They hurried down, and after a hasty reading of the placard waved their hands to Cap and Bill, who soon joined them, together with a throng of other students. For the notice gave announcement that all who wished to try for the baseball team were to report in the Gymnasium that afternoon, when matters pertaining to the organization of the nine would be talked over. “Shall we go, fellows?” asked Cap. “Go? You couldn’t keep me back if you hitched me to the Seniors’ meteorite,” declared Bill with energy. “Going to try for it, Bondy?” asked Whistle-Breeches of their wealthy neighbor at Bill’s end of the corridor. “Me? No. Baseball is such a rough and dirty game. But I shall cheer for our team, and back it with my money, of course. Do you think we have a chance to win the championship? I’d like to wager something on it.” “Oh, you and your money!” growled Whistle-Breeches as he turned away in disgust. “We play ball at Westfield for the _game_—not for _bets_!” “Ah—really!” exclaimed James Guilder in supercilious tones as he wiped his glasses with his silk handkerchief. There was a big crowd in the gymnasium that afternoon, when Mr. Windam, who occupied the platform with Captain Graydon and J. Evans Green, the manager, banged his gavel for order. “You all know why we are here, so there is no use wasting time going over that,” said Mr. Windam. “There are several vacancies on the Varsity nine, and we shall be glad to have new candidates announce themselves. You new men will all be given a fair try-out, and those who do not make the team will become substitutes. “I might add, though you probably all know it, that we won the pennant last year by only a narrow margin. It is going to be hard to keep it this year, for I understand Tuckerton College, our most formidable rival, has an exceptionally strong team, and they are after our scalps.” “Well, they won’t get ’em!” Voice from the throng. “Not if we can help it,” went on the coach. “Only I want to warn you that we expect top-notch playing from every member of the team. Financially we are in good shape, and just as soon as the candidates can be picked out we’ll begin work in the cage. This week, if possible. “Now, Mr. Green, Captain Graydon and myself will take your names if you will come forward.” There was a moment’s hesitation, and then Cap Smith, with a look at his two brothers, arose and walked toward the platform. There was a murmur in the throng as Pete and Bill followed, and as Whistle-Breeches got up. “The whole Smith family!” called a voice, and there was a snicker of mirth. “Well, maybe we’ll be glad of more of the Smith boys before the season is over,” said Mr. Windam good-naturedly. “Now boys, your names, and the positions you’d like to have.” The organization of the Westfield nine was under way, and as Cap and his brothers noted the number of candidates they began to fear that their chance of all being together on the team was a slim one. CHAPTER IX BILL IS HIT