CHAPTER XXVI 

A LIVELY GAME OF BASEBALL 

If ever a boy was mad clear through that boy was the sneak of Putnam Hall. As the laugh ended, Mumps shook his fist at one and another of his tormentors. 

"Think you are smart, don't you?" he spluttered in his rage. "I'll fix you all! I'll go and tell Captain Putnam all about this spread, and then maybe you won't catch it!" 

"Mumps, keep quiet," said Dick, placing himself between the enraged one and the door. "Make too much noise, and I'll promise you the worst drubbing you ever received." 

"If you peach on me, I'll give you a second whipping," added Tom. 

"This is a gentlemanly affair," put in Larry. 

"The boy who gives us away gets a thrashing from me." 

"Ditto myself," said Frank; and several others said the same. All looked so determined that Mumps fell back in alarm. 

"You let me go," he whined. "I don't want to stay here any longer." 

"You can't go until you promise to keep quiet," said Dick. 

"And you'll promise right now," cried Tom, seizing a pitcher of ice water that had been hidden under one of the stands. Leaping on a bed he held the pitcher over Mumps' head. 

"Promise, quick, or I'll let her go!" he went on. 

"Oh, don't!" yelled Mumps, as a few drops of the water landed on his head and ran down his neck. 

"Do you promise to keep silent?" demanded Dick. 

"Yes, yes!" 

"All right. Now mind, if you break that promise you are in for at least ten good whippings." 
With what?
 the worst drubbing