diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:13:08 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:13:08 -0700 |
| commit | 3af5b208f7ff8216097bae002263efc0e9c359c6 (patch) | |
| tree | 841ad43639ec5242b411d7141f84f8f34b0ca1af /39582.txt | |
Diffstat (limited to '39582.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 39582.txt | 9696 |
1 files changed, 9696 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/39582.txt b/39582.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a5ef13 --- /dev/null +++ b/39582.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9696 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rival Pitchers, by Lester Chadwick + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rival Pitchers + A Story of College Baseball + +Author: Lester Chadwick + +Release Date: April 30, 2012 [EBook #39582] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIVAL PITCHERS *** + + + + +Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + +[Illustration: THE GAME WON--PHIL, AMID A RIOT OF CHEERS, KEPT ON TO +SECOND] + + + + + THE RIVAL PITCHERS + A Story of College Baseball + + BY + LESTER CHADWICK + + AUTHOR OF "A QUARTER-BACK'S PLUCK," ETC. + + ILLUSTRATED + + NEW YORK + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + + + +BOOKS BY LESTER CHADWICK + + + THE COLLEGE SPORTS SERIES + + 12mo. Illustrated + + THE RIVAL PITCHERS + A Story of College Baseball + + A QUARTER-BACK'S PLUCK + A Story of College Football + + (Other volumes in preparation) + + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY NEW YORK + + + Copyright, 1910, by + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + THE RIVAL PITCHERS + + Printed in U. S. A. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I THE OLD BELL CLAPPER 1 + II A GOOD THROW 19 + III A BASEBALL MEETING 27 + IV THE HAZING 42 + V A SCRUB GAME 51 + VI THE POLE RUSH 62 + VII TOM HOLDS HIS OWN 69 + VIII AT PRACTICE 77 + IX A GAME WITH BOXER HALL 86 + X A COIL OF WIRE 93 + XI AN ELECTRIC SHOCK 104 + XII TOM DOESN'T TELL 112 + XIII A GIRL AND A GAME 120 + XIV TOM'S CURVES 132 + XV A SOPHOMORE TRICK 139 + XVI TOM MAKES A DISCOVERY 147 + XVII AN EXPOSTULATION 152 + XVIII SOME "OLD GRADS" 160 + XIX TOM IN COLD WATER 168 + XX A GAME OF ANOTHER SORT 176 + XXI ON THE GRILL 185 + XXII DARK DAYS 192 + XXIII AT THE DANCE 200 + XXIV DRESS SUITS COME HIGH 208 + XXV TOM IN A GAME 216 + XXVI THE FRESHMAN DINNER 227 + XXVII TOM IS KIDNAPPED 234 + XXVIII THE ESCAPE 240 + XXIX ANTICIPATIONS 247 + XXX A GREAT GAME 255 + XXXI LANGRIDGE APPEALS 272 + XXXII THE FINAL CONTEST 281 + XXXIII VICTORY 293 + + + + +THE RIVAL PITCHERS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE OLD BELL CLAPPER + + +Down the green campus they strolled, a motley group of sturdy freshmen, +talking excitedly. In their midst was a tall, good-looking lad, who +seemed to be the center of discussion. Yet, in spite of the fact that +the others appeared to be deferring something to him, he regarded them +with rather an amused and cynical smile on his face. He paused to brush +an invisible bit of dust from his well-fitting clothes. + +"Well, aren't we going to make a try for it to-night?" asked one youth, +whose hat was decorated with a silk band, yellow and maroon in color. +"My uncle, who used to be a football coach here, says the freshmen +always used to get it the first week of the term. My uncle----" + +"Oh, let up about your uncle, Fenton!" exclaimed the lad on whose word +the others seemed to depend a great deal. "I've heard nothing but your +uncle, your uncle, ever since you came here. Give us something new." + +"That's all right, Fred Langridge, but my uncle----" + +"There you go again!" interrupted Fred. "I guess I know what the custom +is, as well as your uncle. He hasn't been here in fifteen years." + +"I know that, but he says----" + +"Say, if you speak uncle again, I'll land you one on the jaw, and +that'll keep you quiet for a while." The words, in spite of their +aggressiveness, were good-natured enough, and were spoken with a smile. +Ford Fenton, who seldom took part in any conversation about college +sports or frolics without mentioning his relative, who had been a +well-known coach at Randall, looked first surprised, then hurt, but +as he saw that the sympathies of his companion freshmen were with +Langridge, he concluded to make the best of it. + +"I guess I know what the customs are here," repeated the well-dressed +lad. "Didn't I get turned down at the exams, and ain't I putting in my +second year as freshman? I helped get the clapper last year, and I'll +help again this term. But I know one thing, Fenton, and that's not two." + +"What's that?" eagerly asked the youth who had boasted of his uncle. + +"That's this: You may not get the clapper, but you'll get something +else." + +"Why, what's the matter?" + +For answer Langridge silently pointed to the gay hatband of the other. + +"Take it off--take it off," he said. "Don't you know it's against the +sacred customs of Randall College for a freshman to wear the colors on +his hat until after the flagpole rush? Don't you know it, I ask?" + +"Yes, I heard something about it." + +"Better strip it off, then," went on Langridge. "Here come Morse and +Denfield, a couple of scrappy sophs. They'll have it off you before you +can say 'all Gaul is divided into three parts,' which you slumped on in +Latin to-day." + +Fenton looked up, and saw approaching the group of freshmen which +included himself, two tall lads, who walked along with the swagger that +betokened their second year at college. The hand of Fenton went to his +hat, to take off the offending band, but he was too late. The sophomores +had seen it. They turned quickly and strode over to the group of first +years. + +"Would you look at that, Morse!" called Denfield in simulated wrath. + +"I should say so," came the answer. "The nerve of him! Hi, fresh, what +are you doing with that hatband?" + +Then Fenton did something totally opposed to the spirit of Randall +College. He, a freshman, dared to talk back to a sophomore. + +"I'm wearing it," replied he pertly. "Does it look as if I was playing +ping-pong with it?" + +The sophomores could hardly believe their ears. There was no imitation +in the surprise that showed on their faces. + +"For the love of Mike! Listen to him!" gasped Morse. "Grab him, Denfield! +Wow! But things are coming to a pretty pass when a fresh talks like that +the first week. Look out now, youngster, you're going to get a little +lesson in how to behave to your betters." + +The two sophomores reached out their hands to grab Fenton. He made a +spring to get behind a protecting wall of his comrades, and for a moment +it looked as if the second year lads would be bested, for there were at +least fifteen freshmen. But Langridge knew better than to let his +friends get into trouble that way. + +"Let 'em have him," he advised in a low voice. "It's the custom, and he +knew it. He deserves it all." + +Thereupon the freshmen divided, and offered no opposition to the twain, +who gathered in their man. Morse snatched off the hat with the offending +band, and, while Denfield held the struggling Fenton, ripped off the +ribbon. Then with his knife Morse began cutting the hat to pieces. + +"Here, quit that!" yelled Fenton. "That's a new hat!" + +"Softly, softly, little one," counseled Denfield. "I pray thee speak +softly." + +Though Fenton struggled to escape, the other easily held him, and the +freshman was forced to witness the destruction of his nice, new soft +hat. Having thus, as he believed, wiped out the insult offered, Morse +carefully folded the ribbon and placed it in his pocket. + +"Maybe you'll get a chance to wear it--after the pole rush," he said +calmly. "I don't believe you will, for we're going to wipe up the ground +with you freshmen this term. But if you do, I'll give you back your +ribbon--er--what's your name, freshman?" + +"Fenton," answered the humiliated one. + +"Fenton what?" + +"Ford Fenton." + +"Say 'Fenton, sir,'" counseled Langridge in the other's ear. + +"Don't you know how to reply to a gentleman?" asked Denfield fiercely, +shaking Fenton from a neckhold he had. "Say sir, when you speak to a +soph." + +"Sir!" cried Fenton, for the grip hurt him. + +"That's better. Now remember, no more ribbons until after the pole rush, +and maybe not then. This to all you freshies," added Morse. + +"Oh, we know that," put in Langridge. "But we'll all be wearing them +after next week, and we'll be wearing something else, too." + +"Nixy on the clapper, old chap!" called Denfield. "We won't stand for +that." + +"We'll see," responded Langridge. "All is not gold that doesn't come out +in the wash." + +"Ha! He speaks in parables!" cried Morse. "Well done, old chap! But come +on, Denfield. I've got a date." + +The youth holding Fenton gave him a sudden turn and twist that sent him +spinning to the ground, and as he picked himself up the two sophomores +walked off, as dignified as senators. + +"Confound them!" muttered Fenton as he brushed the dust off his clothes. +"I've a good mind to----" + +"Easy, now," advised Langridge. "They're sophs, you know. Go easy!" + +"But that's no reason why we should let them walk all over us!" exclaimed +a sturdy lad, who had watched, with rising anger, the attack on Fenton. +"I don't see why a crowd of us fellows should take whatever mean things +they want to inflict." + +"That's all right, Clinton," declared Langridge. "It's college custom, +just the same as it is for us to take the clapper out of the chapel +bell, have it melted up, and cast into watch charms. It's college +custom, that's all." + +"That's all right, it may be; but I like to see a fair fight!" went on +Phil Clinton. "I could have tackled Morse alone, and he's bigger than I +am." + +"Maybe you could, but you'd have the whole sophomore class down on us if +you did, and you know what that means. No, let it go. Fenton brought it +on himself by wearing the band." + +"I wish they'd tackled me," murmured the sturdy Clinton. + +"I wish they had," echoed Fenton. "Look at my hat." + +"That's all right, my uncle says I can have a new one!" piped up a +shrill voice, in imitation of Fenton's usual tones. + +"Holly Cross, or I'm a Dutchman!" exclaimed Langridge, turning quickly +to glance at a newcomer, who had joined the ranks of the freshmen. +"Where've you been, Holly?" + +"Down by the boathouse, watching the crew practice. I'll give you an +imitation of Billy Housenlager pulling," and Holly, or Holman, Cross, +began a pretense of rowing in grotesque style. + +"That's Dutch all over," admitted Langridge. "He goes at it like a house +and lot." + +"What's up?" demanded Holly, for he had seen from afar the little +rumpus. "Has 'my uncle' been cutting up?" and he winked at Fenton. + +"That's all right," began the aggrieved one, who did not seem to know +when he was being made fun of. "Look at my hat," and he held up the +felt article, which was in tatters. + +"New style," commented Holly casually. "Good for hot weather. Fine for a +souvenir. Hand it around and we'll all put our initials on it, and you +can hang it in your room. But say, is there anything doing?" + +"There may be, to-night," answered Langridge. + +"So--so?" asked Holly with a wink, the while he pretended to ring an +imaginary bell. + +"Keep it mum," was Langridge's answer. "You fellows want to meet at the +boathouse to-night," he went on, as if giving orders. "Don't forget what +I told you, and don't walk as if you had new shoes on. Take it easy. Be +there at eight o'clock. Come along, Holly. I want to talk to you." + +Langridge linked his arm in that of the newcomer, and the two strolled +off to one side of the college campus, while the group of freshmen made +their way toward one of the two large dormitory buildings. + +"He orders us around as if we were working for him," objected Phil +Clinton. "Langridge takes too much for granted." + +"Well, he's been here a year, and I s'pose he feels like a soph," +remarked Sid Henderson. + +"Maybe, but that doesn't make him one. He thinks because he's got plenty +of money, and comes from Chicago, that he can run things here, but he's +not going to run me," and Phil stuck out his square, well-formed jaw in +a manner that betokened trouble. + +"Aren't you going to help get----" began Ed Kerr, who was quite a chum +of Langridge. + +"Easy!" cautioned Sid. "Here are some sophs." + +A group of second-year students passed the freshmen with suspicious +glances, but, seeing no offending colors, nor any other evidences of +anything that could be taken to mean that their traditional prey had +violated any rules, they saw nothing objectionable. + +"Don't mention clapper," went on Sid. + +"That's right," agreed Ed Kerr. "But I was going to say that Fred knows +the ropes better than we do. If we stick to him we'll come out all +right. It's no fun to try for--for it, and have the sophs give us the +merry ha-ha." + +"Oh, we'll try to get it," assented Phil Clinton, "but I don't like +being ordered around." + +"Langridge doesn't mean anything by it," spoke his friend. + +"Well, I don't like it." And with that the lads passed into the +dormitory, for it was nearly time for supper, and the rule was that they +must come to the tables neatly dressed. + +A little later Langridge and Holly strolled up to the buildings where +the three hundred students of Randall College were housed. + +"Then you'll be on hand, eh?" asked Langridge. + +"Oh, yes, I reckon so. But it seems like a lot of work for what we get +out of it." + +"Get out of it! You old anthropoid!" exclaimed Langridge. "What's the +matter with you? Going back on the college customs?" + +"What's an anthropoid?" asked Holly Cross, as he deftly juggled three +stones with one hand. "How's that for good work?" he asked irrelevantly. + +"An anthropoid is a second cousin to a cynic," answered Langridge, "and +a cynic is a fellow whose liver is out of order, which makes him have a +bad taste in his mouth and get out of the wrong side of bed." + +"Get out, you camel-backed asteroid!" cried Holly. "There's nothing the +matter with my mouth, and I can get out of either side of my cot without +knowing which side it is." + +"Are you coming to-night?" + +"Sure, I'll be there." + +"All right; that's what I want to know." + +Holly and Langridge passed into the east dormitory, where they had been +preceded by the other group of freshmen. This building was given over +to rooms for the first year and senior students, while in the west +dormitory the sophomores and juniors, as being the least likely to +indulge in hazing and horse-play, did their studying and sleeping. + +There are few institutions of learning better known throughout the +Middle West than Randall College. It had been established several +decades before, and though small at first, and unimportant, the thorough +methods used soon attracted attention from parents who had sons to +educate. Many a well-known man of to-day, who has made his mark in the +world, owes part of his success, at least, to Randall College, and he is +proud to acknowledge it. In time, because of liberal endowments, and +because the institution became better known, its influence spread, +until, from a small seat of learning, it became a large one, and now +students from many States attend there. + +Randall College was most fortunately situated. It was on the outskirts +of the town of Haddonfield, and thus was connected by railroad with +the outside world. It was far enough away from town to be rid of the +distractions of a semi-city life, yet near enough so that the advantages +of it could be had. + +The buildings composing the college consisted of several in addition to +the main one, containing the classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories, +study rooms and the like. There was Biology Hall, a magnificent gift +from an alumnus, and Booker Memorial Chapel, a place of worship, +containing some wonderful stained-glass windows. The chapel was the gift +of a lady, whose only son had died while attending the school. Back of +the main college building, and somewhat to the left, was a modest +structure, where the faculty, including Dr. Albertus Churchill, the +venerable president, had their living apartments. + +Farther to the rear of the main structure were two buildings that +contained dormitories and rooms for the three hundred or more students. +There were two dormitory buildings, the east and the west, and, for +obvious reasons, one, the eastern, was inhabited by the freshmen and +seniors, while the juniors and sophomores lived, moved and had their +being in the other. + +The gymnasium, which was well equipped, was located a little to the left +of the west dormitory, and it adjoined the baseball diamond and the +football gridiron. Skirting the edges of this big, level field were the +grandstands and bleachers, for sports had a proper and important part in +life at Randall. + +Standing on the knoll in front of the main building, one looked down a +gentle, grassy slope to Sunny River, which twisted in and out, lazily +enough, around a hill that contained the college and the grounds. The +campus swept down, in a sort of oval, to the very edge of the stream. +And there is no finer sight in all this country than to stand on the +steps of the main building some fine summer day (or, for that matter, a +wintry one) and look off to the river. If you are patriotic, and of +course you are, you will take off your hat to the colors that fly from a +tall flagpole in the center of the campus. + +Sunny River was a beautiful stream, not as broad as some rivers, but +sufficiently so to provide boating facilities for the Randall students. +On it, every year, was held the annual regatta, Randall and some other +institutions participating. There was a large boathouse on the edge of +the river, located on your left as you stood on the campus, facing the +water. + +Sunny River flowed into Lake Tonoka, which was about a mile below the +college, and in the midst of the lake was Crest Island. What exciting +times that lake and river have seen during the summer season! What +rowing races! What swimming races! What jolly picnics! And, let us +whisper, what mysterious scenes on nights when some luckless candidate +was initiated into a secret society! + +On the farther side of the river from the village, and near the junction +with the lake, was a sort of park, or summer resort. A trolley line +ran from it to the town of Haddonfield, but the students more often +preferred to walk to the village, rather than wait for the cars, which +ran on uncertain schedules. + +At the lower end of Lake Tonoka, just over the line in another State, +was Boxer Hall, a college somewhat smaller than Randall, while to the +west, fifteen miles away, was Fairview Institute, a co-educational +school that was well patronized. The three institutions had a common +interest in sports, and there was a tri-collegiate league of debating +clubs that often furnished milder, if more substantial, excitement. + +It was an evening in early April, of the new term after the Easter +vacation, that a number of freshmen, who had taken part in the lively +scene of the afternoon, and some students who had not, met silently and +stealthily back of the boathouse on the back of Sunny River. The night +was cloudy, and thus it was darker than usual at that hour. + +"Have you fellows got the rope?" asked Langridge in a whisper, as he +took his place at the head of the little force. + +"Of course," answered Phil Clinton. + +"There's no 'of course' about it," retorted Langridge arrogantly. "I've +seen the time it's been forgotten." + +"What are we going to do with it?" asked Sid Henderson. + +"Use it to hang a soph with," spoke Holly Cross. "Prepare to meet thy +doom!" he added in a sepulchral voice. + +"Cut it out, Holly," advised Langridge. "I'm afraid the sophs are on to +us as it is." + +"Then we'll rush 'em!" exclaimed Phil Clinton aggressively. + +"No, that won't do any good. We'd never get the clapper, then." + +"I know a good way," spoke Fenton. "My uncle says----" + +"Say, you and your uncle ought to be in a glass case and in the museum," +called Holly. "Dry up, Fenton!" + +"Where's the Snail?" asked Langridge. + +"Here," replied Sam Looper, who, from his slow movements, and from the +fact that he loved to prowl about in the dark, for he could see well +after nightfall, had gained that nickname. "What do you want?" + +"Will you climb up the rope after I get it in place?" + +"Sure." + +"Then come on," whispered Langridge. "I guess it's safe now. There don't +appear to be any one stirring." + +The mysterious body of freshmen moved off in the darkness toward the +Booker Memorial Chapel. Their object, as you have probably guessed, was +to climb to the steeple and remove the clapper from the bell, a prank +that was sanctioned by years of custom at Randall College. Once the big +tongue of iron was secured, it would be taken to a village jeweler, who +would have it melted up and cast into scores of miniature clappers. + +These, when nickel-plated, made appropriate watch charms for the freshmen +class, and suitably, they thought, demonstrated their superiority over +their long-time rivals, the sophomores. For it was the duty of the +second-year students, if possible, to prevent the taking away of the +clapper. The purloining of it must always be done the first week after +the Easter vacation, and if this passed by without the freshmen being +successful, the clapper was safe, immune and inviolate. Hence the need of +haste, as but two more nights were left. Once the clapper was taken the +class had to contribute money enough to buy another for the voiceless +bell. + +Silently, as befitted the occasion, the lads made their way from the +rendezvous at the boathouse toward the chapel. Their plan was simple. On +top of the cupola which held the bell was a large cross. It was the +custom to tie a stone, or some weight, to a light cord, throw the weight +over the cross, and by means of the thin string haul up a heavy rope. Up +this rope some freshman would climb, remove the clapper, and slide down +again, while his comrades stood guard against any attack of sophomores. + +"Who's going to throw the stone?" asked Ed Kerr, as he walked along +beside Langridge. + +"I am, of course." + +"Oh, of course," repeated Clinton in a low voice. "You want to run +everything." + +"Well, Fred Langridge is a good pitcher," spoke Sid Henderson. "He's +likely to make the 'varsity this year." + +"Um!" was all Phil said. + +The boys reached the chapel, and, under the direction of Langridge, the +cord and rope were made ready. + +"Got a good stone?" asked the leader. + +"Here's a hunk of lead," replied Ed. "I made it on purpose. It's not so +likely to slip out as a stone." + +"That's good. Hand it over." + +The lead was soon fastened to the cord. + +"Look out, now, here goes!" called Langridge. "I'm going to pitch it +over. Be all ready, Snail." + +He stepped back, and tossed the lead, intending to make the cord fall +across one arm of the cross. But either his aim was poor, or he could +not discern well enough in the darkness the outlines of the cross. + +"Missed it!" exclaimed Clinton. + +"Well, so would you," growled Langridge. "Some one stepped on the cord." + +"Let Snail try," suggested Henderson. + +"I'm doing this throwing," declared Langridge curtly. + +"It doesn't look so," murmured Phil. + +Langridge tried again, but with no success. + +"Hurry," spoke Kerr. "The sophs will be out soon." + +Langridge made a third attempt, and failed. Then Snail Looper called out +in an excited whisper: + +"Here come the sophs! Cut it!" + +"No!" cried Langridge. "Hold on! I'll get it over now. Fight 'em back, +boys!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A GOOD THROW + + +There was excitement in the ranks of the freshmen. They formed in a ring +about Langridge, who once more prepared to throw the weight over the +cross. + +"Hold 'em back, boys!" he pleaded. "We can do it. It won't take five +minutes to get the clapper after the rope's up." + +"But first you've got to get it up," replied Clinton. + +"And I will. Cut out your knocking. Here goes!" + +Off to the right could be seen a confused mass of shadows moving toward +the chapel. They were the sophomores, who in some mysterious manner had +heard of the attempt to take the clapper, and who now determined to +prevent it. + +"They're coming," said Kerr ominously. + +"I know it," answered Langridge desperately. "Keep still about it, can't +you?" he asked fretfully. "You make me nervous, and I can't throw +well." + +"Humph! He must be a fine pitcher if he gets nervous," declared Clinton. + +Langridge glanced at the circle of freshmen about him. There were enough +of them to stand off the rush of the sophomores, who, as they came +nearer, were observed to be rather few in number. + +"Here it goes!" exclaimed the rich youth, and he threw the lead weight +with all his force. It struck the cross, but did not carry the cord over +the arm. + +"At 'em, fellows! At 'em!" yelled the leading sophomores. "Tear 'em +apart! Don't let 'em get the clapper!" + +There was a struggle on the outer fringe of freshmen, who crumpled up +under the attack of the second-year lads. + +"Hold 'em back!" yelled Langridge. There was no longer any need of +caution. + +The sophomores were hurled back by the weight of superior numbers. +Seeing this their leader hastily sent for reinforcements. Meanwhile the +others renewed their attack on the freshmen. Langridge prepared to make +another cast. + +"He'll never do that in a week!" exclaimed Clinton in disgust. "Why +doesn't some one who can throw try it?" + +"I'll throw, all right!" cried Langridge, as he untangled the cord, +which was in a mass at his feet. He was about to make another attempt, +when a lad stepped to his side--a lad who was a stranger to the others. +Where he had come from they did not know. + +"Let me try," he said pleasantly. "I used to be pretty fair at throwing +stones. Your arm is tired, I guess." + +"Who are you?" demanded Langridge suspiciously. "Are you a soph? How'd +you get here?" + +"I'm not a soph," replied the other good-naturedly, in a pause that +followed a second hurling back of the attackers, who withdrew to wait +for reinforcements. "I'm a freshman. My name is Parsons--Tom Parsons. +I'm a little late getting here this term. In fact, I just arrived +to-night. I was on my way from the depot to the college, when, as I +crossed the campus, I heard what was up. As I'm a freshman, I decided to +join in. Hope it's all right." + +"I don't know you," said Langridge hesitatingly, fearing this was a +trick of the enemy. "You may be a soph----" + +"No, I assure you I'm not," said Tom Parsons. "Wait a minute. Is there +any one here named Sidney Henderson?" + +"That's my name," replied Sid. + +"Then you ought to know me. I'm to room with you, I believe. At least, I +have a letter from Dr. Albertus Churchill to that effect. He's quartered +me on you." + +"Oh, that's all right!" cried Henderson. "Parsons is a freshman, all +right. I didn't remember about it. Sure, he's all right. It's a queer +time to arrive, though." + +"Isn't it?" agreed Tom good-naturedly. "Couldn't help it, though. Train +was late." + +"Here come some more sophs!" called Kerr. + +"Get that line over, for cats' sake!" demanded Clinton. + +"I will!" exclaimed Langridge. + +"Shall I throw it?" asked Tom. "I guess----" + +"I'll do my own throwing," replied the other coldly. + +"If he knows how to throw, let him try," suggested Clinton. "We want to +get that clapper some time to-night." + +"Go ahead, Fred," urged Kerr. "I guess your arm ain't in shape yet." + +Langridge murmured something, but as there arose a general demand that +he let some one else try, and as a new body of sophomores were rushing +down to the attack, he handed over the lead weight. + +"Can you pitch?" he asked of Tom. + +"A little," was the quiet reply. + +The two faced each other in the darkness, as if trying to see of what +stuff each was made. It was the first time Tom Parsons and Fred Langridge +met, and it was rather prophetic that this first meeting should presage +others which were to follow, and in which the rivalry thus early +established was to be fought out to the bitter end. + +"Hurry!" urged Kerr. "We're going to have our hands full now. They're +going to rush us." + +Tom Parsons grasped the lead weight, and shook the cord to free it of +kinks. He stepped back a few feet, looked up in the darkness to where +the cross was dimly visible, and then, drawing back his arm, sent the +lead with great force and straight aim up into the air. + +"A good throw!" cried Sid Henderson, as the moon, just then coming out +from behind a bank of clouds, showed that the cord had fallen squarely +over one arm of the cross, the weight coming down to the ground on the +other side of the chapel. + +"A good throw!" echoed Clinton. + +"Humph!" growled Langridge. "I could have done as well on the next try." + +"Haul up the rope!" ordered Kerr. "Lively, now!" + +Several lads ran around to where the end of the cord, still attached to +the weight, was on the ground. All around a struggle was going on, the +freshmen endeavoring to hold back the attacking sophomores. Now and then +a second-year lad would break through the protecting fringe, only to be +hurled or pushed back again by the defenders. + +Quick hands hauled on the cord, and the heavier rope rose in the air +and slipped over the cross. It was held down on one side by several +turns taken around a post. Then it was made taut at the opposite end. + +"Shin up now, Snail!" cried Langridge, who had again assumed command of +things. "Quick! We'll hold the rope! Get the clapper!" + +The night-loving youth moved slowly forward. But, in spite of his lack +of speed, he managed to make good time up the rope, which he skilfully +ascended hand over hand. + +"Don't let 'em get the clapper!" "Break through and yank down the rope!" +were the cries of the sophomores. + +Again and again they hurled themselves against the circle of freshmen, +who protected the two groups of their comrades holding either end of the +rope. + +"Hold 'em, boys! Hold 'em!" pleaded Langridge. + +Tom Parsons threw himself into the thick of the fight. He gave blows, +and he took them, all in good nature. Once, when a small sophomore broke +through, Tom picked him up bodily and deposited him outside the circle +of defenders. + +"Say, he's got muscle, all right," observed Clinton to Kerr. + +"That's what. There's class there, all right. Shouldn't wonder but what +he'd give Langridge a rub for pitcher, if he plays baseball." + +"Oh, he'll play, all right. A fellow who can throw as he did can't help +playing." + +"Who's that?" asked Sid in a breathing spell, following a temporary +repulse of the enemy. + +"The new lad--Tom Parsons." + +"Oh, yes, he plays ball," said Sid. "His father knows my father. They +used to be chums in Northville, a country town. That's how Tom happened +to come here, and he asked if he couldn't room with me. He plays ball, +all right." + +"Pitch?" asked Clinton laconically. + +"I think so. Look out, here they come again!" + +The conversation was interrupted to repel another rush. + +"Look out below!" suddenly called the Snail from his perch near the +cupola. + +"Got the clapper?" yelled Langridge. + +"Yep! Here it is!" + +Something fell with a thud in the midst of a group of freshmen. It was +the bell clapper, which the Snail had unhooked. Tom Parsons made a dive +for it. + +"I'll take that!" exclaimed Langridge roughly, as he shoved the newcomer +to one side and grabbed up the mass of iron. + +"I was only going to help," replied Tom good-naturedly. + +"Cut with it!" ordered Kerr. "We can't hold 'em much longer, and we +don't want 'em to get it now. Skip, Langridge. Take some interference +with you." + +As if it was a football game, several lads made a sort of flying wedge +in front of Langridge, with him inside the apex, and, thus protected, he +bored through the mass of sophomores. + +"After him!" yelled several second-years, who had become aware of the +trick. "He's got the clapper!" + +Most of the lads rushed away from the chapel, only those remaining who +were holding the rope taut. Some of these even started away. + +"Hold on!" yelled the Snail. "I'm up here yet! I want to get down!" + +"Don't leave Sam up there!" cried Kerr. "Hold the rope, fellows, until +he shins down." + +Several freshmen ran back. + +"I'll help hold," volunteered Tom, though there was a temptation to join +the fighting throng that surrounded Langridge and his defenders. + +The Snail slid to the ground, the rope was pulled from the cross, and +the lads, coiling it up as they ran, hastened to the aid of their +freshmen comrades. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A BASEBALL MEETING + + +"Swat 'em, freshmen! Swat 'em!" was the rallying cry of the first-year +lads. + +"Get the clapper! Get the clapper! Don't let them get away with it!" +implored the sophomores. + +There was a confused mass of arms, legs and bodies. The mass swayed, now +this way, now that. Tom Parsons, the Snail, Ed Kerr and some others who +had remained behind to manage the rope, threw themselves into the fray. +Their help turned the tide of battle, and the sophomores, who were +outnumbered, turned and fled, leaving the freshmen victors of the fight. + +"Have you got the clapper, Langridge?" called Kerr anxiously. + +"Of course," and the lad addressed produced the unwieldy souvenir from +underneath his coat. + +"Then get it to our room and hide it," went on Kerr. "They'll not give +up yet. We've got to expect a hunt for it to-night." + +Kerr and Langridge, who roomed together, started away, the clapper of +the bell safe in their possession, while the others brought up the rear, +a guard against a possible unexpected attack. But none was made, and +presently the long, iron tongue was safely hidden in the rooms of the +freshmen. + +"I say," remarked Tom Parsons to Sidney Henderson, when the excitement +had somewhat calmed down, "I wonder if I'd better report to the proctor, +or to Dr. Churchill to-night. I've just entered, you know." + +"What's the use?" asked his companion. "You're to room with me--that's +settled. Mr. Zane, the proctor, won't want to be disturbed. Besides, I +rather think that Dr. Churchill, our venerable and respected head--by +the way, we call him Moses, you know--I say I don't believe he'd thank +you for coming." + +"Why not?" + +"Well, you see, there's been more or less of doings to-night. Of course, +the faculty are not supposed to know that we take the bell clapper, but +you can bet they do know. They pretend not to, and take no notice of it. +If you were to go and ring Moses up at this hour, he'd have to become +aware--take cognizance, he'd call it--of our little racket. That might +make trouble. No, on the whole, let the proctor and Moses alone." + +"Why Moses?" + +"What's that?" + +"I say--why Moses?" + +"Oh, I see. Well, we call him that from his name. Church and hill. Moses +went up on a hill to preach about the church, hence--aha! see?" + +"You needn't draw a map," answered Tom, "even if I am from the country." + +"That's so, you're from Northville, where dad used to live." + +"That's right." + +"Well, I wouldn't boast of it, if I were you--especially when any of the +fellows are around." + +"Why not?" + +"Well, of course it's all right with me--I understand, but they might +make fun of you--rig you, you understand." + +"Yes, I understand, but I don't mind being 'rigged,' as you call it. I +fancy I can do some 'rigging' on my own hook." + +"All right, it's your funeral. I've warned you." + +"Thanks. But if you think it's all right for me to go right to your +room, and bunk, without telling Dr. Churchill--excuse me, Moses--why, +I'm willing." + +"That's all right. Come on, we'll go to my room. There may be some +excitement after a bit." + +"How?" + +"Well, the sophs may try to get the clapper back. They generally do. +We'll have to help fight 'em in that case." + +"Of course. By the way, what do you fellows do with the bell tongue, +anyhow?" + +Sid told about the watch charms. + +"You'll get one," he added. "That was a good throw you made." + +"Well, maybe. It was hard to see in the dark. I guess What's-his-name +could have made it, only he tired himself all out." + +"Oh, you mean Langridge." + +"Is that his name?" + +"Yes. I don't like him very well, but he's got lots of dough, and the +fellows hang around him. He's manager of the baseball team." + +"He is?" + +"Yes. Got the election because he's willing to spend some of his money +to support the team." + +"Well, that's white of him." + +"Oh, yes, Fred's all right, only for what ails him. He's got some queer +ways, and he thinks some of us ought to bow down to him more than we do. +But I won't, and I guess Kerr is getting sick of him. Some fellows think +he got to be manager, and keeps the place, because he used some money. +There's been talk about it." + +"Who's Kerr?" + +"The fellow with the black hair. He's catcher on the nine." + +"I see." + +"Are you going to play ball?" asked Henderson as they entered the room +Tom was to share. + +"I'd like to. Is there any chance?" + +"Guess so. The nine's not all made up yet. They're going to have a +meeting to-morrow, or next day, and try out candidates. You'll have as +good a chance as any one. Where do you play?" + +"I've been pitching." + +Henderson uttered a low, long whistle. + +"What's the matter?" + +"That's Langridge's pet place. He thinks he's a regular Christy +Mathewson." + +"Well, I haven't disputed it," replied Tom quietly. "But if you don't +mind, I'm going to take off my shoes; my feet are tired. Think any sophs +will come?" + +"It isn't likely now. They'd been here some time ago if they were +coming. Guess I'll turn in. I've got to get up early and do some boning +on my trigonometry. It's rotten stuff, ain't it?" + +"Oh, I rather like it." + +"Um!" was all the answer Sid made, as he prepared for bed, while Tom +also undressed. + +Tom Parsons had come to college, not because he wanted to have "a good +time," nor because it was the fashion, nor because his father had the +money to send him. Tom came because he wanted to gain knowledge, to fit +himself for a place in life, and he earnestly wanted to learn. At the +same time he did not belong to the class known as "digs." Tom was a +sport-loving lad, and it needed but a look at his well-set head, on +broad shoulders, his perfectly rounded neck, his long, lithe limbs, +small hips and deep chest, to tell that he was an athlete of no little +ability. + +Tom's hair was inclined to curl, especially when he was warm from +running or wrestling, and when it clung about his bronzed forehead in +little brown ringlets, he was an attractive figure, as more than one +girl had admitted. But Tom, to give him his due, never thought about +this. + +He was tall and straight, and he could do more than the regulation on +the bars, or with dumbbells, while on the flying rings, or at boxing, +you would want to think twice before you challenged him. + +But Tom's specialty, if one may call it such, was on the baseball +diamond. He had played in all the positions ever since he was a little +lad, and he and the other country boys laid out a diamond in a stubble +field, with stones for bases, and a hickory club for a bat. But Tom +had a natural bent toward pitching, and he gradually developed it, +principally by his own unaided efforts, together with what he could pick +up out of athletic books, or what was told to him by his companions. In +twirling the ball Tom's muscles, hardened by work on the farm, served +him in good stead. + +For Tom Parsons was a farmer lad, though, perhaps, not a typical one. +His father was fairly well-to-do, and had a large acreage in the town of +Northville. Tom was an only son, though there were two sisters, of whom +he thought the world. + +When Tom had finished his course at the village academy, and had +expressed a wish to go to college, his father consented. He furnished +part of the money, and the rest Tom supplied himself, for he was an +independent sort of lad, and thought it his duty to take part of his +savings to gain for himself a better education than was possible in his +home town. + +So Tom, as you have seen, came to Randall, and of the manner of his +arrival, due to a combination of circumstances, you have been duly +informed. He made two resolutions before coming. One was to stand +well in his classes, and the other--well, you shall learn the other +presently. + +Tom slowly undressed. He was not used to change, for he had been a "home +boy" for years, though he was no milksop, and did not in the least mind +roughing it. But, after the reaction of the night, when he was in the +little room with the lad who was to be his chum, he felt a bit lonely. +It was new and strange to him, and he thought, not without a bit of +regret, of the peaceful farmhouse in Northville, with his mother and +father seated in the big, comfortable dining-room, talking, and the +girls reading books, or sewing, under the light of a big lamp. + +Tom looked slowly about the little room that was to be his "home" for +some time to come. + +Randall was not a rich college, and, in consequence, the dormitories and +study apartments were not elaborately furnished. There was a sufficiency, +and that was all. Of course, there was nothing to prevent the students +from adding such articles to their rooms as they wanted, or thought they +desired, and some, whose parents were wealthy, had nicely furnished +studies. + +But the one occupied by Sid and Tom was quite plain. There was a worn +rug on the floor, so worn, in fact, that the floor showed through it in +several places. But Sid remarked that it was a virtue rather than +otherwise, for it obviated the necessity of being careful about spilling +things on the rug, and also did away with the necessity of a door mat. + +"They can't harm the rug, no matter how much mud they bring in," Sid had +said, when Tom suggested getting a new one. + +There were two small iron cots or single beds in the apartment, a bureau +for each lad, a closet for clothes, but which closet contained balls, +gloves, bats, sweaters, old trousers and other sporting "goods," almost +to the exclusion of clothes. And then the closet did not contain it all, +for many articles overflowed into the room, and no amount of compression +sufficed to get things entirely within the closet. There was always +something sticking out. Several old chairs, one a lounging one with a +broken set of springs in the seat, a sofa that creaked in every joint, +like an old man with rheumatism, a table with a cover spotted with ink, +a shelf of books, an alarm clock, some cheap pictures, prints from +sporting papers, and water pitchers and bowls completed the furnishings. + +Tom wondered, as he fell asleep, whether the sophomores would make a +further attempt to regain the clapper, but they did not, and the night +was undisturbed by further pranks. At chapel next morning Dr. Churchill, +after the usual devotions, announced with a twinkle in his deep-set eyes +that the reason there was no bell to call the students to worship was +because the tocsin was clapperless. + +"It mysteriously disappeared during the night," went on the president, +"and--er--well, ahem! I think matters may take their usual course," he +finished quickly, trying hard not to smile. + +It was always this way. By "usual course" Dr. Churchill and the students +understood that the freshmen would meet, make up by contributions enough +to buy a new clapper, and the incident would be closed until another +year brought new freshmen to the college. + +This course was followed. Langridge, who was president of the class, +called a meeting that afternoon, the amount needed was quickly +subscribed, and the money was taken to Dr. Churchill. + +"Why do you encourage that nonsense?" asked Professor Emerson Tines, the +Latin instructor (dubbed "Pitchfork" by the college lads in virtue of +his name). "Why do you submit to it?" + +He happened to be with the president when Langridge brought in the +money. + +"I don't submit to it, Professor Tines." + +"But you encourage it." + +"No; I simply ignore it." + +"But the clapper is taken year after year." + +"Is it?" asked the doctor innocently. "Well, now, so I have been informed +by the janitor, but, you know, of my own knowledge I am not aware of it. +It is simply hearsay evidence, and I never like to depend on that." + +"But, my dear sir, don't you _know_ that the clapper is taken by the +first-year pupils?" + +"Perhaps I do," answered the good doctor with a smile, "but I'm not +going to admit it. I was young once myself, Professor Tines." + +"So was I!" snapped the Latin teacher as he went to his own apartments. + +"I--I doubt it, and that's not hearsay evidence, either, I'm afraid," +murmured Dr. Churchill, as he resumed his study of ancient Egyptian +hieroglyphics. + +Tom Parsons, after chapel, introduced himself to Dr. Churchill and the +proctor, and was properly enrolled on the college books. He was assigned +to his classes, and soon began to feel himself at home among the +students. + +"Well, are you going?" asked Sid of Tom that afternoon, as they came +from the last recitation. + +"Going where?" + +"To the baseball meeting. Didn't you see the notice?" + +"No." + +His roommate showed it to Tom. It was a note on the bulletin board in +the gymnasium, stating that all interested in the baseball nine, whether +as players or as supporters, were invited to meet in the basket-ball +court that afternoon. + +"Of course I'm going," declared Tom. + +The size of the throng that gathered in the gymnasium was proof enough +of the interest taken in affairs of the diamond by the Randall students. +There was talk of nothing save bases, balls, strikes, sacrifices, bunts, +home runs, fielding, pitching, catching, and what-not. Langridge called +the meeting to order, and in a few words explained that the object of it +was to get the team in shape for the spring games. + +"I understand that there are a number of new men with us this year," he +went on in easy tones. There was no use in denying that the well-dressed +lad knew how to talk, and that to get up in front of a throng did not +embarrass him. "I hope, as manager as well as a player," he went on, +"that we shall find some good material. The team needs strengthening in +several places, and it is up to us to do it. Now I have a list here of +the former players, and the names of some who have already signified a +desire to try for places this year. I'll read them." + +It was quite a long list, and Tom Parsons, listening to it, began to +wonder if he would have any chance among so many. + +"If there are any others who would like to put their names down as +candidates, I'll take them," announced Fred. + +Several stepped forward, and their names were noted, together with the +positions they desired to play. + +"Go on up," urged Sid to Tom. + +The country lad advanced to where Langridge stood. + +"I'd like to try for a place," he said. + +"Oh, you would, eh?" asked the other, and the sneer in his voice was +evident. "Well, don't you think you'd better wait until the hayseed is +out of your hair?" and he laughed. + +"Here's a comb," retorted Tom quickly, extending a small pocket one. +"Maybe you'll give me a hand. I can't see the back of my head." + +"That's one on you, Langridge," cried Phil Clinton. "That's the time you +got yours good and proper." + +Tom was smiling good-naturedly, but the other was scowling. + +Tom looked Langridge straight in the eye, and the other turned aside. +The country lad put back the comb into his pocket. + +"What's your name?" growled Langridge, though he knew it full well. + +"Tom Parsons." + +"Where do you want to try for?" + +"Pitcher." + +There was some confusion in the room, but it ceased at Tom's reply. + +"Pitcher!" exclaimed Langridge. + +"I said pitcher," replied Tom quietly. + +"Why--er--I'm pitcher on the 'varsity nine!" fairly snarled Langridge. +"That is, I was last year and expect to be again. Do you mean pitcher on +the scrub?" + +"On the 'varsity," spoke Tom, smiling the least bit. + +Langridge shot a look at him from his black eyes. It was a look that +boded Tom no good, for the former pitcher had recognized in the new +arrival a formidable rival. + +"Put his name down," called Sid. "You might get a sore arm, and we'd +need a substitute." + +Langridge glanced quickly at the speaker. + +"His name is down," he answered quietly--more quietly than any one +expected him to speak. "Are there any others?" + +No one answered. + +"We'll meet for practice to-morrow afternoon," went on Langridge. "Of +course, it's understood that no one plays on the team who doesn't +contribute his share of expenses," and he looked straight at Tom +Parsons. + +Without a word the country lad drew out a wallet, none too well filled, +to judge by the looks of it. + +"What's the tax?" he asked, still smiling. + +"The--er--the finance committee attends to that," was the answer +Langridge made. "They'll meet to-night." + +Evidently he had not expected so ready a compliance on Tom's part. + +"Well, if it's all settled, I move we adjourn," suggested Ed Kerr. +"Let's have a scrub game, for luck." + +At that moment a lad came hurrying into the gymnasium. + +"Where's Langridge?" he asked excitedly. + +"Here," replied the baseball manager. "What's up?" + +"Hazing!" was the somewhat breathless answer. "The sophs are going to +try it on to-night, to get square about the bell clapper. I just heard +it." + +"That's the stuff!" cried Phil Clinton. "Now we'll get a chance to have +some fun." + +"And I'll pay 'em back for slashing my hat," added Ford Fenton. "My +uncle says----" + +But what his respected relative had remarked was not learned, as the +boys rushed from the room to prepare for the ordeal that they knew +awaited them. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE HAZING + + +"What sort of hazing do they do?" asked Tom Parsons of Sid Henderson as +the two youths followed their companions from the gymnasium. + +"Oh, all sorts. It's hard to tell. Mostly they come in your room and make +a rough house, but not too rough, for the proctor doesn't stand for it. +They'll tumble you about, tear down any ornaments you may have up, pour a +pitcher of water in the bed, and make things unpleasant generally." + +"Are we supposed to stand for that?" There was a grim look settling on +Tom's face. + +"Well, what can you do when three or four big sophs are holding you?" + +"Not much, that's a fact. But I'm going to fight back." + +"So am I, but that's all the good it'll do. If they don't put enough on +you in your room they'll tackle you outside, when you're alone, and +maybe chuck you into the river or lake, or make you walk Spanish, or +force you to parade through town doing the wheelbarrow act. Oh, you've +got to take some hazing in one form or another." + +"Well, I don't mind getting my share. So they're coming to-night, eh?" + +"So the twin said." + +"The twin--who's he?" + +"The little fellow that brought word. I don't know whether he was Jerry +or Joe Jackson. I didn't look closely enough to see." + +"Why, is it hard to tell?" + +"Sure. They're two brothers, Jerry and Joe. They come from some town in +New Jersey. We call them the 'Jersey Twins,' and they look so much alike +it's hard to tell them apart. The only way you can tell is when they're +playing ball." + +"How then?" + +"Why, Jerry plays right field, and Joe left. Then it's easy to say which +is which; but when they come to bat it always happens that some one on +the other team makes a kick. They think we're ringing in the same man +twice, and we have to explain. That's what I've heard. Of course, I've +only been here a week." + +"Oh, then they've played here some time?" + +"Yes; they're juniors. It was mighty white of Jerry or Joe, whichever it +was, to tip us off. Now we'll be ready for the sophs." + +"What can you do?" + +"Well, if you know in time, as we do now, we can take down the best +things in our room, so they won't get busted, and we can hide the bed +clothes, so they won't get soaked. Then we can put on our old clothes. +It's no fun to have a good suit ruined, especially when you don't find +new clothes growing on trees." + +"That's right. Let's go to our room and make ready." + +"Oh, we've got plenty of time. I fancy it won't be until after dark. The +only thing is for all of us freshmen to keep together if we go out. For +if they catch two or three of us alone they'll put it all over us. But I +guess there won't be any scrub game now. The sophs would break it up." + +"When do we have any rest from them?" + +"In about two weeks. After the pole rush." + +"The pole rush?" + +"Yes. It's an old college custom, as Fenton's uncle would say. We +freshmen form a ring about the big flag-pole on a certain night and the +sophs try to pull us away. If they make us leave inside of fifteen +minutes it means we can't wear the class college colors until next term. +If we win, why, we sport a hat like Fenton had--the one Morse and +Denfield slashed up." + +"I see. But, say, I'd like to know more about the ball team. Does +Langridge run it all?" + +The two lads by this time were in their room, where they proceeded to +hide under the beds and bureaus their choicest possessions against the +prospective raid. It was close to the supper hour and they did not have +much time. + +"No, Langridge doesn't run everything," answered Sid. "He's manager, +that's all." + +"That seems a lot." + +"Well, it is in a way, though it's only because he has plenty of cash +and isn't afraid to spend it. But he couldn't be elected captain. He +tried, but was defeated his first term, though he made the managership." + +"Who is captain?" + +"Bricktop Molloy was last year, but this season we're going to have a +new one. I guess Dan Woodhouse stands as good a show as any one. He's a +senior and a fine player." + +"Woodhouse--that's an odd name." + +"Yes, we call him Kindlings for short. I'm going to vote for him." + +"So will I then; I'll depend on your say-so." + +"I fancy you threw a scare into Langridge," went on Sid as he carefully +slid under a mat at the edge of the bed a picture of a football game. + +"How so?" + +"Telling him you wanted to try for pitcher. It was like stepping on his +corns. He thinks he's got a cinch on that position. Always has ever +since he helped win a game last year." + +"Has he?" + +"Well, I don't know. It depends on who is captain. Langridge wants to +see Ed Kerr elected captain. If that happens, he and Ed will run things +to suit themselves. Ed's quite a chum of Langridge, though Ed's a better +fellow all around. The only reason some of the fellows won't vote for Ed +is that he's too thick with Langridge. But if old Kindlings is elected +he'll not take any orders from Langridge." + +"Langridge doesn't seem to be very popular with you," observed Tom. + +"He isn't. I don't like him. Yet he's all right in a way. You see, he's +pretty well off in his own right. His father died, leaving him quite a +sum, and when his mother died he got more. His uncle is his guardian, +but he doesn't look after Fred very closely, and Fred does pretty much +as he pleases. Now that isn't good for a lad, though I don't mind +admitting I wish I had plenty of money. But Langridge is something of a +sport. He has good clothes--better than most of us here--he has all he +wants to spend, and he's liberal with it. He has quite a following and +lots of fellows like him. He doesn't care what he does with his money, +and that's the whole thing in a nutshell. That's why he's manager and +for no other reason. But, as I said, Woodhouse won't stand for any of +his dictation." + +"Maybe I'll get a chance then," mused Tom. + +"I guess you will. I'd like to see another good pitcher on the nine. +Maybe we'd win more games if we had a good one." + +"I don't know whether I'm a good one or not," answered Tom. "I want to +try, though. Back home they used to say I had a good delivery." + +Sid did not answer at once. He was thinking that to pitch on a country +nine was vastly different from doing the same thing on a good-sized +college team. But he did not want to discourage his roommate. + +"Well," he said after a pause, in which he surveyed the somewhat +dismantled room, "I don't know whether it's pitching, or catching, or +fielding, or what it is our team needs, but it's something. We're at the +bottom of the league and have been for some years." + +"What league is that?" + +"Oh, I forgot you didn't know. Well, it's the Tonoka Lake League. You +see, our college, Boxer Hall and Fairview Institute have a triangular +league for the championship. But we haven't won it in so long that the +memory of man runneth not to the contrary, as the legal documents have +it. Last year we had a good chance to be second, but Langridge got a +glass arm in the final game and we were dumped. That's why I say we need +a new pitcher, and I'm glad you're going to try for it." + +"Maybe I'll do worse." + +"Well, Langridge sure does deliver a good ball," said Sid slowly; "the +only trouble is that he----" + +He stopped suddenly and seemed embarrassed. + +"Well?" asked Tom questioningly. + +"Maybe you'll find it out for yourself," concluded Sid Henderson. +"There's the supper gong. Come on. There'll be hot work after a bit." + +Puzzling somewhat over the answer his chum had made to the question +regarding Langridge and wondering what it was he might find out for +himself, Tom followed Sid to the dining hall, where throngs of students +were already gathered. + +There was something in the air that told of mischief to come. The +sophomores, who dined together, maintained a very grave and decorous +air, utterly out of keeping with their usual mood. There was silence +instead of talk and laughter at their table. + +"They're almost as dignified as the seniors," remarked Phil Clinton to +Tom as he took a seat next to him. "It means trouble. Look out." + +"Oh, we're looking out," replied Tom. + +Few lingered over the meal, and, going back to their room, Sid and Tom +took their best clothes and hid them in a closet at the end of the long +corridor. It was a closet used for the storage of odds and ends. + +"There, I don't believe they'll find them there," spoke Sid. "Now we're +ready for them." + +On their way back to their apartment they heard some one preceding them +down the long hall. + +"Who's that?" asked Sid. + +"I don't know," replied Tom. "Let's take a look. Maybe it was some one +spying on us." + +They hastened their steps and saw some one hurry around a corner. + +"Did you see him?" asked Tom. + +"Yes," answered Sid slowly. + +"Was it a soph?" + +"It was Langridge," came the hesitating answer. + +"I wonder what he was doing up here?" inquired Tom. + +"I wonder too," added his chum. + +There was a rush of feet in the hall below and the sound of voices in +protest. + +"Here they come!" cried Sid. "The hazers! Come on!" And he slid into the +room, followed by Tom. They slammed the portal shut and bolted it. + +The noise below increased, and there was the sound of breaking doors. + +"Do they smash in?" asked Tom, to whom a college life was a new +experience. + +"Sure, if you don't open." + +"Going to open?" + +"I am not. Let 'em break in. They'll have to pay for the damage." + +In spite of lively scenes on the floor below, the noise was kept within +a certain range. Neither the freshmen nor the sophomores desired to have +their pranks interrupted by the college authorities, which would be sure +to be the case if the fun grew too hilarious. + +The noise seemed to be approaching the room of Sid and Tom. + +"Here they come," whispered the country youth. + +Sid nodded and there was a grim smile on his face. An instant later the +door was tried. + +"The beggars have locked it!" some one exclaimed. + +"Break it in!" another added. + +"Ask 'em to open first," counseled a third. "We've smashed so many now +that we'll have a pretty bill to pay." + +"Oh, blazes, give it your shoulder, Battersby," exclaimed a loud voice. + +"Going to open, fresh?" called out a student on the other side of the +portal. + +"Nope!" cried Sid. + +There was a moment's pause and then some one hurled himself at the door. +The bolt held for a few seconds, but on a second rush there was a +splintering of wood, the screws pulled out and the portal flew open, +giving admittance to a crowd of sophomores. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A SCRUB GAME + + +"Stripped!" exclaimed a tall sophomore with a broken nose. "The beggars +have stripped their den!" + +"I told you some one had been giving us away," added another. "They knew +we were coming. Didn't you, fresh?" and he turned to Sid and Tom. + +"Sure," replied Sid as he looked around the room, which was bare of the +articles that usually afforded the second-year men an opportunity for +causing annoyance. + +"Who tipped you off?" asked he of the broken nose. + +"Yes, tell us," chimed in several others. "We won't do a thing to him +but make him sorry." + +"Oh, we had a dream," put in Tom with a grin. + +"Ha! Here's a fresh fresh!" exclaimed "Broken-nose." "Well, fellows, +let's give 'em a shower bath, anyhow." + +"Look under the beds," suggested a big sophomore. + +"Nope; haven't time, Gladdus. Here, some of you hold 'em while the rest +of us douse 'em." + +In an instant Sid and Tom were grasped each by half a dozen hands and +pulled to the middle of the room. Then Broken-nose and some others took +the two water pitchers and poured the contents over the two freshmen. It +was not a pleasant ordeal, but Tom and his chum bore it unflinchingly. +It was useless to struggle. + +"Oh, this is no fun!" exclaimed Gladdus. "They don't fight." + +"The odds are too heavy," retorted Tom quickly. "I'll take any one of +you alone," he added, and he looked as if he meant it. + +"Let me take him on," pleaded a tall sophomore. + +"No--none of that," declared Broken-nose, who was addressed as Fenmore. +"We've got lots to do yet. I wonder where their good clothes are. +They've got on old togs. We'll give 'em a soaking." + +Tom and Sid were glad that they had hidden their garments in the hall +closet. There was a hasty search on the part of the sophomores, but as +nothing was disclosed the second-year men prepared to leave. + +"Come on," ordered Fenmore. "There's no water left in their pitchers, +anyhow." + +"Oh, we could get more H{2}O if we could find their togs," spoke +another. + +Just then another second-year youth came along. + +"I know where their clothes are," he said. "In the closet at the end of +the hall. Langridge----" + +"Shut up!" cried Gladdus. + +"Come on, fellows!" called Fenmore. "We'll soak 'em good." + +Sid groaned as the sophomores released him and Tom and made a run for +the closet. + +"We'd ought to have scattered 'em," he said. "Now we'll have to wear wet +duds to chapel to-morrow. We can't go in these," and he looked at his +dripping garments--clothes in which he did cross-country running and +played tennis--old and somewhat ragged and muddy habiliments. + +"Did you hear what that soph said?" demanded Tom. + +"You mean----" + +"I mean about Langridge. He gave us away. He told them where our clothes +were; the mean sneak!" + +"That's right," chimed in Sid. "That's what he was doing up here--spying +on us. Oh, I'll pay him back all right!" + +"So will I!" declared Tom fervently as a triumphant shout down the +corridor announced that their clothes had been discovered. The garments, +dripping wet and all out of shape, were thrown into their room a little +later. + +"Well, wouldn't that put your nerves on the gazabo!" exclaimed Sid +disgustedly. "Oh, Langridge, I'll have it in for you!" + +The hazing went on until after midnight and then the dormitory quieted +down. Scarcely a freshman escaped and those who absented themselves from +their rooms were due to be put on the grill later. + +Tom and Sid sat up late, wringing as much of the water as they could +from their clothes and drying them somewhat by inserting an electric +light bulb in the arms of the coats and the legs of the trousers. +Fortunately their bedding was not wet or the boys would have passed a +miserable night. As it was they did not have a good one, and they arose +early to hang their moist clothes out of the window to let the morning +sun finish the work of drying. + +But they were not the only ones in this plight, and it was a bedraggled +lot of freshmen who appeared at chapel--that is, all but Langridge. He +was spick and span as he always was, dressed in expensive clothes. + +"Didn't they get at you?" asked Sid as he and Tom caught up to the +wealthy youth on the way to class. + +"Get at me?" + +"Yes, your clothes don't seem to have suffered." + +"Oh, this is another suit. They wet one for me, but I had this put +away." + +"And no sneak went and told the sophs where you put it, did they?" asked +Tom. + +"What's that?" asked Langridge quickly, and he turned a bit pale. + +"I say no sneak gave you away?" + +"I don't know what you mean," and Langridge turned aside. + +"Oh, yes, you do," said Sid quickly. "You know all right and we know, +and what's more, you'll get what's coming to you all right. That's all +from yours truly, but look out--that's all--look out, Fred Langridge!" + +"I don't know what you're talking about," was the cool retort, and then +the students passed into the class room. + +It was two days later that the miniature clappers, which had been made +from the tongue of the big bell, were received, and a proud lot of +freshmen they were, including Tom Parsons, who attached them to their +watch chains. + +"Now, if we win the pole rush, we'll be all to the merry," exclaimed +Phil Clinton as he walked along the campus toward the gymnasium. "I'm +just aching for a chance to pummel some of those sophs. They certainly +made a rough house of my room the other night." + +"Oh, we'll get the chance all right," remarked Sid. "The rush is a week +from to-night. But say, how about the baseball election? Isn't Langridge +taking his own time calling it?" + +"He sure is. He's trying to work up votes for Kerr for captain, but he +can't do it. The fellows haven't anything against Ed, but he's too thick +with Langridge. I'm for old Kindlings." + +"So are we," put in Tom. + +"They've got to hold the election to-morrow," said Phil. "That's the +last day, according to the rules. Why, we haven't had a bit of practice +yet. We don't know who's going on the scrub and who has a chance for the +'varsity. I hope I can get center field." + +"Had you rather play there?" asked Tom. + +"I always have. I fancy I know that position better than I do any other. +But, to tell you the truth, I like football better than baseball. I'm +going to try for the eleven this fall." + +"I hope you make it. But what's going on?" asked Tom as he saw a little +commotion about the gymnasium. + +"It's a scrub game," exclaimed Sid. "That's the stuff. Come on. Maybe +we'll get a chance. Langridge sees that he's got to get things going." + +They hurried to the gymnasium and found that preparations were under way +for a scrub game. There was also a notice on the bulletin board stating +that the election for captain would be held the following day. + +"I wonder if he's got enough votes for Kerr?" mused Sid. "I hope +not--for the sake of the team." + +The crowd, including students from all four classes of the college, +moved off toward the diamond. Rivalries were forgotten in the interest +in the game. The lads were not in uniform, but had on old clothes. +Langridge was issuing orders and two temporary captains were chosen, +they selecting their men. Bob, or "Bricktop" Molloy, the captain of last +year, had one scrub team, and Pete Backus, who rejoiced in the nickname +"Grasshopper" from the fact that he was always trying to see how far and +how high he could jump, had another. Langridge assumed the role of +manager, though there was little to manage. + +"Now play lively, boys," he urged. "I want to arrange for some other +games this season besides those in the league, and we want to win some +of 'em." + +To his delight Tom found himself chosen by Bricktop, together with Sid +and Phil Clinton. Langridge held a whispered conversation with Backus, +the other captain, and was promptly chosen on that hastily formed nine. + +"I'll pitch and Ed Kerr'll catch," Langridge announced, as if that +settled it. And it was noticeable that Backus did not make a protest, +though he was as good a catcher as was Kerr. + +"Will you pitch for us, Parsons, me lad?" asked Bricktop with just a +trace of rich Irish brogue. "Sure and I heard what ye did, me lad, the +night of the clapper." + +"Well, that was mostly luck, I guess," replied Tom modestly, "though I'd +like the chance to pitch now." + +"Sure, then, an' you'll have it," replied the Irish lad with a twinkle +in his honest blue eyes. "Come on, fellows. We're last at the bat." + +"Hold me down, somebody!" exclaimed Dutch Housenlager as he turned a +hand spring and came down so close to Molloy that the former captain was +nearly sent over. "I'm feeling like a two-year-old." + +"That's all right, Dutch, me lad," exclaimed Bricktop, relapsing into a +broader brogue as his feelings came uppermost. "This isn't a stable, +though, and we can dispense with the horse play until after the game if +you can accommodate yourself to the exigencies of the occasion," and he +spoke much after the manner of Dr. Churchill, for Bricktop, in spite of +the fact that he was a senior, "grave and reverend," liked fun and his +joke. "If you will kindly resume the upright stature befitting a human +being," he went on, "you may try to stop whatever balls come in the +direction of shortstop, for there's where ye'll play." + +"All right," answered Dutch good naturedly. "I'm agreeable, my fair +captain. But would you mind keeping your hat on? When the sun strikes +your red-gold locks it dazzles my eyes." + +"Go on wit' your blarney!" exclaimed Molloy, making a punch at +Housenlager, who skilfully ducked it. + +The diamond was in fine shape, for it had been cut and rolled and the +base lines marked off in readiness for the opening of the season. The +grass was like velvet and the clean, fresh green, contrasted with the +brown earth of the diamond proper, the long white lines, the new bases +and the level field made a picture that rejoiced the heart of every lad. + +"Wow! isn't it great?" cried Tom. "And the smell! Do you smell the green +grass, Sid, and the earth, and--and the baseball smell? Isn't it great?" + +"Cheese it!" cried Phil Clinton with a laugh. "You'll be spouting poetry +next." + +"I wish I could," returned Tom a little more soberly. "I never get out +on a ball field but I want to orate something like Thermopylae or +Horatius at the Bridge. The fever of the game gets in my blood." + +"There is something in that," admitted Phil. "Oh, it's a great game. +There's none greater except football, and when I see the gridiron marked +off and hear the 'ping' of somebody's boot against the pigskin my heart +begins to thump and I catch my breath and want to take the ball to +batter down a stone fence and make a touchdown." + +"Bravo!" cried Sid. "You're as bad as Tom." + +"Quit talking and get to practice!" exclaimed a voice at the rear of the +lads, and they turned to see Langridge. + +"Say, who told you to give orders?" asked Sid quickly. "Bricktop is our +captain." + +"Well, we're going to have a little warm-up practice first," remarked +Langridge. Then he turned to Tom and said: "So you're going to pitch +against me?" + +"It seems so." + +"Humph!" was all Langridge said as he walked away. + +Two or three good batters on each side began knocking flies for the +others to catch and Tom and his chums soon found themselves warming up +in earnest. The country lad discovered that he could judge the balls +quite accurately and he made some good throws from a long distance. + +"Play ball!" suddenly called Bricktop Molloy. "Come on, fellows! Out in +the field. Parsons, let's see what sort of a twirler you are." + +Tom went to the box. He was a trifle nervous, but he controlled himself +as well as he could. The first man up was Langridge, and there was an +unpleasant look on the face of the rich youth as he faced his rival. + +Tom sent in an out curve and he was pretty sure it was going over +the plate. But he heard the umpire cry: "One ball!" and he was much +surprised. There was a mocking smile on the face of Langridge. Tom +held the next ball rather longer. He threw in a peculiar little drop. +Langridge saw it coming and struck savagely at it, but a resounding +"thump" told Tom that the horsehide had landed safe in Molloy's mitt. + +"One strike!" yelled the umpire, and Tom's heart was glad. + +"That's the way to do it!" cried Phil Clinton, from center field. +"Strike him out!" + +Langridge hit the next ball, though it was only a weak liner, which Tom +stopped and threw over to first, but there was no need, for Langridge +had seen the uselessness of running. + +"One out. Go on with the game," sang out Bricktop. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE POLE RUSH + + +Tom managed to strike out the next man, but the third batter knocked a +two-bagger, and Kerr, who followed, sent a beautiful long fly to right +field, where Jerry Jackson muffed it. There was wild delight on the part +of Pete Backus and his men when they got in three runs before Tom +managed to strike out another player, retiring the side. + +"Well, that's not so bad," spoke Bricktop, but there was some dubiousness +in his tone. + +"My pitching was bum," acknowledged Tom, "but I'll do better next +inning." + +"Of course you will, me lad," said Captain Molloy kindly. "It's a new +ground to you." + +There was a confident air about Langridge when he took his position in +the box and it was somewhat justified when he struck out the first two +men in quick succession. + +"He's doing better than I thought he would," said Sid. + +"He's a good pitcher," admitted Tom honestly, for he saw that his rival +had something that he himself lacked--a better control of the ball, +though Tom could pitch a swifter curve. + +Tom was third at the bat. Now a good pitcher is usually a notoriously +bad hitter. Tom proved an exception to the rule, though perhaps he had +not developed into such a good pitcher yet that it applied in his case. +He faced Langridge confidently and even smiled mockingly as a swift ball +came in. Tom was a good judge of it and saw that it was going wild, so +he did not attempt to strike it. His judgment was confirmed when the +umpire sang out: + +"Ball one!" + +Langridge looked annoyed and sent in a swift one. Tom's bat met it +squarely and it went well over the center fielder's head. + +"Go on! go on, me brave lad!" yelled Molloy, his brogue very pronounced. +"That's the stuff!" + +"Take two bases! take two!" cried Phil. + +"Make it three! make it three!" begged Sid, and three Tom made it, for +he was a swift runner, and the ball rolled provokingly away from the +fielder who raced after it. + +"Well, you can bat, anyway, me lad," observed Molloy as Tom came in on a +safe hit made by Sid a little later. + +"Does that mean I can't pitch?" asked Tom with a smile. + +"Not a bit of it. It only accentuates it, so to speak. You're all +right--_facile princeps_ as the old Romans have it--which, being +interpreted, means you can come in and sit at our training table." + +Tom's side only gathered in two runs, however, and from then on up to +the eighth inning the team Langridge was on held the lead, the score at +the beginning of the ninth inning being 10 to 8 in favor of Backus' +men. That inning Tom and his chums rather went to pieces as regarded +fielding, nor did Tom shine brilliantly in the box. He struck out two +men and then he seemed to lose control of the ball. The bases were +filled, two men knocking a one and two bagger respectively and another +getting his walking papers. Then Tom got nervous, and just when he +should have held himself well in hand to keep the score down, he gave +another man a chance to amble easily to first on four balls and forced +in a run. + +There were cries of derision from the opposing players and an ominous +silence on the part of Captain Molloy and his men. The next man got a +one-bagger and the player who followed him knocked a pop fly, which +Molloy, who was on third, missed. The inning ended with three more runs +in favor of Langridge and his mates, making the score 13 to 8. + +"Six runs to win and five to tie," murmured Molloy. "Can we do it, +boys?" + +"Sure," said Phil Clinton confidently. Phil always fought to the last +ditch. But it was not to be. Tom made one run and Sid another, but that +was all. Langridge struck out his last man with the bases full and the +game ended. + +"I thought you were a pitcher," sneered Langridge as the teams filed off +the field, and there were several laughs at Tom's expense, for he had +not made a good showing in the box. + +"Sure he can pitch," cried Molloy, coming to Tom's defense. "The ground +was new to him, that's all." + +"Rats!" retorted Langridge, and Tom was too humiliated to make a reply. + +"Just the same he'll make a good pitcher," said Mr. James Lighton, the +coach of the 'varsity, who had strolled out to watch the practice. "He +has a swift ball, but he lacks control. We can make a first-class +pitcher of him, Molloy." + +"I'm sure I hope so," murmured the red-haired youth. "We didn't do very +well last year with Langridge, though he seems to have improved to-day." + +"So will young Parsons," declared the coach. "You watch him. I'll take +him in hand as soon as the team is in shape. He'll probably have to go +on the scrub first, but he won't stay there long." + +But Tom did not hear these comforting words, and it was with rather a +bitter feeling in his heart that he went to his room to dress for +supper. + +"You'll be better next game," said Sid, trying to console him. + +"Maybe there won't be any next game for me," was Tom's reply. "I saw +Kerr and Langridge talking together, and I'm sure it was about me." + +"That's all right. Kerr isn't going to be captain of the 'varsity." + +"Are you sure?" + +"Sure. I've got a straight tip. We've votes enough to elect old Kindlings +Woodhouse." + +And so it proved the next day, when the election was held. Dan Woodhouse +received forty more ballots than did Kerr and his election, after the +first test, was made unanimous, a compliment always paid. Then baseball +matters began in earnest. Candidates were chosen, Coach Lighton ordered +regular practice and established a training table. Tom was much chagrined +when he found that he was named for pitcher on the scrub, while Langridge +got the coveted place as pitcher on the 'varsity, but Sid told his chum +that the scrub was but a stepping stone to the final goal. And when the +coach began to take Tom in hand and give him some much-needed instruction +about control Tom began to feel that, after all, perhaps he had a chance. + +It was about a week later, following some rather hard practice on the +diamond, that a hurried knock was heard on the door of the room occupied +by Sid and Tom. + +"Come," called Sid, looking up from his Latin book. + +"Pole rush to-night!" cried Dutch Housenlager, poking his head in and +rapidly withdrawing it, as though he feared a book would be hurled at +him. "Meet on the campus at eight o'clock. Old clothes--it's going to be +a hard fight." + +"That's the stuff!" exclaimed Sid, throwing his book across the room. +"Come on, Tom. We'll have a battle royal with our traditional enemies, +the sophs." + +The pole rush was like the cane or cannon rushes held in other colleges. +Half a dozen of the strongest of the freshmen formed a circle, with +linked arms about the big flag pole on the campus. About them in +concentric circles their chums formed a series of defensive rings. +Then the sophomores came at them with a rush, seeking to displace the +first-year lads and arrange themselves in a circle about the pole. If +they succeeded in doing this inside of fifteen minutes it meant that the +freshmen could wear no college colors their first term. It was to this +rush that Tom, Sid and their friends hurried when Dutch and some others +went about to the various rooms sounding the rallying cry. + +Out on the campus that soft spring evening was a motley crowd of +students. On one side were gathered the sophomores and on the other the +freshmen. + +"My, there are a lot of 'em," remarked Phil Clinton. "I shouldn't wonder +but they've rung in some seniors on us." + +"No, they wouldn't do that," declared Sid. "They're a big class." + +Langridge and some others were going about selecting the men who were to +form the first circle about the pole. Tom and Phil, who were both sturdy +lads, were chosen for this honor. + +"In place! in place!" cried the impatient sophomores. + +"Line up! line up, fellows!" shouted Langridge. + +Tom and his chums took their positions. The protectors formed about +them. + +"Hold fast, everybody!" cautioned Phil as he grasped Tom's arm. + +"Here they come! here they come!" was the warning cry, and with a rush +the sophomores hurled themselves against the mass of lads about the +pole. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +TOM HOLDS HIS OWN + + +It seemed for a moment as if the first-year boys would be quickly shoved +aside and their places taken by the sophomores, for so heavy was the +impact that the outer and second lines of defense were broken through +and the attackers were in the midst of the defenders. + +"Throw 'em back! throw 'em back!" yelled Phil Clinton. "Tackle low!" + +"Think you're playing football?" panted Tom, for some of his mates had +been pushed against him and he almost lost his grip on Phil's arm. + +"It's like a scrimmage," replied Phil. "That's the stuff, boys!" he +added as the lines of defense formed again. + +The freshmen by a fierce effort succeeded in blocking the advance of +their enemies, and those who had penetrated part way into the circles +were hurled back. But the battle had only just begun. + +Once more came the rush of sophomores, the members of the class calling +to each other encouragingly. There were more of them than there were of +freshmen, but the latter had the advantage of a firm base of support, +for the lads nearest the pole clung to that and those adjoining them +locked their arms or legs about those of their comrades, thus forming a +compact mass. + +"Pick 'em off one by one!" yelled Gladdus, one of the leading sophomores. +"Bore a way in there, Fenmore, and some of you fellows. We ought to get +them away." + +"Hold fast! Hold fast, everybody!" cried Tom, for the joy of battle was +upon him and his heart exulted in the struggle that was going on about +him, in the pressure of bodies against his, the labored breathing, the +panting, the fierce grips that were broken only to be made anew. + +The sophomores now began other tactics. Several of them would grab a +freshman in the outer circle. They would pluck him from the restraining +grasp of his companions, and then, when a hole was thus made, other +sophomores would bore their way in to repeat the process. So quickly was +this done and so strong was the peculiar attack that, almost before the +freshmen knew it, Gladdus and Fenmore, two of the most aggressive +attackers, had reached the circle that was about the pole. The two +boldly grabbed at Tom, at the same time calling out: + +"Sophs this way! Sophs this way! Here's meat for us!" + +Tom suddenly felt himself being pulled away from the pole. The grips of +Phil Clinton on one side and Sid Henderson on the other were slipping +from his arms. + +"Hold fast! Don't let them take you!" cried Phil. + +"I won't!" gasped Tom. + +He thought of a trick he had acquired in wrestling. Quickly arching his +back like a bow, he suddenly straightened it with a snap, and the holds +of Gladdus and Fenmore were broken. They were hurled back and then other +freshmen took them up bodily, thrusting them beyond the outer line of +defense. + +Then the whole body of sophomores quickly threw themselves against the +freshmen, as if to force them away from the pole by weight of numbers. +They nearly succeeded, and Tom and his fellow defenders of the flag +staff thought their arms would be pulled out of the sockets. But, as if +it was a second down in a fierce football game, the freshmen held their +opponents and thrust the wave of sophomores back. + +So it went on, the attack becoming fiercer until, when the timekeepers +announced that there were but two more minutes left in which to hold or +gain the pole, the second-year men seemed fairly to overwhelm the +others. + +"Tear 'em up! tear 'em up!" pleaded Gladdus. + +"Hold, boys, hold!" begged Langridge. And hold they did, for when time +was called the defenders were found with their arms still locked about +the flag staff. + +"We win, fellows!" yelled Tom, capering about, with his hands grasping +those of Sid and Phil. + +Then followed an impromptu war dance, while the vanquished sophomores +filed away in the darkness, the exultant freshmen sending cheer after +cheer out on the air. + +"Here's where we wear ribbons on our hats!" cried Ford Fenton. "Now, I'd +like to see any soph make me take it off." + +He pulled from his pocket a band and fixed it to a new hat he had bought +to replace the slashed one. + +"You came prepared, didn't you?" asked Holly Cross. "Here, let me give +you an imitation of a soph," and he held out the decorated hat, though +the gaily decorated band could not be seen in the darkness, and +pretending to regard it with horror, minced along like some grotesque +dancer on the stage. + +"Good! good!" cried his fellows. + +"That's the stuff, Holly, old chap!" remarked Phil. "We'll have you in +the next play." + +"Why don't you fellows run the colors up on the flag pole?" proposed a +lad who had stood watching the fun. + +"That's it, Jerry Jackson!" exclaimed Sid. "Good idea." + +"I'm not Jerry, I'm Joe," replied the Jersey twin. + +"I'll have to take your word for it," went on Sid. "Say, you two ought +to wear labels. We're always getting you mixed up." + +Amid much laughter and joking a long streamer of yellow and maroon was +fastened to the halyards and run up to the truck. Langridge had the +colors with him, anticipating a victory. + +"We ought to have a parade now," suggested Fenton. "My uncle says----" + +"If you say uncle again inside of a week, we'll duck you!" cried Sid as +he jostled Ford to one side. "We know him by heart by this time." + +"I don't believe he ever had an uncle," declared Kerr. "But come on, +fellows, let's have a parade." + +The idea took at once, and the victorious freshmen formed in line and +marched about the college buildings, singing songs and yelling joyfully, +for it had been a good, fair, clean fight, and they had won. + +"Let's go to Haddonfield and get out hat bands," proposed Langridge. +"We'll all be wearing them in the morning." + +As discipline was rather relaxed during the first two weeks of the term +and as it was the custom for the victorious class to celebrate in some +way the idea was adopted and the joyous lads made for the town, which +at their advent at once awakened from a sort of evening nap. They went +to a dealer who made a specialty of college goods and soon all were +decked out in the gay hat bands, all save a few who, like Fenton, had +already provided themselves with the articles. + +"I suppose you aren't used to such things as this down on the farm, are +you?" asked Langridge of Tom sneeringly as they were about ready to +depart for the college. "Corn husking bees and quilting parties are more +in your line." + +"Wa'al, thet's what they be!" retorted Tom quickly, imitating the nasal +drawl of the typical farmer. "We folks down Northville way is some +pumpkins when it comes t' huskin' corn. Was you ever there, sonny?" + +His manner was so patronizing and the effect of his words and assumed +mannerisms so odd that the lads about him burst out laughing, much to +the annoyance of Langridge. + +"Going to the post-office for the mail and meeting the pretty country +girls was about the height of your enjoyment, wasn't it?" persisted the +rich youth, who seemed bound to pick a quarrel with Tom. + +"Wa'al, now you're talkin'," came the quick answer in the same drawl. + +There was something rather strange about Langridge. His eyes seemed +very bright and his cheeks were flushed. He evidently took Tom's +acquiescence as an indication that the country lad was willing to have +fun poked at him. + +"I suppose you got lots of letters from the pretty country lasses, +enclosing locks of their red hair," sneered Langridge. + +"You bet I did," exclaimed Tom, still imitating a farmer's peculiarities, +"but I want to tell ye suthin', an' when you come out Northville way, +mebby you'll remember it." Then, suddenly becoming serious and with +a change in his manner, he added: "I also used to get letters from +gentlemen, but I don't believe you could write me one!" There was a snap +in his words. + +"What--what's that?" cried Langridge, taking a step toward Tom. + +"You heard what I said," was the retort. + +"That's the time you got yours all right, Langridge," exclaimed Phil +Clinton. "You can't tell by the looks of a haystack how far a cow can +jump, you know." + +Langridge fairly glared at Tom. He seemed to want to make some reply, +but the words stuck in his throat. + +"I'll--I'll get----" he stammered, and then, turning on his heel, he +linked his arm in that of Kerr and the two started off down the street. + +"You held you own that time, Tom," said Sid as a little later they +followed. + +"Yes, I don't mind a joke, but he went a little too far. My people live +in the country, and I'm proud of it, and proud of all my friends in +Northville. But come on, let's get back to our room. I've got some +studying to do." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +AT PRACTICE + + +Following the exciting scenes of the pole rush it was rather difficult +for any of the lads to settle down to study that night, but for some it +was a necessity, and Tom and Sid were in this number. Tom, by reason of +missing the first week of the term, was a little behind his class, but +he was a fine student, and the instructor saw that there would be no +trouble for the lad in covering the lost ground. With Sid it was another +matter. Though faithful and earnest, studying did not come easy for him, +and, as he expressed it, he had to "bone away like a ground hog" to get +facts and dates fixed in his mind. Consequently, because of the evening +of fun, ten o'clock saw Sid and Tom busy in their room over their books. + +For an hour or more nothing was heard but the occasional turning of the +pages or the noise of a pencil being rapidly pushed across the paper. At +length Tom, with a sigh of relief, closed his chemistry and remarked: + +"There, I guess that will do for to-night. My eyes are tired." + +"So are mine," added Sid. "I'm going to kiss this Latin prose good-night +and put it to bed," and he threw the book under his cot. "Pleasant +dreams," he added sarcastically. "Gee! but I hate Latin," he exclaimed. + +"Why do you take it?" + +"Oh, dad thinks I'll need it. I'd a heap sight rather learn to play the +banjo." + +"Not much comparison there, Sid." + +"No, but don't mention comparison. That reminds me of grammar, and +grammar reminds me of verbs, and verbs naturally bring to mind +declension, and--there you are. Let's talk about something pleasant." + +"What do you call pleasant?" + +"Well, baseball, for instance, though maybe that isn't very pleasant for +you, since you didn't make the first team." + +"No," admitted Tom frankly, "it isn't pleasant to think about. I did +want to get on the first team and I may yet. But I've learned one thing +since coming here." + +"That's good. Maybe I'd better call up Moses and tell him. He'll feel +encouraged that some of the students are progressing." + +"No, I wouldn't advise you to do that," spoke Tom with a laugh that +showed his white, even teeth. "In fact, what I've learned didn't have +much to do with books." + +"What was it?" + +"Well, it's been made very clear to me that it's something different +from being a big fish in a little puddle than acting the part of a +small-sized finny resident in a more extended body of water, to put it +scientifically." + +"Meaning what, if you don't mind translating?" came from Sid as he +stretched out on the rather worn and springless sofa. + +"Meaning that I had an idea that I was about as good as the next one in +the pitching line, but I find I'm not." + +"Proceed," came calmly from Sid, who had his eyes shut. + +"No, I'm afraid I might disturb your slumbers," said Tom quickly, and +there was a curious change in his voice. + +Sid sat up quickly. + +"I beg your pardon, old man," he exclaimed. "I was listening all right +and I'm interested, honest I am. Only my eyes hurt to-night. But it must +be quite different, coming from a small village to a fairly large +college. Did you have a good nine at Northville?" + +"Well," went on Tom, somewhat mollified at his chum's interest, "we +cleaned up all the other nines around there. I was considered a +crackajack pitcher, but I guess now the reason for that may have been +that the others were rotten batsmen." + +"There's something in that," admitted Sid judicially. "You see, things +are peculiar here. Now take Langridge. Nobody, unless it's Kerr and a few +others, cares much about him. Yet he's a fairly consistent pitcher, and +he's the best they've had in some years, they tell me. Now our college +has had rather hard luck on the diamond, especially in the Tonoka Lake +League. There was a better chance of winning the championship last year +than in any previous one, but we didn't make good. It wasn't altogether +Langridge's fault. He didn't have very good support, I'm told. Now +they've decided to keep him on, or, rather he's engineered things so +that, as manager, he keeps himself on. And there are some hopes of +pulling out somewhere in the lead of the league this season. But +Langridge is his own best friend." + +"And he keeps me from pitching on the 'varsity," said Tom somewhat +bitterly. + +"Can you blame him?" + +"No, I don't know that I can," was the frank answer. "I s'pose I'd do +the same thing. But I hope in time to be a better pitcher than he is." + +"How are you coming on with the coach?" + +"Fine. Mr. Lighton has given me some good pointers, and I needed them. +My curves are all right and so is my speed. It's my control that's +weak, and I'm getting rid of some of my faults." + +"We're going to have a practice game with you scrubs to-morrow or next +day," said Sid. "Maybe you'll get a chance to show what you can do +then." + +"I hope so. I want to show Langridge that he isn't the only bean in the +pot, to put it poetically." + +"Very poetically," murmured Sid, who seemed to be dozing off. + +"Say, Sid," exclaimed Tom suddenly, "do you remember what you started to +say about Langridge the other day and stopped?" + +"Yes." + +"What was it?" + +"I'd rather not tell. You'll probably find out for yourself before long. +I did, though not many know it." + +"You mean----" + +"I'm not going to say what I mean. Only," and Sid suddenly sat up, "it +may increase your chances of pitching on the 'varsity." + +"I think I know," said Tom slowly, and he began to get ready for bed. + +A practice game between the 'varsity and the scrub was called for the +next afternoon. The first team was in rather disorganized shape yet. +That is to say, not all the players were in permanent positions and +shifts were likely to be made at any time as practice brought out +defects or merits. It was even said that some now on the 'varsity might +be relegated to the scrub and some from the second team advanced. Tom +secretly hoped so in his case, but his common sense told him he stood a +slim chance. Langridge, of course, was pitcher on the first team and +Kerr was the catcher. Kindlings Woodhouse played on third, where he +could direct the efforts of his men. + +When the scrub and regular teams were out on the diamond ready for the +practice game Kindlings looked over his players. + +"Where's Sid Henderson?" he asked. + +"He got turned back in Latin at last class," volunteered Jerry Jackson. + +"Here he comes now," added Joe Jackson, as if he was an echo to his +brother. + +Sid came running up, all out of breath, buttoning his blouse as he +advanced. + +"What's the matter, son?" asked the captain. + +"That rotten Latin." + +"Be careful," warned Kindlings. "Don't slump too often or you may put us +in a hole. You aren't the only first baseman that ever lived, but you're +pretty good, and I don't want to go to work training you in and have you +fired off the team by the faculty for not keeping up your studies." + +"Oh, I'll be careful," promised Sid confidently, and then the game +started. + +The 'varsity played snappy ball and the scrub seemed a bit ragged, +naturally perhaps as there was less incentive for them to play hard. + +"Brace up, fellows," implored Tom toward the close of the game. "They're +only four runs ahead of us, and if we can knock out a couple of +three-baggers we'll throw a scare into them. They're weak in right and +left field. Soak the horsehide toward either of the twins, but don't get +it near Phil Clinton. If he gets it within a foot of his mitt, it's a +goner." + +"It's a wonder you wouldn't strike out more men," said Fenton. "My uncle +says that when he was a coach----" + +"Play ball!" yelled the umpire, and the reminiscence was cut short. + +The scrubs did "take a brace" and began finding the curves of Langridge, +much to that pitcher's annoyance. Tom made a neat two-bagger, but died +on third, though the score was bettered in favor of the scrub by two +more runs. + +Tom went to his box with a firm step and a more certain feeling about +his ability than he had ever experienced before. He was sure he could +strike out at least two men, and he did so, including Langridge and +Holly Cross. + +Holly, who was a good batter, was laughed at by his chums. + +"You'll have to do better than that," warned Langridge. + +"Do better yourself," retorted Holly. "I didn't want to hit it, anyhow. +I was giving you an imitation of how close I could come to it and miss +it." + +"Those imitations don't do on this circuit," added the tall Kindlings. +"It's mighty risky in a game." + +"Oh, yes, in a game," admitted Holly with a laugh. + +Tom gave one man a chance to walk and the next popped out a fly that +Dutch Housenlager neatly gathered in. The game ended with no runs for +the 'varsity in the last inning and they had beaten the scrub by only +two runs. + +"It might be worse," said Mr. Lighton grimly as the teams filed off the +diamond. "It might be worse, Woodhouse, but I don't like it." + +"Neither do I," admitted the captain gloomily. "We tackle Boxer Hall in +the first of the league series next week, and I think I'll have to make +some more shifts. What do you think of Langridge?" + +"Well, he's all right--yet. If he doesn't----" The coach stopped +suddenly, seemed about to say something and then evidently thought +better of it. "At any rate," he finished, "if worst comes to worst, we +can put Parsons in. He's improving every day, and with a little more +coaching so that he isn't quite so awkward and can run better, he'll +make a star player. He'll be on the first team next year." + +"He wants to get on this year." + +"Perhaps he will," and with that the coach walked off rather abruptly. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A GAME WITH BOXER HALL + + +The grandstand was filled with cheering students. In one section were +the cohorts of Randall College, led in giving their cries by "Bean" +Perkins, who had a voice like unto that of some fog horn. There was a +mass of glowing colors as flags and streamers were waved in the wind. + +In another part of the stand a smaller but no less enthusiastic throng +sent up exultant cries of rivalry, calling out repeatedly: "Boxer! +Boxer! Boxer!" + +Scattered among the students in each of the two divisions of the stand +were girls and more girls, all of them pretty, at least in the eyes of +their admirers, and all of them sporting one college colors or the +other. + +The bleachers were filled by ardent supporters of the game who were not +so particular about having a roof over their heads and who, for one +reason or another, had to look to the difference in cost between a +grandstand ticket and one on the side benches. + +It was the occasion of the first regular game of the season in the +Tonoka Lake League between Randall College and Boxer Hall. As the +opposing players came out for warm-up practice the yells, cheers and +cries were redoubled, and the stands seemed a waving riot of colors, +like some great bed of flowers. + +The sounds of balls impinging on thick mitts, of willow bats cracking +out hot liners or lofty flies were heard all over the diamond. Never had +the grass seemed greener and never had the field looked so inviting. It +was a perfect day for the game. + +There was not a little anxiousness on the part of the Randall players +as they "sized up" their opponents. They found them a sturdy lot of +youngsters. + +"They're playing snappy ball," observed Coach Lighton to Captain +Woodhouse. + +"Yes, and so will we," predicted Kindlings. "Just watch us." + +"I intend to. That's why I'm out here. Now let me give you and Langridge +a few pointers," and he called the pitcher to him, the three strolling +off to one side of the field. + +Tom Parsons was on hand, and it does him no discredit when it is stated +that there was a feeling of envy in his heart. But it was honest envy. +He wanted to get out on the diamond and do his share in helping the +Randall team to win. But he could only look on and cheer with the +others. + +To win or lose the first game meant much to either team. Not so much to +Boxer Hall, perhaps, as that team had run Fairview Institute a close +second for the championship, but to Randall the winning of the game +might put the necessary "snap" into the lads, while to lose it might so +discourage them that it would be well on in the season before they would +"take a brace." + +So it is no wonder that there was a feeling of nervousness on the part +of the coach and the players. + +The practice was over. The preliminaries had been arranged, the home +team, Randall, having the privilege of being last to bat. Langridge, +with final instructions from the coach, took his place in the box. + +"Play ball!" fairly howled the umpire, and the game was on. + +"Ping!" That was the sound of the bat colliding with the ball, the first +ball that Langridge threw. Describing a graceful curve, the white sphere +sailed up into the air. Ed Kerr, hoping it might be a foul, had thrown +off his mask and was wildly looking for it, but it was winging its way +toward Jerry Jackson in right field. A yell went up from the two hundred +college supporters of Boxer Hall, but it was changed to a groan when one +of the Jersey twins neatly gathered in the fly and put the runner out. +Langridge breathed a sigh of relief and struck out the next two men. + +Not a man got to first on the Randall team in the initial inning. Kerr +knocked a pop fly, but it was caught by the pitcher, who repeated +Langridge's trick and sent the next two men to the bench in short order. + +The next three innings saw goose eggs in the squares of both teams, the +only hitting that was done being foul tips. + +"It's a pitchers' battle," began to be whispered from seat to seat, and +so it seemed. In the sixth inning Randall succeeded in getting a man to +first on balls, and then began an attempt on the part of the onlooking +students of that college to get the pitcher's "goat," which, being +interpreted, meant to "rattle" him. That he had a "glass arm" was +the mildest epithet hurled at him, but Dave Ogden, who was doing the +twirling for Boxer Hall, only smiled in a confident sort of way and +struck out the next man. + +He was not so successful with Kindlings Woodhouse, and the captain +hammered out a pretty fly that was good for two bases and sent Bricktop +Molloy to third. The Randall boys were rejoicing now, for they saw a +chance to score the first run. And the run itself was brought in by the +blue-eyed and red-haired Molloy a moment later, when Phil Clinton +knocked a hot liner right between the Boxer Hall shortstop and the third +baseman. But that ended the fun, though the score was 1 to 0 in favor of +the home team. + +This may have been an incentive to the visitors, for straightway they +began pounding Langridge, and when the seventh inning ended the score +was 4 to 2 in favor of Boxer Hall. + +"Boys, we've got to down 'em!" said Woodhouse fiercely. "Don't let them +put the game on ice this way. Don't do it. Take a brace." + +In the eighth inning it looked as if there was going to be a slump in +Randall stock. Langridge seemed to go to pieces and issued walking +passes to two men, while he was batted for a two-bagger and a three-base +hit. But with a gritting of their teeth the others rallied to his +support, and though the visitors tucked away two more runs, making the +score 6 to 2, at which their cohorts went into a fine frenzy, that was +all they could do. + +"Fellows, we're going to win!" cried Captain Paul, or "Pinky" Davenport, +of the Boxers. + +"Wait a bit, son," advised Kindlings dryly. + +In the ending of the eighth there was a look of "do or die" about the +Randall players. Tom Parsons felt himself gripping the sides of the seat +until the board hurt his hands. + +"Oh, if I could only get down there and play!" he whispered to himself. +"Why can't I? why can't I?" But he couldn't and he knew it. + +Rather to their own surprise the Randall lads began finding the +ball with surprising regularity. They batted it out "for keeps," as +Molloy said, and they managed to tie the score. Then came the ever +nerve-thrilling ninth inning in a close game. By great good luck, after +he had given one man his base on balls, Langridge retired a trio in +one-two-three order, and the score still stood a tie. + +"Now, fellows, slam it into them. Wallop the hide off 'em--sting +'em--souse 'em--put 'em in brine for next year!" implored Holly Cross. +"I'm first up, and I'm going to give you a correct imitation of a man +making a home run." + +But he didn't. Holly struck out miserably and he went away into a far +corner and thought gloomy thoughts. Not for long, however. A resounding +crack of the bat told him some one had knocked a fly. It was Phil +Clinton, and he started for first like a deer with the hounds after it. + +"My, but he can run!" exclaimed Tom in admiration. "Wouldn't he be fine +covering the gridiron with the ball tucked under his arm? Go on! go on! +That's the stuff, Phil! Pretty! pretty! That's a beaut! that's a beaut!" + +Tom was on his feet yelling at the top of his voice. So were hundreds of +other lads and girls also. But the Boxer third baseman was right near +the ball. He gathered it in and hurled it to first. It would have been +all over with Phil, in spite of his magnificent run, except that the +first baseman missed it, and Phil, amid a riot of cheers, kept on to +second. + +That sealed the fate of the Boxers. They "slumped" and went to pieces +badly. The Randall lads garnered a run and so they won the game--the +first of the season--by a score of 7 to 6. + +And then what cheering there was! + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A COIL OF WIRE + + +"Bonfires to-night, fellows--bonfires multiplied by seven and one more!" +cried Captain Woodhouse as he gathered the victorious nine about him and +tried to hug each member. "Well played, my hearties! Yo ho! and a heave, +yo ho! You shall dine sumptuously this day, an it please ye!" + +"Hold hard there!" came the laughing but calming voice of the coach. "No +breaking of training just because you've won the first game. Not much! +You've got to buckle down harder than ever from now until school +closes." + +"Not even a cigarette?" asked Holly Cross, with a wink at his chums. + +"Or an ice cream soda?" added Bricktop, his blue eyes twinkling. + +"Go on," answered the coach with another laugh, not taking the trouble +to return an answer to so obvious a question. "They are going to cheer +you. Get ready to give them a yell in return." + +The defeated team had gathered together. There was an air of sullenness +about the members at losing the game, but this mood quickly passed under +the entreaties of Pinky Davenport, who was a sportsman and "a good +loser," as he besought his men to "perk up and wallop 'em next time." He +called for three cheers for the victors, and they were followed by the +Boxer Hall yell. + +Back came three ringing acclamations and a "tiger" from Woodhouse and +his mates, and their yell, as weird a combination of words and syllables +as could well be devised, brought the whole concourse of spectators +standing up in acknowledgment. Then came more cheering, and the nines +disappeared into the dressing-rooms beneath the grandstand, while the +crowds filed away. + +"Well," remarked Sid as he walked along with Tom a little later, "it was +a glorious victory, as the poem says. I don't exactly remember what it +was all about nor how we did it, but ''twas a glorious victory.'" + +"Now you're talking," was Phil Clinton's opinion. "Eh, Tommy, my lad?" + +Tom was rather silent. He had cheered the nine until his throat ached, +but somehow there was to him a hollowness in the winning. + +"Too bad you couldn't play, old man," commented Sid. "I was almost +hoping Langridge would strain his arm, and then----" + +"Don't!" exclaimed Tom quickly. "That's bad luck, and, what's worse, +Sid, it's treason." + +"Then give me liberty or buy me a seltzer lemonade, Patrick Henry!" +declaimed Phil. "Honest now, Tom, weren't you just aching to get out and +play?" + +"I was," replied Tom so earnestly that the others looked curiously at +him. "I never wanted so much in my life to get into a game. Why, I'd +even been glad to act as backstop. But it's all right," he added +quickly. "It was a great game, and maybe I'll have a chance to play next +year if I live that long," and he laughed, but there was no mirth in it. + +"Mighty pretty lot of girls at the game," observed Sid, as if to change +the subject. + +"That's what," agreed Tom, glad to get on a more congenial topic. + +"Oh, wait until we play Fairview Institute," said Phil. + +"Why?" from Tom. + +"Why, that's co-ed, you know--girl students as well as boys. And, say, +maybe there aren't some stunners among 'em! They take in all the games +at home and some that aren't, and they have flags and a yell of their +own. They know how to yell, too. I was over to a ball game there last +year, before I thought of coming to Randall, and say, it was immense. +There was one----" + +"Cut it out, if it's about a girl," advised Sid. "When you get on the +dame question, you don't know where to stop. Sufficient to say that +there are some." + +"Yes, and then some more," added Phil. "Wait until we go there or they +come here. Then you'll see something worth seeing." + +"May the day come soon," spoke Tom with a laugh. "I sat next to a mighty +pretty girl to-day all right. She had a flag of Randall colors, and when +we won she waved it so hard she nearly put my eye out." + +"Of course you made a fuss," said Phil with a grin. + +"Of course. I turned to apologize and so did she, and I knocked her hat +all squeegee and she blushed and I got red, and then--well, I up and +asked her if she had a brother at college." + +"That's going some," commented Sid. "What did she say? Did you learn her +name? Where does she live?" + +"Fair and softly, little one," advised Tom, with a sort of assumed +superciliousness. "Trust your Uncle Dudley for that." + +He walked on a few paces. + +"Well?" demanded Phil. + +"Is that all?" cried Sid. + +"No," said Tom, provokingly mysterious about it. + +"Go on. Tell a fellow, do." + +"What's the use?" asked Tom. "I saw her walking off after the game with +another fellow." + +"Who?" demanded his two chums. + +"Langridge." + +"With him?" exclaimed Sid, and there was a new meaning in his tones. +"Who was the girl?" + +"Her name was Madge Tyler," replied Tom slowly. + +"Madge Tyler!" repeated Sid. "Why, her brother used to go here. He +graduated two years ago. He was a crackajack first baseman. And so Madge +Tyler is going with Langridge?" he questioned. + +"Or he with her," said Tom dryly. "I don't see that it makes much +difference. Why, hasn't he got a right to?" + +"Oh, I s'pose if you put it that way, he has," went on Sid. "Only----" +and he stopped abruptly. + +"Only what?" asked Tom. + +"Only--nothing. Say, here's a chance to buy me that seltzer lemonade. I +think you ought to stand treat for Phil and me, Tom, seeing that if it +hadn't been for us the game would have been lost and you wouldn't have +met Miss Madge." + +"I don't know that it has benefited me much," replied Tom. + +"What do you mean, you old cart horse?" asked Phil, thumping his friend +on the back. "Seeing the game won or meeting the pretty girl? I believe +you said she was pretty." + +"I didn't say so, but she is--very. But I meant about meeting her. +Langridge seems to have a mortgage in that direction, I fancy." + +"He makes me sick!" exclaimed Phil. "He and the airs he gives himself. +But come on in here," and he turned toward a drug store. "I'm like a +lime kiln, I'm so warm. It's your treat, Tom." + +"All right, I'm willing." + +"Did Miss Madge ask you to call?" inquired Phil as the three were +wending their way toward college again. + +"Yes." + +"You don't say so! Well, it seems to me that for a new acquaintance you +rushed matters fairly well." + +"I forgot to add," said Tom slowly, "that I knew her before--back in +Northville where I live. She moved away from there some years ago and I +didn't recognize her at first. But she knew me at once." + +"Wow! You old coffee percolator!" shouted Sid. "Why didn't you dish that +out to us first, instead of letting us think you made an impression +simply by the aid of your manly figure? So you knew her of old. Ha! ha! +Likewise ho! ho! I begin to smell a concealed rodent in the woodpile." + +"You didn't give me a chance," was Tom's quiet answer, and then he fell +to talking about the game until he and Sid got to their room. Later +there were bonfires and fun galore in honor of the victory. + +Coach Lighton gave the nine no rest. Early the next Monday afternoon, as +soon as lessons were over, he had them out on the diamond playing +against the scrub. Somewhat to the surprise of members of the second +team as well as that of the 'varsity, Tom Parsons struck out an unusual +number of players. + +"You fellows will have to bat better than this," growled Langridge when +practice was over and the 'varsity game had been saved merely by a +fumble on the part of a scrub fielder. "This won't do." + +"Physician, heal thyself," quoted Captain Woodhouse with a grim smile. +"You struck out twice, Langridge." + +"I know it, but batting isn't my best specialty and it is for some of +you fellows." + +"True enough," admitted Kindlings gravely, "and we must brace up a bit +for the game next Saturday with Fairview." + +"The captain is right, boys," added the coach. "You must do some hard +hitting." + +"Or else Tom Parsons mustn't pitch so well," said Phil Clinton in a low +voice to Sid. "How about it?" + +"That's right. He's improving wonderfully. Langridge will have to look +to his pitching arm." + +At that moment the wealthy youth passed by Phil and Sid. He heard what +they said, and if they could have seen his face then they would have +been somewhat puzzled at the look on it. But neither Tom nor any of his +friends saw. + +It was the next day after the scrub game that as Tom was alone in his +room, "boning" away on Latin, a knock sounded on the door. + +"Come!" he cried, and, much to his surprise, Langridge entered. + +"You're becoming a regular greasy dig, aren't you?" he asked pleasantly. + +"Well, I've got to do some studying, you know. That's what I came here +for." + +"Yes, I know and all that sort of thing, but if you're going in for +athletics you can't pound away at your books too hard." + +"Oh, I guess what pounding I do won't hurt me," and Tom laid aside the +volume, the while wondering why Langridge had called on him. Tom +distinctly was not in the rich youth's set. + +"I hope not," and the other's manner was becoming more and more cordial. +"But I say, Parsons, don't you want to help us get one in on the sophs?" + +"Sure. You can always count on me. What is it this time?" + +"Well, you know the little open pavilion down near the river?" + +"The one near the boathouse?" + +"That same." + +"Sure I know it." + +"Well, you know according to ancient and revered college tradition that +is sacred to the sophomores. None other but members of the second-year +class may go there. If one of us freshmen is caught there it means a +ducking, to say the least." + +"So I've heard." + +"Well, Kerr and I were in there the other day, for we heard that the +sophs were off on a little racket, and we didn't think we'd be disturbed. +We had a couple of girls there and were having a little confab when along +came Gladdus and Battersby, grabbed us before we knew it and chucked us +into the H{2}O, whence we floundered like drowned rats." + +"Yes, I heard about it." + +"So did the whole college, I guess. Now Kerr and I feel that not only +have we been insulted, but that the whole freshman class has." + +"I agree to that." + +"And will you help us to get even?" + +"Sure. What you going to do?" + +"You'll see later. What I need now is a coil of wire. I want to know if +you'll get it for me." + +"Certainly, but why can't you get it for yourself?" + +"Well, to tell you the truth, I've got about all the marks I can stand +this term, and merely because I happened to play an innocent trick in +class to-day I'm forbidden to leave the college grounds for a week. Just +when I want to go to town, too. So I've got to get some one else to get +the wire for me, and I thought you would. I'll pay for it, of course." + +"Sure I'll get it," agreed Tom, not stopping to think that Kerr, the +special chum of Langridge, might have acted for his friend. "What kind +do you want?" + +"I'll tell you. Here's the money," and Langridge handed over a bill, +also giving Tom a memorandum of the kind of wire wanted and where to get +it in Haddonfield. + +"And one more thing," the other youth added as he prepared to take his +leave. + +"What's that?" + +"Don't, for the life of you, tell a soul that you got the wire for me. I +want it kept a dead secret. The trick will be all the better then. Will +you promise?" + +"I will." + +"On your honor as a freshman of Randall College?" + +Tom wondered at the other's insistence. + +"Of course I will. Shall I swear?" and Tom laughed. + +"No, your word is enough," spoke Langridge significantly. "Have the wire +by to-night, and we'll teach the sophs a lesson they won't soon +forget." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +AN ELECTRIC SHOCK + + +Late that same afternoon Tom, having gone to town alone, that he might +accomplish his mission unobserved, came back with a coil of telegraph +wire concealed under his sweater at his waist. He smuggled it to +Langridge's room without being seen. + +"That's the stuff, old man," cried Langridge heartily, but there was an +air of patronizing superiority in his manner that Tom did not like. +Still, he reasoned, the other could not rid himself of an inborn habit +so easily, and it really seemed, in spite of the fact that Tom might be +regarded as a rival of Langridge, that the latter was doing his best to +be friendly. + +"I s'pose it wouldn't do to ask what's up, would it?" inquired Tom as he +was about to leave. + +"Hardly," replied Langridge with what he meant to be a genial smile. "It +might get out, you know. But you can be in at the death, so to speak. +The whole freshman class will assemble at the boathouse about nine. +There'll be a full moon and we can have a good view of the sophs' +pavilion." + +"Are they going to be there?" + +"I hope so. In fact I'm counting on it. This is the night of their +annual moonlight song festival. They gather in and about the pavilion +and make the night hideous with snatches of melody. They're rotten +singers--the sophs this year--but that is neither here nor there. The +point is that they'll be there, and it's up to us freshmen to give 'em a +little surprise party." + +"I suppose you're going to arrange the wire so they can't get into the +pavilion without cutting it," suggested Tom, "or else put it across the +path to trip them up." + +"Er--yes--something like that," replied Langridge hastily. "Oh, by the +way, have you a knife? I lost mine out rowing the other day. I'll give +it back to you to-morrow." + +Tom passed over his knife, a good-sized one, with his name engraved on +the handle. His father had given it to him. + +"Don't lose it," he cautioned. "I think a great deal of it." + +"I'll not," promised Langridge. "Now don't forget to be on hand." + +"I'll be there to see the fun." + +"And maybe you'll see more than you bargain for," whispered Langridge +as Tom went out. There was a curious look on the face of the 'varsity +pitcher. + +One by one, by twos and threes or in small groups, silent figures stole +away from dormitories that night and gathered about the pavilion or the +boathouse, which was not far from it. To the first place went the +sophomores, bent on having their annual frolic of song. To the second +rendezvous traveled the freshmen, but they went more silently, for they +did not want their natural enemies to learn of their presence. + +The sophomores, however, were on their guard. From time immemorial it +had been the custom for the first-year class to endeavor to break up the +song fest of their predecessors, and it was the function of the first +years to do this in as novel a manner as possible. + +Tradition had it that various methods had been used, such as setting +fire to the pavilion, digging pits in the paths that led to it and +covering the holes with leaves and grass, laying a line of hose to the +place, so that at an opportune moment the singers would be drenched and +routed. The latter was a favorite plan and most successful. + +But to-night a more strict guard than usual had been kept over the +battle-scarred pavilion. All that day a committee had been on the watch +so that it was thought impossible that any hose could be used or any +pits dug. + +Now the sophomores were beginning to gather in and around the small +shelter. They were jubilant, for they began to think they had outwitted +their never-ceasing enemies. + +Meanwhile the freshmen were not idle. In large numbers they had quietly +gathered at the boathouse, in the dark shadows of which they remained in +hiding, waiting for the opening of the singing and the consequent +breaking up of the sophomore body. + +"What's the game?" asked Sid of Tom as those two and Phil Clinton made +their way to the rendezvous. "Water pipes, fire or something brand new?" + +"You can search me," was Tom's non-committal answer. "I hope it's +something new. There doesn't seem to be any provisions for a bonfire and +none of us swiped the fire hose." + +"Langridge and his committee have it in charge," said Phil. "There's +some secrecy about it, and very properly, too. Last year, I understand, +it leaked out and the fun was spoiled." + +Tom did not reply, but he wondered what use Langridge was going to make +of the wire. + +"They ought to start soon now," whispered Phil. "There's a good crowd of +them there." + +"Yes, and they've got scouts out all around," added Sid as he and his +chums saw a number of shadowy figures patroling the stretch around the +pavilion. "They're not going to be caught unawares." + +"I don't see how we're going to break 'em up," remarked Phil. + +"You wait and you'll see," exclaimed Langridge, who was moving about +among the freshmen. "Say, Ed, you'd better go now and light the fuse." + +"Is it an explosion?" asked Sid eagerly. + +"Better be careful," cautioned Phil. + +Tom's heart was thumping. He began to see the use to which the wire +might be put, and he was afraid lest he had taken part in some dangerous +prank. If Langridge had planned to explode a mine under the pavilion, +some one might be injured. + +"There'll be no explosion, only an explosion of wrath pretty soon," +replied Langridge. "Go ahead, Kerr. Let 'em sing one song and they'll +think we've called it off. Then let it go." + +Kerr hurried off, keeping in the shadows. No sooner had he started than +a movement was noticeable among the sophomores, groups of whom could +easily be seen now, as the moon was well up. + +Then, on the stillness of the night, there broke a song. It was an old +melody, sacred to Randall, and, in spite of being rendered by hilarious +students, it was well done. + +"That's not half bad," commented Phil. "They've got some good members +for the glee club there." + +"It's punk!" sneered Langridge. "Wait until we have a song fest. We'll +make them feel sick!" + +The melody continued, and coming as it did from the distance, while all +about was the wondrous beauty of the moon, the effect produced on Tom +Parsons was one of distinct pleasure. It was like being at some play. + +"What a pity," he thought, "to spoil it all! What brutes we college +fellows are--sometimes. I like to listen to that." + +The song was softer now, and then it broke forth into a full chorus, +well rendered. + +"It's a shame to break it up," reasoned Tom. Then a class feeling +overcame him. After all, the sophomores were their traditional enemies, +and college tradition demanded that they disperse the gathering. + +"Kerr ought to be there now," whispered Langridge. "The fuse will burn +for two minutes." + +"Fuse--fuse," repeated Phil. "It _must_ be an explosion. You want to be +careful, Langridge." + +"Oh, I know what I'm doing," was the answer. "But mind now, no squealing, +whatever happens." + +"You needn't say that," was Phil's quick retort. "We're Randall College +freshmen," as if that was all that was necessary. + +Kerr glided in from somewhere. + +"Well?" asked Langridge. + +"It's all right." + +The sophomores had started another song. They were about through the +second verse when there came a series of sudden yells from the pavilion. +There were cries of pain, and Langridge, in the midst of the freshmen, +called out: + +"That's it! That's the stuff! Rah! rah! sophs! This time we break you +up. Cheer, boys, cheer!" + +The freshmen set up an exultant cry as it became evident that, in some +way, the gleeful singing of the second-year lads had been stopped. There +was an excited movement in the pavilion, yet the waiting freshmen could +not see that anything had taken place. + +Then came a cry--two exclamations--louder and more anguished than any +that had preceded. There was a yell--a protesting yell--and then some +one in the pavilion shouted: + +"Cut it, fellows! The hand railing is charged with electricity!" + +"Three cheers for the freshmen!" called Langridge, and the response came +spontaneously, for his mates knew that they had triumphed over the +sophomores. + +Suddenly above the confused cheering and shouting there came another +cry. + +"Help me, fellows! Oh, help--help!" screamed some one inside the +pavilion. + +There was a confused movement among the singers. Something seemed to +have happened--something serious. The freshmen stopped their cheering +and crowded up. A big sophomore broke through the throng and dashed +toward the college. + +"What's the matter?" called Tom, and he had an uneasy feeling as he +asked the question. + +"Matter? It's you confounded freshmen, that's what's the matter! Gladdus +and Battersby have been knocked unconscious." + +"Unconscious?" + +"Yes, by a powerful current of electricity. Get out of my way, fresh, or +I'll knock you down! I'm going for a doctor. Some of you had better +notify the proctor," he added to a few of his classmates who followed +him on the run. "This is serious business." + +"Come on, fellows," advised Langridge. "It's all right. We broke up the +pavilion meeting all right." + +"But maybe some one is seriously hurt," said Sid. + +"Nonsense, it was only a current from the incandescent light lamps. It +couldn't hurt them. Come on, take a sneak away from here. We've had our +fun. And mind, everybody keep his mouth shut," and Langridge disappeared +in the shadows of the trees, while ahead of him panted several sophomores +on their way to summon a physician. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +TOM DOESN'T TELL + + +Tom and Sid hurried along in the midst of the freshmen, Phil Clinton +trailing after them. The three found themselves in a little group, +comparatively alone. + +"Maybe we'd better do something," proposed Tom. + +"No, best not to interfere," advised Sid. "Let them manage it." + +"But if Gladdus and Battersby are hurt----" + +"Come on," urged Phil. "We're likely to be caught any minute. Proc. Zane +will be out after all that racket. Let's get to our rooms and lay low." + +When Tom and Sid were in their apartment the scrub pitcher turned to his +chum and asked: + +"Did you know what was in the wind to-night, Sid?" + +"No. I left it all to Langridge and Kerr. But I guess it's all right. +Why?" + +"Oh, nothing much. But if some one is hurt----" + +"Nonsense, don't worry. Why, that's nothing to what other classes have +done. I remember hearing a story of how----" + +But Sid's yarn was interrupted by a tap at the door, and Ford Fenton +slid in. There was rather a frightened look on his face. + +"What's up, Fenton?" asked Sid. + +"I don't know, but something is. They've carried Gladdus and Battersby +into the infirmary, and there's a lot of scurrying about. They've sent +for a doctor from town, and Moses and Proc. Zane have gone down to the +pavilion." + +"What for?" asked Tom. + +"Blessed if I know. Say, but we broke up their singing all right, didn't +we? It was great. My uncle says----" + +"Shut up!" cried Tom, and there was such unusual irritability in his +tone that the other two looked at him in surprise. He saw it and went +on: "I--I didn't exactly mean that, Fenton, old chap, but I'm--I'm all +upset." + +"For cats' sake, what about?" demanded Sid. "You don't mean to say +you're worried because our class knocked out a couple of greasy old +sophs?" + +"Well, I--er----" + +There came another interruption, and a lad entered. + +"Here's the Snail," exclaimed Sid as Sam Looper crawled in and closed +the door softly behind him. "He can find out what's up. How about it, +Snail--any news?" + +Sam blinked his eyes as if the light hurt him. + +"I've been around--around," he said slowly, waving his hand to take in +the whole compass of the college and grounds. "I saw 'em carry the two +sophs away. They're badly burned and shocked. Langridge is a fool!" They +had seldom seen the Snail so excited. "He went and strung a wire from +the electric light circuit to the iron hand rail around the pavilion. +Only he made a mistake in the connections and got the wires crossed with +the powerful arc circuit. The incandescent is only a hundred and ten +volts, while the arc is twenty-four hundred. Some difference. Only that +they got a small part of it, they'd be dead instead of merely badly +shocked." + +Tom Parsons half uttered an exclamation. + +"What's the matter?" asked Sid quickly. + +"Oh, nothing. Go on, Snail." + +"That's about all," came from Sam. "Pitchfork--he's a sort of doctor, +you know--he's working over 'em now. I guess they'll be all right." + +Tom started to leave the room. + +"Where you going?" inquired Sid. + +"Out. I--I must see what's happened!" + +"You stay here!" ordered Sid, half fiercely. "You'll be nabbed in a +minute. Proc. Zane has his scouts out, waiting to corral everybody. +Here, Snail, you go. You know how to keep out of sight." + +"Sure," agreed Sam, who liked nothing better than to prowl around in the +dark. "Wait here and I'll sneak back." + +"Be careful," cautioned Ford. + +The Snail slowly winked his half-shut eyes, but did not speak. Then he +closed the door softly and they heard him tiptoeing down the corridor. + +"The Snail will find out," almost whispered Sid. Somehow they all +appeared to be under a strain. Tom was pacing back and forth in the +room. Ford stood with his back to the mantel, his hands clasped behind +him. Sid tried to look at a book, but he took no sense of the words. +Finally, with an exclamation, he threw it on the sofa. Ford quietly left +the room and a little later Phil Clinton came in. Sid and Tom saw that +he had heard all. + +Tom ceased his nervous walk and went over to the sofa. He sat down on +it, the ancient piece of furniture creaking with his weight. But he was +not there half a minute before he arose and began pacing up and down +again. Then he tried an easy chair, whence there floated up a little +cloud of dust from the old cushions. There was silence in the apartment, +broken only by the ticking of a fussy little alarm clock. It seemed to +double up on the number of seconds allotted to a minute. The three could +hear each other's breathing. They were under some strain, though, for +the life of them, neither Sid nor Phil could tell what it was. + +"Why doesn't some one say something?" asked Phil at length, and it was +as if some one had broken the silence in a church. + +Sid picked up the book he had cast aside. Then he threw it down again, +for there sounded the noise of a person coming along the corridor. The +Snail came in. + +"Well?" gasped Tom, and it was as if he had shouted it, though he spoke +in a low, tense voice. + +"They're in a bad way," said the Snail slowly, "but there's a chance to +pull them through. There's going to be an investigation, I heard. +Langridge is likely to----" + +There came a knock on the door. The lads started guiltily. Phil, being +nearest the portal, opened it, though if it was one of the proctor's +"scouts," as was likely, he would be "up" for breaking one of the +college rules about being in another room after the prescribed hours. It +was a "scout," Mr. Snell, a sort of upper janitor. + +"Mr. Parsons," said the scout deferentially--and he took no notice +of the presence of the Snail or Phil, for which they were duly +grateful--"Mr. Parsons, the proctor would like to see you in his +office." + +"Now?" asked Tom, and his heart began to beat double strokes. + +"Now, yes, sir." + +Without a look at his chums Tom went out and to the office. He was +afraid lest he might betray the secret he feared would be disclosed at +any moment--the secret of the coil of wire. + +"Mr. Parsons," began Proctor Zane slowly when the door had closed behind +Tom, "there has been a serious accident to-night." + +Tom bowed. He could not trust his voice. + +"Two students were badly hurt and the results may be lasting. They are +only just now out of danger." + +Once more Tom bowed. He could not speak. The beating of his heart was +choking him. + +"As a rule," went on the proctor judicially, "I take no notice of +the--er--the affairs between the different classes or student bodies. +But this time I am obliged to. Dr. Churchill and myself have made an +examination of the pavilion where this outrage occurred. We discovered +the wires running from the electric light circuit to the hand rail. We +discovered where a spring connection had been made, so that, by the +burning away of a fuse, the parts of the spring closed, the wires came +in contact and the current filled the hand rail. We also discovered +something else." + +He paused, and Tom, for the first time, looked the proctor full in the +face. Mr. Zane held out a small object. + +"This knife was found near where the wires were fastened to the railing," +he said. "It has your name on it. Is it yours?" + +"Yes, sir," replied Tom. + +"You took part in this affair?" + +"I am a freshman." + +"That is answer enough. Did you attach the wires?" + +"No, and I had nothing to do with that part of it." + +"Your knife would seem to indicate that you had." + +No answer from Tom. + +"Did you use your knife to attach the wires?" + +"No, sir." + +"Do you know who did?" + +"I think I do." + +"Will you tell?" + +Tom could almost hear his heart beating. There was a singing in his +ears. Then he answered: + +"No. I cannot tell, Mr. Zane. I--I----" + +"That will do," said the proctor gravely. "I did not expect you would +tell." + +Tom turned and made his way from the room. There was a mist before his +eyes. There came back to him the promise he had made to Langridge. On +his honor as a freshman he had agreed not to give information. When he +gave the promise he had not known how serious it would be. But, +nevertheless, it was a promise. + +Tom stumbled into his room. The Snail and Phil were gone. Sid sat with +the light turned low. He jumped up as his chum came in. + +"Tom," he cried, "what's the matter?" + +"Nothing," was the answer in a dull, spiritless tone. Tom threw himself +into a chair. The fussy little clock ticked away. Half an hour passed +and not a word was spoken. + +"You'd better go to bed, old man," said Sid gently. "It'll be all right +to-morrow." + +Without a word Tom began to undress. The light was turned out. Sid was +dozing off when he heard his chum tossing restlessly on his bed. + +"Tom," he called through the darkness, "can I help you?" + +"No," came the answer, and then Tom lay quiet. But he did not sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A GIRL AND A GAME + + +There was a more complete investigation the next day. The report was +also circulated that the two sophomores were not so badly injured as had +at first been feared. But there was something in the air which showed +that stringent measures were likely to be taken by the faculty. + +Dr. Churchill was ten minutes late in opening chapel that morning, and +there was much stately moving to and fro on the part of the instructors. +On the face of Professor Emerson Tines there was a look of satisfaction, +as if he was glad that some one had gotten into trouble. + +"Look at Pitchfork!" said Sid to Tom, but Tom's face had not lost its +anxious look. + +"For Heaven's sake, cheer up!" whispered Phil Clinton. "They'll think +you did the whole business if they see your face, Tom." + +Dr. Churchill made an unusual prayer that morning. Though he did not +directly refer to the happening of the previous night, it was in his +petition, and many a freshman, impressed by the solemn words, then and +there resolved to abjure in the future unseemly pranks and to become a +"grind." + +"The freshman class will remain after chapel this morning," announced +the venerable head of Randall, and as the other classes filed out there +were commiserating looks cast at the unlucky first-years by the juniors +and seniors and vindictive glances bestowed by the sophomores. + +The examination was a long and searching one. Tom was questioned at +length, but all he would admit was that he took part in the affair, +though he stated that he had had nothing to do with fixing the wires. +Nor did he tell of having brought the coil to Langridge. His knife was +damaging evidence against him, and he was content to let it stand as +such. Kerr manfully admitted lighting the fuse which sprung the wires +together and sent the current sizzling into the hand rail, but he would +go no further nor tell who had strung the conductors. + +The faculty dismissed the class and the instructors went into executive +session. + +"Maybe we'll all be in for it," predicted Phil as the lads strolled off +to their classrooms. "They may suspend us all for a week." + +"I don't believe they'd do that," was Sid's opinion. "They may forbid +any of us taking part in athletics, though." + +"Yes, they might do that," added Fenton. "My uncle says----" + +The boys all stopped and looked at him. No one spoke a word. Fenton +squirmed under their unflinching gaze. + +"Well--well," he began hesitatingly, "he ought to know, for he was a +coach here----" + +"Yes, and you're a regular trolley car, with an automatic gong that +rings up the same thing every time," exclaimed Langridge. "They wouldn't +dare keep us out of athletics for such a little joke as that. Why, the +whole student body would be up in arms. The ball team would go to +pieces, and we'd lose the championship. They wouldn't dare." + +"Glad you think so," remarked Holly Cross calmly. "But I can see us +giving a good imitation of a lot of fellows in trouble. Maybe we--that +is, whoever strung those wires, for I don't know who it was--maybe we +went a little too far. If I'd have known what was up, I'd have made a +kick." + +"Oh, is that so?" sneered Langridge. But he did not admit his part in +the prank and he let Tom suffer for him, for that afternoon it was +announced that Tom was to be suspended for two weeks and Kerr for three. +Every other member of the freshman class was barred from leaving the +college grounds for a week. + +There arose a mighty protest over this, for there was a game scheduled +with Fairview Institute at the end of the week, and if the class was +kept within bounds it meant that many of the nine could not play and +that all the freshmen would be barred from witnessing the second of the +championship struggles, as the contest was to take place at Fairview. + +Then the faculty reconsidered the matter, being "almost human," as Phil +said, and, with the possible exception of Professor Tines, having once +been young and fond of sport themselves. They made a new ruling: That +the class was to keep within bounds until the day of the game, when all +would be allowed to attend save Tom and Kerr. In their case no exception +would be made. + +There was more objecting, but the ruling stood. It meant that Tom could +not pitch on the scrub and that Kerr could not catch on the 'varsity, +whereat there was much anguish of soul, for the Fairview team was a hard +proposition, and it would take the best that was in the Randall lads to +beat them. But there was no help for it. + +Nor did Tom reproach Langridge for having gotten him into the trouble. +Tom had hoped that his rival would confess and shoulder the blame, in +which case, merely having brought the wire on a supposition that it was +to be used for a comparatively harmless prank, Tom's case would not have +been nearly so bad. But Langridge said nothing. Sid heard somehow of the +'varsity pitcher's part in the trick. Then Tom's chum expressed the +belief that Langridge had deliberately acted so as to get Tom into +trouble because the rich lad had feared the newcomer might supplant him +as pitcher. + +But Tom would not hear of this. He took his suspension grimly, silently, +and though barred from class, he kept up his studies; nor did he neglect +his practice of throwing curves, Kerr gladly agreeing to catch for him, +for the two were outcasts from the diamond, Tom not even being allowed +to play on the scrub. + +"But two weeks and three weeks can't last forever," declared Kerr, +"though I sure would like to see the Fairview game." + +Saturday came and with it a feeling of apprehension on the part of the +Randall students, for various reports had come to them of the prowess of +their rivals. The team made ready to depart for Fairview Institute. They +were to go by rail to the college that was fifteen miles away. Tom and +Kerr, about the only ones in the athletic set who remained at Randall, +looked wistfully at their departing comrades. + +And then, so suddenly that it seemed like a miracle, their sorrow was +turned to joy, for the proctor sought them out on the campus, where the +team was being cheered previous to departure, and announced in the case +of the two suspended students that they might go to the game, but take +no part, even in an emergency. They gladly accepted the terms. Dr. +Churchill's heart had softened at the last moment. + +"Girls, girls, girls!" exclaimed Tom as he walked out on the field +with Sid and Phil and saw the grandstand at Fairview massed with gay +femininity. "And all pretty too!" + +"Of course," agreed Sid. "What did I tell you? But what interests me +more is the other team. Jove! but they are quick," for the Fairview +students were batting and catching in a manner to provoke admiration. + +There were shrill cries of encouragement from the girls and more hoarse +shouts from the male students, for at Fairview the sexes were about +evenly divided, both boys and girls taking equal interest in sports. + +Coach Lighton shook his head dubiously as he saw the Randall boys stream +out on the diamond for practice. + +"I hope Cross will appreciate the seriousness of the matter," he said. +"He can't begin to touch Kerr at catching, yet he's the best one we can +put in." + +"Yes," agreed Kindlings. "But maybe we'll make out. I hope so." + +Kerr was as nervous as a girl at not being able to play. He paced up and +down the coaching lines until Kindlings, fearing he would disconcert +the team, sent him to the grandstand, where Tom had already gone. + +Well, that game with Fairview is ancient history now. Sufficient to say +that after a good beginning, when they gathered three runs the first +inning and held their opponents down to a goose egg, principally through +the pitching of Langridge, the Randall lads went to pieces and the +Fairviews ran away with them. Langridge was finally fairly batted out of +the box and the final score was 16 to 4 in favor of the co-educational +institution. + +It was a sorely disappointed nine that filed off the diamond, nor could +the generous cheers of the victors apply any balm to the wounds. + +"Such pitching!" grumbled Phil as he was in the dressing-room. "That +lost us the game as much as anything else. Langridge didn't seem to be +in form." + +The pitcher overheard him. + +"I say, Clinton," he called out sneeringly, "you mind your own affairs. +I train as good as you, and I didn't miss a fly that came right into my +hands," for Phil had thus offended, letting in a run. + +"I've seen you pitch better," spoke Sid quietly, for he and several +others were "sore" at Langridge, who plainly enough had not been in his +usual good form. + +"Well, maybe. I can't be on edge all the while," and the pitcher laughed +nervously. + +Tom, in the grandstand, was making his way down amid a bevy of pretty +girls and wishing he had some one who would introduce him to them when +he heard a voice call his name. He turned quickly and saw Madge Tyler in +a bewilderingly pretty dress, her hair framing her face in a most +bewitching manner, while her eyes were bright with the joy of youth and +the fire thereof. + +"Too bad, wasn't it?" she asked sympathetically, holding out her hand to +Tom. "I was so sorry for Mr. Langridge!" + +"Why Langridge?" asked Tom quickly. + +"Oh, well, because the pitcher seems to have to work so hard, and then +to be defeated----" + +"Yes, it was unpleasant--the defeat," agreed Tom. "But are you going +out?" + +"Yes, I came over with friends to see the game, but I seem to have +missed them in the crush." + +"Then let me be your escort back to Haddonfield?" asked Tom. "I'm rather +by my lonesome, too." + +"Oh, thank you. I dare say----" + +She paused and looked over the moving mass of students, boys and girls +who were laughing happily or walking away dejectedly according to the +colors they wore. Tom followed her gaze. He saw Langridge approaching +and he knew that Miss Tyler had seen him also. + +"There's Mr. Langridge!" she exclaimed. "I wonder how he feels? He +promised to meet me after the game." + +Tom took a sudden resolve. He did not stop to think that it might be a +foolish one. He was actuated solely by what he argued to himself was a +platonic interest in the pretty girl at his side. He had known her in +childhood, he knew her people, and they were old friends of his folks. +Of late Tom had heard certain rumors about Langridge, nothing serious as +rumors about college students go, but enough to make Tom glad that, in +the case of his sisters, Langridge could not get to know them. It was +therefore with somewhat the same feeling that he might have warned his +sisters that he spoke to Miss Tyler. + +"You and Mr. Langridge are quite friendly," he said in what he intended +to be a light tone. + +"Oh, yes," came the frank answer. "I like him immensely. I like all +college boys--when they're nice," she finished with a little laugh. + +Tom's face was grave, and she saw it. With a girl's intuition she felt +that there was something in the air, and, girl-like, she wanted to know +what it was. + +"Shouldn't I like him?" she demanded with an arch look. + +"Well--er--that is--no, Miss Madge!" burst out Tom, speaking more loudly +than he had intended to. "You won't mind me speaking about it, for I've +known you so many years." + +"Oh, I'm not so ancient as all that!" exclaimed the girl rather pertly. + +"No," admitted Tom, and he felt that he was getting into deep water and +beyond his depth. But he would not retreat and floundered on: "No, but +I--I know your folks wouldn't like you to go with Langridge--that is, +too much, you know. He does not bear a very good----" + +There was a hand on Tom's shoulder, and he felt himself wheeled suddenly +around, to be confronted by Langridge. The pitcher had brushed his +uniform and looked particularly handsome in a well-fitting suit, while +there was a healthy glow to his face. + +"Perhaps you'd better repeat over again, Parsons," he said somewhat +sternly, "what you were just saying to Miss Tyler about me. I didn't +catch it all!" + +"I--er--I----" Tom was choking, and the girl bravely came to his relief. + +"We were just talking about you," she admitted with a nervous little +laugh. "I was saying how disheartening it must be to pitch through a +hard game and then lose it. And Tom--I mean Mr. Parsons, but I always +call him Tom, for I've known him so long--he was just saying--er--he was +just saying that you were rather--well, rather a flirt. I believe that +was it, wasn't it, Tom?" and she looked quickly at him, but there was +meaning in her glance. + +Langridge kept his hand on Tom's shoulder and the two looked each other +straight in the face unflinchingly. Miss Tyler lost some of her blushes +and her cheeks began to pale. Then Tom spoke quietly. + +"If you wish to know exactly what I said," was his quiet but tense +answer, "I will tell you--later," and he swung on his heel and started +down the grandstand steps. + +For an instant Langridge stared after him. Then, with a little laugh, he +turned to Miss Tyler. + +"Poor Parsons is sore because he's been suspended," he said. "He can't +even pitch on the scrub. But how pretty you're looking to-day, Miss +Madge." + +"Miss Tyler, please," she corrected him. + +"Mayn't I even call you Miss Madge after I've been defeated in the +game?" he pleaded, and he looked at her boldly. "It would be--er--well, +sort of soothing to me." + +"Would it?" and she laughed lightly. + +"It surely would," and he bent closer toward her. + +"Well, then, you may--but only on occasions of defeat." + +"Then I'm going to lose every game," he added promptly as he turned at +her side and walked down the steps. + +Tom Parsons, strolling alone over the now vacant diamond, saw them +together, and there was a strange feeling in his heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +TOM'S CURVES + + +There was lively practice of the Randall nine the following week, and +Coach Lighton said some things that hurt, but they were needed. Nor was +Langridge spared, though he affected not to mind the sharp admonition +that he must pitch more consistently. + +The nine played a game Saturday with an outside team, more for practice +than anything else, and won it "hands down," as Holly Cross said. But, +after all, it was not much credit to the 'varsity, for their opponents +were not as good as the college scrub. Holly caught, the period of +Kerr's suspension not being up yet. + +Tom kept at his practice, but he was more than glad when he could resume +his class work again and take his place on the second nine. + +"Now we'll tackle work together," said the coach one afternoon to Tom, +for Mr. Lighton had not been allowed to give him directions during the +suspension weeks. "I hope you haven't gone stale, Parsons." + +"I hope not. Kerr and I have been sort of practicing together." + +"That's good. I hope, before the season is over, that you and he will go +into a regular game together. If not, you'll have your 'innings' next +year, if you progress as you have been doing." + +Tom was glad of the praise, but he would have been more glad of a chance +to get on the 'varsity. Still he determined to do his best on the scrub, +but it was hard and rather thankless work. + +Mr. Lighton put him through a hard course of "sprouts" that afternoon. +With some members of the scrub to bat against him, Tom sent in swift and +puzzling balls, for all the while his ability to curve was increasing +and his control was improving. That afternoon he struck out six men in +succession, retiring them without having given any one of them more than +two balls. It was very good work, and the fact that the men were not +extraordinary good hitters did not detract from it. + +"That's fine!" cried Mr. Lighton enthusiastically. "I'm going to----" +But what he was going to do he did not say. + +"They ought to make you substitute pitcher on the 'varsity team," was +the opinion of Dutch Housenlager when the practice was over. "Rod Evert +isn't one-two-six with you, and he doesn't do any practicing to speak +of." + +"Maybe he feels that he doesn't have to, for Langridge seems to make +good nearly every time," spoke Tom. + +"Aw, rats! All that keeps Langridge manager is his money. He certainly +runs the financial end of the game to perfection. And if he wasn't +manager he wouldn't be pitcher. But the fellows know he takes a lot of +responsibility from them, and they're just easy enough to let things +slide. Some day we'll be up against it. Langridge will be knocked out of +the box, Evert won't be in form, and we'll lose the game." + +"Unless they call on 'yours truly,'" interjected Tom with a laugh. + +"Exactly," agreed Dutch seriously. "That's my point. I wish they'd name +you for sub. I'm going to ask----" + +"No, no!" expostulated Tom quickly. "If I can't get there on my own +merits, I don't want it. No favors, please. I can wait." + +"Well, just as you say, of course. But say, there's the Grasshopper. +Watch me make him jump." + +He pointed to Pete Backus, a tall student, who seemed to be measuring +off a certain distance on a grassy stretch down near the river. + +"Looks as if he was going to jump without you making him," observed Tom. + +"Oh, he's always jumping. He thinks he's great at it. Wants to make the +track team, but he can't seem to do it. He'll do his distance easily +one day and fall down the next. You can't depend on him. But I'll make +him jump now. Sneak down behind those bushes." + +Tom followed Dutch softly. There were no other students about and they +managed to gain the screen of the bushes unobserved by the Grasshopper, +who was intent on measuring distances with a pocket tape. The two +conspirators could see where he had been practicing the broad jump. + +The Grasshopper stood close to a clump of elder bushes, with his back to +them. He was preparing for another test. Dutch Housenlager, who was not +happy unless he was engaged in some joke or horse play, silently cut a +long pole and fastened to it a big pin, which he extracted from some +part of his garments. Then, seeing a good opening that gave access to a +tender part of the rear elevation of the Grasshopper's legs, he thrust +with no gentle hand just as poor Pete was about to throw himself forward +in a standing broad jump. + +"Wow!" cried the punctured one. + +But it was so sudden that he did not have time to stop his leap, which +he was on the verge of making, and he sprang through the air like an +animated jumping-jack. + +"Fine! fine!" cried Dutch, rising up from his place of concealment. +"That's the time you beat your own record, Grasshopper." + +Pete turned. He looked over the space he had covered. His heels had come +down at least a foot beyond where he had previously landed. The look of +anger on his face, as he felt of his pricked leg, turned to one of +satisfaction. + +"By Jove! I believe you're right," he exclaimed. "I have done better +by--let's see"--and he measured it--"by fourteen inches." + +"I told you so," called Dutch, still laughing. "Next time you want to +jump, just let me get in the bushes behind you. It'll be good for an +extra foot every time." + +"Um," murmured the Grasshopper, still rubbing his leg reflectively. "It +was an awful jab though, Dutch." + +"What of it? Look at your distance," and once more Pete looked happy as +he again measured the space he had covered. + +"Poor old Grasshopper," commented Dutch as he and Tom strolled along the +campus, leaving the jumper still at his practice. "Poor old Grasshopper! +He'll never make the track team." + +The next few days saw Tom putting in all his spare time practicing +curves under the watchful eye of Mr. Lighton. The 'varsity played with +the scrub and narrowly escaped a good drubbing. Langridge seemed to be +asleep part of the time and issued a number of walking papers. It was +after the contest, which the regulars had pulled out of the fire with +rather scorched fingers, that the coach called Captain Woodhouse and +Langridge to him. + +"I rather think we'd better make a little shift," he said. + +"In what way?" asked Langridge quickly. + +"Well, I think we ought to name Parsons as substitute pitcher on +the 'varsity. He's been doing excellent work, fully equal to yours, +Langridge. Of course he's a little uncertain yet, but one big game would +take that out of him. I'd like to see him pitch at least part of the +game against Boxer next week." + +"Does that mean you're dissatisfied with me?" asked Langridge quickly, +and his face flushed. + +"Not necessarily. But I think it rather risky not to provide better than +we have for a substitute pitcher. Evert is available, of course, but as +he is a junior his studies are such that he can't devote the necessary +time to practice. Parsons ought to be named." + +"Do you demand that in your official capacity as coach, Mr. Lighton?" +asked Kindlings. "Because if you do, I'll agree to it at once." + +"No, I merely make that suggestion to you." + +The captain looked at the manager. Langridge stood with a supercilious +smile on his face. + +"I presume I shall have something to say as manager," he remarked. + +"Certainly," admitted the coach gravely. + +"Then I say Parsons shan't act as substitute pitcher. I'm good for the +season, and I'm going to play it out. I see his game. He wants to oust +me and he's taken this means of doing it. He got you to plead for him, +Mr. Lighton. I'll not stand for it." + +"You're entirely mistaken, Langridge," said the coach, with the least +suspicion of annoyance in his even voice. "It is my own idea. Parsons +does not even know that I have spoken to you; in fact, I believe that he +would not allow me to." + +Langridge was sneering now. + +"I guess he would," he said. + +"Then you, as manager, don't want Parsons as substitute pitcher?" asked +the coach. + +"No!" snapped Langridge. + +"Of course if you order it, Mr. Lighton," began honest Kindlings with an +uneasy look at the coach--"of course if you make a point of it----" + +"No, I don't," and Mr. Lighton spoke quietly. "That was not my +intention--just yet. Parsons will remain on the scrub then, at least for +the present. Later I may--er--I may make a point of it," and he turned +and walked away. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A SOPHOMORE TRICK + + +While knowing nothing of the efforts Coach Lighton was making in his +behalf, Tom continued hard practice at his pitching. Every day he made +some improvement until his friends on the scrub regarded him as a +marvel. But, as if some mysterious whisper had come to Langridge, the +latter also showed improvement. He spent more time in practice and at +one game, when it looked as if the scrub would beat the 'varsity, +chiefly due to Tom's fine pitching, Langridge saved the day by brilliant +work in the box. The coach was pleased at this and Tom could not help +feeling that his chances were farther away than ever. + +There were many other phases of college life, aside from baseball, that +appealed to Tom. He liked his studies and he gave them more attention +than perhaps any other lad of the sporting set. He was not a "greasy +dig," by which was meant a student who burned midnight oil over his +books, but he stood well in his classes, for learning came naturally to +him. + +Not so, however, to his roommate. Poor Sid had to "bone" away rather +hard to get along, and, as he was required to put in a certain amount of +time on the diamond, his lessons sometimes suffered. He was warned one +day by Professor Tines, in the Latin class, that if he did not show more +improvement he would be conditioned and not allowed to play on the team. + +"And that mustn't happen," declared Captain Woodhouse. "Take a brace, +Sid. Don't go throwing us down now. It's too late to break in another +first baseman." + +Sid promised, and, for a time, stood better in his class. In the +meanwhile other sports went on at Randall College. The crew was out +every day on the river and the 'varsity eight-oared shell, several +doubles and some singles held impromptu races. A freshman eight was +formed and Tom was asked to join, but he wisely refused, for he reasoned +that he could not give enough time to it to become a member of a racing +crew without sacrificing either baseball or his studies, and he would do +neither. + +"But you'll never make the 'varsity nine," argued Captain Bonsell, of +the freshman crew. "Much better to train with us, for I'll promise you a +place in the boat when it comes to the championship race. You'll never +be the 'varsity pitcher." + +For Bonsell had looked with envy on Tom's big muscles. + +"Well, I'm not going to give up until the last game," declared Tom +stoutly. "Maybe I'll get a chance at the tail end. Langridge can't last +forever, though far be it from me to wish him any bad luck." + +"I see," spoke Bonsell with a laugh, "the survival of the fittest. I +wish you luck, old man." + +So Tom practiced and practiced and practiced until on the scrub his name +became one to conjure with. But Langridge remained in his place on the +'varsity and Evert was the substitute pitcher. Between Tom and Langridge +there was more than ever a coldness. It was not due to the sneaking act +of the rich lad in not absolving Tom from blame in the wire episode, but +might more properly be ascribed to the incident connected with Miss +Tyler, though neither youth was willing to admit this. In spite of +himself, Tom found that he was entertaining a certain indescribable +feeling toward the girl. Often, at night, he would recall her laughing, +tantalizing face as she walked away with Langridge. + +"Hang it all!" Tom would exclaim to his pillow. "He's not fit for her! +She ought to know it. I practically told her, yet she went off with him, +after all. Confound it all, I can't understand girls, anyhow." + +But Tom might well have been comforted, for no one else does either, +though many believe that they do. + +But, though part of Tom's coldness toward Langridge was based on the +latter's meanness about the wire and though probably the 'varsity pitcher +kept aloof from Tom for the same reason, there was no disposition on +Tom's part to complain or "squeal." As far as the faculty was concerned, +Tom was guilty of the prank that had had so nearly a fatal ending. But he +did not complain. He had given his word. + +"Well, Tom, old man, going along?" asked Sid one day as he came in from +a biology lecture and tossed his text-book under the bed, though he knew +he would have to crawl for it afterward. + +"Going along where?" + +"The team's going to Dodville for a game with a big prep. school there. +Not much as regards a game, but it will be fun. It's a nice trolley +trip, and I hear all the subs are going." + +"But I'm not a sub." + +"Well, you're a scrub, and that's almost the same. Come along and root +for us, anyhow, though I guess we'll wipe up the earth with the preps." + +"I thought we had a game with Boxer to-morrow." + +"We did, but they canceled it, as they have to fill in a postponed game +with Fairview, so we've shifted our schedule. Will you come?" + +"Sure, if there's room." + +"Of course there is. Langridge has hired two special trolleys. You know +he's not going to play the regular 'varsity team. Only freshmen are to +be allowed on it. It's more for practice than anything else." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Tom. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask if Sid +thought there might be a chance to do some pitching, but he thought +better of it. + +The Dodville Preparatory School had a good nine and a reputation of +putting up a hard game, but Langridge was set on the idea of playing +only freshmen against them, and thus it was decided. On the afternoon of +the game the team, many supporters and the scrubs and substitutes +boarded two trolleys for the trip to the grounds. + +It was a jolly crowd, and the way was enlivened by songs and jokes. Tom +was in the first car with Sid and some others of his particular chums. +Langridge was also there, but he kept rather away from Tom. + +Out on the platform with the motorman was an individual with a slouch +hat pulled down over his eyes and his coat collar turned up. + +"Who's that, a tramp?" asked Tom as he noticed the man. + +"Looks like it," admitted Sid. "Begging a ride maybe on the strength of +this being a special. Well, let him go. If you call attention to him, +some of the fellows may make a row and create a rough house. Don't say +anything." + +Tom did not, but he noticed that the tramp appeared to be very friendly +to the motorman and talked frequently with him. The electric line to +Dodville ran through a stretch of country not thickly populated, and at +one point it switched over another trolley road which ran to a distant, +thriving village. The boys were so engrossed in their fun, laughing and +joking that they paid little attention to matters outside, and the time +passed quickly. Holly Cross was giving (by request) an imitation of a +well-known vaudeville performer when Sid, who happened to look out of +the window, exclaimed: + +"Say, fellows, where, for the love of tripe, are we? This isn't the road +to Dodville." + +"Aw, what's eatin' you?" demanded Dutch Housenlager. "Could the trolley +car go off by itself on a road alone? Answer me that!" + +"I don't know what it could do, it's what it has done," retorted Sid. "I +know this road. It goes to Fayetmore, which is next door to Squankum +Center. Fellows, we're five miles from Dodville!" + +"Get out!" cried Langridge, unwilling to believe it. + +"Fact!" asserted Sid. "We're five miles out of our way, on the wrong +road, and the game starts in less than an hour. They'll call it a +forfeit on us and never stop twitting us about this." + +"Ah, you must be wrong," declared Holly Cross. "Don't you s'pose the +motorman knows the way? It isn't as if this was an auto." + +Sid pulled open the front door. The tramp, who had been talking to the +motorman, had gone. + +"I say," began the first baseman, "is this the road to Dodville? Aren't +you on the wrong line?" + +"Why, sir, I don't rightly know," replied the motorman somewhat timidly. + +"You don't know?" repeated Sid incredulously. + +"No. I--I hope this is the right road." + +"You hope so!" cried Langridge. "Well, I should say yes. Why don't you +know?" + +"Well, you see, I'm new on this section of the line. To-day is my first +run. I took the turn back there where the gentleman told me to." + +"What gentleman?" + +"The one who was out here on the platform with me. He said he was your +manager." + +"Manager!" fairly yelled Langridge. "Why, I'm the manager of this team." + +"Can't help it. That's what the gentleman said. He said he knew the road +to Dodville, and when I got to the switch he told me to come this way." + +"What was his name?" demanded Langridge, who was beginning to "scent a +rodent," as Holly Cross said. + +"He gave me his card," went on the motorman, who had halted his car in +the midst of a lonely stretch of woods. + +"Let's see!" cried Sid. + +The trolley man fumbled in his pocket for it. Tom looked back, but could +not see the other special car. That had probably been some distance +behind the first one and had doubtless gone the right road, the motorman +not suspecting that his predecessor was not ahead of him. + +Sid took the bit of pasteboard which the man held out to him. He looked +at it and then uttered an exclamation. + +"It's a trick!" he cried, "a soph trick! Listen to this, fellows. This +is Fenmore's card, and he's written on it this message: 'This is only +part of what we sophs owe you freshies for the pavilion game. There is +more coming. Hope you have a nice picnic in the woods.' That fellow on +the platform was Fenmore," went on Sid. "No wonder he kept his hat +down." + +"And here we are--part of the team--out here in the wilderness, five +miles from the game, which starts in half an hour!" cried Langridge in +disgust. "Say, those sophs got back at us all right. We're in a nice +pickle!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +TOM MAKES A DISCOVERY + + +There was consternation among the freshmen and their supporters. With a +divided team, part of it being so far away from the grounds that it was +practically impossible to arrive on time, and on a wrong road at that, +the situation was enough to discourage any nine. + +"What made you let that fellow tell you where to go?" demanded Sid of +the motorman. + +"Well, he said he was your manager, and I believed him." + +"Manager!" cried Holly Cross. "Yes, we need a manager. We need a nurse +and a governess, that's what we need. To think that twenty of the +brightest freshmen at Randall have been duped by one soph! Wow! I must +have blood!" and he began to dance and howl like a stage Indian. + +"Well," said Langridge disgustedly after a few minutes' thought, which +period was occupied on the part of the others by the use of language +more strong and rugged than polite, "the only thing to do is to go +back. Make the best time you can and see what we can do. Shift the car, +motorman." + +"I can't." + +"Why not?" + +"Because I got orders not to start back until half-past four. You see, +this is a single-track road, and I might run into a car coming in the +opposite direction. We've got to stay here until four-thirty." + +This was worse than ever, and a howl went up. But suddenly Sid, who had +been narrowly looking at the motorman, took a step toward him. He +reached up, grabbed his beard and pulled it off. + +"Hayden!" he exclaimed as there was revealed to view the features of one +of the liveliest of the sophomore class. "By all the gods that on +Olympus dwell, it's Hayden!" + +"At your service, gentlemen," exclaimed Hayden with a mocking bow. "This +is a little pleasure trip that Fenmore and I arranged for you. I hope you +enjoy it," and with another mocking bow he slipped off the controller +handle and leaped over the dashboard of the car. + +"We hired the regular motorman to let us take his place," he went on. "I +guess you don't play ball to-day," and he disappeared in the woods with +a tantalizing laugh. + +"Let's catch him!" cried Holly Cross. + +"Sure! Let's scalp him and tie him to a tree," proposed Dutch +Housenlager. + +"What's the use?" asked Sid. "He knows this part of the country like a +book, for he's been hunting in it. Better let him go. He'll only laugh +the more at us." + +"But what are we to do?" demanded Langridge. "We don't want to lose +the game." He was very vexed, for he knew it would reflect on him as +manager. + +"The only thing I see to do is to walk back until we meet another car +and then send on word of this abandoned one," said Sid. "It's a long +walk, but----" + +"Hark!" cried Tom Parsons suddenly. "An auto is coming along the road." + +"Maybe some of us can get a ride," proposed Phil Clinton. "We can go to +town and hire a rig for the rest of you." + +Along the road rumbled some big vehicle. There came in sight a big auto +truck, ponderous and heavy. It was one of several used by a milk concern +to transport cans to the railroad depot. + +"That's the stuff!" cried Tom. "Maybe he'll take us to Dodville if we +pay him." + +The man was hailed and the situation explained to him. He looked dubious +and shook his head. + +"Why can't you take us?" asked Phil. "You say you have no load on your +truck, and it isn't much out of your way. We'll pay you well." + +"Maybe you would," admitted the man, "but I've heard of you students. +If some of you ran off with a trolley car, there's no tellin' but what +you'd take this truck away from me at some lonely spot and go cruisin' +off like Captain Kidd." + +"No, no," promised the lads eagerly. "We won't cut up a bit." + +They had some difficulty in convincing the man of this, but did so +finally, and he allowed them to pile in. They had to stand up and the +road was rough. They were jolted about, for the truck was not built for +easy riding, but they did not mind that, for they felt that there was a +chance to play the game, and they urged the man to put on all speed. + +[Illustration: THE MAN ALLOWED THEM TO PILE IN] + +They reached Dodville just as the game was about to be awarded to the +preparatory school on a forfeit. The members of the Randall nine who had +arrived in the second trolley car, which safely made the trip, could not +explain the absence of their companions. + +The game was started, but it was not remarkable for any brilliant work +on the part of the college freshmen. In fact the other students played +all around them. Possibly this was due to the episode that had occurred, +for Langridge was nervous and threw wild, giving a number of men their +bases on balls. Kerr asked him to let Tom pitch, but Langridge refused +arrogantly and with bitter words against the scrub twirler. Nor would +he consent that Evert should fill the box. + +"I'll pitch!" he cried excitedly. "I'll strike 'em out next inning. You +watch." + +Tom happened to be in the dressing-room when it was the turn of Randall +to bat, and Langridge came in. The 'varsity pitcher did not see his +rival, but going to where his valise was containing his clothing, he +took something from it. Tom saw Langridge put a bottle to his lips. + +"I wonder if he's taking medicine," he thought. + +A moment later the pitcher hurried from the room as his name was called +to bat. Tom walked to a window that gave a view of the grounds. As he +passed Langridge's valise he smelled a pungent, alcoholic odor. He +started and for a moment could not tell what it was. Then it came to +him. + +"Liquor! He's been drinking liquor!" he almost exclaimed aloud. "He's +broken the training rules. I wonder--I wonder if this is what Sid hinted +at--if this is what Mr. Lighton meant!" + +From the diamond there came a sharp crack. It was a bat meeting a +swiftly pitched ball with that inspiring sound that indicates a fair +hit. Tom saw Langridge speeding for first base, while Randall lads were +yelling at the top of their voices. + +"It's a three-bagger!" cried Tom delightedly, and so it proved, Langridge +bringing in a run a moment later on a sacrifice hit by Holly Cross. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +AN EXPOSTULATION + + +"Now we'll do 'em up!" cried Langridge, dancing about in a strange +enthusiasm as he crossed the home plate. "Knock a home run, Kerr, and +we'll roll up a score. Then I'll strike out the next six men." + +There were but two more innings to play, and the run Langridge brought +in had reduced the lead against the Randall freshmen from 6 to 5. But +five runs are a big handicap, especially when you can't depend on your +pitcher. Kerr struck out and so did Sid, who was up next. Langridge was +disappointed, though not discouraged, and he made wild promises about +what he was going to do. But he did not fulfil them and got careless in +his pitching. + +The game degenerated almost into a farce in the last inning, when +Dodville piled up four runs, making the total score 17 to 5, it being +the worst drubbing the Randalls had received in many years. The only +consolation was that it was not the 'varsity team, but, as Kerr said, +that was no excuse. There were almost jeers mingled with the cheers of +the preparatory school lads, and it was a sore and sorrowful lot of +freshmen who made their way to the special trolley cars, the stalled one +having been brought up in the meanwhile. + +"Who's eating cloves?" asked Sid Henderson as he piled into the electric +and threw his big mitt on the seat beside him. + +"Have some?" asked Langridge, holding out a quantity. "I had toothache +and I took a few." + +"No, thanks, don't use 'em," replied Sid with a quick look at the +pitcher, whose eyes were unnaturally bright. "But if you have any ginger +about you, it might come in handy." + +"Ginger--how?" + +"For this team. We need it. To be beaten by a bunch of schoolboys!" + +"Well, we didn't have our regular team," explained Langridge. "Besides, +I didn't have any support. I pitched well, but you fellows didn't back +me up." + +There was an arrogant look on his face. + +"Yes, you pitched well, you did," exclaimed Kerr with an unconcealed +sneer in his voice. "You did hot work, you did." + +"What about my three-bagger?" + +"That didn't make up for your rotten pitching!" + +The others looked at Kerr in surprise. It was something new for him to +find fault openly with Langridge. The latter felt it, too, and hardly +knew what to say. + +"Well, I--er--I----" + +"Yes, make some excuse," went on the catcher bitterly. "We got dumped, +and that's all there is to it. I'm not saying I did such brilliant +work--none of us did--but you did rotten, Langridge, and you know it. It +isn't as if you couldn't do better, for we all know you can. You've gone +stale--or--or something!" + +Tom had an idea what it was that had made the pitcher go "stale." His +brilliant hit and run had been followed by a reaction, the result of the +stimulant he took. It is always thus. + +Langridge stared at Kerr, his most particular chum, and then, as if not +understanding it, went off by himself in a corner of the car. It was not +a jolly party that rode back to Randall College. Nor were matters much +better when they arrived. The freshmen had to endure the taunts of +the sophomores concerning the trolley episode, as well as their own +unexpressed disappointment at the result of the game. + +"Sid," said Tom in their room that night, when his roommate was stretched +out on the old creaking sofa--"Sid, if you knew some member of--er--well, +the crew who didn't train properly--that is to say, did sneaking things +on the sly--didn't keep in form for a race, what would you do?" + +"How's that? Is some member of the crew trying to throw the college?" +cried Sid, suddenly sitting up. + +"No, no. Of course not. I'm just supposing a case. You know we have to +suppose cases in our psychology class. I'm just taking one for the sake +of argument." + +"Oh," replied Sid sleepily. "If it's only a supposititious case, all +right. I thought you meant you knew of some chap who was doing a dirty +trick." + +"Well, suppose I did know of one--or you did--what would you do? Would +you tell the coach or the captain?" + +"What good would it do?" + +"That's not the point. Would you?" + +"Well, you must have a reason for telling. Don't you learn that in +psychology?" + +"Of course. Well, my reason might be that I wanted to see the crew do +good work and not lose on account of some fellow who couldn't last out a +race because he broke training rules on the sly. Or it might be that I +wanted to see the fellow himself take a brace." + +"Both good reasons, son. Both good. As the Romans say, _Mens sana in +corpore sano_. You would do it for his own physical good. Very nice. For +his mental improvement also." + +"I'm serious," declared Tom. + +"So am I, you conscientious old wind-ammer! I know it. The trouble is +you're too serious. Why don't you let things slide sometimes?" + +"I can't." + +"No, I s'pose not. Well, then, fire away, old chap. Wait until I get +more comfortable, though," and Sid turned and wiggled on the decrepit +sofa until it threatened to collapse. + +"You haven't answered my question yet," persisted Tom when his chum had +been silent for two minutes. + +"What question? Oh, blazes, Tom, I thought you'd gone to sleep. But say, +why don't you come right out and say what you mean? Do you know any +member of the crew who's doing that?" + +"No, I don't. I told you this was a supposititious case. But, if there +was one, what would you do?" + +"Well, I'll give you a supposititious answer." + +Sid closed his eyes. The fussy little alarm clock seemed to be counting +time for him while he made up his mind. + +"Why don't you tell the fellow yourself?" asked Sid so suddenly that Tom +jumped. + +"Would you?" he asked. + +Sid arose. He came and stood close to his chum. Then he spoke. + +"There be certain things, son," he said with an assumed serious air +which was more than half real, "certain things that, in college, one +might better ignore. If, perchance, however, one is so constituted +morally that one can't; if the laws of the Medes and the Persians are so +immutable that one can't rest--why, my young philosopher, take the +easiest course so long as you are true to your own motto, _Dulce et +decorum est pro alma mater mori_. There, I don't know whether I've +got the Latin right, but it says what I mean--tell the other fellow +first--Tom," and with that he went over, picked up his trigonometry and +fell to studying. + +It was not an easy fight that Tom had with himself that night. He went +all over the ground: the arrogance of Langridge, the scene in the +dressing-room, the pungent odor of liquor and then his knowledge of it. +Was it fair to the team to let the members be in ignorance of the fact +that their pitcher took stimulants secretly--that he had done it before? +For Tom was sure it was not the first time. Would it not mean, in the +end, that Randall would lose some deciding game and the championship? +Tom thought so and determined that it was his duty to do something. The +question was, what? In a measure Sid had solved this for him, and before +he fell asleep that night Tom determined to expostulate with Langridge +the first chance he got. + +It came sooner than he expected. There was a game with Boxer Hall on the +grounds of the latter university and it was expected to be a hard one, +which expectation was not unfulfilled. + +For the first few innings Randall seemed to have the contest well in +hand. Then, during a few minutes when his side was at bat, Langridge +disappeared into the dressing-room. With a heart that beat harder than +usual Tom quietly followed. He was just in time to see Langridge putting +away a bottle that gave out the characteristic odor. + +"Don't do that!" cried Tom quickly, but in a low voice. He was hardly +conscious of what he was saying. + +Langridge wheeled around and faced him. + +"Don't do what?" he asked sharply, his face flushed. + +"Take that liquor to brace you up. You'll only pitch the worse for it, +and it's not fair to the team." + +Langridge took a step toward Tom. + +"What right have you got to speak so to me?" he demanded. "You're a +dirty sneak, that's what you are, following in here to spy on me! I +guess I know what I'm doing. Can't I take a little toothache medicine +without being insulted by you? Liquor! Supposing it is? The doctor +ordered it for me." + +"Not in the middle of a game," said Tom quietly. "Besides, it's against +training rules, and you know it. It's not fair." + +"Oh, I see your game," sneered Langridge. "I know what you're after. +You want to tell some story about me, thinking that I'll be dropped and +you can have my place. But you can't. I'll do you yet. I'll show 'em how +I can pitch!" He was boasting now, for he was not himself. "Get out of +my way, you dirty sneak!" he cried. "I'm going to bat out a home run," +and he put some cloves in his mouth. + +He almost knocked Tom over as he rushed past him and went out in time to +take his place at the home plate. He did knock a home run to the +delirious delight of the team, but it was short-lived joy, for, just as +in the other games, Langridge went to pieces in the box, and Boxer Hall +won the game by a score of 8 to 5. But the home run of Langridge so +shone out that even Kerr did not have the heart to decry his friend's +ragged pitching. Coach Lighton, however, shook his head, as the +championship chances for Randall College seemed fading away. + +"Well," thought Tom as he accompanied the defeated team back that +afternoon, "I did my duty, anyhow. I expostulated with him and was +insulted for my pains. I did all I could." + +But that night there came to him something like a voice asking, "Did +you?" Tom tossed restlessly on his bed. "What shall I do next?" he +thought. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +SOME "OLD GRADS" + + +"What's the matter, old man?" inquired Sid the next morning as he rolled +over in bed and looked at Tom. + +"Matter? Why?" + +"You look as if you'd been drawn through a knot hole, and a small one at +that. What's wrong?" + +"Nothing," and Tom tried to laugh it off. "I didn't sleep very well, +that's all." + +"For that matter, neither did I." + +"Get out! I heard you snoring away like a boiler blowing off steam." + +"Then I must have been tired. I never snore unless I am. Wow! ouch! +Decameron's Prothonotary!" + +Sid made a face that indicated intense anguish and put his hand to his +side as he turned over in bed. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom anxiously. + +"Strained my side when I slid for second base that time. I didn't notice +it yesterday, but it hurts like sin now. Guess I'll have to cut lectures +to-day and stay in bed." + +"What excuse will you give?" + +"Oh, I'll say--no, I won't, either," declared Sid with a sudden change of +decision. "I can't say it was playing baseball that laid me up or Moses +will ask me to cut out the ball. I've got to suffer. I know what I'll do. +I'll limp in chapel and on my way to lectures. I'm not prepared in trig, +anyhow, and maybe they'll let me off easy. I'm sure to slump in Latin, +but maybe Pitchfork will have mercy on a gladiator who was willing to die +for Caesar." + +Tom felt like laughing, but he restrained himself as he saw that Sid was +really suffering. The first baseman crawled out of bed with many a groan +and made wry faces. He limped across the room. + +"How's that?" he asked Tom. "Do I do it naturally?" + +"Sure. It would deceive anybody." + +"I don't want to deceive 'em. It's gospel truth. I'm as lame as a sore +horse. But I'll go down." + +"Let me rub it," suggested Tom, and he forgot part of his troubles in +giving vigorous massage to Sid's strained side. + +"It feels better. Thanks, old man," declared the hurt one as he began to +dress. + +"But you're limping worse than ever." + +"Sure. No use losing any of the advantages of my limp. It may save me +from a discredit in Latin. Oh, if you want to know how to limp come to +your Uncle Dudley." + +Tom laughed and prepared for chapel. He himself was in no very jolly +mood, however, for he could not help thinking of the problem connected +with the discovery about Langridge. That it was a problem, and no small +one, Tom was ready to admit. He felt himself in a peculiar position. He +had spoken to the 'varsity pitcher and had been insulted. To let him go +on in his course, breaking training and endangering the success of the +nine, Tom felt would not be right. Yet if he spoke to the coach or +captain about it there would be but one construction put upon his +action. + +Tom could fancy Mr. Lighton thanking him for the information about +Langridge and could even imagine the coach acting on it and warning the +pitcher. Tom could see the look on the face of Kindlings when he was +told. It would be a revelation. Yet for all the service that he rendered +to the team there would be but one construction put upon Tom's act by +his classmates--he would be accused of informing in order to oust +Langridge so that he might have the pitcher's place. + +"And I can't do that," declared Tom to himself. "I'll have to find some +other way. I'll make one more try with Langridge." + +Sid's limp did not save him in Latin, for he "slumped" most ungracefully, +and with a black look Professor Tines marked a failure against him, +accompanying it with words of warning. As for Tom, his worry over the +secret caused him to pay too scant attention in his geography class, and +he was caught napping, whereat the instructor looked surprised, for Tom +was one of the best students. + +The next day the scrub team went on a little trip to Morriston to play a +small semi-professional nine, and Tom had a chance to show what he could +do in the box. He gave a fine exhibition of pitching, so much so that +the other nine was held down to a goose-egg score, and there were very +few hits secured off Tom. The scrubs were wild about it and held a +celebration, for it was the best victory they had scored yet. + +During the next few days Tom saw little of Langridge. In fact the +'varsity pitcher seemed to be keeping out of the way of the lad who had +remonstrated with him. + +"I'll see him at the Boxer game Saturday," thought Tom. "If I get a +chance, I'll make one more attempt, though I'm afraid it won't do any +good." + +The next Boxer contest was a sort of annual mid-season affair. It was +a game which members of the alumnae of both colleges made it a point +to attend in even greater numbers than at the contests deciding the +championship. In fact of late years there had been no chance for such +exhibitions, for Randall did not have a "look in" at the pennant, as +Holly Cross used to say. + +The game was to take place on the Randall grounds, and before the hour +when it was to be played the stands and bleachers began filling up. It +was a beautiful afternoon about the middle of May and a better one for a +game could not have been had, even if made to order. + +Oh, how Tom wanted to play! But he could only look on. The regular team +came out for practice, with the substitutes waiting for a chance to +go in. Then out trotted the Boxer Hall lads, to be received with a +cheer. There were pretty girls galore, each one waving the flag of her +particular college. Tom moved about in the grandstand, trying to pretend +to himself that he was not looking for any one, but all the same his +heart gave a great thump when he heard some one call: + +"Tom! Mr. Parsons!" + +"Why, how do you do, Miss Tyler?" he exclaimed. "I didn't know you were +coming." + +"Oh, yes, I wouldn't miss this for anything. I just love to see the old +graduates. They are so interesting, just as if they were boys again." + +She made room for Tom beside her, and he gladly availed himself of the +chance. + +"Yes, there are quite a few of the old boys on hand to-day," he +remarked. "Look at those two," and he pointed to two well-dressed men, +each attired in a tall silk hat and a frock coat. They each had a +gold-headed cane and they were very staid in looks, yet at the sight of +each other they rose in their seats, clasped hands across the heads of +intervening persons and one, the elder, cried out: + +"Well, well! If it isn't old Skeeziks! How are you? I haven't seen you +since I graduated in '73!" + +"Nor me you, you old fish-pedler! How are things? Do you remember the +day we kidnaped Mrs. Maguire and took all her chickens?" + +"Hush! Not so loud!" cautioned the other, his face breaking into smiles. +"The faculty never found out who did that, and there's no use telling +now. But I am glad to see you. Do you think our boys will win?" + +"I hope so, though I see by the papers they haven't been playing as good +ball as when we went to school. They need a little ginger." + +"That's right. I wish I was young again. We certainly had some great +games." + +On all sides similar scenes were being enacted and like reminiscences +were being exchanged. It was a great day for the "old grads," and they +took advantage of it. Many there were also from Boxer, though they +occupied a different part of the grandstand. However, they exchanged +visits with their former rivals during the practice. + +Ford Fenton was in his element. His uncle, who had been a coach at +Randall, was on hand, and Ford was showing him off as if he was a prize +animal at a county fair. + +Ford wanted to take his uncle around and introduce him to his classmates, +but Mr. Fenton declined, as he wanted to meet some of his old friends. +But this did not deter Ford from going about telling the news, and about +all he could be heard to say was: + +"My uncle, the former coach, is here. He came to see the game. My uncle +says----" + +Then the long-suffering ones would turn away, or if they were lads who +had no particular regard for Ford's feelings, they would guy him +unmercifully. + +"Hi, Ford!" cried Holly Cross after about half an hour of this sort of +thing, "have you heard the latest?" + +"No. What is it?" + +"Why, 'my uncle' says that if you don't stop talking about him, he's +going to leave and take you with him. He says he's being 'uncled' to +death." + +"Ha! ha!" laughed Dutch Housenlager. "That's right, Ford, that's right," +and he pretended to collide accidentally with the lad, knocking him +against Holly, who promptly pushed him back. + +But now practice was over. The rival captains were in conference, the +umpire was taking the new ball from the tinfoil wrapping and the +spectators were settling back for the contest. + +"Boxer has improved since the other game," said Tom, who had been +critically watching the teams at practice. + +"That's what I heard," replied Miss Tyler. "Oh, I do hope our boys will +win!" + +"So do I," exclaimed Tom as he watched Langridge, who was first to go to +the bat, in this game the visitors winning the privilege of being last +up. Tom tried to notice the 'varsity pitcher, to see if he was in good +form, but he could not judge then. + +"Play ball!" called the umpire, and Dave Ogden, the Boxer pitcher, drew +back his arm to deliver a swift curve. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +TOM IN COLD WATER + + +Langridge at the first effort sent out a hot liner, which flew just over +the pitcher's head. The second baseman made a jump for it and the ball +began to roll along in front of the center fielder. Amid a wild burst of +yells Langridge raced for first and got there safely, not daring to go +on to second, as Ogden had run down to help cover it. + +"That's the stuff! that's the stuff! That's the way to line 'em out!" +chanted an excited voice, and Tom looked around to see the two +silk-hatted "old grads" embracing each other and doing an impromptu +dance in their seats. + +"Aren't they jolly!" exclaimed Miss Tyler. + +"Very, but they're crowing too soon. The game has only just begun. Boxer +Hall will play strong." + +And Tom's prediction came true, for in spite of the auspicious opening +by Langridge, not a man crossed home plate for the Randalls that inning, +the pitcher dying on third. Then it came the turn of the home team to +show what they could do in holding down the visitors. It looked as if +they were going to do it, too, for Langridge struck out the first two +men. But he gave the next one a pass to first and was batted for a +two-bagger by the following player, the inning ending with one run for +Boxer. The Randall College boys and their girl supporters began to look +anxious and so did some of the "old grads." On the other side there was +laughter, cheers and jollity, while some of the aged former students of +Boxer began to chant oldtime college songs. + +"Oh, I do hope our fellows win," exclaimed Miss Tyler, and there was an +anxious look on her pretty face, while she tapped her flag of colors +impatiently against her little foot. + +"Have you a bet on the game?" asked Tom. "A box of candy or some +gloves?" + +"No, but I want to see Randall win. Besides, Fred--I mean Mr. +Langridge--he told me he was going to work hard for success, and I never +like to see any one disappointed--do you?" + +"No," said Tom rather shortly. He really did not care to hear his +rival's praises sung by this fair damsel. + +"Do you know," she went on, "I've been thinking of what you started to +tell me about him the other day. Is it really true?" + +"Well," began Tom slowly, "if you will excuse the privilege of a friend +who has known you for some time, I would say that I don't believe your +people would like you to go with him." + +"Why, mamma knows his uncle, who is his guardian, and she says he is +very nice--I mean the uncle," and she laughed a little. + +"I have no doubt of it. I only----" + +But Tom did not say what he was going to, for just then Pinky Davenport, +captain of the Boxers, knocked what Holly Cross described later as a +"lalapoolassa" fly, which went clear over the center fielder's head and +netted a home run for the captain of the visitors. + +What yelling and shouting there was then! It seemed to put new life into +the opponents of Randall, if such was needed, for they began piling up +the score until they were six runs in the lead. + +Then Randall "took a brace," encouraged by the yells of the "old grads" +and others, and by the eighth inning had cut it down even. In the close +of the eighth they held their opponents down to one run, making it +necessary to gather in two to win the game, but with that it meant +holding the visitors hitless in the last half of the final inning. + +The first part of the program was carried out all right. By some +phenomenal playing Randall managed to get the lead by one run. They +would have had another but for a miscalculation on the part of Ed Kerr, +who was caught napping between third and home, where he was run down +and put out. + +"Now, fellows, we have them on the hip!" exclaimed Captain Woodhouse as +he called his players together for a little talk before the final +struggle was made. "If we can hold them down this inning we have them. +Langridge, it's up to you!" + +"I know it. But don't worry, I'll do it." + +It sounded well, and there was a determined look in the pitcher's face, +but his eyes were unnaturally bright. His pitching had been ragged +during the last three innings and the sudden decline of the abilities of +the Boxer players had done as much as anything to give Randall her +chance. + +"Oh, I hope Fred strikes three out, one right after the other!" +exclaimed Miss Tyler as she shifted nervously in her seat. "He must be +under a dreadful strain." + +"Probably he is," said Tom. "But if he takes a brace now he'll be all +right." + +"He's been taking too many bracers--that's what's the matter with him," +said a voice back of Tom, and he knew it was one of the former graduates +speaking. Tom looked at the girl beside him. Either she had not heard or +she took no notice of the remark. + +It was a tense moment when Langridge sent in the first ball. It was +called a strike and the batsman looked surprised. The next was a ball, +but two more strikes were called without the player getting a chance to +swing at the horsehide. Langridge smiled at the cheers which greeted +him. Then he did what few other pitchers could have done under the +circumstances. He struck out the next two men, though one did manage to +hit a high foul, which Kerr missed. Langridge had saved the game by +holding the other team hitless. + +Such a cheer as went up then when it was seen that Randall had won! The +stamping of feet on the stands sounded like thunder. Back of Tom and +Miss Tyler two old men began yelling like Indians, hugging each other +and whirling about. They were the two "old grads" of '73. They were +waving their hats in the air and yelling "Randall! Randall! Randall!" +until their faces were the color of raw beef. + +"Wow!" cried the taller of the two. "This does my heart good! I'm forty +years young again. Wow! Whoop-la!" + +Suddenly he drew back his hand and his silk hat went sailing over the +edge of the grandstand to the grass of the outfield. It was caught by +some Randall players and quickly kicked out of shape. + +"Why, that was a new hat!" exclaimed the man's companion. + +"I know it, but there's more where that came from. I can buy a new hat +every day, but I can't see my old college win such a game as this. Wow! +Whoop!" + +"That's right. I'm with you," and a second hat went the way of the +first, while the old men capered about like boys. They were given a +round of cheers on their own account by the team when the players +understood what had happened. Ford Fenton was running about, all +excited, trying to find his relative. + +"Have you seen my uncle?" he asked several. + +"No!" cried Holly Cross. "And if I do, I'll shoot him on sight! Get out +or I'll eat you up," and with a roar of simulated wrath he rushed at +poor Fenton, who beat a hasty retreat. + +Tom was jubilant at the success of his college, nor did he withhold +unstinted praise for Langridge. He had been surprised at the sudden +improvement shown. Tom and Miss Tyler walked across the grounds toward +the campus, the girl looking back several times. Suddenly Langridge +appeared from amid a group of players. + +"I'll be with you in a minute," he called to Miss Tyler, "as soon as I +change my duds. Wait for me." + +There was an air of proprietorship in the words and the girl must have +felt them, for she turned away without speaking. + +"Perhaps I'd better say good-afternoon," spoke Tom, a trifle piqued. + +"Not unless you want to," she replied with a quick look at him. + +"Of course I don't want to, but I thought----" + +"Don't bother to think," she added with a little laugh. "It's tiresome. +Come and show me the river. Not that I haven't seen it before, but it's +so beautiful to-day, I want some one to enjoy it with me." + +"How would you like to go for a little row?" asked Tom. "I can get a +boat and we'll go to Crest Island." + +"That will be lovely. The water is like glass." + +They were soon afloat. Tom was a good oarsman and sent the light craft +ahead with powerful strokes. They spent some little time on the island, +where other pleasure seekers were, and when the shadows began to +lengthen started back. + +"I've enjoyed it ever so much," said Miss Tyler gratefully as the craft +neared the float adjoining the college boathouse. + +"That's good," said Tom heartily. "Perhaps you will go again." + +"I probably shall--if any one asks me," she replied archly, and then he +helped her out, whispering as he did so, for there were quite a number +on the float, "I'll be sure to ask you, Madge." Tom may have imagined +it, but he thought there was just a little return of the pressure when +he pressed the hand he held. + +"Well, I thought you were going to wait for me," exclaimed a voice, and +Langridge pushed his way through the throng and came close to where Miss +Tyler was standing, waiting for Tom to tie the boat. + +"I didn't say so," she answered. + +"But you--you----" Langridge did not know what to say. + +"I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me now," said the girl calmly, though +she smiled at Langridge in no unfriendly fashion. + +"Come and take a walk," he almost ordered. "I want to say something to +you." + +Before she could answer Tom was at her side. He looked keenly at +Langridge and was about to make some reply when the 'varsity pitcher +reached out as though to link his arm in that of the girl. Miss Tyler +drew back and Langridge edged himself forward. He may have been merely +eager or it may have been the result of intention. At any rate, he +jostled Tom to one side and the next minute the pitcher of the scrub, +vainly endeavoring to retain his balance, toppled into the cold water of +the river. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A GAME OF ANOTHER SORT + + +"Oh!" screamed Miss Tyler. "He'll be drowned! Save him, some one!" + +There was much commotion on the float. The crowd surged to the edge and +it tilted dangerously. + +"Get back! get back!" cried Dan Woodhouse. "Get a boathook, some one!" + +"We will!" cried the Jersey twins, and together they darted for the +place where the rowing craft were stored. + +Langridge seemed stupefied at the result of his act. He stood there, +peering down into the water beneath which Tom had disappeared. + +"Get back, I tell you! Get back!" yelled Woodhouse. "We can't get him +out if you tilt the float so. We'll all be in the water!" + +Understanding this, the crowd of lads and girls moved back. Captain +Woodhouse was peering over the edge of the dock, looking for a sight of +Tom, and meanwhile was taking off his coat and vest, preparatory to a +plunge in. + +"There he is! I see his head!" suddenly cried Miss Tyler, and she +pointed to a dark object barely visible in the shadows that were +settling down over the river. + +"I'll get him!" cried Langridge thickly, but he could not seem to +unbutton his coat. + +"Look out!" cried a voice, and a tall, lithe figure, clad only in a +rowing jersey and trunks, pattered in bare feet down the length of the +float. + +"It's Fenmore!" exclaimed several, and the tall sophomore, who had been +out in a single shell and who, arriving at the float, had understood +what had happened, plunged in. He swam quickly to Tom, who seemed +bewildered and unable to help himself. But, if he was dazed, which they +later found to be the case, he had sense enough to let Fenmore rescue +him in the proper fashion and was soon being lifted out on the float. +His face was pale and blood from a cut on his forehead trickled down one +cheek. + +"Much hurt?" asked Dan Woodhouse as he put his arms about Tom. + +"No--not--not much," gasped the rescued one. "I hit my head on the edge +and that dazed me. I couldn't strike out, and I swallowed some--some +water," he gulped. + +"Can you walk?" + +"Sure. I'm all right now," but Tom began to shiver, for the evening had +turned cool and the water was not yet right for bathing. + +"Here, take my cloak for him!" exclaimed Miss Tyler, impulsively holding +out a thin wrap which was more for appearance than utility. "It will +keep him warm." + +"It will ruin it," declared Tom. "I'm as wet as a rat." + +"No matter!" cried the girl imperiously, and she tried to wrap it about +Tom's shoulders. + +"Here are some sweaters," said the more practical Kindlings. "Now run up +to the infirmary, Tom, get into a hot bath and throw some hot lemonade +into you." + +Tom prepared to start off and Miss Tyler had taken back her cloak. She +went closer to Tom. + +"I'm awfully sorry. It was all on my account," she said. "I hope you +will be all right." + +"Su--sure I'll--I'll be all--all right," declared Tom, though his teeth +chattered in spite of himself, for he had sustained a nervous shock. + +"I'll inquire for you to-morrow," she added with a smile as she turned +aside. + +"I say, old man, I'm afraid I pushed you in, but I didn't mean to--'pon +my soul!" exclaimed Langridge earnestly as he edged up to Tom. + +"All--all right--it doesn't matter--now," answered Tom, and then his +chums rushed him up to the college, where a warm bath and drinks were +soon effectively administered. No bad results attended the unexpected +plunge, and that night Tom was able to join in the celebration that +followed the winning of the ball game, when many bonfires blazed and the +students were allowed more license than usual. + +It was about a week later when, following a rather hard series of games +between the scrub and 'varsity teams in which Tom had strained his arm, +Coach Lighton advised him to get a new kind of liniment to rub on it. It +could only be had in a certain store in town, and, obtaining permission +to go there on condition that he return to college before nine o'clock, +Tom started off alone one evening. Sid had to make up some lessons he +was "shaky" on, and though he wanted to take the walk, he did not feel +that he dared spare the time. + +On his way to the drug store Tom passed the side entrance of a certain +resort much patronized by the "sporty" class of students. Several lads +were in there, as Tom could tell by the snatches of college songs that +floated out, and as he got opposite the place the door swung open to +give entrance to others and Tom saw Langridge sitting at a table with +several flashily dressed lads. They were playing cards and glasses of +some sort of liquor stood at their elbows, while most of them, including +Langridge, were smoking cigarettes. + +"He's broken training with a vengeance!" exclaimed Tom in a low voice +as he hurried on. "Cigarettes are the limit!" + +Tom tried not to think about what he had seen as he went on to the drug +store and had his prescription filled. He had to wait some little time +for it and as he came out he noticed by a clock that he would have to +hurry if he wanted to get back to college in time. + +He started off briskly and just as he got in front of the side door of +the resort the portal opened and several lads came out. Langridge was +with them, and all were somewhat worse for the lively evening they had +spent. The 'varsity pitcher, who seemed strangely hilarious, caught +sight of Tom. + +"Well, if there ain't my deadly rival!" he cried in what was intended to +be a friendly manner, but which was silly. "Hello, Parsons! Come in and +have a cigarette!" + +"No," was the answer in conciliatory tones. "I'm in a hurry to get back +to the college. My time's nearly up." + +"So's mine--so's all of us. But what's the odds? We've got to have a +good time once in a while, eh, fellows?" + +"Sure," came the chorus. + +"I can't smoke, I'm in training," spoke Tom, intending it to be a hint, +if not to Langridge, at least to his companions. + +"So'm I, you old hunk of fried tripe! Have a smoke." + +"No," and Tom started on. + +"Hold on!" cried Langridge. "I'll go with you. I'm going to shake you +fellows," and he waved his hand to his companions. "I'm going to be +virtuous and go to bed with the larks. I wonder if larks do go to bed, +anyhow." + +"You mean chickens," declared one of the others with a laugh. "Come on +then, fellows, if Langridge goes back, we'll stay and have some more +fun." + +Tom was not unwilling to play the good Samaritan, so linking his arm in +that of Langridge, he led him down the street. The 'varsity pitcher was +not as steady on his feet as he should have been. + +"I--I s'pose you'll tell Kindlings and Lighton about me, eh, what?" he +asked brokenly as he walked along. + +"No," said Tom quietly. "But you ought to cut it out, Langridge, if not +for your own sake for the sake of the team." + +"That's right, that's right, old man, I ought. You're a good sort of +chap, too preachy maybe, but all right. I ought to cut it out, but I +like fun." + +"You ought to give up smoking and drinking," went on Tom boldly. He had +determined that this was just the chance he wanted and decided that he +would take advantage of it. + +"There you go again! there you go again!" cried Langridge fretfully, +with a sudden change of manner peculiar to him. "Don't go to lecturing. +I get enough of that from Moses and Pitchfork. Give us a rest. I'm all +right. Have another cigarette." + +"No," and Tom declined the proffered one. + +"Oh, I forgot you don't smoke. That's right. It's bad for the heart. I +don't take 'em only once in a while." + +Tom tried to reason with him, but Langridge was not himself and answered +pertly or else insulted Tom for his good offices. + +"You ought to give up gambling, too," Tom said, starting on a new tack. +They were nearing the college now. + +"There you go again! there you go again!" exclaimed Langridge and he was +almost crying, silly in his excitement. + +He sat down on a stone along the road and lighted another cigarette. + +"Now let's argue this thing out," he said. "I feel just like arguing, +Parsons. Guess we'll call you 'dominie,' you're so fond of preaching. +Let's argue." + +Tom tried to urge him to come on. It was getting late and only by +running could they reach college and report before the prescribed hour, +nine o'clock. But Langridge was obstinate and would not come. Tom did +not want to leave him, for he had heard that Langridge did not stand any +too well with the faculty, and a few more demerits would mean that he +would have to give up athletics. So Tom determined that, if possible, he +would get the foolish lad within bounds in time. + +But it was a useless undertaking, and Tom heard nine strokes boom out on +the chapel bell when they were some distance from college. + +"That cooks our goose!" he exclaimed. "It doesn't so much matter for me, +as it's the first time, but Langridge will suffer if he's caught in this +plight." + +He redoubled his persuasive powers and by dint of much talk at length +induced Langridge to get up and come on. But it was half-past nine now +and it was twenty minutes to ten, when, with his arm linked in that of +the lad he was trying to save in spite of himself, Tom walked up the +campus to get to the dormitory. + +The watchman opened the door at his knock. Langridge had slipped behind +Tom and stood in the deep shadow. + +"After hours," said the man simply. "You will report to the proctor +to-morrow morning, Mr. Parsons." + +"Yes," replied Tom simply. Langridge was moving uneasily about in the +shadows on the stone steps. + +"Any one with you, Mr. Parsons?" + +"Well--er--that is----" + +The watchman started to go out, thinking to catch several students. At +that instant Langridge, with a cunning evidently born of long experience, +circled around Tom on the opposite side to that on which the watchman +stood and darted down a small areaway that led to the basement. + +"Ha! trying to hide!" exclaimed the guardian of the door. "I'll find out +who you are!" + +In the darkness he went down into the areaway. A moment later Langridge +had roughly upset him there, and before the man could gain his feet, the +pitcher had sprinted up the steps and into the open door of the dormitory +and thence along the corridor to his room. The watchman had not had a +glimpse of his face. + +The man came panting up the steps. + +"Who--who was that with you, Mr. Parsons?" he demanded sternly as he +rubbed his bruised shins. + +Tom took a sudden resolve. There might be a chance for Langridge to +escape. + +"I'm not going to tell," he said firmly but respectfully. + +"Very well," he replied. "You must report to Mr. Zane in the morning. +I'll inform him of this outrage. He'll make you tell who was with you." + +"I don't believe he will," thought Tom as he went to his room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +ON THE GRILL + + +"Well, what's up?" asked Sid as Tom came in. "You're going the pace, +aren't you, old man?" and he looked anxiously at his chum, whose face +was flushed from the experience through which he had just gone. + +"I got in late," admitted Tom. + +"Get caught?" asked Sid, as if that was all that mattered. + +"Yep, but that's not the worst of it." + +"What? You don't mean to say you've been caught? Well, of all things. +You, one of the 'grinds,' falling a victim." + +"It wasn't altogether my fault." + +"How's that?" + +Tom considered for a moment. Would it be violating the ethical honor of +a college boy if he told his chum? Would it be contrary to the spirit of +Randall? Tom thought not, merely to let Sid know what had happened. For +it would go no further, and, as a matter of fact, several students had +seen Tom and Langridge leave town together. Besides, Tom wanted advice. +So he told his chum everything from the time of meeting with the sporty +students until the sensational retreat of Langridge to his room. + +"Now, what would you do?" asked Tom. "Keep still and take what's coming +or tell the proctor and use that as an excuse for coming in late? It +really wasn't my fault." + +Sid scratched his head. It was a new problem for him. He saw the point +Tom made, that by informing on a fellow student, Tom would be held +blameless, as indeed he had a right to be. Why should Tom suffer for +another's fault? That came plainly to Sid. Yet he only hesitated a +moment before answering. + +"Of course you can't squeal," he said simply. + +"That's what I thought," agreed Tom, as if that was all there was to it. +"I'll have to take what's coming, I s'pose." + +"Maybe proc. won't be hard on you. You've got a good record." + +"Fairly. Anyhow, I hope he doesn't cut me out from baseball. Well, I'm +going to bed. I wonder if they'll find out about Langridge? If the +watchman thought to make a tour of the rooms, he'd discover that he just +got in." + +"He'll not do that. Too many of 'em. Besides, trust Langridge for +knowing how to take care of himself. He's getting reckless, though." + +"Of course you won't say anything to any of the fellows about him +playing cards and smoking," went on Tom, but he did not mention the +drinking episode, though probably Sid guessed. + +"Of course not," came the prompt answer, "but it's not fair to the rest +of the team. However, I'm not going to make a holler. Hope you come out +of it all right. By-by." + +"Um," grunted Tom, for he was rubbing some of the liniment on his arm +and the pungent fumes made him keep his eyes and mouth shut. + +Sid tumbled into bed, leaving Tom to put out the light, and there was no +further talk. Tom undressed slowly. He was in no mood for sleep, for he +was much upset over the incident of the night, and he was not a little +anxious about the next day and his prospective visit to the proctor. For +the first time that he noticed it, the ticking of the alarm clock +annoyed him, the fussy, quick strokes making him say over and over again +the words of a silly little rhyme as one sometimes, riding in a railroad +train, fits to the click of the wheels over the rail joints some bit of +doggerel that will not be ousted. + +"I must be getting nervous," thought Tom. "Wonder if I'm over-training?" + +This idea gave him such an alarm that it served to change the current +of his thoughts, and before he knew it he had fallen asleep over a +half-formed resolution to undertake a different sort of gymnasium +exercise for a few days. + +Tom's first visit the next morning after chapel was, as the rules +required in such cases, to Proctor Zane. + +"Well?" inquired that functionary in no pleasant voice as Tom stood +before him, for there had been some skylarking in the college the +previous night and the proctor had been unable to catch the offenders. +"What is it now, Parsons?" + +He spoke as though Tom was an habitual offender when, as a matter of +fact, though the lad had taken his part in pranks, it was only the +second time he had been "on the grill," as the process was termed. + +"I got in after hours last night, sir," reported Tom quietly, though he +resented the man's manner. + +"Ha! So I was informed by the watchman." He looked at Tom +antagonistically. "Well," he snapped, "why don't you continue? There's +more, isn't there?" + +"Not that I know of," replied Tom calmly. "I had permission to go to +town, but I got in late, that's all." + +"Oh, is it? What about the student who was with you? Wasn't there some +one with you?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"And didn't he engage in a fight with the watchman, and, taking +advantage of a mean trick, sneak to his room? Didn't he, I ask you?" + +"I presume the watchman has correctly informed you of what happened." + +Tom's voice was coldly indifferent now, and the proctor recognized that +fact. + +"He did," he snapped. "And you know of it, too. I expected you to tell +me that." + +"Since when has it been a college rule," asked Tom, "to confess to the +doings of another student? I thought that all that was required of me +was to report my own infraction of the rules." + +Tom knew that he was right and that the proctor had no authority to ask +him concerning the doings of Langridge, and the proctor knew that he +himself was in the wrong, which knowledge, shared as it was by a student, +did not add to his good temper. + +"Then you refuse to say who was with you?" he snapped, his eyes fixed on +Tom's face. + +"I certainly refuse to inform on a fellow student, Mr. Zane," was Tom's +answer, "and I don't think you have any right to ask me to do so." + +If he had stopped with his first half of the reply all might have been +well, for certainly the proctor did not expect Tom or any other student +to be a tale-bearer, though he always asked them to speak in order to +make more easy his own task. But to be practically defied, and by a +freshman, was too much for the official, who had a certain dignity of +which he was proud. + +"Ha!" he exclaimed, "you are impertinent, Parsons." + +"I didn't so intend, sir." + +"Ha! I don't have to be informed of my rights by you. I know them. You +will write me out two hundred lines of Virgil by to-morrow afternoon and +you will stand suspended for two weeks, with absolutely no privileges +regarding athletics or going away from college!" + +It was a hard sentence under any circumstances. It was an unjust one in +Tom's case, and he knew it. Yet what could he do? + +"Very well, sir," he replied, trying to overcome a certain trembling +feeling in his throat, and he turned to go. + +"If," went on the proctor in a slightly more conciliatory voice, "you +think better of your resolution and let me know the name of the student +who so outrageously assaulted the watchman, I may find it possible to +mitigate your punishment. Mind, I am not asking you to inform me in an +ordinary case of breaking the rules, but for an extraordinary infraction. +The watchman has a badly injured leg. So, if you wish to inform me later, +I will be glad to hear from you." + +"I shall not change my mind," said Tom simply. + +"Nor I mine," added the proctor, jerking out the words quickly. + +Tom turned on his heel and left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +DARK DAYS + + +Sid was waiting for Tom outside the proctor's office. + +"Well?" he asked eagerly as his chum appeared, but it needed only a look +at the downcast face to tell that it was not "well" but "ill." + +"Rusticated!" exclaimed Tom. + +"For how long?" + +"Two weeks." + +"On your own account, or----" + +"Mainly because I wouldn't tell, I guess. Being out late just once isn't +so monstrous." + +"Of course not. Still you couldn't tell." + +"Certainly not. It's tough, though. Suspended twice in the first term! I +wonder what dad and the girls'll say." + +"Don't tell 'em." + +"Oh, I'll have to, but I guess they'll understand." + +"It certainly is rocky," admitted Sid, "but, do you know, I envy you a +bit. It's getting mighty hard in class now. I have to bone away like a +Trojan. Pitchfork has it in for me on Latin. I wish I had a vacation." + +"Without baseball?" asked Tom. + +"N-o--no, of course not without being on the team. But two weeks are +soon over." + +"Not soon enough," and Tom darted away. + +"Where you going?" + +"Back and study. I can't afford to fall behind in my work." + +"My, but aren't you the grinder, though!" exclaimed Sid, but there was +something of envy in his tone for all that. He went into recitation, +while Tom continued on to their common room. He was walking along the +path that led past Booker Memorial Chapel and paused for a moment to +admire the effect of the early sun shining through a stained glass +window. The combination of colors was perfect, and Tom, as he stood and +looked at a depiction of a biblical scene which represented the Good +Samaritan ministering to the stranger, felt somehow that it was a role +that he himself had had a part in. + +Then came a revulsion of feeling. + +"Oh, pshaw! You're getting sentimental in your old age!" he exclaimed +half aloud. "You've got to have your share of hard knocks in this world, +and you've got to take what comes. But it's queer," he went on in his +self-communing, "how Langridge seems to be getting mixed up with me. +This is twice I've had to suffer on his account. I'd like--yes, hang it +all, what's the use of pretending to yourself--I'd like to take it out +of him--in some way. It's not fair--that's what!" + +The thought of Langridge brought another sort of musing to Tom. He saw a +certain fair face, with pouting lips and bright, dancing eyes, a face +framed in a fluffy mass of hair, and he fancied he could hear a little +laugh, a mocking little laugh. + +"Worse and worse," growled Tom to himself. "You're getting dopy. Better +go take a long walk." + +He kicked impatiently at a stone in the path and wheeled around just as +a voice exclaimed: + +"Ah, Parsons, admiring the windows? The color effects are never so +beautiful as early morning and the evening. The garish light of day +seems to make them common. But--er--are you going to recitation? If so, +I'll walk along with you," and genial Dr. Churchill, with a friendly nod +of his head and a twinkle in his deep-set eyes, came closer to the lad. + +Tom wondered if the good doctor knew of the punishment that had just +been meted out. If he did not he soon would have the report of the +proctor for confirmation. + +"I've been suspended," blurted out Tom. "I was going to my room to +study." + +"Suspended, Parsons! This is the second time, isn't it?" There was +surprise and dismay in the doctor's voice. + +"Yes, sir, but----" Tom paused. How much should he tell, how much leave +unsaid? + +"How did it happen?" asked the head of the college, and he placed his +arm on Tom's shoulder in a friendly fashion. Tom said afterward that it +was just as if he had been hypnotized. Before he knew it he was telling +the whole story. + +"But I never mentioned the name of Langridge," he protested to Sid, to +whom later he related all the events. "I never even hinted at it, but +for all that I believe Moses knew. He's a regular corkscrew." + +Dr. Churchill was silent after the recital, a recital rather brokenly +made, but containing all the essential facts. + +"Suspended for two weeks!" he murmured when Tom had finished. + +"With no athletics," added Tom. "Not even to see the games that are to +be played here, and there are to be two." + +"Hum," mused the doctor. "Well, you know we must have discipline here, +Parsons. Without it we would soon have chaos. But--ah--er--hum! Well, +come and see me this evening. I will have a talk with Mr. Zane. He has +to be strict, you know, very strict under certain circumstances, +but--er--um--come and see me to-night." + +"What do you s'pose he wants?" asked Sid when Tom had told him of the +meeting. + +"Blessed if I know, unless it's to give me a lecture on my conduct." + +"No, Moses isn't that kind." + +"He's going to restore to you all the rights and privileges of a +student," declared Phil Clinton, who, together with some others of Tom's +chums, was in his room. + +"My uncle says----" began Ford Fenton, but instantly there was a +protesting howl. + +"Give me that water pitcher!" demanded Sid of Phil. + +"This isn't fit to drink," was the remonstrance. + +"I know it, but Fenton needs a bath, don't you, Ford? Your uncle! Say, +the next time you say that we'll make you repeat the first book of Caesar +backward, eh, fellows?" + +"That's right," came in a chorus. + +"Well," went on Fenton in somewhat aggrieved tones, "he once told +me----" + +"Write it out," expostulated Phil. + +"Move he be given leave to print," came from Sid, who had once heard a +long debate in Congress. + +There was laughter and more chaffing of luckless Fenton, whose uncle, +from his own making, was like unto a millstone hung about his neck. + +"Well, all the same, I'd like to know what Moses wants of you," said +Phil, and the others agreed with him. + +"I'll let you know when I come back," said Tom. "It's early; you can all +stay here for a while." + +He returned in half an hour from his call on the head of the college. + +"Well?" demanded his chums of him. + +"Great!" he cried. "He received me in his study. Say, were you ever +there? It's a fine place. Books, books, books all over. The floor was +piled full of them. There was a fire going on the grate and he was +sitting there, reading some book with the queerest letters in it." + +"Sanskrit," ventured Phil. + +"I guess so. Well, he brought up a chair for me, and----" + +"Oh, for the love of Dionysius! give us some facts," cried Sid. "What +happened?" + +"Well, he said he'd had a talk with the proctor and he removed the worst +part of my suspension. I can go to the two games here with Boxer Hall +and Fairview, but I can't play. I couldn't, anyhow, on account of my +arm, so that's all right. And I can attend the special lectures in +biology, which I hated to miss. I can't recite for two weeks, but I +don't mind that. It's all right. I'll vote for Moses every time!" + +"I should say yes," agreed Phil. "He's white, he is. But Zane--ugh! +He's----" + +"Treason," counseled Sid quietly. "The walls may not have ears, but the +keyhole has. Better cut it, fellows, the time is almost up, and Zane's +scouts will be sneaking around." + +The other lads departed, leaving Tom and Sid alone. + +"What about your pitching?" asked Sid. + +"Well, I'll have to give my arm a rest, Mr. Lighton says, so this comes +in the nature of a special providence. It isn't so bad as it looked at +first." + +But, in spite of his philosophy, there were dark days for Tom. It was +hard to be deprived of the chance to play on the scrub and he missed the +daily recitations. His arm, too, began to trouble him, and he was +obliged to go to a doctor for treatment, though the medical man said all +it needed was a little massage and rest. Tom, in his eagerness to excel, +had overworked the muscles. + +Meanwhile the 'varsity nine was kept busy at practice or with league and +other games. Word came that both the Boxer and Fairview nines had +greatly improved, chiefly by shifting their players about, and the +Randall coach and captain wore serious looks as they "sized up" the work +of the Randall team. + +There came a contest with Fairview Institute on the Randall diamond. It +was a "hot" game and Fairview won. + +There was anguish of heart among the Randall students and it was not +assuaged when, the next week, Boxer, playing on the Randall grounds, +took away a game with them, the score being 8 to 2. + +"Two drubbings in two successive weeks," exclaimed Kindlings. "What are +we going to do?" + +"One thing we've got to do is to improve in pitching," declared the +coach, and when some one brought word of this to Tom his heart, that had +been heavy during the two weeks of suspension, grew lighter. + +"Maybe I'll get a chance," he said to Sid. "It would make up for +everything if I did." + +"No one wants to see you in the box any more than I do, old chap," spoke +Sid fervently. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +AT THE DANCE + + +It was the night of the junior dance, an annual affair second only in +importance to commencement and a function attended, as Holly Cross used +to say, "by all the beauty and chivalry of Haddonfield and all points +north, south, east and west." On this occasion all strictly partisan +college feelings were laid aside. Forgotten were the grudges engendered +by hazings or the rivalries of the field. It was an evening devoted to +pleasure, and, on the part of the juniors at least, to seeing that their +girl friends and acquaintances danced to their hearts' content. + +"Tom," cried Sid as they were dressing in their room, "does this dress +suit seem to fit?" + +"Well, it might be a little larger across the shoulders," was Tom's +answer as he turned around from an attempt to get his tie just right and +surveyed his chum. + +"That's what I thought. I'm outgrowing it. I'm afraid it will split when +I'm dancing, and I'll be a pretty sight, won't I? I'll disgrace the +girl. Hang it all, I hate a dress suit. I always remind myself of some +new specimen of a bug, and I think some entomological professor will +come along, run a pin through me and impale me on a cork. In fact I'd +just as soon he would as to go through this agony again." + +"Nonsense. You'll enjoy it," ventured Tom. + +"Maybe--after it's all over." + +But he managed somehow to wiggle himself into the garments and then, +having asked a girl to the affair, he set off after her in a coach he +had hired. Tom had not invited any one, but he heard that Miss Tyler was +to be there and from the same source of information he knew that +Langridge was to escort her. + +"In which case," reflected Tom, "I shall probably not have a chance to +dance with her." + +The gymnasium had been turned into a ballroom. Around the gallery, which +contained the indoor running track, flags and bunting had been festooned, +the colors of Randall being prominent. From the center electric +chandelier long streamers of ribbon of the mingled hues of each class +were draped to the boxes that had been constructed on two sides of the +room. There was a profusion of flowers and with the soft glow of the +shaded lights the big apartment that was wont to resound to the blows of +the punching bag, the bound of the medicine ball or the patter of +running feet was most magically transformed. + +Over in one corner, screened by a bank of palms, was the orchestra, the +musicians of which were tuning their instruments in thrilling chords +which always tell of joys to come. + +The guests were arriving. Bewildering bevies of pretty girls floated in +with their escorts, who showed the tan and bronze of the sporting field +or the whiter hue of a "dig" who spent most of his time over his books. +Then came the chaperons, grave, dignified, in rustling silks, a strange +contrast to the light, fluffy garments worn by the younger set. + +Tom felt rather lonesome as he strolled out on the waxed floor, for most +of his chums had girls to whom they were attentive, and of course they +could not be expected to look after him. + +"Hello, Parsons!" called a voice, and he turned to see one of the Jersey +twins. Which one it was he could not determine, for if Jerry and Joe +Jackson looked alike when in their ball suits or ordinary clothes, there +was even less of difference when they wore formal black, with the +expanse of shirt showing. + +"Hello!" responded Tom. + +"I'm Jerry," went on the twin. "I thought I'd tell you. My brother and I +are going to play a joke to-night." + +"What is it?" + +"Joe's going to get talking to a girl and then he's going to excuse +himself for a moment. I'll take his place and I'll pretend I don't +know what she's talking about when the girl tries to continue the +conversation. I'll make believe I've come back to the wrong girl. Great, +isn't it?" + +"Yes, except maybe for the girl." + +"Oh, we'll beg her pardon afterward. Got to have some fun. I'm on the +arrangement committee and I'm nearly crazy seeing that every one has a +good time. Got your name down on all the cards you want?" + +"I haven't it on any yet." + +"No? That's a shame! Come on and I'll fix you up," and the good-natured +Jerry dragged Tom about, introducing him to an entrancing quartet of +pretty girls and then Tom knew enough to do the rest, which included +scribbling his name down for a whole or a half dance as the case might +be. + +He had just finished this very satisfactory work when he heard his name +called and turned to see Miss Tyler smiling at him. + +"I'm awfully glad to see you," he exclaimed, starting impulsively toward +her with outstretched hand. "May I have a dance?" + +"Only one?" she asked with a laugh. + +"All of them, if you can spare them," he said boldly. + +"Greedy boy! I'm afraid you're too late. You may look," and she held out +her card. + +Tom, with regret, saw that it contained the initials "F. L." in many +places. There was only one two-step vacant. + +"Some one else has been greedy, too," he said as he filled in the space. + +"Let me see," she demanded, and she made a little pout. "How dare he +think I'm going to give all those to him!" she exclaimed. "Here, Tom, +let me have your pencil. I never can write with the ridiculous affairs +they attach to dance programs." + +She used the lead vigorously on the card and then let Tom see it again. +His name was in three places, and, to his surprise, on the last waltz he +saw that the girl had written his initials under those of Langridge. + +"What does that mean?" he asked. + +"It means that I'm going to share the last dance with you," she almost +whispered, "in memory of old times," and she nodded. "Don't forget now," +and she shook her finger at him. + +"As if I would!" exclaimed Tom. + +The music began a march as the opening of the dance and the couples took +their places, Langridge coming up almost on the run to claim Miss Tyler. +He looked sharply at Tom. + +"How are you, dominie?" he asked with a nod, intended to be friendly, +and then he led the girl away. + +Tom had no partner for the march and he stood about disconsolately until +the first dance. Then he went to claim his partner, whom Jerry Jackson +had secured for him, a pretty little girl in a yellow dress who was a +fine dancer. + +"I wish you had another open date--I--er--I mean that you could give me +another dance," he corrected himself quickly from the language of the +ball field. + +"I can," she said simply, and she gave him a quick glance, for Tom was a +fine dancer. + +He scribbled his name down and then had to relinquish her to another +partner. Two dances after that, however, Tom was privileged to claim +Miss Tyler. As he was leading her into the waltz Langridge came hurrying +up. + +"I thought this was my dance, Madge--Miss Tyler," he stammered. + +"I wanted to vary the monotony," she said with a little laugh that had +no malice in it. + +"How is your arm, dominie?" she asked of Tom, looking up into his face +and smiling as she gave him the nickname conferred on him by Langridge. + +"Oh, much better," he answered. "How did you hear?" + +"Oh, the proverbial bird, I suppose. You had to stay away from class +two weeks on account of it, didn't you?" + +"No," exclaimed Tom quickly, "not on _that_ account." + +"Oh!" she cried, struck by the change in Tom's voice. "I--I heard so." + +"Did Langridge tell you that?" + +"Yes," was her answer. + +"Well, it was partly on that account," and Tom turned the conversation +away from what he considered a dangerous subject. + +If Langridge cherished any ill will toward Tom for taking away Miss +Tyler the 'varsity pitcher did not show it. But Tom noticed that he was +not far from the girl's side the remainder of the evening. + +"I wonder if she doesn't believe what I told her about him," thought +Tom. "Well, I'm not going to say anything more. Let her find out for +herself. Only--well, what's the use?" and he went to claim another dance +elsewhere. + +It was the last waltz. Around the brilliant, gaily decorated room swung +the dancers to the strains of the enthralling music. Langridge skilfully +led Miss Tyler in and out among the maze of couples. The music turned +into another melody. + +"I think this is about half," she said. + +"About half? What do you mean?" + +"Well, you were so greedy," she explained, laughter in her eyes, "that I +had to punish you. I gave half this last dance to--to the dominie," and +her lips parted in a smile. + +"Well, I like that!" spluttered Langridge, but just then Tom, who had +been summoned from the "side lines" by a signal from Miss Tyler, came to +claim her. + +"I like your nerve, Parsons!" snapped Langridge, glad to be able to +transfer his wrath to a foeman more worthy of it. + +"It was my doing, Mr. Langridge," said the girl with some dignity. + +"You had no right----" began the 'varsity pitcher. + +"I fancy Miss Tyler is the best judge of that," spoke Tom coolly as he +took the girl's hand. + +"Is she?" sneered Langridge. "Maybe she knows who brought her to this +affair then! If she does, she can find some one else to take her away," +and he swung off. + +For an instant Miss Tyler stood looking at him. The dancers whirled +around the couple standing there and the music sounded sweetly. There +was the suspicion of tears in her eyes. + +"He had no right to say that!" she burst out. + +"Indeed, no," agreed Tom. "But, since he has, may I have the honor of +being your escort?" + +"Yes," she said, and then, with a revulsion of feeling, she added, "Oh, +Tom, I don't feel like dancing now. Take me home, please!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +DRESS SUITS COME HIGH + + +So after all, Tom did not get the last half of the last waltz with Miss +Tyler. He did not much care, however, for, as matters turned out, he had +a longer time in her company. The girl soon recovered her usual spirits +and the walk to where she was stopping with relatives in Haddonfield +seemed all too short to Tom. + +"Will you be at the game Saturday?" he asked as they were about to part. + +"What game?" + +"Over at Fairview. Our team is going to try and run up a big score +against them." + +"I hadn't thought of going." + +"Then won't you please think now?" pleaded Tom, with an odd air of +patheticness, at which Miss Tyler laughed gaily. + +"Well, perhaps I shan't find that so _very_ difficult," she replied. + +"And if you think real hard, can you get a mental picture of your humble +servant taking you to that game?" Tom was very much in earnest, though +his air was bantering. + +"Well," she answered tantalizingly, "I do seem to see a sort of hazy +painting to that effect." + +"Good! It will grow more distinct with time. I'll call for you, then. A +number of the boys are going to charter a little steamer and sail down +the river, and into the lake. We'll land at a point about four miles +from Fairview, and go over in some automobiles." + +"That will be jolly!" + +"I'm glad you think so. Is the picture any clearer?" + +"Oh, yes, much so. I think the autos have cleared away the mist. Aren't +we silly, though?" she asked. + +"Not a bit of it," declared Tom stoutly. "I'll be on hand here for you, +then, shortly after lunch on Saturday." + +"Is the nine going that way?" + +Tom felt a sudden suspicion. Was she asking because she wanted to know +whether Langridge would be in the party of merrymakers? + +"No, I think they're going in a big stage." + +"I thought maybe you might want to be with the nine," she went on, and +Tom saw that he had misunderstood. "You might get a chance to pitch," +and she looked at him. + +"No such luck," replied Tom, trying to speak cheerfully, but finding it +hard work. "Well, I'll say good-night, or, rather, good-morning. When I +write home I must tell my folks about meeting you here." + +"Yes, do. I've already written to mine, telling what a fine time I'm +having." + +Tom was rather thoughtful on his way home. He stumbled into his dark +room, nearly falling over something. + +"What's the matter?" asked Sid, who was in bed. + +"That's what I want to know," replied Tom, striking a match. "Why don't +you keep your patent leathers out of the middle of the floor?" he +demanded. + +"I did, Tommy, me lad, as Bricktop Molloy would say, but I had to throw +them out there later." + +"How's that?" + +"Mice. Two of the cute little chaps sitting in the middle of the floor, +eating some nuts that dropped out of my pocket. I stretched out on the +bed without undressing when I came in from the dance, and must have +fallen asleep, with the light burning. When I woke up I saw the mice +staring at me, and I heaved my shoes at the beggars, for I'd taken 'em +off--my shoes, I mean--when I came in, as my feet hurt from dancing so +much. Then I doused the glim and turned in, for I knew you wouldn't be +along until daylight." + +"Why not?" + +"Oh, I saw you going off with her. I admire your taste, old man, but it +must be hard on Langridge." + +"It's his own fault." + +"So I understand. I heard about it." + +"Um," murmured Tom, for he did not want to talk about Miss Tyler and her +affairs--at least not yet. There are some things that one likes to +ponder over, and think about--all alone. + +The game with Fairview was looked forward to with more than ordinary +interest, for the season was about half over, and a partial estimate +could be made of the chances for the championship. Up to this time the +three teams in the league had been running nearly even, with Randall, if +anything, a trifle in the lead, not so much regarding the number of +games won, but counting form. In the last two weeks, however, Fairview +and Boxer had been doing some hard work, and in games between those +colleges Fairview had some the best of it. If, on the occasion that was +approaching, Randall won, it would put her nine in the lead, and if, on +the contrary, she lost it would mean that she would be the "tail-ender," +though only a few points behind Boxer, which would be second. + +"We've just got to win!" declared Sid, one afternoon, following a +severe game with the scrub, who had played the 'varsity to a tie in +eleven innings. + +"That's right," admitted the coach. "But I think we will. We have +improved all around lately." + +This was true, more especially in the case of Langridge. Since the +affair of the junior dance he had not spoken to Tom, and had taken pains +to avoid him. But the 'varsity pitcher was certainly doing better work. + +The day before the game with Fairview, Coach Lighton called Tom to one +side. + +"I think you had better prepare to go as a sub to-morrow," he said. + +"Why, is Langridge----" burst out Tom, a wild hope filling his heart. + +"No, it isn't our pitcher. But I understand Sid is falling back in his +Latin, and he may not be allowed to play. In that case I'll have to do +some shifting, and I _may_ be able to give you a place in the field." + +"Well, I don't want to see Sid left, but I would like a chance." + +Tom was in rather a quandary. He had arranged to take Miss Tyler, and he +could not, if he went with the team as a sub. He hardly knew what to do +about it, and was on the point of going over to see her, and explain, +when Sid came bursting into the room. + +"Blood! blood! I want blood!" he cried as he threw his Latin grammar +against the wall with such force that the covers came off. + +"What ho! most worthy knight!" replied Tom gently. "In sooth, gentle +sir, what hath befallen thee?" + +"Heaps!" replied Sid. "Oh, Pitchfork, would I had thee here!" and he +wadded up the table cover, and pretended to choke it. + +"What now?" asked Tom. + +"Oh, he put me through a course of sprouts for further orders this +afternoon," explained Sid. "Thought he'd catch me, but I managed to +wiggle through. Nearly gave me heart disease, though, for fear I'd have +to be out of the game to-morrow. But I managed to save myself, much to +the surprise of Pitchfork. Now I want my revenge on him." + +"What can you do?" + +"I don't know--nothing, I guess. I wish--hold on!" Sid struck a +thoughtful attitude, looked fixedly at the floor, then at the ceiling, +and finally cried: "Eureka!" + +"Has some one been playing hob with your crown?" asked Tom, referring to +the exclamation said to have been made by the ancient king, when he +discovered, in his bath, a means of finding out if his jeweler had +cheated him. + +"No, but I've found a way to get even with Pitchfork." + +"How?" + +"Listen, and I will a tale unfold--a spike-tail at that. When I was +coming in from recitation, disgusted with life in general, and with the +Roman view of it, particularly, I met Wallops the messenger. He had a +bundle under his arm, and you know what a talker he is. Confided to me +that he was taking Pitchfork's best suit to the tailor's to be pressed, +and his dress-suit to have new buttons put on, and some other fixings +done. Pitchfork is going to a swell reception to-night, and will wear +his glad rags. All he has now is his classroom suit, and you know what +that is--all chalk and chemical stains when he goes into the laboratory +once in a while on the relief shift." + +"I don't seem to follow you." + +"You will soon. See, as it stands now Pitchfork is without a decent suit +he can wear, and he's such a peculiar build that no other professor's +garments will fit him." + +"Well?" + +"Well, when he wants his dress-suit to go to the blow-out to-night, he's +going to learn something new." + +"What's that?" + +"Just this. That dress-suits come high this time of the year! It's +going to be the best joke yet. Now, ladies and gentlemen, with your +kind permission and attention I will endeavor to give you a correct +imitation of Professor Pitchfork hunting high and low for his glad +rags--particularly high. I will roll back my cuffs, to show you that I +have nothing concealed up my sleeves. Now, commodore, a little slow +music, please," and Sid, who had assumed the role of a vaudeville +performer, pretended to nod to an imaginary leader of an orchestra. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +TOM IN A GAME + + +"Want any help?" asked Tom, when Sid had outlined his scheme of +"revenge." + +"No, I guess not, until I get ready to pull the strings. Then you can +give me a hand. We'll have to do it after dark, and be mighty careful +not to be caught, though." + +"But how are you going to get the suit?" + +"I have a plan. Watch your Uncle Dudley." + +Sid spent the rest of the afternoon in making up a bundle to look like +one that contained two suits just from the tailor shop. Only, in place +of clothes he used old newspapers. It was toward dusk when he went out +with it under his arm. + +"It's about time Wallops was coming back," he said to Tom. "I'll meet +him in the clump of elms, where it's good and dark, and he can't tell +who I am." + +"Be careful," warned his roommate. + +"Sure. But I know what I'm about. Revenge is sweet! Wow! Wait until you +see the face of Pitchfork!" + +Sid stole carefully along to a spot near the edge of the river, where a +clump of big elm trees grew. This was near the bridge on the road to +Haddonfield. The spot was lonely and deserted enough at this hour to +suit his purpose, and the dusk of the evening, being added to by clouds, +and by the shadows of the trees, made concealment easy. + +"I guess that's Wallops," murmured Sid as he peered out from behind a +tree. "That walks like Wallops, and he's got a bundle under his arm. Now +for a grand transformation scene." + +Awaiting the psychological moment, Sid hurried out, and bumped into the +college messenger. Wallops' bundle was knocked from under his arm, and, +by a strange coincidence, so was Sid's. + +"I beg your pardon!" exclaimed the student in an assumed voice. "Awfully +careless of me, I'm sure. I beg a thousand pardons! I was in a hurry, +and I didn't notice you. Is this the road to Haddonfield?" + +"That's all right," replied Wallops good naturedly as his pardon was +begged again. "Yes, keep straight on, and you'll come to the trolley +that runs to Haddonfield." + +"Let me restore your bundle to you," went on Sid, picking up both +parcels. + +He handed one to the messenger, and kept one himself. + +"'Twas yours, 'tis mine; 'twas his, 'tis ours," he paraphrased. "Again +let me express my sincere sorrow at this happening. I trust there was +nothing in your package that could be damaged when I knocked it from +your grasp." + +"No, nothing but some clothes of one of the college professors. It's all +right." + +"And I'm sure my package isn't damaged," said Sid, in a queer voice, as +he hurried away. + +A little later he was telling Tom, with much mirth, how it all came +about. The two, in the seclusion of their room, opened the bundle, and +saw two suits, one full dress. + +"Won't he howl when he finds nothing but a lot of newspapers!" exclaimed +Sid. "Now for the rest of the trick." + +"Maybe he'll borrow a dress suit from some student," said Tom. + +"Not much he won't," replied Sid. "I thought of that, and I forwarded a +message by wireless to all the dormitories that if Pitchfork sent around +to borrow some glad rags, he was to be refused on some pretext or +other." + +Sid's precaution was well taken. A little later it was evident that +something unusual had occurred. Wallops and several other college +messengers were seen hurrying first to the rooms of one professor, then +to the apartments of another. Each time the scouts came back empty-handed +to that part of the faculty residence where Professor Tines dwelt. + +"I knew they had no spike-tails that would fit him," exulted Sid. +"Besides, most of them are going to the reception themselves." + +There was consternation in the apartments of Professor Tines. Wallops +had delivered to him the bundle of papers, and when the astonished +instructor had threatened and questioned him, the unfortunate messenger +could only say it was the package he had received from the tailor. That +worthy, on being appealed to by telephone, declared that he had sent +home the professor's garments. Wallops had no idea that the stranger he +met in the wood had played a transformation trick on him, and Professor +Tines, in his anxiety to get dressed, and go to the reception, did not +dream that it was a student prank. Rather he blamed the tailor, and made +up his mind to sue the man for heavy damages. + +Then, just as Sid had expected, the instructor endeavored to borrow a +dress-suit from one of the students. But they had been warned, and were +either going to wear their suits themselves, or had just sent them to +the tailor. + +"What shall I do?" wailed Professor Tines. "I can't go in this suit," +and he looked at his acid-and-chalk-marked classroom garments. "Yet I +was to read a paper on early Roman life at this reception. It is too +provoking. I can't understand why none of the students have a suit +available." + +"You could have one of mine, only----" began Dr. Churchill as he looked +first at the figure of the professor, and then at himself. "I'm afraid +it wouldn't fit," he added. + +"No--no, of course not!" exclaimed Mr. Tines distractedly. "I will +telephone that rascally tailor again. Never, never shall he press +another suit of mine!" + +But the knight of the goose and needle insisted that the professor's +clothes had been sent home, and that was all there was to it. Mr. Tines +could not go to the reception, and, as it was an important affair, where +nearly all of the faculty was expected to be present, he was grievously +disappointed. + +When all was quiet that night a party of students, including Sid and +Tom, stole out to the campus. They worked quickly and silently. + +"There!" exclaimed Sid, when all was finished. "I rather guess that will +astonish him!" + +In the morning the attention of most of the college students, and +several of the faculty, was attracted to a throng of passersby staring +up at the flagstaff. They would halt, point upward, make some remarks, +and then, laughing, pass on. Some one called the attention of Dr. +Churchill to it. + +"Why, bless my soul!" he exclaimed as he prepared to go out. "I hope +none of the students have put the flag at half mast or upside down." + +He put on his far-seeing spectacles, and walked out on the campus. +There, at the top of the pole, was a figure which looked like a man, +with outstretched arms. + +"What student has dared climb up there?" exclaimed the head of the +college. "Send for Mr. Zane at once," he added to Professor Newton, who +had accompanied him. "He must be severely punished--the venturesome +student, I mean." + +"I hardly think that is a student," replied Mr. Newton. + +"Do you mean to say it is some outsider?" + +"I think it is no one at all, Dr. Churchill. I believe it is an effigy. +See how stiff the arms and legs are." + +"I believe you are right," admitted the venerable doctor. + +His belief was confirmed a moment later, for a farmer, who was driving +along the river road, left his team, and came up the campus, a broad +smile covering his face. + +"Good-morning, Dr. Churchill," he said. "Is this a new course in +eddercation you're givin' the boys?" + +"Ah, good-morning, Mr. Oakes. What do you mean?" + +"Why, I see you've got a scarecrow up on that liberty pole. I thought +maybe you was addin' a course in agriculture to your studies. Only if I +was you I wouldn't put a scarecrow up so high. There ain't no need of +it. One low down will do jest as well. And another thing, I allers uses +old clothes. There ain't no sense in puttin' a swallertail coat an' a +low-cut vest on a scarecrow. Them birds will be jest as skeert of an old +coat and a pair of pants stuffed with straw as they will of a dress-suit. +That's carryin' things a leetle too fur!" and the farmer laughed +heartily. + +"Dress-suit! Scarecrow!" exclaimed Dr. Churchill, and then he got a +glimpse of the figure on top of the pole. It was arrayed in a full-dress +suit, and Professor Tines, coming out a moment later, beheld his missing +garments. + +"This is an outrage!" he declared. "I demand the instant dismissal of +the student or students responsible for this, Dr. Churchill!" + +Dr. Churchill tried hard not to smile, but he had to turn his face away. + +[Illustration: DR. CHURCHILL HAD TO TURN HIS FACE AWAY] + +"I am greatly obliged to you, Mr. Oakes, for your information," said +the head of the college to the farmer, who was still laughing. "Our +improvised scarecrow shall be taken down at once." + +"Scarecrow!" exclaimed Professor Tines. "I think----" But wrath choked +his utterance. "I demand that my suit be taken down at once!" he went +on, after a pause, "and that the guilty ones be punished!" + +"They shall be, I assure you," promised Dr. Churchill, "when I learn +who they are. If you hear, professor, let me know." + +"I shall. But I want my suit. Perhaps it is ruined." + +But a new difficulty now arose, for Sid and his fellow conspirators +had fastened the halyards high up on the pole, and it was not until +Professor Tines had sent Wallops for a ladder that the ropes could be +untied and the suit lowered. During this process a group of students +gathered at a respectful distance from the flagstaff and looked on +interestedly. + +But, though a strict inquiry was made, no one was ever punished for the +"scarecrow joke" as it came to be called, and it is now one of the +traditions of Randall College. + +Owing to the fact that Sid had "made good" in Latin he was not barred +from the game that day, and there was no chance for Tom to act as +substitute. He went with Miss Tyler, and the trip on the river, lake, +and in the auto was a delightful one. + +There was a big crowd on the bleachers and grandstand when the nines +began to play, and rivalry in singing college songs, giving college +yells and waving college colors ran high. + +Randall got two runs in the first inning, and for three more Fairview +secured only zeros. Langridge was pitching fine ball. Then Lem Sellig, +who was doing the "twirling" for Fairview, seemed to warm up to his +work, and struck out a surprising number of men. In the seventh inning +Fairview secured five runs, and in the eighth they reeled off five more, +for Langridge grew reckless, and not only gave men their bases on balls +in rapid succession, but struck two men, which gave them free passes to +first. + +"He's going to pieces!" exclaimed Coach Lighton as he saw the score +piling up against his men. "It's got to stop, or we'll be the laughing +stock of the league." + +Yet he did not like to take Langridge out. Captain Woodhouse was angry +clear through, and as for Kerr, he openly insulted the pitcher. + +"What's the matter?" the catcher cried after a particularly bad series +of balls and a fumble on the part of Langridge that let in a run. +"You're rotten to-day!" + +Langridge flushed, but his face had been rosy-hued before that, and +twice he had gone to the dressing rooms, whence he came odorous of +cloves. + +Then the "rooters" seeing their game took up cries of derision against +the pitcher, in an endeavor to "get his goat." + +Langridge bit his lips and threw in a fierce ball. There were two out, +but it looked as if it would go on that way indefinitely. Frank Sullivan, +a good batter, hit it fairly, but Joe Jackson, out in left field, made a +desperate run for it, and got the ball. It was a sensational catch, and +was roundly applauded. + +When Randall came to the bat for the last time the score was 12 to 2 in +favor of their opponents. + +"We can't win," said Kindlings hopelessly. + +"No, but for the love of Mike, don't let them roll up any bigger score +against us, or they'll put us out of the league," begged Bricktop +Molloy. "Speak to Langridge, and tell him to hold hard." + +"What's the use speaking to him?" asked Kerr gloomily. "He'll go off his +handle if I do. He told me never to speak to him again, just because I +called him down a bit. Land knows he needed it!" + +"We've got to make a change," decided the coach. "I'll not let Langridge +pitch next inning. If he does I'll resign, and I'll tell him so." + +He walked over to the pitcher, and soon the two were in earnest +conversation. + +Randall could not make another run, for Sellig was doing his best and +they did not get a hit off him. + +"Our only chance is to strike them out," murmured Kerr as he arose from +the bench to take his place. "Who's going to pitch, Mr. Lighton?" + +"Tom Parsons." + +"Tom Parsons? What's the matter with our regular substitute, Evert?" + +"His arm is no good and he's out of practice. I'm going to put Tom in." + +And much to his astonishment Tom was summoned from the grandstand, where +he was talking to Miss Tyler about the slump. + +"Me pitch? Are you sure Mr. Lighton sent you for me?" he asked Jerry +Jackson, who had brought the message. + +"Sure. Come on and get into part of a uniform." + +"Yes, do go," urged Miss Tyler. "I--I hope you beat them." + +"It's too late for that now," replied Tom sadly as he walked down from +the stand. + +A little later he was in the box, facing Roger Barns, one of the best +hitters on the Fairview team. Tom was nervous, there is no denying that, +but he held himself well in control. It was the goal of his ambition--to +pitch on the 'varsity, and he was now realizing it. True, it was almost +an empty honor, but he resolved to do his best, and this thought steeled +his nerves, even though the crowd hooted at him. + +And he struck out the first three men up, at which his college chums +went wild, for it was all they had to rejoice over in the game. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE FRESHMAN DINNER + + +They wanted Tom to ride back to the college with the team and the +substitutes, but he would not leave Miss Tyler, and, though he was torn +between two desires, he went back to the girl. + +Moreover, he had an idea that it would not be altogether pleasant riding +in the same stage with Langridge, who, he had heard whispered, made +strenuous objection when Coach Lighton ordered him to give place to Tom. + +"He'll be down on me more than ever," thought Tom as he made his way +back to the grandstand, which was rapidly emptying. "Well, I can't help +it." + +"Your arm must be much better," remarked Miss Tyler as Tom came up to +her. "You pitched finely." + +"Well, I've had plenty of practice," was his answer. "I fancy Langridge +was tired out," he added generously. "It's no fun to pitch a losing +game." + +"But you did." + +"Oh, well, it was my first chance on the 'varsity, and I would have +welcomed it if the score had been a hundred to nothing." + +"Will you pitch regularly now?" + +"I don't know. I hope----" + +But Tom stopped. He had almost forgotten that Miss Tyler was very +friendly to Langridge, in spite of the little scene at the dance. + +For two days after the disastrous game with Fairview Langridge sulked in +his room and would not report for practice. He talked somewhat wildly +about Tom, the latter heard, and practically accused him of being +responsible for his disgrace. He even said Tom was intriguing against +him to win away his friends; meaning Kerr especially, for the 'varsity +catcher announced that he was done with Langridge as far as sociability +was concerned. But Kerr, hearing this, came to Tom's defense, and stated +openly that it was Langridge himself who was to blame. + +Mr. Lighton would stand for no nonsense, and ordered Evert into the +pitcher's box, promising that Tom should have the next chance. He would +have made Tom the regular substitute but for the fact that Evert, by +right of seniority, was entitled to it. Hearing this news, Langridge +came out of his sulks and resumed practice. + +"I have a large framed picture of Randall winning the league pennant," +announced Sid gloomily one night as he and Tom were sitting in their +room. "Our stock is about fifty below par now, and with only a few more +games to play, we've practically got to win them all in order to top the +league." + +"Maybe we'll do it," said Tom, in an endeavor to be cheerful. + +"We might, if you pitched, but Langridge is that mean that he'll keep in +just good enough form so Mr. Lighton won't send him to the bench, and +that's all. He won't do his best--no, I'll not say that. He is doing his +best, but--well, something's wrong, and I guess I'm not the only one who +knows it." + +"No," said Tom quietly. "I do and have for some time. It's been a puzzle +to know what to do; keep still and let the 'varsity be beaten or squeal +on Langridge." + +"Oh, one can't squeal, you know." + +"No, that's what I thought, especially in my case. It would look as if I +was grinding my own ax." + +"That's so. No, you can't say anything. But it's tough luck. Maybe +something will turn up. We've got a couple of games on our own grounds +next, and we may do better. If we don't, we may as well order our +funeral outfits. Well, I'm going to bone away at this confounded Latin. +Ten thousand maledictions be upon the head of the Roman who invented +it!" + +Sid opened his book, and studied for half an hour. Tom likewise was +busily engaged, and only the ticking of the clock was heard, when +suddenly there came a gentle tap on the door. + +"Who's there?" demanded Tom. + +"Yellow, sky-blue and maroon," was the reply, which indicated that a +freshman was without, that being the password. + +"Flagpole," answered Sid, which being translated meant that it was safe +to enter, no member of the faculty nor scout of the proctor's being +nigh. + +Dutch Housenlager pushed open the portal and entered. He looked carefully +around, and then, coming on tiptoe to the middle of the room, after +having carefully shut the door, said in a whisper: + +"It's all arranged!" + +"Nay, nay, kind sir," retorted Sid, with a shake of his head. + +"Nay nay what?" demanded Dutch indignantly. + +"No tricks to-night," went on Sid. "We're two virtuous young men. We +belong to the ancient and honorable order of _infra digs_ to-night, +Dutch. Too near the exams. Thus did I exclaim 'nay, nay, kind sir.' We +are not to be tempted, nay, even if it were to take mine ancient enemy, +Pitchfork, and drop him into the lake; eh, Tom?" + +"Yes. I can't afford to take any chances. Twice bitten once shy, or +words to that effect, you know. I, too, am delving into the hidden +paths that lead to the spring of which the poet doth sing." + +"Say, you two give me a sore feeling in the cranium!" exclaimed Dutch as +he sank into the easy chair with force enough almost to disrupt it. +"Who's asking you to play any tricks?" + +"Aren't you?" + +"No." + +"_Fiat justitia, ruat coelum!_" exclaimed Tom, with mock heroics. "We +have done you an injustice, most noble Dutchman. Say on, and we will +hear thee." + +"I've a good notion not to," said Housenlager a bit sulkily. "Here I +come in to tell you fellows a piece of news, and I find you boning away, +and when I start to talk you spout Latin mottoes at me. I've a good +notion to dig out." + +"Stay! Stay, dear friend!" cried Tom, laughing. "There, we'll chuck +studying for to-night, eh, Sid?" + +"Sure. I'm sick of it." + +"Now, say on," invited Tom. + +Somewhat mollified, Dutch took an easier position in the creaking chair, +thereby raising a cloud of dust, and remarked: + +"Well, the freshman dinner will come off to-morrow night. It's just been +decided." + +"Honest?" cried Sid. + +"Sure. Our committee has everything in shape, and we'll fool the sophs +this time. Ford Fenton and I have been going around notifying the +fellows. You see, we had to keep it quiet, because those sophs will put +it on the blink if they can." + +"Sure they will," agreed Tom. "Where is it to be----" + +He stopped suddenly, for there was the sound of footsteps in the hall +outside. + +"Some one is spying," whispered Sid. Softly he opened the door and then +he laughed. "It's Fenton," he said as the other entered. + +"All through?" asked Dutch of his partner. + +"Yes. I don't believe the sophs suspect. A few years ago, when the +freshmen had a dinner, the sophs ate it all up, and my uncle says----" + +Tom significantly reached for a heavy book, and Ford, with a +disappointed look, stopped his reminiscence. + +"It's to be in Cardigan Hall, in town," explained Dutch, "and we'll +start from here in a----" + +He paused in a listening attitude and tiptoed over to the door. Throwing +the portal open suddenly, he darted into the hall, the others crowding +up close to see what was going on. + +"Some one was out there," declared Dutch as he came back, "but I couldn't +catch him. Maybe it was only one of our boys, though. Now I'll tell you +the plans," and he proceeded to go into them into detail, telling Tom and +Sid where to join the other freshmen the next night, in order to steal +away to Haddonfield and hold their banquet undisturbed by the sophomores. + +Tom and Sid promised to be on hand, and the two members of the committee +departed, Ford Fenton being unable to tell what it was his uncle had +said. As Tom saw their guests to the door, something bright and shining +in the hall attracted his attention. + +"It's a matchbox," he remarked as he picked it up. "It's got initials +on, too." + +"What are they?" + +"Hum--look like H. E. G." + +"Horace E. Gladdus," said Sid. "I wonder if he was sneaking around here +trying to catch on about the dinner?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +TOM IS KIDNAPPED + + +For a moment Tom looked at Sid. The same thought was in both their +minds. + +"Had we better tell Dutch?" asked Tom. + +"It wouldn't be a bad plan." + +"All right, I'll let him know. If Gladdus and his crowd find out our +plans they'll spoil 'em." + +So Tom hastened after Dutch Housenlager and related the finding of the +matchbox and the suspicion engendered by it--that Gladdus had been +listening in the hall. + +"All right," remarked Dutch. "We'll change our plans a bit. I'll see you +later." + +Tom and Sid did not feel like resuming their studies after what had +happened. Instead they sat talking of the prospective dinner, Sid +stretched lazily at full length on the sofa, while Tom luxuriously +sprawled in the easy chair. + +"I tell you what it is, old man," said Sid, "it's mighty comfortable +here, don't you think?" + +"It sure is." + +"And to think that next term we'll have to go into the west dormitory," +went on Sid. "We'll be bloomin' sophs then. At least you will." + +"That's very nice of you to say so, but what about yourself?" + +"I'm not so sure," and Sid spoke dubiously. "That confounded Latin will +be the death of me. I tell you what it is. I was never cut out for a +classical scholar. Now, if they had a course of what to do on first +base, I'd be able to master it in, say, a four years' stretch. But I'm +afraid I'll go the way of our mutual acquaintance Langridge, and spend +two years as a freshman, at which rate I'll be eight years getting +through college." + +"Oh, I hope not. You stand better than Langridge. He's smart--not that +you aren't--but he doesn't get down to it. It's just like his baseball +practice, if he would only----" + +Then Tom stopped. He didn't want to talk about the player whom he was +trying to supplant on the nine. "Well," he finished, "I guess I'll turn +in. We'll have to see Dutch in the morning and learn what the new plans +are." + +Housenlager and his fellow members of the freshman dinner committee found +it advisable to make a change after what Sid and Tom had discovered. + +"But we can't alter the time or place of the feed," explained Dutch. +"It's too late to do that. Anyway, there's no danger once we get inside +the hall, for we've arranged to have the doors bolted and braced and +guards posted. The only danger is that they'll get at some of us before +we get to the place or that they'll get at the eating stuff in some way +and put it on the blink." + +"I shouldn't think there'd be much danger of that," spoke Tom. "Won't +the man who is going to supply it look out for that end?" + +"I s'pose he will," admitted Dutch, "so the main thing for us to do is +to see that we get safely to the hall. I think we'd better not meet down +near the bridge, as I proposed first. You know, we were all going in a +body. I think now the best way will be for us to stroll off by ones and +twos. Then there won't be any suspicion. The sophs will be on the watch +for us, of course, but I think we can fool them." + +"Then you mean for each one of us to get to the hall as best he can?" +asked Sid. + +"That's it," replied Dutch. + +"Some fellows did that one year," put in Ford Fenton, "but the sophs +caught them just the same. My uncle says----" + +He paused, for the group of lads about him, as if by prearranged signal, +all put their hands over their ears and all began talking at once +loudly. + +"Hu!" ejaculated Ford. "You think that's funny, I guess." + +"Not as funny as what your uncle might have said," remarked Sid, who +some time previously had planned to have his chums give this signal of +disapproval the moment Ford mentioned his relative. + +"Well, I guess it's all understood," went on Dutch. "We'll have a sort +of go-as-you-please affair until we get to the hall in Haddonfield." + +"I hear Langridge isn't coming," said Ford. + +"Who told you?" asked Sid. + +"Why, he did. I asked him if he was going to be on hand, and I told him +about a dinner where my uncle said----" + +"I guess he doesn't want to come because he is afraid your uncle will be +there," declared Tom with a good-natured laugh. + +"More likely because the dinner isn't going to be sporty enough for +him," was the opinion of Dutch. "Well, we don't want anybody that +doesn't want to come. But I've got to go and attend to some loose ends. +Now mind, mum's the word, fellows, not only as regards talk, but don't +act so as to give the sophs a clue. See you later," and he hurried off. + +Few in the freshman class did themselves justice in recitations that day +from too much thinking about the fun they would have at the dinner that +night. Even Tom fell below his usual standard, and as for Sid, his +rendering of Virgil was something to make Professor Tines (who was a +good classical scholar, whatever else he might be) shudder in anguish. +But Sid didn't mind. + +"I tell you what it is, old man," spoke Sid to Tom that evening as they +prepared to leave for the spread, "we'd better go it alone, I think." + +"Just what I was about to propose. If we leave here together, some +sneaking soph will be sure to spot us. Will you go first or shall I?" + +"You'd better take it first. There's a hole in one of my socks I've got +to sew up. I never saw clothes go the way they do when a laundry gets +hold of 'em." + +"Can you darn socks?" + +"Well, not exactly what you'd call _darn_," explained Sid. "I just +gather up a little of the sock where the hole is and tie a string around +it. It's just as good as darning and twice as quick. I learned that from +a fellow I roomed with at boarding school. But go ahead, if you're +going." + +It was quite dark now and Tom, after a cautious look around the entrance +of the dormitory, to see if any sophomores were lurking about, stole +silently down toward the river. He intended to take the road along the +stream, cross the bridge and board a trolley for Haddonfield, which plan +would be followed by a number of the freshmen. + +Tom was almost at the bridge when he saw a number of dark shadows +moving about near the structure. + +"Now, are they sophs or our fellows?" he mused as he cautiously halted. +He thought he recognized some of his classmates and went on a little +further. + +"Here comes one!" he heard in a hoarse whisper. + +Tom stopped. It was so dark he could not tell friends from foes. But he +knew a test. A countersign had been agreed upon. + +"What did the namby-pamby say?" he asked. + +Back came the answer in a hoarse whisper: + +"Over the fence is out!" + +It was the reply that had been arranged among the freshmen. Confident +that he was approaching friends, Tom advanced. A moment later he found +himself clasped by half a dozen arms. + +"We've got one!" some one cried, and he recognized the voice of Gladdus. +"Take him away, fellows, and wait for the next. I guess the freshies +won't have so many at their spread as they think!" + +"Kidnapped!" thought Tom disgustedly as he was hustled away in the +darkness. "Now they'll have the laugh on me and some of the other +fellows all right. They have discovered our countersign or else some one +gave it away." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE ESCAPE + + +After the first shock of surprise was over Tom struggled against being +taken away by his captors. He almost succeeded in breaking loose, but so +many came at him, crowding close around him, that by sheer weight of +numbers they formed an impassable barrier. + +"It's all right, freshie, you're hooked good and proper, so don't try to +get away," advised a tall youth whom he recognized as Battersby. + +"All right," agreed Tom good-naturedly, though he by no means intended +to give up trying to escape. But he would bide his time. "Where are you +going to take me?" he asked. + +"Oh, a good place. You'll have plenty of company. Take him along, +fellows. I'll go back and help capture some more. The idea of these +freshies thinking they could pull off a dinner without us getting on to +it. The very idea!" and Battersby laughed sarcastically. He and Gladdus +had fully recovered from the electric shocks and were probably glad of +a chance to make trouble for the freshmen. + +Tom, in the midst of half a dozen sophomores, was half led, half pushed +along a dark path, over the bridge and then down a walk which extended +through the woods. He recognized that he was being taken toward a little +summer resort on the shores of the lake. + +Once he thought he saw a chance to break loose as the grips on his arms +loosened slightly, but when he attempted it he was handled so roughly +that he knew the sophomores had made up their minds to hold on to him at +any cost. + +"You're our first prisoner," explained one lad, "and for the moral +effect of it we can't let you get away. You'll have company soon." + +A little later Tom was thrust into a small shanty. He recognized the +place as one that had been used for a soda water and candy booth at the +picnic grounds, but which shack had not been opened this season yet, +though others near it were in use. There was nothing doing at the +grounds on this night and the resort was deserted. + +"Lock the door," exclaimed some one as Tom was thrust inside. "Then a +few of us will have to stand guard and the others can go back and help +bring up the rest." + +Tom staggered against some tables and chairs in the dark interior of +the shack. He managed to find a place to sit down. + +"We're a bright lot of lads," thought the scrub pitcher, "to be taken in +after this fashion. We should have stuck together and then we could have +fought off the sophs. But it's too late now. I wonder if Sid was caught?" + +He listened and could hear the retreating steps of his captors. That all +had not gone and that some were left on guard was indicated by the low +talk that went on outside and by the tramping about the shack of several +lads. + +"Can he get out?" Tom heard some one ask. + +"No. The place is nailed up tight." + +"Maybe I can't and maybe I can," mused Tom. "Anyhow I'm going to have a +look. Wait until I strike a match." + +Holding his hat as a protection, so that no gleams would penetrate +possible cracks in the door, Tom struck a light and examined the walls of +his prison. The shack consisted of only one room and was cluttered up +with chairs, tables, benches, counters and other things. Tom at once +eliminated from his plan of escape the front, as there he knew the +sophomores would remain on guard. He must try either the sides or the +back. The sides, he saw, were out of the question, as they contained only +small windows, hardly big enough for him to get through. In addition the +casements were closed by heavy wooden shutters, nailed fast. + +"No use trying them," thought Tom. "The back is the only place." + +This he examined with care, and to his delight he saw what he thought +would enable him to get out. This was an opening near the top, and it +was closed by a thin wooden shutter swinging on a hinge. + +"It's nailed fast," Tom remarked when, by dint of lighting many matches +inside his hat, he had examined the shutter. "But I can reach it by +standing on two chairs, and if I can get it open, I can crawl out and +drop to the ground. But how am I going to pull out those big nails?" + +Indeed it did seem impossible, but Tom was ingenious. His fingers, when +he had thrust his hands into his pockets, had touched his keen-bladed +knife, the one that had gotten him into trouble about the wire and which +had been returned to him by the proctor. + +"I can cut away the wood around the nails," he thought, and at once he +put his plan into operation. He managed to get two chairs, one on top of +the other, and mounting upon this perch, he attacked the shutter. +Fortunately the wood was soft, and working in the darkness by means of +feeling with his fingers around the nails, Tom soon had one spike cut +free of the shutter. Then he began on the others, and in half an hour +he could raise the solid piece of wood. A breath of the fresh night air +came to him. + +"No glass in it," he exclaimed softly. "That's good. Now to get away and +show up at the dinner. I hope they didn't get any other fellows. They +haven't brought any more here, that's sure." + +He listened at the door a moment. + +"I wish some of our fellows would come back," he heard one of the guards +saying. + +"Yes, it's lonesome here. I wonder if Parsons is still there?" + +"Sure he is. How could he get away?" + +"That's so. He couldn't." + +"Wait a bit," whispered Tom. + +He again mounted the chairs, and pulling himself up by the edge of the +opening, after fastening up the shutter, he prepared to crawl through +and drop down outside. + +"I hope it isn't much of a fall and that the ground is soft," he +murmured. + +Just then he heard a commotion in front of the shack. + +"They're bringing up some more of our class," he reasoned. "Maybe I can +help 'em. Had I better stay in?" He was undecided, and he remained on +the edge of the window, partly inside and partly outside the shanty. He +heard the door open, and looking back in the semi-darkness, saw that a +struggle was going on. He guessed that the sophomores were trying to +thrust inside one or more freshmen. Then another shout told Tom that his +escape was discovered. + +"I'll drop down outside," he decided, "and see what I can do toward a +rescue." + +He looked down. In the gloom below the high window was a figure. + +"Look out, soph, I'm going to drop on you!" cried Tom warningly. He +heard a half-smothered exclamation and then he let go, prepared to +defend himself against recapture. + +The fall was longer than he anticipated, for there was a depression +at the back of the cabin. He toppled in a heap, and before he could +straighten up, he saw some one rushing toward him. Then around the +corner of a shack came two figures, one carrying a lantern. + +"What's up?" they cried together. + +Tom was aware that the dark figure which he had seen underneath the +window was jumping toward him. The light of the lantern shone full on +Tom's face. He was in the act of struggling to his feet when he felt +some one kick him in the side, and as the toe of a heavy shoe came +against his right elbow with crushing force the pain made Tom cry out. + +The lantern swung in a circle and by the light of it Tom, glancing up, +saw Langridge standing over him. It was he who had administered the +kick. Then the light appeared to fade away, and Tom felt a strangely +dizzy feeling. He seemed to be sinking into a bottomless pit. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +ANTICIPATIONS + + +Tom became dimly aware that he was climbing up from some great depth. It +was hard work, and he felt as if he was lifting the whole world on his +shoulders. No, it was all on one arm--his right--and the pain of it made +him wince. + +Then he realized that some one was calling him, shaking him, and he felt +as if he had tumbled, head first, into some snow drift. + +"Wake up, Tom! Are you all right, old man? What happened? Here, swallow +some more water." + +He opened his eyes. He saw in the darkness some one bending over him. + +"What's the--where am----" he began, and he was again seized with a +feeling of weakness. + +"You're all right, old chap," he heard some one saying. "You had a bad +fall, that's all." + +"Phil!" he exclaimed. + +"Yes, it's me, Clinton. They tried to put me in there, but I fought 'em, +and then there came a yell for help for the sophs who were bringing up +a lot of our fellows, and the ones who had me and those on guard cut for +it. I guess our lads got away. I heard a row back here and came to see +what it was. Are you all right now? Can you walk? If you can, we'll go +on to the dinner. We've beaten out the sophs. Can you manage?" + +"I--I guess so," replied Tom, who was feeling stronger every moment. If +only that terrible pain in his arm would cease. "Where's Langridge?" he +asked. + +"Langridge? He isn't around. I haven't seen him to-night at all," +answered Clinton. "Feeling better?" + +"Yes, I'm all right. Only my arm." + +"Is it broken?" + +"No, only bruised. Some one kicked--I guess I must have fallen on it," +Tom corrected himself quickly. His mind was in a tumult over what had +happened. He had seen Langridge plainly in the light of a lantern +carried by one of the sophomores, and he felt that Langridge must +have seen him, for the gleam struck full on his face. Yet why had +the 'varsity pitcher attacked Tom? Could he have mistaken him for a +sophomore? Tom hardly thought so, yet the kick had been a savage one. +His arm was swelling from it. + +"Are you sure they didn't catch Langridge?" asked Tom as he stumbled on +beside Phil. + +"Sure. He said he wasn't going to the dinner at all. Had a date in town +with some girl, I believe." Tom winced, not altogether with pain. "Why +are you so anxious about Langridge?" went on Phil. + +"Nothing, only--only I thought I saw him around the shack." + +"Must have been mistaken. You and I were the only ones they managed to +get this far, and they wouldn't have had me, only about a dozen of them +tackled me at once." + +"That's what they did to me," admitted Tom. + +"Our fellows made a mistake," declared Phil. "We should have been more +foxy. However, I think we all got away. The last bunch the sophs tackled +were too much for them, and they had to call for help. That's why those +at the shack left it. But come on, we'll get to Haddonfield. It isn't +very late." + +Tom did not feel much like going to a dinner, but he repressed his +disinclination and bit his lips to keep back little exclamations of +pain. + +Phil and Tom, eluding the sophomores who prowled about in scattered +parties, found most of their chums gathered in the hall where the spread +was arranged. They were greeted with cheers on their entrance and made to +tell their adventures, but Tom did not mention Langridge. He explained +his injured arm by saying he had twisted it in his fall. + +"Hope it doesn't knock you out from pitching, old man," spoke Sid +sympathetically. + +"It would if I had a chance to pitch," responded Tom, "but, as it is, I +guess it isn't going to make much difference." + +Several other freshmen who had been caught by the sophomores, but who +managed to escape, came straggling in, filled with excitement, and the +dinner was soon under way, with many a toast imbibed in cider, ginger +ale or water, to the confusion of the sophomores and the success of the +freshmen. + +"We fooled 'em good and proper!" cried Sid, who had been elected +toastmaster. "We put 'em to rout, and now let us eat, drink and make a +big noise!" + +Which they proceeded to do, undisturbed by any further attack of their +traditional enemies. + +Tom's arm pained him so before the dinner was over that he whispered to +Phil that he was going to leave. The big center fielder agreed to +accompany Tom back to college, and without saying anything to the others +to break up the fun, they slipped quietly away. Dr. Marshall, of the +faculty, who was a physician as well as an instructor in physics and +chemistry, looked critically at Tom's arm when Phil insisted that his +chum get medical aid. + +"You say you got that in a fall?" asked Dr. Marshall, examining Tom's +elbow, which was red and much swollen. + +"In a sort of a fall--yes, sir." + +"Humph! It was a queer fall that caused that," said the physician. "More +like a blow or a kick, I should say. You haven't been trying to ride a +horse, have you?" + +"No, sir." + +"Ha--hum!" ejaculated the doctor, but he asked no more questions, for +he had been a college lad in his day and he knew the ethics of such +matters. "You can't play ball for a couple of weeks," he went on, "and +you'll have to carry that arm in a sling part of the time." + +"Can't I pitch on the scrub?" asked Tom in dismay. + +"Not unless you want to have an operation later," replied Dr. Marshall +grimly. + +Tom sighed, but said no more. + +Healthy blood in healthy bodies has a marvelous way of recuperating +one from injuries, and in a little over a week Tom's arm was so much +improved that the doctor allowed him to dispense with the sling. In the +middle of the second week Tom started in on light practice at pitching, +his place meanwhile on the scrub having been filled by another player. + +"Now go slow, young man," advised Dr. Marshall as Tom one day sought and +obtained permission to take part in a game against the 'varsity nine. +"You're only human, you know, but"--he added to himself as Tom hurried +away--"you're like a young colt. A fine physique! I wish I were young +again," and the good doctor sighed for the lost days of his youth. + +In the meanwhile Tom had said nothing to Langridge. He reasoned it all +out--that the 'varsity pitcher might have been captured as he was, and, +in breaking loose, he might have mistaken Tom for one of the sophomores. +Nor did Tom communicate in any way his suspicions to his chums. He +knew if he began asking questions intended to disclose whether or not +Langridge had been among those captured some one would want to know his +object. + +"I might be mistaken," thought Tom, and he honestly hoped that he was. +"Anyhow, my arm is better, and I can pitch--at least on the scrub." + +The game between the first and second teams that day was a "hot" one. +Langridge seemed to have recovered mastery of himself and he pitched +surprisingly well. Tom, because of his hurt, was not at his best. The +'varsity lads were joyful when they beat the scrub by a big score. + +"Well, now, if we do as well as that Saturday against Boxer Hall," said +Kindlings Woodhouse, "we'll be all to the pepper hash, poetically +speaking." + +"We've got to do a great deal better than this against Boxer," declared +Coach Lighton with a shake of his head. + +"Why?" asked Langridge. + +"Because much depends on this game. I don't know whether you boys have +figured it out, but we have a mighty slim chance for the pennant this +year." + +"Have we any?" asked Sid. + +"Yes," replied the coach, "and it's just this. If we win the game +against Boxer----" + +"Which we will," declared Langridge confidently. + +"If we do," went on Mr. Lighton, "and also win the one the following +Saturday from Fairview, we will capture the pennant by a narrow margin." + +"Hurrah!" cried Kindlings. + +"Not so fast," admonished Mr. Lighton. "You boys will have to play ball +as you never played it before and against rather heavy odds." + +"How's that?" inquired Sid. + +"Well, both games are away from your own grounds. You are to play Boxer +Hall on their diamond and the Fairview game takes place over at the +co-ed institution. That means that they'll have a big crowd of rooters +out, and you know what an incentive that is." + +"We'll take a lot too!" cried Holly Cross. + +"Sure, we'll organize a cheering club," added Bricktop Molloy. + +"And bring megaphones," declared Jerry Jackson. + +"And phonographs," echoed his twin brother. + +"Win the games, that's what you want to do!" said Mr. Lighton. "Win the +games! Play ball! Bat your best, you hard hitters. You that aren't so +sure, practice. Fielders, get on to every fly as if you had glue on your +gloves. Kerr, play close up to the bat. Henderson, you want to practice +jumping for high ones, for they do come high when the boys get excited. +Langridge----" + +"Yes, what about me?" drawled the pitcher. + +"Pitch your very best," said Mr. Lighton, and there was a different +meaning in his admonition than before. "Now don't let any chance go by +without practice," he added as he turned toward the other members of the +nine. "We've got our work cut out for us. I want to see Randall win the +pennant." + +"So do we!" shouted the others in a chorus as the coach left them. + +And the days that followed were filled with anxiety and anticipation for +the members of the nine and those substitutes who hoped for a chance to +play. As for Tom Parsons, he felt that if he could pitch in one of the +games he would ask for nothing more. But he had small hopes. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +A GREAT GAME + + +Sid Henderson fairly burst into the room where Tom Parsons was studying. +The first baseman strode over to the window, looked out as though he was +glaring at some attacking force and then throwing himself into a chair, +exclaimed: + +"It's rotten, that's what it is!" + +"What?" asked Tom, looking up from his book. "Has Pitchfork been at you +again about the Latin?" + +"No, this is worse. I don't see how we're going to win the game +to-morrow. And if we lose!" + +"Why, what's the matter?" asked Tom, for he had seldom seen his chum so +excited. + +"Matter enough. Langridge is pitching fierce ball. We just had some +light work and arranged a code of signals for him and Kerr. Why, you'd +think our pitcher didn't have to practice! He seemed to think that all +he had to do was to stand up in front of the Boxer players and they'd +strike out just to please him. It makes me sick! But that's not the +worst of it." + +"Well, what is?" asked Tom, smiling at Sid's vehemence. "Might as well +get it out of your system and you'll feel better." + +"Oh, you know what it is as well as I do," went on Sid. "There's no use +trying to ignore it any longer. I've tried to fight shy of it and so +have some of the other fellows, but what's the use? It's enough to make +a fellow disgusted so he'll never play on the nine again." + +"You mean----" began Tom. + +"I mean that Langridge isn't playing fair. He doesn't train. He's been +drinking and smoking on the sly and staying up nights gambling. There's +no use mincing words now. I caught him drinking in his dressing-room +to-day, and he was in a blue funk for fear I'd tell. Said he had a weak +heart and the doctor had told him to take it. Weak heart! Rats! He +drinks because he likes it. I tell you if we don't look out, we'll be +the laughing stock of the Tonoka Lake League. Langridge can put himself +on edge with a drink of that vile stuff and do good work for one or two +innings, maybe. Then he'll go all to pieces and where will we be? I +know. We'll be tailenders, and it will be his fault. It's a shame! Some +one ought to tell Lighton." + +"Why don't you?" asked Tom quietly. + +"Oh, you know I can't. No one could go peach like that." + +"I know. I asked you about it once when I discovered what ailed +Langridge. You remember what you said?" + +"Yes, and I almost wish I'd told you to go and tell. The team would be +better off now, even if it was against tradition and ethics and all that +rot. It makes me sick! Here we are to go up against a hard proposition +to-morrow and every other fellow on the team is as fit as a fiddle +except Langridge. He seems to think it's a joke." + +"What do the other fellows say?" + +"Well, they don't know as much about him as you and I do. But they are +grumbling because Langridge doesn't put enough ginger into his work." + +"What about Mr. Lighton?" + +"I don't know. Sometimes I think he suspects and then again I'm not +sure. If he really knew what Langridge was doing, I don't believe he'd +let him pitch. But you know Langridge has plenty of money and he hasn't +any one like a father or mother to keep tabs on him, so he does as he +pleases. He's practically supported the team this year, for we haven't +made much money. I suppose that's why Kindlings stands for him as he +does. Maybe that's why Mr. Lighton doesn't send him to the bench. +Langridge's money will do a great deal." + +"Oh, I shouldn't like to think that because of it he is kept on the +team when there's a chance of our losing the pennant." + +"Neither would I. Maybe I'm wrong about the coach, but what's the use of +saying anything? Langridge will pitch for us against Boxer Hall, +and--no, I'll not say what I was going to. I believe if we lose that +game there'll be such a howl that he won't dare pitch against Fairview. +That will give you a chance, Tom, for the last game of the season." + +"What about Evert?" + +"Oh, he's practically out of it. He hasn't had any practice to speak of +and wouldn't last two minutes. You're in good trim. You did some great +work on the scrub yesterday." + +"Yes, but it's not likely to amount to anything. However, I'm going +along and root for you to-morrow." + +"Yes, we'll need all the support we can get. I declare I'm as nervous as +a girl, and I've got to buckle down and prepare for a Latin exam, too." + +"Can't you let it go?" + +"No, it's too risky. I'm only on the team now by the epidermis of my +molars, as the poet says. If I flunk in Latin it will mean that I can't +play against Fairview." + +"Then don't flunk, for the team needs you." + +"It needs more than me, but I'm going to try and forget it now and bone +away." + +Tom hoped to have the pleasure of taking Miss Tyler to the game with +Boxer Hall, which was to take place on the grounds of that institution, +but the girl sent back a regretful little note, saying she had arranged +to go with Langridge or, at least, he was to bring her home. + +"Hang it!" exclaimed Tom. "I thought she was done with him." + +And, somehow, there was a rather bitter feeling in his heart as he +prepared to accompany the other fellows to the great game that Saturday +afternoon. He almost made up his mind that he would not bother to speak +to Miss Tyler again and then he thought such a course would be silly and +he tried to be more philosophical about it, though it was difficult. + +Never had there been such a crowd out to witness a game on the Boxer +diamond. The grandstand was packed long before the teams trotted out for +practice and the bleachers were overflowing. A fringe of spectators +packed the side lines, and what with the yelling and cheering of the +rival factions, the waving of the colors, the tooting of the auto horns +in the throng of machines that had brought parties to the contest, +there was an air of excitement that might have excused even more +veteran players from getting nervous, for the game meant much to both +colleges. If Boxer won, it would have a chance to play Fairview for the +championship, but if Randall won the privilege would fall to that +college. And that both teams had determined to win goes without saying. + +Almost at the last minute Coach Lighton had told Tom to get ready to go +as a substitute, and it was in his field uniform then instead of his +ordinary clothes that Tom went to the game. But he had slender hopes of +pitching, for Langridge seemed in unusually fine form and that morning +at Randall had done some good work. But the orders of the coach could +not be disobeyed. So Tom took his place on the bench with the other +Randall lads, and, after some practice on the field, his eyes roved over +the grandstand in search of a certain face. He fancied he saw where Miss +Tyler sat, but he could not be sure. + +"Langridge will probably go home with her," thought Tom. "He didn't +bring her here, for he came in with us." + +He had little more time for thought, however, as the umpire was getting +the new ball from the foil cover and was about to call the game. + +Boxer had won the toss and elected to bat last, so it was the turn of +the visitors to get up first and show what they could do. Langridge +was greeted with a cheer from a crowd in the Randall section of the +grandstand as he went to the bat. He was popular with the large mass of +students in spite of his ways. He seemed in good form and there was a +confident air about him as he swung his willow stock to and fro. + +"Play ball!" called the umpire. + +Dave Ogden, with a calculating glance at the batsman, tied himself into +rather a complicated knot and threw the horsehide. It was right over the +plate and Langridge struck viciously at it, but made a clean miss. There +was a groan from the Randall supporters and the team looked glum. +Langridge, however, was not disconcerted. He was as confident as ever. +Once more the ball was hurled toward him. He stepped right up to it, for +he knew a pitcher's tricks and there was a resonant crack that made the +hearts of his chums leap. He had lined out a "beaut." + +"Go on! go on! go on!" yelled Coach Lighton. "Leg it, Langridge, leg +it!" + +Langridge was running low and well. The Boxer right fielder had muffed +the ball, but made a quick recovery and threw to first. It seemed that +Langridge was safe, but the umpire, who had run down toward the bag, +called him out. + +A groan went up from the Randall sympathizers and the team joined in. + +"That'll do!" cried Captain Woodhouse sharply to his men. "Don't dispute +any decisions. Leave that to me. We'll accept it. You're up, Kerr." + +Kerr was a notoriously good hitter and Ogden gave him his walking +papers. Sid Henderson was next at the bat and he knocked a little pop +fly, which the second baseman neatly caught, and Sid, shaking his head +over his hard luck, went to the bench. + +Captain Woodhouse himself was next to try, and there was a grim look on +his face as he went into the box. It was justified, for he made a safe +hit and went to second on a swift grounder that Dutch Housenlager +knocked, the ball rolling between the shortstop's fingers. The Randalls +would have scored if Bricktop Molloy had hit harder or higher, but the +shortstop made as pretty a catch as was seen on the grounds that day, +leaping high for the ball, and with Bricktop out it was all over, and a +goose egg went up on the scoreboard as the result of the first half of +the initial inning. + +"Now, Langridge, don't let them get any hits off you," implored Kindlings +as he and his men went to the field. + +"Of course not," promised the pitcher easily. + +His first ball was wild and there was an anxious feeling in the hearts +of his chums. But he steadied almost at once and his next two deliveries +were called strikes. + +"Here's where you fan!" he called to Pinky Davenport, who was up. + +"Do I? Watch me," replied Pinky, but he only hit the wind. + +"That's the way to do it!" called a shrill voice from the grandstand. +"Fine, Langridge!" + +"All right, don't tell us what your uncle said," retorted the pitcher. +"Keep that back, Fenton," for it was the boy with the ever-present +relative who had yelled, and there was laughter at the pitcher's jibe. + +Langridge had never done better work than in that first inning when, +after passing the hardest hitter of the Boxers to first purposely, in +order to make sure of one of their weakest stick-wielders, the Randall +twirler struck him neatly out, and the rivals of Randall were rewarded +with a neat little white circle. + +In the next inning Jerry Jackson was first up and he ingloriously +fanned, but Phil Clinton earned fame for himself in the annals of his +_alma mater_ by bringing in a home run--the only one of the game. +Langridge kept up his phenomenal work and another pale zero went up for +Boxer, while Randall had a single mark that loomed big before the eyes +of the cheering throng. + +But the hopes of those who wanted to see Randall win suffered a severe +setback, for in the next two innings they could not score, while in each +frame for the Boxers there were two runs chalked. + +"Four to one," remarked Tom to Phil Clinton. "They're crawling up. I +wonder if we have any show?" + +"The game is young yet," answered Phil. "I think we will do them." + +Randall got one run in the fifth and Langridge was the lucky player who +brought it in. He showed his elation. + +"Oh, we've got 'em on the run!" he cried, and then he went into the +dressing-room. There was a queer look on Tom's face as his eyes sought +those of Sid, and the latter shook his head. Coach Lighton, too, seemed +anxious. He watched for the reappearance of Langridge, but his attention +was occupied for a moment when Woodhouse knocked a neat fly. The captain +was steaming away for first, but the ball was also on its way there and +both arrived about the same time. + +"Out!" cried the umpire, and a dispute at once arose. The Randalls had +to give in, though it was manifestly unfair. When Langridge came out of +the dressing-room there was a noticeable change in his manner. His +breath smelled of cloves, and Sid, who noticed it, made a despairing +gesture. A little later Housenlager hit the breeze strongly and went +out, the score at the ending of the fifth inning being 4 to 2 in favor +of the Boxer team. + +"Now, Langridge," said the coach earnestly, "it depends on you. If you +can hold them down, we are pretty sure of winning, even if we have to go +ten innings, for some of our batters have Ogden's measure." + +"I'll do it!" cried Langridge. "You watch me!" + +But he failed miserably. He did manage to strike out two men, for there +was snap and vicious vim in the way he delivered the balls, but suddenly, +when the influence of the stimulant he had taken wore off, he went to +pieces and the Boxers piled in five runs before they were stopped by a +remarkable brace in the Randall fielding contingent. + +There was a steely look in the eyes of Coach Lighton as the Randalls +came in for their turn to bat in the sixth inning. + +"I'll do better next time," promised Langridge, but he spoke rather +languidly. + +"No, you'll not!" exclaimed the coach. + +"Why not?" and the pitcher seemed suddenly awakened. + +"Because you're not going to pitch next inning!" + +"I'm not?" + +"No, you're not." + +"I guess I'm manager of this team." + +"And I'm the coach. I say you shan't pitch any more in this game, or, if +you do, I'll resign here and now. Captain Woodhouse, are you with me in +this?" + +"Oh, well, can't you take a rest for a couple of innings, Fred, and +pitch the last one?" asked the captain, adding: "if the Boxers will +allow us to suspend the rules for you." + +"If I pitch at all, I'll pitch the whole game!" cried Langridge +fiercely. + +"If you do I resign," was the decision of Mr. Lighton. + +"Well, it's up to you," said Woodhouse with a shrug of his shoulders, as +if ridding himself of the burden. "Whatever you say goes." + +"All right, then I say Langridge goes to the bench. He's not fit to +pitch and he knows it." + +"What's the matter with me?" demanded the youth haughtily. + +"Do you want me to tell?" asked Mr. Lighton quickly, with a sharp look. + +Langridge, without a word, walked into the dressing-rooms. + +"Parsons will pitch the remainder of the game," went on the coach to the +Randall players and he made the necessary announcement to the game +officials. "Tom," he called, "come on; you're up in place of Langridge." + +Tom Parsons' heart gave a great throb. At last he had the chance for +which he had waited so long. He was to pitch in a big game! + +Tom was a good batter. He was also acquainted with many pitchers' +tricks, for Mr. Lighton had given him good instruction. Tom was ready +for whatever came. The first ball Ogden delivered was an incurve. Tom +instinctively stepped back to avoid it, but it went neatly over the +plate and a strike was called on him. He shut his teeth hard. He +reasoned that Ogden would expect him to be on the lookout the second +time for an outcurve, for it might naturally be supposed that the +pitcher would vary his delivery. + +"But he thinks I'm looking for an out," thought Tom. "Therefore he'll +give me another in. I'll be ready for it." + +He was. He stepped right into the next ball, which was an incurve, and +with a mighty sweep sent it sailing far over the right fielder's head. +It was good for three bases and Tom took them. + +"Go on! Keep running! That's a beaut! Take another! Make it a homer!" +yelled the crowd, which was on its feet shouting like mad, waving hats, +hands, handkerchiefs and college colors. + +"Stay there!" cautioned Coach Lighton, for the ball was being relayed +home. + +Tom's sensational hit seemed to put new life into the team and Bricktop +Molloy also brought in a run. That, however, ended the good work. + +Then came Tom's turn in the box. That he was a little nervous was +natural, but he kept control of himself and only allowed one hit, though +it was good eventually for a run. There was a noticeable stiffening in +the work of the team and the coach congratulated Tom as he came in with +his chums to take their turn at the bat again. + +The seventh inning saw four runs safely laid away for Randall, while +the marker put up a neat little ring in the square for Boxer, for Tom +struck out two of the three men who were up, one going out on a pop fly, +the pitcher having misjudged his batter. Neither side scored in the +eighth, and when Randall got three runs in the ninth, and, in spite of +strenuous work on the part of Tom, the Boxers got one run that same +inning, the score was tied--11 to 11. + +"Ten innings! They've got to play ten innings!" went the cry around the +field. Then came more cheers. It was a game of games and it began to +look as if the hoodoo against Randall was broken and that the college +had a chance for the pennant. + +"Three cheers for Tom Parsons!" yelled Ford Fenton, and what a shout +there was! + +"What would your uncle think of him?" asked a student. + +"He'd say he was all right!" rejoined Ford good-naturedly. + +Randall got one run in the tenth, putting them ahead, and then came a +supreme struggle for Tom. Coolly and calculatingly he delivered the +balls. He struck out the first man, who viciously threw down his bat so +hard that it splintered. The second man also went the same way, and +there was a salvo of cheers that shook the stands, while the stamping +of feet of the anxious ones threatened to bring down the structures. + +Tom measured his next man and sent in a neat little drop. But the batter +was a veteran and got under it in time. He sent it well out into the +field. + +"Take it, Jerry! Take it!" cried the coach, for the horsehide seemed +about to fall into the right fielder's hands. But he muffed it, and what +a howl there was! George Stoddard, who had knocked it, kept on to +second, for which he had to slide, but he was called safe. Then Tom was +obliged to pass the next man to first, for he was an excellent hitter, +while the one who followed him was not. But just then one of those +"accidents" that are always cropping up in sport happened and the poor +hitter made good, knocking a curious little twisting fly that the first +baseman misjudged, and the run came in, again tieing the score. But no +more Boxer players crossed home plate. + +It was with a "do or die" expression on all the faces of the Randalls +that they came to bat in the eleventh inning. The story of that game is +college history now, and how Tom brought in a run after a magnificent +hit that would have been a "homer" but for the fleetness of the opposing +center fielder's feet is told to many a freshman. They could do no more, +though, after getting one ahead. + +It needed but a single run on the part of the Boxers to tie the score +and two to win. But Tom resolved that they should not get even that one +tally. He went to his box, his teeth clenched, making his jaw look firm +and square. He resolved to try a new sort of twisting curve that he +had used several times against the 'varsity. Each time it had proved +deceptive. He worked it on the first man and sent him ingloriously to +the bench. Then the second batter fell for it, but Tom dared not try it +on the third. He felt himself getting nervous, and his next delivery was +a bit wild. A ball was called on him, but that was all. The next three +deliveries were strikes, and the batter, though he fanned desperately at +them, missed each time. + +[Illustration: THE BATTER MISSED EACH TIME] + +"That settles it!" cried Phil Clinton as Tom, with a wildly throbbing +heart, walked out of the box, while a hush fell over the assemblage, for +the crowd could hardly realize that the game was over and that Randall +had won by a score of 13 to 12. + +"Good work, Parsons! Oh, pretty work!" yelled a host of supporters, and +then such cheering as there was! + +"Come, fellows, a cheer for Boxer Hall!" cried Captain Woodhouse, and it +was given, followed by the college yell. + +Boxer generously retaliated, and as the teams ran for the dressing-rooms +Langridge, pale and with trembling hands, stepped out. He was dressed +in his street garments, and without a word to his chums, he started +across the diamond for the grandstand. + +"He's going over to her," thought Tom, and the joy of the victory he had +helped to win was embittered for him. + +"Parsons, you did splendidly!" cried Mr. Lighton. "I congratulate you +with all my heart. If it hadn't been for you, we'd have lost the game." + +"Oh, I don't know about that." + +"Yes, we would. You're the regular pitcher on this team for the remainder +of the season, subject, of course, to the confirmation of Captain +Woodhouse." + +"Whatever you say," assented Kindlings, but he looked a bit uncomfortable. + +"There are only two more games," went on the coach, "one out of town +next Saturday, and then comes the final struggle with Fairview. If we +win that, we'll have the pennant." + +"Oh, we'll win!" cried Holly Cross. "Look who's going to pitch for us." + +"I don't know about that," replied Tom with a laugh, but he was silenced +with cheers. + +"Well, I want you to win that game," concluded the coach as he walked +off the diamond and the team got ready to go back to Randall. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +LANGRIDGE APPEALS + + +While the stage coach in which the players had come from Randall was +being gotten ready to take the victorious nine back Tom strolled across +the diamond toward the grandstand. He wanted to be alone for a moment +and think, for he had many ideas in his mind, and they were not +all connected with his recent work in the pitcher's box. A certain +bright-eyed girl figured largely in them. + +"I thought she'd given him up," he said to himself. "Well, of course, +it's none of my affair, but----" + +There generally was a "but," Tom felt. The crowd was nearly gone and he +was about to turn back and join his chums. + +Suddenly he became aware of a girlish figure alone in the big stand. He +looked to make sure who it was, for at the first glimpse he had felt +that it was she of whom he was thinking. As he did so the girl looked at +him. It was Miss Tyler, and Tom noticed that there were tears in her +eyes. He saw nothing of Langridge as he hastened toward her. + +"Why, Madge--Miss Tyler!" he exclaimed, "what is the matter? Have you +lost anything? Are you alone? I thought Fred Langridge was going----" + +She stamped her little foot. + +"Please don't speak his name to me!" she exclaimed. + +Tom opened his eyes. + +"Why--why----" he stammered. + +"He came over to me in--in no proper condition to escort me home," she +went on tearfully. "Oh, Tom, I'm--I'm so miserable!" + +She acted as though she were going to break down and cry in real +earnest, and Tom was on the anxious edge, for he hated to see girls +weep. But she mastered herself with an effort. + +"May I take you back to Haddonfield?" he asked. + +"Yes," she said, and she came down from the upper part of the stand to +join him. They walked off the field, both silent for a time, and Tom was +wondering what would be the safest subject to talk about. But Miss Tyler +spoke first. + +"You did fine work," she said. "I'm--I'm glad you got the chance to +pitch." + +"So am I," declared Tom, "but I'm sorry for----" He did not know whether +or not to mention his rival's name. But she understood. + +"So am I--I'm very sorry for him. It's all his horrid money that's doing +it. He wants to be what the boys call a 'sport.' But he isn't. He's +unfair to himself--to me. But I'm done with him! I shall never speak to +him again." + +Tom was both glad and sorry. + +"Do you think you will win from Fairview?" asked the girl after a pause. + +"I think so." + +"I hope you do. I want to see that game, but I don't----" + +"Won't you let me take you?" asked Tom quickly. "We are going in a +number of autos and there'll be lots of room." + +"Oh, I didn't mean to hint so broadly," she exclaimed, and her face +crimsoned. + +"I was going to ask you, anyhow," declared Tom. "Will you go?" + +"Yes," she replied softly. + +"And help me to pitch to win," added Tom, and he tried to look into her +face, but she averted her eyes. + +There was great celebrating in Randall that night. Some of the boys +wanted to light historic bonfires along the river, which blazes were +always kindled on great occasions, but Mr. Lighton reminded the lads +that they had still to win the contest with Fairview before they would +be champions, and he urged that the game was no easy one. So milder +forms of making glad were substituted. Tom was the hero of the hour, and +he felt that there had been made up to him everything that he had +suffered in being kept so long on the scrub. + +It was dark in the apartments of Langridge. No one had seen him since +the game and few cared about him. + +"He got just what was coming to him," declared Sid vindictively. "He'd +have thrown the game for a drink of liquor and a cigarette. Pah! I've no +use for such a chap." + +"Well, maybe he didn't mean to do it," replied Tom, who could afford to +be generous. "He may have taken some to steady his nerves and it went to +his head." + +"Rats! It ought to have gone to his pitching arm. But I've got to bone +away. Exams are getting nearer and nearer every day, and the closer they +come the less I seem to know about Latin. From now on I'm going to +think, eat, sleep and dream in Latin." + +The following Saturday the team went to the Indian school at Carlisle +and played a game with the red men. It was a hard-fought battle and the +aborigines made the mistake of putting in a lot of substitutes for the +first few innings, for they had a poor opinion of Randall. But the +visitors rolled up a good score and Tom was a whirlwind at pitching, +holding the red men down to a low score. Then the Indians awakened and +sent in some of their best players, but the Randalls had the game "in +the refrigerator," as Holly Cross said, and took it home with them, +despite the war cries of the redskins and their efforts to annex the +scalp-locks of the palefaces. + +The winning of this game against what was generally considered to be a +much stronger team than that of Randall did much to infuse an aggressive +spirit into the latter players. The trip, too, acted as a sort of tonic. + +"Boys, I think we're fit to make the fight of our lives a week from +to-day," declared Captain Woodhouse as he and the team were on their way +back to college. "We'll wipe the diamond up with Fairview and then maybe +that banner won't look fine at the top of our flagstaff." + +"That's what!" cried Phil Clinton. "I'm ready to play 'em now." + +"Same here!" cried Pete Backus, giving a great jump up into the air, +seemingly to justify his title of "Grasshopper." + +"My uncle says----" began Ford Fenton, but Holly Cross gave such an +imitation of an Indian war whoop that what the former coach had said was +lost "in the shuffle." + +"Great work, old man!" cried Phil Clinton to Tom as he linked his arm +in that of the new 'varsity pitcher. + +"That was a fine catch of yours, to return the compliment," said Tom +with a laugh. + +"Don't go forming a mutual admiration society," advised Mr. Lighton. +"Play ball--that's the thing to do." + +"It's queer what's become of Langridge," remarked Tom to Sid when they +were in their room a few nights later, talking over the approaching +final game with Fairview. "He seems to have dropped out of sight." + +"That's where he'd better stay," declared Sid. "He'll never be any more +account to the team. We'll have a new manager when we whip Fairview." + +"If we only do!" + +"Oh, we will. I only hope I can play." + +"Why, is there any chance that you won't?" + +"Well, I'm pretty shaky in Latin, and Pitchfork has warned me that if I +slump, it's me to the bench for the rest of this term. I'm going over +and see Bricktop Molloy. He's a fiend at Latin. Rather study it than +eat. He's been coaching me lately, and I want to get the benefit of it. +So I'll just go and bone with him a bit." + +"Go ahead, old man. Wish I could help you, but I've got to look after my +own rations. I'm none too safe." + +Sid went out and Tom was left alone with his books. But somehow he could +not study. He took no sense of the printed page. There was an uneasiness +in his mind and he could not put his thoughts into form. + +"Hang it all!" he exclaimed. "I guess I'm thinking too much of baseball." + +He got up to take a turn in the corridors to change the current of his +thoughts when there came a knock at the door. + +"Come!" he cried, thinking it would prove to be some of his chums. The +portal slowly swung and Tom, looking at the widening crack, saw the pale +face of Langridge. + +"May I come in?" asked the former pitcher, and his voice trembled. + +"Of course," answered Tom heartily. "Where have you been keeping +yourself?" + +"It doesn't much matter. I--I've come to ask a favor of you, Parsons." + +"A favor of me?" + +"Yes, and it's a mighty big one." + +There was a dogged, determined air about him as he stood there facing +his rival who had supplanted him, and Tom wondered what was coming next. + +"Why, I'll do anything I can for you, Langridge, of course." + +"Wait until you hear what I want. There's no use beating about the +bush, Parsons. I've been mighty mean to you. I've played a low-down hand +against you, but I'm not going to apologize--not now. I thought it was +fair--in war, you know. I didn't want you to pitch in my place, but +you've done me out of it." + +"I think I acted square," said Tom quietly. + +"Yes, you did. You were white. I wasn't. I didn't play fair about that +wire nor yet about sneaking in the dormitory that night. You did. I +suppose you know--about the night you were captured--the night of the +freshman dinner." + +"I think you knew it was I before you----" began Tom. + +"Yes, I knew it was you before I kicked you," went on Langridge, and he +spoke as if he was getting through a disagreeable confession. "I--I +didn't mean to boot you so hard, though. I thought maybe you'd give up +pitching if you got a good crack on the arm, but you didn't." + +"No, I'm not that kind." + +"So I see. Well, you've got what you wanted and I got what I never +expected. Now I want you to do me a favor." + +"What is it?" + +"I want you to refuse to pitch in the Fairview game." + +Tom wondered whether he had heard aright. + +"You want me to refuse----" he began. + +"That's it," went on Langridge eagerly. "Tell Kindlings--tell Lighton +you can't pitch--that your arm has given out." + +"But it hasn't." + +"Never mind. Tell them. Tell them anything, as long as you don't pitch." + +"And why don't you want me to pitch? Do you want to see your college +lose? Not because I'm the best pitcher that ever happened, but you know +there's no one else they can put in at this late day." + +"Yes, there is." + +"Who?" + +"Me! I'll pitch. I want to pitch. I've just got to. You don't know what +it means to me. Let me pitch this last game. Please, Parsons! It won't +mean much to you and it means everything to me. I can do it. See, I--I +haven't touched a drop since--since the Boxer game. I've been getting in +shape. I'm as steady as a rock. I can pitch the game of my life. Come, +do! Say you won't pitch. They'll give me a chance then. I want to get in +the last game--and win. Will you? Will you let me get in this last game +in your place?" + +He was leaning forward, his hands held out to Tom, his rival, begging a +boon of him. + +"Will you resign in my favor?" he asked. "I know it's a big request, but +will you, Parsons?" + +Tom did not know what to answer. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +THE FINAL CONTEST + + +Langridge stood before his rival, waiting. It was quiet in the little +room, so quiet that the ticking of the alarm clock sounded loud. Outside +could be heard the tramp of feet in the corridor, students going to and +fro. Langridge glanced nervously at the door. He was plainly afraid lest +some one should enter and find him there. + +It was a hard problem for Tom to solve. The appeal of the lad who had +done much to injure him moved him strongly. He knew what it would mean +to Langridge not to pitch--that he would be out of athletics for the +rest of his college course. If Tom gave way in his favor, it would mean +his rehabilitation and for Tom only a temporary loss of prestige. + +"Will you do it?" asked Langridge softly. + +Tom did not answer. He paced up and down the room. What ought he to say? +He felt that he could afford to sacrifice his own interests--could even +forego the high honor of pitching in what was the greatest game of the +college year--for the sake of Langridge. If he did not and if Langridge +went away disheartened, it might mean that he would plunge deeper into +dissipation. Then there came to Tom the thought of the nine. Was it fair +to the others, to the college? + +Something told him it was not, that it was his duty to pitch--to do his +best--to win for the sake of the college and the nine. Langridge might +possibly do it, but it was doubtful. The former pitcher could not be +sure of himself, sure that he had mastered his desire for stimulant. +Then Tom decided, not on his own account but for the sake of the team +and the college. + +"I can't do it, Langridge," he replied, and his voice showed the anguish +he felt at the pain he inflicted. + +"Then you'll pitch?" asked his rival. + +"Yes, I feel that I must. The team depends on me, and--and I can't go +back on them." + +Langridge must have seen that Tom's answer was final, for without a word +he turned and left the room. + +Then Tom felt a wave of remorse sweep over him. After all, had he done +right? Had he done the best thing? He was almost on the point of rushing +after Langridge and telling him he could pitch in the final game, for +the memory of his face haunted Tom. But when his hand was on the knob of +the door Sid entered. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom's chum, looking curiously at him. + +"Nothing. Why?" + +"You look as if you had been seeing ghosts." + +"Well, I have--a sort of one," answered Tom with an uneasy laugh. "How'd +you make out with the Latin?" + +"Pretty punk, I guess. Bricktop says I've got to put in all my spare +time boning. If I slump and can't play that last game, I'll--I'll----" + +"Don't you dare slump!" cried Tom earnestly. "We can't put a new man on +first at this late day. Don't you dare slump, Sid." + +"Oh, I'll try not to," and Sid dumped himself down in the easy chair and +with an air of dogged determination began devouring Latin verbs. + +The 'varsity had had its final practice against the scrub, with Tom in +the box for the first team. He was beginning to take it as a matter of +course and acquiring that which he needed most--confidence in himself. +The scrub pitcher who had replaced him was good, but he was pretty well +batted, while very few hits, and these only one-baggers, were secured +off Tom. + +"Boys," said Mr. Lighton two days before the game, "I think I can see +our way clear to the Tonoka Lake League pennant. Now take it easy +to-morrow, a little light exercise, be careful of what you eat, don't +get nervous, go to bed early and sleep well. Then Saturday afternoon +we'll go to Fairview and bring back the banner." + +"Three cheers for our coach!" called Kerr, and Mr. Lighton, veteran that +he was, blushed with pleasure. + +"I hope we win," remarked Ford Fenton as the team walked to the +dressing-rooms. "My uncle says----" + +But Kerr threw his big catching mitt with such good aim that it struck +Fenton full in the face. + +"Here--huh! ho! What'd you do that for?" he demanded. + +"I didn't want you to wear out that uncle of yours," was the cool answer. +"It's getting warm weather now and you'd better can him so he'll keep +until next year." + +Ford scowled and then laughed, for he was good-natured in spite of his +one failing. + +Sid entered the room where Tom was late that afternoon with a worried +look on his face. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom in alarm. + +"Pitchfork has decided to have a special Latin exam to-morrow for my +class. Wow! I was counting on it going over, but it won't, and I've got +to take it to-morrow." + +"Well?" + +"No, not well--bad. If I slump, do you know what it means?" + +"You can't play against Fairview?" + +"Exactly. Oh, Tom, I'm as nervous as a girl before her first big party. +Here, coach me a bit," and Tom, taking the books, gave Sid what help he +could until they were both so tired and sleepy that Tom insisted that +bed was the only place for them. + +The news spread the next day. Sid was the only member of the team who +was in the special Latin class, and consequently the only one who had to +go through the ordeal. When he went into recitation his mates on the +team gathered in silent conclave on the diamond. + +"If Sid slumps," spoke Captain Woodhouse, "I don't----" + +"Don't talk about it," pleaded Bricktop Molloy. + +"If he does, couldn't we play Langridge on first?" suggested Phil +Clinton. "He used to practice there." + +"Langridge is down and out," declared Kerr. "I don't know what's come +over him. He won't speak to me any more. I guess he knows he's got to do +a lot of studying to pass, and he must be tutoring with some grind. He +keeps himself mighty scarce. I don't believe he'd play." + +"No, we couldn't use him," said Kindlings. "It all depends on Sid. I +wish the exam was over. It's like waiting for a jury to come in." + +The whole team was on tenterhooks. No one felt like talking, and some +one would start a topic only to witness it die a natural death. The +members of the nine paced to and fro on the diamond. They were waiting +for news from Sid. If he did not pass he could not play, and it +practically meant a lowering of their chances for the pennant. + +An hour went by. A few lads began coming from the recitation room where +the examination was being held. + +"Some of them have finished," commented Tom. "Let's ask 'em how Sid's +making out." + +One of the Latin students strolled over toward where the ball players +were. + +"How's Henderson doing?" asked Kindlings. + +"Sweating like a cart horse," was the characteristic answer. "It's a +stiff exam all right." + +There was a groan in concert and the anxious waiting was resumed. +Fifteen minutes passed. Several more students had come from the room. + +"Where can he be?" murmured Tom. + +"There he comes!" cried Phil Clinton as Sid appeared, coming slowly +toward the group. + +"I'll bet he failed," said Kindlings solemnly. Certainly in Sid's +approach there was not the air of a conqueror. + +All at once he stopped, bent down to the ground and appeared to be +tearing something to pieces. + +"What's he doing?" asked Tom. + +"Let's go see," proposed Kerr. + +They advanced and beheld a curious sight. Sid was tearing up a book and +making a little heap of the leaves. A moment later he touched a match +to the pile, and the paper began to burn. + +"What in the world are you doing?" called Tom. + +"Did you pass?" fairly roared Kindlings. + +"Sure," replied Sid as calmly as if he had always expected to. "I passed +with honors, and now I'm destroying the evidence. I'm applying the torch +to Caesar's Commentaries and I'll never open a book like it again in my +life. Come on, fellows, join the festive throng. Tra la la! Merrily do +we sing." + +He began prancing about and the others, with yells of joy, joined in. +Sid would cover first base for them in the big game. + +With a tooting of auto horns, the waving of many flags, shouts, cheers, +yells of encouragement, laughter from many pretty girls, the waving of +handkerchiefs, renditions of the college yell the ball nine and its +supporters started the next day in a long cavalcade for Fairview. + +Several automobiles had been provided for the use of the team, and in +one of these rode Tom and Miss Tyler, whom he had called for at her home +that morning. A number of ladies went along as chaperones for the girls +of Haddonfield. + +Dr. Churchill and most of the faculty also went to the game. + +"Aren't you coming, Professor Tines?" asked the head of the college as +he and the other instructors were about to start. + +"No, I don't care much for baseball. I shall remain here and arrange for +another Latin examination for some of the students." + +Sid groaned and his chums laughed, whereat Professor Tines frowned. + +"Do you think you'll win?" asked Miss Tyler as she sat next to Tom. + +"I'm sure of it," he answered promptly. + +When the Randall team and its supporters arrived they found a big throng +present to greet them. Even their opponents sent out a ringing cheer of +welcome. The Fairview nine was out on the diamond practicing. + +"Snappy work," observed Tom critically as the batting and catching was +under way. + +"Oh, we can do just as good," asserted Kindlings. "Don't get nervous +now. You've got to pitch your head off." + +Some one started the Randall college song, "_Aut vincere aut mori_," and +as the beautiful strains floated over the diamond when the players +poured out from the dressing-rooms the team came to a sudden halt. + +"That's it, fellows," said Kindlings solemnly, "'Either we conquer or we +die!' Play for all that's in you and then some more," and he laughed. + +Auto horns tooted blatantly, girls cried in their clear, shrill voices, +the lady contingent of Fairview rendering some weird yells. Then there +were the hoarse voices of the boys, to which answered the cheers of +Randall. The grandstand and bleachers were waving geometrical figures of +brilliant hues. It was an inspiring sight. No wonder that the players +felt nerved to do their best, for on the result of the game depended +much. + +Kindlings missed the call when the coin was spun, and he and his men had +to start the hitting. But they did not mind this, and when, in the +revised batting order, Kerr went up first, he "poked his stick into the +horsehide for a two-bagger," as Holly Cross said. There was a yell that +could have been heard a mile and every Randall lad was on his feet +shouting: + +"Go on! go on! go on!" + +But Kerr stopped at second prudently, for he would have been nabbed at +third. This opened the game and the play at once became hot. Randall +scored two runs that inning and Tom, giving walking papers to a +particularly heavy hitter, managed to come out of the initial ordeal +without a hit being registered against him. + +The Randall boys went wild then and began the song, "When Fairview awoke +from her sweet dream of peace," which was repeated again and again. + +But the next three innings saw only the negative sign chalked up in the +frame on the scoreboard given over to Randall, while in the last half of +the fourth Fairview secured a run, for one of the players "got the +Indian sign" on Tom, to quote Holly Cross, who was an expert in diamond +slang, and "bit his initials in the spheroid for a three-bagger." The +run would not have been scored, for there were two men out, only Joe +Jackson made what seemed to be an inexcusable fumble, and the runner +came in. Still it looked safe for Randall until the fatal seventh +inning. + +For some teams this is held to be a lucky one, but it was not for +Randall. Tom was doing his best, but in delivering one ball he gave his +arm a peculiar wrench, and a sharp twinge of pain in the region where +Langridge had kicked him made him wince. After that he could not control +his curves so well, and three men made safeties off him, a trio of runs +being registered. The score was 4 to 2 in favor of Fairview at the close +of the seventh. Kindlings looked grave and Coach Lighton paced nervously +to and fro. + +"What's the matter, old man?" the captain asked Tom. + +"Nothing much," was the answer. "I gave my arm a little twist, that's +all." + +"Come inside and we'll massage it," proposed Mr. Lighton, who was always +ready for emergencies, and he and Kindlings rubbed some liniment on +Tom's joint. It felt a little better, and Tom said so, though when he +went into the box, following an inning when Bricktop Molloy brought in +one run, the pitcher was in considerable misery. He shut his teeth +grimly, however, and resolved to do his best, though to deliver his most +effective curves meant to give himself much pain. + +Tom only allowed two hits and one run came in, making the score at the +ending of the eighth inning 5 to 3 in favor of Fairview. + +How the co-eds shouted and cheered then and there was corresponding +gloom among the Randallites until once more that grand old song, "_Aut +vincere aut mori_," welled forth and gave confidence to an almost +despairing nine. + +"It's about our last chance, fellows," said Kindlings grimly as he +walked to the bat. + +He waited for a good ball, though two strikes were called on him, and +then, with a mighty sweep of his strong arms, he sent the sphere away +out into the field. + +"A good hit! Oh, a pretty hit!" yelled Phil Clinton. "Run, old man! +Run!" + +And how Kindlings could run! On and on he leaped, around first base, +speeding toward second, while the stands were in a frenzy of excitement. + +"Third! third!" cried the coach, for the left fielder was still after +the ball. + +Kindlings was running strong, and he had now started home. Would he +reach it? The fielder had the ball now. With a terrific heave he sent it +to the third baseman, but Kindlings was half way home. Then ensued a +curious scene. The baseman was afraid to throw the ball to the catcher, +for Kindlings, who was tall and was running upright, was in the way. The +baseman started to trail the captain down. There was a race. Kindlings +looked back and decided to keep on to home. The catcher was leaping +about excitedly. + +"Throw the ball! throw the ball!" he yelled. But the baseman thought he +could outrun Kindlings. He almost succeeded and then, when he saw it was +too late, he tossed the ball over the captain's head to the catcher. +Kindlings dropped and, amid a cloud of dust, slid home. + +Like a flash the hand of the catcher holding the ball shot toward him. +There was a moment of suspense. + +"Safe!" howled the umpire, and one more run went to the credit of +Randall. + +Tom brought in another not so sensational, but it counted. He knocked a +pretty fly, which sailed over the second baseman's head and the pitcher +got to first, stole second and came in with a rush on a swift grounder +bunt that Phil Clinton sacrificed on under orders. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +VICTORY + + +"The score is tie! the score is tie!" came the yells. And so it was--5 +to 5 in the last half of the ninth inning. From the Randall stand came +the chorus of the song, "We have their measure, we'll beat them at +pleasure!" + +The game, however, was far from won. There were a bunch of heavy hitters +to come to the bat, and Tom's arm was in poor shape. But he said nothing +and walked to the box with a step as light as though he knew he was to +win. + +When he gave two men their bases on balls there was some groaning among +the Randallites, but Tom knew what he was doing. Lem Sellig and Frank +Sullivan were generally good for safeties, and he could afford to take +no chances. He had the measure of the next three men and he took it. + +Seldom had the devotees of the diamond witnessed such pitching as the +exhibition which Tom gave after he had allowed the heavy hitters to +walk. No one ever knew what he suffered as he delivered his most +effective curves, but the cheering that resulted when he had struck his +third man out, without allowing a player to get to third base, must have +warmed his heart. + +"A ten-inning game!" was the cry, for the score still stood tie. Over in +the grandstand Ford Fenton, who was cheer leader, called for the "Brace, +brace, brace" song and it came in a mighty chorus. + +"Only one run! only one!" pleaded hundreds of Randall lads. "One run to +beat 'em, and then Tom Parsons will strike 'em out!" + +Tom heard it and smiled. His arm had been given another rubbing, and +though it pained him, he went to the bat first in the tenth inning +with a confident step. Somewhere on the grandstand he knew a girl was +watching him, and he tried to single her out. Could that be she standing +up and waving a yellow and maroon flag at him? He hoped so, and he +gritted his teeth, resolving to hit the ball for all that was in him. + +There was a steely look in the pitcher's eye as he delivered a vicious +ball to Tom. Tom saw it coming and stepped up to it. He remembered +a former experience. His bat got under it and he lifted and hit it +outwardly in a long, upward curve. + +"Too high! too high! He's gone!" murmured Kindlings sadly, but Tom was +off for first like a deer. In some unaccountable manner the right +fielder muffed the ball and there were groans of anguish. Tom started +for second, but was warned back. Later he did manage to "purloin the bag +like a second-story man getting away with a diamond necklace," to quote +Holly Cross, and went to third on a pop fly by Housenlager, who never +got to first. Then, on a sacrifice hit by Kerr, Tom slid home, the dust +cloud being so thick that the spectators could not witness the play. + +"Safe!" declared the umpire, and this meant that a run had been added to +the score for Randall, making the tally 6 to 5 in their favor. Tom was +pale when he arose. + +"Hurt?" asked Kindlings anxiously. + +"No," was the answer, but Tom had to bite his lips to keep back a groan +of pain. He had jarred his sore arm badly. + +Though Randall tried desperately to better the score, it was not to be. +Their only hope now lay in keeping their opponents from making a run, +and, if they did, they would have the game and the championship. + +Tom felt as if he would collapse, and his first ball, instead of being a +puzzling drop as he intended, went straight over the plate distressingly +slow, so that Ted Puder, captain of the Fairview team, hit it mightily. +Up and up it went, a black speck against the blue sky, while the youths +and maidens of the institute were yelling encouragingly to the runner, +who had started for first. + +"Oh, if he only gets it! If he only can get it!" murmured Kindlings as +he watched Phil Clinton race after the ball. + +It was a long, high fly, and Phil had to sprint well toward the back +field to even get under it. He had turned and was racing with all his +might. Would he judge it properly? Could he hold it after he got it? + +He had turned again, and with his eye on the ball was running backward +now. He stumbled over a stone and seemed about to fall. There was a +groan from the Randallites, but Phil recovered himself. The ball was +almost over his head when he saw that he had not gone far enough back. +It was too late to take another step, but Phil did the next best thing. +He leaped up, and, with his right hand extended as far as it would +stretch, he caught the ball. It was a mighty fine play and the yells and +applause that followed testified to it. + +"Runner's out!" decided the umpire. + +Tom breathed easier. His heart had been in his throat when he saw what +had happened to the first ball he delivered. But Phil had made good. + +"What a magnificent catch!" exclaimed Dr. Churchill as he adjusted his +glasses, that had been knocked off in the excitement. + +"Yes," admitted another member of the faculty who sat near him. "And how +Clinton can run! I'd like to see him on the gridiron." + +"Perhaps you will," went on Dr. Churchill. "The boys will soon organize +the eleven." + +Tom's nerve came back to him. Now he didn't mind the pain in his arm. +There was one man out and Tom's team was a run ahead. If he could only +strike out two more men the championship would be safe. + +The next batter was easy, for he was a poor hitter, and Tom soon sent +him to the bench. The following player was one of the best +stick-wielders Fairview had. + +"If I can only get him," thought the pitcher. + +Warily Tom delivered to him an inshoot. It was missed cleanly, but a +look in the batter's eye warned the pitcher that another such curve +would not fool him. Tom sent in a puzzling drop and the batter struck +over it. + +"Two strikes!" called the umpire, amid almost breathless silence. + +Kerr signaled for another incurve, but Tom shook his head. He was going +to deliver a style of ball he had used but once before that day because +it twisted his arm fiercely. It was a sort of "fade-away" ball, made +famous by a great professional player. + +Tom drew his arm back, having gripped the ball strongly. The action made +him wince with pain, but there was no time now to stop for that. Out +straightened his muscles and the horsehide left his hand swiftly. He +knew it was a good ball, but in spite of that he almost feared lest he +should hear the fatal "ping" as the bat hit it or listen to the umpire's +"ball one." Tom felt that he could not toss another curve. His arm was +numb and tingled away up to his shoulder. He saw a black wall looming up +before his eyes and there was a ringing in his ears. + +But above the tumult he heard a voice shouting: + +"Three strikes! Batter's out!" + +Oh, what yelling there was! How the handkerchiefs and banners fluttered! +How the girls' shrill voices mingled with the deep cheering of the boys! +What a stamping of feet on the grandstand! + +Then out from the tumult came booming that heart-stirring song of +Randall: "We have come and we have conquered!" + +Tom staggered as he pulled off his glove and walked toward the bench. +His mouth was parched and dry. + +"Oh, good old man!" yelled Kindlings, rushing up and embracing him. "Oh, +fine! Oh, great! Oh, oh, oh! Wow!" + +"Up with him, fellows!" called Sid Henderson. "On our shoulders!" + +"No, no!" protested Tom. + +But he might as well have talked to the wind. They lifted him up and +marched with him around the field, singing again: "We have come and we +have conquered!" + +"Now, fellows, a good round of cheers for Fairview," proposed Kindlings, +and the team, gathering in a circle about Tom, who had managed to +descend to the ground, raised their voices in a tribute to those over +whom they had been victorious. + +From where they were gathered, downcast but not disheartened at their +defeat, the Fairview team sent back an answering cheer. Then came more +songs from the contingent of Randall students, and many an "old grad" +walked with a prouder step that day, for once more, after many seasons, +the bird of victory had come back to hover over the college on the river +and the championship banner would float from the flagstaff on the +campus. + +Tom and his chums dispersed to dress. A crowd surrounded the victorious +pitcher. + +"Let me congratulate you, Parsons," said Dr. Churchill, making his way +through the throng. "You have brought honor to the college," and he +shook Tom's hand heartily. + +"The rest of them did as much as I," replied Tom modestly. "If it hadn't +been for Clinton's run, I'm afraid we'd have lost after all." + +"You get out!" cried Phil. + +"May I also congratulate you?" asked a voice at Tom's elbow, and he +turned to see Miss Tyler. His face, which was pale from pain, flushed, +and as she held out her hand he hesitated, for his was all stained from +the dirt of the ball, while hers was daintily gloved. + +"As if I minded that!" she cried as she saw him hesitate, and she took +his hand in both hers, to the no small damage of the new gloves. + +"I knew you'd do it," she said, while she smiled happily. "Oh, Tom, I'm +so glad!" + +"So am I," he answered, and after that the pain in his arm did not seem +so bad. + +What a triumphant procession it was that wended its way toward Randall +that afternoon! How song followed song and cheer was piled upon cheer! +Tom sat in the corner of a big auto, with Miss Tyler at his side. He had +to put his arm in a sling and he was overwhelmed with questions as to +how he felt, while the number of sweaters offered him as cushions would +have stocked a furnishing store. + +"Oh, boy, but you're a daisy!" exclaimed Sid a few hours later when he +and Tom, after a good bath, were resting in their room. + +"As if you didn't cover first base as it never has been covered before," +declared Tom. + +"Oh, well, that was easy for me after I passed that Latin exam. But you +and your arm--I don't see how you did it." + +"And don't forget Phil Clinton. That was one of the greatest runs and +catches I ever saw." + +"Oh, yes, it certainly was great. But did you hear the news? Phil isn't +going to play any more, at least for the present." + +"Why not?" + +"He is going into training for our football eleven this fall. Some of +the older heads think he'll make a great player." + +"I've no doubt he will," said Tom. "He's built for it." And what Tom +said was true, as we shall learn in our next tale, to be called "A +Quarter-back's Pluck." In that story we shall meet Tom and Sid and all +the boys of Randall College again and also Miss Madge Tyler, and learn +the particulars of several fiercely contested games on the gridiron. + +"No, sir, I don't really see how you did it," repeated Sid, "with such a +sore arm as that." + +"I don't see, either," answered Tom, but he knew that the memory of a +certain girl had done as much to keep him up as had his desire to make +his team win. + +Some one knocked at the door. + +"More congratulatory calls," said Sid as he went to open it. + +"May I come in?" asked a voice, and Langridge stood in the corridor. Tom +arose from the couch where he was lying. + +"Come on in," he said quietly. + +"I--I just want to congratulate you, dominie," he said, and he smiled a +little, but there was a curious note in his voice. "You did magnificent +work. I could never have equaled it in a thousand years. Will you shake +hands?" + +Sid wondered at the queer air of restraint about Langridge, but Tom +understood, and there was heartiness and forgiveness in the grip that +followed. + +"I've resigned as manager," went on Langridge. "I--I hope they'll elect +you, dominie. We won't be rivals any more." + +"Are you going to leave college?" asked Sid curiously. + +"No. I'm going to give up athletics for a while, though, and become a +grind. I've been beaten two ways lately," he went on. "Parsons is a +better pitcher than I am, and--and----" but he did not finish, though +Tom knew he referred to Miss Tyler. Then Langridge went out and Sid and +Tom played the game all over again in talk. + +Suddenly there was a shout out on the campus. Tom looked from the +window. + +"What is it?" asked Sid. + +"They're getting ready for the procession and the bonfires along the +river. Come on." + +The two chums rushed downstairs, Phil Clinton joining them on the way. +Out on the green was a throng of students, every one in the college. + +"Three cheers for Tom Parsons, the best pitcher that ever tossed a +ball!" called some one. + +How the yells resounded again and again, with innumerable tigers and +other wild and ferocious beasts added! + +"Fall in! fall in! Down to the fires along the river!" commanded Captain +Woodhouse. "Oh, but this is a great day!" + +"That's what," added Ford Fenton. "My uncle says----" + +But his voice was drowned in the shout that followed, and then came that +inspiring song, "_Aut vincere aut mori_." + +And many fires of victory blazed along Sunny River that night. + + +THE END + + + + +THE COLLEGE SPORTS SERIES + +By LESTER CHADWICK + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors._ + +_Price 75 cents per volume. Postage 10 cents additional._ + + +[Illustration] + +_Mr. Chadwick has played on the diamond and on the gridiron himself._ + + + 1. THE RIVAL PITCHERS + _A Story of College Baseball_ + +Tom Parsons, a "hayseed," makes good on the scrub team of Randall +College. + + + 2. A QUARTERBACK'S PLUCK + _A Story of College Football_ + +A football story, told in Mr. Chadwick's best style, that is bound to +grip the reader from the start. + + + 3. BATTING TO WIN + _A Story of College Baseball_ + +Tom Parsons and his friends Phil and Sid are the leading players on +Randall College team. There is a great game. + + + 4. THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN + _A Story of College Football_ + +After having to reorganize their team at the last moment, Randall makes +a touchdown that won a big game. + + + 5. FOR THE HONOR OF RANDALL + _A Story of College Athletics_ + +The winning of the hurdle race and long-distance run is extremely +exciting. + + + 6. THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS + _A Story of College Water Sports_ + +Tom, Phil and Sid prove as good at aquatic sports as they are on track, +gridiron and diamond. + + +_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +THE JACK RANGER SERIES + +By CLARENCE YOUNG + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_ + +_Price 75 cents per volume. Postage 10 cents additional_ + + +[Illustration] + +_Lively stories of outdoor sports and adventure every boy will want to +read._ + + + 1. JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL DAYS + _or The Rivals of Washington Hall_ + +You will love Jack Ranger--you simply can't help it. He is bright and +cheery, and earnest in all he does. + + + 2. JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP + _or From Boarding School to Ranch and Range_ + +This volume takes the hero to the great West. Jack is anxious to clear +up the mystery surrounding his father's disappearance. + + + 3. JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES + _or Track, Gridiron and Diamond_ + +Jack gets back to Washington Hall and goes in for all sorts of school +games. There are numerous contests on the athletic field. + + + 4. JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE + _or The Wreck of the Polly Ann_ + +How Jack was carried off to sea against his will makes a "yarn" no boy +will want to miss. + + + 5. JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB + _or From Schoolroom to Camp and Trail_ + +Jack organizes a gun club and with his chums goes in quest of big game. +They have many adventures in the mountains. + + + 6. JACK RANGER'S TREASURE BOX + _or The Outing of the Schoolboy Yachtsmen_ + +Jack receives a box from his father and it is stolen. How he regains it +makes an absorbing tale. + + +_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +THE GREAT MARVEL SERIES + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_ + +_=Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid=_ + + +[Illustration] + +_Stories of adventures in strange places, with peculiar people and queer +animals._ + + + 1. THROUGH THE AIR TO THE NORTH POLE + _or The Wonderful Cruise of the Electric Monarch_ + +The tale of a trip to the frozen North with a degree of reality that is +most convincing. + + + 2. UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE + _or The Strange Cruise of the Submarine Wonder_ + +A marvelous trip from Maine to the South Pole, telling of adventures +with the sea-monsters and savages. + + + 3. FIVE THOUSAND MILES UNDERGROUND + _or The Mystery of the Center of the Earth_ + +A cruise to the center of the earth through an immense hole found at an +island in the ocean. + + + 4. THROUGH SPACE TO MARS + _or The Most Wonderful Trip on Record_ + +This book tells how the journey was made in a strange craft and what +happened on Mars. + + + 5. LOST ON THE MOON + _or In Quest of the Field of Diamonds_ + +Strange adventures on the planet which is found to be a land of +desolation and silence. + + + 6. ON A TORN-AWAY WORLD + _or Captives of the Great Earthquake_ + +After a tremendous convulsion of nature the adventurers find themselves +captives on a vast "island in the air." + + + 7. THE CITY BEYOND THE CLOUDS + _or Captured by the Red Dwarfs_ + +The City Beyond the Clouds is a weird place, full of surprises, and the +impish Red Dwarfs caused no end of trouble. There is a fierce battle in +the woods and in the midst of this a volcanic eruption sends the +Americans sailing away in a feverish endeavor to save their lives. + + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +_The Boy Hunters Series_ + +_By Captain Ralph Bonehill_ + +12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid. + + +[Illustration] + + + FOUR BOY HUNTERS + _Or, The Outing of the Gun Club_ + +A fine, breezy story of the woods and waters, of adventures in search of +game, and of great times around the campfire, told in Captain Bonehill's +best style. In the book are given full directions for camping out. + + + GUNS AND SNOWSHOES + _Or, The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters_ + +In this volume the young hunters leave home for a winter outing on the +shores of a small lake. They hunt and trap to their heart's content, and +have adventures in plenty, all calculated to make boys "sit up and take +notice." A good healthy book; one with the odor of the pine forests and +the glare of the welcome campfire in every chapter. + + + YOUNG HUNTERS OF THE LAKE + _Or, Out with Rod and Gun_ + +Another tale of woods and waters, with some strong hunting scenes and a +good deal of mystery. The three volumes make a splendid outdoor series. + + + OUT WITH GUN AND CAMERA + _Or, The Boy Hunters in the Mountains_ + +Takes up the new fad of photographing wild animals as well as shooting +them. An escaped circus chimpanzee and an escaped lion add to the +interest of the narrative. + + +CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + +THE BOB DEXTER SERIES + +BY WILLARD F. BAKER + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_ + +_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_ + + +[Illustration] + +_This is a new line of stories for boys, by the author of the Boy +Ranchers series. The Bob Dexter books are of the character that may +be called detective stories, yet they are without the objectionable +features of the impossible characters and absurd situations that mark so +many of the books in that class. These stories deal with the up-to-date +adventures of a normal, healthy lad who has a great desire to solve +mysteries._ + + + 1. BOB DEXTER AND THE CLUB-HOUSE MYSTERY + _or The Missing Golden Eagle_ + +This story tells how the Boys' Athletic Club was despoiled of its +trophies in a strange manner, and how, among other things stolen, was +the Golden Eagle mascot. How Bob Dexter turned himself into an amateur +detective and found not only the mascot, but who had taken it, makes +interesting and exciting reading. + + + 2. BOB DEXTER AND THE BEACON BEACH MYSTERY + _or The Wreck of the Sea Hawk_ + +When Bob and his chum went to Beacon Beach for their summer vacation, +they were plunged, almost at once, into a strange series of events, not +the least of which was the sinking of the Sea Hawk. How some men tried +to get the treasure off the sunken vessel, and how Bob and his chum +foiled them, and learned the secret of the lighthouse, form a great +story. + + + 3. BOB DEXTER AND THE STORM MOUNTAIN MYSTERY + _or The Secret of the Log Cabin_ + +Bob Dexter came upon a man mysteriously injured and befriended him. This +led the young detective into the swirling midst of a series of strange +events and into the companionship of strange persons, not the least of +whom was the man with the wooden leg. But Bob got the best of this +vindictive individual, and solved the mystery of the log cabin, showing +his friends how the secret entrance to the house was accomplished. + + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, PUBLISHERS New York + + + + +THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES + +By _Clarence Young_ + + +[Illustration] + +_12mo. illustrated_ + +_Price per volume, 50 cents._ + +_Postage, extra, 10 cents_ + +_Bright up-to-date stories, full of information as well as of adventure. +Read the first volume and you will want all the others written by Mr. +Young._ + + 1. THE MOTOR BOYS + _or Chums through Thick and Thin_ + + 2. THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND + _or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune_ + + 3. THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO + _or The Secret of the Buried City_ + + 4. THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS + _or The Hermit of Lost Lake_ + + 5. THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT + _or The Cruise of the Dartaway_ + + 6. THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC + _or The Mystery of the Lighthouse_ + + 7. THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS + _or Lost in a Floating Forest_ + + 8. THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC + _or The Young Derelict Hunters_ + + 9. THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS + _or A Trip for Fame and Fortune_ + + 10. THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE ROCKIES + _or A Mystery of the Air_ + + 11. THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE OCEAN + _or A Marvelous Rescue in Mid-Air_ + + 12. THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE WING + _or Seeking the Airship Treasure_ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +THE BASEBALL JOE SERIES + +By LESTER CHADWICK + +_12mo. Illustrated. Price 50 cents per volume._ + +_Postage 10 cents additional._ + + +[Illustration] + + 1. BASEBALL JOE OF THE SILVER STARS + _or The Rivals of Riverside_ + + 2. BASEBALL JOE ON THE SCHOOL NINE + _or Pitching for the Blue Banner_ + + 3. BASEBALL JOE AT YALE + _or Pitching for the College Championship_ + + 4. BASEBALL JOE IN THE CENTRAL LEAGUE + _or Making Good as a Professional Pitcher_ + + 5. BASEBALL JOE IN THE BIG LEAGUE + _or A Young Pitcher's Hardest Struggles_ + + 6. BASEBALL JOE ON THE GIANTS + _or Making Good as a Twirler in the Metropolis_ + + 7. BASEBALL JOE IN THE WORLD SERIES + _or Pitching for the Championship_ + + 8. BASEBALL JOE AROUND THE WORLD + _or Pitching on a Grand Tour_ + + 9. BASEBALL JOE: HOME RUN KING + _or The Greatest Pitcher and Batter on Record_ + + 10. BASEBALL JOE SAVING THE LEAGUE + _or Breaking Up a Great Conspiracy_ + + 11. BASEBALL JOE CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM + _or Bitter Struggles on the Diamond_ + + 12. BASEBALL JOE CHAMPION OF THE LEAGUE + _or The Record that was Worth While_ + + 13. BASEBALL JOE CLUB OWNER + _or Putting the Home Town on the Map_ + + 14. BASEBALL JOE PITCHING WIZARD + _or Triumphs Off and On the Diamond_ + + +_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +SEA STORIES FOR BOYS + +BY JOHN GABRIEL ROWE + +_Large 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Colored jacket_ + +_=Price per volume, $1.00 Net=_ + +[Illustration] + +_Every boy who knows the lure of exploring and who loves to rig up huts +and caves and tree-houses to fortify himself against imaginary enemies +will enjoy these books, for they give a vivid chronicle of the doings +and inventions of a group of boys who are shipwrecked and have to make +themselves snug and safe in tropical islands where the dangers are too +real for play._ + + + 1. CRUSOE ISLAND + +Dick, Alf and Fred find themselves stranded on an unknown island with +the old seaman Josh, their ship destroyed by fire, their friends lost. + + + 2. THE ISLAND TREASURE + +With much ingenuity these boys fit themselves into the wild life of the +island they are cast upon in storm. + + + 3 THE MYSTERY OF THE DERELICT + +Their ship and companions perished in tempest at sea, the boys are +adrift in a small open boat when they spy a ship. Such a strange +vessel!--no hand guiding it, no soul on board,--a derelict. + + + 4. THE LIGHTSHIP PIRATES + +Modern Pirates, with the ferocity of beasts, attack a lightship +crew;--recounting the adventures that befall the survivors of that +crew,--and--"RETRIBUTION." + + + 5. THE SECRET OF THE GOLDEN IDOL + +Telling of a mutiny, and how two youngsters were unwillingly involved in +one of the weirdest of treasure hunts,--and--"THE GOLDEN FETISH." + + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +THE BOMBA BOOKS + +By ROY ROCKWOOD + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. With colored jacket._ + + +[Illustration] + +_Price 50 cents per volume._ + +_Postage 10 cents additional._ + +_Bomba lived far back in the jungles of the Amazon with a half-demented +naturalist who told the lad nothing of his past. The jungle boy was a +lover of birds, and hunted animals with a bow and arrow and his trusty +machete. He had a primitive education in some things, and his daring +adventures will be followed with breathless interest by thousands._ + + 1. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY + _or The Old Naturalist's Secret_ + + 2. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY AT THE MOVING MOUNTAIN + _or The Mystery of the Caves of Fire_ + + 3. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY AT THE GIANT CATARACT + _or Chief Nasconora and His Captives_ + + 4. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY ON JAGUAR ISLAND + _or Adrift on the River of Mystery_ + + 5. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY IN THE ABANDONED CITY + _or A Treasure Ten Thousand Years Old_ + + 6. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY ON TERROR TRAIL + _or The Mysterious Men from the Sky_ + + 7. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY IN THE SWAMP OF DEATH + _or The Sacred Alligators of Abarago_ + + 8. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY AMONG THE SLAVES + _or Daring Adventures in the Valley of Skulls_ + + +_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +THE BOYS' OUTING LIBRARY + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full color._ + +_Price, per volume, 50 cents. Postage 10 cents additional._ + + +[Illustration] + +=THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES= + +By CAPT. JAMES CARSON + + The Saddle Boys of the Rockies + The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon + The Saddle Boys on the Plains + The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch + The Saddle Boys on Mexican Trails + + +=THE DAVE DASHAWAY SERIES= + +By ROY ROCKWOOD + + Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator + Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane + Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship + Dave Dashaway Around the World + Dave Dashaway: Air Champion + + +=THE SPEEDWELL BOYS SERIES= + +By ROY ROCKWOOD + + The Speedwell Boys on Motorcycles + The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto + The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch + The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine + The Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer + + +=THE TOM FAIRFIELD SERIES= + +By ALLEN CHAPMAN + + Tom Fairfield's School Days + Tom Fairfield at Sea + Tom Fairfield in Camp + Tom Fairfield's Pluck and Luck + Tom Fairfield's Hunting Trip + + +=THE FRED FENTON ATHLETIC SERIES= + +By ALLEN CHAPMAN + + Fred Fenton the Pitcher + Fred Fenton in the Line + Fred Fenton on the Crew + Fred Fenton on the Track + Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner + + +_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +THE WEBSTER SERIES + +By FRANK V. WEBSTER + + +[Illustration] + +Mr. Webster's style is very much like that of the boys' favorite author, +the late lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales are thoroughly +up-to-date. + +_Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. Stamped in various +colors._ + +_Price per volume, 50 cents._ + +_Postage 10 cents additional._ + + Only a Farm Boy + _or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life_ + + The Boy from the Ranch + _or Roy Bradner's City Experiences_ + + The Young Treasure Hunter + _or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska_ + + The Boy Pilot of the Lakes + _or Nat Morton's Perils_ + + Tom the Telephone Boy + _or The Mystery of a Message_ + + Bob the Castaway + _or The Wreck of the Eagle_ + + The Newsboy Partners + _or Who Was Dick Box?_ + + Two Boy Gold Miners + _or Lost in the Mountains_ + + The Young Firemen of Lakeville + _or Herbert Dare's Pluck_ + + The Boys of Bellwood School + _or Frank Jordan's Triumph_ + + Jack the Runaway + _or On the Road with a Circus_ + + Bob Chester's Grit + _or From Ranch to Riches_ + + Airship Andy + _or The Luck of a Brave Boy_ + + High School Rivals + _or Fred Markham's Struggles_ + + Darry the Life Saver + _or The Heroes of the Coast_ + + Dick the Bank Boy + _or A Missing Fortune_ + + Ben Hardy's Flying Machine + _or Making a Record for Himself_ + + Harry Watson's High School Days + _or The Rivals of Rivertown_ + + Comrades of the Saddle + _or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains_ + + Tom Taylor at West Point + _or The Old Army Officer's Secret_ + + The Boy Scouts of Lennox + _or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain_ + + The Boys of the Wireless + _or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep_ + + Cowboy Dave + _or The Round-up at Rolling River_ + + Jack of the Pony Express + _or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail_ + + The Boys of the Battleship + _or For the Honor of Uncle Sam_ + + +CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers NEW YORK + + + + +THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES + +By CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON + +12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid. + +All lads who love life in the open air and a good steed, will want to +peruse these books. Captain Carson knows his subject thoroughly, and his +stories are as pleasing as they are healthful and instructive. + + +[Illustration] + + + THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES + _or Lost on Thunder Mountain_ + +Telling how the lads started out to solve the mystery of a great noise +in the mountains--how they got lost--and of the things they discovered. + + + THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON + _or The Hermit of the Cave_ + +A weird and wonderful story of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, told in +a most absorbing manner. The Saddle Boys are to the front in a manner to +please all young readers. + + + THE SADDLE BOYS ON THE PLAINS + _or After a Treasure of Gold_ + +In this story the scene is shifted to the great plains of the southwest +and then to the Mexican border. There is a stirring struggle for gold, +told as only Captain Carson can tell it. + + + THE SADDLE BOYS AT CIRCLE RANCH + _or In at the Grand Round-up_ + +Here we have lively times at the ranch, and likewise the particulars of +a grand round-up of cattle and encounters with wild animals and also +cattle thieves. A story that breathes the very air of the plains. + + + THE SADDLE BOYS ON MEXICAN TRAILS + _or In the Hands of the Enemy_ + +The scene is shifted in this volume to Mexico. The boys go on an +important errand, and are caught between the lines of the Mexican +soldiers. They are captured and for a while things look black for them; +but all ends happily. + + +CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + + Transcriber's Notes: + + --Text in italics is enclosed by underscores ( _italics_ ), in bold by + equals ( =bold= ), and subscripts by braces ( H{2}O ). + + --Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected. + + --Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. + + --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. + + --Page 231: oe ligature expanded (coelum). + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rival Pitchers, by Lester Chadwick + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIVAL PITCHERS *** + +***** This file should be named 39582.txt or 39582.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/5/8/39582/ + +Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at + www.gutenberg.org/license. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + |