He was followed by the other players.
"Go out a little more quietly, if you please---that's all," called Old Dut.
On tiptoe the members of the squad stole upstairs to the exhibition hall.

There they quickly got into their uniforms, next stowing their street clothing in a closet, the key of which the principal had supplied to Captain Dick Prescott.
In thoughtful silence Dick led his small host from the schoolhouse to the diamond.

When they had halted by the benches Dick began: "Now, fellows, each of you keep steadily in mind what we have at stake this afternoon." "Yes, sirree!" grinned Dan Dalzell.

"If we win to-day we're going to learn what the man on the clubhouse steps said." "To-day's victory gives one school or the other the championship of the Gridley Grammar School League," Dick declared.
"Oh, that's a side issue, entirely," retorted Tom gravely.

"What we're really burning about is to know what the man on the clubhouse steps said." "Are we going to pitch in to practice now ?" asked Greg.
"You fellows can, if you want to, but don't go at it too hard," replied Captain Dick.
"If you didn't want to practice, what were you in such a hurry to get out of school for ?" demanded Holmes.
"Because I felt that we had been in school about as long as we could stand on the day of the championship game," laughed Prescott.
"Wise captain," approved Darrin.
They had not been on the field many minutes when a whoop sounded near at hand that caused the boys to look with surprise.
"Here come the Souths!" called Dave.