If you are to follow your captain through thick and thin, in a dozen or more pitched football battles, it is well that you should have a leader who will possess the confidence of all.

Now, whom do you propose for the post of captain?
Let us discuss the merits of those that may be proposed." Just for an instant the murmuring broke out afresh.
Then a shout went up: "Purcell!" But that young man shook his head.
"Prescott!" shouted another.
Dick, too, shook his head.
"Purcell! Purcell!" "Now, listen to me a moment, fellows!" called Purcell, standing very straight and waving his arms for silence.

"I don't want to be captain.

I had the honor of leading the baseball nine last season." "No matter! You'll make a good football captain!" "Not the best you can get, by any means," insisted Purcell.

"I decline the honor for that reason, and also because I don't want the responsibility of leading the eleven." "Prescott!" shouted three or four of the squad at once.
Purcell nodded his head encouragingly.
"Yes; Prescott, by all means! You can't do better." "Yes, you can! And you fellows know it!" shouted Dick.
His face glowed with pleasure and pride, but he tried to show, by face, voice and gesture, that he didn't propose to take the tendered honor.
"Prescott! Prescott!" came the insistent yell.
Above the clamor Coach Morton signaled Dick to come forward to the platform.
"Won't you take it, Prescott ?" inquired the coach.
"I've no right to, sir." "Then tell the team why you think so." As soon as coach had secured silence Dick, with a short laugh, began: "Fellows, I don't know whether you mean it all, or whether you're having a little fun with me.