Buckhart’s face grew dark as a thunder cloud. He confronted Chester, who continued to laugh in that aggravating manner. “Look here, you,” said the Texan in a low tone; “do you mean to call me a liar?” “Oh, not at all!” said Chet easily. “Of course Merriwell told you all about his lame side. I don’t doubt that a bit.” “Then do you mean to say that my pard lied? Waugh! I’d swallow it a heap better if you called me a truth twister. Maybe Dick will swallow these yer things from you, but hang me if I do!” The fury of the Texan burst forth in a twinkling, and he struck full and fair at Chester’s face; but Arlington ducked, and his cap was knocked from his head. Instantly the boys pressed between them and pushed them apart. They remonstrated with Brad, who for the time being seemed to have wholly lost control of himself. Hal Darrell was one of those who seized Buckhart. “Hold on there, old man!” hissed Hal in Brad’s ear. “I am the one who is laying for that fellow. I am the one to settle a score with him.” At last the Texan was quieted and led away. After this the boys knew that at any time there might come a clash between Arlington and Darrell or between Arlington and Buckhart. Chester, however, kept by himself a great deal of the time, and the days slipped by without the expected encounter taking place. Dick took little part in practice during the week, although he was on the baseball ground every day and saw that the team put in the proper work and was given needed coaching. As Saturday grew near the apprehension of the cadets over the result of the game with Rivermouth increased. There were all sorts of rumors about the great improvement of the Rivermouth team, which was said to be superior to anything the place had turned out in many seasons. Brad’s statement concerning Dick’s lame side was also accepted as a fact by the great mass of cadets. With Dick out of condition to pitch, it seemed that Rivermouth would have an easy thing. “I am sorry you said anything about my side, old man,” declared Dick one day. “It was a mistake. I told you to keep still.” “Pard,” cried the Texan, “I couldn’t do it—I just couldn’t keep my face closed and hear what they were saying. I had to spit her out.” “And the result has been the very thing I feared. The boys have lost confidence. They are afraid of Rivermouth.” “I am plumb sorry, partner. I reckon you’re right. I am tired of answering questions about your side.” “Yes; they all want to know about it. Even Professor Gunn has heard about it and made inquiries.” “We will never have any peace in this yere school until Arlington gets out,” averred the Westerner. “I have it pretty straight that he has been telling some rotten things about you lately. Just what he has told I don’t know, but I am going to find out if I can.”