"Huh!" exclaimed the Fox, scornfully. "You seem to think Walter Osborne can win all the time! Don did start in rusty, but he soon warmed up—-just a little!"
"Let's play a set, Coop, you and I," suggested Blake Merton, turning his back upon Don's elated follower. "Do you feel like it?"
"Sure thing, Blake! But I guess you won't have any trouble in putting me down and out."
"Cut out the modesty!" laughed Blake. "It was all I could do to beat you yesterday, and you know it."
So another court was soon occupied, with Dick Bellamy scoring. Dick belonged to the Otter patrol, and as Alec Sands, who formerly captained the Otters, was not going to be in camp that summer, Dick was Tom Sherwood's only rival for the leadership. Already the Otters had held informal discussions of Dick's and Tom's qualifications, but it was still uncertain which of the two would be elected. Each was popular and had a good record in woodcraft, athletics, and scout games. Another question was: Who would be chosen for leader of the Wolf patrol, in the absence of Hugh Hardin and his chum, Billy Worth, that summer?
"Rough or smooth?" called Blake, tossing his racket in the air.
"Rough," answered Cooper.
"Smooth it is," the other declared, with a grin. "I'll take serve."
Blake had a peculiar and difficult cut on which he prided himself in serving. It was seldom that anyone could touch it until after he had played with Blake for some time, and Cooper was no exception to the rule.
"Fifteen love," announced Dick from the barrel.