was not going, but when he heard how the Rigsby Club had defeated Pornell Academy he changed his mind.

“The Rigsby Club is sure to beat Dale Blackmore’s crowd,” said he to Paxton and Coulter. “Let us go over there and see the drubbing administered.”

“All right, I’m willing,” said Coulter. “Maybe we can pick up a little money in bets.” And when they arrived on the football grounds all of Baxter’s cronies as well as the bully himself put up money that Putnam Hall would be beaten.

“I just heard Baxter is betting against our club,” said Andy, coming in with the news.

“How mean!” cried Jack. “To bet against his own school! I don’t believe in betting, but if I did want to lay a wager, I’d do it on my own school.”

“That’s just how I feel about it,” put in Pepper. “Well, I hope now, more than ever, that we win.”

It was a fine ground, with a beautiful stand and nice dressing rooms for both clubs. Mr. Rigsby himself was at hand and shook each of the visitors by the hand.

“Play for all you are worth, boys!” he said, cheerfully. “I want the best club to win!”

“We are going to do our best, sir,” said Dale, modestly.

The halves were divided into thirty-five minutes each, and soon the first half was on. It was Rigsby’s ball and they sent it twenty yards into Putnam Hall territory. The Rigsby fellows were exceedingly active, and inside of ten minutes they scored a touchdown and immediately afterwards kicked a goal.

“Hurrah for Rigsby! That’s the way to do it!” was the cry.

“Putnam Hall will be defeated worse than Pornell Academy was!”

When the touchdown and goal were made Dan Baxter grinned at Paxton and his other cronies.

“What did I tell you?” he whispered. “This is a dead easy thing for Rigsby.”

“You’re right,” answered Paxton. “Wish I had another fiver up on them.”

“Let us do a little more betting,” said Mumps, who had just a dollar of his spending money left.

They walked into the crowd, and after some trouble managed to place what money they had left on the Rigsby team. Then they hurried back to their seats. The first half of the game was drawing to a 

 Prev. P 58/150 next