"Of course, if the captain wanted you to take on Badger and you've promised to do it, you'll have to go ahead. I'll band sty you—I mean I'll stand by you! I'll do my best to hold down third, no matter who is pitching."
Frank gave Rattleton a grateful look.
"You're always loyal, Harry!"
"Oh, I suppose that all of us will have to accept it, and do the best we can," Diamond admitted, "but I don't like it, and that's flat. None of us has fallen in love with Buck Badger!"
"We'll be bub-bub-bub-beat worse than any old drum!" grunted Gamp.
"Everlastingly thumped!" wailed Danny.
"I don't know that I can get up enough interest to do much good on first," grumbled Bruce, who was as little pleased as any one.
"What's the use of going to the trouble of playing when you know at the start that you're to be defeated?"
"Look here, Bruce!" said Merriwell firmly. "I don't want to hear you talk that way! We are not going to be beaten. We will wallop Abernathy's men, and don't you worry. We can do it all right!"
"Isn't that the crack team of Hartford?" demanded Diamond.