Chapter I: Introduction

In this, as in the two preceding volumes of the series--The Half-Back and For the Honor of the School--an attempt is made to show that athletics rightly indulged in is beneficial to the average boy and is an aid rather than a detriment to study. In it, too, as in the previous books, a plea is made for honesty and simplicity in sports. There is a tendency in this country to-day to give too great an importance to athletics--to take it much too seriously--and it is this tendency that should be guarded against, especially among school and college youths. When athletics ceases to be a pleasure and becomes a pursuit it should no longer have a place in school or college life.

Many inquiries have been received as to whether Hillton Academy really exists. It doesn’t. It is, instead, a composite of several schools that the author knows of, and is not unlike any one of a half dozen institutions which are yearly turning out hundreds of honest, manly American boys, stronger, sturdier, and more self-reliant for just such trials and struggles as in the present volume fall to the lot of Dick Hope.

To those readers who have followed the varying fortunes of Joel March, Outfield West, Wayne Gordon, and their companions, this book is gratefully dedicated by

THE AUTHOR.

PHILADELPHIA, _June 19, 1901_.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I.--THE BOY ON THE BOX 1
II.--INTRODUCING DICK HOPE 11
III.--’IS ’IGHNESS 20
IV.--IN THE GYM 31
V.--THE INDOOR MEETING 42
VI.--THE RELAY RACE 53
VII.--TREVOR’S VICTORY 62
VIII.--CANDIDATES FOR THE CREW 70
IX.--THE HOCKEY MATCH 77
X.--BUYING AN ICE-YACHT 92
XI.--ADVENTURES OF A BULL PUP 106
XII.--MUGGINS IS EXPELLED 115
XIII.--THE VOYAGE OF THE SLEET 124
XIV.--DICK TELLS HIS STORY 133
XV.--IN THE ROWING-ROOM 142
XVI.--A DECLARATION OF WAR 155
XVII.--IN THE BOAT 166
XVIII.--DICK SURRENDERS 179
XIX.--DEFIES THE LAW 191
XX.--AND EXTORTS A PROMISE 204
XXI.--A DISAPPOINTING HERO 214
XXII.--TAYLOR ACCEPTS DEFEAT 224
XXIII.--PROSPECTS OF VICTORY 231
XXIV.--STEWART’S REVENGE 238
XXV.--“ARE YOU READY? GO!” 248
XXVI.--AT THE MILE 257
XXVII.--AT THE FINISH 265
XXVIII.--TREVOR IS COMFORTED 273

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FACING
PAGE
“Your promise!” he cried. “Quick!” _Frontispiece_
Plan of Hillton, N. Y. 24
On the last lap. 50
A winner by ten yards. 90
“Stand by the ship!” he muttered. 132
A declaration of war. 156
The only way by which he could aid. 262

CAPTAIN OF THE CREW