A talk lasting nearly a quarter of an hour followed, in which they went over such details as seemed necessary. Plainly Plum was ill at ease. He wanted to chose an umpire, referee, and linesmen from outside of Oak Hall, but the senator's son would not consent to this.
"I am satisfied to have Mr. Dale for umpire," he said. "And three of our head students can act as referee and linesmen." And so at last it was decided, but not without a great deal of grumbling.
"You won't win this time, Porter," remarked Nick Jasniff, as Dave and Roger were leaving. "After this game you'll never be heard of again in this school."
"'He laughs best who laughs last,'" quoted Dave, and walked away, arm in arm with Roger. Jasniff stared after him and so did Plum and Poole.
"They really mean to play after all," muttered Poole. "I was dead sure they'd decline."
"You never can tell what Porter will do," growled Gus Plum. "I'll wager he got Morr to accept."
"Well, we've got to wax 'em good and hard," remarked Nick Jasniff. "And we ought to be able to do that easily enough—with Henshaw and Babcock on our side. Those two fellows play as if they belonged to some college eleven."
"Yes, I hope great things from Henshaw and Babcock," answered the bully of Oak Hall.
When Roger and Dave returned to the members of their own eleven they were asked how Plum and his crowd had taken the acceptance of the challenge. Then the coming game was discussed from every possible point of view.
"Do you know, I'd almost rather beat Plum than some outside team," remarked Phil. "He deserves to be taken down."