“No post-mortems, George,” said Lanny. “That’s settled then, eh, Dick?” Dick smiled ruefully and gazed a moment at his crutches. “How would I look,” he asked, “driving a team on those things?” “You’d look fine!” declared Lanny. “And you could do it!” “Perhaps,” laughed Gordon, “you could follow the team in Eli!” Dick smiled, and then asked: “There’s no money in this, is there?” “I’m afraid not,” replied Lanny. “The Committee――――” “That’s the way I’d want it. I wouldn’t dare take any money for doing it, fellows. If I made a mess of it I’d feel bad enough if I was doing it for nothing, but if I was getting paid for it I’d feel as if I’d cheated you. Now, one more thing, Lanny. If I do――er――coach, it’s got to be understood that I _am_ coach.” “You mean that――――” “That I’m in authority. That what I say goes. It may sound cheeky, considering that I’m a greenhorn, but it’s the only way for me to have any show at making good.” “That’s all right, Dick. You say the word and you’re It from this moment. And if the way I play doesn’t suit you you can put me on the bench to-morrow. Is it a bargain?” “Fellows, I’m an awful fool, I suppose, but――” he paused again. “Say it, Dick!” exclaimed George, with a grin. “I want you to know that――that I appreciate your confidence in me,” went on Dick, “and I’ll do the best I know how.” “Good boy!” cried Lanny, seizing Dick’s hand and pumping it enthusiastically. “Now I feel as if I could play some football! Honest, Dick, I’ve been too worried to even try!” “Do I――do I begin my duties now?” asked Dick soberly. “Of course! I suppose the Committee will have to approve, but they’ll do that, all right.” “Then,” said Dick, “I’ll issue my first order.” “Shoot!” laughed Lanny. “Very well. The First Squad is disbanded.” “Eh?” gasped Lanny. “What?” exclaimed George. “Also the Sub Team and the Third Squad,” continued Dick calmly. “To-morrow at three o’clock all candidates will report to me on the field dressed to play.” “What――what’s the idea?” asked Gordon. “We’re going to start over,” returned Dick quietly, “and any fellow who wants a place on the team _has got to work for it_!” CHAPTER VI THE NEW COACH TAKES HOLD Dick Lovering’s selection to mold the destinies of the Clearfield High School Football Team did not meet with universal approbation. It would have been strange if it had. Dick, handicapped as he was by his physical disability and far too busy a youth to mix in many of the school interests, had, after all, but a limited circle of personal acquaintances, and those who knew him only by sight and reputation were inclined to be dissatisfied. There was no animosity toward Dick, but it was felt that to put a boy who had never played the game and had had no practical experience at the head of football affairs was, to say the least, a hazardous experiment. Some fellows went farther and declared that it was idiotic.