It was the following day, when Dick was out in the field, with some other cadets of his class, getting instruction in survey work, that he overheard something which made him feel more than ever like giving up the fight against his handicap. He was standing near a thick hedge, holding the scale rod, while another cadet was reading it through the instrument, when he heard voices behind the shrubbery. "Looks to me like Hamilton would make a good player," he caught, and he knew that Coach Hale was speaking. "You're right," said Captain Rutledge. "He's got the right build, and I hear he played at home." "Aw, you don't want him on the team," expostulated a voice which Dick knew at once belonged to Captain Dutton. "Why not?" asked the coach, in some surprise. "Well, none of the other fellows like him. You wouldn't get good team work if he played." "Are you sure?" asked Captain Rutledge. "Sure. He's not popular." "What's the matter with him?" "Well, he's got too much money, and he's always trying to make it known. He gives himself as many airs as if he came of an old family." This was an unjust accusation, but the coach and captain did not know it, as they were upper-class cadets, and did not mingle much with the freshmen. "Well, we won't want to get an unpopular fellow on the eleven," said the coach, dubiously. "No, indeed," agreed the captain. "Still, we need good players. Suppose we give him a trial?" "You'll be sorry if you do," Dutton assured them. Dick longed to drop the rod, leap over the hedge and give a well-deserved threshing to Dutton, but he knew he would lose more than he would gain. He was brought quickly out of his fit of righteous anger by the sharp command of the officer in charge of the surveying party. "Plumb east there! Hamilton!" was the cry, and Dick saw that he had allowed the rod to slant too much. He straightened it, and, glancing at the hedge saw the three cadets who had been talking, moving away. But, before they got out of earshot Dick heard Dutton say: "I wouldn't put him on the team, if I were you, for I don't think he'll be here long." "Why not? Doesn't he like it?" asked Captain Rutledge. "Oh, I guess he likes it all right, but we don't like him. I shouldn't wonder but what something would happen to make him leave," and Dutton laughed sarcastically. "I guess I'd better be on my guard," thought Dick as he moved the rod to another place, in obedience to the instructions from the cadet at the instrument. A few days after this, a notice was posted on the bulletin board in the gymnasium, telling all candidates for the football team to report on the gridiron that afternoon, as selections for the regular and scrub teams would be made. Members of the scrub would act as substitutes on the regular. "Here's where I get my chance," said Dick to Paul. "Well, I hope you make the regular team," replied his roommate, as the young millionaire went to submit himself for examination.