scott," Fred told himself jubilantly. "We shan't
hear so much about Dick & Co. for a few months!"

"Well, anyway, Dick," said Tom Reade, "you and Dave needn't feel
too badly. If Ripley turns out to be the nine's crack pitcher,
the nine also carries two relief pitchers. You and Dave have
a chance to be the relief pitchers. _That_ will make the nine
for you both, anyway. But, then, that spitball may be the only
thing Ripley knows."

"Don't fool yourself," returned Prescott, shaking his head. "If
Ripley can do that one so much like a veteran, then he knows other
styles of tossing, too. I'm glad for Gridley High School---mighty
glad. I wouldn't mind on personal grounds, either, if only---if-----"

"If Fred Ripley were only a half decent fellow," Harry Hazelton
finished for him.

Coach Luce soon dismissed the squad for the day. A few minutes
later the boys left the gym. in groups. Of course the pitching
they had seen was the sole theme. Ripley didn't have to walk
away alone to-day. Coach Luce and a dozen of the boys stepped
along with him in great glee.

"It's Rip! Old Rip will be the most talked about fellow in any
High School league this year," Parkinson declared, enthusiastically.

Even the fellows who actually despised Fred couldn't help their
jubilation. Gridley was strong in athletics just because of the
real old Gridley High School spirit. Gridley's boys always played
to win. They made heroes of the fellows who could lead them to
victory after victory.

Fred was far on his way home ere the last boy had left him.

"I'll get everything in sight now," Ripley told himself, in ecstasy,
as he turned in at the gateway to his home. "Why, even if Prescott
does get into the relief box, I can decide when he shall or shall
not pitch. I'll never see him get a _big_ game to pitch in.
Oh, but this blow to-day has hurt Dick Prescott worse than a blow
over the head with an iron stake could. I've wiped him up and
put him down again. I've made him feel sick and ashamed of his
puny little inshoot! Prescott, you're mine to do as I please
with on this year's nine---if you can make it at all!"

In truth, though young Prescott kept a smiling face, and talked
cheerily, he could hardly have been more cast down than he was.
Dick always went into any sport to win and lead, and he had set
his heart on being Gridley's best man in the box. But now-----

Dick & Co. all felt that they needed the open air after the