"Come now, Bob, don't try to put up any such ridiculous bluff as that. If you wanted the team reorganized it would probably be done." "Who do you want fired?" asked Bob, bluntly. "Blake, Clifton, Boggs and maybe a couple of others," answered Roycroft, with equal bluntness. "Think it over, Somers. I'll leave you here. Sure you don't feel sore about what I've said?" "Not a bit of it," responded Bob, heartily. "It hasn't ruffled a hair. So-long, Earl. Yes; I'll think it over." On the same evening all five members of the Rambler Club met in Bob Somers' study to discuss the situation. The languid air which usually characterized Dave Brandon was entirely absent. "We must take a firm hand, Bob," he said, emphatically. "The only question to consider is this: are we merely stubborn and mistaken, or is our confidence in the team so justified that we can feel sure of final success?" "If our nine isn't quite up to the 'Hopes' now I am certain that later on it will be a great deal better," said Bob. "How did they manage to get such a good team?" "That's easy to figure out," replied Dick Travers. "Wherever he could, 'Crackers' selected the biggest men. Most of the chaps belong to the roughest bunch in school--an unruly lot. They have plenty of brute strength, and are sort of carrying things by rough-house methods." "But the club can play and is likely to go right on winning," said Dave, emphatically. "Oh, I'm not saying anything against their ability," admitted Dick. "But outside of Roycroft and several others, it is chiefly confined to hitting." "They can line out the ball--and that's about all they can do," supplemented Tom. "If it wins games it's enough," returned Dave. "Now suppose we could beat the 'Hopes' to smithereens. Would you play 'em?" Dave broke into a broad grin, but the others looked very solemn indeed. "It's awful to feel that lots of fellows think we're crawling," said Bob, "but, in that case, perhaps--perhaps--we would." After a short pause, Dave continued: "Since the organization of the Rambler Club the crowd has run into some pretty stirring adventures, and has had quite a few thrills." He smiled quizzically. "I refer you to the history now appearing in the 'Reflector.'" "Never read better writing in my life; it's stunning!" cried Tom. "Thanks! Now let's get back to the issue. We've had things pretty much our own way. All of us graduate this year. We expected to leave school in a blaze of glory, with the winning of Mr. Rupert Barry's field as the final achievement of our student days. I agree with you, Bob: in a short time the regulars will be a stronger nine than the Brown aggregation." "Why not just call his bluff and play them?" exclaimed Tom, excitedly. "Oh, no," said Dave, with a twinkle in his eye. "They might beat us. And if they did we'd find ourselves squelched and thrown on the scrap heap."