Frank Merriwells Reward | Page 6

after, Merriwell met Hodge on the campus, coming from the
fence. He saw at once that Bart was "steaming."
"Look here, Merriwell," said Hodge, bristling with indignation. "It

surely can't be true that you're going to put Badger into the pitcher's
box next Saturday?"
Frank took him by the arm and turned with him away from the crowd.
"Yes," he answered, "I have promised to do that."
Hodge's face grew black with wrath.
"You've made a fool of yourself!" he roughly declared. "I wouldn't
believe it. I said it was a lie, and I threatened to thump the face off of
Donald Pike because he told it. Say, Merry, you don't really mean it?"
Frank had dropped Bart's arm, but they still walked on together. It was
easy to see that he did not like Hodge's tone and manner.
"I must say you are outspoken and far from complimentary," he
observed.
"I know I don't talk like this to you often."
"That's right. If you did, I'm afraid we might not be such good friends."
"But I must talk straight now, Merry!"
"I'm willing that you shall drive ahead, but I want you to hold in your
temper. Don't let it run away with you."
"Great Scott! how can I hold in my temper under such provocation?"
"Simply by holding it in."
"But you know how I hate Badger? You know that we're bitter enemies!
You know what I think of him!"
"I think I've heard you express some sentiments along that line."
"You know that he was drunk when he went aboard that excursion
steamer! And he can't pitch!"

"You are wrong there!" Frank declared positively. "He can pitch."
"Why, Merry, those Hartford fellows will just put it all over us. I tell
you it won't do! You must give it up!"
"I suppose you know why I promised to let him pitch?"
"Well, I haven't heard, but I can guess. After you'd saved him from
drowning himself, and he came to realize what everything meant, he
came licking round you, professing gratitude and friendship, and all
that sort of stuff. And you----"
"See here, Hodge!" said Frank, with uncommon sternness. "I won't
stand talk like that, and you ought to know it. I'm your friend, as I've
proved many times, but I can't remain your friend if you treat me that
way. I'm ready to hear your opinions, but I won't stand abuse from you
or any other man!"
"I told you a good while ago that whenever you and Badger ceased to
be enemies you would become friends!" Bart declared, somewhat
softened. "And now it has come true. You are wanting to befriend and
help him now, just as I knew you would. And after all the dirt he has
done you! Why, he's put dirt all over you a dozen times!"
The memory of it caused Bart to lose his head again.
"Badger is my enemy! A man who is his friend is no friend of mine!
That is flat! I don't think I can make it plainer."
"You can't; it's plain enough. Badger is not my friend, but I am not his
enemy."
"Don't tell me, Merriwell! You are his friend. You wouldn't ask such a
thing, if you weren't. You must know that every one of the fellows will
kick. What did you make such a fool promise for?"
Merriwell's face was flushed.
"You are making reckless talk, just because you are badly excited, old

man! I am sure you will be sorry as soon as you cool off. If I didn't
think so, I'd say some things that would be hot enough to take the skin
off your face! Now, listen here! I have promised Dunstan Kirk to let
Badger pitch next Saturday in that game against Hartford. Kirk thinks it
will brace Badger up a little, and perhaps it will. I am willing to help
Badger. He can pitch. We need good pitchers. Besides, I have given
Kirk my promise. I mean to keep it."
Up to that moment, angry and unreasonable as he was, Bart had
half-believed that Merriwell might yet back out of his position, and
refuse to let Buck go into the box. He saw now how mistaken he had
been.
"And you expect me to catch for that scoundrel?" he demanded,
shaking with rage. "I tell you, Merriwell, I won't do it! I'll do any
reasonable thing you want me to do, but I won't do that! I draw the line
there, short and sharp! I won't play in a nine with Buck Badger!"
"Very well, then, we'll have to get along without you!"
"Do you mean it, Merry?" Hodge gasped. "Do you mean that you will
choose him before me?"
"Nothing of the kind, and you ought to know it.