Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/229

Rh Phil, later on, when they were alone. "At first the lads—or some of them—thought they ought to turn against you, but when they were reasoned with, and thought it over, they concluded that it would be a mean thing to give you the cold shoulder, after the manly way you were acting, and especially after what you did for Oak Hall at the football match."

"I'm sure I've got you to thank for it all, Phil," answered Dave. "I'll not forget it, old fellow!" And he caught Phil by the shoulder affectionately.

Dave had expected to hear from the bully concerning the proposed fight, but nothing came in the way of a challenge. To tell the truth, Gus Plum was just a little afraid of Dave, and likewise afraid of his popularity.

"I can't understand why the fellows stick up for his kind," he declared to Nat Poole, "but they do, and nothing seems to change 'em."

"I understand they are going to make him a member of the Gee Eyes. They are going to make me a member too. Do you belong?"

"Yes, but I haven't attended a meeting since they put in Phil Lawrence as leader. I won't play second fiddle to that chap."

"I'm going to join just to see what it's like," added Nat Poole. "I can drop it like yourself if I don't like it."

Two days later Dave was informed that the