The teams were taking their places on the ice amid the hand-clappings of their supporters. They were merely individual teams, one led by Merriwell, the other by Beckwith, the big guard of the football eleven. The names and the positions occupied were as follows:
| Merriwell’s. | Position. | Beckwith’s. |
|---|---|---|
| Browning. | Goal. | Beckwith. |
| Carson. | Point. | Harlan. |
| Dashleigh. | Cover-point. | Bingham. |
| Starbright. | Forward. | Ned Silver. |
| Ready. | Forward. | Roll Packard. |
| Hodge. | Forward. | Defarge. |
| Merriwell. | Forward. | Morgan. |
“I’d like to play that game,” cried Danny, waving his short arms encouragingly.
“You’d hoodoo the whole thing,” was Bink’s uncharitable answer.
“Hood-doo it?” Ready mildly asked, as he struck at an imaginary puck.
“They’re doing it!” Bink shrieked. “See that drive! Oh, Sally!”
The puck had been “faced” in the center of the field between the sticks of Merriwell and Morgan, the referee had uttered the word “Play!” and Morgan scooped the puck back to one of his men with a dexterous movement that caused Bink to yell.
The smile appeared on Dade’s face. Since his last severe defeat by Merriwell he had almost forgotten the winning smile that he sought always to wear; but it came back now.
“Oh, say, that fellow’s a wonder! Did you see that?” Bink demanded.
“I see that you’re a fool!” Danny snarled. “Just wait till Merriwell gets into gear. I think he could have prevented that.”