“So would I,” answered Malcolm, “but I don’t know where to look for them. Every team has its dates filled, you see.” “That’s the dickens of it. We’ll have a talk with Duffield to-morrow. Maybe he can suggest something.” “I wish,” said Jelly, who happened to be present at the time, “that we could have a game before Saturday. That’s a long time to wait, fellows. Couldn’t we find someone to take us on Wednesday?” “I’m afraid not,” said Malcolm. “By Jove!” exclaimed Rob. “I’ve got it! I heard that on Thursday the First’s going to lay off and take a rest for the Mifflin game; they’re going out on the bay or some fool thing like that. Sounds like Prentiss, doesn’t it? Well, anyway, that leaves the Second with nothing doing. Suppose I see Gus Devens and ask him to play us a short game; say, fifteen minute halves?” “Great!” said Evan, and the others agreed. “But will he do it?” asked Malcolm. “Will Hop let him?” Rob thought a moment. “I think he will do it if he can. You leave it to me, Mal, and don’t anyone breathe a word of it. I’ll see what can be done. Gee, fellows, but I’d like to take a fall out of the Second!” “We could lick them to death,” declared Jelly stoutly. “Well, we could try,” said Evan. “I think we might be able to do them up, too.” “We won’t do a thing to them!” breathed Rob softly and ecstatically. The next afternoon, following the practice, the Independents held an election in the rowing-room of the gymnasium and made Rob permanent captain of the team. There were no other candidates for the honor and the choice was unanimous. The next evening, Wednesday, Rob called on Gus Devens after study-hour. Gus lived in Second House and shared his room with Joe Law. Luckily for Rob’s plans Law was not at home when he got there. After a few minutes of talk Rob remarked: “I suppose, Gus, Hop and Prentiss make you do about as they want, don’t they?” “How do you mean?” “I mean as regards your team. I suppose, for instance you couldn’t get up a practice game with another team without asking their permission.” Gus viewed Rob speculatively. “Meaning with your outfit?” Rob nodded. Gus considered. Then, “To-morrow, you mean?” Rob nodded again. Gus smiled. Then he laughed. “They’d be as mad as hornets, Rob, but I’ll do it if I can get the fellows together.” CHAPTER XX INDEPENDENTS VS. SECOND Duffield shrugged his shoulders. “Sure,” he said, “play ’em. But don’t expect to win. That Second Team has been together all Fall and you chaps haven’t played together once yet except in practice. But it’ll be good for you. What time?” “Four-thirty,” answered Rob. “The First Team and subs are going out on the bay. Prentiss and Hopkins think they need a rest.” “What they need,” snarled Duffield, “is a stick of dynamite under ’em. Four-thirty, you said?” “Yes, sir. Devens wants to wait until Hop and Prentiss get out of the way. He says the Second is crazy to play us.”