have put him off the team if it had been left for you
to do it."

As soon as he thought the squad had had enough exercise to keep
them in tone, Dick dismissed them.

"But every one of you do his level best to keep in condition all
the time until we get through with Hallam Heights," urged the
young captain. "That applies, too, not only to team members,
but to every man in the squad. If the Hallam fellows are swift
and terrific, we can't tell on whom we may have to pounce for
substitutes."

This was to be a mid-week game, taking place Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday morning word reached school that Hudson, who was down
to play right guard, and Dan Dalzell, right end, were both at
home in bed, threatened with pneumonia. In each case the doctor
was hopeful that the attack would be averted, but that didn't
help out the afternoon's game any.

"Two of our prize men out," muttered Dick anxiously to Dave at
recess.

"And it's claimed that misfortunes always travel by threes," returned
Darrin, half mournfully.

"Don't!" shivered Prescott. "Let us off with two misfortunes."

Afternoon came along, somewhat raw and lowering. Rain might prevent
the game. Less than three quarters of the people who bought seats
in advance appeared at the grounds. The sale of spot seats was
not as brisk by half as it would have been on a pleasanter day.

But the Hallam Heights boys came along early, bounding and full
of fun and dash.

They were a fine-looking lot of boys. The Gridley youngsters
took to their opponents instantly.

"I wonder what's keeping Dick?" muttered Dave Darrin, half anxiously,
in dressing quarters.

"Anyway, we won't worry about him until we have to," nodded Mr.
Morton. "Our young captain is about the promptest man, as a rule,
in the whole squad."

"That's just why I am uneasy," grunted Dave.

Hardly had he spoken when Dick Prescott came in---but limping
slightly!

And what a rueful countenance the young captain of the team
displayed!

"Suffering Ebenezer, man, but what has happened?" gasped Dave.

All the other Gridley youngsters stopped half way in their togging
to listen for the reply.

"Nothing much," grunted Dick. "Yet it came near to being too
much. A man bumped me, as I was getting on the car, and drove
me against the iron dasher. It was all an accident, due to the
man's clumsiness. But it barked my knee a good bit."

"Let me see you walk about the room," ordered Coach Morton. He
wa