“It is among the fellows. On the catalogue his name is Richard Lee Thomas, I believe. He was captain of the football team at college two years ago. He’s the strongest fellow you ever set eyes on.” “What does he teach?” inquired Mrs. Richards. “He coaches mostly, though he has charge of the gym work too.” “I don’t understand,” said Mrs. Richards simply. “He looks after the teams and the ‘physical welfare of the pupils,’ the catalogue says. Then there’s Kaiser; he has charge of the German and French. He’s a fine old boy. Soc too is good.” “Soc?” asked Dan. “Short for Socrates,” explained Walter. “He has the Latin and Greek. His real name is Jones, but the fellows all call him ‘Soc’ for short. ‘Trig’ has the mathematics. His name, I suppose, is Ephraim Jeremiah Paine, but the fellows had pity for him and changed his name to ‘Trig.’ Oh, they’re all fine old boys. You’ll have the time of your young life, Dan!” CHAPTER XIII ENTERING SCHOOL The summer days passed rapidly and Walter spent many of them in the company of Dan. One day while they were fishing on Six Town Pond the great snake was seen again and after a struggle was killed, though just why either of the boys wanted to kill the harmless reptile neither could have explained. “He had no business to be born a snake if he wanted to stay here,” Dan said with cheerful assurance and as if his explanation was sufficient. There were days when the fishing was excellent and other times when the efforts of the boys apparently were without avail in tempting the pickerel which hid among the weeds and refused to leave their shelter. The return game with the Benson nine provided another day of interest and Walter greatly enjoyed the experience. Rodman and Benson both made a gala day of the occasion, and when Walter rode with the Rodman nine in the huge band-wagon which the Rodman Cornet Band kindly lent the defenders of the local name, he was deeply interested in the long line of vehicles which followed the heroes on their way to the rival village, absorbing dust and loyalty all the way. The game itself was more or less of a repetition of the preceding game. Dan’s cunning did not fail him, and exactly the same number of hitters fell victims to his curves as had struck out in the former game. Walter’s father had been in town on the great day and, at his boy’s eager request, had ridden in his automobile to the scene of the contest. He was quizzically warm in his words of praise after the game, for Walter had played a better game than in the previous match, but it was his boy’s enthusiasm over the youthful pitcher’s “great work” that called forth Mr. Borden’s deeper interest. Upon his invitation both Walter and Dan rode with him back to Rodman. Silas, the harness-maker, upon Mr. Borden’s suggestion also occupied a seat in the car, and his continued praises caused Mr. Borden to enjoy his presence.