Committee were present.

After the game, there was a brief conference between coach and
the committee members.

"It is time, now, to announce the appointment of captain," called
coach, when he had again gathered the squad. "Purcell, of the
junior class, will be captain of the nine. Prescott, of the sophomore
class, will be second, or relief captain."

Then the announcements were made for the second nine.

And now the first game was close at hand. The opponent was to
be Gardiner City High School. Gardiner possessed one of the strongest
school nines in the state. Coach Luce would have preferred an
easier opponent for the first regular game, but had to take the
only match that he could get.

"However, young gentlemen," he announced to the squad on the field,
"the Gridley idea is that all opponents look alike to us. Your
city and your school will demand that you win---not merely that
you try to win!"

"We'll win---no other way to do!" came the hearty promise.

CHAPTER XV

A DASTARD'S WORK IN THE DARK

Thanks to the methods Dick & Co. had started the year before of
raising funds for High School athletics through stirring appeal
to the local pride of the wealthy residents of the city, the school
nine had an abundant supply of money for all needs.

Through the columns of "The Blade" Prescott warmed up local interest
effectively. Tickets sold well ahead of the time for the meeting
with Gardiner City High School.

"Prescott, you've been picked to pitch for the Gardiner game,"
Coach Luce informed the sophomore. "We're going to have almost
the hardest rub of the season with this nine, on account of its
being our first game. Gardiner City has played two games already,
and her men have their diamond nerve with them. Keep yourself
in shape, Mr. Prescott. Don't take any even slight chance of
getting out of condition."

"You may be sure I won't," Dick replied, his eyes glowing. "You
know, Mr. Luce, that, though I played some on second football
team last fall, this is the first chance I've had to play on the
regular team."

"As the game is close at hand," continued the coach, "I'd even
be careful not to train too much. You're in as fine condition,
now, as you can be this season. Sometimes, just in keeping up
training, a fellow has something happen to him that lays him up
for a few days."

"It won't happen to me, sir," Dick asserted. "I'm going to take
care of myself as if I were glass, until