The assembly-hall was full when Northrup of the senior class called the meeting to order. The rival foot-ball coteries were there in full attendance, Rob and Wellington and Pierce and Malcolm and their associates grouped together on one side well toward the front and Hopkins and Prentiss with their supporters sitting across the hall. Northrup began by explaining that the meeting had been called on account of a general sentiment favoring an open discussion of the foot-ball situation. “We have,” he said, “two teams here now, the School Team and a second team known as the Independents. I’m not a player and don’t pretend to know a great deal about the game, but as far as I can learn the Independents are doing better playing than the other team. A week from to-day we meet Adams and, as you all know, Adams has been beating us right along of late. So the suggestion has been made that it would be well for us to put against them the strongest team we have, whether that is the so-called School Team or the Independents. And it has been further suggested that in order to determine which is the better team a game be played between them on Saturday.” Northrup sat down amid loud applause. Wellington followed and spoke to like intent, and was in turn followed by three others, a senior and two middle class fellows. The meeting was clearly in favor of the plan outlined by Northrup and when some one demanded that the captains of the two teams be asked to speak there was much clapping of hands and stamping of feet. Hopkins got up and claimed recognition. “We all want Riverport to win the game,” he began rather listlessly, “and I think she will.” Mild applause greeted this, while some one at the back of the hall called “That’s what you said last year!” “But as captain of the School Eleven I resent this interference by――” he glanced across the hall――“by a lot of disgruntled fellows who have formed what they call a foot-ball team and who all this Fall have been doing all in their power to make trouble for me and my management and my team.” “It isn’t your team!” called a voice. “It’s the School’s team, Hop!” “It’s nonsense to suppose that a team that has played together no longer than this Independent team has can face Adams and――and win. As for playing the Independents, why, we’re willing enough to do that――” This announcement met with a storm of approval. “I mean,” corrected Hopkins with some embarrassment, “that we would be willing to if it wasn’t that we shall need all the time that is left to us to get ready for Adams.” “You bet you will!” yelled Jelly from a front seat. “The School Team is the only team that has the right to represent the School in contests with other schools and I insist on that right. And I hope you fellows will stand by me and――and my team, and help us to a victory.”