“I made myself so. I was something of a weakling when born. My mother expected me to die. I remember hearing her say it was a shame I could not grow up to be strong and rugged. She even fancied I might have lung trouble.” “It doesn’t seem possible!” cried Grafter, surveying Merry’s sturdy figure. “When I became old enough to think, I resolved that I would be strong. I sought to learn how to make myself strong. I discovered the way. Do you know it is a fact that almost all great athletes and strong men have been weak children?” “I did not know.” “It’s true.” “But it almost seems that you must hypnotize your opponents in matches. How is it that you defeat them time after time when they appear to have the advantage, the same as you did Manton to-day?” “I grasp the opportunity.” “The opportunity? Why——” “In almost everything there comes an opening, or opportunity, that may be seized with advantage. It came to-day when Manton failed to make his seventh straight strike. I always watch the other fellow to see when he weakens. At that point I try to put forth my best efforts. If he slumps and I succeed, he may lose his nerve. All through life a man must be ready to grasp the opportunity.” “And that,” cried Grafter, as if his eyes had suddenly been opened, “is the secret of his success!” CHAPTER VI. A “GO” AT GOLF. It was mid-afternoon when Frank and Bart again appeared at the clubhouse. They came walking briskly up the road, and were greeted by Fuller, who, with others, was waiting for them on the veranda. “I suppose you’re too tired after that climb to think of inspecting our field right away?” said the president of the club. “On the contrary,” smiled Merry, “that has simply whetted our appetite for more.” “Then come on.” A number of club members accompanied them. Fuller led the way along a broad walk and out through a small grove. They came upon a broad, level field, like a plateau. Round the field ran a fine track, inclosing a baseball diamond and football ground. At one side were long rows of open seats, rising in tiers. At one end of the oval was the trackmaster’s house, which also served as a bathhouse and contained dressing rooms for the competitors. Merry was surprised. “Certainly I didn’t look for this here,” he confessed. “I was wondering where you could have a field up among these hills. This is splendid.” “Oh, my father knew what he was about when he selected this location!” laughed Fuller. They walked along the track, noting its splendid condition. “It must have cost a pretty penny to lay this out and build this track,” said Hodge. “It did,” nodded Fuller; “but it’s paid for, and we don’t owe a dollar.” At the far end of the track they came to the golf links, where a number of enthusiasts were enjoying the sport.