"
"There are only two absolutely sure things, death and taxes," said
Merriwell soberly. "If I put too much emphasis on my belief, I'll have
to withdraw it. I mean to say that I believe we can."
"And that's about the same as saying that we can!" Rattleton asserted.
"I'm only doubtful about Bart," said Dismal, like a prophet of evil.
"He will never catch for Badger!" Diamond declared.
"I think he will!" sputtered Rattleton. "He will see it just as we do,
after Merry talks with him. Of course, we don't any of us love Badger,
but what's the difference?"
"Let 'er go!" cried Bink, holding up his hands as if they gripped a bat.
"Of course, we'll play ball!"
"Of course!" said Dismal. "We'll pitch Bart out of the camp if he makes
a kick. The fellow that balks on that, when he understands it, is 'fit
for treason, stratagem, and spoil!'"
Shortly after, Merriwell met Hodge on the campus, coming from the fence.
He saw at once that Bart was "steaming."
"Look here, Merriwell," said Hodge, bristling with indignation. "It
surely can't be true that you're going to put Badger into the pitcher's
box next Saturday?"
Frank took him by the arm and turned with him away from the crowd.
"Yes," he answered, "I have promised to do that."
Hodge's face grew black with wrath.
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