It would be hard to find six manlier boys of thirteen--now all of them close to their fourteenth birthdays.
Readers of the previous volume know on what grounds it can be claimed that these six were real leaders of the little Grammar School world of Gridley.

Dick & Co.

were ardent lovers of all forms of outdoor sports.
All were keen for baseball.

As runners these six youngsters were just beginning to develop as a result of self-training.

The September before Dick Prescott had organized, at the Central Grammar School, a football squad.