Reluctantly, Bart agreed, for he feared that his rival would out-general him, but the others were so insistent that he could not refuse. But to lessen the possibility, he gave Fred only the poorest players, with the exception of the unknown Bronson. Understanding this action, Fred made no objection, however, and set to work to develop his players, and so well did he succeed that by the middle of the season the scrub eleven was able to keep the School Team from scoring, whenever it felt inclined. This success served to rouse all Bart's old hatred of his rival, and so viciously did he always tackle Fred, that, fearing the star left back would be seriously injured, Buttons, Bronson and Soda finally prevailed upon him to feign a sprained ligament and keep out of the game, except to run through signals. But it was not until a week before the game with Landon, when Sandow and Hal, who had been appealed to by Buttons, added their solicitations to the others' that Fred consented. When he reported his supposed injury, Bart tried to appear sorry, but in his eyes there was a light of joy. When the assembled crowds of Baxter and Landon supporters arrived for the game, they were amazed to see that Buttons' name was down to play left half-back, while Fred was listed among the substitutes. At the discovery, the Baxter students and grads were furious, and in no gentle manner they told Bart what they thought. But he quoted Fred's own statement, that he had sprained a ligament, in his defense, declaring that under the circumstances it would be foolhardy to start him in the game rather than hold him in reserve. And as the captain's word is absolute, the protestants were forced to be content, though many secretly hoped that Buttons would be laid out at an early stage of the game. But had the grads prevailed upon Bart, they would have found another obstacle. When Buttons and Sandow went to Fred's house during the forenoon to commiserate him, he was not there. Early that morning he had been called to the long-distance telephone, in the village central. Wondering who could wish to talk with him, he was amazed to hear his father's voice. "Mr. Bronson will arrive in Baxter at ten this morning," Mr. Markham said. "You are to get a buggy from the livery stable and meet him. He will tell you what he wants you to do. I am sorry it is the day of the game, but your being on hand means everything to me, to your mother and to yourself." "I'll be there, don't worry," replied Fred. Hastening back to his mother, Fred imparted the news, and then whiled away the morning as best he could until it was time to get the buggy and drive to the train to meet Mr. Bronson. Quickly jumping into the buggy, the lawyer told Fred to drive fast until he was out of the village, as he desired his presence to remain unknown. In order the better to accomplish this object, the boy turned off Main Street.