"Then cheer up," laughed the leader of the First Form. "So long as the Head didn't set any specific limit, you can have your go with Bart anywhere not on school grounds." This solution of the problem elicited shouts of approval from Fred's followers, but the boy most concerned did not share in the glee. "I don't think that would be honorable," he interposed. "Mr. Vining said he would suspend me if I mixed it up with Bart." "But he can't control your actions off school grounds," asserted Hal Church, another First Former. The tone in which the words were uttered, together with their implication that Fred was not any too anxious to meet his larger rival, produced just the effect Hal had intended. "I told Mr. Vining I would defend my father's name anywhere," flashed back Fred. "And I will. What he said to Bart, I don't know. But if you can persuade Bart to be at The Patch at seven to-night, I'll show him I'm not afraid of him." "If we can _persuade_ him?" ejaculated Taffy, who had joined the group just in time to hear Fred's challenge. "Say, it's all Lefty and I could do to keep him from coming back to have it out with you right here now." "Good. Then have your man ready at seven, Taffy. Buttons, you have Fred on hand. I'll referee the go. Mum's the word. I'll make life unhappy for the boy who carries word of this to the Head," declared Sandow. "Don't worry about us," asserted Buttons, while Taffy sneered: "You'd better have a doctor handy--or an ambulance. Fred'll need 'em." Just then the ringing of the bell, calling the scholars to the general assembly room, made the boys forget the quarrel, and, trooping into the building, they took the benches on the right side, while the girls sat on the left, all facing the platform where the Head and his three assistants were seated. After a short prayer, Mr. Vining welcomed his former students back, and then dilated upon the ideals of Baxter, laying particular stress upon submission to rules. At this reference to obedience, the boys looked at Bart and Fred, and many a face broke into a grin. "And now we will have the drawing of desks," announced the headmaster, concluding his words of advice, and reaching for a box, into which he dropped some square pieces of paper. "As you know, the First and Second Forms sit together in Room one, and the Third and Fourth Forms in Room two. The three back rows of desks belong to the First and Third Forms, respectively. "First Form, come forward. The numbers on the cards indicate the desk you can call your own for this school year. Miss Ayres, you may draw first." Quickly the girl stepped to the platform, thrust her hand into the box, drew out a piece of paper and handed it to the headmaster. "You have drawn number three, Miss Ayres. Church, you are next." Rapidly the First Form made their drawings, and then more slips were placed in the box for the Seconds.