A shrill cry of delight when the first man struck out was followed by a groan when the short fly of the next batter was squarely muffed by Streator. The runner started for second on the first ball pitched, but when Ned’s throw was easily caught and the runner was out a renewed shout of glee went up. When the next batter at last struck out there was a wild scene. Boys and men rushed upon the field and singing, shouting, dancing in their excitement, started for Dan. The young pitcher, however, had fled for the dressing-room and was nowhere to be seen. It was enough that the game and the championship had been won. The following day the nine met to elect a captain for the following year. When Ned called the meeting to order and declared nominations to be in order, there was only one name presented――that of Dan Richards. Slowly rising in his seat, Dan said quietly: “I thank you, fellows, for the honor you have given me. I didn’t want you to do it. I’ve got enough to do to try to do my work in the box without the other. If you are willing I’d rather have you leave me free. I think Walter would make a good captain. He made two of the three runs in the last game――――” A storm of protests arose, which were led by Walter himself, but all that Dan would agree to was to wait until fall before he would definitely decide. The day after the closing of the school Dan and Walter were seated together in the train that was swiftly carrying them to Rodman. “Walter,” said Dan slowly, when at last the two boys were near their destination, “I’m not very much of a talker. I never have said much to you about what you have done for me――――” “Don’t say a word, Dan,” broke in Walter, his face flushing. “You’re not the one to talk.” “Who is, then?” “I am.” “You!” “Yes, sir. When I think what a fool I’ve been and how I treated you――――” “Don’t say any more,” interrupted Dan. “Yes, I will say more,” protested Walter. “All the while I was chasing around with Gus Kiggins, I knew I was a fool. I never believed I could do it, but I did and there’s no use in trying to deny it.” “You didn’t do anything to me.” “Then it wasn’t because I didn’t try. But I’ve got a new start now. I wrote my father so the other day. I told him too, all about you and that if it hadn’t been for you I’d have gone all the way with Gus.” “For me? Why, I haven’t done anything.” “You didn’t do so much, Dan. It was what you were that made me feel like a goat all the time.” Dan was silent a moment before he said quietly: “It has been the greatest year of my life. I can’t understand, though, why all the fellows have treated me as they have.” “Can’t you?” laughed Walter. “Well, I can. Say, Dan, that new league is a great success, isn’t it?” “Yes.” “Wait till we get the track and the football going, as we shall next year! You’re going in for the eleven, aren’t you?” “Samson wants me to.”