This was also carried. That afternoon, when school was out, the boys hurried along Main Street, keeping a sharp lookout for Hi. At last they espied him, with Bill Rodgers.
"What are you going to do about the swimming race?" called Hi from across the street.
"This is our committee, duly appointed by the Central Grammar boys," Dick called back. "When will your committee be ready?"
"We're ready now," answered Hi. "Come over here and we'll talk about it."
Hi leaned against the fence on his own side of the street, determined not to concede anything to the Central Grammar boys.
"Have you two been regularly appointed as a committee?" asked
Prescott.
"We don't have to be," Hi answered indifferently. "We know what we're talking about."
"You'll have to be regularly appointed by your school before we'll talk with you," Dick retorted.
"You're afraid to meet us in a swimming match," Hi jeered.
"So afraid," Prescott answered, "that we've appointed a committee regularly; but you fellows, who have been doing all the talking, aren't willing to get together and elect a regular committee to represent your school."