Never was precinct canvassed more thoroughly by a municipal candidate than was the membership of the "Tigers" by the two boys during the week which followed. John dropped the usual walk home with Louise, one day, that he might talk to Skinny Mosher, and hung around the school yard another noon, that he might reassure himself of Brown's loyalty. With a clear majority of six assured over Sid's lone vote, code notices were sent back and forth between the different members until Miss Brown threatened to send the responsible parties to the principal's office. With victory certain, John raced across the school yard and caught up with a certain maiden whom he had neglected sorely of late. "We're going to have a ball team election tomorrow," he explained, as he took possession of her school books. "I've been awfully busy." "I know," she replied absently. "Sid told me. Says he's going to be captain." "Guess not!" John was too pleased with the surprise prepared for his rival to realize the revelation in her words. "Smarty DuPree hasn't much show when six of the fellows are going to vote for me." Conversation lagged. Miss Martin was nervously alert lest she encounter a friendly greeting from Sid while her escort was with her, and John became absorbed in the affairs of the morrow. Strangely enough, he experienced a feeling of relief when he left her at the apartment building and was able to race back to the shack where Silvey was waiting. There the two planned and boasted of combats to take place under his leadership on the renovated baseball field, until a warning conscience reminded John that it was nearing paper time. CHAPTER XVI MORE ABOUT "THE GREATEST GAME IN THE WORLD" One by one, the boys filed in through the Silvey gateway, to squat outside the club-house entrance until their roster was complete. Bill glanced nervously at Sid and cleared his throat. "It's baseball time," he began abruptly. "And we've got to elect our captain and manager. Any--" he paused and looked at John. "Nom'nations?" said the latter promptly. There was an awkward silence. Sid tightened his grasp on a handful of the fresh, green turf. John looked meaningly at Red Brown, who spoke up as he had been instructed. "I nom'nate John Fletcher. He was captain last year 'n he ought to be this." "Any one else?" asked Silvey. "I want to be captain," said Sid, curtly. "Can't nom'nate yourself," ruled the president. "Somebody's got to do it for you." "Somebody's got to second it, too," supplemented John. Sid gazed helplessly about. Truly this newly made maze of parliamentary law was bewildering. "Nobody's seconded John's," he said at last. "Second John's nom'nation," said Skinny Mosher promptly. "All those in favor of John as captain--" Sid sprang to his feet. "Wait a minute," he snapped. "You fellows think you're smart, but let me tell you something. I said I was going to be captain, and I am."