“I guess he won’t be glad to see me,” laughed Larry. “I haven’t seen him for a year. His father and Uncle Jim hate each other more than ever. Do you remember the time we beat Rogue River ranch team?”
“Yes,” said Katsura, brightening at the recollection, then suddenly growing serious again. “He has not forgotten it either. He never loses an opportunity to attempt to insult or injure me. See, there he is now.”
Larry’s eyes turned in the direction indicated and he saw Harry Baldwin, son of Barney Baldwin, his guardian’s feudal foe. Harry was standing talking to a group of flashily dressed, “sporty-looking” youths. Presently the group moved slowly along the walk near which Larry Kirkland and Katsura were standing. Harry Baldwin was talking, when his eyes suddenly caught the gaze of Larry Kirkland. A sneer came to his face and as he turned his eyes away, he said to his companions:
“Not much material for the athletic teams this fall.”
“I thought it looked good,” argued one of his companions. “I laid some bets before leaving home that we would win everything.”
“It doesn’t promise much,” responded Baldwin. “Fellow up from Los Angeles who ought to be good in the sprints, and two from Fresno who seem good baseball material, not much else.”
“What has Baldwin to do with athletics, Katty?” asked Larry, who had overheard the remarks.
“He is the leader of the sporty crowd here,” replied Katsura. “He is a great friend of the coach, and pretends to run things. He plays on the baseball team and they say he will be captain in the spring.”
“Whew!” whistled Larry in surprise and consternation. “Then I won’t have much chance to make the team.”
“How about this new fellow, Kirkland, from up near you, Harry?” asked one of the flashily-dressed youths. “I heard he was a wonder, and that he had a fine team on his ranch.”