There is something more needed, as you should know.

You must be able to row." "Is there a man on the crew who pulls a prettier stroke than I?
Just answer me that, Burn Putnam ?" "You do pull a pretty stroke, but I have been convinced that the men on the crew now will hold out, and it is not best to take you in place of any of them." "Who convinced you?
I know! It was Merriwell! He is holding Rattleton on the crew simply because they are chums, and you are letting him twist you around his finger! Ha! ha! ha!" Gordon's laugh was sarcastic and cutting and it brought a hot flush to the face of Old Put.
"You are insolent, Gordon!" he said.

"This is an open insult!" "Is it?
Well, I notice you do not deny that Merriwell has held Rattleton on the crew in my place." "I deny that he has held any one on the crew that is not fully capable of remaining there on his own merit." "That sounds first rate! Oh, well, I don't care, anyway! Your crew is bound to make a show of itself, and it will be beaten hands down by the sophs." "So that is the opinion you hold, is it ?" "It is." "And I suppose you have held it all along ?" "I have." "Then I have made no mistake in dropping you from the crew.

You have quite satisfied me on that point, Gordon.

No man is suitable to hold a place on any kind of a crew or team if he holds it in contempt and has no confidence in it.