dared to question Siebold's authority. Bill went on, in forcible
language, for he was aware that Siebold was listening, and repeated what
he had said to Mr. Gay and to Dixon. The argument about every one in the
school being interested in the success of the ball team seemed to strike
home, and several boys gathering round began to make comments favorable
to the sentiment. The librarian came over and objected to the talking.

"Let's go down to the gym and talk this thing over," said Sadler. "Brown
will spring this man on us if we'll try him--eh, Brown?"

"Why, sure," said Bill, rising.

"Come on, Siebold."

"Too busy reading. Nothing to it, anyway." Siebold didn't even look up
from his book.

"Is that so?" Sadler was angry. It was evident that he was willing to
oppose the captain. Bill thought he saw an opportunity right here.

"He has only one vote," he said, "and I understand that all of us who
care to may have a say. I know several fellows who----"

Bill got no further. Siebold began to see that it might be best to
permit no defection from his ranks and no outside interference. He
followed the others out and across the campus, no word being said all
the way by the several boys who, in part, made up the executive
committee on baseball. They filed into the gym and got Mr. Gay into
their conference.

"Now, then, Brown, what have you got under your skin?" said Siebold
testily.

"You heard me in the library," said Bill.

"Balderdash! There isn't a fellow in the school who can pitch like
Maxwell."

"Oh, yes, there is, Siebold," said Mr. Gay. "There's no one who can play
first base like Maxwell and your first baseman says he has a glass arm
and is done. We have a pitcher who can pitch."

"That's the cheese!" said Maxwell. "I've told Siebold all along he ought
to replace me."

"Who is this wonderful guy?" asked Siebold.

"I'll bet it's that other fellow from Freeport," put in one of the
captain's staunch supporters.

"Call it off in that case," Siebold demanded.

"No, we won't call it off. We'll try him at practice," said Sadler.

"Who's captain of this team? We'll play in our present positions, all of
us, or we won't play at all."

"That's right," echoed two or three followers. Bill laughed.

"Will you accept a challenge to play a school scrub team?"

"No, nor that. Waste of time----"

"That's nothing but silly stubbornness," said Sadler, with rising wrath.
"Wouldn't it be just like practice? You'r