"Sure thing, Blake! But I guess you won't have any trouble in
putting me down and out."

"Cut out the modesty!" laughed Blake. "It was all I could do to
beat you yesterday, and you know it."

So another court was soon occupied, with Dick Bellamy scoring. Dick
belonged to the Otter patrol, and as Alec Sands, who formerly
captained the Otters, was not going to be in camp that summer,
Dick was Tom Sherwood's only rival for the leadership. Already the
Otters had held informal discussions of Dick's and Tom's
qualifications, but it was still uncertain which of the two would
be elected. Each was popular and had a good record in woodcraft,
athletics, and scout games. Another question was: Who would be chosen
for leader of the Wolf patrol, in the absence of Hugh Hardin and his
chum, Billy Worth, that summer?

"Rough or smooth?" called Blake, tossing his racket in the air.

"Rough," answered Cooper.

"Smooth it is," the other declared, with a grin. "I'll take serve."

Blake had a peculiar and difficult cut on which he prided himself in
serving. It was seldom that anyone could touch it until after he
had played with Blake for some time, and Cooper was no exception to
the rule.

"Fifteen love," announced Dick from the barrel.