“Hey, Chip! We got him!” The players grouped about Coach Trayne in the clubhouse turned. They had been waiting for the arrival of Clancy and Billy Mac, who was still to vote on the new captain, as the coach had demanded a written ballot.
“By gracious!”
The exclamation burst from Merry. Between Clancy and Billy was a drooping figure which he recognized as that of Colonel Carson. The man’s clothes were torn, and by the fierce glances he cast around it was clear that he had not been captured without a struggle.
“We knew he was somewhere,” explained the panting Clancy. “So we went to the gate and grabbed him. Let’s tar and feather him, fellows!”
“Stop!”
Merry stepped out as the yell went up. He flung Billy and Clancy aside, and faced the frightened Colonel Carson.
“Colonel,” he said quietly, “I think you’d better get out of town at once. You tried dirty work, and I fancy that you’ve paid up for it, since you intended betting on Franklin. Fade away, and do it lively.”
[211]
Colonel Carson faded.
“He plunged pretty heavily, I hear,” said Trayne, holding back the indignant Fardale men. “Let him go, boys. Merry’s right. Get in here with your ballots, you fellows, and quit delaying things!”
“Hold on a minute, please,” said Chip. “I only want to say that the fellow to be elected is Owen Clancy——”
“Pho! Shut up, you rube!”
“Yah! Listen to der peesness! Go vay und talk mit yourselluf, Frankie!”
“Clan didn’t knock the home run!”
Coach Trayne quieted down the yelling mob, and roared for ballots. When he had written out his, Merry turned to the silent and unhappy figure of Bob Randall and held out his hand.
“Bob,” he sai............