"And so you're really going back to Texas?" questioned Fred, after the presents had been inspected again. "Yes, we're going to start to-morrow noon," answered John Franklin. "I've got a little money together now, and I'm going back to see if I can't put a crimp in those oil-well sharpers who did me out of my farm." "Well, I certainly hope you get the best of those fellows if they swindled you," said Randy heartily. The conversation lasted half an hour longer, and during that time Randy and Jack excused themselves and slipped off to their rooms. When they came back they had a small package containing two of their best story books. "Here are a couple of books which perhaps you'll like to read on the trains," said Jack. "We want you to accept them with the compliments of all of us." "Oh, story books!" And Phil Franklin's eyes lit up with pleasure. "I love to read. Are you sure you can spare them?" And when they said they could he continued: "That suits me immensely." A little later father and son took their departure. "Pretty nice people," was Jack's comment. "I certainly hope they get their rights." This meeting took place on the day when Longley Academy played Columbus Academy. The cadets, remembering the score between Hixley High and Longley, were very anxious to know how the Columbus team would fare against the new school. "Well, Longley wins again!" exclaimed Ned Lowe, who came in with the news. "What was the score?" questioned Gif with much interest. "Eleven to two." "You don't mean it!" cried Spouter. "Why, that's worse than the game they took from Hixley High!" "One thing is certain: The Longley team knows how to play," said Jack decidedly. "We may not like Tommy Flanders and his bunch, but, just the same, you've got to hand it to 'em for knowing how to put it across." "It looks to me as if we might be in for a defeat," remarked another cadet. "Defeat! Don't talk that way, Leeds," stormed Gif. "Colby Hall is going to win!" "Well, I hope so, but I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," answered Leeds. He was a new pupil, and was of a decidedly pessimistic turn of mind. The victories of Longley over Hixley and Columbus served one good purpose. It caused Gif to call his team together and read them a stern lecture. "We are evidently up against a bunch of real ball players," said the captain. "We've got to buckle down in this contest and do our very best, and then some. I want every man to practice all he can from now on. And when the time comes I want every man to play the game with all the brains and all the nerve that are in him."