e're sure to give
way. 'Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall!'"

Merriwell smiled. He liked to get the opinions of his friends, though
usually he acted on his own.

"So you think it was a temptation instead of an opportunity?"

"What is a temptation?" chirped Bink Stubbs.

"Why, every time you grin at me that way I want to hit you in the
mouth," explained Danny. "It's a temptation I can hardly resist!"

"Crush it!" yelled Bink, feinting with his fists. "If you don't, I'll
have to!"

"Somebody throw those idiots out of the window!" growled Bruce, seeking
solace in his pipe.

"Somebody give me a light for this cigarette first," begged Danny. "If I
must fall I want help to alight!"

"Shouldn't think you'd need it!" Browning declared. "You have a light
head. It would hold you up like a balloon!"

"Of course, if the captain wanted you to take on Badger and you've
promised to do it, you'll have to go ahead. I'll band sty you--I mean
I'll stand by you! I'll do my best to hold down third, no matter who is
pitching."

Frank gave Rattleton a grateful look.

"You're always loyal, Harry!"

"Oh, I suppose that all of us will have to accept it, and do the best we
can," Diamond admitted, "but I don't like it, and that's flat. None of
us has fallen in love with Buck Badger!"

"We'll be bub-bub-bub-beat worse than any old drum!" grunted Gamp.

"Everlastingly thumped!" wailed Danny.

"I don't know that I can get up enough interest to do much good on
first," grumbled Bruce, who was as little pleased as any one.

"What's the use of going to the trouble of playing when you know at the
start that you're to be defeated?"

"Look here, Bruce!" said Merriwell firmly. "I don't want to hear you
talk that way! We are not going to be beaten. We will wallop Abernathy's
men, and don't you worry. We can do it all right!"

"Isn't that the crack team of Hartford?" demanded Diamond.

"Yes. Nothing better over there, I think."

"Then there will be no dead-easy business about it. They're not going to
lie down and let us walk over them, just for the purpose of stiffening
the spine of that Kansan!"

Jack Diamond was disgusted with the outlook.

"Have I said that they are easy?" Merriwell asked. "I only said I felt
sure we could defeat them. And we can. Badger is a good pitcher. You
know that. And if he loses his nerve, I shall very promptly take his
place. There will be no monkeying. You are the fellows that se