“Hurray!” went up a general shout of delight, and Billy Mac patted his friend on the back, until Merry almost choked.
“Hurray for you, Chip! I knew you wouldn’t go back on us!” he cried.
“By gum, we’ll have the first practice this afternoon!” exclaimed McCarthy, in high excitement. “Chub can get off o’ the store, I reckon, and we’ll go down to the river an’ start things! Jim, can we get enough fellers together?”
“I guess so,” assented Spaulding, with a nod. “Merriwell might be able to give us some good advice, and he could get a line on our work.”
He was interrupted by a sudden cry from Chub Newton.
“Hey! L-l-look out, fel-l-lers! Here they come!”
Merry and the others turned quickly. Bearing down upon them was Bully Carson, a bat in his hand, and crowding around him were the members of the Clippers. One and all looked ugly in the extreme.
CHAPTER VI.
A CHALLENGE.
As the Clippers approached, there was no sign of giving way in the ground around Merriwell. The Carsonville boys were not equal in numbers, but they were plainly anxious enough for battle. Carson paused a few yards distant.