“That fixes it, then. Better have a substitute infielder, though, for the First.” “Temple,” said Sam. “Right-o. Anything else?” “Don’t think so.” Steve took the list and looked it over. “That looks all right to me. Suppose Sam captains the First and you the Second, Andy.” “All right. I suppose some of the fellows are going to be disappointed.” “Bound to be some,” agreed Steve. “Can’t be avoided, though. We can take a good big string of substitutes, I suppose, and that will help some.” “If the game happened to go our way we might use a lot of subs,” Sam said. “Anyway, we could take them along on the chance.” “You and Andy work up your batting orders,” said Steve. “Put me about second on the list, Sam. If I can get my base one way or another I dare say I can worry that Placid pitcher.” “He will be mighty placid if you don’t,” chuckled Mr. Gifford. “I’ll copy your list off for you, Sam.” “I wonder who they’ll have to umpire,” said Steve while Mr. Gifford was busy writing. “Sometimes a good deal depends on that.” “Oh, I guess they’ll find a chap who’ll be fair to both sides,” replied Sam. “I don’t doubt that. Only thing is, will he know how? I’d rather play with an umpire who knew how to ump and who was ag’in’ me than with one who didn’t know and was as fair as all-get-out. It’s the blundering sort who raise the dickens with a game sometimes.” “There you are,” said Mr. Gifford. “And let’s start things up as soon after two as possible. We’ve got good material in camp, fellows, and we ought to be able to turn out a corking team. If we had two weeks instead of one we’d do it, too.” “Well, we’ve been playing steadily all summer,” said Steve, “and it won’t be for lack of practice if we get licked.” “Let’s not get licked,” said Sam quietly. “Hm,” said Steve, and, “Oh, all right,” Mr. Gifford laughed. “Just as you say, Sam!” Five days of hard work, then, for all hands. But enthusiasm was rampant and no one lagged. The journey to Mount Placid, the game, and the hike back had caught the fellows’ fancy, and nothing much else was talked about. As Mr. Gifford had predicted, there were some boys who felt keen disappointment at being left off the teams, but they all tried their best not to show it. “Every fellow for the Camp!” was the slogan. On Monday the First and Second played a full nine-inning game and played it for all they were worth. It was understood that the first selections for the two teams were only tentative and that a player had only to show his right to a position on the First Team to get it. And with this in mind every fellow worked his hardest, either to stay where he was on the First or to secure promotion from the Second. There were a few changes, but not as many as might have been looked for. On the whole, the councillors’ selections for the First Team proved wise ones.