Though they all were agreed that Hal had adopted the only course possible in order to maintain his authority, the fact remained that Bart was a pitcher of great ability, and they had counted upon his work to help defeat the nine from Landon.
Every boy who had ever pitched, or whom they thought could be made into a pitcher, was discussed, but the only possibilities who had anything of School Nine calibre were Holcomb and Sandow. Whether or not these two boys could be developed, was a question, and it was a glum set of athletes who went to their homes for dinner.
For some reason, Bronson had not attended the meeting, but he had heard about Bart's objection to Fred and final defiance of his captain.
"Is Montgomery such a phenomenal pitcher?" he asked, as he walked home with Fred.
"He's the best we've had at Baxter in years. Why, last year, even when he was a Third, he held Landon to six hits in the second game. And he can bat, too," declared his rival generously. "Indeed, it was his work more than anything else that made the usual third game unnecessary."
"Aren't there any other fellows who can pitch?" inquired Bronson, after a silence of several minutes. "You surely did not rely solely on a Third Former to win from Landon."
"No. Jack Hastings pitched the first game, but he has graduated. I guess the only thing for me to do is to tell Hal I have decided not to play. Then Bart will come back and we'll win the championship again this year."
"Are you crazy?" demanded his companion. "Even if you did that, Hal could not let Montgomery play after his open defiance."
"But it's for the good of Baxter," insisted Fred.
His companion made no comment upon this statement, and again they lapsed into silence.