"What's the name of your nine?" asked Mr. "Bill." "The High School 'Hopes.'" "We'll promise to dash 'em," grinned the other. "Commiseration for your feelings after the game prevents me from making a tart reply," said Brown. "What day shall we come over?" Finn consulted a memorandum book. "Next Thursday. Our lot is close to the largest ash heap in the county. I may add, too, that some of the fiercest goats at liberty often chase players off the bases. Bring all your nerve along. You'll need it." "Good!" cried "Crackers," in high spirits. "Why are we doing this, fellows?" "For the good of the school!" bawled Lawrence. CHAPTER XIII THE CHALLENGE "A large slice of history made for the Kingswood High." This is the entry Benny Wilkins jotted down in his note-book at the close of the "Hopes'" game with Engleton. Four boys had actually seen him writing it, and perhaps a hundred others had had it flaunted in their faces. The score, five to three in favor of the "Hopes," sent through the ranks of Brown's followers a wave of enthusiasm that found vent in the noisiest demonstration the quiet town of Engleton had ever known. Critical observers of the High's new team noted that the fire and dash with which the big lads played seemed to impress their opponents greatly. "Brown's bunch is the most unruly lot in the school," growled Tom Clifton, who had ardently wished to see the "Hopes" sustain a crushing defeat. "There won't be any discipline on that team very long." "They played a mighty good game, though," ventured Charlie Blake. Tom steered his companion out of the way of a procession of joyous rooters, led by Aleck Parks and Luke Phelps. "How about the 'Pie-eaters and doughnut crowd' now?" yelled Parks, waving his cap in the air. "If you want to win games go to Guffin's!" screeched Luke. "Ha, ha! Five to three! Don't look so down in the mouth, 'Vanitas'!" "If it wasn't for this big crowd I'd punch him right now!" cried Tom. "I'm afraid the effects of Brown's victory will be rather bad," mused Charlie Blake. He paused to watch the throngs hurrying for the Kingswood car. "I wonder if Steele and Bob Somers haven't been a bit stubborn." "Of course not," returned Tom. "Do you know what I heard this morning? Some of the fellows Brown left off his team are putting up a kick already." "Dear me! Then, I suppose, before long there'll be a half dozen nines, all playing for the good of the school." Next day, in the gymnasium, Benny Wilkins had an opportunity to write several very interesting items in his famous note-book. Immediately after classes were over the regular nine assembled in the big room as though nothing had happened. They had hardly donned their uniforms, preparatory to practicing, when the door opened, and Dan Brown, heading his entire aggregation of players, stepped inside.