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 "Be a good fellow, Dick," urged Gordon.

"I won't deny," replied Dick, "that I'd like to try it. As you say, I've never played the game, but I have watched it and I do know the rules and I have got theories. And—and maybe I could get the fellows to do what I say. But—well, look here, now; suppose I did take hold and my ideas of coaching a team proved all wrong and we came an awful cropper at the end of the season? After all, I've never done it and it would be a risky sort of an experiment, Lanny. My football may not be the sort that succeeds, you see."

"We'll risk it, Dick. And we'll promise that whether we lick Springdale or get beaten we'll never make a whimper."

"But what about the other fellows?" asked Dick, with a smile.

"The other fellows?"

"Yes. They'd want to mob me."

"Nonsense! Why, look here, even Farrell can't turn out a winning team for us every year, Dick. I'm not saying you're the finest football coach in the country, but, by George, you're the only chap I know of to-day I'd be satisfied to work under! Now what do you say, Dick?"