Turning in the direction from whence the sound had come the two saw a small procession of boys headed by Nat Wingate and tall John Hackett approaching. The majority had megaphones, and the din which they produced indicated that all knew how to use them to the best advantage. On they came, singing a lusty chorus. "We are ready for the fray!" shouted Nat, at the end of a stanza. "Rah, rah, rah!" yelled Hackett. "Bing, bang, boom!" screeched Kirk Talbot. "We're the best bunch in the amateur ranks." "And we're going to show just how rank you are!" howled Tom. An approving roar came from the purple and white. "That's like Nat Wingate--always butting in with a megaphone," exclaimed one of the juniors. "But say, Freddy Sparker, he's just doing it 'cause he thinks he can rattle Somers' crowd; an', take it from me, some of 'em he can." "Who?" asked Sparker. "Charlie Blake, for one; Clifton for another." "Add Alfred Boggs for a third. Oh, yes; Nat and Hackett'll know how to get some of 'em going." "I shouldn't mind being knocked down again if it were only time for that game to be played," sighed the first junior. "Wouldn't surprise me a bit if Nat gave our crowd an awful lacing." CHAPTER VI THE FIRST GAME "I declare, Bob Somers, I feel a bit nervous about this thing." Charlie Blake, the most studious boy in the Kingswood High, often referred to as the "grind," paced a corner of the gymnasium floor. "Oh, forget it!" laughed Bob. "Pull yourself together, Charlie." "Oh, I think I can play the game all right--even if I didn't make good while Nat was captain. But there's going to be an awful big crowd on that field, Bob; the whole town seems to be talking about it. And Mr. Barry will have his eagle eye on every move we make." "So much the better." "Maybe you're right," assented Charlie. "Wish I had Dave Brandon's nerve. Bet he could take a nap right before the game." There was an undercurrent of excitement in the gymnasium. Each of the players, in a new and spotless uniform, resplendent purple shirt and striped stockings, found himself the center of a little group of eager enthusiasts. "For the good of the school, boys, do your best!" bawled "Crackers" Brown. "Nat Wingate is a dandy fellow; but I hope you'll beat his crowd so badly they'll never wind off any of their megaphone stunts here again." "Oh, what an awful bluff, 'Crackers'!" chirped Benny Wilkins. "You know you want him to win." "There's a big mob on the field already, fellows." This announcement, coming from Tom Clifton, added to the pleasurable excitement. "Well, it's most time to be getting over," said Bob. "Everybody ready?" A rousing chorus of assenting voices answered. "Oh, I say--I say--who's going to report this game for the 'Reflector'?" cried Benny. "Mr. Editor, may I?" "Write it up and submit your stuff," laughed Dave. "If it's good I'll slip it in."