t three o'clock Old Put announced:

"If Captain Prescott so desires, he may withdraw now with his
team, in order to have time to dress and get oiled up on the diamond."

"I thank you, sir, for that permission," responded Dick, rising
at once. He was followed by the other players.

"Go out a little more quietly, if you please---that's all," called
Old Dut.

On tiptoe the members of the squad stole upstairs to the exhibition
hall. There they quickly got into their uniforms, next stowing
their street clothing in a closet, the key of which the principal
had supplied to Captain Dick Prescott.

In thoughtful silence Dick led his small host from the schoolhouse
to the diamond. When they had halted by the benches Dick began:

"Now, fellows, each of you keep steadily in mind what we have
at stake this afternoon."

"Yes, sirree!" grinned Dan Dalzell. "If we win to-day we're going
to learn what the man on the clubhouse steps said."

"To-day's victory gives one school or the other the championship
of the Gridley Grammar School League," Dick declared.

"Oh, that's a side issue, entirely," retorted Tom gravely. "What
we're really burning about is to know what the man on the clubhouse
steps said."

"Are we going to pitch in to practice now?" asked Greg.

"You fellows can, if you want to, but don't go at it too hard,"
replied Captain Dick.

"If you didn't want to practice, what were you in such a hurry
to get out of school for?" demanded Holmes.

"Because I felt that we had been in school about as long as we
could stand on the day of the championship game," laughed Prescott.

"Wise captain," approved Darrin.

They had not been on the field many minutes when a whoop sounded
near at hand that caused the boys to look with surprise.

"Here come the Souths!" called Dave. "They must have been let
out early, too."

"Hello!" hailed Captain Teall. "You fellows are here early, but
I don't see your shovels."

"Shovels?" repeated Dick.

"Yes; to dig holes to get into after the game is over," Ted retorted.

"Teall," Prescott responded sternly, "if the South Grammars want
any holes to hide in, they'll have to dig them themselves."

"Humph! We'll see which side feels most like digging a hole when
the score is read!" retorted Ted. "Come along, Souths!"

Ted led the way down the field for practice. On the way he turned
to shout something back. At that moment he tripped over a small
wooden box and fell flat.

"Oh, Ted!" ca