele again. "There's another side to -this story, and you're going to get it right now." - -Concisely, and with telling effect, the coach told of the events which -had happened at the Kingswood High. His flashing eyes and vigorous -manner, backed up by the cool and determined attitude of Bob Somers and -Dave Brandon, soon made the visitors regard things in a different light. - -As Owen Lawrence saw them wavering his belligerent manner increased. - -"This is the time your bluff won't work, Somers!" he cried, angrily. "I -wouldn't advise you to talk too much, or you might get run right off -the field." - -"Who's going to do it?" asked Bob. - -"I may take a hand myself." - -"Well, you can start a rough-house if you like. I can tell you this -much, Owen Lawrence: the regulars are here to play ball, and they're -going to do it." - -"Hooray--hooray!" shouted Benny Wilkins. "There's sand for you--pure -grit. Sand is gritty; so is Somers." - -The clamor of the excited, jostling mob, the yells of encouragement -from first one side, then the other, and apparently every sound which -boys are able to produce made such an uproarious noise that the voices -of the speakers were often entirely swallowed up. - -One by one the members of the regular team fought their way to the -center of interest. - -"Come now, Somers, be reasonable," pleaded Earl Roycroft. "Can't you -see that by keeping up this thing you're liable to start an awful -rumpus?" - -"You're the fellows who won't listen to reason," returned Bob. "Why -don't you quit this row and let us play?" - -"We would if you only knew how," jeered Lawrence. "Better cool off, -Somers. It would take only a few words from Brown and me to send you -marathoning into the distance as fast as though a number one size -grizzly was within a foot of your spiked shoes." - -"Talk like that isn't going to have any effect," laughed Coach Steele. -"Please get back. We want to begin the game." - -Dan Brown's soft, easy manner suddenly underwent a tremendous change. -His voice became harsh and rasping as he demanded: - -"What are you Rockville fellows going to do? Do you intend to play us -or not?" - -"Pinky" Crane stared at his companions. Being more gifted in ball -playing than diplomacy, he was plainly stumped. - -"It's too much for me," he confessed, blankly. "How about it, Barr?" - -The manager, a sturdy young fellow with a strong, aggressive chin -and an equally positive manner, kicked at the turf a moment before -replying. Then, looking squarely into "Crackers" Brown's face, he -exclaimed: - -"This is what I have to say: we'll play the regularly organized team. -No mushroom nine for me." He shook his finger vigorously in the chief -"outlaw's" face. "Now beat it! Enough of this fuss. We're going to -start." - -"Very good, sir!" Brown's former manner returned. "We're ordered -to skip, Lawrence. There is nothing to do but follow the manager's -instructions. Sorry, boys, to have annoyed you so much. Really, your -manner quite pained me. No hard feelings, I hope?" - -"None at all," said Barr, heartily. - -The sudden and unexpected "crawl" of the "outlaws" was so amazing to -their supporters that howls of protest and derisive cries arose from -every point in the gathering. - -"What in thunder is the matter with you, Brown?" roared Aleck Parks, -furiously. - -"I thought he was going to fight the thing out to a finish," groaned -Luke Phelps. "And the crowd is with him as solid as a stone wall. Hang -it all, but I am disgusted!" - -The regulars were as much astonished as any of the others. - -When the three leaders of the "Hope" movement turned away, and the -crowd scattered as promptly as though blown about by some current of -wind, they began to congratulate each other. - -The discontented majority, however, refused to be quieted. Feeling ran -so high that it seemed as if a riotous demonstration might begin at any -moment. - -"Get the game started as quickly as you can," ordered Coach Steele. - -"It's the only way to quiet 'em," agreed Barr. "Never expected to run -into anything like this. Let's toss up for choice of innings." - -Bob's side having won, the visitors started for the players' bench. - -As they did so they saw something which caused them to utter loud -exclamations of astonishment and anger. And what they and every one -else saw was bringing shouts of approval and encouragement from a mass -of turbulent boys. - -The home plate and each of the three bases was covered by a large-sized -soap box, and on every box sat a grinning youth. - -"What does this mean?" cried Ed Barr, fairly racing to the home -station, where Dan Brown occupied a prominent position. - -"What does this mean?" echoed "Crackers." He looked calmly at the -agitated manager. "It means just this, Barr: no game will be played -here to-day unless we do our share of the playing." - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - - PLAIN TALK - - -The field was in an uproar. The gleeful supporters of the "Hopes," at -this new turn in affairs, roared their approval. And through all the -turmoil and confusion the "outlaws" who were not sitting on the bases -gathered at advantageous points on the field, apparently ready and -anxious to resist any attempt to put them off. - -When Bob Somers, followed by the rest of the team, came running over a -hostile demonstration broke forth. - -"Get off the field!" shouted one. - -"We want real ball players!" came from another. - -"The school won't stand for your kind of playing!" yelled a third. - -The small minority still loyal to the regulars voiced a vociferous -protest, and, backing up their words with action, gathered about the -players. - -"Chase 'em right off the field, boys!" bawled Owen Lawrence. - -The bodyguard, fearful that his order might be carried into execution, -prepared to meet the emergency with every means at their command. - -"This is an outrage!" yelled Harry Spearman. "I protest." - -"Keep on protesting--that's all the good it will do you," sneered a -partisan of the "Hopes." "We'll show you the kind of stuff we're made -of." - -"No game to-day unless we play it!" came from Brown. - -Bob Somers leaped on the soap box from which the chief "outlaw" had -just arisen. - -"I call upon every fellow who believes in fair play to listen," he -cried in ringing tones. "We haven't been given a square deal. Every -player on this nine is going to stand up for his rights. Threats and -yells won't make us quit. I only ask you to be reasonable; to----" - -The soap box was shoved violently from beneath his feet, and the -captain, obliged to jump, brought up violently against a group of -yelling "outlaws." - -[Illustration: THE SOAP BOX WAS SHOVED VIOLENTLY] - -Turning like a flash, he looked squarely into the angry face of Owen -Lawrence. The lieutenant of "Crackers" Brown, so wrought up with -excitement that his face was of a purple hue, was brandishing his fists -savagely. - -"I did it, Somers!" he yelled. "Pitch right in if you want to. I'm -ready!" - -In a second the two were surrounded by a densely-packed mob, while -cries of "A scrap--a scrap!" had the effect of bringing from all sides -large reinforcements. - -"We're not going to lose those grounds just to suit your bump of -vanity, Somers," howled Lawrence. - -A big boy, ruthlessly thrusting aside all who impeded his progress, -quickly jumped between the two. - -"Cut it out, Owen Lawrence!" cried Earl Roycroft, sternly. He pushed -the belligerent student away. "If you don't look out you'll start such -a muss that there'll be no stopping it." - -"Then they'll have to chase right off the field!" cried Dan Brown, -in a voice which no one would have recognized as his. "Are you going, -Somers?" - -The chief "outlaw's" words promptly undid the effect of Roycroft's -action. Surrounded by his opponents, the captain of the regulars -speedily found himself being pushed and jostled off the diamond. - -At the same instant a combined rush was made for the other members of -the team. - -Almost swept from their feet by the fierceness of the attack, they -struggled valiantly to stem the tide. Above all the frantic shouts and -cries, "Crackers" Brown was heard to yell: - -"Keep the bases covered, boys! Don't budge from the field!" - -"You bet we won't!" shouted Aleck Parks. "Whoop! Shove the Ramblers -right along, fellows!" - -The fellows were doing it. "In the hands of the enemy" the players were -as helpless as chips upon a seething torrent of water. They quickly -lost sight of one another, each compelled to fight his battle alone, -for the bodyguard which at first had so valiantly attempted to aid -them was already widely scattered. - -Bob Somers, thoroughly surprised and indignant, appealed vainly for -order. Then, feeling that resistance was useless and ill-advised, he -allowed the irresistible tide of boys to sweep him where they willed. - -"Now, I wonder if you'll listen to the school!" cried Luke Phelps, -giving an extra hard shove. "I only hope the 'Ancient Mariner' is -seeing this. What's your awful haste, Somers?" - -"Well, if we don't play to-day it's a mighty certain thing the 'Hopes' -won't," returned Bob, energetically. - -"Boys, boys, what is the meaning of all this?" - -The familiar tones of President Hopkins' voice, suddenly rising sharp -and clear, quelled the tumult around the captain. - -"Stop!--I command you to stop this disgraceful scene at once!" he -called, sternly. - -"They deserve to be suspended!" came in the sonorous voice of Captain -Bunderley. - -The boys, taken completely by surprise, fell back in dismay before the -president. - -But the reaction was only momentary. - -"Hold the bases and keep on the field!" Dan Brown was yelling with all -his force. "Don't let the Ramblers sneak back a yard!" - -"Stop, I say; stop!" repeated President Hopkins. His usually -good-natured face was glowing with keen indignation. "You are acting -most outrageously!" - -"They're a lot of good-for-nothing young scamps!" thundered Captain -Bunderley. - -"Scamps!" screeched Owen Lawrence from a distance of twenty-five feet. -"Why, we're only doing this because they need to have some sense beaten -into their heads." - -"Listen to the bass voice of him!" piped Benny Wilkins, whose necktie -and collar had been torn loose and who was trying desperately to make -some entries in his big book. "Hurrah for 'Pinky' Crane!" - -Professor Ivins, standing by the side of the president, stared at him -in amazement. - -"What does he mean by such conduct?" he murmured. - -Bob Somers, cool and collected, although his face was flushed from -his exertions, found himself facing not only the two professors and -Captain Bunderley but Mr. Rupert Barry and "Uncle" Steve. And behind -these he saw a great body of spectators. - -"Uncle" Steve was evidently wildly excited. His expression seemed to -indicate an intense desire to join in the fray himself. The strong, -angular face of the millionaire exhibited every trace of the greatest -astonishment. He stood grasping his knotted stick as though half -expecting that the next moment he might be called upon to use it as a -means of defense. - -"Boys, boys!" His harsh, rasping voice compelled instant attention. -"This disgraceful commotion must cease. I want that Brown chap to come -right over--do you understand?" He struck the ground vigorously with -his cane. "To come right over, I say!" - -"He's done all this mischief!" bellowed Captain Bunderley. - -"I'll find out mighty quick how such riotous scenes can go on in the -midst of a respectable community. What is the name of that other boy, -captain?" - -"Lawrence." - -"Oh, yes--Owen Lawrence. Some of you boys find Lawrence--tell him to -come here immediately." Mr. Barry glanced toward Bob Somers. "Did they -do any more than hurt your feelings?" he demanded. - -"No, sir; not a bit. And they didn't do much of that, either," answered -Bob, wiping his perspiring face. - -"I see you still have your nerve with you. Where is Roger Steele?" - -"Roger Steele!" howled Benny; "Roger Steele; Mr. Barry wants you!" - -A movement in the crowd indicated the approach of Brown and Lawrence. - -The chief "outlaws" seemed entirely unabashed. - -"I believe you sent for me, sir," began "Crackers" Brown, bowing -politely to the millionaire. - -He braved unflinchingly the hard, cold glare which Mr. Barry turned -upon him. - -His attitude seemed to irritate the would-be donor of the ball park. - -"What have you to say for yourself?" he demanded, harshly. "I know -you're the ringleader in all this business." - -"Yes, sir; he was the whole show in the circus," chirped Benny Wilkins, -who had squeezed his way to the front. "Owen Lawrence was only the -clown. He did what the ringmaster told him to do, and then a bit more." - -"Be quiet, Wilkins," admonished Professor Ivins, startled into speech. -"I'm positively amazed at you." - -"Now, Brown, speak up," commanded Mr. Rupert Barry. - -"I've just been waiting for a chance," said "Crackers," calmly. "First -of all, Mr. Barry, I'd like to ask you a question: when you made the -school the offer of a ball park didn't you say positively that only a -winning team would secure the prize?" - -"I did!" - -"Well, the nine first chosen to represent the school doesn't represent -it, because it isn't a winning team. Unusual conditions require unusual -treatment. The school finally woke up and chose a team that is winning -games and does represent it. And certain fellows who think more of -their jobs than they do for the good of the school insist upon defying -the wishes of the majority." - -"Crackers" proceeded to explain matters from the very beginning. He -asserted emphatically that none of the boys had the slightest wish to -make trouble. - -"I'll admit we did go a bit too far to-day. But, when you consider all -the circumstances, can you blame us?" - -"Yes, we can, and do," spoke up Bob Somers. "But for the spirit of -discontent you stirred up among the boys, and their unwillingness -to give us a fair show, things by this time would have been mighty -different. How can you expect a team to do its best with the school -fighting against it? Don't you know that the effect on the players is -bad--it puts a tremendous strain on them." - -"It certainly does!" exclaimed President Hopkins. - -"We've held out against you in this affair, Brown, because every member -of the team knew it was only a question of our being given enough time -to round into shape." - -"There is the whole story," put in Coach Steele. "To have yielded to -your demands would have meant an outrageous piece of injustice." - -"Indeed!" jeered Brown. "How much more time do you want?" - -"We don't want any. The nine has been hard at work every day until I -can now safely say the players are in top-notch condition." - -"Let 'an eccentric old creature' settle this dispute," said Mr. Barry, -with appalling distinctness. - -Tom Clifton, who, a moment before, towering over his neighbor's -shoulder, was prominently in view, now shifted his position so that his -face was no longer in line with Mr. Barry's eagle glare. To his horror, -Benny Wilkins burst out laughing. - -"Ha, ha, ha!" giggled Benny. "And I know who said it, too." - -The tall boy's nerves tingled with apprehension. It was a moment of -intense relief when Mr. Barry, paying no heed to the interruption, -continued: - -"Frankly, I was not satisfied with the team's showing, and I dropped -many remarks to that effect during several of the games. It didn't -occur to me at the time, but I've learned since that some of them acted -upon the boys with extraordinary force." His cold, penetrating gaze -shifted from one to another. "I understand your position, Brown; and I -understand the position of the regulars, too." - -Not a sound came from the crowd as the elderly gentleman, tapping the -turf impatiently with his knotted stick, went on: - -"Any lot of boys who have the courage and fighting spirit to stick it -out in the face of such a confounded row must be made of pretty good -stuff. Confidence in oneself is half the battle in life. This is what I -have to say: The lads may be able to do what they claim. If they show -as much grit and determination in the coming games as they have during -the past few weeks they ought to win the championship." - -"But suppose they should lose?" broke in Brown, doggedly--"then the -school loses, too, doesn't it?" - -"We must give them a chance in the inter-scholastic series. If the -nine starts off with reasonable evidence of being winners--all right; -if they don't"--the millionaire paused--"then we shall talk about the -matter further." His voice rose harshly. "Let me add a word of warning: -If the work of the team is in any way interfered with, or if there -are again such scenes as have taken place here to-day, I withdraw my -offer"--the knotted stick struck the ground a violent blow--"remember -that!" - -The turn of the regulars to applaud had come at last. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - - BOB SCORES AT LAST - - -"Hit it out, Dave; hit it out!" - -"Jeffords is losing his nerve! You've got him going!" - -"Knock the cover off the ball." - -"Slam out a homer!" - -It was hard to realize that the lot only fifteen minutes before had -been the scene of the greatest confusion. The spectators were now as -orderly as active, wide-awake lads could be. All signs of ill-feeling -seemed to have disappeared as entirely as though such a thing had never -existed. Mr. Barry's warning had sunk in deep. - -The "Hopes," satisfied at last that their chance would come if the -regulars failed to make good, became so mild as to cause Benny Wilkins -to make several entries in his note-book. - -"They are just like little lambs," he observed. "Look at Aleck Parks -with a sensible expression on his face." Then, catching sight of a very -tall youth, he called: "Hello, John Hackett, hello! Have you any ten -cent neckties in the shop? I've got to pay a bill for the afternoon's -scrap. Swing at it, Brandon; swing at it! Bert Jeffords can't pitch, -and never could pitch. Who discovered him?" - -The twirler for the Rockvilles grinned good-naturedly. He had a variety -of curves at his command, and good control. His next delivery was an -unusually speedy ball. - -Dave Brandon, however, had found his batting eye. As he struck with all -his force at the inshoot the stick met the ball squarely, and a smoking -hot liner whirled past the pitcher. - -Jeffords' gloved hand shot toward it but missed. Even the Brown crowd -joined in the roar of approval which rose from hundreds of throats. - -"Oh, wasn't that a peach of a hit!" cried "Uncle" Steve, rising -from his seat and almost dancing with excitement. "Root, professor, -root!" he cried, bringing his hand down sharply on Instructor Ivins' -shoulder. "Hooray--he's safe!" - -The professor's dignified countenance flushed. He gingerly withdrew -from such close proximity to the little man, at the same time eying him -with a most peculiar expression. - -"I'm astonished, sir," he began, stiffly. - -"Well, I ain't!" cried "Uncle" Steve--"not a bit of it. Jeffords ain't -in the Tippen class. Hold your base there, Brandon; look out, or he'll -nail you!" - -"One safe hit doesn't make a game," growled Mr. Barry. "Still, this is -encouraging. Who's up now, Mr. Kimbole?" - -"That slim lad, Charlie Blake." - -"Good! He seems to be a heady player, though he hasn't as much bulk or -muscle as I'd like to see." - -The "grind" had managed to cast off all feelings of nervousness and -excitement. He was determined to do his share toward showing that Coach -Steele's claims were entirely justified. At the second ball pitched, he -bunted, the horse-hide rolling tantalizingly near the third base line. - -Before the pitcher could pounce upon it Blake was safe at first and -Dave Brandon had reached the second sack. - -But the inning so auspiciously begun did not fulfil the hopes aroused -in the hearts of the Somersites. Bob's high fly to deep left field was -caught; Phil Brentall fanned. Then, after a hard run, Sawdon nipped Alf -Boggs' foul. - -"Well, it's all a part of the game," said "Uncle" Steve, resignedly. - -"Those boys are simply bound to succeed!" exclaimed Captain Bunderley, -in a tone of deep conviction. - -"Just what I think, too," agreed Mr. Kimbole. - -Sawdon's catch, which was made close to the backstop fence, ended the -second half of the first inning. Rockville had been easily disposed of, -chiefly due to Singleton's pitching. - -The latter appeared to be at his best, starting out on the second round -with confidence and determination. He sent the ball over the plate with -a speed and accuracy which bewildered the batsmen. In succession he -struck out two; the third was thrown out at first. - -"They are all right on the defensive," said Mr. Barry. "Yes; the boys -do seem to have improved." - -For five innings neither side scored. At the beginning of the sixth -the friends of the visitors were given a chance to yell and shout in -the most uproarious fashion. Bill Allen, according to Benny Wilkins, -"started the ball rolling." - -And it rolled so far that by the time the stout editor of the -"Reflector" succeeded in laying his hands upon its stained and battered -surface Allen was on his way to third. - -"Bad, bad business," grumbled Mr. Barry. "By George, they are going to -score this time." - -"Looks like it," mumbled "Uncle" Steve. - -"Take him out of the box!" howled Benny Wilkins. "Hooray for 'Jack -Frost'!" - -Nothing ruffled Singleton, however. He was there to do his best, and -he was doing it. He surveyed the big, husky form of Joe Wiles, third -baseman, without trepidation. - -"Give me the best in the shop," called Joe, shaking his bat -suggestively. - -Brentall signaled for a high inshoot. - -The pitcher snapped the ball toward him, putting forth all his efforts -to fool the batsman. Next moment, however, a prolonged groan announced -that his attempt was wasted. The shrieking, gleeful Rockvillers, waving -every available pennant, saw the ball shooting between first and second -with terrific speed. - -Bob Somers made a wild attempt to stop it, but the sphere bounded high -over his head. - -Meanwhile Bill Allen was trotting leisurely for home. - -"Sic a Goose Hill gander on Singleton!" shouted Benny. "He's only good -at pitching quoits. Get him a doughnut--quick." - -"No--he takes the biscuit!" yelled Aleck Parks. "One run, and nobody -down." - -"I remember when I should have called that an exhibition well worth -missing," observed Mr. Barry, with a sort of half chuckle. He smiled -grimly, as a Rockville supporter was heard exclaiming: - -"Did you ever see anything prettier in your life!" - -Jeffords, the next batter, hit safely, advancing Wiles to second. - -Singleton, catching a nod from Coach Steele, with a sigh walked toward -the players' bench, while "Jack Frost," glad to get into the fray, -dashed to the mound. - -"Too bad my wing went back on me," exclaimed Singleton, as the two -passed each other. "Good luck, old boy." - -"Jack" signalized his advent in the box by promptly striking out the -next batter. - -When John Appleby walked briskly to the plate a storm of approval from -the visiting contingent clearly demonstrated to the pitcher that he was -considered one of the "star" hitters of the aggregation. - -"Now is the time for some of your good stickwork, old boy!" yelled one. -"Two men on bases and only one down. Start 'em around the circuit!" - -The runners on first and second were doing all in their power to worry -the twirler--playing off and running back. - -"Take a few yards more, Wiles!" bawled the coach at first. "He won't -throw it!" - -"Jack Frost" realized that it was the critical juncture of the game. -The sight of "Crackers" Brown and Owen Lawrence not far from the -"grand stand" nerved him to do his utmost. - -"Here's where I'll have to put everything I know on the ball," he -reflected, warily watching the antics of the base-runners. - -He wheeled abruptly around and shot the ball with all his force toward -the batsman. - -His heart gave a sudden thump as an ominous crack sounded. - -The "slugger" Appleby had hit a low drive which was whizzing with -terrific velocity to the right of second base. - -"Safe--as sure as shooting!" groaned "Jack." - -Bob Somers, with only one glance at the oncoming sphere, dashed -toward it like a flash. It seemed almost a hopeless chance. The base -runners, confident that the ball would pass over his head, obeyed the -instructions of the coach to run. Benny Wilkins started to make a note: -"High school team goes to pieces in the sixth." The shouting of the -Rockville adherents burst forth in a wild series of whoops. - -Then all the racket stopped with curious abruptness. - -As the liner sped high above Bob Somers' head the second baseman sprang -in the air with upraised hand. There was a resounding smack. The ball, -arrested in its flight, dropped to the ground a few feet away. - -Bob darted upon it, whipped the sphere to Tom Clifton, and Appleby was -out. - -The calm was over. Forgetting unpleasant differences, the school voiced -its approval in a sea of sound. Benny hastily scratched out his note. - -"One-eightieth of a cent's worth of good lead pencil gone to waste," he -muttered. "Oh--oh! What do you know about that? Is Wiles wild?" - -Joe, making a tremendous effort to score, was speeding home when, to -his unbounded astonishment, he discovered that the ball was in the -first baseman's hands. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw it -flashing straight for the catcher's mit. - -Turning abruptly, he made a wild dive to regain the third sack. A -volley of cries rang in his ears. - -"Get back!" - -"Hold your base!" - -"Slide--slide!" - -Obeying the instructions of his friends, Wiles threw himself at full -length on the yellow, dusty line. - -But before he was within a foot of the goal the ball streaked over his -head, Fred Benson's hand dropped on his forearm, and the only sound -which Joe heard clearly was the voice of the umpire yelling: - -"Runner out at third!" - -"A mighty pretty piece of work," commented Mr. Rupert Barry. - -"A Jim dandy!" cried "Uncle" Steve, hilariously. "Regular major league -work, I call it." - -"I knew they would turn out all right!" exclaimed Captain Bunderley, -his eyes shining with satisfaction. "I never lost faith in 'em--never!" - -Victor Collins and Joe Rodgers, fairly dancing with glee, took turns -with the bugle, sending its musical notes far over the air. - -"There's the enemy of the 'Pie-eaters' going to bat now," remarked Nat -Wingate to his chum, John Hackett. - -"Only wish I had the stick in my hands," said Hackett. "I'd break it -in half and knock the cover off the ball at the same time. Say, Nat, -maybe the Stars wouldn't wade through this Rockville bunch!" - -"I won't be satisfied until we get a crack at 'em," grinned Nat. "Bet -they don't score a run." - -"Look out for your heads, fellows," counseled Ted Pollock. "Tom -Clifton's going to swing, and----" - -"Suffering geese, he's cracked it!" roared "Uncle" Steve from the -"grand stand." "A pippin, too; right over the second baseman's head. -Hooray! He runs like an express train." - -Hot and happy, Tom Clifton reached first in safety, while cries of -"Good work, old boy; good work!" made his grin grow broader. - -"Here's where we start things, 'Pinky'!" he cried, exultingly. - -"Don't fool yourself. You won't travel very far," grinned the captain -of the Rockvilles. - -"Play off the base, Tom," urged "Jack Frost," who was coaching at -first. "Jeffords'll never be fast enough to get you." - -At the precise second that Jeffords pitched the ball Tom's long legs -began to move at such an extraordinary rate as to cause murmurs of -wonderment to come from the onlookers. - -"By cracky, he can go faster'n the ball!" shouted "Uncle" Steve. - -Professor Ivins scowled. He looked at the Goose Hill storekeeper with -an air of profound disdain. The spectacle of a man of Mr. Kimbole's -age acting in such an undignified fashion rather shocked his sensitive -nature. - -"If I were in your place I should hardly----" - -"Bully boy!" roared Mr. Kimbole, suddenly. "Bully boy! He beat out the -ball by a good two yards!" - -The field was in an uproar again. - -But the noise was as nothing compared to the tumult which broke out -when Tom, on the twirler's second throw, once more dared to match his -speed against that of their opponents. - -Bending far over, he tore down the third base line with all his might, -and, with the frantic shouts of the crowd ringing in his ears, slid -for the sack, sending up puffs of whirling yellow dust. - -"By gum, I'd like to have you on our side," said Joe Wiles, generously. - -He lined the ball to Jeffords, while Tom scrambled to his feet, dusted -his uniform and surveyed the situation keenly. - -"This means a run, old boy," he exclaimed, confidently. - -"Extra--extra!" came from somewhere in the assemblage. "All about the -terrible robbery--ball player steals two bases. Who wants a copy of the -high school 'Reflector'? Only five cents. Read Dave Brandon's thrilling -piece of fiction. Greatest story since the days of Munchausen!" - -Benny Wilkins, with an armful of papers, was screeching at the top of -his voice. - -"Why, he's actually selling them!" cried Tom, almost stunned with -amazement. - -"Sure! I've seen him sling out a dozen already," grinned Wiles. - -Pitcher and catcher, who had been in conference for a moment, once more -took their places. - -"None down, Bob. Sting it for all you're worth," shouted Tom. - -"Two balls!" droned the umpire, presently. "Strike one!" - -Then Bob Somers was seen to make a lunge. - -The ball rose in a long, graceful curve, shooting far beyond the point -where John Appleby, right fielder, was playing. - -"I told you so!" cried Tom. - -Over on the "grand stand" Mr. Rupert Barry's face actually broke into a -smile. - -"Fine work--a three-bagger, Professor Hopkins," he said. - -"Very good indeed!" exclaimed the president. "I should have been sorry -to see such courageous boys fail." - -"Looks to me as if they could deliver the goods," piped "Uncle" Steve; -which style of language so displeased Professor Ivins that he remained -ominously silent. - -Bob raced in home when Brentall singled. - -"Extra, extra!" cried Benny. "Get the latest news! All about the -Rockville nine going to pieces!" - -With Victor Collins and Joe Rodgers, he headed a little procession -around the field, with the object, he candidly confessed, of rattling -the visitors as much as possible. - -The next batter, Alf Boggs, was thrown out at first. Tom Clifton's -hopes that a half dozen runs would cross the plate before the inning -was over were shattered by the downfall of "Jack Frost" and Art Bowers. - -In the eighth the high school team, by a tremendous effort, scored -another run, and the Rockville boys then walked to the players' bench -for their final turn at the bat. - -But their heroic efforts were without avail. When the last putout, a -difficult running catch by Dave Brandon, signalized the end of the -contest the score stood three to one in favor of the high school. The -yells, cat-calls and general noise made the audience in the "grand -stand" hastily withdraw. The staunch Somers party fairly howled with -glee, and even "Crackers" Brown was heard to say: - -"Not so bad--but----" - -"But what, Buttermilk?" inquired Benny. - -"If the 'Hopes' had been up against that crowd I'll bet the score would -have been about seventeen pies to one small doughnut." - -"You've got a better team than the regulars any day," said Benny, with -a tremendous grin. "Extra--extra! Full account of the latest boasting -by the Brown crowd. Get a high school 'Reflector'! Five cents. Tells -how the Ramblers beat Gulliver at his own game!" - -A joyous group collected around the regulars. They slapped Bob Somers -on the back, ill-treated their tired lungs once again; and all this -failing to give sufficient vent to their enthusiasm, they waved purple -and white pennants until their aching arms finally rebelled. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - - THE "HOPES" ARE BLASTED - - -Several weeks later the baseball season was in full blast. The "Rambler -Club's ball nine" didn't always win in the inter-scholastic series; but -they had so many victories to their credit that further opposition to -their representing the school was never heard. - -"Well, fellows," remarked Bob Somers, one day, as they lounged about -in the grateful shade of the big elm tree on the campus, "it certainly -paid us to stand up for ourselves." - -"Sure as doughnuts, those no-trespassing signs are going to come down," -chirped Tom Clifton. "Yesterday, five to three, against the Hilltons! -That's not so bad, is it?" - -Dave Brandon, leaning comfortably against the trunk, and reading a book -of Bryant's poems, smiled. - -"How different the situation is from the time when Brown's friends were -gently urging us to leave the ball field," he laughed. "Now everything -is lovely." - -"The Stars far outclass any of the school teams we've met," observed -Charlie Blake. "So do the Goose Hill and Willingtons. The fight we had -against those clubs must have done us an awful lot of good, eh, Bob?" - -"You bet it did," responded the captain. "It made most of the other -nines seem easy. Now that our batting average is getting higher and -higher I guess it's about time to accept Brown's standing defi and play -the 'Hopes' a series." - -"So say we all," remarked Dick Travers. - -"I certainly laughed when the 'Hopes' played the Stars and Tony Tippen -pitched a no-hit game," said "Jack Frost." "It took that fire-eater, -Owen Lawrence, down just a trifle, I can tell you. I just couldn't help -rubbing it in a little bit." - -"And I fairly hammered it in," gurgled Tom. "Lawrence will play against -us as hard as he ever did in his life. Fired any more of Benny Wilkins' -articles, Dave?" - -"No! I can't understand why he didn't give me a couple this morning," -answered the editor. "The thirty-seventh showed a lot of improvement. I -suppose I'll have to accept something before long, because he's sold -more papers than any other boy in school." - -"That's a great picture he made of you and Tom," chuckled Sam Randall. -"It cost Terry Guffin one ninety-eight to have it framed." - -"Good for Terry," laughed Dave. "He has the only real art gallery in -town." - -One afternoon about a month later, as school let out, Benny Wilkins, -with an enormous bundle of papers under his arm, began yelling: - -"Get a copy of the high school 'Reflector'! Read B. Franklin Wilkins' -great article on the baseball situation. A spicy, up-to-date account, -with the opinions of the author added free of charge. Five cents--five -cents the copy. Catch the definite article. Well worth a quarter. Who's -the lucky buyer of the first copy? Everybody speak at once. Two cents -down--the rest in instalments!" - -Benny's appeal met with instant response. He was besieged, literally -hurled off his feet by the onslaught. - -Aleck Parks did the upsetting part. - -"Excuse me, Benny," he said, helping the lad to arise; "excuse me. I've -got only a cent, but I'll give you my note for the rest." - -"All right," chuckled Benny. "I'll make a note of it. Say, Parksy, your -manners certainly need a bit of floor polish." - -Benny's stock of "Reflectors" dwindled at an astonishing rate. - -Bob Somers and Dave Brandon lingered until the crowd had cleared away; -then Dave, with a sigh of relief, ambled toward the big elm. - -"That place seems to be just made for me," he said. "While I'm taking -a well-earned rest, Bob, I'd advise you to glance over B. Franklin -Wilkins' article." - -"Just what I'm going to do," chuckled the captain, as he opened the -paper. - -Tom, laying aside his manners for the time being, looked eagerly over -his shoulder to read: - - "_B. Franklin Wilkins on the baseball situation. With his - observations on the past and predictions for the future._ - - "This has been a season of blasted 'Hopes.' They started out meaning - well, and, 'for the good of the school,' withdrew. It is little - things like this which break the monotony of student life, though - for a time it looked as if something more valuable than monotony - would be broken. - - "As I have frequently said in my articles, none of which, however, - have been printed--this is no reflection on the editor; lack of - judgment is born in some people--the beginning of the season found - a lot of wildcat hunters, would-be aeroplanists and house-boat - racers trying to play ball. - - "This is, as Shakespeare was too far behind the times to say, 'the - limit.' It was up to the limit of what the school could stand. After - hitting the top of the toboggan with a dull and deadly thug they - started to slide down, the rasping sound which accompanied them - being furnished gratis by nearly every boy in school. - - "At the bottom of the chute they accepted an invitation from Daniel - Brown and friends to take a well-earned rest--'for the good of the - school.' My observation on monotony and breaking things applies - mostly to this case. Wildcat fighters are often very tame at home, - which is conceded to be a good thing. - - "What would have happened if they had brought their 'forest' manners - back to the school you can imagine by reading a serial now being - published in the 'Reflector.' - - "Just as they were about to get the final boost Mr. Rupert Barry - appeared and handed something to Mr. Daniel Brown which sounded - like a cannon cracker going off in an empty barrel. - - "That's when the 'Hopes' got blasted. - - "Since then the Rambler Club's ball nine--I've ordered the editor - not to cut out the name--has been going from victory to victory in - exactly the same manner they were boasting about before any playing - was done. - - "You can't blame a lot of fellows for making a great blow when they - have the goods in the shop. They had just been mislaid, and not even - the manager could find them. - - "But the excitement during the search was something awful. The - writer's efforts to be on both sides at the same time nearly ruined - his nervous system. He found himself, at times, delivering punches - impartially to either side. - - "We will now speak of a little tussle between Bob Somers' Bear Cats - and Dan Brown's 'Hopes.' - - "It was certainly the greatest ball game ever played--in Kingswood. - Thousands upon thousands of spectators were on the field--anyway, - the figure runs up to a good many hundred--but that doesn't look - well in print. For eleven innings they fought in a most desperate - fashion, both sides winning by the score of three to three--because, - if neither side actually won the game, each won a lot of praise for - staving off defeat. Three more games have to be played, and a few - mean people are pained to think that an admission fee can't be - charged. - - "The writer has said as many nice things about the team as he can, - hoping to get on the good side of the editor. That scribe doesn't - write so much better himself. - - "Another thing I must mention: No team has been able to beat the - Stars with Tony Tippen in the box. The 'Hopes' have tried it twice; - and each time it was dangerous to speak to Owen Lawrence for at - least two hours after a certain little row of ciphers had been - chalked down in the run column. Tippen is a pippin. - - "Coming back to the Kingswood High: The writer can almost picture - in his mind a nice level field with a grand stand and crowds of - spectators watching a game. - - "May this be no trick of the imagination!" - -"Whew; maybe that isn't a whopping long article!" cried Tom. "Not so -bad, eh, Dave?" - -"It's Benny Wilkins all over," chuckled the editor. "That chap has -certainly boomed the circulation of the paper." - - * * * * * - -As a prophet Benny was in great favor. Now that his article had been -accepted he became a most enthusiastic champion of the team, and his -delight at each victory was only matched by his disappointment when -defeat came to the earnestly-striving ball players. - -"Never mind--they're going to get there just the same," he always -asserted. - -The games between the "Rambler Club's ball nine" and the "Hopes" -attracted even more attention than those in the inter-scholastic -series. Each was bitterly fought, the Somersites winning two and the -"Hopes" one, with the fourth a tie. - -Neither "Crackers" Brown nor Owen Lawrence would ever concede the -superiority of the others, while big Earl Roycroft expressed the -opinion that they were about as evenly matched as teams could be. - -It was certainly a great year for baseball at the Kingswood High. With -the school now solidly back of them, the nine continued to improve, and -at the end of the season Mr. Rupert Barry was the first to shake Coach -Steele and Bob Somers by the hand. - -"Let me congratulate you," he said, heartily. "You have won not only -the ball park and grand stand, but my highest esteem, as well." - - * * * * * - - Other Stories in this Series are: - - THE RAMBLER CLUB AFLOAT - THE RAMBLER CLUB'S WINTER CAMP - THE RAMBLER CLUB IN THE MOUNTAINS - THE RAMBLER CLUB ON CIRCLE T RANCH - THE RAMBLER CLUB AMONG THE LUMBERJACKS - THE RAMBLER CLUB'S GOLD MINE - THE RAMBLER CLUB'S AEROPLANE - THE RAMBLER CLUB'S HOUSE-BOAT - THE RAMBLER CLUB'S MOTOR CAR - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RAMBLER CLUB'S BALL -NINE *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Crispin Sheppard—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> - <style> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%;} - - h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.smcap { font-variant:small-caps; } - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.caption p -{ - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0; - margin: 0.25em 0; -} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - -table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } -table.autotable td, -table.autotable th { padding: 4px; } - -.tdl {text-align: left;} -.tdr {text-align: right;} -.tdc {text-align: center;} - -@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1 { text-align: right; text-indent: 0em; } -.ph1 { font-size: medium; margin: .67em auto; } - -.ph2 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -.ph2 { font-size: medium; margin: .67em auto; } - -/* Illustration classes */ -.illowp50 {width: 50%;} -.x-ebookmaker .illowp50 {width: 100%;} -.illowp51 {width: 51%;} -.x-ebookmaker .illowp51 {width: 100%;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Rambler Club's ball nine, by W. Crispin Sheppard</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Rambler Club's ball nine</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: W. Crispin Sheppard</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: W. Crispin Sheppard</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: December 29, 2022 [eBook #69654]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: David Edwards, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RAMBLER CLUB'S BALL NINE ***</div> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>The Rambler Club's<br> -Ball Nine</h1> - -<h2>BY W. CRISPIN SHEPPARD</h2> - -<p>AUTHOR OF<br> -"THE RAMBLER CLUB AFLOAT"<br> -"THE RAMBLER CLUB'S WINTER CAMP"<br> -"THE RAMBLER CLUB IN THE MOUNTAINS"<br> -"THE RAMBLER CLUB ON CIRCLE T RANCH"<br> -"THE RAMBLER CLUB AMONG THE LUMBERJACKS"<br> -"THE RAMBLER CLUB'S GOLD MINE"<br> -"THE RAMBLER CLUB'S AEROPLANE"<br> -"THE RAMBLER CLUB'S HOUSE-BOAT"<br> -"THE RAMBLER CLUB'S MOTOR CAR"</p> - -<p>Illustrated by the Author</p> - -<p>THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY<br> -PHILADELPHIA<br> -MCMXIII</p> - -<p>COPYRIGHT<br> -1913 BY<br> -THE PENN<br> -PUBLISHING<br> -COMPANY</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<h2>Introduction</h2> - - -<p>The Rambler Club of Kingswood, Wisconsin, formed by Bob Somers and his -friends, Dave Brandon, Tom Clifton, Dick Travers and Sam Randall, after -having numerous adventures in their own state, visit Oregon, Wyoming, -Washington and New York. In the mountains, on the plains, or deep -amidst the forest the five lads taste the joys, and also the trials, -of outdoor life, and in most unexpected or thrilling situations manage -to acquit themselves with credit. In the East, a house-boat trip up -the Hudson furnishes the club an eventful journey, while on a motoring -trip from Chicago to Kingswood another series of surprising and unusual -events befall them.</p> - -<p>The adventures of the Rambler Club are told in the following books: -"The Rambler Club Afloat," "The Rambler Club's Winter Camp," "The -Rambler Club in the Mountains," "The Rambler Club on Circle T Ranch," -"The Rambler Club Among the Lumberjacks," "The Rambler Club's Gold -Mine," "The Rambler Club's Aeroplane," "The Rambler Club's House-Boat" -and "The Rambler Club's Motor Car."</p> - -<p>Now the lads are back at the Kingswood High School, from which they -will graduate at the end of the term. Fired with an ambition to put -new life into the athletic affairs of the school, Bob Somers and his -friends take a hand and work some surprising changes. Their zeal and -enthusiasm are further aroused by a certain offer made to the school by -the town's most wealthy citizen, Mr. Rupert Barry.</p> - -<p>"The Rambler Club's Ball Nine," however, greatly to the boys' -astonishment, becomes the means of plunging the entire school into the -most turbulent period of its existence. No one can foresee the outcome -of the factional struggle until it is ended in a manner quite as -surprising as the disturbance itself.</p> - -<p>When the atmosphere finally clears observing students of the "High" -feel that they have learned many valuable lessons.</p> - -<p class="ph1"><span class="smcap">W. Crispin Sheppard.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<h2>Contents</h2> - - - -<table> -<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><span class="smcap">The New Ball Field</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barry</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><span class="smcap">The "Retreat"</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><span class="smcap">The List of Players</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><span class="smcap">The Grumblers</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><span class="smcap">The First Game</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><span class="smcap">Four to Nothing</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><span class="smcap">Discouragement</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barry Asks Questions</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><span class="smcap">The "Fearless" Arrives</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><span class="smcap">Good Baseball Weather</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">"<span class="smcap">For the Good of the School</span>"</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><span class="smcap">The Challenge</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><span class="smcap">Rebellion</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><span class="smcap">A Decision</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><span class="smcap">Tom Is "Rattled"</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XVII.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><span class="smcap">Benny Wins a Note-Book</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><span class="smcap">The President Speaks</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XIX.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><span class="smcap">The Verdict of the School</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XX.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><span class="smcap">The Wish of the Majority</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XXI.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><span class="smcap">Rockville Is Puzzled</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XXII.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><span class="smcap">Plain Talk</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><span class="smcap">Bob Scores at Last</span></a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV.</td><td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><span class="smcap">The "Hopes" Are Blasted</span></a></td></tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2>Illustrations</h2> - - -<table> - -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#illus1">"<span class="smcap">Get Right Back to Your Place</span>"</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#illus2">"<span class="smcap">It's For the Good of the School</span>"</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#illus3">"<span class="smcap">What Is the Matter With the Ball Nine?</span>"</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#illus4">"<span class="smcap">I Know Your Game</span>"</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl"><a href="#illus5"><span class="smcap">The Soap Box Was Shoved Violently</span></a></td></tr> -</table> - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2>The Rambler Club's Ball Nine</h2> - - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</h2> - - -<h3>THE NEW BALL FIELD</h3> - - -<p>"Great Scott! Maybe that chap can't run!"</p> - -<p>"You're right, Earl. But it will take more than running to beat the -Stars and Goose Hill fellows, to say nothing of Rockville Academy. That -crowd over there certainly has a corking team. Say, Roycroft, you ought -to be on Bob Somers' nine."</p> - -<p>Earl Roycroft, a six-foot boy weighing almost two hundred pounds, -settled his big frame in a more comfortable position on the rail fence. -His eyes mechanically followed the runners speeding one after another -around a lot used by the Kingswood High School students as a baseball -and training field.</p> - -<p>"Why, it isn't Bob Somers' team; it's the school's, Nat," he protested, -mildly.</p> - -<p>Nat Wingate, a handsome, dark-haired boy with flashing brown eyes, -smiled.</p> - -<p>"Well, Somers seems to be having things pretty much his own way," he -answered. "When I was captain, last year, it was mighty different. -Stand up for your rights, Roycroft. The team needs a great big chap -like you, and——"</p> - -<p>"Great Scott, but he can sprint!"</p> - -<p>"Well, it would be mighty funny if a fellow who has such long legs as -Tom Clifton couldn't sprint," returned Nat, dryly.</p> - -<p>The crisp crack of a bat suddenly attracted his attention. Then he -caught sight of the ball describing a long, graceful curve. He watched -the sphere flashing against the blue sky until it had reached such -a height as to appear but the merest speck, and then as it swiftly -dropped and was plucked from space by a slender boy in the outfield.</p> - -<p>"Good catch for Charlie Blake," exclaimed Roycroft.</p> - -<p>"And there was some class to the hit, too," commented Nat. "I don't -think any of the Rambler fellows swung the stick on that one. Whoever -he is, I wouldn't mind having him on my team."</p> - -<p>"Humph! Don't you recognize that chap? It's Joe Rodgers."</p> - -<p>"Gee whiz! The young fellow the Ramblers brought back with 'em on their -motor car trip last fall?"</p> - -<p>"Exactly!" laughed Earl. "Dave Brandon has been looking out for Joe, -and got him a job on Mr. Miles' farm. He goes to school every day with -a lot of little chaps about half his age. But Mr. Miles says, from -the way Joe's learning, he'll soon put all us high school fellows in -the has-been class. Come on, Nat. I want to get a whack at that ball -myself."</p> - -<p>Nat Wingate eased himself off the fence, flecked a few spots of dust -from his clothes, and followed the big form of Earl Roycroft.</p> - -<p>"My crowd is going to get the first whack at the Rambler Club's ball -nine, Roy," he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>A peculiarly sarcastic expression came over his face as Roy flung back:</p> - -<p>"Cut that out, Nat. You mean the school team."</p> - -<p>"Last season we trimmed the Goose Hill bunch," went on Wingate. "You -know what a husky lot they are. Tony Tippen was in the box for us. -If any of the scouts from the big leagues ever get to this burg I -shouldn't wonder a bit if they'd snap him up."</p> - -<p>"I'd be satisfied with the minors," laughed Earl. "Whew! The air is -kind of chilly to-day, Nat. Roger Steele didn't think he'd have the -boys practicing outside of the gym until next week. Great Scott, but -that fellow can sprint!"</p> - -<p>"Wonder if he learned the trick by having wildcats chase him out of the -woods," laughed Nat. "Ha, ha! We met one once. John Hackett and our -crowd ran across the Ramblers on their first trip, and——"</p> - -<p>A salvo of cheers suddenly interrupted his sentence, and upon looking -up to see the cause of it the captain of the Kingswood Stars saw a -stout, round-faced boy advancing leisurely to the home plate.</p> - -<p>"Ha, ha! We're going to see the new editor of the high school -'Reflector' in action. Did you read the last copy of that sheet, Earl?"</p> - -<p>Roycroft nodded.</p> - -<p>"Sure thing, Nat. Dave has written a history of the Rambler Club. The -first instalment appears in the 'Reflector's' next issue. Guess there -isn't a fellow in the school who won't dive into his pocket for a -nickel. Hello, Spearman!"</p> - -<p>A boy almost as tall as himself, but of a lighter build, stepped from -among a crowd of noisy students and walked toward them. Harry Spearman -had prominent aquiline features and a manner which suggested a nervous, -high-strung disposition.</p> - -<p>"I tell you, Roycroft, these fellows are going to give a good account -of themselves," he began. "Steele and Somers have just the right idea -of training. Don't push your men too hard, they say, but keep them -always on the move. Roger Steele'll soon have a crowd of base-runners -that will make some of the fellows on the other teams look as slow as -so many ice wagons."</p> - -<p>A shade crossed Earl's face. Bob Somers had often expressed the opinion -that if the big fellow only possessed a little more speed he would -make one of the best players in the school. But, while Roycroft was -good at almost every other angle of the game, he was sometimes apt to -slip up when quick action was absolutely necessary.</p> - -<p>"Better not boast too much, Harry," grinned Nat. "Wait until the -Ramblers stack up against the Stars. We expect to pull off a few plays -that may make 'em seem like never-wassers. The Rockville football -eleven came over last fall, you know, and Bob Somers' crowd didn't cut -any great figure in the game."</p> - -<p>Harry Spearman's eyes snapped scornfully.</p> - -<p>"Suppose they did beat us? That isn't much to brag about," he retorted. -"When the Ramblers got back to school this term there was no athletic -association; everything was disorganized—you know that, Wingate——"</p> - -<p>"Gee! Another dandy hit," broke in Roycroft. "Dave Brandon certainly -smacked the ball that time. Look at it—still sailing. I'll bet it's -bound for Rockville."</p> - -<p>"Of course you do, Nat," went on Harry, paying no attention to this -interruption. "Before, it was all hit or miss—mostly miss; and nobody -seemed to care."</p> - -<p>"Correct," added Earl. "Bob plunged right in, and, with -up-to-the-minute plans, got the athletic association started, football -and baseball committees formed, and made arrangements with all the -various schools around to play a regular schedule of games."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I suppose he has your big colleges beaten to a frazzle on the fine -points of the game," exclaimed Nat, with a barely perceptible sneer.</p> - -<p>Earl Roycroft laughed softly. He knew that it wouldn't take much to -start a lively wrangle between Wingate and Spearman, as Nat was of a -highly impetuous nature, while the latter's principal characteristics -were nervousness and excitability. But he found it easy to stem the -tide of belligerency which seemed on the point of beginning.</p> - -<p>Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, mingling in a fraternal -spirit, formed scattered groups all over the lot, occasionally -yelling with as much vigor and enthusiasm as though about to witness -a championship game. Many wore purple and white sweaters, and these -garments added a touch of bright color to the still barren landscape.</p> - -<p>"There's 'Jack Frost' in the box, fellows," remarked Earl. "He has a -slow ball that will puzzle the Rockville boys. I've been up against it, -and I know. Comes so slow that you almost fall asleep waiting for it to -pass over the plate."</p> - -<p>William Frost was the name of the player in question, though, of -course, his schoolmates generally called him "Jack."</p> - -<p>"And Tony Tippen has an inshoot that would make the Cannon Ball Express -look like a slow freighter," laughed Nat. "Gee, I wish the next two -weeks would roll around fast. I guess you high school fellows are in -for a pretty hard jolt. We hate to do it, too, for this is a mighty -poor ball field, and a few lambastings will probably knock all that -fine Rupert Barry business in the head."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it will, eh?" sniffed Spearman. "Next season the Purple and White -team will be using that new ball park, and we'll have a grand stand, -besides."</p> - -<p>"Sorry to have to put that happy train of thought off the track," -chuckled Nat. "Have you forgotten the Goose Hill crowd and a few -others?"</p> - -<p>"It wouldn't faze us if they were major leaguers."</p> - -<p>"Hello, you 'Pie-eaters'; hello! Where's the rest of the 'Doughnut' -crowd?"</p> - -<p>This hail, coming in very gruff tones from the tall sprinter who had -excited Earl Roycroft's admiration, made Nat Wingate's eyes glitter -ominously.</p> - -<p>"The nerve of that Tom Clifton is getting my nerve," he commented, in a -low tone. "It beats me how some of the chaps are willing to swallow all -he hands out."</p> - -<p>"He doesn't seem to like the idea of us swallowing pie," laughed -Roycroft.</p> - -<p>By this time the tallest senior in the school had almost reached -the group. Tom Clifton, bubbling over with good spirits, eyed Nat -quizzically.</p> - -<p>"Still making the pies over at Guffin's do the disappearing act?" he -asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes! And the doughnuts are following the same route."</p> - -<p>"How is it that Kirk Talbot didn't come over to see us practicing?"</p> - -<p>"Kirk had something more important on hand. He went to a moving picture -show instead."</p> - -<p>"I'll bet it was a nickel one," snickered Tom. "We're getting ready for -your crowd, Nat. Thanks, Roycroft! I can go some. I'll do better yet. -Wait till you see me making the circuit of the bases. And when we get -that new field—well! We'll make some of the 'Pie-eaters and doughnut -crowd' lose their appetites."</p> - -<p>Tom Clifton's gaze roved over the rather uneven field, which was -situated some distance from the rear of the Kingswood High School. -Great patches of weeds and small saplings had been leveled to the -ground and hollow places filled in by the willing hands of the boys. -But even all the zeal and enthusiasm with which they had worked could -not make the result of their labor a joy and delight. This particular -field seemed to have a grudge against all athletic sports. Treacherous -little bumps or depressions, as well as other irregularities, had often -spoiled what might have been brilliant plays.</p> - -<p>And now, Tom reflected, after a whole winter of neglect, conditions -looked more unpromising than ever. It did not at all fit in with his -ideas of what the Kingswood High School boys deserved, especially when -he considered the new lease of life which Bob Somers, ably assisted by -his friends, had injected into the athletic affairs of the school.</p> - -<p>To the north, the three story stone building of the school, the center -of which was surmounted by a cupola, shone brightly in the afternoon -sun. Beyond the residences which hemmed in the large lot on all sides -several towers and domes indicated the business portion of Kingswood. -It all made a very pleasing picture.</p> - -<p>But Tom Clifton did not allow his thoughts to stray very long from the -actual work in hand. He was too anxious to get in the thick of the -fray again, and pull down some of the "sky-scrapers" which little Joe -Rodgers was batting out with remarkable precision.</p> - -<p>"Say, Nat, that chap is a corker," he declared. "Stand wherever you -please, and he'll put the horse-hide right into your hands. Gee—see -that!"</p> - -<p>"What?" asked Nat.</p> - -<p>"Why, the way Blake picked up Dave's grounder—one handed, too! By -Jove, it was a scorcher! Where are you going, Roycroft?"</p> - -<p>"To bat," answered Earl, with a laugh. "Come on, Spearman."</p> - -<p>"Good! Try to knock me down. I'll show you a few fancy stunts, Nat."</p> - -<p>"We are reserving ours until Saturday week," returned Wingate. "That's -right, Tom. Snicker all you want. But it's the snickers which come -after the game that count."</p> - -<p>Tom's reply was not audible, as there was too much noise. Some hundred -schoolboys, whose vocal organs were in excellent condition, seemed to -be desirous of learning just how much sound they could produce at a -given moment.</p> - -<p>Bob Somers had pulled down one of Joe Rodgers' drives after a long, -hard run, and although the force of the impact had sent him rolling -over and over on the ground, the sphere was safe in his hands.</p> - -<p>"Bully—bully!" cried Tom, as the shouts subsided. "See you later, Nat."</p> - -<p>"Hold on, Tommy," said Wingate. A quizzical smile was playing about -his lips. A restraining hand seized Tom Clifton's wrist. "Anything the -matter with your optics to-day, son?"</p> - -<p>"Why?" queried Tom, in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Haven't they lighted on anything yet, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; a whole lot of dandy plays."</p> - -<p>"That isn't what I mean."</p> - -<p>The earnest manner of his companion made Tom eagerly scan the field. -He saw a dozen balls flying about in all directions, students in -purple and white sweaters dashing from place to place, and "Jack -Frost" engaged in sending in a variety of curves to Phil Brentall, the -backstop. He also saw the ball being snapped from first to third and -back again with great rapidity.</p> - -<p>But the fact that he was not looking in the right direction was -speedily impressed upon his mind when Nat shoved him around in a most -unceremonious fashion.</p> - -<p>"Now what do you see?" demanded Nat.</p> - -<p>"Gee whiz—goodness gracious!" cried Tom—"Mr. Rupert Barry."</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</h2> - - -<h3>MR. BARRY</h3> - - -<p>A tall, thin man, who, although somewhat elderly, seemed to walk -with all the alertness of youth, was directing his course toward the -players. He wore a long, faded, dusty-looking black coat and a derby -hat of an equally old appearance.</p> - -<p>Mr. Rupert Barry, one of the best known and wealthiest citizens of -Kingswood, had retired from active business many years before, and, -with only a man and wife who acted as housekeepers, resided in a -stately mansion which crowned the summit of a hill. Mr. Barry was not -partial to visitors. Only a select few had entered his doors. Those who -did spoke enthusiastically of a collection of bric-à-brac and paintings -which his house contained.</p> - -<p>None of the present generation remembered having ever seen Mr. Barry -in other than his old-fashioned coat and derby hat. It was a standing -puzzle whether the coat and hat refused to be worn out, or whether, by -some mysterious process, he was able, year in and year out, to procure -garments of exactly the same color and texture.</p> - -<p>Mr. Barry seldom appeared without a dog to keep him company. And these -animals, which had succeeded one another up to the present time, -generally possessed but little beauty.</p> - -<p>On this occasion the dog which kept close to the elderly gentleman's -heels was a large, shaggy creature of a yellowish hue, with a -quarrelsome look in his eye.</p> - -<p>"Now it's time to get out on the field and pull off some of those -pretty stunts, Tom," advised Nat Wingate. "It may make him take down a -few of those no-trespassing signs on that lot of his."</p> - -<p>"That's right," laughed Tom. "It fairly bristles with 'em. 'Trespassers -dealt with according to law'; 'Private property'; 'No thoroughfare'; -'Keep out'; 'Any one found depositing ashes or refuse on this lot will -be prosecuted.' Have I missed any, Nat?"</p> - -<p>"Just one," chuckled Wingate, "over on the northeast corner: -'Intruders will be promptly ejected.' It's a wonder he hasn't a few -Gatling guns planted around."</p> - -<p>"And just to think," mused Tom, "he's going to give that field to us!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I like your cheek," blazed out Nat. "You must think you're the -whole show. Do you know what my idea is?"</p> - -<p>"Guess I will in a minute."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Barry knows it's such a safe proposition that you fellows will get -trimmed all around——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, get out, you 'Pie-eater'!" howled Tom. "Take a doughnut. It looks -like a cipher—meaning nothing for you!"</p> - -<p>"We can eat up lots of things besides doughnuts," said Nat, -sarcastically. "I'm going to trail Mr. Rupert Barry."</p> - -<p>"So am I."</p> - -<p>As they walked briskly toward the scene of action the noise and the -cracks of the bats seemed to be greater than ever.</p> - -<p>By this time Mr. Barry had almost reached the high board fence which -served as a backstop and score-board.</p> - -<p>It was at once observed that Dave Brandon had stopped practicing and -was coming forward to meet their visitor. Bob Somers, too, was walking -in from the outfield.</p> - -<p>"By Jupiter, they're almost falling over themselves," jeered Nat. "I -want to hear some of the soft stuff they hand out. Bet they'll have a -tremolo in their voices."</p> - -<p>Nat Wingate had the ability to provoke a wrangle at almost any moment. -A hot flush mounted to Tom's face. He was too eager, however, to learn -the reason for Mr. Barry's descent upon the ball field to reply.</p> - -<p>In and out through the noisy groups he led the way, soon hearing above -the medley of sound the harsh, rasping voice of Kingswood's eccentric -citizen.</p> - -<p>"I never could understand why boys have to make such a confounded -racket while they're playing ball," he jerked out, impatiently. "Good -energy all gone to waste. Lie down, Canis!"</p> - -<p>The yellow dog seemed to have taken a great dislike to the proceedings -going on all about him, and was giving voice to this feeling by a -series of savage snarls and barks.</p> - -<p>"Long distance conversation for me," laughed Wingate. "His ivories seem -to be in good working condition."</p> - -<p>"I'll bet he's as yellow inside as out," chuckled Tom. "One good -kick——"</p> - -<p>"And any hope for your ball field would be gone forever."</p> - -<p>"Don't stop for me, Somers." Mr. Barry was speaking. He waved a large, -knotty cane peremptorily in the direction of the outfield. "Get right -back to your place." His stick struck sharply against the wooden fence. -"Here, here, you boys over there: quit that howling; quit it, I say!"</p> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<div class="figcenter illowp51" id="illus1" style="max-width: 21.25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""> - <div class="caption"> - <p>"GET RIGHT BACK TO YOUR PLACE"</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<p>The students who had been applauding a difficult pick-up by Charlie -Blake obeyed his authoritative command.</p> - -<p>"That's better. What's the use of howling like a pack of young pirates?"</p> - -<p>"If it ain't any use, it's lots of fun, mister." A stocky, -freckle-faced boy, handling a very large bat, gave this answer. "And -sometimes it puts a whole lot of ginger into the crowd," he added.</p> - -<p>"What's your name?"</p> - -<p>"Joe Rodgers."</p> - -<p>"Do you go to the high school? Keep quiet, Canis!"</p> - -<p>"Not yet, sir."</p> - -<p>"Then why are you practicing on this field?"</p> - -<p>"'Cause they let me."</p> - -<p>"As bold as brass," murmured Mr. Barry, in audible tones. "Somers, I -believe I requested you to keep right on with your playing."</p> - -<p>Mr. Barry looked at the captain of the nine as sternly as though he -were some culprit caught trespassing on his field. The afternoon sun -played on an angular, smooth-shaven face and a pair of cold gray eyes. -There was nothing in his expression to indicate any great sympathy with -youth or their pastimes. But it was observable that, even as he spoke, -his gaze was continually shifting from one group to another.</p> - -<p>"This is the first day we have practiced outside of the gym, Mr. -Barry," began Bob. "You see it was such a bully day——"</p> - -<p>"I must request that you eliminate such words as 'bully' when -addressing me," interrupted the visitor, stiffly.</p> - -<p>"Would you like to have a little bat-out and catch, Mr. Barry?" asked -Nat Wingate, in a very innocent tone.</p> - -<p>"I know you of old, Wingate," returned the other, frigidly. "You may -direct your remarks elsewhere. What did you say, Brandon?"</p> - -<p>"That we seem to be rounding out in pretty good shape, Mr. Barry; -and——"</p> - -<p>"I didn't come over to hear any boasting."</p> - -<p>"His figure rounded out in pretty poor shape years ago, so I'm told," -put in a tall, aggressive-looking lad to whom Nat had just beckoned.</p> - -<p>Mr. Barry turned sharply upon him, took a good look, and then remarked:</p> - -<p>"I don't think I ever saw you before, boy."</p> - -<p>"I don't think I ever saw you before, either."</p> - -<p>"And what might your name be?"</p> - -<p>"Owen Lawrence. You see, our folks just moved to Kingswood. Of course I -had to go to school somewhere, and so I'm a student at the High."</p> - -<p>"And if you have any sense you'll stick there until you get a good -education," snapped the irascible old gentleman. "Drat that confounded -dog! Keep still, Canis! If you boys have as much spirit in training as -he has out of training you'll do. Now don't stand around gaping as if -you'd never seen a man before. Go back to practice."</p> - -<p>Mr. Barry had a way about him which impelled obedience to his will. For -fully fifteen minutes, under his critical observation, the boys played -with a dash and vim that might have brought a smile of approval from -almost any one else.</p> - -<p>Then, without a word of comment, he waved his knotty stick in the -direction of the captain of the nine, and, closely followed by the -yellow dog, stalked back in the direction from whence he had come.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</h2> - - -<h3>THE "RETREAT"</h3> - - -<p>Not far from the high school, at the end of a long row of houses, stood -an unpretentious two-story frame building painted white. Big black -letters almost covering the width of the house announced that therein -was located "Terry Guffin's Student Retreat."</p> - -<p>Terry had lived in the "White House" long enough to know generation -after generation of schoolboys. His pies, doughnuts and cakes were -famous; so were his chops. And many an old "grad" who had left his -student days far behind found it convenient to return to Kingswood so -that he might see the round, red face of Mr. Guffin, and once more -partake of his tasty wares.</p> - -<p>The interior of the Student Retreat was filled with interesting -souvenirs of school life—photographs, sketches, bits of writing—each -possessing a significance dear to the heart of Terry Guffin. -There were rather curious paintings, too, on door panels, or over -mantel-pieces, which showed ambition, if not high artistic ability. The -largest and most important, painted on real canvas, with a gold frame -around it, and hanging so conspicuously that all who entered must rest -their gaze upon it, was signed "David Brandon."</p> - -<p>The picture represented a wild stampede of cattle on the plains. -Cowboys, terror-stricken animals, and clouds of dust were depicted in -a spirit which had often aroused the enthusiasm of visitors to the -Retreat.</p> - -<p>At the rear of the building, a large yard enclosed by a high board -fence was a favorite spot with many of the students, for tables, -with the whitest of table-cloths, and comfortable chairs were placed -temptingly about. Several trees and palms, together with a number of -small flower beds, helped, in warm weather, to make the place very -attractive.</p> - -<p>When Nat Wingate and Owen Lawrence entered the "Retreat," late that -afternoon, their ears told them before they reached the yard that it -had been captured by a crowd of lively boys. And the new student of -the Kingswood school immediately noted that his companion seemed to be -highly popular.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Nat! Hello!" came from half a dozen throats.</p> - -<p>"Zip—boom—hooray for the captain of the Stars!" called out a boy -almost as tall as Tom Clifton.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Hackett! Hello, Talbot!" greeted Nat. "Gee—there's 'Crackers,' -too. Howdy, everybody! Fellows, let me introduce Owen Lawrence."</p> - -<p>The latter was busy for a few moments exchanging salutations. Then he -plumped himself down on a chair, which the smiling Terry Guffin pushed -toward him.</p> - -<p>Mr. Guffin was pleased—the round, cherubic face under his chef's white -cap plainly showed it. A new customer to the "Retreat" generally meant -a permanent customer so long as he remained a boy—and sometimes after.</p> - -<p>Owen was soon holding a rapid-fire talk with Kirk Talbot, John Hackett, -Benny Wilkins, Ted Pollock, and a heavy-set, stoop-shouldered boy -wearing spectacles, and who was invariably addressed as "Crackers."</p> - -<p>"'Crackers'?" queried Owen, at one of the infrequent pauses.</p> - -<p>The heavy-set boy flushed slightly. A ripple of mirth was communicated -to various groups.</p> - -<p>"Ha, ha!" grinned Nat. "He doesn't do it any more."</p> - -<p>"Do what?" asked the new student.</p> - -<p>"Why, at one time he almost supported a cracker foundry," explained -Nat—"never seemed to be separated from a large bag of them."</p> - -<p>"A continuous performance," supplemented Hackett.</p> - -<p>"And of course such an awful example had to be made an example of," -chuckled Benny Wilkins. "Anywhere within a five-mile zone his name is -'Crackers.' When he gets beyond, some people call him Dan and others -Brown. He's been done up brown, too; haven't you, Brown?"</p> - -<p>"Some greenies may think so."</p> - -<p>"Well, it's a good thing talk like that doesn't mean a black eye for -some one. What were you saying, Nat?"</p> - -<p>"I'm trying to put Owen straight on who we are and what we are," -answered Nat. "You see, John Hackett, Kirk Talbot and myself left -school at the end of last term, and have already begun our struggle in -life."</p> - -<p>"So far, it's been something fierce, too," confided Hackett. "I'm -working for my father, and the howl he raises when I want a day or two -off would almost make you run out of the store."</p> - -<p>"John's the meanest apology for a dry-goods clerk that ever skimped on -a yard of cloth," announced Benny Wilkins.</p> - -<p>Nat turned toward Lawrence. "Ted Pollock, an old chum of ours, is still -making the professors at the school throw up their hands in despair. So -are most of the other chaps around here."</p> - -<p>"I've seen Benny Wilkins at the school," said Owen.</p> - -<p>"We must whisper that he's seen too often everywhere. He totes around -a note-book—must fill one every week. What did you put down to-day, -Benny?"</p> - -<p>Wilkins slowly drew from his pocket the article in question, and, -opening it, read:</p> - -<p>"Four thirty-five <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> Sized up the candidates for the -ball team. No good. Four forty <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> Tom Clifton received -notification to that effect. Four forty-one <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> Tom Clifton -said so much in about three minutes that I left it all out. Four fifty -<span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> Looked at a book containing logarithms, but decided that -Terry Guffin's was better."</p> - -<p>"There is hope for you yet, Benny," remarked "Crackers," solemnly.</p> - -<p>Owen Lawrence paid but little attention to the boys outside of his -immediate circle, for he quickly noticed that they were apparently but -a chorus playing a very secondary part to the principal "stars" of the -"Retreat."</p> - -<p>"Say, fellows, who was that elderly gentleman who came over to the ball -grounds this afternoon?" he inquired, presently.</p> - -<p>Several started to answer at once. But Nat Wingate silenced them.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Rupert Barry," he explained. "They say he's the oldest graduate -of the high school. Has a great lot of the stuff everybody's scrapping -for, too—money."</p> - -<p>"Awful queer old chap," confided Ted Pollock.</p> - -<p>"What's all the talk about a new ball field that Tom Clifton is -getting off every day?" asked Owen.</p> - -<p>"I was just about to tell you," answered Nat. "Hello, Terry"—he raised -his voice—"are you baking that pie?"</p> - -<p>The white cap and smiling countenance of Mr. Guffin immediately -appeared in the doorway.</p> - -<p>"Just a moment, Nat," he answered, rubbing his hands together.</p> - -<p>"Hurry it up, Terry. Well, Lawrence, Mr. Barry owns a large field about -three-quarters of a mile from the school. And, last year, he sprang a -sensation on the crowd which some of 'em haven't gotten over yet."</p> - -<p>"If I'd only known about it at the time I'd have stayed at the school -and won it for the boys," remarked John Hackett.</p> - -<p>"You?" scoffed Benny Wilkins.</p> - -<p>"Before night comes I guess I'll know the particulars," laughed Owen.</p> - -<p>"Everybody keep quiet until spoken to," commanded Nat. "Mr. Barry -ambled over to the school one day and saw Professor Hopkins."</p> - -<p>"I'll tell him what happened," interrupted Ted Pollock. "You weren't -there, Nat. I can see the principal now——"</p> - -<p>"You can't," declared Benny Wilkins—"unless you've eaten too much pie."</p> - -<p>"He came into the assembly room with Mr. Barry. 'Boys,' he said, in -solemn tones, 'you all know our esteemed fellow townsman. He tells me -that on several occasions some of you have attempted to play ball on -his lot.'"</p> - -<p>"Thought you were going to catch it, I suppose?" grinned Owen.</p> - -<p>"Certainly did. But the principal switched off on a line of talk that -filled the fellows with so much astonishment that it's a wonder they -could do any studying for the rest of the week."</p> - -<p>"I know a few that didn't," came from Benny Wilkins.</p> - -<p>Nat silenced him with a gesture, and went on to explain that the -eccentric old gentleman who occupied the house on the hill did not go -to the school to register a "kick," but had actually offered to present -them the field and a grand stand in case they should have a winning -ball team the following year.</p> - -<p>When Bob Somers, Dave Brandon and Tom Clifton returned from a trip to -the East they had started things moving with a vengeance. Assisted by -Dick Travers and Sam Randall, two other members of the Rambler Club, -they got the student body to vote on the proposition to form a regular -athletic association. The boys, much impressed by the various exploits -of the Rambler Club, responded with an enthusiasm that not only brought -the project to a successful issue but placed in office all those -who were champions of Bob Somers and his crowd. Sam Randall became -president, Harry Spearman, vice president, Dick Travers, secretary, -and Jack Carr, treasurer. And all the representatives from the various -classes were hot "rooters" for the Ramblers.</p> - -<p>Of course many candidates for the ball team appeared, the most -prominent being the big guard of the football eleven, Earl Roycroft. -Certain very strong rumors floating about, however, seemed to suggest -that while Earl wouldn't be given a chance, Charlie Blake, a lad who -had made a failure on the school team when Nat Wingate captained it, -was almost certain of being assigned a position by the coach, Roger -Steele.</p> - -<p>With so much at stake, some of the boys began to feel that the Ramblers -were having altogether too much say in the matter. Tom Clifton's calm -assumption that he would be a member of the nine was particularly -annoying to some of his schoolmates.</p> - -<p>"Crackers" insisted that a storm was brewing. In fact, his agitation -had already resulted in the formation of an opposition, whose murmuring -discontent, if things didn't go right, seemed liable to break out later -into a fierce roar of disapproval.</p> - -<p>The great prize for which the school was about to strive had the effect -of putting this small minority into a belligerent state of mind even -before the make-up of the team was actually known.</p> - -<p>When his various informers at length came to a stop, Owen Lawrence -drawled:</p> - -<p>"A very interesting state of affairs. I don't like to say anything -against the crowd, fellows, but, honestly, it seems to me that Tom -Clifton is about the limit."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you knocker!" snickered Benny Wilkins.</p> - -<p>"A conceited specimen, if there ever was one," asserted "Crackers," -nodding emphatically. "Have you heard the latest?"</p> - -<p>"Wait till I get out my note-book," said Benny. "Let's see—five ten -<span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> A revelation by 'Crackers' Brown——"</p> - -<p>"He's talking about the dieting racket for athletes. By Jove, he had a -crowd lined up in the gym this morning, talking bigger'n any M. D. you -ever listened to—fact."</p> - -<p>A chorus of groans greeted this announcement.</p> - -<p>"Pies and doughnuts barred out, I s'pose?" exclaimed Ted Pollock.</p> - -<p>"I believe if he even saw one in a window he'd cross over to the other -side of the street."</p> - -<p>"Ah! That's right, Terry." Nat Wingate was speaking. "Crickets—here -come the doughnuts!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Guffin had placed before the captain of the Stars and Owen Lawrence -as fine specimens of pies as the "Retreat" had ever turned out. An -assistant deposited a big plateful of doughnuts in the center of the -table.</p> - -<p>"We won't be able to eat much supper after this," ventured Owen.</p> - -<p>"You only say that because you're not used to Guffin's," chuckled Nat. -"These are regular appetizers. What was I saying?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing," said Benny. "How did you happen to think of it?"</p> - -<p>"What kind of work are you doing, Nat?" asked Owen.</p> - -<p>"I'm secretary to my uncle, Mr. Parsons Wingate," answered Nat. "I can -take dictation in shorthand and bang on the typewriter with all ten -fingers."</p> - -<p>"And find time to play ball besides?"</p> - -<p>"You bet! I get practice enough to keep on edge. The Stars can trim a -lot of would-be big leaguers."</p> - -<p>"You're going to play the school team, aren't you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! And we expect to give 'em an awful drubbing, too."</p> - -<p>"Get out your note-book, Wilkins. I'm going to ask a question," said -Brown, banging the table sharply.</p> - -<p>"All right," assented Benny. "Five fifteen <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> 'Crackers' -asks a question."</p> - -<p>"It is this," said Brown, staring solemnly over the rim of his glasses: -"he who dares to venture within this 'Retreat' must be more than -a Pie-eater; he must have the—the—how does that go? Oh, yes—the -courage of his convictions—it has to be perfectly straight talk."</p> - -<p>"The question—the question!" demanded Benny. "You must excuse him, -Lawrence. When he starts out to ask anything he generally forgets what -it is before he reaches the point."</p> - -<p>"You have been at the Kingswood High one week," said "Crackers," with -a stern glare at the grinning Wilkins, "and in that time have seen and -heard a lot. Where do you stand on this baseball situation?"</p> - -<p>Owen Lawrence pondered a moment. The tongues of the boys were silent.</p> - -<p>"Well," he said, slowly, "I'm not one of those chaps who is afraid to -tell what he thinks." He beat a tattoo on the plate with his fork. "No, -sir. I don't mind saying that from what I've seen of the Somers crowd -my sympathies are beginning to be with the opposition."</p> - -<p>"Hooray!" cried John Hackett. "We are all for the good of the school. -Do you play ball?"</p> - -<p>"Of course. I was on a scrub team for two years." He paused. "Fellows, -I'm going to try for the Kingswood team myself."</p> - -<p>"Great—great!" cried Benny, gleefully. "I'll make an entry of that."</p> - -<p>"Think you stand any show of getting on?" inquired Nat.</p> - -<p>"Yes. Why not? Hasn't any chap who can make good a chance?"</p> - -<p>"That's something we have to find out," growled John Hackett. "But our -crowd's afraid Bob Somers will manage to get most of his own chums on -the team, besides having the biggest say about the others."</p> - -<p>"If that's his scheme we'll nip it," declared the new student, -emphatically. "I'm going to have something to say—don't you forget it."</p> - -<p>"And just to make sure we won't, I'll make a note of it," chuckled -Benny Wilkins.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</h2> - - -<h3>THE LIST OF PLAYERS</h3> - - -<p>Since their return in the preceding fall Bob Somers and his crowd had -certainly stirred things up at the Kingswood High. Of course, for many -years, the school had been represented in local sporting events by its -football and baseball teams. But there was no athletic association, -little discipline, and a general policy of letting things drift along -under no particular control.</p> - -<p>Now all this was changed. Immediately after the board of directors -was chosen, and they, in turn, had elected officers, the business of -securing a competent coach was attended to. Roger Steele, a graduate of -the school, who had afterward played on a university baseball team and -finally taken up the practice of law in Kingswood, readily assented to -assume this task.</p> - -<p>Roger, a great friend of Bob Somers, entered enthusiastically into -the scheme. There was plenty of good material to draw upon, a fact -attested to by the number of victories won before Nat Wingate left -school.</p> - -<p>As early as the beginning of February the coach sent out a call for -candidates. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors responded in such -numbers as to make it apparent that the boys were in hearty accord with -the new spirit of things.</p> - -<p>Even while winter storms were howling practice was begun in the -gymnasium. A net cage to protect the walls and windows from damage -was arranged. Often while the snowflakes pattered against the panes -aspiring candidates labored zealously to perfect themselves in the -national sport.</p> - -<p>Steele began to drill "Jack Frost" and Willie Singleton who soon gave -promise of becoming real pitchers. Charlie Blake, wishing to retrieve -his reputation, worked diligently. So did stout Dave Brandon. The -football team of which he and Bob Somers had been members had received -its bumps at the hands of Rockville Academy only a few months before, -and Dave did not wish to leave school with memories of defeat lingering -in his mind.</p> - -<p>Perhaps, after all, the biggest figure in these events was Tom -Clifton. He had had printed a set of by-laws which were to govern -the acts of the athletic association. Tom was mighty proud of this -achievement, for even Coach Steele expressed the opinion that they were -very good. There was no more strenuous candidate for a position on the -team than the tall senior, who was usually the first in the gym and the -last to leave.</p> - -<p>The greatest danger which the coach had to contend with was the -tendency of the boys to overdo things. As the time for a definite -selection of players drew near interest increased. The adherents of -rival candidates began to be heard. The Somersites, however, seemed to -be in the great majority, several of the Ramblers being almost certain -of winning places on the team.</p> - -<p>The Kingswood High School was surrounded by spacious grounds in which, -only a few moments' walk from the main building, stood the gymnasium.</p> - -<p>Early on the afternoon following the introduction of Owen Lawrence -into the select company of the "Pie-eaters," a great crowd of students -directed their steps toward it. A cold, drizzly rain fell steadily; -a brisk wind shook and rattled the branches of the stately elm on -the campus. But the unpleasant weather could not kill the ardor and -enthusiasm of the boys.</p> - -<p>Coats were doffed, and once again purple and white sweaters made an -aggressive note of color amid the surroundings.</p> - -<p>Among the throng who came to look on were "Crackers" Brown, Owen -Lawrence, Ted Pollock and Benny Wilkins.</p> - -<p>"Start 'er going, fellows!"</p> - -<p>The businesslike voice of Coach Steele rang through the room.</p> - -<p>"All right, Roger," responded Bob Somers. "Who's got my glove—you, -Dave? Good! Shoot that ball over here, Tom. Thanks! Here go, 'Jack -Frost.'"</p> - -<p>With a "Hello, 'Pie-eater'!" addressed to Ted Pollock, the pitcher got -to work, Phil Brentall, catcher, having taken his position behind the -big chalk mark on the gymnasium mat.</p> - -<p>"Take it easy, boys," warned Coach Steele. "Danger of straining your -arms if you don't. Cut out those fancy capers, Clifton."</p> - -<p>"Shoot it over, Dave," Bob Somers was saying. "Put plenty of ginger -behind it, too. Better get over this way a little further, so we won't -be in danger of putting 'Jack Frost' out of business."</p> - -<p>The snappy work which followed brought a smile of approval to the -coach's face. Several other candidates for pitchers followed Frost. -Then came batting practice. Some of the boys were able to solve "Jack -Frost's" delivery. Frequently the crack of the bats reverberated -sharply through the building, and the wire netting stopped some pretty -hard drives.</p> - -<p>Steele showed his men many fine points in the art of sliding to bases, -and Tom Clifton distinguished himself on the big mats spread about for -this purpose.</p> - -<p>Occasionally the candidates "cut loose," and by the time practice for -the afternoon was over most of them were warm and happy.</p> - -<p>Earl Roycroft had made a good showing. Everybody who liked the big -football guard—and that meant almost every one in the room—was -jubilant.</p> - -<p>"He's all to the good as a baseball tosser," declared Ted Pollock. -"We'll surely see him in a brand new uniform playing at first or short."</p> - -<p>The crowd began filing out of the building.</p> - -<p>"Hello!" cried "Crackers" Brown, suddenly. "That looks interesting."</p> - -<p>"Goodness!—'Crackers' discovers something interesting!" murmured Benny -Wilkins. "It's certainly not himself."</p> - -<p>"What do you see, Brown?" asked Owen Lawrence.</p> - -<p>"You fellows couldn't spy through a hole in a fence," growled -"Crackers." He lowered his voice. "Cast your optics over in the -direction of Steele and Somers. Now do you catch on?"</p> - -<p>"Gee Willikins! They seem to be looking over a long list of some kind," -cried Ted Pollock. "I wonder what it means."</p> - -<p>"If your brain cells don't operate actively enough I suppose I'll have -to tell you," said "Crackers," in his usual solemn tone. "It must be -a—a—what's the word? Oh, yes—tentative—a tentative list of eligible -players."</p> - -<p>"I believe that wearing spectacles must make a fellow smart," grinned -Benny. "What are you looking so glum about, Lawrence?"</p> - -<p>"Why, I wanted to try for the team myself," exclaimed Lawrence. "By -Jingo, they ought to give me a chance. Come on, fellows. I'm going to -find out right away where I stand."</p> - -<p>"Don't let 'em bluff you," counseled Benny. "Always remember that the -'Pie-eaters'll' back you up."</p> - -<p>There was no air of indecision about the new student. The lines of his -clean-cut face seemed to tighten.</p> - -<p>"I say, Mr. Steele," he called, "may I have a word with you?"</p> - -<p>"As many as you please," answered the coach, smilingly. He handed the -list which had excited "Crackers'" curiosity to Bob Somers and advanced -to the edge of the cage. "What can I do for you, Lawrence?"</p> - -<p>"Am I too late to try for the team, Mr. Steele?"</p> - -<p>Owen spoke in an aggressive manner, as though he anticipated an -affirmative answer and was ready to argue the point. But: "Certainly -you may," coming from the coach made the combative light fade from his -eyes.</p> - -<p>"Oh—oh! Thank you."</p> - -<p>"You have played a good deal, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Very well. You may start in to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Too bad! A revolution nipped in the bud," muttered Benny Wilkins. -"Lawrence's expression was something fierce. But it had the 'fade-away' -drop, all right. Back to the pie parlor for me."</p> - -<p>"I'd like to see that list," remarked "Crackers," wistfully.</p> - -<p>"Hi, hi, there, Tom Clifton," shouted Benny Wilkins, "trot over this -way."</p> - -<p>"Well?" inquired Tom, an instant later.</p> - -<p>"Is that—er—er—what was the big word you used just now, 'Crackers'?"</p> - -<p>"Tentative, you ignoramus."</p> - -<p>"Thanks! A tentative list of players, Tom?"</p> - -<p>Tom looked very wise.</p> - -<p>"Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't," he answered, slowly. "Just think -it over while you're eating doughnuts. Going to practice to-morrow, -Lawrence? Good! The more the merrier!"</p> - -<p>"The more the sorrier, you mean—when the list is pasted up," -interposed Benny.</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't be surprised if somebody got pasted after the pasting," -said "Crackers."</p> - -<p>"Don't worry," laughed Tom, turning away.</p> - -<p>During the next few days, whenever the weather was suitable, the boys -practiced out-of-doors. Owen Lawrence worked as hard as any of the -others. There was no doubt about his being a good player—even Tom -Clifton admitted this fact to Harry Spearman.</p> - -<p>"Joining that 'Pie-eating' crowd won't do him a bit of good, though," -he added.</p> - -<p>"Strikes me he'd be a rather hard chap to manage," confided Harry. -"Awful set in his opinions, isn't he?"</p> - -<p>"Owen makes me tired," confessed Tom. "He actually tried to jump on -Dave this morning. But Dave only grinned—that's all. Couldn't get him -going."</p> - -<p>"How did it happen?"</p> - -<p>"He's seen that Dave is chummy with the coach—asked him to put in a -good word in his behalf. 'Can't,' said Dave. 'We're leaving it all to -Steele.' Seemed to make Owen hot."</p> - -<p>"If he doesn't get on the team he'll be hotter yet," chuckled Spearman. -"You seem to be getting some of those base-stealing stunts down fine, -Tom."</p> - -<p>"Steele's put me onto a lot of tricks. 'Tisn't all in the sprinting, he -says. Even a slow man who knows how has a chance. He's got the list of -players about made up now. Next Monday he'll submit it to the athletic -association."</p> - -<p>"We've been talking things over with Roger for a long time," remarked -Harry. "From what I've seen, I'd say he's struck the list about right. -But there'll be a lot of kicks coming, son."</p> - -<p>"Sure," admitted Tom. "That officious 'Crackers' Brown, even before the -names are put up, is buttonholing everybody he thinks ripe for a row. -'Steele will be making the greatest mistake of his life if he doesn't -have Roycroft and Lawrence on that team,' he says. The nerve of him!"</p> - -<p>"One good thing: Roger knows his business too well to be influenced. -It's up to the coach to run the team, and the school hasn't a word to -say."</p> - -<p>"Of course not! Gee! I must get over to practice now," exclaimed Tom, -suddenly.</p> - -<p>Before the week was over Mr. Barry and his dog again appeared on the -scene. He was as garrulous as usual whenever spoken to, but otherwise -made no comments.</p> - -<p>To the anxious candidates Monday seemed very far off; and when it -rolled around few of the students were able to keep their minds on -the work in hand. Some "fell down" hard in the class room. All sorts -of rumors were afloat. Earl Roycroft looked hopeful; "Crackers" Brown -decidedly ominous; Owen Lawrence wore an air of belligerency.</p> - -<p>At the first opportunity a crowd began trooping over to the gymnasium.</p> - -<p>Yes, the list was there, posted in a conspicuous place.</p> - -<p>But, due to the noise, pushing and jostling, it was some time before -those on the outside of the excited mass could gather any clear idea of -what had happened.</p> - -<p>"Crackers" Brown and Owen Lawrence were not on the outside of the -mass. The former had his face shoved so close to the list that it was -with difficulty his neighbors could get a glimpse.</p> - -<p>"Gee whiz, 'Crackers,' I'm tired of looking at the architecture of your -head," complained Benny Wilkins. "How many of the seven candidates for -pitchers got their jobs?"</p> - -<p>Numerous exclamations of surprise and disappointment were soon being -heard. The ominous expression on "Crackers'" face increased. Lawrence -was looking positively savage.</p> - -<p>"Say, fellows, this is about the limit. What do you think!" Brown -turned to face a staring, noisy crowd. "Neither Roycroft nor Lawrence -is on the team!"</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</h2> - - -<h3>THE GRUMBLERS</h3> - - -<p>"Well, I'm mighty glad it's all settled, Steele," said Bob Somers. "I'm -afraid, though"—he smiled rather grimly—"that some of the chaps are -pretty badly disappointed."</p> - -<p>Coach Steele's gray eyes ran over the crowd congregated before the -bulletin-board.</p> - -<p>"It's the same old story, Bob. A coach's life is not always the biggest -snap in the world."</p> - -<p>"I wonder how Roycroft will take it," ventured Charlie Blake.</p> - -<p>"Like a good sport, I'm sure," answered Steele.</p> - -<p>"Of course he will," said Tom, who was bubbling over with glee. -"Honest, Bob, I can hardly wait for the umpire to call 'Play ball!' -Aren't we going to pulverize Nat Wingate's crowd? I'll bet we whitewash -'em. Doesn't it make you tired to hear some of those fellows boast?"</p> - -<p>"Ha, ha! I shall have to make a note of Mr. Clifton's comment on -boasting." Benny Wilkins, wearing his usual grin, approached. -"Congrats, Brandon and the whole bunch. Thought your weight and Somers' -delicate nerve would carry you through. Lucky dogs!"</p> - -<p>"I can see an awful lot of hard work before us," drawled Dave Brandon.</p> - -<p>"But just think what jolly good fun it'll be getting the school a new -athletic field," exclaimed Tom. "Hope some of the teams we play are -strong enough to give us a pretty good tussle."</p> - -<p>"Cut it out, fellows! I tell you I don't want you to say a word. I'm -not putting up any kick."</p> - -<p>Earl Roycroft's big form loomed up from among a group of gesticulating, -excited admirers. Voices echoed sharply through the big gymnasium.</p> - -<p>"How about Lawrence? How about Lawrence?" chorused a small coterie -surrounding the new student and "Crackers" Brown.</p> - -<p>"Rah, rah, rah for Bob Somers!" answered a challenging roar from lusty -throats. "Three cheers for Coach Steele!"</p> - -<p>The room seemed to shake with applause. The Somersites were clearly in -the majority. A stream began pouring over to offer their well wishes to -the members of the first regularly organized team of the Kingswood High.</p> - -<p>Bantering remarks, cat-calls, came from the minority. Never in its -history had the gym witnessed such a scene of noise, confusion and -bustle. From out of the babel of sound came the repeated cry of:</p> - -<p>"Roycroft—Roycroft!"</p> - -<p>The big guard, red-faced and flustered, found himself being pushed -toward Coach Steele. His emphatic protests fell on unheeding ears.</p> - -<p>"Quit it, fellows," he commanded, almost angrily. "If the coach didn't -want me on the team that settles it."</p> - -<p>"Don't roll off any such chicken-hearted stuff as that," growled Owen -Lawrence. "We've been handed a raw deal, and it's time to us we said -something."</p> - -<p>"This looks like the beginning of a real revolution," grinned Benny -Wilkins, who had walked over.</p> - -<p>"We might as well have a little talk with Mr. Steele right now," -suggested "Crackers."</p> - -<p>"That's right; strike while the Steele is cool," piped Benny.</p> - -<p>"Let go, fellows!" cried Earl. "Stop shoving, Luke Phelps. If I'm -satisfied, you haven't any right to fuss about it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, we have. It's for the good of the school," declared -"Crackers" emphatically. "I told you all along how things would turn -out. A protest in time may save nine awful explosions."</p> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<div class="figcenter illowp51" id="illus2" style="max-width: 21.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""> - <div class="caption"> - <p>"IT'S FOR THE GOOD OF THE SCHOOL"</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<p>"Well, I'm in your hands," said the guard, with a rather weak smile.</p> - -<p>"I say, Mr. Steele!"—Owen Lawrence was speaking—"may I speak to you a -moment?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly, Lawrence. Go ahead."</p> - -<p>"I don't want to appear in the light of a sorehead, Mr. Steele; but it -seems to me—and a good many here will back up my opinion—that it's a -mistake to leave Roycroft off the team."</p> - -<p>"What has Earl to say about this?" asked the coach, quietly.</p> - -<p>"I told these chaps I was ready to abide by your decision," answered -Roycroft. "I'm not kicking."</p> - -<p>"That's all very well," said "Crackers," "but we happen to know the -kind of a game he can play; and the prize the school is going after——"</p> - -<p>"I have considered all that, Brown."</p> - -<p>The coach, scarcely more than a schoolboy in appearance, spoke so -unassumingly that "Crackers" was emboldened to continue.</p> - -<p>He began talking earnestly and emphatically, pointing out the various -reasons why both Roycroft and Lawrence should be added to the squad.</p> - -<p>The coach, however, shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I don't think I can make any change, Brown," he announced, firmly. -"There are so many promising players in this school that it means no -reflection whatever on those who were left off."</p> - -<p>"Just the way I take it," said Roycroft.</p> - -<p>"Then you're a big dunderhead!" exclaimed Owen Lawrence. "Three of the -Ramblers on that team; two others officers of the athletic association! -How can you swallow a proposition like that?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, go away and eat some pie!" scoffed Tom Clifton. "Steady your -nerves with a doughnut. Better wait and see us play before you get so -hot about it."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid some one will be roasted if this thing keeps up," murmured -Benny.</p> - -<p>"We're going to do our level best for the school, fellows," spoke up -Bob Somers, earnestly. "A team is twice as strong when there's no -opposition or unpleasant feeling. All we ask is: give us a fair show. -Then, if things don't break right, it will be time enough to talk."</p> - -<p>"Let that idea soak in, Owen Lawrence," spoke up "Jack Frost," who had -won his place on the pitching staff.</p> - -<p>"All right. We'll give you all the chance you want." Owen, apparently -regretting his hasty outbreak, even smiled as he added: "Wherever I -study I'm always red-hot for the school."</p> - -<p>"Lawrence's thought arrangement unloosens his tongue before he thinks," -came from Benny. "I made a note of that the first day he was here."</p> - -<p>"Oh ho," yawned Dave Brandon. "I've got a lot of work to do on the next -number of the 'Reflector.' Guess I'll skip."</p> - -<p>"Crackers," the most solemn-looking boy in school, and yet, some -suspected, the most anxious to help along any row, realized that it -would be impolitic to allow the opposition to show its hand too freely. -He saw that it could only react upon themselves, and, perhaps, throw -into the other camp those undecided students who were not quite sure -which side to favor.</p> - -<p>"The 'Pie-eaters' will act as nice as pie," he confided to Owen -Lawrence, late that afternoon at Terry Guffin's.</p> - -<p>"I heard Steele speak about getting up a second nine to play the -regulars," said Benny Wilkins. "He told the fellows it was the best -kind of practice. Now's your chance, Lawrence."</p> - -<p>"Not for mine, son," answered Owen, emphatically. "Steele and Somers -threw me down. Now they can't pick up yours truly just to make a -convenience of him."</p> - -<p>"I'm not sore about it," added Earl Roycroft, "but, after being -considered a kind of star on the football eleven, I don't feel like -taking a back seat."</p> - -<p>"I should say not," agreed Brown.</p> - -<p>This seemed to be the general feeling among those who failed to get a -position on the team. Many thought "Crackers" had a great deal to do -with this state of mind.</p> - -<p>At any rate, the various teams which soon sprang into being did not -include any "big names" among their players. The regulars, for the -most part, had an easy time disposing of them, only occasionally being -obliged to extend themselves in order to win.</p> - -<p>"Wait till they play a real, live club," laughed Owen Lawrence. "Then I -guess the score-card will tell another story."</p> - -<p>The interest aroused in the coming contest with the Kingswood Stars -increased as the day approached.</p> - -<p>"An awful lot depends upon the first game," said Bob Somers to Coach -Steele, as the crowd left the gymnasium for practice on the following -day. "Tony Tippen is certainly a dandy pitcher, and for an all-around -player Nat Wingate is one of the best for his age I've ever seen."</p> - -<p>"There is plenty of go and courage to that lad," remarked Steele, -"though he needs discipline."</p> - -<p>"Oh, they're not such a bunch of wonders," laughed Tom—"even if they -did beat the Goose Hillers. I guess we can wade right through 'em -without half trying."</p> - -<p>"Overconfidence has lost many a game," admonished the coach.</p> - -<p>"Well, I reckon it won't lose any for us."</p> - -<p>"Boys, I think you have all the signals down pretty fine. Now be -careful not to cut loose too much. Keep your best in reserve, and when -Saturday comes don't let a lot of howling rooters get your nerve."</p> - -<p>"Not much," sniffed Tom.</p> - -<p>"Well, here we are on the field. Let's get busy. Hello, Joe! Glad to -see you. Guess you'll be on hand to see the game, eh?"</p> - -<p>An expansive smile rested on Joe Rodgers' freckled face. He looked very -different from the lad whom Dave Brandon had found as an employee of -Spudger's Great Combined Peerless Circus and Menagerie.</p> - -<p>"Won't I though, Mr. Steele?" he answered. "How are you, Dave! Howdy, -Bob! Maybe I wouldn't like to be on the team."</p> - -<p>"You'll get there some day," chuckled Dave. "Ready, 'Jack Frost'? I -want to get my batting eye in shape."</p> - -<p>Among the great crowd of boys who surged on the field not a word of -opposition was heard. The fast and snappy play brought forth ripples -of applause. Bounders, grass-cutters, line drives and high flies were -fielded or caught with admirable precision. There were few false -movements made in whipping the ball from one to another.</p> - -<p>It was an inspiring sight to the Somers partisans. They cheered and -yelled themselves hoarse. Joe Rodgers was in ecstasy.</p> - -<p>"They can't be beaten!" he cried.</p> - -<p>"Three forty-five <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> Decision reached that the Ramblers -can't be beaten," chuckled Benny Wilkins, who happened to be near. "Too -bad we can't get some major leaguers out here and show 'em just where -they stand."</p> - -<p>"Saturday will be a great day for the school team," predicted Harry -Spearman. "Everybody is brimming over with confidence."</p> - -<p>"I never bank too much on parlor practice," put in Ted Pollock. "Hush! -Don't say a word. Here comes Tom Clifton. Strikes me he's up in the air -in more'n one way," he added, in a lower tone. "Gee, hasn't he changed! -'Member when he was a little timid sort of a kid, Wilkins?"</p> - -<p>"It hasn't been lately," growled Benny. "Of all the hot-air artists -that ever strutted around a ball field he carries off the bakery, pie -counter and all. If they get trounced on Saturday I won't shed any -tears for Tommy."</p> - -<p>"What's this—a conspiracy?" chuckled Tom. "Cut out the whispering. Did -you see Bob stop Hazel's grounder? Peach—wasn't it? Scooped the ball -on a fast run."</p> - -<p>"Too bad Mr. Barry didn't witness that performance," said Benny. "He -might have taken down the first of those no-trespassing signs. Wasn't -it queer of the old chap to make such an offer, anyway?"</p> - -<p>"Most staggers me even now," admitted Ted Pollock. "Say, Tom, tried on -your uniform yet?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly have. Guess it won't look so spick and span after I steal a -few bases."</p> - -<p>"Better be careful how you try it on Nat's crowd," warned Ted. "His -backstop, you know, has a big rep' for nippin' those sly dodges."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. But he'll have to eat some more pie before he can do the -nipping act on me. Look out—let me get it!"</p> - -<p>Tom made a frantic rush in and out among the crowd in an effort to -reach a high foul which had slipped from Dave Brandon's bat. Two -juniors were bowled over in the attempt; but Tom caught the ball, and, -flushed with triumph, snapped it over to "Jack Frost."</p> - -<p>"Nearly knocks a fellow's head off, an' never even says excuse me," -muttered one disconsolate junior, rubbing his forehead. "I like his -nerve."</p> - -<p>"So don't I," growled the other. "The silly chump rushed right between -us before we had a chance to move. Gee! Look at him now, chasing that -grounder. Guess he thinks he's the whole show. Listen! What's that?"</p> - -<p>A loud, discordant yell had blared through a megaphone.</p> - -<p>Turning in the direction from whence the sound had come the two saw a -small procession of boys headed by Nat Wingate and tall John Hackett -approaching. The majority had megaphones, and the din which they -produced indicated that all knew how to use them to the best advantage.</p> - -<p>On they came, singing a lusty chorus.</p> - -<p>"We are ready for the fray!" shouted Nat, at the end of a stanza.</p> - -<p>"Rah, rah, rah!" yelled Hackett.</p> - -<p>"Bing, bang, boom!" screeched Kirk Talbot. "We're the best bunch in the -amateur ranks."</p> - -<p>"And we're going to show just how rank you are!" howled Tom.</p> - -<p>An approving roar came from the purple and white.</p> - -<p>"That's like Nat Wingate—always butting in with a megaphone," -exclaimed one of the juniors. "But say, Freddy Sparker, he's just doing -it 'cause he thinks he can rattle Somers' crowd; an', take it from me, -some of 'em he can."</p> - -<p>"Who?" asked Sparker.</p> - -<p>"Charlie Blake, for one; Clifton for another."</p> - -<p>"Add Alfred Boggs for a third. Oh, yes; Nat and Hackett'll know how to -get some of 'em going."</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't mind being knocked down again if it were only time for -that game to be played," sighed the first junior. "Wouldn't surprise me -a bit if Nat gave our crowd an awful lacing."</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</h2> - - -<h3>THE FIRST GAME</h3> - - -<p>"I declare, Bob Somers, I feel a bit nervous about this thing."</p> - -<p>Charlie Blake, the most studious boy in the Kingswood High, often -referred to as the "grind," paced a corner of the gymnasium floor.</p> - -<p>"Oh, forget it!" laughed Bob. "Pull yourself together, Charlie."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I think I can play the game all right—even if I didn't make good -while Nat was captain. But there's going to be an awful big crowd on -that field, Bob; the whole town seems to be talking about it. And Mr. -Barry will have his eagle eye on every move we make."</p> - -<p>"So much the better."</p> - -<p>"Maybe you're right," assented Charlie. "Wish I had Dave Brandon's -nerve. Bet he could take a nap right before the game."</p> - -<p>There was an undercurrent of excitement in the gymnasium. Each of the -players, in a new and spotless uniform, resplendent purple shirt and -striped stockings, found himself the center of a little group of eager -enthusiasts.</p> - -<p>"For the good of the school, boys, do your best!" bawled "Crackers" -Brown. "Nat Wingate is a dandy fellow; but I hope you'll beat his crowd -so badly they'll never wind off any of their megaphone stunts here -again."</p> - -<p>"Oh, what an awful bluff, 'Crackers'!" chirped Benny Wilkins. "You know -you want him to win."</p> - -<p>"There's a big mob on the field already, fellows." This announcement, -coming from Tom Clifton, added to the pleasurable excitement.</p> - -<p>"Well, it's most time to be getting over," said Bob. "Everybody ready?"</p> - -<p>A rousing chorus of assenting voices answered.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I say—I say—who's going to report this game for the -'Reflector'?" cried Benny. "Mr. Editor, may I?"</p> - -<p>"Write it up and submit your stuff," laughed Dave. "If it's good I'll -slip it in."</p> - -<p>"Bully! That's a go. Now don't try to back out, Dave Brandon. You heard -him say it, fellows."</p> - -<p>The team, headed by Coach Roger Steele, was already making for the -door, followed by as enthusiastic and hopeful a band of rooters as -ever backed up a school nine.</p> - -<p>Freshmen struggled for the honor of carrying bats, masks and other -paraphernalia.</p> - -<p>It was an ideal day, cool and crisp, but not chilly enough to stiffen -the players' muscles.</p> - -<p>A big crowd greeted the boys on the scene of the impending battle. -Almost every student of the school seemed to be there, while numbers of -the townspeople mingled with the groups.</p> - -<p>"Somers, Somers!" yelled the mob. The cry rose and fell in waves of -sound, causing a flush to mantle the captain's cheek. "Rah, rah, rah! -Boom!"</p> - -<p>Purple and white pennants flashed brightly in the sunlight. It -certainly looked like a great day for the Kingswood High.</p> - -<p>By the fence behind home plate the players gathered around Coach Steele.</p> - -<p>"Don't get rattled," he cautioned. "Remember, quick thinking at a -crucial point has won many a game. Feel 'em out in the early innings, -and don't let a single chance for stealing a base slip by."</p> - -<p>"You bet we won't," laughed Tom. "When that crowd finds out what we -have to show in the running line they'll open their eyes."</p> - -<p>"Get to work, boys," ordered the coach. "Hello, Lou Mercer!" He -extended his hand toward a good-looking boy, manager of the club. "I -hear Professor Hopkins is going to see the game."</p> - -<p>"That's so," said Mercer, gleefully; "and Mr. Rupert Barry'll be with -him. And say, what do you think? Professor Ivins actually said he'd -come, too."</p> - -<p>"What?" cried Tom.</p> - -<p>"Fact. Surprised me, I can tell you. Heard him say once he never could -see anything in the game."</p> - -<p>"He'll see something in this game." Tom selected a bat from several -which an exuberant freshman was lugging about. "Get out a bit further, -Dave!" he yelled. "I'm going to knock some cloud swipers."</p> - -<p>"Hey! Who's seen the Stars practicin'?" asked one boy of another.</p> - -<p>"Not I. Struck me they did all of their practicing over at Guffin's."</p> - -<p>"That's where you're wrong, son. Leslie Glinn—he's one of their -crowd—unloosened his tongue long enough to say they went through their -little turns in a field about two miles out the pike. Oh, Nat's cute, -all right; knows every trick of the game."</p> - -<p>"So does Bob Somers," growled the other. "Say, if we win this game -won't the crowd give him a big hand to-night!"</p> - -<p>"Well, ra-ther!"</p> - -<p>Twenty minutes later a sound from a megaphone in the distance brought -forth a wild cheer from the supporters of the Stars. All eyes seemed -to be turned in the direction of the valiant team which, as usual, was -headed by Nat Wingate and John Hackett.</p> - -<p>Following the players came a great crowd, the members of which were -singing in half a dozen different keys a song that "Jack Frost" -declared Nat had written himself.</p> - -<p>"Sounds like it," chuckled Benny. "Guess it's a first offense, though."</p> - -<p>The rooters of the visiting team did their best. But the fans who swore -allegiance to Bob Somers drowned their efforts in a turbulent roar.</p> - -<p>The Stars didn't present the neat appearance of the Kingswood team, -their uniforms, no two of which were alike, bearing unmistakable -evidence of hard usage.</p> - -<p>The eyes of many were centered upon Tony Tippen, the crack pitcher of -whom so much had been heard. Tony was a farmer's son, tall, gaunt, -and angular of frame. His face, burnt to almost a coppery hue, -indicated that much of his time was spent out in the open. Tony had the -reputation of being a cool, imperturbable chap whom nature seemed to -have forgotten to supply with nerves.</p> - -<p>"Have you fellows done practicing?" sang out Nat. "Good! Our boys'll -wade right in."</p> - -<p>"We'll need only ten minutes," yelled John Hackett.</p> - -<p>"That's right. Let's get the ball rolling in earnest," said Tony -Tippen, in a deep bass voice.</p> - -<p>Quiet settled over the crowd. The boys were too much interested in -getting a line on the opponents of the "High" to make any noise. They -presently had to confess that the visitors had a dash and vim about -their practice which promised an exciting contest.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</h2> - - -<h3>FOUR TO NOTHING</h3> - - -<p>"Play ball!"</p> - -<p>These two words, uttered in a loud, authoritative tone, sent a sort -of electric thrill through the impatient audience, which was only -waiting for the first opportunity to expend its superfluous energy in a -hair-raising yell.</p> - -<p>The Stars having won the toss, Tony Tippen went to his place on the -mound, while Dave Brandon, smiling in his usual good-natured fashion, -walked briskly to the plate.</p> - -<p>"He'll have to show the best in the shop to faze old Dave," chuckled -Tom Clifton to Catcher Phil Brentall. "'Jack Frost' couldn't do it, -could you, Jack? Ah! Tippen is going to let 'er fly. Watch him."</p> - -<p>The boys were already watching with wide, staring eyes. They saw the -pitcher "winding up." Then almost instantly the ball seemed to smack -into the catcher's mit.</p> - -<p>"Strike one!" called the umpire.</p> - -<p>"Suffering doughnuts!" gasped Tom. "Why didn't he swing on it?"</p> - -<p>"I've heard it is hard to lam the ball when Tippen is on deck," said -"Jack Frost." "Cheer up, Tom. The game isn't lost yet."</p> - -<p>Once more the pitcher sent in the ball.</p> - -<p>"Strike two!"</p> - -<p>"Great Scott!" breathed Tom. "Gee! I hope Dave takes a chance on the -next."</p> - -<p>Dave Brandon had no intention of being caught napping a third time. He -had been stunned into momentary inaction by Tippen's terrific speed and -the quickness with which he delivered the ball. Doggedly determined, he -faced the pitcher, realizing that the eyes of hundreds were upon him, -and that he was there for the good of the school. Out of the corner of -his eye he caught a glimpse of Professors Hopkins and Ivins and Mr. -Rupert Barry. Warily, he watched the cool, grinning face of Tippen.</p> - -<p>But the inshoot which Dave half expected did not come. Instead Tony -Tippen slipped over a tantalizing slow ball, and Dave's vicious lunge -came a fraction of a second too late.</p> - -<p>"Three strikes and out!" bawled the umpire, amid shouts of approval -from the Star crowd.</p> - -<p>The rest of the inning passed quickly, not a player reaching first.</p> - -<p>The members of the school team looked glum but resolute as they -sallied out into the field. They had not started off with the dash and -brilliancy many expected.</p> - -<p>"But never mind," said First Baseman Tom Clifton, fiercely. "We've -eight more innings coming to us."</p> - -<p>"Batter up!" commanded the umpire.</p> - -<p>John Hackett, looking very important indeed, strode to the plate. "Jack -Frost" rubbed a little dust on the ball. He raised his arm in the air, -brought it down again, and a snappy drop was speeding toward the batter.</p> - -<p>John Hackett made a mighty swing—and missed.</p> - -<p>"Rah, rah, rah for 'Jack Frost'!" came from the field.</p> - -<p>Jack was a little nervous. He had not yet gained his usual control of -the ball. The next two went wide of the plate.</p> - -<p>Hackett, however, landed on the fourth. But the pitcher scooped up the -bounder which resulted and retired the batter at first.</p> - -<p>Kirk Talbot was the next to face the pitcher.</p> - -<p>At the very first ball delivered he sent a hot line drive whipping -straight toward Charlie Blake. Charlie, though still struggling against -a feeling of nervousness, easily made the catch.</p> - -<p>Jeff Wilber, right fielder of the Stars, reached first on balls; but -Nat Wingate's effort to advance him was nipped by Dave Brandon's clever -catch of a high fly in left field.</p> - -<p>"Ha, ha!" chuckled Tom Clifton. "It will take more'n Tony Tippen's -pitching to win this game. You can bet we'll get on to his curves -before long. Who's up—you, Blake? Don't let Nat rattle you. He's -beginning his holler already."</p> - -<p>Charlie selected his favorite bat. He reflected that when Nat Wingate -tried to rattle a fellow he generally made a pretty good job of it. He -tried to deaden his ears to the sarcastic quips which the captain of -the Stars was now hurling toward him.</p> - -<p>"It's easy, Tippen!" bawled Nat. "He couldn't hit a stuffed pillow. -You've got him going."</p> - -<p>"I'll bet he'll be going to first the next minute," muttered Tom, -hotly. "My, I hope we do soak it to this crowd."</p> - -<p>"Shoot 'em over—shoot 'em over!" howled John Hackett.</p> - -<p>And the imperturbable Tippen did shoot 'em over with a maddening skill -and persistency which made the high school rooters fairly gasp.</p> - -<p>It seemed but a moment before the players found themselves trooping out -upon the field again with a dull and deadly feeling that Tony Tippen -was more than living up to his reputation. The crowd, ready to voice -its approval or disapproval, yelled earnestly at every opportunity.</p> - -<p>It was not until the ending of the fourth inning, however, that the -Kingswood rooters had a chance to strain their lungs to the breaking -point. Tony Tippen, one of the hardest hitters on the Stars, had -reached first in safety.</p> - -<p>At the instant "Jack Frost" got into action he was off on a wild break -for second.</p> - -<p>A yell rose on the air as Big Bill Steever smashed the oncoming -sphere, sending it directly toward Third Baseman Fred Benson. Benson's -practiced eye told him it would be impossible to catch the runner at -second—Tippen's long legs were taking him over the ground at too great -a speed.</p> - -<p>His gloved hand pulled in the bounding ball. Instantly he whipped it -over to Tom, at first, then sprang back to his place on the sack.</p> - -<p>"Send it here, Tom; send it here!" he yelled.</p> - -<p>Charlie Blake, shortstop, was keenly alive to the possibilities of the -situation. Day after day, Coach Steele had drilled into his men the -importance of backing up players. "Even if it proves unnecessary nine -times out of ten, on the next occasion it may prevent the scorer from -chalking down a run," he said.</p> - -<p>"When Tom gets excited he's apt to throw wild," reflected Blake.</p> - -<p>Before Tony Tippen had touched second and was tearing on toward third -Blake was off to back up the baseman.</p> - -<p>A hundred throats poured forth volleys of encouragement to Tippen; and -above the shrieks and yells the voices of Nat Wingate and John Hackett -could be heard.</p> - -<p>"Go it, Tippen; go it!" howled the former.</p> - -<p>"Hi, hi, hi! Come all the way around!" screeched Hackett.</p> - -<p>Kirk Talbot was dancing up and down in an excess of joy.</p> - -<p>"Here's where we bring in the first run!" he yelled. "Ha, ha! I thought -so!"</p> - -<p>The ball had beaten Bill Steever to first, while Benson had judged his -throw so nicely that Tom Clifton was able to return it without moving -an inch from his position.</p> - -<p>But the horse-hide had no sooner left Tom's hand than he realized, with -a sinking feeling, that it would sail over the third baseman's head.</p> - -<p>The purple and white pennants were not waving now. The Kingswood boys -looked on in gloomy silence. The shouts of their opponents soared -higher as Benson leaped off the ground in a vain effort to stop the -speeding ball.</p> - -<p>He saw Tony Tippen slipping past and making a break for home.</p> - -<p>"Gee whiz!" he groaned.</p> - -<p>The swelling din from the field struck harshly on his ears. But with a -frantic dash, Shortstop Blake got into the path of the ball, leaped for -it and caught it and, although partly off his balance, sent it whirling -toward home plate.</p> - -<p>Phil Brentall watched the runner and the ball racing toward him. The -hot volley of sarcasm and the wild blasts sent up through megaphones in -the Wingate camp could not shake his nerves.</p> - -<p>"Slide for it, Tony; slide for it!" roared Nat.</p> - -<p>"Slide for it!" echoed Hackett, desperately.</p> - -<p>For an instant the tumult was stilled.</p> - -<p>Tony Tippen obeyed instructions, literally hurling himself with -outstretched arms toward the plate. From amidst a cloud of yellow dust -his hand shot forward. Then, just as victory seemed certain, a hard -thump jarred his shoulder. The ball had won the race.</p> - -<p>"Runner out!" called the umpire.</p> - -<p>The Star adherents left off shouting as the high school lads began. -Caps were thrown recklessly in the air; purple and white pennants waved -frantically; and as Blake, flushed with pride, walked in from the field -he heard his name rolling out on waves of sound.</p> - -<p>"Not so badly done, sir," remarked Mr. Rupert Barry, who sat on a -bench between the president of the Kingswood High and solemn-looking -Professor Ivins.</p> - -<p>"Dear me," said the latter. "I can't understand why the boys get so -dreadfully excited."</p> - -<p>"It is one of the very annoying features of the sport," returned Mr. -Barry. "They distract everybody's attention."</p> - -<p>"If they would only enter into their studies with the same enthusiasm -we might have a race of intellectual giants," said Professor Ivins, -gravely.</p> - -<p>"Young Blake is one of those rare combinations who seem to be able to -do both," remarked President Hopkins, smilingly.</p> - -<p>"The catcher who tagged that boy out is now going to bat," said Mr. -Barry, looking up from his score-card. "I don't understand how it is, -President Hopkins—your boys don't seem able to hit. I know Anthony -Tippen has quite a reputation; but surely, with all their practice, -sir, they ought to do better than this. By George—a most ridiculous -spectacle! That chap has actually missed another."</p> - -<p>"Strikes me it's a most dangerous game," said Professor Ivins. "I -declare, I should like to get a little further away, where those -balls—what do they call them?—yes, yes: foul tips—a most ridiculous -appellation, by the way—would not be so likely to hit us. I read of a -case——"</p> - -<p>"Strike two!" came from the umpire.</p> - -<p>"Disgusting—disgusting!" snorted Mr. Barry. "An exhibition well worth -missing. Sir?"</p> - -<p>Professor Hopkins seemed quite pained.</p> - -<p>"I was saying that Tippen looks bigger and stronger than any of our -players."</p> - -<p>His manner was almost apologetic.</p> - -<p>"There are plenty of boys in the high school quite as big," snapped Mr. -Barry. "If the coach knows his business, why didn't he select some of -them?"</p> - -<p>"Three strikes! Batter out!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Barry thumped the bench vigorously with his knotted cane.</p> - -<p>"I'm not sure that I shall wait to see the finish of the game," he -announced, stiffly.</p> - -<p>"I quite agree with you," added Professor Ivins, rising. "If it is your -pleasure, gentlemen——"</p> - -<p>"Not yet," answered Mr. Barry. He consulted his score-card. "Alfred -Boggs," he said. "I hope he does better than his predecessor."</p> - -<p>But "Alf," as the right fielder was generally called, didn't. He simply -fanned the air vigorously and was retired.</p> - -<p>"Now 'Jack Frost,'" exclaimed Bob Somers, "see if you can't be the -first to solve Tippen's delivery."</p> - -<p>"Get those glum looks off your faces, fellows," admonished Coach -Steele. "I'll admit Tippen is a mighty good lad; but, remember, they -haven't put a run across the plate yet."</p> - -<p>"And won't, either!" cried Tom.</p> - -<p>The team eagerly watched "Jack Frost," as he faced his rival. The Star -crowd still kept up their yells and quips. Frost, however, scarcely -heard them. He had a burning ambition to send a "grass-cutter" safely -out of reach of the shortstop.</p> - -<p>"Gee, if I only get half a chance!" he murmured.</p> - -<p>With every nerve at high tension he waited.</p> - -<p>Striking vigorously at the first pitched ball, an electrifying crack -filled his heart with glee.</p> - -<p>But the sphere, instead of taking the course he had hoped, launched -itself fiercely upward and in the direction of the three gentlemen on -the bench. The catcher, dashing his mask to the ground, sprinted hard.</p> - -<p>"Foul ball! Batter out!" told the story.</p> - -<p>As Jack threw his bat spitefully aside he observed a small body of -freshmen dragging the bench into safer territory, with three dignified -gentlemen following close behind.</p> - -<p>"If he only drives them away it would be worth losing the game," -chuckled Benny Wilkins.</p> - -<p>"I hope it gave 'em a jolly good scare," observed "Crackers" Brown, -sourly. "They haven't any business to be watching a game like this."</p> - -<p>"Ha, ha! That's so," laughed Benny. "When is a game not a game?"</p> - -<p>"When the Kingswood Stars play the Ramblers?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you rude thing. No; when it's punk. Isn't the way our chaps play -ball enough to make Barry plant corn on his lot?"</p> - -<p>"Get out, you croakers!" snapped Harry Spearman.</p> - -<p>"The game isn't over yet," put in little Joe Rodgers, whose generally -smiling face looked grave. "Just wait till Dave Brandon gets another -chance at bat."</p> - -<p>"We've been doing nothing else but wait," growled "Crackers." "So far, -it's been a sad, sad spectacle."</p> - -<p>"Oh, cheer up," said Benny. "Who grabs the stick now?"</p> - -<p>"Con Fuller."</p> - -<p>The Stars were swooping in from the field.</p> - -<p>"Hurry up, fellows; crack out a few runs, and finish the game!" sang -out Nat. "Tippen can't win it all alone."</p> - -<p>"I need just one more chance," said John Hackett. "When it's my turn to -bat if I don't knock down one of those out-fielders I won't eat any -more pie until to-night."</p> - -<p>Con Fuller, a big, aggressive-looking boy, smiled grimly.</p> - -<p>"Just watch me, Hackett!" he called. "Here's where the cover gets -knocked off the ball."</p> - -<p>"Oh, my, a good dollar and a quarter ball gone to waste," grinned -Benny. "Don't do that, Con. Just dent it. Say, have you noticed how -fierce Roycroft and Lawrence look? I wonder if it's Guffin's or——"</p> - -<p>"Rah, rah, rah! Boom!"</p> - -<p>A furious blast rising from hundreds of throats made it evident that -Con Fuller's boast had almost come true. The cover was still on the -ball, and it probably wasn't even dented, but those who had been -looking in the right direction saw the sphere sailing far over the left -fielder's head and stout Dave Brandon making a wild effort to overtake -it.</p> - -<p>"A three-bagger, sure," groaned Phelps.</p> - -<p>But, as the shouting crowd calmed down, they saw that Dave Brandon's -rapid recovery and accurate throw had held the runner at second.</p> - -<p>"Well, that's going some, anyway!" cried Nat, hilariously.</p> - -<p>"Bet if I was at bat now I could bring him in," said Hackett. "If you -don't do some good stick work, Sam Manning, there'll be trouble."</p> - -<p>Manning, vigorously chewing gum, had a determined glint in his eye.</p> - -<p>"Frost is melting; Frost is melting; the pace is too warm for Frost!" -shouted Kirk Talbot. "He's getting weak; his nerve is gone! Hi, hi, hi!"</p> - -<p>"One ball!"</p> - -<p>"I told you so!" snickered Kirk.</p> - -<p>"One strike!"</p> - -<p>"Take it easy, Sam. That was only an accident," advised John Hackett.</p> - -<p>"Two strikes!"</p> - -<p>"Lam it, you pirate; lam it!" howled Nat.</p> - -<p>Manning smiled curiously. Then, as the ball again shot toward him, he -bunted just inside the third base line.</p> - -<p>Baseman and pitcher dashed simultaneously toward it. Benson, however, -stopped the ball, which he tossed to "Jack Frost" with the laconic -remark:</p> - -<p>"Too late."</p> - -<p>Fuller and Manning played off the bases as far as they dared, worrying -the pitcher to the best of their ability.</p> - -<p>"Two men on the circuit and none down!" yelled John Hackett. "Don't -be afraid to take a chance, fellows. Go it, Fuller; get right off to -third!"</p> - -<p>The number of gloomy faces among the high school contingent increased.</p> - -<p>"I've a dreadful fear that the Ramblers are going to pieces," muttered -Benny, disconsolately. "Dave Brandon will never, never print the -article I'm going to write. Hello—I reckon this settles it!"</p> - -<p>George Marlow, left fielder of the Stars, had connected with the ball -so successfully that next instant all three bases were occupied.</p> - -<p>The Stars found their voices once more. A vociferous din, in which -megaphones and tin horns added to the volume, came from all parts of -the field.</p> - -<p>"Ah, here's where I do it!" cried John Hackett. "Watch me, Nat. If I -don't everlastingly smack the pill I'll work an hour overtime at the -store."</p> - -<p>"I can stand Hackett's blow because it only makes you grin," mumbled -"Crackers." "He knows enough not to mean what he says."</p> - -<p>"Say, John looks as dangerous as a regular league player, doesn't he?"</p> - -<p>The Stars' coacher near first was bawling out his orders with -monotonous regularity.</p> - -<p>It was an anxious moment for the High. With none out, the situation -looked mighty serious, especially as one of Nat's strongest batters -stood at the plate. Two balls and a strike were called before John -Hackett got into action. The tall player then swung with all his force.</p> - -<p>A terrific bounder shot off in the direction of first base.</p> - -<p>At the crack of the bat Conway Fuller, with lowered head, started for -home. The rousing cheers of the Stars rose to frantic heights; the -purple and white rooters stood glum and silent. Tom Clifton sprang -off his base to intercept the ball. The yells—the sight of the -wildly-excited boys—made only an indistinct impression on his mind. -For the moment, to him, nothing existed but the ball lashing viciously -over the ground.</p> - -<p>It smacked resoundingly into his gloved hand. Without straightening up, -Tom drove it unerringly home and sprang back to the sack.</p> - -<p>There was a different sound to the cheers which now reached his -ears. They had a volume which made the preceding shouts fade into -insignificance. Fuller was out at the plate, and Brentall had whipped -the ball back to him.</p> - -<p>John Hackett was straining every muscle to reach the bag in safety. -But, as an object whizzed past his head and a dull thud sounded, he -realized that his effort had been in vain.</p> - -<p>In spite of a feeling of intense disappointment, he slapped Tom Clifton -on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Good work, old boy; good work—a corking double play!"</p> - -<p>Tom's eyes sparkled. Volleys of cheers for Clifton rang pleasantly in -his ears.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Hackett," he replied. "I guess we can play a little when we -try."</p> - -<p>Sam Manning on third, not discouraged by Fuller's failure to score, -launched forward as Kirk Talbot singled. The followers of Nat Wingate -went wild with glee. The first run for the Stars was marked down on the -score-board, and there were two on bases.</p> - -<p>"Jack Frost" seemed to lose some of his control, while the high tension -was evidently affecting several of the other players. Right Fielder Alf -Boggs fumbled Jeff Wilber's hot liner. Once again the score-keeper made -an entry.</p> - -<p>"And still two on bases," groaned Joe Rodgers.</p> - -<p>"The school team is going to be defeated, sir," Mr. Rupert Barry was -saying to President Hopkins. "I've no doubt they will be white-washed."</p> - -<p>"Dear me—white-washed!" exclaimed Professor Ivins, somewhat startled. -He looked around, as though half expecting to see colored men with -pails and brushes. "White-washed!" he repeated. "Do you mean the fence?"</p> - -<p>"No!" snorted Mr. Barry. "The baseball nine."</p> - -<p>"Dear me—extraordinary!" murmured the elderly professor, in puzzled -tones. "Doubtless it is another of those preposterous expressions -connected with baseball parlance. Is it, I might ask, a—a general -custom to refer——"</p> - -<p>"I fear it will be whenever these boys play the Stars," said Mr. Barry, -grimly.</p> - -<p>It was a disastrous inning for the school team. Before big Bill -Steevers' pop fly fell into the hands of "Jack Frost" the Stars had -three runs to their credit.</p> - -<p>"Never mind, fellows," said Bob Somers, cheerily. "It's a part of the -game."</p> - -<p>"Of course," laughed Dave. "If it weren't for Tony Tippen we'd probably -have twice that many runs ourselves."</p> - -<p>"A game's never lost until it's over," said Coach Steele. "You're -playing against a pitcher of unusual ability. But don't let that -discourage you for a moment."</p> - -<p>The end of the eighth inning found the score four to nothing in favor -of the Stars.</p> - -<p>"We'll simply have to do something now," growled Tom Clifton. "Just -listen to Nat Wingate howling. If we don't, maybe he and Hackett won't -go strutting around town proud as peacocks."</p> - -<p>"Roycroft, if you'd been in this game there might be a different story -to tell," grumbled "Crackers"—"eh, Earl?"</p> - -<p>"I'm not saying anything," answered the former football guard.</p> - -<p>"But I am," put in Owen Lawrence. "These chaps seem to be weak on the -stick work."</p> - -<p>"You never faced Tony Tippen," sniffed Benny Wilkins.</p> - -<p>"Well, if I couldn't do any more than sideswipe the air I'd be sorry. -Who's up?"</p> - -<p>"Charlie Blake."</p> - -<p>"Then we might as well go home."</p> - -<p>Charlie, fully determined to do his share toward staving off a -disastrous defeat, stilled a nervous flutter at his heart.</p> - -<p>"Better to make a try than stand still and hear the umpire yell, 'Three -strikes and out!'" he reflected.</p> - -<p>He aimed at the second ball, and perhaps no one on the lot was more -surprised than he to hear a sharp crack and to see the horse-hide -whirling off into space.</p> - -<p>Spurred on by a furious din from the purple and white, he sped down the -first base line long before the ball was returned to the infield.</p> - -<p>The players who had looked so gloomy a few moments before brightened -up amazingly. After all, Tony Tippen could be hit. It was a pleasant -surprise to many.</p> - -<p>"Oh, ginger! If we'd only started this thing in the earlier innings!" -groaned Tom Clifton, as he picked up a bat. "If Blake could do it, so -can I."</p> - -<p>With all his judgment, he aimed at the first ball which cut the plate.</p> - -<p>It was the hardest swing of which Tom Clifton was capable. The ball, -struck squarely, flew to the left of second base. Nat Wingate, leaping -in the air with upraised hand, stopped its onward progress. The sphere -rolled to the ground.</p> - -<p>With a swift dive, Nat recovered it, stepped on the base and shot the -ball to first.</p> - -<p>It was the nearest the high school team came to scoring that day, Bob -Somers, the next batter, going out on a foul.</p> - -<p>The Kingswood Stars and their friends were warm and happy. Tony Tippen -became the hero of the hour. He accepted his honors modestly.</p> - -<p>But Nat Wingate and John Hackett, who came in for their share of -lionization, did not take the victory so quietly.</p> - -<p>"Now let somebody call us 'Pie-eaters'!" jeered Nat. "I say, Clifton, -do we need some dieting? Won't you join us at a doughnut party -to-night?"</p> - -<p>"Get out!" retorted Tom, angrily. "One more inning, and we'd have had -you going."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes; you'd have had us going around the bases one after another."</p> - -<p>Over by the bench Mr. Barry was punctuating some remarks with emphatic -motions of his knotty cane.</p> - -<p>"Extraordinary—extraordinary! Not even one of them got as far as -second base!"</p> - -<p>"I suppose you will not come again, sir?" ventured Professor Ivins.</p> - -<p>"I most certainly shall," answered Mr. Barry. "But I hope to goodness -I'll see a more cheering sight on the next occasion."</p> - -<p>The boys who happened to hear these remarks told their companions. -As fast as though the air had wafted the words from one point to -another the school had them on the tip of its tongue. And they grew in -importance in the process of traveling about.</p> - -<p>"Never mind, fellows," remarked Bob Somers, as they gathered in -the gymnasium. "There are two more games with the Stars before the -inter-scholastic championship begins."</p> - -<p>A boy rushing wildly into the doorway attracted his attention.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Benny! What's up?" drawled Dave Brandon.</p> - -<p>"An awful lot!" cried Wilkins, breathlessly. "What do you think? Luke -Phelps just told me he heard that Mr. Barry said he was so disgusted he -thought of withdrawing his offer—honest fact. Say, Brandon, does that -article of mine have to be typewritten?"</p> - -<p>"I'm not so sure the 'Reflector' will touch very heavily on recent -sporting matters," answered Dave, smiling.</p> - -<p>"Is Phelps in the room?"</p> - -<p>Tom Clifton's gruff voice rose clearly.</p> - -<p>"Sure! Just came in. What's the row?" answered a voice.</p> - -<p>"Who told you what Mr. Barry said?"</p> - -<p>Phelps pushed his way between the groups toward the players.</p> - -<p>"Everybody. No one caught his exact words, but they must have been -something pretty hot. There are enough rumors floating around to hurt -your eyes if they could be seen. It's been a fierce day, hasn't it?"</p> - -<p>When Tom Clifton walked home that evening he passed the field for the -use of which the club was fighting.</p> - -<p>It had never looked more alluring. He stopped to gaze over its broad -green expanse with wistful eyes. His glances wandered from one -no-trespassing sign to another. They looked much more formidable now -than they ever had before.</p> - -<p>"Great Scott!" murmured Tom. "What a beginning—four to nothing!"</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</h2> - - -<h3>DISCOURAGEMENT</h3> - - -<p>The sting of defeat lasted for some time with the students of the -Kingswood High. The friends of the Stars crowed loudly over their -victory; and Tom Clifton, whose boasting previous to the game had -annoyed so many, received a generous share of sarcastic flings.</p> - -<p>The disquieting rumors which resulted from Mr. Barry's remarks hovered -over the school with unpleasant persistency.</p> - -<p>"Honest, Bob, it wasn't fair of him to pitch into the crowd at the very -first crack of the bat," exclaimed Tom, morosely, in the gym a few days -later.</p> - -<p>"Nobody seems to know just what he did say," chuckled Bob.</p> - -<p>"Don't worry, Tom, old boy," said Dave. "Athletes should keep their -minds free from care."</p> - -<p>"Wonder if I hadn't better go and see him?" mused Tom.</p> - -<p>"Goodness, no!"</p> - -<p>"Well, here's the latest."</p> - -<p>"Wait till I get my note-book," cried Benny. "Three forty-five <span class="allsmcap">P. -M.</span> 'The latest—as told by Mr. Clifton.' Go ahead, Tom."</p> - -<p>Tom scowled fiercely.</p> - -<p>"It isn't any laughing matter, son," he exclaimed, grimly. "You all -know what an eccentric old man Mr. Barry is——"</p> - -<p>"But not so much as to make him unreasonable," suggested Coach Steele.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't know. Listen."</p> - -<p>The squad "listened," as did many lads who crowded the big room.</p> - -<p>"He's an eccentric old creature," repeated Tom. He glanced sternly into -Benny's grinning face. "What do you think? I heard that one of the -fellows—one of our fellows, mind you—said the way we played ball was -enough to make Mr. Barry plant corn on his lot."</p> - -<p>"Oh—oh!" gasped Benny Wilkins, faintly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it's so. I'd just like to find him and punch his head."</p> - -<p>"That isn't enough to get excited about," laughed Bob Somers.</p> - -<p>"You haven't heard the worst. Some chap with more tongue than brains -thought it was such a good joke he'd have to tell somebody else, and -Mr. Barry happened to hear what he said. And——"</p> - -<p>"What happened?" demanded Benny, even more faintly than before.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Barry got angry—told Professor Hopkins he hadn't thought of it -before, but if that was the way the school was talking he thought the -idea might be a good one. If I knew who said it in the first place I'd -punch him right here."</p> - -<p>"Maybe some one could point him out," suggested "Crackers" Brown, -pleasantly. "How about it, Spearman?"</p> - -<p>Benny Wilkins made a determined effort to look innocent and -unconcerned. It was a most distressing moment until he realized that -Spearman, although he guffawed loudly, had nothing to say.</p> - -<p>A solemn grin played about the corners of Brown's mouth.</p> - -<p>"I'll bet it was you, 'Crackers'!" cried Tom.</p> - -<p>"Couldn't have been I," mumbled Brown, "because I have more brains -than tongue. I didn't do it. But if you want to scrap I'll accommodate -you right now."</p> - -<p>"Never mind," said Benny, joining in a roar of mirth. "Wait until they -lose the next game."</p> - -<p>"I'll get him yet," announced Tom, fiercely. "See here, manager"—he -turned toward Lou Mercer—"we play the Goose Hill fellows next -Saturday?"</p> - -<p>"Correct!"</p> - -<p>"If any more boys in the school think Mr. Barry's lot ought to be -turned into a corn field they'll change their opinion after that game."</p> - -<p>"We'll see," said Owen Lawrence, shaking his head very knowingly.</p> - -<p>"What we shall see," supplemented "Crackers."</p> - -<p>"I think," mused Benny, "that I'll finish my article on the baseball -game. Goodness! Wouldn't it be awful if somebody should tell Mr. Barry -what Tom called him—an eccentric old creature?"</p> - -<p>Study and practice kept the boys busy for the rest of the week.</p> - -<p>The Goose Hill crowd had considerable reputation, although the Stars -had won a spirited contest from them by the score of five to three.</p> - -<p>Goose Hill was situated on the outskirts of Kingswood, not far from -Wolf River. The inhabitants of the Hill, for the most part, worked in -the big mills which skirted the river for some distance. They were -rough but honest people, living in neat little houses which generally -stood in the midst of spacious yards. Many cultivated the ground, or -directed their attention to the raising of poultry. The Hill owed its -name to the fact that a majority of the bird fanciers chose geese as a -means of adding to their incomes.</p> - -<p>There were some odd and picturesque corners on the Hill decidedly -pleasing to those artistically inclined. Dave Brandon had often -wandered about, sketch-book in hand, and, in this way, met Mr. Stephen -Kimbole, proprietor of the general store which crowned the elevation.</p> - -<p>No one within the confines of the Hill was ever heard to call him Mr. -Kimbole, however. To every man, woman and child he was "Uncle" Steve. -"Uncle" Steve, though a little, dried-up man of uncertain age, still -possessed plenty of life and energy.</p> - -<p>From his porch one could look down upon the river and the busy mills -sending up clouds of smoke and steam. Not far from the base of the -hill, and some distance in from the river, a large stretch of turf -was given over to the mill workers for their sports. They had crack -football and baseball teams, and had won notable victories.</p> - -<p>"Uncle" Steve seldom failed to attend the baseball games. He was -regarded as a crank on the subject. Few knew more about the fine points -of the game than the old storekeeper.</p> - -<p>The thought of the Goose Hillers having a series of games with the -Kingswood High filled him with delight.</p> - -<p>"I'll be there," he exclaimed to Dave Brandon the day before the game. -"I'd sooner lose a quarter's sales than miss it."</p> - -<p>So, on the next afternoon, "Uncle" Steve was a prominent figure among -the great crowd which gathered to witness the contest. Most of the Nat -Wingate contingent seemed to be on hand.</p> - -<p>On this occasion Nat's loyalty to the school made him a partisan of the -"Ramblers," as many still persisted in calling them. When the players -appeared on the scene a tremendous volley of shouts and blasts from -megaphones assailed their ears.</p> - -<p>"Just listen to the mean bunch!" growled Tom Clifton. "You'd think they -were all on our side. I guess Nat is going to try and rattle us."</p> - -<p>"Don't let him," counseled Benny Wilkins. "Oh, say, there's Mr. Rupert -Barry already."</p> - -<p>"If I hear of any of our fellows saying mean things about the club this -afternoon they'll find me down on 'em like a ton of red-hot bricks." -Tom glared around sternly. "Think I know, now, who got off that silly -jabber about the corn field."</p> - -<p>"Who?" asked Benny.</p> - -<p>"Owen Lawrence."</p> - -<p>"I—I don't think so," stammered Benny.</p> - -<p>"What do you know about it?"</p> - -<p>"I—I—that is—I just thought—er—er—that——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, of course, nobody said it was Lawrence. But he looks mighty funny -every time I mention it."</p> - -<p>Benny changed the subject.</p> - -<p>"The Hillers look like a likely bunch," he exclaimed. "Who's that funny -little man over there with a white beard? Shouldn't think he'd trot out -to see a game of ball."</p> - -<p>"You couldn't drive him away with one of Nat's megaphones," said Tom. -"It's 'Uncle' Steve Kimbole. Reckon he knows who stitched the first -ball and who broke the last bat."</p> - -<p>The school nine, in their natty uniforms, were given a cordial greeting -as they marched toward home plate.</p> - -<p>The big crowd witnessed a highly interesting game.</p> - -<p>But two costly errors and a great batting rally of the Goose Hillers in -the eighth were the two principal reasons for the home team winning by -the score of seven to three.</p> - -<p>On several occasions, under fire, both "Jack Frost" and Charlie Blake -showed signs of going to pieces. It was a mighty disgusted lot of boys -that finally boarded the Kingswood trolley.</p> - -<p>Several scouts, who had been eager to pick up whatever crumbs of -information fell from the lips of Mr. Barry, were on the same car, as -anxious to supply the news as the others were to hear it.</p> - -<p>"He was downright mad," announced Luke Phelps, who had the honor of -carrying three bats and three pairs of gloves.</p> - -<p>Phelps waited so that this news could have all the bad effect possible.</p> - -<p>"Anybody could see that," added a junior.</p> - -<p>Not all the boys had been able to find seats, but Phelps, nowise -bashful in company, spoke loud enough for all to hear, as he continued:</p> - -<p>"Yes—he said it certainly looked as if the corn would win the field. -He kicked about lack of judgment on several plays, and——"</p> - -<p>"Said Somers needs stronger and heavier players," broke in another -junior, eagerly—"heard that with my own ears."</p> - -<p>"You couldn't have heard it with anybody else's," growled Art Bowers.</p> - -<p>"Say anything more?" came a query from the front end of the car.</p> - -<p>"A whole lot of things," answered Phelps, with importance, "but I -can't think of any just now."</p> - -<p>"Another sad, sad day," remarked "Crackers" Brown, solemnly.</p> - -<p>"You chaps are talking like a bunch of quitters," howled Tom.</p> - -<p>"I'm just stating facts."</p> - -<p>"We're not discouraged, Brown," said Bob Somers. "The team hasn't shown -its true form yet."</p> - -<p>"Of course it hasn't," asserted Roger Steele. "Just give us a chance, -boys. There was a little lack of team work in to-day's game, and"—he -smiled rather grimly—"some of the boys were a bit rattled by the noise -and excitement. They couldn't do themselves justice."</p> - -<p>"I guess he means me."</p> - -<p>Charlie Blake's foot touched the heel of his neighbor's shoe.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't know," returned the other, encouragingly. He lowered his -voice. "When the fellows were most yelling their heads off, didn't -'Jack Frost' send three men to base on balls in succession?"</p> - -<p>"Just as soon as the game is over I feel how much better I could have -played," sighed Charlie. "Honest fact—all that rooting does get on my -nerves."</p> - -<p>"Just because you're not used to it."</p> - -<p>"Nat Wingate's crowd certainly acted handsomely by you chaps," remarked -"Crackers." "Nat is just as solid for the good of the school as we are."</p> - -<p>Suddenly the high, piping voice of the youngest junior rose clearly -above the clatter of tongues and the steady rumble and grind of wheels:</p> - -<p>"Yes; it was the funniest sight I ever saw. He acted just like a kid; -yelled as loud as a pirate! And the queerest part of all was that he -seemed kind of chummy with Mr. Barry."</p> - -<p>"I guess 'Uncle' Steve was figuring on selling him a bag of peanuts -after the game," said a sandy-haired sophomore.</p> - -<p>"Heard him say he was coming over to see the next game between the -Stars and Ramblers," announced the first.</p> - -<p>"Sure he didn't say slaughter?" asked "Crackers," gazing innocently -over the rim of his glasses.</p> - -<p>The crowd was in a tumult.</p> - -<p>"Put him off, conductor!" bawled Benny Wilkins. "He's been rude to the -nine."</p> - -<p>"If things don't go better I'll be ruder yet," said "Crackers."</p> - -<p>When the car swung into the depot the crowd seemed to melt away on the -instant, leaving the rather gloomy-looking members of the nine to make -their way to the gymnasium alone. Even Phelps seemed to consider it no -longer an honor to burden himself with bats, balls and other articles.</p> - -<p>"I can't understand it," growled Tom Clifton. "Just think, Dave—seven -to three!"</p> - -<p>"Oh ho! We can't win every time, Tom," returned Dave, dryly.</p> - -<p>"Cut out any gloomy talk, fellows," advised Coach Steele, earnestly. -"Be good losers. Let each defeat make you only grit your teeth and -plunge in all the harder."</p> - -<p>"That's the talk!" cried Blake, brightening up. "We'll do it."</p> - -<p>As the days followed each other, Steele's earnest efforts served to put -new life and vigor into the team. The Somersites stuck manfully to the -nine. Any set of boys who could inaugurate a new era in the athletic -affairs of the High were not going to be deserted simply because they -had begun the season by losing a couple of games.</p> - -<p>Even their ardor and enthusiasm, however, received a rude jolt when the -school nine and the Stars again clashed. The score, six to one, told -the story of an event which helped to make history for the High. Only -those who didn't favor Bob Somers and his crowd cared to talk about it.</p> - -<p>They were willing to admit the nine had made some brilliant plays, but -pointed out the fact that these same brilliant plays were always on the -defensive. They said, too, that when Blake got rattled he was badly -rattled; and, according to the way "Crackers" summed up the situation, -when the bases were full "Jack Frost" was likely to fall down harder -than a chimney in a gale of wind.</p> - -<p>"Sit tight and don't say a thing," advised Owen Lawrence. "The -school'll wake up in time."</p> - -<p>Benny Wilkins' articles on the ball games did not find a place in the -"Reflector," but, possibly, they were read by nearly as many students -as though they had. Some glanced over their contents with roars of -laughter, while others waxed so highly wroth as to cause Benny to steer -a careful course in another direction when they approached.</p> - -<p>Quickly following the game with the Stars came another against Goose -Hill, this time on the home grounds.</p> - -<p>Another disheartening page was written in the history of the school's -athletics. The official score-card bore this entry:</p> - -<p>"Goose Hill 8: Kingswood High 2."</p> - -<p>On the day following Coach Roger Steele received a laconic letter which -read:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>:</p> - -<p>"Kindly call and see me this evening. Bring Robert Somers with you.</p> - -<p class="ph1">"Yours truly,<br> - -"<span class="smcap">Rupert Barry</span>."</p></div> - - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</h2> - - -<h3>MR. BARRY ASKS QUESTIONS</h3> - - -<p>If there had been any guide-book of the prosperous town of Kingswood -undoubtedly Mr. Rupert Barry's mansion would have received a prominent -mention in its pages. Stone steps zigzagged between stone walls to the -top of the hill. The mansion of the eccentric millionaire, in the midst -of spacious grounds, could scarcely be seen from the road. It seemed -as though the architect and builder had found a positive pleasure -in concealing from view as much as possible of the rich and ornate -structure.</p> - -<p>It was already dark when Bob Somers and Coach Roger Steele began -mounting the steps. The glare from electric lamps on the street flooded -some of the flights; others were left in almost abysmal blackness.</p> - -<p>As the two neared the bronze gate at the top the sound of wildly -scurrying feet caused both to stop. A series of savage snarls and -barks echoed weirdly, as the yellow dog, dark and formless in the -gloom, hurled its body against the gate.</p> - -<p>"I don't wonder Mr. Barry hasn't many visitors," murmured Steele, -softly.</p> - -<p>"Hope we don't get as hot a reception inside the house," chuckled Bob, -in equally low tones.</p> - -<p>"Unless some one can persuade the menagerie department to leave I shall -leave," said Steele. "Ah! The situation is saved."</p> - -<p>"Come here, Canis; come right here!"</p> - -<p>The two recognized the harsh voice of Mr. Barry, and, an instant later, -heard the sound of his footsteps on the gravel path.</p> - -<p>"Who is there?" The words were flung at them with a sort of challenging -querulousness. "Confound that dog! Who is there, I say?"</p> - -<p>The tall, gaunt form of the millionaire presently loomed above the -ornamental curves and twists of the gate.</p> - -<p>"Roger Steele and Bob Somers," answered the coach.</p> - -<p>"Then why didn't you say so before?"</p> - -<p>The gate swung silently back on its well-oiled hinges. Several sharp -commands promptly reduced Canis to a state of docility.</p> - -<p>"Come in."</p> - -<p>Neither Bob Somers nor Steele had ever visited the Barry mansion, so, -as they followed the elderly gentleman along the path, they looked -about them with the greatest interest.</p> - -<p>It was a beautiful, starlit night with enough illumination to show a -profusion of shrubbery and flower beds. Here and there great pines, -dark and forbidding, rose like grim sentinels against the sky. Above -the stone coping of the wall which surrounded the grounds, masses of -buildings and scattered lights faintly indicated the town.</p> - -<p>The stately mansion looked dull and gloomy, six heavy columns at the -entrance alone showing in a lighter tone. All the windows but one were -staring patches of dark, while from the exception rays of greenish -light poured out, to streak across the veranda with weird effect.</p> - -<p>Mr. Barry immediately led the two boys into his study, brightly -illuminated by an electric lamp with a green shade. In the center -of the large room stood a table piled high with books. Everything -indicated that the millionaire had been busy writing when disturbed by -the barking of Canis.</p> - -<p>He motioned his visitors to seats near by, taking his own in the -revolving chair before his writing materials.</p> - -<p>The green light brought out his angular features with uncompromising -frankness, giving him the appearance of some inquisitor of old about to -interrogate an unwilling subject.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Steele," he jerked out sharply, after his stern gaze had rested on -their features for a moment, "what is the matter with the ball nine?"</p> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<div class="figcenter illowp51" id="illus3" style="max-width: 21.3125em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""> - <div class="caption"> - <p>"WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE BALL NINE?"</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<p>"It has not shown its true worth yet," answered Steele, calmly.</p> - -<p>"Why so? You have played four games, and each time met defeat." His -eyes shifted to Bob Somers. "It is not what I expected. You understand, -of course, that in order to gain the field the nine must make a good -showing—a very good showing?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; we understand," said Steele.</p> - -<p>"I had hoped by the enthusiasm displayed in putting the athletic -affairs of the school on a sound basis that the baseball team would -have a corresponding strength. I'm disappointed."</p> - -<p>Roger Steele was not flustered by the manner or tone of his questioner.</p> - -<p>"You must remember this, Mr. Barry," he answered, quietly: "the nine -has met two of the strongest amateur clubs in the vicinity. I'm not -offering excuses—only explaining the facts."</p> - -<p>Mr. Barry's silver knife rattled vigorously on the table.</p> - -<p>"What kind of teams did you expect to play?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>Coach Steele ignored the thrust.</p> - -<p>"Tony Tippen is a pitcher of exceptional ability," he said, "and has -good support. Without Tippen in the box I believe we could even now -defeat the Stars. The Goose Hill lads are big, husky chaps whose -players are much older and far more seasoned than ours."</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you select bigger boys—Earl Roycroft, for instance? As -guard on the football eleven he played exceptionally well."</p> - -<p>The coach flushed slightly.</p> - -<p>"I have played on a champion university team," he said, "and when -engaged by the athletic association of the Kingswood High I was given -a free hand to choose whichever candidates seemed to be the most -promising. I believe in the end my selections will prove to be wise -ones."</p> - -<p>"Am I to understand, then, that you consulted no one in the matter?"</p> - -<p>"No; I can hardly say that, Mr. Barry."</p> - -<p>"Have you any objections to letting me know from whom you received -suggestions?"</p> - -<p>"Not the slightest. Bob Somers, for one; also Sam Randall, Harry -Spearman and several others."</p> - -<p>There was an awkward pause while the two waited for Mr. Barry to speak. -The rattle of the silver knife alone broke the silence of the big room.</p> - -<p>"Your reply has the merit of frankness," said the millionaire, at -length. He leaned forward, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. -"Remember—there must be no sentiment in this matter. Throw off any -player who does not come up to requirements. To be honest with -yourself and the school you cannot do otherwise."</p> - -<p>Coach Steele quieted a feeling of indignation which suddenly flared -up within him. After all, he reflected, a man who had made such a -magnificent offer to the school, and who felt such a deep interest in -the welfare of its ball nine, must be pardoned if he spoke a little -brutally.</p> - -<p>"I don't believe there's a single member of the team who would not -cheerfully step out if he thought it best for the school," he said.</p> - -<p>"I'm sure of it, too," spoke up Bob Somers, earnestly. "You see, Mr. -Barry, several of us traveled around a good bit, and, as Roger said, -haven't had as much opportunity to play in regular games."</p> - -<p>"That doesn't affect the matter," returned Mr. Barry, bluntly. "If you -can't play, why are you on the team?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, we don't admit we can't play," laughed Bob. "I think, before very -long, your opinion of the club will change."</p> - -<p>"I hope so," said Mr. Barry. "My object in sending for you was to -enforce upon you—I am going to speak plainly—this principle: there -must be no favoritism. Meanwhile I suspend judgment."</p> - -<p>The two rose to their feet and bowed.</p> - -<p>"You may be sure there'll be no favoritism while I am coach," said -Steele, a trifle stiffly. "I hope, Mr. Barry, we shall see you at the -next game."</p> - -<p>"Very probably." Mr. Barry pressed a button. "Cassius will accompany -you to the gate."</p> - -<p>Coach Steele and Bob Somers, bidding the millionaire good-evening, were -presently joined in the hallway by the servant, already provided with a -lantern.</p> - -<p>"A little light on a dark night ain't such a bad thing," said Cassius, -cheerily, as he led the way outside. "A header down them steep steps -wouldn't be calc'lated to do a feller any good."</p> - -<p>"No; not even a ball player could stand it," chuckled Bob.</p> - -<p>Cassius laughed softly.</p> - -<p>"All who play ball ain't ball players," he remarked. "Great sport, -though. Nobody 'ud ever think it, but Mr. Barry's one o' the greatest -fans out—yes, sir. Never goes to any of the big cities without taking -in a game or two. Latin an' ball playin's his hobbies."</p> - -<p>The latch clicked sharply as Cassius pulled open the big bronze gate.</p> - -<p>"Good luck, boys. I sure hope you'll win the grounds," he said, as his -swinging lantern began to cut a pathway of yellow light down the zigzag -stone steps.</p> - -<p>Once on the street, Coach Steele and Bob Somers watched his form slowly -remounting, to disappear behind the first turn, leaving only erratic -spots of light flitting from place to place on coping or shrubbery.</p> - -<p>"Some visit, that!" laughed Roger. "Still there's a rugged honesty -about the man I like."</p> - -<p>"Eight forty-five <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> 'Coach Steele discovers there's a -rugged honesty about the man he likes.' I'll make a note of that."</p> - -<p>A slight boy suddenly emerged from the deep shadow of a tree-box a few -paces distant, and, as he advanced into the cold glare of an electric -light, its rays revealed the grinning face of Benny Wilkins.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</h2> - - -<h3>THE "FEARLESS" ARRIVES</h3> - - -<p>"Well I declare! What in thunder are you doing here, Benny Wilkins?" -cried Bob Somers, somewhat startled, and not altogether pleased at his -unexpected appearance.</p> - -<p>"Spying," answered Benny, candidly.</p> - -<p>"There's a rugged honesty about that answer that I like," laughed -Steele. "Still, you ought to be at home studying, instead of cavorting -around the street at this hour."</p> - -<p>"Never cavorted in my life," grinned Benny.</p> - -<p>"What were you doing here?" asked Bob.</p> - -<p>"Until about sixty seconds ago, hiding behind that tree-box."</p> - -<p>"Oh, come now, Benny!"</p> - -<p>"Sure! Which way?" Then Wilkins' manner abruptly changed; a serious -expression flitted into his brown eyes. "Say, Bob, what was it all -about? Why'd you go to Mr. Barry's?" His hand fell on the captain's -wrist. "Tell me. I can hardly wait. Did he sit on you hard?"</p> - -<p>"Not so hard as to make us feel soft," grinned Bob. "Now, Benny, before -I say another word——"</p> - -<p>"All right! I know what you mean. This is the way it happened. I -live close by here, you know, and I was standing at the front gate, -chinning to a couple of fellows, when I saw you and Roger walk by on -the opposite side of the street. When they left, a few moments later, I -chased after you, and was just about catching up, when—Gee Whitaker! -Astonishment still fills me—you turned into Mr. Rupert Barry's. -'Something's in the wind to make those chaps climb such a flight of -steps,' I said to myself. So it was me for the lying-in-wait act until -you trotted out, ready to give explanations. Ha, ha! Say—you fellows -looked awful glad to see me. Now fire away, Bob."</p> - -<p>"I must refer you to Mr. Rupert Barry," returned Bob, smilingly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, come, that's mean. What! Aeroplane up those steps to have an -interview with a big yellow dog at the top? Well, I should rather say -nix! Go on—tell me about it."</p> - -<p>"Nothing doing," said Bob.</p> - -<p>"Not a word for the note-book," chuckled Steele.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll make an entry, just the same," snapped Benny, highly -aggrieved. "It'll read like this: 'Mysterious visit of Coach Steele and -Bob Somers to Mr. Rupert Barry's. Principals refuse to be interviewed. -Were they called down for the punk showing of the team?'"</p> - -<p>With a loud, "Good-night!" the tone of which indicated a decidedly -ruffled state of feeling, Benny was off.</p> - -<p>"A sarcastic little chap," declared Roger Steele. "I'm rather sorry -this happened. He's a regular chatterbox, you know."</p> - -<p>"Benny is good hearted enough, but thoughtless," mused Bob. "If the -fellows hear about our calling upon Mr. Barry they may put too serious -a construction on it."</p> - -<p>"And 'Crackers' Brown and his crowd haven't been silenced by any means."</p> - -<p>"They can't knock my confidence in the team. What kind of stuff would a -captain be made of to become discouraged at the very outset?"</p> - -<p>"That's the talk," said Steele, approvingly. "Let the croakers croak. -Perhaps we know our own business best."</p> - -<p>As Steele had feared, the news leaked out. Benny Wilkins told a friend, -in confidence; this friend unbosomed himself to a chum, in confidence, -and so on, until the "leak" could only be compared to the bursting of a -great water main that sends up streams far above the housetops.</p> - -<p>Naturally enough, it created a mild sensation. Boys discussed it -animatedly on the campus, as they walked home, and at Terry Guffin's. -In some remarkable manner vague suggestions of what Mr. Barry may have -said became changed, by a steady process of evolution, into definite -phrases.</p> - -<p>Bob expressed the situation correctly when he said:</p> - -<p>"Those 'They say' chaps have the floor."</p> - -<p>But the Somers party treated all insinuations and rumors with a hot -breath of scorn that almost, but not quite, extinguished the tiny fire -which was kindled.</p> - -<p>A few days later three lads strolling along the bank of Wolf River were -considerably surprised and interested to discover a large motor yacht -approaching.</p> - -<p>Some of the richer residents of Kingswood owned gasoline launches or -yachts; but none could be compared to the magnificent boat which now -cut swiftly through the placid water of the river.</p> - -<p>"Well, that's certainly a corker," remarked Luke Phelps, who had been -busily engaged in throwing stones at a half-submerged barrel.</p> - -<p>"Never saw a finer," said Jim Wilton, a junior at the High. "Wonder -what she's doing here? Slowing up, by Jingo!"</p> - -<p>"All boats slow up before they stop," grinned Phelps. "Say, fellows, -it's got a real saucy name, hasn't it?"</p> - -<p>"The 'Fearless,'" read Jim. "Makes me think of the high school ball -nine. They're fearless before defeat."</p> - -<p>"Or fearless afterward—in this case, the same thing," came from Aleck -Parks.</p> - -<p>"If Roycroft had any sand he'd be on the team. He seems to be as -soft as his muscles are hard. Well, I declare, that yacht is coming -inshore. Wonder who the lucky owner can be?"</p> - -<p>"They must have spilled a few barrelsful of white paint on it. Hello! -There's somebody getting ready to heave the anchor. Let's loaf around -here, fellows, and see what happens."</p> - -<p>The strange yacht was moored a bit further up-stream; and a few moments -afterward the trio saw a small boat being lowered and three people take -their places in it.</p> - -<p>Luke Phelps' curiosity was stirred. He began scrambling down the steep -bank to a stretch of flat shore which bordered the stream.</p> - -<p>The yacht's dory had already pushed off, and, under the strokes of a -muscular oarsman, was making steady progress toward a rude wharf. Long -rippling lines spreading out from its bow caught brilliant gleams from -golden and purplish clouds floating lazily above.</p> - -<p>The boys walked fast, reaching the rickety pile of boards just as two -occupants of the boat clambered upon them.</p> - -<p>Phelps was immediately impressed with a strange dissimilarity in their -appearance. One was a big burly man with a brown beard dressed in a -yachting suit of blue; the other a slight lad attired in clothes of the -finest texture, wearing a large checkered cap and a decidedly saucy -grin.</p> - -<p>"Looks as if he'd melt away in a rain storm," remarked Phelps, -confidentially, to Aleck. "Got a peach of a complexion, hasn't he? Just -the kind of a chap you have to talk gently to for fear o' hurting his -feelings."</p> - -<p>"Soak him a good one on the ribs and he'd most likely blubber," -whispered Aleck. "Speak to me, sir?"</p> - -<p>"I did," answered the man in the yachting costume. The strength of his -voice was in full accord with the size of his frame. "Do any of you -boys know Bob Somers?"</p> - -<p>"Bob Somers!" cried Phelps, arching his eyebrows in surprise. "Well, -ra-ther!"</p> - -<p>"And a tall, gawky chap named Tom Clifton?" came from the boy in the -checkered cap.</p> - -<p>"I should say so."</p> - -<p>"And Joe Rodgers?" asked the big man.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir!"</p> - -<p>"Then I suppose you know Dave Brandon and Charlie Blake?"</p> - -<p>"No mistake about that, cap'n," answered Phelps, whose curiosity was -receiving additional impetus from the visitors' questions.</p> - -<p>"Will you kindly direct me how to reach Bob Somers' residence?"</p> - -<p>"I'll do more'n that; I'll lead you right to it," responded Luke -Phelps, eagerly.</p> - -<p>He reflected that this would be the best way to find out all about the -strangers in the shortest possible time.</p> - -<p>It was this same sort of feeling, no doubt, which prompted the others -to second his proposition.</p> - -<p>"It's mighty easy to get all twisted up in the woods around here," -explained Jim. "Oh, no; you won't be putting us to any trouble. We've -attended to our most pressing business engagements for the day."</p> - -<p>"You are a very accommodating lot," laughed the big man. "Lead on."</p> - -<p>In his new capacity as guide Luke Phelps made the best use of the -opportunity to satisfy his curiosity. This, he found, did not require a -great deal of diplomacy. The boys soon learned that they were talking -to Captain Ralph Bunderley, of Kenosha, and Victor Collins, his -nephew, son of a widely-known Chicago lawyer.</p> - -<p>They also became aware of the fact that the captain, who owned the -motor yacht "Fearless," and his young relative had met several of the -Ramblers, Charlie Blake and Joe Rodgers, during the preceding fall, -when the boys were making a motor car trip from Chicago to Kingswood.</p> - -<p>"As fine a crowd of youngsters as I ever met, too," declared Captain -Bunderley. "They said something about getting up a ball nine, and -wanted us to run over and see 'em. So here we are!"</p> - -<p>"Say, how is Tom Clifton getting on?" asked Victor Collins, abruptly. -"Has he pulled off any mighty stunts on the diamond yet?"</p> - -<p>Phelps exchanged significant glances with his companions.</p> - -<p>"Don't mention it. We're trying to forget baseball," he answered, -wearily.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter? Wouldn't Bob Somers take you on his team?"</p> - -<p>Victor Collins' voice was delicate and refined; but there was something -in his manner which impressed the boys with the idea that perhaps he -wasn't quite so easy as they had supposed.</p> - -<p>"I never tried to get on," grumbled Phelps. "I had better sense."</p> - -<p>"I thought those chaps were all corking good players," said Victor. -"From the way Clifton talked last fall you might have expected by this -time to see accounts of Bob Somers' ball nine in the Chicago papers."</p> - -<p>"Is that what he called it?" asked Jim.</p> - -<p>"Sure! Why?"</p> - -<p>"You mustn't even whisper such a thing before 'em now," snapped Aleck -Parks. "It's the Kingswood High baseball team. But the club is run by -the Ramblers, just the same."</p> - -<p>"I fear there are mutterings of discontent here," said Captain -Bunderley. He looked sharply at the trio. "I thought I'd find all -the boys red-hot for Bob Somers and his friends. I won't hear a word -against them from anybody—understand that. They're all good square -fellows with level heads."</p> - -<p>Captain Bunderley's bluff style of talking effectually squelched Aleck -Parks; and, having learned all he cared to know, the latter soon found -a convenient excuse for leaving the party.</p> - -<p>Luke Phelps, though not so easily affected, was wise enough to take a -hint.</p> - -<p>"Going to stay long in Kingswood, cap'n?" he inquired, at length.</p> - -<p>"That depends." The skipper shrugged his broad shoulders. "My time is -my own. At any rate I'd like to stay until the Rambler Club's ball nine -is carrying everything before it."</p> - -<p>"In that case I'm afraid you'll never get away," murmured Luke, softly.</p> - -<p>After passing through several patches of woods, then across broad -undulating fields, the four came to a wide highway. Captain Bunderley's -swinging gait before long carried them to the outskirts of Kingswood. -Finally the high school was passed, and a short time later Pembroke -Hall, the home of Bob Somers' father, loomed into view.</p> - -<p>"Boys, I thank you sincerely," said the burly skipper, as he at length -placed his hand on the iron gate at the entrance to the grounds. "I -hope we shall become better acquainted."</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</h2> - - -<h3>GOOD BASEBALL WEATHER</h3> - - -<p>Bob Somers was delighted to see Captain Bunderley and his nephew. The -two visitors were entertained at the Somers home on several occasions, -and soon became familiar figures in Kingswood.</p> - -<p>The captain, putting up at the largest hotel in town, often visited the -high school and athletic field, where his bluff, hearty manner gained -immediate favor. Of course there were exceptions. "Crackers" Brown, -Owen Lawrence, Aleck Parks and some of their followers didn't seem so -favorably impressed.</p> - -<p>"He's got too much to say, and I don't like the way he says it," -growled Parks. "Makes you think of a steam roller flattening everything -before it."</p> - -<p>"He's as thick as paste with the Somers crowd," said Owen.</p> - -<p>"And when the captain drops in to Terry Guffin's he roars his opinions -out so loud that my delicate ear-drums rebel," remarked "Crackers," in -his usual grave tone. "Now, to change the subject. As Mr. Barry said -to Bob Somers and Steele the other night, 'There ought to be a change -mighty soon.'"</p> - -<p>"I guess there's no doubt about his saying it," grumbled Owen, "though -both of 'em are as mum as oysters."</p> - -<p>"They don't deny it," said "Crackers."</p> - -<p>"If the nine doesn't take a brace on the next game," observed Aleck -Parks, "I'll begin to believe our athletic field has joined the castle -in Spain class."</p> - -<p>There could be no doubt that the school was taking an intense interest -in the third contest with the Stars, scheduled for the following -Saturday. Coach Steele had his men out practicing every afternoon, -devoting his attention to strengthening the weak points.</p> - -<p>"Jack Frost" was developing more confidence in himself, and Willie -Singleton, another pitcher, whom Steele had not yet used, was rapidly -acquiring the knack of speeding shoots and curves over the plate.</p> - -<p>"Charlie Blake and Tom Clifton bother me a bit," confided Coach Steele -to Bob Somers. "Charlie's a mighty good player until something happens -to shake his nerves. Then he's apt to hit the toboggan. And Tom's a -little too excitable, especially when it comes to close plays. At their -best, however, I don't think any of the candidates could beat them."</p> - -<p>"Neither do I, though many of the fellows are kicking because Charlie -was chosen instead of Roycroft."</p> - -<p>"We shall have a distinguished audience on hand Saturday," said -Steele—"your friend, Captain Bunderley, and 'Uncle' Steve, of Goose -Hill fame, will join the president and Professor Ivins on the anxious -bench."</p> - -<p>"Yes; they'll have the bench, and we the anxious part," grinned Bob. -"How about it, Dave?"</p> - -<p>"I've got so much work to do on the next number of the 'Reflector' that -I haven't time to be anxious," said Dave.</p> - -<p>"Guess Benny Wilkins keeps you busy firing stuff," chuckled Tom, -sauntering up in time to hear his remark. "Say, Bob, Victor Collins has -bought a bugle. It'll help some to swell the noise of our rooters."</p> - -<p>"I hope the greatest part of the din will come right after the ninth -inning," remarked Steele.</p> - -<p>None of the boys looked forward more eagerly to Saturday afternoon's -contest than Victor Collins. Captain Bunderley, too, was expectant, -and made several emphatic observations in the "Retreat," which rather -jolted the susceptible feelings of the "Pie-eaters."</p> - -<p>On the day set for the game the weather turned out to be balmy and -springlike. During the past few days the color of the landscape had -changed surprisingly. The dull, yellowish grass had given place to -areas of cool, refreshing green; trees here and there were beginning to -hide their branches under myriads of leaves and blossoms.</p> - -<p>No wide-awake boy could have been discouraged or gloomy on a day like -this. The players romped through their practice like young colts.</p> - -<p>By the time the Stars appeared a happy, excited crowd thronged the -field.</p> - -<p>Professor Ivins had no desire to see the game, but, being a very -amiable man, did not like to refuse President Hopkins' request.</p> - -<p>"Our presence may help to encourage the boys," said the head of the -school. "What a superb day! I have an idea that we shall win this time."</p> - -<p>"If there was only some way by which those abominable foul tips could -be prevented I should feel safer," murmured Professor Ivins. "Ah! Here -is Captain Bunderley."</p> - -<p>"Very glad to see you, gentlemen!" exclaimed the skipper. "Magnificent -day, isn't it? Almost makes me feel like playing ball myself."</p> - -<p>The three men were seated on the bench reserved for them when Mr. -Rupert Barry appeared, with a little man trotting at his side.</p> - -<p>Captain Bunderley was thereupon introduced to the millionaire and -"Uncle" Steve.</p> - -<p>"Very glad to meet you, I'm sure," said Mr. Kimbole, rubbing his hands -nervously together. "Grand baseball weather, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Superb!" said Professor Hopkins.</p> - -<p>"Magnificent," added the captain.</p> - -<p>"Unexceptionable!" chimed in Professor Ivins.</p> - -<p>"Now that the status of the weather has been decided," remarked Mr. -Barry, dryly, "we can compose ourselves to witness—a—well, I hope, a -better game than it was our misfortune to see on the last occasion."</p> - -<p>The high school crowd seemed to be in a state of unusual tension when -the game began, and, as it progressed from inning to inning, they -relieved their pent-up feelings by uproarious yells. Victor Collins' -newly-purchased bugle ably assisted in producing noise.</p> - -<p>Tony Tippen, as before, was the stumbling-block in the path of success. -No matter how desperately the batters tried to land on his varied -assortment of curves the result was the same. At the end of the fifth -inning the score stood three to nothing in favor of the Stars.</p> - -<p>"Great Scott, Bob, this is awful," murmured Tom Clifton, wiping -his perspiring face, as they flocked out into the field. "The jinx -certainly has us again. Honest, Bob, Tony sent in a slow ball that I -thought, sure as shootin', I could knock a mile, and it didn't reach me -until after I'd swung the stick."</p> - -<p>"A fraction of a second counts," said Bob. "Don't get worried, Tom."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I guess I'm no more worried than anybody else," grumbled Tom. -"Just listen to Nat Wingate and Hackett bawling! The way those -'Pie-eaters' try to crow over our crowd certainly makes me weary."</p> - -<p>"Batter up!" called the umpire.</p> - -<p>"Enter Willie Singleton; exit 'Jack Frost,'" said Bob, his eyes on the -new pitcher stepping into the box. "Hope to thunder he can keep down -the hits."</p> - -<p>Singleton, a businesslike lad whom nothing seemed to rattle, put all -his energy and skill into the task.</p> - -<p>Tony Tippen, however, found him for a two-base hit; Nat singled, and -both made the circuit of the bases before the third out was recorded.</p> - -<p>"The same old—old story," remarked "Crackers," disgustedly.</p> - -<p>"A serial story," supplemented Benny Wilkins. "To be continued in our -next, I s'pose?"</p> - -<p>"You're a nice pair!" exclaimed Dick Travers, secretary of the athletic -association. "Haven't the boys put up a mighty good defensive fight?"</p> - -<p>"Of course!" broke in Harry Spearman. "If it hadn't been for good -fielding and some mighty fast throws to bases the score would now be -about ten to nothing."</p> - -<p>"It's only delayed; it's only delayed," said "Crackers." "You don't -need a spy-glass to see how Mr. Barry is looking."</p> - -<p>"Gee! What's up to make you chaps look so sour?"</p> - -<p>Victor Collins had appeared upon the scene.</p> - -<p>"Everything, Checkered-Cap," answered Aleck Parks. "Tell your uncle to -be at Guffin's to-night. We'd like to hear his opinion of the game."</p> - -<p>"Strikes me that you're kind of fresh," responded Victor, calmly. "But -I've noticed that you're mighty quiet when the captain's around."</p> - -<p>"Here, Checkered-Cap, don't throw any saucy remarks in this direction," -warned Aleck, bristling up.</p> - -<p>"I chuck 'em out whenever I please, and whoever gets in the way catches -'em."</p> - -<p>At the same moment Owen Lawrence was saying:</p> - -<p>"A mighty poor game, Roycroft. They're just as weak as ever on the -stick work."</p> - -<p>"I think it's partly because Tippen's in a class by himself," said Earl.</p> - -<p>"All the same, I'll bet if you had a chance at bat you'd rip the -stitches out of that ball."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't know. I'd like to try it, though."</p> - -<p>"If you'd only put up a stiff kick in the gym that day you might be -doing it now," exclaimed Luke Phelps.</p> - -<p>"Maybe," admitted the big football guard.</p> - -<p>"I call this a mighty good game, Owen Lawrence," piped Victor Collins. -"What's the dif if your side is losing?"</p> - -<p>"Only a big field with a diamond all laid out, and a grand stand -besides," sniffed Lawrence.</p> - -<p>"Get out! This is only the fifth game. Aren't there about ten more?"</p> - -<p>"To lose—most likely," growled Parks.</p> - -<p>"I reckon it'll do Clifton a lot of good. He used to be a regular -caution. I was going to nickname him 'Vanitas' a dozen times."</p> - -<p>"Just suited to him, too, Checkers," said Aleck Parks. "You've got a -wee bit of sense, after all."</p> - -<p>"Thanks! I can't return the compliment until I know you a bit better."</p> - -<p>"Some awful fresh remarks are being let loose," exclaimed Ted Pollock. -"'Vanitas'! That seems to hit Tom's case about right. What inning is -this—the eighth?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! And it's another case of whitewash," grumbled Parks. "There's our -grand editor of the 'Reflector' at bat. Watch him. He's going to swing. -Ah——"</p> - -<p>"Strike one!" came over the air.</p> - -<p>Harry Spearman dug his heel viciously into the yielding turf. The -sarcastic looks on the faces of "Crackers" Brown and Owen Lawrence -stung his sensitive nature.</p> - -<p>"Come on, Dick," he said, in a low tone. "I want to speak to Bob a -moment."</p> - -<p>They found the captain and Coach Steele coming away from the bench on -which Mr. Rupert Barry and the others were seated.</p> - -<p>Steele shook his head and laughed dryly.</p> - -<p>"Things are not breaking just the way we hoped, Harry," he said. "If we -could only put a man on base once in a while I'll wager they'd manage -to get around some way or other."</p> - -<p>"What does Mr. Barry think about it?"</p> - -<p>"He can't figure how it is that the boys aren't able to crack out a few -base hits."</p> - -<p>"The fellows who face Tony Tippen understand it," said Bob. "Side -out—back to the field for us!"</p> - -<p>The gentlemen on the "grand stand," as Victor Collins had dubbed the -bench, rose to their feet a short time later, when yells, hoots, -cat-calls and furious blasts from dozens of megaphones announced that -something had happened.</p> - -<p>That something was Big Bill Steever dashing frantically across home -plate, a feat which required the official scorer to jot down the -seventh tally for the Stars.</p> - -<p>The high school team made a desperate attempt to change the monotonous -list of ciphers which filled their run column.</p> - -<p>Tippen, however, held them safe.</p> - -<p>"Seven to nothing," growled Mr. Rupert Barry.</p> - -<p>"It has been a great game," chirped "Uncle" Steve. "Considering -everything, I think the schoolboys put up a pretty good fight."</p> - -<p>"So do I," exclaimed Captain Bunderley, in his deep bass voice.</p> - -<p>"Our ideas differ, sir," said Mr. Barry, gripping his knotted cane as -though he intended to knock some one on the head. "I'm disgusted—so -completely disgusted that I hardly know how to find words to express my -feelings."</p> - -<p>"Don't try, sir; don't try!" advised Mr. Kimbole, smiling benignly. -"What a grand sport baseball is! I trust, sir"—he turned toward -Professor Ivins—"that you have enjoyed the afternoon as much as I."</p> - -<p>"Ahem—ahem!" The professor polished his eye-glasses industriously. "To -be sure. After one has been cooped up indoors all week this sunshine is -really delightful," he admitted.</p> - -<p>"No matter who may be discouraged by the showing of the school, I am -not," declared Captain Bunderley, emphatically.</p> - -<p>"I believe, if we could get the consensus of opinion, you'd have few -supporters," snapped Mr. Rupert Barry. "Five straight defeats seem to -forecast a dismal failure."</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</h2> - - -<h3>"FOR THE GOOD OF THE SCHOOL"</h3> - - -<p>A few days later, Bob Somers, hard at work studying in his "den," was -summoned down-stairs to the 'phone.</p> - -<p>"Now I wonder what's up?" he murmured, somewhat impatiently. "Haven't -much time to prepare for the next exercise in logarithms."</p> - -<p>As soon as he placed the receiver to his ear the gruff voice of Tom -Clifton began coming over the wire. And there was a note of pent-up -excitement in it which instantly caught the captain's attention.</p> - -<p>"I say, Bob, what do you think? Do you know what 'Crackers' Brown has -done? Never heard of such nerve in my life."</p> - -<p>"Tell me quick!" laughed Bob.</p> - -<p>"He's posted up a big notice on the gymnasium door calling for -candidates for another team. How does that strike you?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose there is nothing to prevent him, Tom."</p> - -<p>"You haven't heard all. The notice says that as the regular nine has -been tried and found wanting the interests of the school demand that -his players be given an equal show with the others."</p> - -<p>"I had an idea something like this was coming. Who told you?"</p> - -<p>"Benny Wilkins. Had the thing copied word for word in his note-book. -May be a joke, you say? No; nothing of the sort! It's an actual fact. -Gee! Maybe I don't feel mad enough to punch 'Crackers' Brown!"</p> - -<p>Bob Somers' face remained unruffled.</p> - -<p>"I don't think we want to indulge in any real warfare, Tom," he sent -through the transmitter. "'Crackers' plan may fizzle out. Besides, I -think we can count upon having the majority of the fellows on our side."</p> - -<p>"But Benny Wilkins says a whole lot are beginning to waver. He thinks -there'll be a sizzling hot time before many weeks. Aleck Parks and Owen -Lawrence are buttonholing every fellow in sight, telling 'em how the -grounds'll be lost unless Bob listens to reason."</p> - -<p>"What does 'Crackers' want us to do?"</p> - -<p>"Put Roycroft, Lawrence and a few others on the team, and discharge -Charlie Blake, Alf Boggs, and—and"—the tone of Tom's voice seemed -hot enough to scorch the wire—"myself. Honest fact, Bob—I don't know -whether I can keep from punching him or not. What are you going to do -about it?"</p> - -<p>"No Central American disturbance at the Kingswood High," said Bob, -dryly. "What am I going to do? Get right back up-stairs and finish my -work."</p> - -<p>"But we can't let a thing like this go on. Show the first sign of -weakening, Bob, and the wavering'll become a stampede most as bad as -any of the cattle rushes on the plains."</p> - -<p>"We don't propose to show any signs of weakening. It's up to the coach -to do what he thinks best. I'll stick by what he says."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I can see you're taking it pretty cool, Bob. But I was never -hotter in my life. Aleck Parks had the nerve to call me 'Vanitas' -to-day. Wonder where he got that from? I'm ready to put up the stiffest -kind of fight for the club."</p> - -<p>"So are we all, Tom," exclaimed Bob. "Going around to tell Dave, are -you? Good! Have to get to work now. So-long!"</p> - -<p>The captain snapped the receiver back in place.</p> - -<p>"Well, that's going some," he soliloquized. "A nice little scheme of -'Crackers' Brown to carry his point. But if he thinks he can force the -issue in this way he may be a trifle surprised."</p> - -<p>The bold move of Brown made a decided sensation. The big poster was -eagerly read by all factions. Hot arguments waxed to such extremes that -bosom friends soon passed each other without speaking. Some of the -freshmen seemed on the point of backing up their opinions with fistic -arguments. The original feeling that the Ramblers had too much power -broke out afresh; and through all the noise, excitement and confusion -Brown went serenely along, doing far more execution with his calm -methods than any loud, boisterous talking could have accomplished.</p> - -<p>"For the good of the school," was his slogan.</p> - -<p>Purple and white pennants with this motto began to appear. The -opposition to the Ramblers, though still in the minority, was -undoubtedly gaining strength. Cries for "Roycroft! Lawrence!" and -several other candidates who had failed to pass Coach Steele's critical -tests frequently rose on the campus.</p> - -<p>Brown's call for volunteers met with a hearty response, and the -self-appointed coach, determining that no time should be lost in -putting his plans into execution, had his squad out within a couple of -days. Brown's preference was evidently for big, husky chaps.</p> - -<p>"Sometimes the size of a fellow has an effect on the opposing team," he -said to Owen Lawrence. "A hundred and seventy-five pounds of bone and -muscle tearing along the base lines often does more good than the skill -of a hundred and thirty pound stripling.</p> - -<p>"Then, chaps like that have bigger hands to grab the ball; and when -they crack out a hit it has some steam behind it.</p> - -<p>"And, honestly, whenever I see Blake making a dash for a hot liner -it puts me in mind of an item like this: 'Baseball player seriously -injured by a bounder.'"</p> - -<p>"Ha, ha!" laughed Lawrence. "The idea of Steele putting him on instead -of Roycroft!"</p> - -<p>"Now the big fellow will have all the chance he wants," exclaimed -Brown, decidedly. "I'll stimulate his bump of ambition by making him -captain of the nine."</p> - -<p>"Capital idea! I suppose the Somers crowd will entrench themselves -behind the regularity racket. That set of iron-clad by-laws Tom Clifton -got up doesn't recognize any little outlaw scheme like ours."</p> - -<p>"Red tape versus common sense. I take it that the school has some say -in things of this sort. If Steele will agree to take on the players -we suggest—all right; if not"—"Crackers" spoke as mildly as though -ordering a plate of pie—"the worst insurrection in the history of the -school is about to begin."</p> - -<p>"The fellows'll soon be coming over to our side so fast that it will -make you think of an avalanche in the Alps," predicted Owen. "What's -that?" He put his hand to his ear. Faint cries of "Rah, rah, rah for -Somers!" were coming over the still air from somewhere in the distance. -"That kind of thing only makes it more interesting," added the new -student, with a grin.</p> - -<p>"Let's get over on the field. There's a big bunch ready for practice," -said Brown.</p> - -<p>Every member of the regular club was present when the "Outlaws," as -Benny Wilkins had dubbed the new set of players, got to work.</p> - -<p>Tom Clifton surveyed the proceedings with a heavy scowl, treating with -silent scorn, for the most part, the jibes which were occasionally -flung toward him by members of the opposition.</p> - -<p>"Honest, Bob, it makes me almost boil over," he confessed. "Listen to -that buttermilk voice of Brown's!" He turned, as a hand was laid on his -shoulder. "Oh! How are you, Steele! What do you think of this?"</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry there's disaffection in the school," answered the coach; -"otherwise I'm prepared to enjoy the afternoon."</p> - -<p>Things on the lot were not as they had been when the other players -alone occupied it. Sounds of heated arguments often rose above the hum -of voices.</p> - -<p>Fortunately there was enough room for the two clubs to practice without -interference, and the regulars and "outlaws" seldom came within -speaking distance.</p> - -<p>On this occasion Coach Brown and his men proved to be the great -attraction. A steady stream of schoolboys ebbed and flowed on the lot, -eagerly watching every move of the candidates.</p> - -<p>"Now we'll see some ball tossing that is ball tossing!" cried Aleck -Parks.</p> - -<p>"This does me good," said Luke Phelps. "There's Earl Roycroft over -there. Looks big enough for a hold-out major league player, eh? No -fanning the air for Earl."</p> - -<p>"Who do the Willie-boys play next?" asked Parks.</p> - -<p>"Oh, some club from Engleton. Don't know much about 'em; but Mercer -says they are players, though the Stars waltzed over one day, and, even -without Tippen in the box, put 'em in wrong to the tune of seven to -three."</p> - -<p>"Then Nat's team hasn't lost a game yet. Here, Checkered-Cap, you don't -belong on this field. Skip out!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you saucy thing! Who's going to make me?" asked Victor Collins.</p> - -<p>"I will—if your line of talk doesn't suit," threatened Aleck.</p> - -<p>"Then you'll have to grow some. Gee! There's been an awful lot of -near-scraps to-day. In about a week I guess you'll be fighting all -over the field. Rah, rah, rah for Somers! How does that strike you, -Sourface? If it isn't strong enough I'll blow a bugle call."</p> - -<p>An irritatingly long blast immediately sounded.</p> - -<p>"Ta, ta! I go! 'Crackers' has a buttermilk voice. Got that from -Clifton. Ta, ta!"</p> - -<p>"He's a nice specimen for you," growled Parks, as Victor's small form -mingled with the crowd. "Wow—look at that hit! Who cracked out that -one?"</p> - -<p>"Bush. And he's a likely one for pitcher. If anything, he's stronger -than Roycroft."</p> - -<p>As the afternoon progressed the shouts constantly swelled out into a -greater volume. Little processions of Somers adherents moved recklessly -through the enemy's camp, yelling lustily for their favorites.</p> - -<p>"If we only win from Engleton," remarked Sam Randall, as they gathered -in the gym on the day of the game, "it may stop some of that foolish -fussing."</p> - -<p>"Whatever happens I suppose I'll get another eight-column article from -Benny Wilkins," sighed the editor of the "Reflector." "Still, I've -adopted one of his suggestions. The 'Note-Book' page will hereafter be -a feature of the paper."</p> - -<p>"Goodness gracious!" murmured Tom. "Now maybe he won't do some -strutting around."</p> - -<p>"Say, Bob," put in Charlie Blake, "I've been thinking pretty hard -over matters—can't help hearing a lot of things the fellows say, -you know"—he glanced toward Roger Steele—"and this affair has been -getting on my nerves. Now, I'm willing to step out for Roycroft, -Lawrence, or anybody else who——"</p> - -<p>"What! And be labeled a quitter?" howled Tom. "I didn't expect it of -you, Charlie—not this time."</p> - -<p>The emphasis laid on the last words brought a flush to Blake's face.</p> - -<p>"If there weren't so much at stake maybe I shouldn't be talking of such -a thing," he retorted. "But when a chap has it dinned into his ears -every day that he isn't doing the right thing by the school, why——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you make me tired!" scoffed Tom. "Who wants you to get off the -team? No one but a lot of soreheads."</p> - -<p>Blake gloomily picked his favorite bat from the rack.</p> - -<p>"I don't know, Tom," he sighed. "Some of the boys who used to be pretty -good shouters for our crowd have flopped over to the other side."</p> - -<p>"A lot of weaklings!" jeered Tom.</p> - -<p>"Just go about your work as though nothing had happened," advised -Steele. "Now's the time to show what you're made of. I know a good -player when I see one. Don't let this noisy Brown crowd get your -nerve—that's all."</p> - -<p>Charlie Blake cast a grateful look at the coach.</p> - -<p>"I'm glad to hear you speak that way," he said. "But—but—somehow——"</p> - -<p>Steele slapped him heartily on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"A little self-consciousness, Blake, is your only trouble," he -interrupted. "Get in the way of paying no attention to any one. And if -you do happen to make an error just remember that the highest salaried -player in the big leagues is occasionally bound to do the same."</p> - -<p>"The chap who doesn't take things too seriously is generally the one -who gets there," said Dave. "It's the easiest way to prevent your -nerves from getting all in a tension."</p> - -<p>"By George, that's right!" cried Charlie.</p> - -<p>"I knew you'd come around to our way of thinking," said Tom, -delightedly.</p> - -<p>The squad felt that a great deal depended upon the outcome of the -game with Engleton. And each member was chuck full of courage and -determination as he sallied out upon the field.</p> - -<p>They found the Engleton lads rather older and heavier than themselves. -One of the principal characteristics of their coach, a boisterous young -man named Finn, was the habit of making humorous remarks, and, as his -voice was of a caliber suitable for an auctioneer, his jokes sent -ripples of mirth all over the field.</p> - -<p>The game, as summed up tersely by Alf Boggs, was:</p> - -<p>"A nothing to three fizzle, with the high school holding the doughnut."</p> - -<p>His disconsolate audience was gathered before the fence near home -plate, their sad eyes showing no signs of brightening. Even several -exceptionally humorous remarks by Mr. Finn passed unnoticed.</p> - -<p>Suddenly they became aware of the fact that something not down on the -bill was taking place. Dan Brown, Owen Lawrence and Earl Roycroft, -followed by all the "outlaw" candidates, were winding in a serpentine -fashion—this movement being occasioned by the constantly shifting -crowds—toward home plate.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Finn," began "Crackers," "I'd like to have a word with you."</p> - -<p>"Nobody who ever did got stung," said the coach, pleasantly.</p> - -<p>"We"—"Crackers" waved his arm to include the grinning group behind -him—"wish to ask a small favor."</p> - -<p>"It can't be too small to suit me," laughed Mr. Finn.</p> - -<p>"I am forming a baseball nine——"</p> - -<p>"What! Is there a baseball nine at this school?" cried the coach, in -well-feigned astonishment.</p> - -<p>"We wish to state most emphatically that there is—just one; no more," -returned "Crackers," "and our great desire is to prove it."</p> - -<p>The members of the Engleton team crowded around.</p> - -<p>"How are you going to do it, Jack?" asked one, familiarly.</p> - -<p>"Well, Bill, it's this way." Brown beamed benignly over the steel frame -of his spectacles. "If you have any open dates for next week, and are -willing to play us, the thing is as good as done."</p> - -<p>"How about it, Finn?" asked the captain of the Engletons.</p> - -<p>The eyes of the visiting coach roamed over the forms of the "outlaws."</p> - -<p>"Suits me all right, Beebe," he answered.</p> - -<p>"We can't thank you too much, Mr. Finn," said "Crackers," mildly. -"Here's a chap"—his hand indicated Roycroft—"who is warranted to bat -anything hittable over the out-fielders' heads. We have some birds in -this bunch. Bush, our pitcher, requires only nine balls to put out a -side; he nearly always does it. We've an infield that a ball wouldn't -go by if it had a chance. Baseball as we play it can only be seen at -the big league games. I shall ask our esteemed friend, Mr. Bill, to -remember what I say."</p> - -<p>"What's the name of your nine?" asked Mr. "Bill."</p> - -<p>"The High School 'Hopes.'"</p> - -<p>"We'll promise to dash 'em," grinned the other.</p> - -<p>"Commiseration for your feelings after the game prevents me from making -a tart reply," said Brown. "What day shall we come over?"</p> - -<p>Finn consulted a memorandum book.</p> - -<p>"Next Thursday. Our lot is close to the largest ash heap in the county. -I may add, too, that some of the fiercest goats at liberty often chase -players off the bases. Bring all your nerve along. You'll need it."</p> - -<p>"Good!" cried "Crackers," in high spirits. "Why are we doing this, -fellows?"</p> - -<p>"For the good of the school!" bawled Lawrence.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</h2> - - -<h3>THE CHALLENGE</h3> - - -<p>"A large slice of history made for the Kingswood High."</p> - -<p>This is the entry Benny Wilkins jotted down in his note-book at the -close of the "Hopes'" game with Engleton. Four boys had actually seen -him writing it, and perhaps a hundred others had had it flaunted in -their faces.</p> - -<p>The score, five to three in favor of the "Hopes," sent through the -ranks of Brown's followers a wave of enthusiasm that found vent in the -noisiest demonstration the quiet town of Engleton had ever known.</p> - -<p>Critical observers of the High's new team noted that the fire and -dash with which the big lads played seemed to impress their opponents -greatly.</p> - -<p>"Brown's bunch is the most unruly lot in the school," growled Tom -Clifton, who had ardently wished to see the "Hopes" sustain a crushing -defeat. "There won't be any discipline on that team very long."</p> - -<p>"They played a mighty good game, though," ventured Charlie Blake.</p> - -<p>Tom steered his companion out of the way of a procession of joyous -rooters, led by Aleck Parks and Luke Phelps.</p> - -<p>"How about the 'Pie-eaters and doughnut crowd' now?" yelled Parks, -waving his cap in the air.</p> - -<p>"If you want to win games go to Guffin's!" screeched Luke. "Ha, ha! -Five to three! Don't look so down in the mouth, 'Vanitas'!"</p> - -<p>"If it wasn't for this big crowd I'd punch him right now!" cried Tom.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid the effects of Brown's victory will be rather bad," -mused Charlie Blake. He paused to watch the throngs hurrying for the -Kingswood car. "I wonder if Steele and Bob Somers haven't been a bit -stubborn."</p> - -<p>"Of course not," returned Tom. "Do you know what I heard this morning? -Some of the fellows Brown left off his team are putting up a kick -already."</p> - -<p>"Dear me! Then, I suppose, before long there'll be a half dozen nines, -all playing for the good of the school."</p> - -<p>Next day, in the gymnasium, Benny Wilkins had an opportunity to write -several very interesting items in his famous note-book. Immediately -after classes were over the regular nine assembled in the big room as -though nothing had happened. They had hardly donned their uniforms, -preparatory to practicing, when the door opened, and Dan Brown, heading -his entire aggregation of players, stepped inside.</p> - -<p>An eager crowd of freshmen, juniors, sophomores and seniors flocked at -their heels, their faces showing a degree of expectancy which indicated -that something was up.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Steele," began "Crackers," in deliberate tones, "the event of -yesterday must still be fresh in your mind. You saw us play the -Engletons, I believe?"</p> - -<p>The coach nodded.</p> - -<p>"Crackers" calmly paused to wipe his glasses.</p> - -<p>"Before I go any further I want it understood that we're not wishing to -make any trouble in the school."</p> - -<p>"Like fun you're not!" burst out Tom Clifton. "From the very first——"</p> - -<p>"Quit it, Tom!" commanded Dave Brandon. "Let's hear what Brown has to -say."</p> - -<p>"Put a doughnut in his mouth!" cried Benny Wilkins.</p> - -<p>"Stop your noise, fellows," insisted Brown. "We came here on serious -business. Mr. Steele, the school has been patient; it has given you -every chance to make good. What has been the result? Six straight -defeats, and a mysterious hurry call from Mr. Barry. We all know how -dissatisfied he is."</p> - -<p>"He talks like a senator," snickered Victor Collins. "Most of 'em never -reach the point."</p> - -<p>"Be patient, my young friend in the checkered cap," went on Brown. "Mr. -Steele, the school couldn't stand by and see a grand chance for getting -a ball field and stand slip away."</p> - -<p>"And it doesn't propose to!" cried Owen Lawrence.</p> - -<p>"We have a proposition—a fair proposition: play us a series of games, -and let whichever club wins represent the school. This is no time for -stubbornness. Personal ambition has no place at such an important -epoch in the history of the Kingswood High."</p> - -<p>As the leader of the "outlaws" paused a lively rattle of tongues began. -Excited students cheered, or voiced their protests until the room -echoed with a noisy din.</p> - -<p>"Don't do it, Steele; don't do it!" cried one.</p> - -<p>"The whole bunch ought to be thrown out of the school!" shouted a -second.</p> - -<p>"You're away off. Brown's the best friend the Kingswood High ever had!" -exclaimed another, hotly.</p> - -<p>"Crackers" looked at the excited groups about him with as much -unconcern as though reciting in the class room.</p> - -<p>"Order—order!" yelled Lawrence. "What do you say, Steele?"</p> - -<p>The coach was visibly annoyed—even angry. He shot a swift, questioning -glance at Bob Somers, then turned to face Dan Brown.</p> - -<p>"Your request should have been made in proper form to the athletic -association, Brown," he said, coolly. "If you choose, you can carry the -matter to them. Personally, I must emphatically decline to comply with -your wishes. What do you say, fellows?" He addressed the members of -the nine.</p> - -<p>A unanimous "No!" cut crisply above the buzz of conversation.</p> - -<p>"I thought so!" exclaimed Owen Lawrence, fiercely. "Afraid, eh? Have to -crawl? We want the whole school to know it."</p> - -<p>"Not so fast, Lawrence," protested Brown. "I'm sure Mr. Steele is -open to reason. What's the use of all this red tape about athletic -associations? Rules may be all right in their way; but there are times -when they had better be thrown on the scrap heap."</p> - -<p>"Our policy is not determined by rules or red tape, Brown."</p> - -<p>"What reason can you give for not playing us?"</p> - -<p>"Now you've got him!" came in a loud tone from Lawrence.</p> - -<p>"We're working on a definite plan," explained Roger Steele, in a -conciliatory manner. "Every one of us has the interest of the school -at heart; and if there are no internal dissensions the task will be -easy. Our team is going to do much better than you think; it's going to -improve steadily."</p> - -<p>"An answer that is no answer," remarked Brown. "You'll be saying the -same thing after the tenth consecutive defeat."</p> - -<p>"We can't be jollied," added Lawrence.</p> - -<p>"Come now, Mr. Steele, why not play the 'Hopes'?" said Earl Roycroft, -mildly. "I don't think there ought to be any row or ill-feeling. Two or -three games couldn't do any harm, and——"</p> - -<p>"I should like to oblige you, Roycroft, but I can't encourage the idea."</p> - -<p>"Well, I should rather say not!" howled Tom, whose pent-up wrath had -once more gotten the better of him. "I never heard of such nerve in my -life. Get out, 'Crackers'! Go back to Terry Guffin's and hatch up some -new plot!"</p> - -<p>"'Vanitas' heard from again!" sneered Aleck Parks.</p> - -<p>"Don't get too gay, Parks," warned Tom. "I shouldn't be a bit surprised -if you're the chap who made that mean remark about the corn field."</p> - -<p>"No such thing," answered Aleck, tartly.</p> - -<p>"Cut out all quarreling on the side lines, boys," interposed Brown. -"Now, Mr. Steele, I'll answer the question I asked you. Frankly, -brutally, and to the point: you won't play us because you and every -member of the nine is afraid. I dare you to come out on the field and -cross bats with us this afternoon. If you don't, what will the school -think?" He raised his voice. "The boys have no use for a team with a -yellow streak."</p> - -<p>"Brown, you're going a little too far," interposed Bob Somers. "Talk -like that won't make us budge. If you really are for the good of the -school you'll stop all this rumpus."</p> - -<p>"Really are for the good of the school!" echoed "Crackers." His mild -tone suddenly departed. "Do you mean to insinuate, Bob Somers, that I'm -doing this just for the sake of a row?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't insinuate anything."</p> - -<p>"Well, you'd better not." "Crackers" turned to face his "outlaws." -"Fellows, our perfectly reasonable proposition has been turned down. -It's up to us to break the red tape into a thousand pieces. Mr. -Steele"—his voice resumed its former mildness—"I shall put my request -in writing and send it to the athletic association."</p> - -<p>The room was in an uproar. The Somers party attempted, by sheer force -of noise, to drown the angry remarks of Brown's disappointed followers. -Benny Wilkins was thoroughly charmed. He noted, too, with satisfaction, -that the "outlaws" seemed to be in no hurry to leave.</p> - -<p>As the commotion was at its highest the door suddenly flew wide open, -and the form of a big, burly man was sharply outlined against the -bright outdoor light.</p> - -<p>He listened a moment in seeming astonishment, then strode heavily -across the floor, making for the point of loudest noise.</p> - -<p>"What does all this mean, boys?" bellowed Captain Ralph Bunderley. -"Do you want to take the roof off, or crack the window-panes? I've -been looking for my nephew, Victor Collins; and I've found him, and -something else I didn't bargain for."</p> - -<p>The unexpected appearance of the burly seaman in their midst had the -effect of quelling all but the most turbulent spirits.</p> - -<p>"I'd like to know what's going on!"</p> - -<p>"Uncle, let me introduce you to the biggest bunch of fire-eaters in -Wisconsin," called Victor. "It's a revolution—that's what it is, -isn't it, Brownie?"</p> - -<p>From a dozen points in the room came the explanation that Captain -Bunderley was seeking.</p> - -<p>The skipper was astonished and angry. "I should think you boys would -have better sense than to act this way," he stormed. "What do you -expect to gain by such conduct?"</p> - -<p>"A ball field and grand stand," answered Brown.</p> - -<p>"All ridiculous nonsense!" The captain struck the palm of his hand an -emphatic blow. "The boys have done right to refuse to play such an -organization."</p> - -<p>"Have you recently entered the High as a student?" asked Brown.</p> - -<p>A fierce glare sprang into the captain's eyes.</p> - -<p>"I would suggest, sir," continued Brown, smoothly, "that the students -are not asking advice from outsiders."</p> - -<p>"I beg pardon," said the captain, "but I thought a little friendly -counsel might not come amiss."</p> - -<p>"It's the way you offer your suggestions that hurts our feelings," -said Brown, quite candidly. "Really, I expected to find myself flying -through space."</p> - -<p>"'Crackers' felt as if he'd been banged on the head," added Benny -Wilkins. "Who's got a note-book? My new one's full already."</p> - -<p>"My esteemed young friend," said "Crackers," turning toward him, "I saw -a bargain sale on Central Avenue. Let me advise you to get a dozen at -once. Even then, I fear, it won't be enough to hold an account of what -our team—the 'Hopes'—are going to do."</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</h2> - - -<h3>REBELLION</h3> - - -<p>"You can put your request in writing, Brown; but, honestly, I don't -think it will do a bit of good."</p> - -<p>Sam Randall, president of the athletic association and member of -the Rambler Club, seated at his desk in a room which adjoined the -gymnasium, gazed squarely into his visitor's face.</p> - -<p>It was late on the same afternoon, for Brown had determined to force -the issue at once.</p> - -<p>Within the last year Sam Randall had grown to be quite a young man in -appearance. All the lines about his clean-cut face tending to firmness -had become accentuated, and he had a quiet, decisive manner which even -had its effect on the imperturbable Brown.</p> - -<p>"I'm to understand, then, that my challenge has been thrown down flat?"</p> - -<p>Sam Randall toyed with a paper-weight on his desk.</p> - -<p>"No, I can't say that, Brown. I'm only one of the officers of the -association. The others must speak for themselves."</p> - -<p>"But you, as president, ought to have a great deal of influence," -suggested "Crackers," slowly pacing the floor. "I tell you plainly, the -fellows are getting worked up; they won't stand for any dictatorial -methods. Aren't you going to use your influence to prevent the -explosion that one more defeat would certainly bring? It might blow -nearly every member of the organization out of his job."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Sam.</p> - -<p>His keen eyes showed no sign of wavering.</p> - -<p>"You know how to take a hot proposition very coolly," said "Crackers," -in soft tones. "Is there any use of arguing the matter?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think so."</p> - -<p>"Neither do I. But, to make sure, I'll hunt up the rest of the -officers, and see what they think about having the match shoved so -close to the gunpowder."</p> - -<p>"Remember this," retorted Randall: "Some one has just said that the -fellows won't stand for any dictatorial methods. You must include -yourself as well as the rest. So-long."</p> - -<p>"Crackers" immediately reported to his lieutenants outside the -gymnasium.</p> - -<p>"Well?" queried Lawrence, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"He won't listen to reason," said Brown, shaking his head gravely. "His -abruptness almost pained me."</p> - -<p>"Why not call all this thing off?" asked Earl Roycroft, with a -disturbed expression. "Suppose we give 'em another week?"</p> - -<p>Owen Lawrence eyed him scornfully.</p> - -<p>"That's a fine way to talk," he growled. "If you're going to back down -at the very start we'd better know it now."</p> - -<p>The big captain of the "Hopes" flushed.</p> - -<p>"Of course I'm not," he answered, hastily. "All I want is to see -everybody get a square deal."</p> - -<p>"That stout gentleman who poked his delicate frame into the gym this -afternoon about typifies the actions of the Ramblers," remarked Brown. -"He has an idea that every one must bend to his will. So do they. Why, -in that room back there, I began to think I was talking to the head of -some big corporation doing business in a dozen states."</p> - -<p>"There's no use chirping all day. Let's get busy," broke in Lawrence, -impatiently. "What's the first move, Brown?"</p> - -<p>"A poster announcing our intentions would be about the proper caper," -answered Brown, reflectively. "I'll consult my special artist, Mr. -Benny Wilkins."</p> - -<p>"What! Can he draw?"</p> - -<p>"He may not have Dave Brandon's a-mazing talent, but, at any rate, his -sketches don't need explanations to go with 'em. I'll jolly him into -making one—that is, unless the other High Moguls of the association -overrule the iron hand back there."</p> - -<p>Before supper time Dan Brown had managed to interview Harry Spearman, -Dick Travers and the others.</p> - -<p>As Sam Randall had predicted, he got no encouragement.</p> - -<p>"That settles it," murmured "Crackers." "The next thing is to see Benny -Wilkins."</p> - -<p>Benny was decidedly surprised when the coach of the "Hopes" called upon -him that evening. He was also much pleased.</p> - -<p>"Gee whiz, Brown, this is going to boost me into a person of national -importance. Of course I can make the poster; I can draw even with my -eyes shut."</p> - -<p>"And color, too?" asked Brown.</p> - -<p>"Sure; coloring is easy for me. I know all about it. Here, pull up a -chair, Mr. Brown, and I'll make the sketch right now."</p> - -<p>After a great deal of thought and much hard work, Benny evolved an -idea which met with the chief "outlaw's" approval. On one side the -design represented an armor-clad knight with his heel on the neck of a -prostrate boy who was apparently yelling with all his might.</p> - -<p>"The chap on the ground represents the school," explained Benny.</p> - -<p>"Great idea!" exclaimed Brown. "What's the knight?"</p> - -<p>"A figure representing tyranny and oppression," answered Benny, glibly. -"I haven't studied history for nothing, have I, Brown?"</p> - -<p>"I'm agreeably surprised," murmured "Crackers." "I really didn't expect -it of you, Benny. The Ramblers are shown in their true light at last. -What's that mass of lines on the right—a house on fire?"</p> - -<p>"Goodness gracious, no! That's going to be the Goddess of Reason, -enthroned, bowing to the will of the school. I'll stick your phiz on -the front row, Brown, and the lady'll be giving you the glad hand."</p> - -<p>"Stunning idea!" said Brown. "I guess if the government ever catches -sight of this poster they'll have you design all their new postage -stamps. When will it be done?"</p> - -<p>"I'll bring it around to the school to-morrow morning."</p> - -<p>"Good! And I'll put on the lettering."</p> - -<p>Benny aided the gas company considerably that night, never stopping -work until a piece of heavy wrapping-paper two by three feet had been -liberally flooded with color.</p> - -<p>To be sure, it looked a little odd in the morning; for the surfaces -which seemed so delicately yellow at night proved to be of a startling -brilliancy.</p> - -<p>But the poster, mounted on a board, attached to a stout stick, and -planted in a prominent position on the campus, made the sensation for -which Brown had hoped.</p> - -<p>Pushing, jostling crowds quickly gathered before it. Every one seemed -to be asking questions or answering them. All through the school an -inquiry found its way:</p> - -<p>"Say, have you seen that poster?"</p> - -<p>Those who hadn't quickly joined the army of those who had.</p> - -<p>Only the calm counsel of Bob Somers and Dave Brandon prevented some of -their hot-headed supporters from hurling the offending object to the -ground and trampling it to pieces.</p> - -<p>"The drawing is very good indeed," said Dave. "Benny's an artist. He -ought to be encouraged."</p> - -<p>"How can you talk about the mean little duffer that way, Dave?" -exclaimed Tom, wrathfully.</p> - -<p>"Don't take it too seriously, Tom. We haven't lost our jobs yet."</p> - -<p>"All the same, I'm afraid I'll have to get out if the rumpus keeps up -much longer," reflected Charlie Blake.</p> - -<p>Brown's announcement called for a meeting that afternoon under an -enormous elm on the campus. His object was to explain to the students -the "Hopes'" contention that they had the better team and by gaining -recruits compel the regulars to yield to their demands.</p> - -<p>When class exercises were over "Crackers," Roycroft and Owen Lawrence, -followed by every member of the "outlaws," in uniform, made directly -for the tree.</p> - -<p>A dense, excited crowd of students awaited them. A rousing cheer went -up.</p> - -<p>"Rah, rah, rah for Roycroft! Hurrah for Brown and Lawrence!" was -carried off on a surging sea of sound.</p> - -<p>The Somers crowd, glum but determined-looking, seldom voiced a protest.</p> - -<p>Dan Brown promptly mounted a box placed under the wide-spreading -branches of the tree. The excitement and tumult found no reflection on -his face.</p> - -<p>"Fellows," he began, in a calm, even voice, "the school is going to get -those grounds!"</p> - -<p>A burst of wild cheering came from his followers.</p> - -<p>"In order to do this great work for the High we've been obliged to -match extraordinary conditions with extraordinary methods. Fellows, we -must determine which shall rule: red tape and regularity, or common -sense."</p> - -<p>"Common sense, common sense!" roared an admiring contingent.</p> - -<p>"So say we all! There's material enough here to form a nine which could -trim any team in the section."</p> - -<p>Another salvo of cheers rang out.</p> - -<p>"Some fellows seem to have the silly idea that we're doing all this to -stir up trouble. I was impolitely told yesterday to meander over to -Guffin's and hatch up another plot."</p> - -<p>Jeers, and shouts of "Vanitas!" from Lawrence.</p> - -<p>"Really, it quite pained me. Why are we doing this thing, boys?"</p> - -<p>"For the good of the school!" bellowed his team in chorus.</p> - -<p>"Exactly! Our proposition for the Ramblers to play us has been turned -down. Why?"</p> - -<p>"Because they know that you'd lick 'em worse than the Stars have done!" -yelled Aleck Parks.</p> - -<p>An emphatic roar of approval, mingled with hand-clapping and shrill -whistling, brought a gleam of pleasure into Brown's gray eyes.</p> - -<p>"That's it! Fellows, I have three propositions to offer. Alone, we -count as nothing; but with the school behind us our force would be as -irresistible as the—as the——"</p> - -<p>"He's stuck!" cried Victor Collins. "He's floundering!"</p> - -<p>"As the tides," completed Brown.</p> - -<p>"I told you! He's floundering in the tides," giggled Victor.</p> - -<p>"The first proposition is this: simply force the regulars to play -us, and prove they have the better team—if they can. If the crowd -continues to refuse, the second proposition is to demand a thorough -reorganization. I have players who ought to be on the school team."</p> - -<p>"Roycroft, Roycroft, Roycroft!" shouted the students.</p> - -<p>"And until the other day I never knew what star players we had in Platt -and Bush—both of 'em nearly six feet of bone and muscle—plenty of -skill and speed, besides."</p> - -<p>The noise and confusion became so great that "Crackers'" oration only -reached those on the outside of the mass as disconnected sentences.</p> - -<p>"The 'Hopes' will have such a string of victories——"</p> - -<p>"Hurrah, hurrah!" shouted the crowd.</p> - -<p>"Order, order!" bawled Lawrence.</p> - -<p>The tumult subsided.</p> - -<p>"Proposition number three is this: in case the Ramblers refuse all -overtures, the students shall recognize our team—the hard-working, -victorious 'Hopes'—as the official representative of the school!"</p> - -<p>The storm of approval which immediately followed grew to such -uproarious proportions as to make the combined efforts of the "outlaws" -to restore order futile. Their voices were drowned in a roar of sound -which carried a conviction to the hearts of Bob's friends that the -Kingswood High was about to be plunged into the stormiest period of its -history.</p> - -<p>Earl Roycroft looked hot and uncomfortable as he heard his name called -from every point of the campus.</p> - -<p>"Roycroft, Roycroft! Speech—speech!"</p> - -<p>This cry was caught up and repeated until the big fellow was literally -forced to take his place beside Dan Brown.</p> - -<p>Only husky throats and tired lungs brought the quiet for which Dan -Brown was pleading.</p> - -<p>"Look out—there'll be a perfectly good box busted under that ton -weight!" piped Victor Collins.</p> - -<p>"Fellows, I appreciate your kindness," said the big captain of the -"Hopes." "I only want to do the right thing for the school. We all know -that every effort should be made to win Mr. Barry's field; and I'm -afraid the regular team is not equal to the job. I am one of those who -believe the majority counts. If you agree with Brown—and it looks very -much as if you do—all I have to say is: give us your support."</p> - -<p>"We will—we will!"</p> - -<p>"Our team is going to develop rapidly. We ask you to watch its -progress."</p> - -<p>As Earl stepped down, to be slapped enthusiastically upon the shoulder -by Owen Lawrence, Brown spoke up:</p> - -<p>"If any of the officers of the athletic association or the Ramblers -are present I invite them to state their side of the case. That's fair -enough, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>There was an instant of tense silence.</p> - -<p>"They're over on the lot practicing, coachy," cried Victor Collins. -"Those chaps are right on the job, while you're putting up the biggest -blow I ever listened to."</p> - -<p>"Crackers" gazed toward him mildly, but made no reply.</p> - -<p>"Fellows"—he abruptly raised his voice to a pitch of harshness—"I ask -you to pledge your support. Those who are with us raise their hands."</p> - -<p>Arms shot up from every quarter, and the roar of voices which -accompanied the movement caused the boys practicing on the distant -field to stop and look around.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</h2> - - -<h3>A DECISION</h3> - - -<p>"I hope you understand, Somers, that I have nothing against you -fellows. Nobody ever heard me squeal. But if the school wants me to -play what can I do?"</p> - -<p>Earl Roycroft, with an expression of embarrassment on his good-natured -face, was speaking to Bob Somers, not more than an hour after the -meeting on the campus.</p> - -<p>"I don't blame you, Roycroft," answered Bob, as the two walked along -Central Avenue. "I'm sure the rest won't, either."</p> - -<p>"Not even Tom?" queried the captain of the "Hopes," with a faint smile.</p> - -<p>"On reflection, I'm not so sure about that," grinned Bob.</p> - -<p>"We're old friends, Somers; and I hope this"—Earl paused. A troubled -look shone in his eyes—"this unfortunate muddle won't cause any -trouble between us."</p> - -<p>"It isn't going to."</p> - -<p>"Well, it must go against the grain to see one of your old chums on the -opposition line-up. Honestly, Somers, don't you think"—Earl hesitated -again—"that you'd better—well—reconsider this matter? It's a fact, -Somers: you're losing supporters every day. The thought of saying -good-bye to that field has put such a scrapping spirit into the boys -that they're ready to fight to a finish."</p> - -<p>Bob reflected a moment before answering.</p> - -<p>"Then you mean that we should yield to popular clamor?"</p> - -<p>"No, that isn't it. I hope—I hope you won't be offended if I speak -plainly." A smile from Bob encouraged the rival captain to continue. -"You chaps have been traveling about so much you haven't had a chance -to keep in the game like some of the others. I don't say you can't -play good ball—mind. When your crowd was practicing, as candidates -for the team, you looked good to all of us. But, somehow"—Earl became -considerably embarrassed again; his eyes shifted from the frank gaze -of his companion—"I suppose I'll have to finish it," he sighed—"you -don't seem to be of a quite strong enough caliber to truly represent -the school. Now, Bob, it's out; and I guess you feel mighty hot about -it?"</p> - -<p>"Not a bit, Earl. I admire your honesty and candor. I'll agree that -things look rather discouraging. Still,"—the captain seemed to weigh -his words—"don't you think your very contention that we've not had as -much practice as the others is an argument in our favor?"</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"Because, in a little time, we'll round into shape. The nine is -improving steadily, though some of the fellows are so excited and hasty -they can't see it."</p> - -<p>Roycroft shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I don't doubt you are sincere in feeling that way, Somers," he said, -slowly, "but the boys couldn't be made to think so. Then, again, you've -lost your batting eye. Mr. Rupert Barry has kicked enough about that, -I'm sure."</p> - -<p>"I've heard about it," laughed Bob, dryly.</p> - -<p>"And some of the fellows feel sure—I don't like to say it, -Somers—that you're not playing as well as you did a couple of years -ago. Tom Clifton, too, though he's done some pretty good work, doesn't -seem to have the necessary physical strength."</p> - -<p>Earl looked searchingly at his companion, expecting each instant to see -a gleam of anger in his eye. Bob, however, gave no indication that his -feelings were disturbed.</p> - -<p>"One thing, Roycroft," he said: "you spoke about our traveling around -so much we couldn't keep in good trim. This applies only to Dave, Tom -and myself. There are six others in every game."</p> - -<p>"Sometimes one man is enough to lose a contest," answered Roycroft, -dryly.</p> - -<p>"You're right there," grinned Bob.</p> - -<p>"Aren't you going to listen to my advice, Somers?"</p> - -<p>"Why, I'm not running things, Earl. I'm only captain of the team."</p> - -<p>"Come now, Bob, don't try to put up any such ridiculous bluff as that. -If you wanted the team reorganized it would probably be done."</p> - -<p>"Who do you want fired?" asked Bob, bluntly.</p> - -<p>"Blake, Clifton, Boggs and maybe a couple of others," answered -Roycroft, with equal bluntness. "Think it over, Somers. I'll leave you -here. Sure you don't feel sore about what I've said?"</p> - -<p>"Not a bit of it," responded Bob, heartily. "It hasn't ruffled a hair. -So-long, Earl. Yes; I'll think it over."</p> - -<p>On the same evening all five members of the Rambler Club met in Bob -Somers' study to discuss the situation. The languid air which usually -characterized Dave Brandon was entirely absent.</p> - -<p>"We must take a firm hand, Bob," he said, emphatically. "The only -question to consider is this: are we merely stubborn and mistaken, or -is our confidence in the team so justified that we can feel sure of -final success?"</p> - -<p>"If our nine isn't quite up to the 'Hopes' now I am certain that later -on it will be a great deal better," said Bob.</p> - -<p>"How did they manage to get such a good team?"</p> - -<p>"That's easy to figure out," replied Dick Travers. "Wherever he could, -'Crackers' selected the biggest men. Most of the chaps belong to the -roughest bunch in school—an unruly lot. They have plenty of brute -strength, and are sort of carrying things by rough-house methods."</p> - -<p>"But the club can play and is likely to go right on winning," said -Dave, emphatically.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'm not saying anything against their ability," admitted Dick. -"But outside of Roycroft and several others, it is chiefly confined to -hitting."</p> - -<p>"They can line out the ball—and that's about all they can do," -supplemented Tom.</p> - -<p>"If it wins games it's enough," returned Dave. "Now suppose we could -beat the 'Hopes' to smithereens. Would you play 'em?"</p> - -<p>Dave broke into a broad grin, but the others looked very solemn indeed.</p> - -<p>"It's awful to feel that lots of fellows think we're crawling," said -Bob, "but, in that case, perhaps—perhaps—we would."</p> - -<p>After a short pause, Dave continued:</p> - -<p>"Since the organization of the Rambler Club the crowd has run into -some pretty stirring adventures, and has had quite a few thrills." He -smiled quizzically. "I refer you to the history now appearing in the -'Reflector.'"</p> - -<p>"Never read better writing in my life; it's stunning!" cried Tom.</p> - -<p>"Thanks! Now let's get back to the issue. We've had things pretty much -our own way. All of us graduate this year. We expected to leave school -in a blaze of glory, with the winning of Mr. Rupert Barry's field as -the final achievement of our student days. I agree with you, Bob: -in a short time the regulars will be a stronger nine than the Brown -aggregation."</p> - -<p>"Why not just call his bluff and play them?" exclaimed Tom, excitedly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no," said Dave, with a twinkle in his eye. "They might beat us. -And if they did we'd find ourselves squelched and thrown on the scrap -heap."</p> - -<p>"And so fast that we'd never recover from it," added Sam Randall. "Our -crowd would have the pleasure of standing around watching the 'Hopes' -play in the inter-scholastic series."</p> - -<p>"There are a lot of chaps in the school who would help 'Crackers' throw -us out just for the sake of the excitement. Nothing to do, fellows, -except to fight the thing right out to a finish."</p> - -<p>"And we can hold our end up, too!" cried Tom. "Of all the mean chumps I -ever ran across that Earl Roycroft is the biggest. What do you think? -He had the nerve to speak to me this evening—honest, Bob, I came -mighty near calling him down—said he wanted to explain things; and I -told him he needn't mind."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Earl's all right," laughed Bob.</p> - -<p>"All wrong, you mean. Suppose Steele should put him and a few others -on the team? Do you think it would stop 'Crackers' Brown's hollering? -Not on your life! He'd groan like a wheezy old locomotive for something -else."</p> - -<p>"Just my idea," agreed Dick Travers.</p> - -<p>"Then I gather that we're going to stick it out, eh, Bob?" said Dave -Brandon.</p> - -<p>"Yes!" answered the captain, with emphasis. "I have studied the playing -of the 'Hopes' carefully. Roger Steele agrees with me that they won't -get much further in the fine points of the game."</p> - -<p>"And that's just the thing we're trying for," said Tom.</p> - -<p>Bob beat a tattoo on the floor with his foot.</p> - -<p>"We were a bit rusty, fellows," he confessed. "It's taken us longer to -get into condition than I expected. I feel that we are nowhere near our -true form yet."</p> - -<p>"I never thought things would turn out like this," said Tom, -disconsolately. "Nearly every time I pass one of the 'Pie-eaters and -doughnut crowd' they say something mean. Good thing they can't get my -nerve like they do Charlie Blake's once in a while."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, it's settled," said Sam. "We'll just let the opposition -howl itself hoarse."</p> - -<p>"If they'd only stop their yelp and let us alone it would show a lot -more sense," remarked Dick Travers. "How in thunder do they expect us -to win while they're kicking up such a row and knocking us on every -side? But never mind; they can't bluff us."</p> - -<p>"You bet they can't!" cried Tom.</p> - -<p>"Boys, I fear I have a big supply of the weaknesses of human nature," -said Dave. "I'm actually stirred up about this thing; I'm in a fighting -mood. Why are we acting this way?"</p> - -<p>"For the good of the school!" laughed Bob.</p> - -<p>"And for our own good, too!"</p> - -<p>"This little meeting has put us straight on the affair," remarked Sam -Randall. "Our only chance to win out is to stick together. The student -body elected us to take charge of the athletic interests of the High; -and, in doing so, they gave us rights which we must now force them to -recognize. If they have common sense enough to do so, the rest ought to -be easy."</p> - -<p>The boys enjoyed the evening more than any had anticipated, and, on -taking leave of one another, each firmly resolved to show the enemy a -bold, determined front.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</h2> - - -<h3>TOM IS "RATTLED"</h3> - - -<p>"The fourth straight," said Aleck Parks. "The 'Hopes' are mowing -'em down as easily as a scythe cuts grass. How's that for playing, -Luke Phelps? Wasn't yesterday's game a peach? Nine to six against -Willington. Roycroft cracked out a homer, a two-base hit and a single. -Oh, yes; that's going some. I saw 'Vanitas' sneaking around in the -crowd looking kind of pale."</p> - -<p>"If the Ramblers lose the next game they'll be yanked from their -jobs as fast as a vacuum cleaner sucks up dust," remarked Phelps, -complacently. "They go over to play the Engletons again to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Another bucket of white stuff for the official record," growled Parks. -"Let's get away. Here comes 'Checkered-Cap.'"</p> - -<p>"Afraid of him?" laughed Luke.</p> - -<p>"No! It's his own safety I'm thinking about. Ever since I met him I've -had a hard time to keep from handing him something that might disturb -his center of gravity."</p> - -<p>"Simply awful!" grinned Phelps. "Let's do the next worse thing—go over -and see the Ramblers practicing."</p> - -<p>An ominous calm seemed to hover over the school. The "Hopes'" string of -clean-cut victories was bringing more wavering Somers adherents into -the "outlaw" camp. The quiet did not lull the fears of the staunch -supporters of the regulars. It seemed to possess a deeper, more -significant meaning than the noisy, wild demonstrations which had taken -place on the campus.</p> - -<p>On the following afternoon the Engleton trolley did a flourishing -business. Eager students and townspeople packed the cars to their -fullest capacity.</p> - -<p>Engleton was a little town about five miles distant, nestling amidst an -amphitheater of hills. The baseball field was situated in the northern -part, hemmed in on three sides by steep, grass-covered slopes. At the -extreme end of the open section an immense pile of ashes covered what -was once a treacherous gully. Several ramshackle frame dwellings, -surrounded by rickety or broken fences, with here and there great piles -of rubbish, indicated that "Goatville" was not the most select part of -the town.</p> - -<p>By the time the regulars arrived the ball field and grassy hills were -crowded.</p> - -<p>"I hope you'll enjoy this game, Roycroft," said "Crackers" Brown. "I -can't help feeling kind of sorry for Bob Somers. He's a pretty good -sort. But I guess this is the last game the Ramblers will play as the -school team."</p> - -<p>"Here, Dan Brown, you cut out calling it the Ramblers' team, or -there'll be a whole lot of trouble!" cried a gruff voice so near at -hand that the captain of the "Hopes" was startled.</p> - -<p>Tom Clifton, with flushed face, was striding forward.</p> - -<p>"Trouble?" echoed Brown.</p> - -<p>"Yes! And more than you can handle. I know your game, Brown. You've -been sneaking around, trying to put it into everybody's head that the -Rambler Club is running this team. Do you get me, Dan Brown?"</p> - -<hr class="chap"> -<div class="figcenter illowp50" id="illus4" style="max-width: 21.125em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""> - <div class="caption"> - <p>"I KNOW YOUR GAME"</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<p>"I shall pretty soon," returned "Crackers," solemnly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you think you're mighty smart!" cried Tom. "But if your specs -weren't so blurred with conceit you'd see that you're going too far."</p> - -<p>"I suppose this is a little prelude to the show," said the coach, -pleasantly. "It's a bad thing for ball players to get overheated before -the umpire begins his chirp. Please oblige me: run away and cool off."</p> - -<p>"Two forty-five <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> A ball player advised to run away and -cool off," piped Benny Wilkins, suddenly. "What's the best way, Mr. -Brown—shower bath or——?"</p> - -<p>"You're the meanest little duffer in the whole school!" cried Tom, -turning upon him wrathfully. "It's a wonder you have the nerve to show -your face inside the door!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I like that!" snorted Benny. "Now what's up?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you thought you could keep it quiet. But I found out, just the -same."</p> - -<p>"Found out what?"</p> - -<p>"Why, it was you who said that mean thing about Mr. Barry planting corn -on his field!" fairly exploded Tom. "You ought to be ashamed to look -me in the face."</p> - -<p>Benny was aghast.</p> - -<p>"What—what?" he stammered.</p> - -<p>"I don't wonder you can hardly speak," went on Tom, fiercely.</p> - -<p>"Hardly speak?" interposed "Crackers." "Why, if you're not careful, -he'll let off such a blast that we'll all get blown down flat."</p> - -<p>"Well, suppose I did say it! It was all a joke!" admitted Benny.</p> - -<p>"A fine joke!" jeered Tom. "Didn't it make Mr. Barry so mad that he -almost felt like withdrawing his offer? Oh, I know all about it!"</p> - -<p>The look of embarrassment faded from Benny's eyes, to be replaced by an -expression of blazing anger.</p> - -<p>"I don't care if you do," he roared. "And I know something about you, -too, that ought to make you chuck off that uniform and beat it back to -Kingswood."</p> - -<p>"Get out!" snapped Tom. "You don't know anything, and never could know -anything. That wooden head-piece of yours wouldn't hold it."</p> - -<p>"You haven't got anything on me, 'Vanitas!'" Benny Wilkins stalked -forward, planting himself directly before the tall first baseman. "I -don't, eh?" he cried. "Just listen to this: one day in the gym you -called Mr. Barry an eccentric old creature—you know you did."</p> - -<p>Tom's face flushed a deeper crimson.</p> - -<p>"Well—well?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"And Mr. Barry heard about that, too! I got it from a fellow who -knows. And maybe he wasn't riled!—said he wished he'd never made the -confounded offer."</p> - -<p>"I—I don't believe it," gasped Tom.</p> - -<p>"Ask Victor Collins, then. You will try to sit on me, 'Vanitas'—you -will, eh?"</p> - -<p>"If Mr. Barry heard about it, I'll bet you told him yourself!" howled -Tom, thoroughly angry. "You're small in every way, Benny Wilkins. Bob -Somers and Steele caught you spying."</p> - -<p>"You mean that I caught 'em trying to sneak into Mr. Barry's without -being seen," retorted Benny. "I never said a word to Mr. Barry. But if -you get too fresh with me, 'Vanitas,' he's going to learn the name of -the particular chap who made such an interesting remark; that's the -only thing he doesn't know. Now—will that hold you for a minute?"</p> - -<p>The altercation was attracting considerable attention. A grinning -crowd, industriously calling upon the two principals to "mix it up a -bit," presently brought the realization to Tom that his thoughtless -remark uttered in the gymnasium was being scattered broadcast.</p> - -<p>"Said Mr. Barry was an eccentric old creature!" jeered Benny, "and has -the nerve to try and call me down for something not a quarter as bad!"</p> - -<p>"You've got the tall one going!" cried an Engleton boy, encouragingly. -"Don't be skeered. Wade right into him."</p> - -<p>"I'll sic a goat on him; that's what I'll do!" exclaimed Benny.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Tom Clifton! Hello, Tom!" coming over the air was the most -pleasant sound the first baseman had heard for some time. "We're ready -for practice," continued the voice—Roger Steele's. "Hello, Tom! Where -are you?"</p> - -<p>"Coming!" bawled Tom. Then darting an angry, flustered look at his -little tormentor, he added: "I haven't done with you yet, Benny -Wilkins."</p> - -<p>"Is that so?" sneered Benny. "If you and Blake had sense enough to get -off the team maybe all this row in the school would come to an end."</p> - -<p>"Do you think I'll stand for being pushed off? Well, I rather guess -not!" cried Tom.</p> - -<p>"Have a wooden head-piece, have I? Well, it isn't a solid block like -yours. Just remember: If the school doesn't get those grounds T. -'Vanitas' Clifton will be one of the chaps who's most responsible. -Everybody's saying it."</p> - -<p>Embarrassed and confused by the staring, noisy crowd, so full of -emotion that his tongue seemed almost incapable of framing the words he -wished to utter, the first baseman turned away.</p> - -<p>"Everybody saying it, eh?"</p> - -<p>Tom Clifton's thoughts sprang back to the beginning of the season, -when, full of confidence and enthusiasm, he had expected the High's -team to go from one victory to another. "Vanitas!" The word rang in -his ears. He recalled now that his zeal and earnest efforts in behalf -of the nine had called forth remarks of a somewhat similar nature -before. But his armor of confidence was so great that the shafts -dropped harmlessly aside.</p> - -<p>"I never could have believed it," he murmured. "The fellows are -twisting my words and manner into something wholly undeserved. They -ought to see that it was only because I'm red-hot for the school and -team."</p> - -<p>The first baseman was so deep in thought that he scarcely heeded the -voices of the fans, or the sharp cracks of the bats as the balls were -sent flying over the field.</p> - -<p>"So everybody's saying it: if we don't get the field I'll be one of the -chaps who's most responsible, eh? By George! I wonder if it's true! -I'll find out before night."</p> - -<p>Tom's thoughts turned to the crowd—the fickle crowd—ever ready to -yell itself hoarse when things were breaking right, but which, he -reflected bitterly, was often equally ready to jeer and hoot a player -off the field on small provocation.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, Tom? Aren't you going to practice to-day?" called -Roger Steele, catching sight of him from his position near home plate.</p> - -<p>"Sure!" responded Tom, making a strong effort to change the channel of -his thoughts.</p> - -<p>"Anything wrong, son?" Steele came forward. He lowered his voice. "You -look kind of down in the mouth."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it's nothing," said Tom.</p> - -<p>"Well, get busy. I think we can turn the trick to-day."</p> - -<p>Tom had been losing his self-consciousness. Now, however, it returned -with added force. The first baseman could not shake off a feeling that -the fans, friends and foes alike, had their eyes upon him, watching -every move. The vigorous shouts, the blasts from megaphones and the -strains from Victor Collins' bugle seemed to possess an importance -which he had never noticed before. He felt in a far greater degree than -the other players how much hinged on the contest.</p> - -<p>With his nerves at a tension Tom was, naturally, unable to do himself -justice. In his over-anxiety to play the best game of his life he made -several errors which called forth derisive yells of "butterfingers!" -from the familiar voice of Benny Wilkins.</p> - -<p>"Take him out!" yelled some one else.</p> - -<p>"How'd he get on the nine?" screeched Aleck Parks.</p> - -<p>"Who told him he could play ball?" shouted Jim Wilton.</p> - -<p>"It's enough to make any self-respecting trolley company refuse to -carry him home," growled Luke Phelps. "I wonder if he's selling out the -High?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose that kind of talk is for the good of the school?" roared a -tremendous voice.</p> - -<p>Captain Bunderley glowered savagely upon the group, the members of -which, a little startled at having their words overheard by so firm a -friend of the Ramblers, returned his gaze without speaking.</p> - -<p>"You remind me of a mutinous crew who deserts the captain of a ship in -the hour of peril." The skipper's tones spoke volumes of disapproval -and disgust. "How do you expect that lad to play when you're doing -everything you can to rattle him?"</p> - -<p>"Good! Soak it to 'em, Uncle Ralph," cried Victor Collins. "They -certainly need it."</p> - -<p>"You may have started out honestly enough," went on the captain, -relentlessly, "but your idea now seems to be to have your own way at -any cost."</p> - -<p>The group was silent and sullen.</p> - -<p>Then the heavy broadside of the captain seemed to waft them away like -the blasts of a hurricane. That part of the field knew them no more.</p> - -<p>"He's the noisiest old chap I ever saw," cried Aleck Parks, after a -distance of two hundred feet separated them from the skipper. "I'd like -to give him a piece of my mind."</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you?" asked Benny Wilkins. "Maybe your intellect suffered a -complete lapse."</p> - -<p>"You're like a two-edged sword, Benny," growled Aleck. "You've got -something mean to say to everybody. Fellows, the only thing I ask is -this: if you see me getting anywhere near 'Checkered-Cap' to-day grab -me at the front, back and sides. I'm afraid I might accidentally let -fly, and pulverize him."</p> - -<p>"By Jingo! There's Brown talking to the old salt water pirate, now," -put in Benny. "Another fifty feet for me. I wonder if we'd better run? -His voice gives me the staggers."</p> - -<p>"I'm going back," announced Parks, firmly. "Roycroft and Lawrence are -with Brown. Ha, ha! I think they'll protect us from violence."</p> - -<p>Captain Bunderley's arm, directed straight toward them, however, caused -Benny Wilkins' motion of fifty feet to be immediately seconded.</p> - -<p>"Those were the chaps," the skipper said to the imperturbable Brown.</p> - -<p>"But, captain, the boys are all worked up over this affair; you can't -expect 'em to act like a lot of little French dancing masters," -protested Brown.</p> - -<p>"All nonsense! I say emphatically you're not giving the nine a fair -show. I've noticed your carryings-on."</p> - -<p>"Sorry you feel that way, captain. We look upon things differently. -When a set of fellows chosen to represent the school doesn't make good -it's up to the boys to find another set who will."</p> - -<p>"And that's what we've done," put in Owen Lawrence.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry all this has happened," put in Earl Roycroft. "No one wanted -to see Bob Somers succeed more than I."</p> - -<p>A tremendous volley of cheering and the sight of boys waving their caps -in the air put a stop to Captain Bunderley's reply.</p> - -<p>Looking over the scene, he saw hilarious groups racing down the -grass-covered slopes and the field being invaded by a stream of -humanity on its way to the break in the hills beyond.</p> - -<p>"Ah! The game must be ended," said Captain Bunderley. "I was so busy -talking I forgot to look. What is the score, young fellow?"</p> - -<p>He addressed a boy just passing.</p> - -<p>"Five—two, favor Engleton."</p> - -<p>"That clinches our argument, Captain Bunderley!" exclaimed Brown. -"Compare the showing the 'Hopes' made against Engleton with that -of the Rambler Club's ball nine." He paused an instant then added -significantly: "This is probably the last game they'll play as the -recognized team of the Kingswood High."</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</h2> - - -<h3>BENNY WINS A NOTE-BOOK</h3> - - -<p>That night, Tom Clifton, a sadly-disturbed boy, paced the floor of his -room. Mental pictures of the events of the afternoon constantly passed -in a disordered array before his mind.</p> - -<p>He knew that he had made a wretchedly poor showing in the game.</p> - -<p>But whose fault was it?</p> - -<p>In a heated discussion with Roycroft he had attempted to place the -blame where he felt that it belonged, only to become convinced that his -efforts were wasted. The big fellow told him all he cared to know about -the general sentiment that existed among the students.</p> - -<p>In the quiet of the room Tom Clifton attempted to study the situation -from all sides. He owned to himself that he felt very unlike the boy -who played in the opening game. But it was not until to-day that his -confidence had received a blow in a vulnerable spot.</p> - -<p>What should he do?</p> - -<p>The thought of again facing the jeering, critical "fans" of the -opposition and the sarcastic cries which were bound to come from Benny -Wilkins and others on the smallest provocation made the hot blood mount -to his face.</p> - -<p>He paused before the window, to gaze out upon the starlit sky and the -long lines of houses and lights which lost form and brilliancy in -the distance. Mechanically, he watched the passers-by, envying their -apparent freedom from care and trouble.</p> - -<p>"I wonder if Bob has ever thought I should get off the team!"</p> - -<p>Tom Clifton had never before been assailed with such conflicting -emotions. Was Mr. Barry's field destined to become the monument to the -folly of a few?</p> - -<p>"I'll go right over and see Bob now," he decided, suddenly.</p> - -<p>And then, just as Tom was about to open the door, the sarcastic, -grinning face of Benny Wilkins seemed to flash before his eyes.</p> - -<p>"Am I going to let that chap think I'm a quitter?" he exclaimed, aloud. -"No, sir; not on your life! I'll play the game to the end."</p> - -<p>A heavy load of anxiety seemed to instantly take wing. The grim, set -expression about the first baseman's lips relaxed. He walked with a -springy step to his study table and plumped himself down on a chair -before it.</p> - -<p>"No, Mr. Benny Wilkins, you'll never have a chance to say I have a -yellow streak," he muttered. "I understand those chaps. Work to beat -the band to scare a fellow off the team, and when he does call him a -quitter."</p> - -<p>Once more Tom plunged into his studies, thinking his doubts and -perplexities were entirely cleared away. As he picked up a Latin -grammar, however, the mocking cries of "Vanitas!—Vanitas!" which of -late had become more frequent popped into his head.</p> - -<p>"Van-i-tas!" he repeated, slowly. He raised his elbow on the table; his -chin dropped into the palm of his hand. "And I heard that 'Crackers' -Brown said I was a conceited specimen, if there ever was one. It's all -a mistake. I never was either vain or conceited. Still——"</p> - -<p>Tom paused. He was studying hard to view himself and his conduct from -the disinterested standpoint of a spectator. He strove to reconstruct -scenes and incidents about the ball field.</p> - -<p>Yes; perhaps his remarks to the "Pie-eaters and doughnut crowd" had -carried a note of egotism, which, at the time, he never suspected. He -had talked in a "big" fashion, too, about what he expected the nine -to do on the diamond. It was pretty hard to throw the cold light of -analysis upon himself; yet, once started, he continued relentlessly.</p> - -<p>At last Tom leaned back in his chair with a sigh. A smile played about -his mouth. The flood of thoughts brought him to a better understanding -of himself than he had ever before possessed. He realized now how easy -it must have been for the boys to think him a shallow boaster.</p> - -<p>"Maybe this hasn't been such a bad thing, after all," he reflected. -"Even Dave, I remember, has looked at me in a queer way once in a -while. I'll be a bit more careful what I say from now on. As for all -those howling rooters, they'll never get me going again. And Benny can -keep right on yelling his 'butterfingers' and 'bonehead' in that little -piping voice of his until it goes on strike."</p> - -<p>Tom Clifton turned to his books again, and this time was able to give -his undivided attention to study.</p> - -<p>When the members of the nine got together in the gym on the following -day their faces looked grave but determined.</p> - -<p>"That last defeat seems to have made some of the fellows pretty sore," -remarked Bob Somers.</p> - -<p>"The biggest kick of all is coming mighty soon," said Alf Boggs. -"'Crackers' Brown and his crowd aren't saying much just now. But you -can bet your uniforms they're getting ready."</p> - -<p>"I have the pleasant sensation of a chap who is sitting on a keg of -gunpowder with some one behind about to touch it off," put in Dave -Brandon, dryly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I wish to goodness it was all over," sighed Charlie Blake.</p> - -<p>"What! The touching off process?" laughed Dave. "I don't want to leave -the diamond that way. There's no glory in it."</p> - -<p>"Besides, it might hurt one's feelings," said Willie Singleton.</p> - -<p>"Well, I haven't had to go to a nerve specialist yet," grinned Fred -Benson. "How d'ye do, Joe Rodgers! Haven't seen you for two days. -What's doing?"</p> - -<p>"Seems to me an awful lot," answered Joe, with a grin. "Hello, Dave! -Teacher says I'm going to make the High in great shape one of these -days. What do you think? I'm playing on a baseball team."</p> - -<p>"Which one?" asked Dave.</p> - -<p>"The Stars. Nat Wingate said he'd give me a chance. Say, you don't -think it's mean of me, do you?"</p> - -<p>"Of course not," answered the editor of the "Reflector." "Good luck, -Joe! And play for all you're worth."</p> - -<p>Boys were flocking in and out of the big room, and above the general -noise Benny Wilkins' voice soon made itself heard.</p> - -<p>"I tell you it is so, Aleck Parks! Look out! Who's treading on my toes? -Yes, I saw him myself, only a few minutes ago, walking along as if he -owned the whole earth. And when he got to Mr. Rupert Barry's he turned -and went up those steps. Quit leaning against me, Luke Phelps. Are you -too lazy to support your own hundred and fifteen pounds? Oh—there's -Joe Rodgers over there!"</p> - -<p>"Finish your story!" cried Parks.</p> - -<p>"It isn't any story; it's true. Captain Bunderley didn't come out for -twenty-five and a half minutes."</p> - -<p>"Wonder what in thunder he went there for?" inquired Luke Phelps.</p> - -<p>"Crackers" Brown, standing near the doorway, moved leisurely toward the -group.</p> - -<p>"Straight goods, Benny?" he asked, pleasantly.</p> - -<p>"Certainly is. I jotted down a note, too. Reads like this: 'The -Crackerites probably get their first big jolt.' You know, Brown, what -the Cap thinks of this 'For-the-good-of-the-school' business."</p> - -<p>"He's an old meddler," said Brown, in a low tone. "The first thing you -know he'll be stirring up trouble."</p> - -<p>"I know something else, 'Crackers,' and it ought to put more ginger -into your voice. When he left Mr. Barry the 'Ancient Mariner' came -hiking right over to the school."</p> - -<p>"He did?" exclaimed Brown.</p> - -<p>"He did! He's in there now. Guess he's telling President Hopkins a few -fine things about Parks, Phelps and Company. Their squeak yesterday -didn't do your side a bit of good, Brown."</p> - -<p>The coach of the "outlaws" looked thoughtful. There was a gleam behind -the eye-glasses which made Aleck Parks hope that a first class row -might add zest to the afternoon.</p> - -<p>"S'pose we skip over by the big front door and see him come out," he -suggested. "Phelps, you an' I'll stand together close there; an' if he -gives us a steely glare it'll show, perhaps, that he's been up to some -mischief."</p> - -<p>"Not a bad idea," said "Crackers," approvingly. "But, mind now, I don't -want you chaps to say anything."</p> - -<p>Followed by a large group, the party walked outside, directing their -steps toward the school entrance.</p> - -<p>"Where are you leading that army, Brown?" called Owen Lawrence from a -distance.</p> - -<p>"Follow us, and see!"</p> - -<p>Lawrence relayed the message to Roycroft, who, with several other -"outlaws," was already on his way to the practice field, the result of -this move being that when Brown and his contingent arrived at the steps -a straggling army was headed in the same direction.</p> - -<p>Questions and answers were hurled from one boy to another. Naturally, -no one knew anything about the matter; but many thought they did. -Rumors born of a chance utterance seemed to spread with the speed of -a wireless message, until an excited and jostling crowd of students -surrounded the stoop-shouldered form of the chief "outlaw."</p> - -<p>"Hello, Brown! I say—what's the matter?" came from Owen Lawrence.</p> - -<p>"Is the school on fire again?" asked Earl Roycroft, glancing upward at -some smoke which emanated from a hidden chimney.</p> - -<p>"Yes! It's burning up with indignation. But the blaze won't get far -before the firemen are on the job and put it out."</p> - -<p>"Hooray for Brown!" yelled Aleck Parks.</p> - -<p>"Three rahs for the good of the school!" shouted Benny Wilkins.</p> - -<p>"And a 'tiger' to get after the Ramblers!" added Luke Phelps.</p> - -<p>"My only regret is that we haven't a moving picture machine to get some -films of our friend with the heavy-weight voice when he trips down the -steps and sees this crowd," remarked Brown.</p> - -<p>"You're a mean thing to want him to trip," said Benny Wilkins. "I guess -those specs hide a hard, cruel light in your eyes."</p> - -<p>"Boys, I think we'd better skip," said Earl Roycroft. "Our business is -ball playing; not gaping at visitors to the school. Don't you think -this will look rather queer to President Hopkins?"</p> - -<p>"The enemy must be fought with their own weapons," answered Brown. "We -wish to show the aid-de-camp of the Ramblers that those who have the -good of the school at heart see everything going on. They must be shown -that they can't play this game of favoritism."</p> - -<p>"All right," said Earl, resignedly.</p> - -<p>Murmurs of indignation began to be heard. Rumors had become almost -moulded into certainty.</p> - -<p>What right had the captain to interfere?</p> - -<p>Five minutes later a warning "Sh-h-h-h!" rippled from the various -groups. The door of the school was seen to open, and the portly form of -Captain Bunderley stood on the top step.</p> - -<p>As he walked down his gaze was directed toward the gathering. Upon -reaching the ground he paused. The lines on his good-natured face -tightened when he saw the serenely smiling countenance of "Crackers" -Brown.</p> - -<p>Aleck Parks found it convenient to avert his eyes from the glare which, -a second later, fell upon him. He momentarily expected to hear a -thunderous outburst.</p> - -<p>Captain Bunderley, however, showed no signs of recognition; and, -without a word, resumed his walk. The students watched his big form -swinging along the graveled path until it passed outside the ornamental -gateposts.</p> - -<p>"I feel sure he's tried to do us," growled Parks.</p> - -<p>"Such an opinion is creditable to your power of discernment," said -Brown. "Back to the field, boys. The show is over."</p> - -<p>On their way the coach called Benny Wilkins to his side.</p> - -<p>"Benny," he said, "thanks for telling us about this. Want a job?"</p> - -<p>"Not if there is any work to it."</p> - -<p>"I've too much sense to ask you if there was."</p> - -<p>"You put me in mind of a cannon cracker that hasn't been exploded," -grunted Benny. "Fire away!"</p> - -<p>"Victor Collins has a pretty good line on what the captain says and -does, hasn't he?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly!"</p> - -<p>"Well, if you find out just why the captain went to see Mr. Barry, and -what brought him over to annoy President Hopkins and tell me I'll give -you a new note-book."</p> - -<p>"The idea of asking me to act as a spy!" said Benny. "Outrageous! But -I'll do it. Understand, of course, I don't like the job. What are -crocodile tears, Brown? That's the kind somebody said you dropped -every time the Ramblers play a game and are made to eat nothing but -doughnuts."</p> - -<p>"I know there's a bunch of trouble-makers in this school, but that -doesn't worry me," answered Brown. "If the regulars had been winning -games I'd probably be half asleep now reading a book. Get busy, Ben. -Report to me after practice."</p> - -<p>"All right. Please remember, 'Crackers,' I don't want any book that -you've fished out of some waste-basket."</p> - -<p>Three-quarters of an hour later a slight boy wearing a large checkered -cap, and who was intently watching the "Hopes," now hard at work, was -approached by the grinning Wilkins.</p> - -<p>"Say, Benny, I haven't seen any of your articles in the 'Reflector' -yet," began Victor Collins. "I guess you can't write worth beans."</p> - -<p>"My talents can't be measured by the bean standard," returned Benny. -"They cost only six cents a quart. Look at Bush shooting 'em over -home plate! Suppose your old Ramblers had to face pitching like that! -Wouldn't they get bowled down in one, two, three order?"</p> - -<p>"Go on, Know-it-all!" snapped Victor.</p> - -<p>"I wonder what kind of a game Bush'll put up against Rockville Academy -next Saturday. The inter-scholastic series begins then."</p> - -<p>Victor Collins grinned.</p> - -<p>"Funny little ideas seem to creep into that funny little noddle of -yours," he remarked. "Neither Brown nor all the rest can bluff Bob -Somers."</p> - -<p>"Is that so? I know your Uncle Ralph is on the firing line, ready to -use up all the ammunition he has in the shop to help 'em. Guess Mr. -Barry told him the jig is up with the Ramblers."</p> - -<p>"Humph! Spying again!" sniffed Victor. "I don't know what Mr. Barry -said, and wouldn't tell you if I did."</p> - -<p>"You don't even know what your uncle went to see him about, I s'pose?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I do."</p> - -<p>"I dare you to tell me."</p> - -<p>"Who do you think I'm afraid of—you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! And if you have the nerve to say that Captain Bunderley has been -saying anything against the 'Hopes' I'll attend to your case right -now."</p> - -<p>"You will!" howled Victor, beginning to pull off his coat. "You will! -Well, wade right in and mix it up! That's just what Uncle Ralph did do."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Mr. Collins," said Benny, sweetly. "You've given me all the -information I wanted. Don't you think I make a pretty good spy? Ta, -ta!"</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</h2> - - -<h3>THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS</h3> - - -<p>During recess on the following day Dan Brown knocked gently on the door -of President Hopkins' private office.</p> - -<p>"Come in!" called a mild but authoritative voice.</p> - -<p>The president, a dignified figure, was seated at his desk near the -window.</p> - -<p>"Good-morning, Brown! What can I do for you?"</p> - -<p>He motioned the originator of the "Hopes" crusade to a seat close by.</p> - -<p>"I have been delegated by a committee to call upon you," answered -"Crackers," articulating each word with great distinctness.</p> - -<p>"Ah, indeed! Who is the committee?"</p> - -<p>"Earl Roycroft, Owen Lawrence and Frank Bush, representing the new -baseball club and almost the entire body of students."</p> - -<p>Professor Hopkins looked surprised.</p> - -<p>"What is the nature of your business?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"We think the time has come when an unfortunate exhibition of obstinacy -on the part of a few students should come to an end."</p> - -<p>"Go ahead, Brown," said the president, as the big lad paused.</p> - -<p>"We should be very glad indeed if you would allow us the use of the -assembly room to hold a meeting."</p> - -<p>"For what purpose?"</p> - -<p>"As you know, professor, the inter-scholastic series begins next -Saturday. Rockville Academy will send its team over here to play the -first game of the season. If the regulars meet them it is bound to be -a bad day for the High; the school team, so far, has failed to win a -single victory, while the 'Hopes' have not met with a single defeat."</p> - -<p>The professor gazed abstractedly out of the window. Brown, the -earnestness of his manner increasing, kept on.</p> - -<p>"When Mr. Barry made his generous offer he positively said that only a -winning team would get the grounds."</p> - -<p>"Quite true, Brown."</p> - -<p>"Can you blame the boys for objecting strenuously when they see such a -magnificent prospect fading with every game the regulars play?"</p> - -<p>The president's revolving chair wheeled sharply around. He removed his -eye-glasses, to stare searchingly into "Crackers'" impassive face.</p> - -<p>"Brown," he said, slowly, "the boys composing the athletic association -were elected to their respective positions by a great majority of the -students. A coach was duly appointed and players selected. Do you -think it is fair to them that, before the inter-scholastic season has -actually started, they should be hampered and discouraged by their own -comrades?"</p> - -<p>"We are working for the good of the school," answered "Crackers," -doggedly—"that's our motto."</p> - -<p>"But your ideas and the actual facts may not agree. You haven't yet -told me for what purpose you wish the assembly hall."</p> - -<p>"We would like to vote, to-morrow, on the question as to which team -shall play Rockville Academy. Our fellows are perfectly willing to -abide by the decision of the school. That seems to all of us a -perfectly fair proposition, professor?"</p> - -<p>"Have you submitted the matter to the athletic association?"</p> - -<p>"We asked them to reorganize the team, and met with a curt refusal. -We tried to get them to play our club, the 'Hopes'—same thing again, -although in the beginning they were quite ready to cross bats with any -team."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so, Brown. But the circumstances in this case are entirely -different. The regular coach usually attends to such matters. You -have formed an organization which has no official standing; it is not -subject to the rules or direction of the athletic association. In fact, -it is directly antagonistic to them."</p> - -<p>"The reason we ask for the hall is to give the club official standing," -returned Brown, easily. "The students are clamoring to have this done."</p> - -<p>President Hopkins shook his head.</p> - -<p>"The faculty of the school never interferes with athletic affairs -unless for very serious reasons. Those stated are not sufficient -to justify me in acceding to your proposal." The president leaned -forward. "My attention has been called to the fact that some of the -boys have been shouting and carrying on in such a manner as to lead -one to suppose that they desired above all things to see the regulars -defeated. I heard this from a reliable authority."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid the person who told you is not disinterested," said Brown. -"We know who he is. Besides, in every cause, there are nearly always -some foolish hotheads whose actions can't be controlled." He rose to -his feet. "Don't you think you could change your decision, professor? -I'm sure the students would appreciate having the use of the room; and -this troublesome matter ought to be ended at once."</p> - -<p>"No, Brown, I cannot."</p> - -<p>There was no expression of chagrin or disappointment on the chief -"outlaw's" face, as he turned away, exclaiming cheerfully:</p> - -<p>"I thank you very much for the interview, professor."</p> - -<p>Of course, through the agency of Benny Wilkins and several others, -"Crackers'" visit to the principal immediately became known throughout -the school.</p> - -<p>"And Brown got thrown down flat, Mr. Editor of the 'Reflector,'" -remarked Benny, addressing Dave Brandon.</p> - -<p>"Please don't send me a three-column article about it, Benny. What did -Brown want with the assembly room?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's telling! Spies have to keep mum. I've gotten to be the -greatest little sneak in the school, you know."</p> - -<p>"It's all right so long as you do your spying in the open," laughed -Dave.</p> - -<p>That afternoon the regulars went through their practice as usual. But -the boys who gathered on the field seemed to be much more interested in -comparing notes than they did in watching the players.</p> - -<p>"I reckon the big kick Alf Boggs spoke about is almost due," laughed -Coach Steele. "Anyway, fellows, in spite of all this commotion, every -one is steadily improving. I guess you've been a bit more disturbed -than any of us really imagined."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so," said Bob. "I suppose it's like everything else; our -nerves have now become accustomed to the strain."</p> - -<p>"The unexpectedness of it was what got me," added Tom. "How'd you feel -about it, Blake?"</p> - -<p>"Pretty badly, until the last few days," admitted Charlie.</p> - -<p>"You've both done rattling good work this afternoon," put in the coach, -encouragingly. "Keep it up."</p> - -<p>"No one will ever see me play such a game as I did last time," said Tom.</p> - -<p>"We are finding our batting eye, too," remarked Dave. "With a couple -more weeks' practice we ought to be right on edge."</p> - -<p>"I notice the 'outlaws' are not working to-day," said "Jack Frost." -"Guess it means they're still busy for the good of the school. But -don't let it worry any one."</p> - -<p>The staunch Somers partisans who witnessed the practice were much -pleased. And they industriously spread this fact broadcast.</p> - -<p>When the students gathered in the assembly room next morning they -expected to hear only the usual introductory remarks from President -Hopkins. The head of the school, however, instead of dismissing them at -the customary moment, rose from his seat at a desk and advanced to the -edge of the platform.</p> - -<p>"Boys," he said, in an earnest tone, "I wish to speak to you about -certain matters which I find are dividing the school into two factions, -and, I regret to say, causing considerable ill-feeling."</p> - -<p>A murmur of suppressed excitement, which found relief in muffled -"Oh's!" and "Ah's!" spread through the hall.</p> - -<p>"I do not doubt that the boys who are causing this commotion have been -actuated by entirely good motives; but, unfortunately, movements of -this sort, which spring from disappointment, instead of helping matters -often act as a hindrance."</p> - -<p>"Crackers" Brown nudged his neighbor savagely in the ribs.</p> - -<p>"Did you get that, Platt?" he whispered—"a hindrance!"</p> - -<p>"You can just bet the 'Ancient Mariner' put the notion into his head. -Those Ramblers seem to have even the faculty of the school right where -they want 'em."</p> - -<p>"It's simply a-ma-zing!"</p> - -<p>"I am sure Mr. Barry regrets this state of affairs as much as I do," -went on President Hopkins. "We all cannot be winners as we go through -life; and to accept defeat manfully and philosophically is sometimes -just as creditable as wearing the crown of victory."</p> - -<p>"I never knew he was capable of remarks like that," observed Benny -Wilkins, cautiously.</p> - -<p>In another part of the room Owen Lawrence was saying:</p> - -<p>"Mighty fine words! But I'd a heap sooner hear the sound of the axe -chopping down those no-trespassing signs."</p> - -<p>"I sincerely trust you will think matters over calmly. Remember: the -boys whom you find so much fault with to-day are loyal to the school -and deeply interested in its welfare. Therefore, be sure that your -prejudices don't mislead you; give them the chance they deserve."</p> - -<p>As President Hopkins closed his brief address a round of applause -followed; but it seemed to come from but a very small portion of the -students.</p> - -<p>"Ha, ha! You will, will you?" laughed Alf Boggs, passing "Crackers" on -his way to the class room. "Got called down, eh? Guess that'll hold you -fellows for a while."</p> - -<p>"Brown is so pained he'll never do it again," chirped Benny Wilkins. -"Give me that note-book you promised, 'Crackers,' and I'll make an -entry: 'End of the Brown agitation.' Ha, ha! Lots of fun going to -school, isn't there?"</p> - -<p>"You'll think so to-morrow," said Brown, ominously.</p> - -<p>With quick, springy steps Owen Lawrence reached the side of his chief.</p> - -<p>"I don't like the way the president talked a bit," he snapped. "He -practically accused us of being hot-headed and prejudiced. It's all -very well to talk about accepting defeat; but what's the use when you -don't have to?"</p> - -<p>"There'll be no accepting defeat here," returned Brown. "What do you -think of this idea, Lawrence?"</p> - -<p>In a low tone he spoke earnestly to his companion.</p> - -<p>Lawrence nodded.</p> - -<p>"A capital scheme, Brown!" he cried, enthusiastically.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</h2> - - -<h3>THE VERDICT OF THE SCHOOL</h3> - - -<p>If any one ever imagined that Dan Brown would be "held for a while" by -the president's remarks they were sadly mistaken.</p> - -<p>The first thing which attracted Bob Somers' eye on reaching school next -morning was a large poster headed: "Indignation Meeting!"</p> - -<p>"By Jingo, that's interesting," murmured the captain of the regulars, -pushing his way through the groups toward it.</p> - -<p>"Oh, it really is dreadfully awful, Somers!" cried Benny Wilkins. "And -everybody thinking, yesterday, that that Brown chap was squelched." He -seized Bob by the arm. "Come along. He's said something there that may -hurt your feelings."</p> - -<p>"So I suppose you're trying to support me," returned Bob. He raised his -voice. "Hello, Dave!"</p> - -<p>The stout editor, beaming good-naturedly, as usual, sauntered over.</p> - -<p>"The blow has fallen, Bob," he laughed. "Have I read it? Oh, yes. Not -badly written, either. I wish Brown would scribble an article for the -'Reflector.'"</p> - -<p>"Oh—oh! And after firing everything of mine!" wailed Benny. "Isn't -that what some one called the 'unkindest cut'?"</p> - -<p>Next moment Bob Somers' eyes were scanning the contents of the two by -three foot poster, a proceeding which was beset with some difficulty, -as a great crowd of boys constantly shoved and pushed each other about -in an effort to read it.</p> - -<p>The announcement called for a meeting on the campus at three o'clock to -settle by a vote of the school which club should represent it against -the Rockville team.</p> - -<p>"The matter has reached a stage when the students must decide this most -important question," stated the poster. "The undersigned, who have been -working for the good of the school, will cheerfully abide by the wishes -of the majority. And, in order that no advantage shall be taken of the -regular team, we invite them, or any one they may designate, to speak -in their behalf.</p> - -<p>"We call upon all of the students to act calmly, and to refrain from -unpleasant observations or in any way disturbing the peace. And we -emphatically insist that no one shall shirk his duty. Be present -without fail—and vote."</p> - -<p>The poster was signed by Dan Brown, Owen Lawrence and Earl Roycroft.</p> - -<p>"It's an outrage, Bob Somers!"—Harry Spearman had reached the -captain's side—"a direct slap at President Hopkins. Didn't he -practically command the fellows to quit this row? Of course he did. For -my part, I shall insist that not one of our crowd pays the smallest -attention to their so-called invitation."</p> - -<p>"There will be no soap box oratory from me," declared Bob.</p> - -<p>"Nor from me, either," grinned Dave. "I'd rather practice."</p> - -<p>"All the same, I am fearful that something fearful will happen," said -Benny. "Here comes T. Vanitas. Oh, I say, T. Vanitas Clifton, here's -the shock of your young life."</p> - -<p>"You'd better cut out such talk," warned Tom. "I absorbed the contents -of that silly thing half an hour ago. It doesn't faze us in the least."</p> - -<p>"It isn't expected to. But what happens this afternoon is."</p> - -<p>The general feeling of unrest and excitement so affected the students -that work in the class room suffered greatly. Professor Ivins was much -disturbed.</p> - -<p>"I declare, Professor Hopkins, I don't know what we shall do," he said -in the president's office. "Several of the brightest boys in the school -failed lamentably to-day. It is deplorable that this thing has taken -such a hold upon them. Cannot something be done?"</p> - -<p>"If conditions get any worse I shall be compelled to take a hand," -asserted Professor Hopkins. "It appears to me that young Brown is -actually becoming defiant. That flaring poster out there is one of the -boldest things I ever saw."</p> - -<p>"It certainly is," said Professor Ivins, solemnly.</p> - -<p>As the time for the meeting drew near "Crackers" Brown and his -assistants got into action. Several large boxes, with boards laid -across the tops, and designed for use as a table, were placed beneath -the big elm, while another box—the speaker's stand—stood only a few -feet away.</p> - -<p>By the number of students which poured out upon the campus it -looked as if the "Indignation Meeting" was destined to be a great -success. Occasionally, above the medley of noises, came the blare of -ear-disturbing megaphones or blasts from tin horns. Every cheer for -Brown was answered with a yell for Somers. The fighting spirit of the -students was aroused, and, in spite of "Crackers'" request, the boys -did not refrain from unpleasant observations. Only the leader of the -"outlaws" and Benny Wilkins wore their usual expressions.</p> - -<p>"Are you going to speak for the Ramblers, Mercer?" asked the latter, as -he approached the manager of the team.</p> - -<p>"I should say not!"</p> - -<p>"Haven't got the nerve, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Just as you say, Benny. After noting the terrible effect of Brown's -nerve I feel a little shy about cultivating any myself."</p> - -<p>"Gee whiz! This is the only time I ever saw a lot of fellows who were -elected by almost unanimous consent, and then fired out the same way," -mused Benny. "There's Brown getting up to speak. Wouldn't I laugh if -that soap box broke and upset him. Rah, rah, rah for Somers! Hooray for -the Ramblers. Take 'Crackers' down before he starts! Don't wonder he -has a buttermilk voice—he's sour!"</p> - -<p>Dan Brown looked leisurely around and began his speech.</p> - -<p>"Hooray for Captain Bunderley, hooray!" called out Benny, his shrill -tones soaring high above all other sounds.</p> - -<p>Not many of the boys could hear the words of the coach. It needed a far -stronger voice than his to overmatch the incessant din, which sometimes -rose into a loud, swelling chorus from every quarter of the campus. -But that made little difference. A large piece of cardboard, hung by -several cords from the tree, gave all the desired information.</p> - -<p>The proposition to be voted for was: Which team should represent the -school in the inter-scholastic series; all those favoring the regulars -to state whether the club should remain as it was or be reorganized.</p> - -<p>Owen Lawrence, who followed Dan Brown, and whose vocal organs were far -more powerful, promptly demanded to know if any of the Ramblers were -present.</p> - -<p>"We gave them a chance to speak on the last occasion, and do so now!" -he cried, looking over the heads of the crowd.</p> - -<p>The momentary silence which ensued was broken by the voice of Benny -Wilkins.</p> - -<p>"Hooray for Brown!" he yelled. "Hooray for Somers! Vanitas forever! One -school; one ball nine; one everything! Take him down from the stand. -Here I come! I want to make a speech myself."</p> - -<p>He was pushing his way forward when Parks thrust a very large fist -beneath his nose.</p> - -<p>"No, you don't, Benny," he growled. "For once in your life be serious. -This isn't any circus."</p> - -<p>"Jealous because you can't make a speech yourself!" jeered Wilkins. -"I dare you to. Let go! I want to say a word for Somers. All right, -Parksy. I'll sic Captain Bunderley on you."</p> - -<p>Aleck, with his hand on Benny's shoulder, forced him away.</p> - -<p>"I understand the regulars don't consider this occasion important -enough to bother about," continued Lawrence. "Will you fellows -stand for that? Will you stand for outsiders meddling with school -affairs—your affairs?"</p> - -<p>"Hooray for Captain Bunderley!" shouted the irrepressible Benny.</p> - -<p>The Somers party attempted in vain to stem the tide of enthusiastic -cheering which greeted Owen Lawrence's words.</p> - -<p>"I knew the boys were with us!" shouted Owen. "I feel that by your -votes to-day——"</p> - -<p>"You haven't any right to buy votes!" screeched Benny.</p> - -<p>"I am sure that through the votes you give us," corrected the speaker, -"the field which Mr. Barry has offered will become the property of the -school. A decisive victory, fellows, will show those who have been so -stubborn and unyielding that they dare not hide any longer behind their -refuge of regularity." He turned toward the table. "Get busy, boys."</p> - -<p>A half dozen lads, each carrying a box filled with slips of white -paper, at once began working their way through the crowd.</p> - -<p>"Don't miss anybody!" yelled Dan Brown. "And just let me say this: The -fellows who fail to vote are mollycoddles. We'll find out who they are."</p> - -<p>"Give me a slip—quick!" cried Benny. "I want to vote for the Ramblers. -No; I won't shut up, Dan Brown. You never gave me the note-book you -promised. Hooray for Roycroft! Get away from here, Aleck Parks. Your -language is always rude."</p> - -<p>"In order to avoid mistakes or squabbling over the result we ask every -student to put his name on the ballot!" called Brown.</p> - -<p>The noise and arguments ceased. Every lad felt the importance of the -proceedings and wished, if possible, to end the unfortunate situation -which had hovered over the school for weeks. In their eagerness to get -the slips of paper a jostling, clamoring crowd besieged each holder of -a box. Occasionally a small shower fell to the ground, to be pounced -upon by those nearest at hand.</p> - -<p>"It doesn't seem as if there are any mollycoddles here to-day," -exclaimed Owen Lawrence, triumphantly. "See 'em, Earl Roycroft—almost -scrapping for the ballots. What are you looking so sad about?"</p> - -<p>"I feel sorry for the Somers crowd," answered Earl. "They're all good -chaps; and we must give Bob a lot of credit for starting the athletic -association."</p> - -<p>"And us the credit for putting the useless thing out of business," -interposed Brown. "It might be a grand proposition for the school if -the chaps who compose it weren't so blind."</p> - -<p>"Do you suppose Bob Somers will have the nerve to fight the verdict of -the school?" asked Lawrence.</p> - -<p>"We'll call his bluff, if he does," answered the coach. "See how many -of the fellows who used to shout themselves hoarse for the Ramblers -have swung over to our side. This indifference stunt is the Ramblers' -last grand card. Mercer's face shows that he knows the jig is up."</p> - -<p>"We'll play Rockville sure as shooting," said Lawrence. He raised his -voice. "Any fellow who hasn't received a ballot please put up his hand. -Gee—look at that mean little codger!"</p> - -<p>Benny Wilkins, showing all the symptoms of keen enjoyment, was seen -running around scattering handfuls of the ballots and leaving a trail -of white behind him.</p> - -<p>"I'm going to snow 'em under!" he cried. "I crammed sixteen down -Parksy's neck. Hooray for the good of the school!"</p> - -<p>"An unmanageable little duffer," remarked Brown, gravely. "We ought to -vote on the question of allowing him to remain at the High."</p> - -<p>As soon as every one had been supplied with a slip collecting of the -ballots began. There seemed to be few wavering voters, a fact which -gave much encouragement to the "outlaws."</p> - -<p>Each box, upon being filled, was rushed over to the table and emptied. -Then the tellers began their work of counting.</p> - -<p>The great trunk of the elm partly shielded the busy students from a -brisk, pleasant breeze, which, having no regard for the importance -of the occasion, apparently strove its best to send the white scraps -dancing merrily to the ground. The soft music of the gently-swaying -boughs above kept up a steady accompaniment to the noises which once -more broke out on the campus.</p> - -<p>A dense crowd surged around the table, threatening at times to -interfere with the work. The Somers party, while refusing to admit the -right of the "outlaws" to put the question to a vote, were bent upon -seeing fair play. Several of the most aggressive struggled through the -mass and took up a position by the table.</p> - -<p>"You needn't be afraid, Lou Mercer," grinned Owen Lawrence. "We're -giving everybody a square deal. Carried the thing too far, have we? -Maybe—to suit you and Bob Somers; not the rest of the school."</p> - -<p>Incessant calls for information regarding the vote were hurled toward -the table. The boys found it hard to restrain their impatience. Only -the stern commands of Brown and Lawrence kept a semblance of order.</p> - -<p>As the work neared completion the excitement became so great that a -wildly-clamoring mob threatened to descend upon the table and sweep it, -workers and ballots, irresistibly aside.</p> - -<p>"You'll undo the whole business!" shouted Lawrence, in alarm. "Keep -back! We'll know the result in a few minutes. Stop your shoving and -pushing over there. I'll say this much: it's a landslide for——"</p> - -<p>"The good of the school!" came a rousing chorus.</p> - -<p>"Yes! You've hit the ball on the nose."</p> - -<p>At frequent intervals the cheering was renewed. The tabulators worked -desperately, and when the returns, added on a sheet of paper, were -handed to Brown, who was still standing on the soap box, he was obliged -to yell himself hoarse.</p> - -<p>"Keep still!" he bawled, holding the paper high above his head. "Keep -still! The result is——"</p> - -<p>"Order, order!" shouted Lawrence, frantically.</p> - -<p>In the midst of a temporary hush, Brown's voice rose clearly.</p> - -<p>"Out of a total of four hundred and nineteen voters only thirty-seven -have decided in favor of the regular club; ninety-eight are for -reorganization; two hundred and eighty-four—two hundred and -eighty-four, mind you—a tre-men-dous majority, have come out squarely -in favor of the 'Hopes.'"</p> - -<p>The greatest din which the campus had ever known was carried off in -waves of sound, and Brown, for the first time throwing off his mask of -calmness, shouted and hurrahed as lustily as any.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</h2> - - -<h3>THE WISH OF THE MAJORITY</h3> - - -<p>"Well, something has certainly happened over there," remarked Bob -Somers to Charlie Blake, as he lined a batted ball back to Singleton.</p> - -<p>"I guess I know what it is," sighed the "grind." "Suppose, by this -time, 'Crackers' Brown thinks he's it."</p> - -<p>In spite of the continual commotion which rang unpleasantly in their -ears the nine kept on practicing, with but a very small audience on the -field.</p> - -<p>At length the slight figure of Benny Wilkins was seen approaching as -fast as his rather short legs could carry him.</p> - -<p>"Hi, hi, fellows!" he gasped. "Hi, hi! No use for you to play any -more. I've got the awfulest news. Don't throw that ball, Dave Brandon; -it's no use, I tell you. 'Four ten <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>'—got it all chalked -down—'Somers and Company thrown out by more than a unanimous vote! -Rambler Club changes its name to the Hikers.'"</p> - -<p>The sensation which Benny hoped to produce did not materialize. The -staunch Somers adherents who had refrained from voting were fully -prepared for the announcement, while most of the players merely grinned.</p> - -<p>"Well, you're a cool lot!" growled Benny, in disgust. "Haven't you -anything to say, T. Vanitas?"</p> - -<p>A few weeks before, Tom Clifton would probably have made a hot retort, -adding a few remarks which might have been twisted into something -highly boastful. Now, however, he merely shook his head, and answered -with a smile:</p> - -<p>"No news for the note-book, Benny."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you're a peacherino. I thought you'd go over and scatter that -howling mob single-handed. I can see Brown has your number."</p> - -<p>"Benny is agitated," laughed Alf Boggs.</p> - -<p>"Who wouldn't be when a chap's lifelong friends are given such an awful -sack? And I kept on hollering and hollering 'Hooray for Somers!' I did -so, Fred Benson. Ask Parksy. Say, for his size, he has the biggest -fist in school. Going to sell your uniforms, fellows? I know a good -second-hand dealer. You won't fight this thing, will you, Somers?"</p> - -<p>"There's nothing to fight, Benny."</p> - -<p>"Oh, my, oh, my! If 'Crackers' should ever hear that! I'm going to tell -him. Hooray! Guess that means a bigger scrap than ever. Look at this -bunch of hotheads coming over. Get ready to run."</p> - -<p>Shouts and songs rising on the air and constantly growing louder -announced the approach of the crowd.</p> - -<p>Rather fearful that some impetuous students might feel inclined to stir -up more excitement, Coach Steele stopped further practice.</p> - -<p>"We don't want to give them a chance," he explained to Dick Travers.</p> - -<p>The secretary of the athletic association nodded.</p> - -<p>"Quite right, Steele. They're so jolly well stirred up that a few words -might start a near-riot."</p> - -<p>The players quickly gathered up their belongings, and started for the -gymnasium just as the advance guard of the "bearers of evil tidings" -reached the lot.</p> - -<p>From more than a hundred tongues came the result of the afternoon's -work. The Somers party seemed to have dropped completely out, not even -a single cheer answering the ringing cries of the exultant supporters -of "Crackers" Brown.</p> - -<p>"You're fired out, Somers!" shouted Aleck Parks, with all his force. -"We didn't ask the 'Ancient Mariner's' permission to do it, either."</p> - -<p>"Don't rub it in, Parks," expostulated Luke Phelps. "Don't you see—the -poor duffers have given up already. Let's beat it over to the gym and -see the final surrender. Gee Whitaker, mustn't they feel cheap! Come -on, fellows!"</p> - -<p>The great crowd promptly fell in behind the players, a steady fire of -comments passing from mouth to mouth.</p> - -<p>"Aren't they a nice lot!" exclaimed Tom Clifton. "What do you think of -'em, Bob?"</p> - -<p>"I guess it's more Dan Brown's fault than any one else's," answered -Bob Somers. "By George—there's another bunch at the door of the gym. -Guess they think the excitement isn't over yet."</p> - -<p>"Nice job facing that staring mob!" grumbled Charlie Blake. "Wish to -thunder it was all over."</p> - -<p>"I almost feel like losing my temper and being rude to some one," -sighed Dave Brandon.</p> - -<p>In spite of their feelings the players swung toward the gymnasium door -with a firm tread, passing between lines of deeply interested, jostling -boys whose sallies and jests all allowed to pass unnoticed.</p> - -<p>Inside the big room conditions were pretty much the same. But the ball -players did not pause until the office of the athletic association was -reached.</p> - -<p>The indignation meeting had had the effect of bringing every officer -and some of the directors to the scene of action. As they entered Harry -Spearman was found pacing the floor excitedly.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Bob!" he called, catching sight of the captain. "This has been -a fierce afternoon, eh? Brown carried things with a high hand. By -George! Let any of you fellows waver, and I don't believe I'd ever -speak to you again."</p> - -<p>"No use to get excited, Spearman," admonished Sam Randall. "If there is -a sign of backdown anywhere I haven't been able to see it."</p> - -<p>"Only because you're short-sighted, Sammy," screeched Benny Wilkins, -who at that instant pushed open the door and peered in. "Get specs like -Brown."</p> - -<p>"Sneak away from there!" cried Harry Spearman, wrathfully. "Go on, now; -get!"</p> - -<p>"What's the matter? Can't a fellow even spy in the open any longer? -Dave Brandon said——"</p> - -<p>Harry thrust him aside and slammed the door.</p> - -<p>"Those fellows think the thing is all settled," he exclaimed. "If it -hadn't been for Brown and Lawrence talking a fierce streak to a lot of -weak dubs who don't know their own minds——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, what's the use of going all over that again?" broke in Dick -Travers, impatiently. "Let's——"</p> - -<p>Bang—bang!</p> - -<p>Two sharp cracks on the door echoed noisily.</p> - -<p>"Come in!" called Sam Randall.</p> - -<p>"Crackers" Brown, wearing a solemn expression, promptly entered, his -lieutenants, Lawrence and Roycroft, following close behind.</p> - -<p>"Good-afternoon, fellows!" exclaimed the coach of the "Hopes," without -a trace of excitement in his manner. "Gee! Awful big crowd in here for -such a small room."</p> - -<p>An awkward silence, broken only by the sound of footsteps and the -scraping of a chair, as Sam changed his position, added to the pent-up -feelings which Harry Spearman was finding it hard to control.</p> - -<p>Brown improved the moment by polishing his glasses industriously. Then -he sidled over to the window, where his stoop-shouldered form was -silhouetted in lines of uncompromising hardness against the panes.</p> - -<p>"Randall," he began, deliberately, "we three have been delegated by a -number of students to bring to your notice the fact that the 'Hopes' -have been chosen by a most decisive vote to represent the school. The -thing was done fairly and aboveboard. None of you fellows would even -speak a word in your own defense."</p> - -<p>Sam nodded coldly.</p> - -<p>"You cannot go against the wish of the majority." The chief "outlaw" -brought out his words emphatically. "We wish to state that the 'Hopes' -are going to play Rockville Academy on Saturday."</p> - -<p>"Are they?" cried Harry Spearman, excitedly.</p> - -<p>"No athletic association is greater than the school it represents. The -boys have spoken. Listen! Here is the result of the vote." "Crackers" -could not conceal a feeling of elation as he droned out the figures. He -paused to receive an answer, but, hearing none, continued:</p> - -<p>"This thing ought to be settled amicably. If you fellows are in earnest -about winning that field for the school you'll show it by handing your -resignations to the board of directors."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" sneered Harry Spearman. "For an absolutely unmitigated piece -of nerve and impudence that's the worst I ever heard."</p> - -<p>"We didn't come here, to scrap but to talk quietly over the situation -and reach some conclusion," said "Crackers," smoothly. "Now, Randall, -what do you propose to do?"</p> - -<p>"The athletic association does not concede that the school has the -right to dictate to it in such a way. We don't intend to ask any -members of the baseball club to resign."</p> - -<p>"You don't, eh?" burst out Owen Lawrence. "Well, the boys are not going -to stand for any more exhibitions of obstinacy on your part. It's -either get out quietly or be thrown out!"</p> - -<p>"We'll do neither," returned Harry Spearman, crossing the floor to face -the new student. "You can't bluff our crowd!"</p> - -<p>"No use having a war of words," put in Brown, authoritatively. "I -tell you: when you fellows refused to play us a series of games you -started——"</p> - -<p>Bob Somers interrupted him.</p> - -<p>"We'd surely have played your club if it hadn't been gotten up for the -express purpose of chucking us out of our jobs," he said, coolly. "You -needn't shake your head, Brown."</p> - -<p>"I was talking to a chap yesterday who used to be one of your hottest -supporters," persisted "Crackers." "I asked him if he honestly thought -the regulars had a ghost of a show against the 'Hopes.' He smiled a -mighty sickly smile. 'Not the slightest, Brown,' he flashed back; 'the -Ramblers would probably be wiped off the map.'"</p> - -<p>"The 'Ramblers'!" repeated Harry Spearman. "That's one of your false -alarm cries that have done nearly the whole business."</p> - -<p>"All your team had to do was to play good ball," returned Brown, dryly. -"Then no one could have kicked. But you lost game after game; and when -the boys found that you wouldn't play the 'Hopes' because you expected -an awful trimming they made up their minds to assert——"</p> - -<p>Bob rapped on the table with his knuckles.</p> - -<p>"Brown, we have been telling you all along that the fellows only needed -a little time to round into good shape. I'll admit the 'Hopes' are a -fine team. But we are striking our real gait now, and don't admit that -your team is a bit better."</p> - -<p>"There's the plank we stand on," put in Roger Steele. "Frankly, if you -chaps had caught us unprepared this little disturbance would have been -nothing to the one which a few hotheads would now be engineering."</p> - -<p>"Ice-water is good for hotheads!" came through the keyhole.</p> - -<p>"Our policy has been dictated by a thorough belief in the team," said -Sam Randall, "and, incidentally, we have felt bound to stand up for our -rights."</p> - -<p>"We're to understand, then, that you defy the whole school?" exclaimed -Owen Lawrence. He glared at the boys ranged around the table. "Just -remember—there's a big crowd in the gym waiting to get your answer."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't call it such a harsh word as that," said Sam Randall. "The -fellows are temporarily against us; that's all. They'll soon see it -themselves."</p> - -<p>"Crackers" Brown continued to argue, pointing out in his calm way -the consequences which might result if the regulars persisted in -their course. Owen Lawrence, of combative temperament, threatened and -stormed. Earl Roycroft took a middle course, doing his best to act as -peacemaker.</p> - -<p>But, to their combined efforts, Sam Randall, as spokesman of the -athletic association, gave a final, and negative answer.</p> - -<p>"All right—nothing doing here!" growled Brown. "There'll be a lot -doing somewhere else, however."</p> - -<p>"Crackers" Brown, with a curt "So-long!" strode to the door, throwing -it open so suddenly that Benny uttered an exclamation of surprise.</p> - -<p>"Can't you be more polite when a fellow has his eye to the keyhole, -Brown?" he complained. "Got thrown down hard, didn't you? I'm going to -tell the fellows."</p> - -<p>A crowd quickly surrounded the three "outlaws," loudly demanding -particulars of the meeting.</p> - -<p>"No one seems to have any rights in this school except themselves," -growled Owen Lawrence. "I thought it would be a waste of time to talk -to 'em."</p> - -<p>The boys became angry and belligerent.</p> - -<p>"They won't be dictated to by the school, eh?" sneered one. "Well, -we're not going to lose a championship and a dandy ball field just for -the sake of Bob Somers' pride. We've voted 'em out; and, by Jingo, -they're going out! That's all there is to it."</p> - -<p>"And if they try to play Rockville on Saturday," exclaimed Aleck Parks, -"there'll be a nice hot time on the old lot."</p> - -<p>"We ought to run them right off the field," added Luke Phelps.</p> - -<p>"Quit that kind of talk," commanded Earl Roycroft. "I know you'll try -to stir up the biggest row you can. Say, Brown," he added, "I'm going -over to see President Hopkins. Maybe he'll help us straighten out this -tangle. Get him on our side and those fellows might come down from -their perch."</p> - -<p>"Don't believe the prin'll do it," said "Crackers," "but try it if you -want. Yes; we'll wait right here."</p> - -<p>During the absence of the big first baseman of the "Hopes," the boys -discussed the situation in excited tones, some of the more impetuous -often hurrahing lustily.</p> - -<p>When Earl returned, in about fifteen minutes, a rush was made for the -door.</p> - -<p>"How about it?" demanded Parks.</p> - -<p>"President Hopkins says he can't interfere, boys," answered Roycroft, -slowly. "It's mighty easy to see that he's sore on our crowd, -too—good as told me so."</p> - -<p>"Of course that isn't any news to me," sniffed Owen Lawrence. "Didn't -Brown get handed the same dose?"</p> - -<p>"There's been enough talk about this thing, fellows," broke in -"Crackers." He looked over the rim of his glasses at the noisy crowd; -then, raising his voice so that it penetrated to all parts of the big -room, he added significantly: "What we want now is action."</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</h2> - - -<h3>ROCKVILLE IS PUZZLED</h3> - - -<p>Saturday!</p> - -<p>The inter-scholastic series!</p> - -<p>Rockville Academy!</p> - -<p>These were the thoughts uppermost in the boys' minds, for the great day -so long anticipated had at last arrived.</p> - -<p>"We'll certainly need all our nerve, fellows," remarked "Jack Frost," -as the squad left the gymnasium. "I think we're in plenty good enough -shape to beat those chaps; I'm not worried about that. But you may be -sure Dan Brown is ready to start something."</p> - -<p>Phil Brentall tossed the ball in the air and deftly caught it behind -his back.</p> - -<p>"Looks like it," he admitted, glancing toward the field, where the -"Hopes" were already busily engaged in practice.</p> - -<p>"We won't bother about them, boys," interposed Roger Steele. "To-day, -our business is to trim the Rockville nine by the biggest score we -can." He laughed dryly. "As Frost said: I think the 'Rambler Club's -ball nine' is now in a position to hold its own."</p> - -<p>"Guess the whole town'll be on hand to-day," observed Charlie Blake. -"I heard people talking about the game last night. Terry Guffin is -actually going to take an afternoon away from his pies."</p> - -<p>When the players reached the lot Victor Collins came rushing up to them.</p> - -<p>"Hello, fellows!" he cried. "Guess the 'Hopes' are getting ready to -build a bonfire to celebrate the opening game. They've got three or -four big soap boxes. I asked Brown what he wanted 'em for, and he said: -'You'll find out before long.' Is Uncle Ralph coming? Why sure! So is -'Uncle' Steve."</p> - -<p>"I see Brown has been good enough to leave us the regular diamond," -remarked Coach Steele. "Pitch in, fellows. The Rockvilles are almost -due."</p> - -<p>"I can't help feeling that something is in the wind," said Dave, as he -thrust his hand into a mit and started for the outfield. "Line them -over with plenty of steam, Bob."</p> - -<p>Dan Brown and the "Hopes" were not far distant. Their noisy yelling -came incessantly over the air.</p> - -<p>"I'd like to know why in thunder those fellows are wearing their -uniforms, Sam Randall?" exclaimed Harry Spearman.</p> - -<p>"I suppose they are up to some mischief, Harry. Hello, Benny Wilkins!" -He raised his voice. "Toddle this way!"</p> - -<p>Benny, giving Luke Phelps a punch in the ribs, immediately darted -toward the president of the athletic association, hotly pursued by the -other.</p> - -<p>The crowd, getting in Luke's way, however, soon caused him to desist.</p> - -<p>"That's the time I corked him a real good one!" cried Benny, gleefully. -"Phelps said something rude about Bob Somers. It was true, all right; -but I didn't like to hear it. Look at this, fellows."</p> - -<p>Benny exhibited an enormous book and a carpenter's pencil.</p> - -<p>"Gee whiz!" exclaimed Spearman. "What's that for?"</p> - -<p>"I'm going to write a regular serial story this afternoon and make -a lot of sketches besides," explained Benny. "This is the heaviest -ammunition I could find. Some class to me, eh? What did you say, Mr. -Randall?"</p> - -<p>"Why is Brown's crowd practicing to-day; know anything about it?"</p> - -<p>"Sure! I've got a whole lot of notes. But they haven't passed the -censor yet. 'Buttermilk' Brown's the censor. Gee—look at that! Somers -hits the ball so hard it smokes."</p> - -<p>"Run along about your business, Benny," said Spearman, in disgust.</p> - -<p>"Haven't got any business out here. Want to see a dandy picture? I'm -almost an artist—fact."</p> - -<p>He opened the blank book, and his interested schoolmates saw a drawing -representing a very fat and a very thin boy standing side by side.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you cheeky little duffer!" cried Harry Spearman. "It's Dave and -Tom."</p> - -<p>"It is not. They're over on the field. Honest, though, I've got it in -for Dave. He just handed me back the fifteenth article I've written for -the 'Reflector.' I call that getting bumped a trifle—don't you? From -now on I work for the Pie-eaters and doughnut syndicate. I'll make a -sketch in water color like this for Terry Guffin's. Suffering Ramblers! -What's all the screeching about?"</p> - -<p>The boys wheeled around, to discover the Rockville players, followed by -a good-sized crowd, rapidly approaching. In their natty blue uniforms -and red stockings, they presented a pleasing picture.</p> - -<p>"A likely-looking bunch," said Benny. "Luke Phelps says they can play -some, too. Hooray for the Rockvilles!"</p> - -<p>The bursts of cheering which came from various parts of the field -evidently pleased the visitors, who responded lustily.</p> - -<p>Within a few minutes Ed Barr, manager of the team, was conferring with -Lou Mercer.</p> - -<p>"Not a very extra field, is it?" he said, eying with disapproval some -of the irregularities which, in spite of the boys' earnest work, -were much in evidence. "Still, it's just as bad for you as it is for -us—that makes it even. Your chaps are through practicing, eh? All -right. We'll warm up for a few minutes."</p> - -<p>A feeling of tense excitement was in the air; and when the "outlaws" -presently left off work and sauntered nonchalantly over toward home -plate this feeling found expression in curious murmuring sounds.</p> - -<p>The "Hopes" disposed their forms comfortably on the turf, or sat -astride the soapboxes which had aroused Victor Collins' curiosity.</p> - -<p>From the players' bench the regulars keenly watched the work of the -visitors.</p> - -<p>"They seem to have a lot of steam," remarked Steele, reflectively. "See -the big chap over there in left field. That's 'Pinky' Crane—plays at -first. I've met him. He's the captain. Nice chap, too."</p> - -<p>"At one time, waiting for the game to start would have made my nerves -rather shaky, Bob," Charlie Blake was saying. "Thank goodness I've a -better grip on myself now. Honest, though, I might have dropped out but -for you and Dave. In those days I often wished I had Tom's spunk."</p> - -<p>The muscles around Tom Clifton's mouth twitched. His thoughts flew back -to the night when he had almost shown the white feather himself.</p> - -<p>"Gee—if I had!" he murmured. Then, aloud: "What's that, Dave?"</p> - -<p>"We want to play such a lively, snappy game that the Rockvilles will -be kept on the jump every second," said the editor of the "Reflector." -"You've gotten down those base-stealing stunts pretty fine, Tom. Try -'em for all you're worth."</p> - -<p>"I've got 'em right down to the ground," chuckled Tom. "Ah, but that -was certainly a pretty catch!"</p> - -<p>One of the Rockville players had nipped a high fly and returned the -ball to the first baseman.</p> - -<p>After fifteen minutes' practice the visitors flocked in from the field, -their faces glowing with anticipation and expectation. The umpire, -already wearing his chest protector, and carrying his mask in his hand, -detached himself from a group of interested spectators and walked to -the plate, ready to call out the "Play ball!" for which so many were -impatiently waiting.</p> - -<p>At the precise moment Dan Brown rose to his feet, shook the dust from -his uniform and made for the same point, closely followed by his entire -aggregation of players.</p> - -<p>This move raised an extraordinary commotion. The low, droning buzz of -voices suddenly broke forth into excited murmurings, and above this -came a renewal of the shouts and megaphone calls.</p> - -<p>The members of the Rockville team were plainly astonished. They scented -an unusual situation; and every face was turned toward the heavy, -stoop-shouldered form of "Crackers" Brown.</p> - -<p>A surging mob quickly surrounded the players, forming a solid wall of -humanity, each craning his neck to look eagerly over his neighbor's -shoulder.</p> - -<p>The throng became so dense that the regulars found themselves on the -outside, trying to storm the barricade.</p> - -<p>Above the excited jabbering of many voices "Crackers" Brown was heard -to speak.</p> - -<p>"Fellows," he exclaimed, addressing the Rockville nine, "I am the coach -of the team you play against to-day."</p> - -<p>This announcement, uttered with great distinctness, instantly caused a -hush to come over the crowd.</p> - -<p>For a moment the visitors were too dumfounded to speak. Then Captain -"Pinky" Crane, suspecting a joke, laughed boisterously.</p> - -<p>"Not so bad, boys!" he chuckled. "But I hope you don't think we're so -easy as that."</p> - -<p>"I was never more serious in my life," said Brown, sharply. "This -team"—he raised his hand toward the players packed closely about -him—"has been selected by the school to represent it. I can prove what -I say. If you're ready to start let's hear the word."</p> - -<p>"He's always wanting to start something," piped Benny Wilkins from the -rear. "Isn't his voice peppery though! Hooray for Brandon!"</p> - -<p>"But—but—I don't understand," gasped Ed Barr, quite helplessly. "Why -weren't we notified?"</p> - -<p>"I take it that you came here to play the Kingswood High baseball -team," answered "Crackers," blandly. "Here it is. The students have -thrown out an arbitrary lot of players who absolutely refused to listen -to reason. They kept on losing game after game until the boys wouldn't -stand for it any longer. If you don't believe me take a vote on the -question right now."</p> - -<p>"That's it—that's it!" cried Owen Lawrence, excitedly. "How many favor -the 'Hopes'? And how many the Ramblers?" he called loudly, raising his -hand.</p> - -<p>A rousing, prolonged yell for the former, which spread like a flash to -all parts of the field, carried such a strong indication of the temper -of the school that Captain Crane and his men were immediately convinced.</p> - -<p>"I don't know about the regularity of this affair," said Crane. "Our -crowd didn't come over here to mix up in any row, but to play ball, and -we don't care a base hit who takes the field against us. If you chaps -are scrapping among yourselves that isn't our business. The boys say -your team is the one; so start up the game and show us what you can do."</p> - -<p>"Hold on a moment, captain."</p> - -<p>Coach Steele, Bob Somers and Dave Brandon in a flying wedge were -forcing a passage through the dense mass of humanity.</p> - -<p>"Hold on, captain!" exclaimed Steele again. "There's another side to -this story, and you're going to get it right now."</p> - -<p>Concisely, and with telling effect, the coach told of the events which -had happened at the Kingswood High. His flashing eyes and vigorous -manner, backed up by the cool and determined attitude of Bob Somers and -Dave Brandon, soon made the visitors regard things in a different light.</p> - -<p>As Owen Lawrence saw them wavering his belligerent manner increased.</p> - -<p>"This is the time your bluff won't work, Somers!" he cried, angrily. "I -wouldn't advise you to talk too much, or you might get run right off -the field."</p> - -<p>"Who's going to do it?" asked Bob.</p> - -<p>"I may take a hand myself."</p> - -<p>"Well, you can start a rough-house if you like. I can tell you this -much, Owen Lawrence: the regulars are here to play ball, and they're -going to do it."</p> - -<p>"Hooray—hooray!" shouted Benny Wilkins. "There's sand for you—pure -grit. Sand is gritty; so is Somers."</p> - -<p>The clamor of the excited, jostling mob, the yells of encouragement -from first one side, then the other, and apparently every sound which -boys are able to produce made such an uproarious noise that the voices -of the speakers were often entirely swallowed up.</p> - -<p>One by one the members of the regular team fought their way to the -center of interest.</p> - -<p>"Come now, Somers, be reasonable," pleaded Earl Roycroft. "Can't you -see that by keeping up this thing you're liable to start an awful -rumpus?"</p> - -<p>"You're the fellows who won't listen to reason," returned Bob. "Why -don't you quit this row and let us play?"</p> - -<p>"We would if you only knew how," jeered Lawrence. "Better cool off, -Somers. It would take only a few words from Brown and me to send you -marathoning into the distance as fast as though a number one size -grizzly was within a foot of your spiked shoes."</p> - -<p>"Talk like that isn't going to have any effect," laughed Coach Steele. -"Please get back. We want to begin the game."</p> - -<p>Dan Brown's soft, easy manner suddenly underwent a tremendous change. -His voice became harsh and rasping as he demanded:</p> - -<p>"What are you Rockville fellows going to do? Do you intend to play us -or not?"</p> - -<p>"Pinky" Crane stared at his companions. Being more gifted in ball -playing than diplomacy, he was plainly stumped.</p> - -<p>"It's too much for me," he confessed, blankly. "How about it, Barr?"</p> - -<p>The manager, a sturdy young fellow with a strong, aggressive chin -and an equally positive manner, kicked at the turf a moment before -replying. Then, looking squarely into "Crackers" Brown's face, he -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"This is what I have to say: we'll play the regularly organized team. -No mushroom nine for me." He shook his finger vigorously in the chief -"outlaw's" face. "Now beat it! Enough of this fuss. We're going to -start."</p> - -<p>"Very good, sir!" Brown's former manner returned. "We're ordered -to skip, Lawrence. There is nothing to do but follow the manager's -instructions. Sorry, boys, to have annoyed you so much. Really, your -manner quite pained me. No hard feelings, I hope?"</p> - -<p>"None at all," said Barr, heartily.</p> - -<p>The sudden and unexpected "crawl" of the "outlaws" was so amazing to -their supporters that howls of protest and derisive cries arose from -every point in the gathering.</p> - -<p>"What in thunder is the matter with you, Brown?" roared Aleck Parks, -furiously.</p> - -<p>"I thought he was going to fight the thing out to a finish," groaned -Luke Phelps. "And the crowd is with him as solid as a stone wall. Hang -it all, but I am disgusted!"</p> - -<p>The regulars were as much astonished as any of the others.</p> - -<p>When the three leaders of the "Hope" movement turned away, and the -crowd scattered as promptly as though blown about by some current of -wind, they began to congratulate each other.</p> - -<p>The discontented majority, however, refused to be quieted. Feeling ran -so high that it seemed as if a riotous demonstration might begin at any -moment.</p> - -<p>"Get the game started as quickly as you can," ordered Coach Steele.</p> - -<p>"It's the only way to quiet 'em," agreed Barr. "Never expected to run -into anything like this. Let's toss up for choice of innings."</p> - -<p>Bob's side having won, the visitors started for the players' bench.</p> - -<p>As they did so they saw something which caused them to utter loud -exclamations of astonishment and anger. And what they and every one -else saw was bringing shouts of approval and encouragement from a mass -of turbulent boys.</p> - -<p>The home plate and each of the three bases was covered by a large-sized -soap box, and on every box sat a grinning youth.</p> - -<p>"What does this mean?" cried Ed Barr, fairly racing to the home -station, where Dan Brown occupied a prominent position.</p> - -<p>"What does this mean?" echoed "Crackers." He looked calmly at the -agitated manager. "It means just this, Barr: no game will be played -here to-day unless we do our share of the playing."</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</h2> - - -<h3>PLAIN TALK</h3> - - -<p>The field was in an uproar. The gleeful supporters of the "Hopes," at -this new turn in affairs, roared their approval. And through all the -turmoil and confusion the "outlaws" who were not sitting on the bases -gathered at advantageous points on the field, apparently ready and -anxious to resist any attempt to put them off.</p> - -<p>When Bob Somers, followed by the rest of the team, came running over a -hostile demonstration broke forth.</p> - -<p>"Get off the field!" shouted one.</p> - -<p>"We want real ball players!" came from another.</p> - -<p>"The school won't stand for your kind of playing!" yelled a third.</p> - -<p>The small minority still loyal to the regulars voiced a vociferous -protest, and, backing up their words with action, gathered about the -players.</p> - -<p>"Chase 'em right off the field, boys!" bawled Owen Lawrence.</p> - -<p>The bodyguard, fearful that his order might be carried into execution, -prepared to meet the emergency with every means at their command.</p> - -<p>"This is an outrage!" yelled Harry Spearman. "I protest."</p> - -<p>"Keep on protesting—that's all the good it will do you," sneered a -partisan of the "Hopes." "We'll show you the kind of stuff we're made -of."</p> - -<p>"No game to-day unless we play it!" came from Brown.</p> - -<p>Bob Somers leaped on the soap box from which the chief "outlaw" had -just arisen.</p> - -<p>"I call upon every fellow who believes in fair play to listen," he -cried in ringing tones. "We haven't been given a square deal. Every -player on this nine is going to stand up for his rights. Threats and -yells won't make us quit. I only ask you to be reasonable; to——"</p> - -<p>The soap box was shoved violently from beneath his feet, and the -captain, obliged to jump, brought up violently against a group of -yelling "outlaws."</p> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<div class="figcenter illowp51" id="illus5" style="max-width: 21.3125em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/illus5.jpg" alt=""> - <div class="caption"> - <p>THE SOAP BOX WAS SHOVED VIOLENTLY</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<p>Turning like a flash, he looked squarely into the angry face of Owen -Lawrence. The lieutenant of "Crackers" Brown, so wrought up with -excitement that his face was of a purple hue, was brandishing his fists -savagely.</p> - -<p>"I did it, Somers!" he yelled. "Pitch right in if you want to. I'm -ready!"</p> - -<p>In a second the two were surrounded by a densely-packed mob, while -cries of "A scrap—a scrap!" had the effect of bringing from all sides -large reinforcements.</p> - -<p>"We're not going to lose those grounds just to suit your bump of -vanity, Somers," howled Lawrence.</p> - -<p>A big boy, ruthlessly thrusting aside all who impeded his progress, -quickly jumped between the two.</p> - -<p>"Cut it out, Owen Lawrence!" cried Earl Roycroft, sternly. He pushed -the belligerent student away. "If you don't look out you'll start such -a muss that there'll be no stopping it."</p> - -<p>"Then they'll have to chase right off the field!" cried Dan Brown, -in a voice which no one would have recognized as his. "Are you going, -Somers?"</p> - -<p>The chief "outlaw's" words promptly undid the effect of Roycroft's -action. Surrounded by his opponents, the captain of the regulars -speedily found himself being pushed and jostled off the diamond.</p> - -<p>At the same instant a combined rush was made for the other members of -the team.</p> - -<p>Almost swept from their feet by the fierceness of the attack, they -struggled valiantly to stem the tide. Above all the frantic shouts and -cries, "Crackers" Brown was heard to yell:</p> - -<p>"Keep the bases covered, boys! Don't budge from the field!"</p> - -<p>"You bet we won't!" shouted Aleck Parks. "Whoop! Shove the Ramblers -right along, fellows!"</p> - -<p>The fellows were doing it. "In the hands of the enemy" the players were -as helpless as chips upon a seething torrent of water. They quickly -lost sight of one another, each compelled to fight his battle alone, -for the bodyguard which at first had so valiantly attempted to aid -them was already widely scattered.</p> - -<p>Bob Somers, thoroughly surprised and indignant, appealed vainly for -order. Then, feeling that resistance was useless and ill-advised, he -allowed the irresistible tide of boys to sweep him where they willed.</p> - -<p>"Now, I wonder if you'll listen to the school!" cried Luke Phelps, -giving an extra hard shove. "I only hope the 'Ancient Mariner' is -seeing this. What's your awful haste, Somers?"</p> - -<p>"Well, if we don't play to-day it's a mighty certain thing the 'Hopes' -won't," returned Bob, energetically.</p> - -<p>"Boys, boys, what is the meaning of all this?"</p> - -<p>The familiar tones of President Hopkins' voice, suddenly rising sharp -and clear, quelled the tumult around the captain.</p> - -<p>"Stop!—I command you to stop this disgraceful scene at once!" he -called, sternly.</p> - -<p>"They deserve to be suspended!" came in the sonorous voice of Captain -Bunderley.</p> - -<p>The boys, taken completely by surprise, fell back in dismay before the -president.</p> - -<p>But the reaction was only momentary.</p> - -<p>"Hold the bases and keep on the field!" Dan Brown was yelling with all -his force. "Don't let the Ramblers sneak back a yard!"</p> - -<p>"Stop, I say; stop!" repeated President Hopkins. His usually -good-natured face was glowing with keen indignation. "You are acting -most outrageously!"</p> - -<p>"They're a lot of good-for-nothing young scamps!" thundered Captain -Bunderley.</p> - -<p>"Scamps!" screeched Owen Lawrence from a distance of twenty-five feet. -"Why, we're only doing this because they need to have some sense beaten -into their heads."</p> - -<p>"Listen to the bass voice of him!" piped Benny Wilkins, whose necktie -and collar had been torn loose and who was trying desperately to make -some entries in his big book. "Hurrah for 'Pinky' Crane!"</p> - -<p>Professor Ivins, standing by the side of the president, stared at him -in amazement.</p> - -<p>"What does he mean by such conduct?" he murmured.</p> - -<p>Bob Somers, cool and collected, although his face was flushed from -his exertions, found himself facing not only the two professors and -Captain Bunderley but Mr. Rupert Barry and "Uncle" Steve. And behind -these he saw a great body of spectators.</p> - -<p>"Uncle" Steve was evidently wildly excited. His expression seemed to -indicate an intense desire to join in the fray himself. The strong, -angular face of the millionaire exhibited every trace of the greatest -astonishment. He stood grasping his knotted stick as though half -expecting that the next moment he might be called upon to use it as a -means of defense.</p> - -<p>"Boys, boys!" His harsh, rasping voice compelled instant attention. -"This disgraceful commotion must cease. I want that Brown chap to come -right over—do you understand?" He struck the ground vigorously with -his cane. "To come right over, I say!"</p> - -<p>"He's done all this mischief!" bellowed Captain Bunderley.</p> - -<p>"I'll find out mighty quick how such riotous scenes can go on in the -midst of a respectable community. What is the name of that other boy, -captain?"</p> - -<p>"Lawrence."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes—Owen Lawrence. Some of you boys find Lawrence—tell him to -come here immediately." Mr. Barry glanced toward Bob Somers. "Did they -do any more than hurt your feelings?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"No, sir; not a bit. And they didn't do much of that, either," answered -Bob, wiping his perspiring face.</p> - -<p>"I see you still have your nerve with you. Where is Roger Steele?"</p> - -<p>"Roger Steele!" howled Benny; "Roger Steele; Mr. Barry wants you!"</p> - -<p>A movement in the crowd indicated the approach of Brown and Lawrence.</p> - -<p>The chief "outlaws" seemed entirely unabashed.</p> - -<p>"I believe you sent for me, sir," began "Crackers" Brown, bowing -politely to the millionaire.</p> - -<p>He braved unflinchingly the hard, cold glare which Mr. Barry turned -upon him.</p> - -<p>His attitude seemed to irritate the would-be donor of the ball park.</p> - -<p>"What have you to say for yourself?" he demanded, harshly. "I know -you're the ringleader in all this business."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; he was the whole show in the circus," chirped Benny Wilkins, -who had squeezed his way to the front. "Owen Lawrence was only the -clown. He did what the ringmaster told him to do, and then a bit more."</p> - -<p>"Be quiet, Wilkins," admonished Professor Ivins, startled into speech. -"I'm positively amazed at you."</p> - -<p>"Now, Brown, speak up," commanded Mr. Rupert Barry.</p> - -<p>"I've just been waiting for a chance," said "Crackers," calmly. "First -of all, Mr. Barry, I'd like to ask you a question: when you made the -school the offer of a ball park didn't you say positively that only a -winning team would secure the prize?"</p> - -<p>"I did!"</p> - -<p>"Well, the nine first chosen to represent the school doesn't represent -it, because it isn't a winning team. Unusual conditions require unusual -treatment. The school finally woke up and chose a team that is winning -games and does represent it. And certain fellows who think more of -their jobs than they do for the good of the school insist upon defying -the wishes of the majority."</p> - -<p>"Crackers" proceeded to explain matters from the very beginning. He -asserted emphatically that none of the boys had the slightest wish to -make trouble.</p> - -<p>"I'll admit we did go a bit too far to-day. But, when you consider all -the circumstances, can you blame us?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, we can, and do," spoke up Bob Somers. "But for the spirit of -discontent you stirred up among the boys, and their unwillingness -to give us a fair show, things by this time would have been mighty -different. How can you expect a team to do its best with the school -fighting against it? Don't you know that the effect on the players is -bad—it puts a tremendous strain on them."</p> - -<p>"It certainly does!" exclaimed President Hopkins.</p> - -<p>"We've held out against you in this affair, Brown, because every member -of the team knew it was only a question of our being given enough time -to round into shape."</p> - -<p>"There is the whole story," put in Coach Steele. "To have yielded to -your demands would have meant an outrageous piece of injustice."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" jeered Brown. "How much more time do you want?"</p> - -<p>"We don't want any. The nine has been hard at work every day until I -can now safely say the players are in top-notch condition."</p> - -<p>"Let 'an eccentric old creature' settle this dispute," said Mr. Barry, -with appalling distinctness.</p> - -<p>Tom Clifton, who, a moment before, towering over his neighbor's -shoulder, was prominently in view, now shifted his position so that his -face was no longer in line with Mr. Barry's eagle glare. To his horror, -Benny Wilkins burst out laughing.</p> - -<p>"Ha, ha, ha!" giggled Benny. "And I know who said it, too."</p> - -<p>The tall boy's nerves tingled with apprehension. It was a moment of -intense relief when Mr. Barry, paying no heed to the interruption, -continued:</p> - -<p>"Frankly, I was not satisfied with the team's showing, and I dropped -many remarks to that effect during several of the games. It didn't -occur to me at the time, but I've learned since that some of them acted -upon the boys with extraordinary force." His cold, penetrating gaze -shifted from one to another. "I understand your position, Brown; and I -understand the position of the regulars, too."</p> - -<p>Not a sound came from the crowd as the elderly gentleman, tapping the -turf impatiently with his knotted stick, went on:</p> - -<p>"Any lot of boys who have the courage and fighting spirit to stick it -out in the face of such a confounded row must be made of pretty good -stuff. Confidence in oneself is half the battle in life. This is what I -have to say: The lads may be able to do what they claim. If they show -as much grit and determination in the coming games as they have during -the past few weeks they ought to win the championship."</p> - -<p>"But suppose they should lose?" broke in Brown, doggedly—"then the -school loses, too, doesn't it?"</p> - -<p>"We must give them a chance in the inter-scholastic series. If the -nine starts off with reasonable evidence of being winners—all right; -if they don't"—the millionaire paused—"then we shall talk about the -matter further." His voice rose harshly. "Let me add a word of warning: -If the work of the team is in any way interfered with, or if there -are again such scenes as have taken place here to-day, I withdraw my -offer"—the knotted stick struck the ground a violent blow—"remember -that!"</p> - -<p>The turn of the regulars to applaud had come at last.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</h2> - - -<h3>BOB SCORES AT LAST</h3> - - -<p>"Hit it out, Dave; hit it out!"</p> - -<p>"Jeffords is losing his nerve! You've got him going!"</p> - -<p>"Knock the cover off the ball."</p> - -<p>"Slam out a homer!"</p> - -<p>It was hard to realize that the lot only fifteen minutes before had -been the scene of the greatest confusion. The spectators were now as -orderly as active, wide-awake lads could be. All signs of ill-feeling -seemed to have disappeared as entirely as though such a thing had never -existed. Mr. Barry's warning had sunk in deep.</p> - -<p>The "Hopes," satisfied at last that their chance would come if the -regulars failed to make good, became so mild as to cause Benny Wilkins -to make several entries in his note-book.</p> - -<p>"They are just like little lambs," he observed. "Look at Aleck Parks -with a sensible expression on his face." Then, catching sight of a very -tall youth, he called: "Hello, John Hackett, hello! Have you any ten -cent neckties in the shop? I've got to pay a bill for the afternoon's -scrap. Swing at it, Brandon; swing at it! Bert Jeffords can't pitch, -and never could pitch. Who discovered him?"</p> - -<p>The twirler for the Rockvilles grinned good-naturedly. He had a variety -of curves at his command, and good control. His next delivery was an -unusually speedy ball.</p> - -<p>Dave Brandon, however, had found his batting eye. As he struck with all -his force at the inshoot the stick met the ball squarely, and a smoking -hot liner whirled past the pitcher.</p> - -<p>Jeffords' gloved hand shot toward it but missed. Even the Brown crowd -joined in the roar of approval which rose from hundreds of throats.</p> - -<p>"Oh, wasn't that a peach of a hit!" cried "Uncle" Steve, rising -from his seat and almost dancing with excitement. "Root, professor, -root!" he cried, bringing his hand down sharply on Instructor Ivins' -shoulder. "Hooray—he's safe!"</p> - -<p>The professor's dignified countenance flushed. He gingerly withdrew -from such close proximity to the little man, at the same time eying him -with a most peculiar expression.</p> - -<p>"I'm astonished, sir," he began, stiffly.</p> - -<p>"Well, I ain't!" cried "Uncle" Steve—"not a bit of it. Jeffords ain't -in the Tippen class. Hold your base there, Brandon; look out, or he'll -nail you!"</p> - -<p>"One safe hit doesn't make a game," growled Mr. Barry. "Still, this is -encouraging. Who's up now, Mr. Kimbole?"</p> - -<p>"That slim lad, Charlie Blake."</p> - -<p>"Good! He seems to be a heady player, though he hasn't as much bulk or -muscle as I'd like to see."</p> - -<p>The "grind" had managed to cast off all feelings of nervousness and -excitement. He was determined to do his share toward showing that Coach -Steele's claims were entirely justified. At the second ball pitched, he -bunted, the horse-hide rolling tantalizingly near the third base line.</p> - -<p>Before the pitcher could pounce upon it Blake was safe at first and -Dave Brandon had reached the second sack.</p> - -<p>But the inning so auspiciously begun did not fulfil the hopes aroused -in the hearts of the Somersites. Bob's high fly to deep left field was -caught; Phil Brentall fanned. Then, after a hard run, Sawdon nipped Alf -Boggs' foul.</p> - -<p>"Well, it's all a part of the game," said "Uncle" Steve, resignedly.</p> - -<p>"Those boys are simply bound to succeed!" exclaimed Captain Bunderley, -in a tone of deep conviction.</p> - -<p>"Just what I think, too," agreed Mr. Kimbole.</p> - -<p>Sawdon's catch, which was made close to the backstop fence, ended the -second half of the first inning. Rockville had been easily disposed of, -chiefly due to Singleton's pitching.</p> - -<p>The latter appeared to be at his best, starting out on the second round -with confidence and determination. He sent the ball over the plate with -a speed and accuracy which bewildered the batsmen. In succession he -struck out two; the third was thrown out at first.</p> - -<p>"They are all right on the defensive," said Mr. Barry. "Yes; the boys -do seem to have improved."</p> - -<p>For five innings neither side scored. At the beginning of the sixth -the friends of the visitors were given a chance to yell and shout in -the most uproarious fashion. Bill Allen, according to Benny Wilkins, -"started the ball rolling."</p> - -<p>And it rolled so far that by the time the stout editor of the -"Reflector" succeeded in laying his hands upon its stained and battered -surface Allen was on his way to third.</p> - -<p>"Bad, bad business," grumbled Mr. Barry. "By George, they are going to -score this time."</p> - -<p>"Looks like it," mumbled "Uncle" Steve.</p> - -<p>"Take him out of the box!" howled Benny Wilkins. "Hooray for 'Jack -Frost'!"</p> - -<p>Nothing ruffled Singleton, however. He was there to do his best, and -he was doing it. He surveyed the big, husky form of Joe Wiles, third -baseman, without trepidation.</p> - -<p>"Give me the best in the shop," called Joe, shaking his bat -suggestively.</p> - -<p>Brentall signaled for a high inshoot.</p> - -<p>The pitcher snapped the ball toward him, putting forth all his efforts -to fool the batsman. Next moment, however, a prolonged groan announced -that his attempt was wasted. The shrieking, gleeful Rockvillers, waving -every available pennant, saw the ball shooting between first and second -with terrific speed.</p> - -<p>Bob Somers made a wild attempt to stop it, but the sphere bounded high -over his head.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Bill Allen was trotting leisurely for home.</p> - -<p>"Sic a Goose Hill gander on Singleton!" shouted Benny. "He's only good -at pitching quoits. Get him a doughnut—quick."</p> - -<p>"No—he takes the biscuit!" yelled Aleck Parks. "One run, and nobody -down."</p> - -<p>"I remember when I should have called that an exhibition well worth -missing," observed Mr. Barry, with a sort of half chuckle. He smiled -grimly, as a Rockville supporter was heard exclaiming:</p> - -<p>"Did you ever see anything prettier in your life!"</p> - -<p>Jeffords, the next batter, hit safely, advancing Wiles to second.</p> - -<p>Singleton, catching a nod from Coach Steele, with a sigh walked toward -the players' bench, while "Jack Frost," glad to get into the fray, -dashed to the mound.</p> - -<p>"Too bad my wing went back on me," exclaimed Singleton, as the two -passed each other. "Good luck, old boy."</p> - -<p>"Jack" signalized his advent in the box by promptly striking out the -next batter.</p> - -<p>When John Appleby walked briskly to the plate a storm of approval from -the visiting contingent clearly demonstrated to the pitcher that he was -considered one of the "star" hitters of the aggregation.</p> - -<p>"Now is the time for some of your good stickwork, old boy!" yelled one. -"Two men on bases and only one down. Start 'em around the circuit!"</p> - -<p>The runners on first and second were doing all in their power to worry -the twirler—playing off and running back.</p> - -<p>"Take a few yards more, Wiles!" bawled the coach at first. "He won't -throw it!"</p> - -<p>"Jack Frost" realized that it was the critical juncture of the game. -The sight of "Crackers" Brown and Owen Lawrence not far from the -"grand stand" nerved him to do his utmost.</p> - -<p>"Here's where I'll have to put everything I know on the ball," he -reflected, warily watching the antics of the base-runners.</p> - -<p>He wheeled abruptly around and shot the ball with all his force toward -the batsman.</p> - -<p>His heart gave a sudden thump as an ominous crack sounded.</p> - -<p>The "slugger" Appleby had hit a low drive which was whizzing with -terrific velocity to the right of second base.</p> - -<p>"Safe—as sure as shooting!" groaned "Jack."</p> - -<p>Bob Somers, with only one glance at the oncoming sphere, dashed -toward it like a flash. It seemed almost a hopeless chance. The base -runners, confident that the ball would pass over his head, obeyed the -instructions of the coach to run. Benny Wilkins started to make a note: -"High school team goes to pieces in the sixth." The shouting of the -Rockville adherents burst forth in a wild series of whoops.</p> - -<p>Then all the racket stopped with curious abruptness.</p> - -<p>As the liner sped high above Bob Somers' head the second baseman sprang -in the air with upraised hand. There was a resounding smack. The ball, -arrested in its flight, dropped to the ground a few feet away.</p> - -<p>Bob darted upon it, whipped the sphere to Tom Clifton, and Appleby was -out.</p> - -<p>The calm was over. Forgetting unpleasant differences, the school voiced -its approval in a sea of sound. Benny hastily scratched out his note.</p> - -<p>"One-eightieth of a cent's worth of good lead pencil gone to waste," he -muttered. "Oh—oh! What do you know about that? Is Wiles wild?"</p> - -<p>Joe, making a tremendous effort to score, was speeding home when, to -his unbounded astonishment, he discovered that the ball was in the -first baseman's hands. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw it -flashing straight for the catcher's mit.</p> - -<p>Turning abruptly, he made a wild dive to regain the third sack. A -volley of cries rang in his ears.</p> - -<p>"Get back!"</p> - -<p>"Hold your base!"</p> - -<p>"Slide—slide!"</p> - -<p>Obeying the instructions of his friends, Wiles threw himself at full -length on the yellow, dusty line.</p> - -<p>But before he was within a foot of the goal the ball streaked over his -head, Fred Benson's hand dropped on his forearm, and the only sound -which Joe heard clearly was the voice of the umpire yelling:</p> - -<p>"Runner out at third!"</p> - -<p>"A mighty pretty piece of work," commented Mr. Rupert Barry.</p> - -<p>"A Jim dandy!" cried "Uncle" Steve, hilariously. "Regular major league -work, I call it."</p> - -<p>"I knew they would turn out all right!" exclaimed Captain Bunderley, -his eyes shining with satisfaction. "I never lost faith in 'em—never!"</p> - -<p>Victor Collins and Joe Rodgers, fairly dancing with glee, took turns -with the bugle, sending its musical notes far over the air.</p> - -<p>"There's the enemy of the 'Pie-eaters' going to bat now," remarked Nat -Wingate to his chum, John Hackett.</p> - -<p>"Only wish I had the stick in my hands," said Hackett. "I'd break it -in half and knock the cover off the ball at the same time. Say, Nat, -maybe the Stars wouldn't wade through this Rockville bunch!"</p> - -<p>"I won't be satisfied until we get a crack at 'em," grinned Nat. "Bet -they don't score a run."</p> - -<p>"Look out for your heads, fellows," counseled Ted Pollock. "Tom -Clifton's going to swing, and——"</p> - -<p>"Suffering geese, he's cracked it!" roared "Uncle" Steve from the -"grand stand." "A pippin, too; right over the second baseman's head. -Hooray! He runs like an express train."</p> - -<p>Hot and happy, Tom Clifton reached first in safety, while cries of -"Good work, old boy; good work!" made his grin grow broader.</p> - -<p>"Here's where we start things, 'Pinky'!" he cried, exultingly.</p> - -<p>"Don't fool yourself. You won't travel very far," grinned the captain -of the Rockvilles.</p> - -<p>"Play off the base, Tom," urged "Jack Frost," who was coaching at -first. "Jeffords'll never be fast enough to get you."</p> - -<p>At the precise second that Jeffords pitched the ball Tom's long legs -began to move at such an extraordinary rate as to cause murmurs of -wonderment to come from the onlookers.</p> - -<p>"By cracky, he can go faster'n the ball!" shouted "Uncle" Steve.</p> - -<p>Professor Ivins scowled. He looked at the Goose Hill storekeeper with -an air of profound disdain. The spectacle of a man of Mr. Kimbole's -age acting in such an undignified fashion rather shocked his sensitive -nature.</p> - -<p>"If I were in your place I should hardly——"</p> - -<p>"Bully boy!" roared Mr. Kimbole, suddenly. "Bully boy! He beat out the -ball by a good two yards!"</p> - -<p>The field was in an uproar again.</p> - -<p>But the noise was as nothing compared to the tumult which broke out -when Tom, on the twirler's second throw, once more dared to match his -speed against that of their opponents.</p> - -<p>Bending far over, he tore down the third base line with all his might, -and, with the frantic shouts of the crowd ringing in his ears, slid -for the sack, sending up puffs of whirling yellow dust.</p> - -<p>"By gum, I'd like to have you on our side," said Joe Wiles, generously.</p> - -<p>He lined the ball to Jeffords, while Tom scrambled to his feet, dusted -his uniform and surveyed the situation keenly.</p> - -<p>"This means a run, old boy," he exclaimed, confidently.</p> - -<p>"Extra—extra!" came from somewhere in the assemblage. "All about the -terrible robbery—ball player steals two bases. Who wants a copy of the -high school 'Reflector'? Only five cents. Read Dave Brandon's thrilling -piece of fiction. Greatest story since the days of Munchausen!"</p> - -<p>Benny Wilkins, with an armful of papers, was screeching at the top of -his voice.</p> - -<p>"Why, he's actually selling them!" cried Tom, almost stunned with -amazement.</p> - -<p>"Sure! I've seen him sling out a dozen already," grinned Wiles.</p> - -<p>Pitcher and catcher, who had been in conference for a moment, once more -took their places.</p> - -<p>"None down, Bob. Sting it for all you're worth," shouted Tom.</p> - -<p>"Two balls!" droned the umpire, presently. "Strike one!"</p> - -<p>Then Bob Somers was seen to make a lunge.</p> - -<p>The ball rose in a long, graceful curve, shooting far beyond the point -where John Appleby, right fielder, was playing.</p> - -<p>"I told you so!" cried Tom.</p> - -<p>Over on the "grand stand" Mr. Rupert Barry's face actually broke into a -smile.</p> - -<p>"Fine work—a three-bagger, Professor Hopkins," he said.</p> - -<p>"Very good indeed!" exclaimed the president. "I should have been sorry -to see such courageous boys fail."</p> - -<p>"Looks to me as if they could deliver the goods," piped "Uncle" Steve; -which style of language so displeased Professor Ivins that he remained -ominously silent.</p> - -<p>Bob raced in home when Brentall singled.</p> - -<p>"Extra, extra!" cried Benny. "Get the latest news! All about the -Rockville nine going to pieces!"</p> - -<p>With Victor Collins and Joe Rodgers, he headed a little procession -around the field, with the object, he candidly confessed, of rattling -the visitors as much as possible.</p> - -<p>The next batter, Alf Boggs, was thrown out at first. Tom Clifton's -hopes that a half dozen runs would cross the plate before the inning -was over were shattered by the downfall of "Jack Frost" and Art Bowers.</p> - -<p>In the eighth the high school team, by a tremendous effort, scored -another run, and the Rockville boys then walked to the players' bench -for their final turn at the bat.</p> - -<p>But their heroic efforts were without avail. When the last putout, a -difficult running catch by Dave Brandon, signalized the end of the -contest the score stood three to one in favor of the high school. The -yells, cat-calls and general noise made the audience in the "grand -stand" hastily withdraw. The staunch Somers party fairly howled with -glee, and even "Crackers" Brown was heard to say:</p> - -<p>"Not so bad—but——"</p> - -<p>"But what, Buttermilk?" inquired Benny.</p> - -<p>"If the 'Hopes' had been up against that crowd I'll bet the score would -have been about seventeen pies to one small doughnut."</p> - -<p>"You've got a better team than the regulars any day," said Benny, with -a tremendous grin. "Extra—extra! Full account of the latest boasting -by the Brown crowd. Get a high school 'Reflector'! Five cents. Tells -how the Ramblers beat Gulliver at his own game!"</p> - -<p>A joyous group collected around the regulars. They slapped Bob Somers -on the back, ill-treated their tired lungs once again; and all this -failing to give sufficient vent to their enthusiasm, they waved purple -and white pennants until their aching arms finally rebelled.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</h2> - - -<h3>THE "HOPES" ARE BLASTED</h3> - - -<p>Several weeks later the baseball season was in full blast. The "Rambler -Club's ball nine" didn't always win in the inter-scholastic series; but -they had so many victories to their credit that further opposition to -their representing the school was never heard.</p> - -<p>"Well, fellows," remarked Bob Somers, one day, as they lounged about -in the grateful shade of the big elm tree on the campus, "it certainly -paid us to stand up for ourselves."</p> - -<p>"Sure as doughnuts, those no-trespassing signs are going to come down," -chirped Tom Clifton. "Yesterday, five to three, against the Hilltons! -That's not so bad, is it?"</p> - -<p>Dave Brandon, leaning comfortably against the trunk, and reading a book -of Bryant's poems, smiled.</p> - -<p>"How different the situation is from the time when Brown's friends were -gently urging us to leave the ball field," he laughed. "Now everything -is lovely."</p> - -<p>"The Stars far outclass any of the school teams we've met," observed -Charlie Blake. "So do the Goose Hill and Willingtons. The fight we had -against those clubs must have done us an awful lot of good, eh, Bob?"</p> - -<p>"You bet it did," responded the captain. "It made most of the other -nines seem easy. Now that our batting average is getting higher and -higher I guess it's about time to accept Brown's standing defi and play -the 'Hopes' a series."</p> - -<p>"So say we all," remarked Dick Travers.</p> - -<p>"I certainly laughed when the 'Hopes' played the Stars and Tony Tippen -pitched a no-hit game," said "Jack Frost." "It took that fire-eater, -Owen Lawrence, down just a trifle, I can tell you. I just couldn't help -rubbing it in a little bit."</p> - -<p>"And I fairly hammered it in," gurgled Tom. "Lawrence will play against -us as hard as he ever did in his life. Fired any more of Benny Wilkins' -articles, Dave?"</p> - -<p>"No! I can't understand why he didn't give me a couple this morning," -answered the editor. "The thirty-seventh showed a lot of improvement. I -suppose I'll have to accept something before long, because he's sold -more papers than any other boy in school."</p> - -<p>"That's a great picture he made of you and Tom," chuckled Sam Randall. -"It cost Terry Guffin one ninety-eight to have it framed."</p> - -<p>"Good for Terry," laughed Dave. "He has the only real art gallery in -town."</p> - -<p>One afternoon about a month later, as school let out, Benny Wilkins, -with an enormous bundle of papers under his arm, began yelling:</p> - -<p>"Get a copy of the high school 'Reflector'! Read B. Franklin Wilkins' -great article on the baseball situation. A spicy, up-to-date account, -with the opinions of the author added free of charge. Five cents—five -cents the copy. Catch the definite article. Well worth a quarter. Who's -the lucky buyer of the first copy? Everybody speak at once. Two cents -down—the rest in instalments!"</p> - -<p>Benny's appeal met with instant response. He was besieged, literally -hurled off his feet by the onslaught.</p> - -<p>Aleck Parks did the upsetting part.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, Benny," he said, helping the lad to arise; "excuse me. I've -got only a cent, but I'll give you my note for the rest."</p> - -<p>"All right," chuckled Benny. "I'll make a note of it. Say, Parksy, your -manners certainly need a bit of floor polish."</p> - -<p>Benny's stock of "Reflectors" dwindled at an astonishing rate.</p> - -<p>Bob Somers and Dave Brandon lingered until the crowd had cleared away; -then Dave, with a sigh of relief, ambled toward the big elm.</p> - -<p>"That place seems to be just made for me," he said. "While I'm taking -a well-earned rest, Bob, I'd advise you to glance over B. Franklin -Wilkins' article."</p> - -<p>"Just what I'm going to do," chuckled the captain, as he opened the -paper.</p> - -<p>Tom, laying aside his manners for the time being, looked eagerly over -his shoulder to read:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="ph2">"<i>B. Franklin Wilkins on the baseball situation. With his -observations on the past and predictions for the future.</i></p> - -<p>"This has been a season of blasted 'Hopes.' They started out meaning -well, and, 'for the good of the school,' withdrew. It is little things -like this which break the monotony of student life, though for a time -it looked as if something more valuable than monotony would be broken.</p> - -<p>"As I have frequently said in my articles, none of which, however, have -been printed—this is no reflection on the editor; lack of judgment is -born in some people—the beginning of the season found a lot of wildcat -hunters, would-be aeroplanists and house-boat racers trying to play -ball.</p> - -<p>"This is, as Shakespeare was too far behind the times to say, 'the -limit.' It was up to the limit of what the school could stand. After -hitting the top of the toboggan with a dull and deadly thug they -started to slide down, the rasping sound which accompanied them being -furnished gratis by nearly every boy in school.</p> - -<p>"At the bottom of the chute they accepted an invitation from Daniel -Brown and friends to take a well-earned rest—'for the good of the -school.' My observation on monotony and breaking things applies mostly -to this case. Wildcat fighters are often very tame at home, which is -conceded to be a good thing.</p> - -<p>"What would have happened if they had brought their 'forest' manners -back to the school you can imagine by reading a serial now being -published in the 'Reflector.'</p> - -<p>"Just as they were about to get the final boost Mr. Rupert Barry -appeared and handed something to Mr. Daniel Brown which sounded like a -cannon cracker going off in an empty barrel.</p> - -<p>"That's when the 'Hopes' got blasted.</p> - -<p>"Since then the Rambler Club's ball nine—I've ordered the editor not -to cut out the name—has been going from victory to victory in exactly -the same manner they were boasting about before any playing was done.</p> - -<p>"You can't blame a lot of fellows for making a great blow when they -have the goods in the shop. They had just been mislaid, and not even -the manager could find them.</p> - -<p>"But the excitement during the search was something awful. The writer's -efforts to be on both sides at the same time nearly ruined his nervous -system. He found himself, at times, delivering punches impartially to -either side.</p> - -<p>"We will now speak of a little tussle between Bob Somers' Bear Cats and -Dan Brown's 'Hopes.'</p> - -<p>"It was certainly the greatest ball game ever played—in Kingswood. -Thousands upon thousands of spectators were on the field—anyway, the -figure runs up to a good many hundred—but that doesn't look well in -print. For eleven innings they fought in a most desperate fashion, both -sides winning by the score of three to three—because, if neither side -actually won the game, each won a lot of praise for staving off defeat. -Three more games have to be played, and a few mean people are pained to -think that an admission fee can't be charged.</p> - -<p>"The writer has said as many nice things about the team as he can, -hoping to get on the good side of the editor. That scribe doesn't write -so much better himself.</p> - -<p>"Another thing I must mention: No team has been able to beat the Stars -with Tony Tippen in the box. The 'Hopes' have tried it twice; and each -time it was dangerous to speak to Owen Lawrence for at least two hours -after a certain little row of ciphers had been chalked down in the run -column. Tippen is a pippin.</p> - -<p>"Coming back to the Kingswood High: The writer can almost picture -in his mind a nice level field with a grand stand and crowds of -spectators watching a game.</p> - -<p>"May this be no trick of the imagination!"</p></div> - - -<p>"Whew; maybe that isn't a whopping long article!" cried Tom. "Not so -bad, eh, Dave?"</p> - -<p>"It's Benny Wilkins all over," chuckled the editor. "That chap has -certainly boomed the circulation of the paper."</p> - -<hr class="tb"> - -<p>As a prophet Benny was in great favor. Now that his article had been -accepted he became a most enthusiastic champion of the team, and his -delight at each victory was only matched by his disappointment when -defeat came to the earnestly-striving ball players.</p> - -<p>"Never mind—they're going to get there just the same," he always -asserted.</p> - -<p>The games between the "Rambler Club's ball nine" and the "Hopes" -attracted even more attention than those in the inter-scholastic -series. Each was bitterly fought, the Somersites winning two and the -"Hopes" one, with the fourth a tie.</p> - -<p>Neither "Crackers" Brown nor Owen Lawrence would ever concede the -superiority of the others, while big Earl Roycroft expressed the -opinion that they were about as evenly matched as teams could be.</p> - -<p>It was certainly a great year for baseball at the Kingswood High. With -the school now solidly back of them, the nine continued to improve, and -at the end of the season Mr. Rupert Barry was the first to shake Coach -Steele and Bob Somers by the hand.</p> - -<p>"Let me congratulate you," he said, heartily. "You have won not only -the ball park and grand stand, but my highest esteem, as well."</p> - -<hr class="chap"> - -<p class="ph2">Other Stories in this Series are:</p> - -<p class="ph2">THE RAMBLER CLUB AFLOAT<br> -THE RAMBLER CLUB'S WINTER CAMP<br> -THE RAMBLER CLUB IN THE MOUNTAINS<br> -THE RAMBLER CLUB ON CIRCLE T RANCH<br> -THE RAMBLER CLUB AMONG THE LUMBERJACKS<br> -THE RAMBLER CLUB'S GOLD MINE<br> -THE RAMBLER CLUB'S AEROPLANE<br> -THE RAMBLER CLUB'S HOUSE-BOAT<br> -THE RAMBLER CLUB'S MOTOR CAR</p> - - - - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RAMBLER CLUB'S BALL NINE ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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