" said Frank, with uncommon sternness. "I won't stand
talk like that, and you ought to know it. I'm your friend, as I've
proved many times, but I can't remain your friend if you treat me that
way. I'm ready to hear your opinions, but I won't stand abuse from you
or any other man!"

"I told you a good while ago that whenever you and Badger ceased to be
enemies you would become friends!" Bart declared, somewhat softened.
"And now it has come true. You are wanting to befriend and help him now,
just as I knew you would. And after all the dirt he has done you! Why,
he's put dirt all over you a dozen times!"

The memory of it caused Bart to lose his head again.

"Badger is my enemy! A man who is his friend is no friend of mine! That
is flat! I don't think I can make it plainer."

"You can't; it's plain enough. Badger is not my friend, but I am not his
enemy."

"Don't tell me, Merriwell! You are his friend. You wouldn't ask such a
thing, if you weren't. You must know that every one of the fellows will
kick. What did you make such a fool promise for?"

Merriwell's face was flushed.

"You are making reckless talk, just because you are badly excited, old
man! I am sure you will be sorry as soon as you cool off. If I didn't
think so, I'd say some things that would be hot enough to take the skin
off your face! Now, listen here! I have promised Dunstan Kirk to let
Badger pitch next Saturday in that game against Hartford. Kirk thinks it
will brace Badger up a little, and perhaps it will. I am willing to help
Badger. He can pitch. We need good pitchers. Besides, I have given Kirk
my promise. I mean to keep it."

Up to that moment, angry and unreasonable as he was, Bart had
half-believed that Merriwell might yet back out of his position, and
refuse to let Buck go into the box. He saw now how mistaken he had been.

"And you expect me to catch for that scoundrel?" he demanded, shaking
with rage. "I tell you, Merriwell, I won't do it! I'll do any reasonable
thing you want me to do, but I won't do that! I draw the line there,
short and sharp! I won't play in a nine with Buck Badger!"

"Very well, then, we'll have to get along without you!"

"Do you mean it, Merry?" Hodge gasped. "Do you mean that you will choose
him before me?"

"Nothing of the kind, and you ought to know it. You would know it, if
you were not just blind with anger and prejudice. I am not choosing
Badger in preference to any of my friends!"

"Why aren't you