Early in the season word of Bronson's record at the Military Academy had been received at Landon, and several of the nine had gone to their rival's town to see him work in practice games. But the alert Hal had foiled their attempts to get a line on Bronson by sending Holcomb or Sandow to the box, with the result that the new pitcher was still a mystery. That this policy of secrecy had caused the Landon students worry and had made the members of their nine nervous, was evidenced by the questions they asked about Bronson's delivery. But when the supporters of Baxter arrived on the diamond, they soon discovered that their rivals did not intend to let any chance to win go by. As the teams trotted on to the field and spread out for warming-up practice, the Landon rooters cheered lustily, and then, at a signal from their cheer leader, producing tin horns from under their coats, raised a tumult of strident discords. Taken by surprise, the Baxter contingent was silent a minute, then roared out their school yell defiantly. But the human throats were no match for the tin ones, and, though the Baxter students cheered loyally, the horns drowned them. During this demonstration, Hal, Sandow, the headmaster, the instructors, those of the alumni who were allowed on the diamond, and the rest of the Baxter team and substitutes, and the entire squad of Landon players, watched Bronson intently to see whether or not he showed any signs of nervousness. But the tall, awkward boy was the least excited of them all. With a grin on his face, he stared at the Landon side of the field, and then turned toward Hal. "They seem to be after my scalp," he chuckled. "And we'll get it, too!" shouted several of Landon's alumni who were close at hand, looking Bronson over. "I don't see any one who looks like an Indian on your nine," he retorted good-naturedly, while the Baxter alumni slapped one another on the back, assuming each "the kid would do." For they, and the Landon grads as well, realized that if Bronson did not allow the taunts that would be hurled at him to arouse his anger, he would be less likely to get rattled. Among the Baxter alumni who had been looking Bronson over was Jack Hastings, who had pitched his nine to one victory the year before. "I suppose Hal has told you what kind of balls the Landon veterans like," he said, approaching the boy. "Yes, I think I know all I can without actually facing them," Bronson replied. "Good. If you'll take my advice, though, you'll make the third and fourth men up hit pop flies--they're the hardest batters on the team." "I always try to strike out the first men who face me--it rather takes the life out of the team," replied the pitcher quietly. The matter-of-fact way in which Bronson spoke delighted his hearers. But Hal put an end to further remarks by ordering his find to warm up.