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diff --git a/75400-h/75400-h.htm b/75400-h/75400-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..87d533c --- /dev/null +++ b/75400-h/75400-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7569 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + The boys of Columbia High on the diamond | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tiny {width: 10%; margin-left: 45%; margin-right: 45%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +td {padding-left: 0.5em;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.bbox {border: 2px solid; padding: 1em;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.allsmcap {font-variant: small-caps; text-transform: lowercase;} + +.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} +.ph2 {text-align: center; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;} +.ph3 {text-align: center; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;} + +div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} +div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} + +.xxlarge {font-size: 200%;} +.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} +.large {font-size: 125%;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + +.x-ebookmaker .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +.poetry-container {text-align: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} +.poetry .verse {text-indent: -2.5em; padding-left: 3em;} +.poetry .indent {text-indent: 1.5em;} +.poetry .first {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} + +.indentleft {padding-left: 2em;} + +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; + padding: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } +.gap {padding-left: 5em;} + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowe28_125 {width: 28.125em;} + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75400 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt=""></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH<br> +ON THE DIAMOND</h1> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="frontispiece"> + <img class="w100" src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">FRANK GAVE NO SIGN OF THE EXCITEMENT THAT THRILLED HIS +EVERY NERVE.—<i>Frontispiece.</i><br> + +<i>Columbia High on the Diamond</i> <span class="gap"> <i>Page <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</i></span></p> +</figcaption> +</figure> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt="title page"></div> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="titlepage"> +<p><span class="xxlarge">THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA<br> +HIGH ON THE DIAMOND</span></p> + +<p>OR</p> + +<p><span class="large">Winning Out by Pluck</span></p> + +<p>BY<br> +<span class="xlarge">GRAHAM B. FORBES</span><br> + +<small>AUTHOR OF “THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH,” “THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH<br> +ON THE DIAMOND,” ETC.</small></p> + +<p><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></p> + +<p>NEW YORK<br> +<span class="large">GROSSET & DUNLAP</span><br> +PUBLISHERS</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="bbox"> +<p class="ph3">The Boys of Columbia High Series</p> + +<hr class="tiny"> +<p class="ph1">BY GRAHAM B. FORBES</p> +<hr class="tiny"> + +<p class="center"><i>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price, per volume,<br> +50 cents, postpaid.</i></p> + +<hr class="tiny"> +<p>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH<br> +<span class="indentleft">Or The All Around Rivals of the School</span></p> + +<p>THE BOYS <span class="allsmcap">OF</span> COLUMBIA HIGH <span class="allsmcap">ON THE</span> DIAMOND<br> +<span class="indentleft">Or Winning Out by Pluck</span></p> + +<p>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER<br> +<span class="indentleft">Or The Boat Race Plot That Failed</span></p> + +<p>THE BOYS <span class="allsmcap">OF</span> COLUMBIA HIGH <span class="allsmcap">ON THE</span> GRIDIRON<br> +<span class="indentleft">Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup</span></p> + +<p>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE<br> +<span class="indentleft">Or Out for the Hockey Championship</span></p> + +<hr class="tiny"> +<p class="ph1">GROSSET & DUNLAP<br> +PUBLISHERS <span class="gap"> NEW YORK</span></p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1911, by</span><br> +GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<hr class="tiny"> +<p class="center"><i>The Boys of Columbia High on the Diamond</i></p> +</div></div></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iii">[iii]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS</h2> +</div> + +<table> + +<tr><td class="tdr"><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">I</td><td> <span class="smcap">On the Way to the Game</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1"> 1</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">II</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Warm Beginning for Coddling</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11"> 11</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">III</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Game Worth Seeing</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_22"> 22</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">IV</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Rally that Came too Late</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32"> 32</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">V</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Thunderbolt in the School</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43"> 43</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VI</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Vindication</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_54"> 54</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Imprint in the Clay</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_65"> 65</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Toeing the Mark</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_74"> 74</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">IX</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Stunning Surprise</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_85"> 85</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">X</td><td> <span class="smcap">On the River Road</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_94"> 94</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XI</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Time for Quick Thinking</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_106"> 106</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Old Princetonian’s Advice</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_115"> 115</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Led by a Kindly Fate</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_124"> 124</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Sam Smalling Makes a Promise</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_133"> 133</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XV</td><td> “<span class="smcap">Play Ball!</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_142"> 142</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVI</td><td> <span class="smcap">Making a Good Start</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_150"> 150</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Nearing the End</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159"> 159</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">An Unfortunate Hit</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167"> 167</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIX</td><td> <span class="smcap">What Uncle Jim Knew</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_176"> 176</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XX</td><td> <span class="smcap">Twice a Prisoner</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_185"> 185</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXI</td><td> <span class="smcap">Ralph Hears Something</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_194"> 194</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iv">[iv]</span></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXII</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Plain Talk with Bill Klemm</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_203"> 203</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">When Coddling Weakened</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_211"> 211</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Winning an Up-hill Game</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_220"> 220</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XXV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Conclusion</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_224"> 224</a></td></tr> +</table> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span> + +<p class="ph2">THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH<br> +ON THE DIAMOND</p> + +<hr class="tiny"> +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br> + + +<small>ON THE WAY TO THE GAME</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Give</span> it again, fellows! For the honor of old +Columbia—now, once more, with a will!” shouted +the cheer captain, Herman Hooker.</p> + +<p>“Ho! ho! ho! hi! hi! hi! <i>veni, vidi, vici!</i> Columbia!”</p> + +<p>“Cast off there, somebody.”</p> + +<p>“Start your engine, Frank, old boy!”</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! we’re afloat on the raging Harrapin at +last!”</p> + +<p>“Got any life preservers aboard, fellows?”</p> + +<p>Amid all this uproar and confusion Frank Allen, +cool and collected, gave a whirl to the crank to turn +his engine over; and immediately a succession of +rattling reports testified to the fact that as master +of ceremonies he had given the expedition a good +send-off.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span>Then he handed over the engine to the charge of +Abner Gould, the man employed regularly by Commodore +Adams, to whom the launch belonged.</p> + +<p>The <i>Geraldine</i> had been loaned to the members of +the Columbia High School baseball team for this special +occasion, by the owner, just then away on business.</p> + +<p>Accompanied by several members of the Columbia +band, they were now on their way down the Harrapin +river, to play their first game with the Bellport +High School nine, and enthusiasm waxed furious +over the prospect ahead.</p> + +<p>A peculiar condition of the weather had sadly +disarranged the schedule of the Harrapin River +League. Three clubs composed the organization, +representing Bellport, Clifford and Columbia; and it +had been agreed that each was to play a trio of +games with both opposing teams. The one who came +out ahead would, of course, be given the pennant, +and hailed as the champion for the year, an honor +greatly coveted, since the three towns were keen +rivals in all athletic matters.</p> + +<p>While Columbia and Bellport had each played +three games thus far, they had all been with the +third member of the league, Clifford.</p> + +<p>What seemed still more singular was the fact that +in each of these series Clifford had won one game +and lost two. Consequently, Columbia and Bellport<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> +were now <i>tied for first place</i>, with three games +to be played, while Clifford was out of the race completely.</p> + +<p>To-day was to see the first game between these +two giants. And the choice of ground had fallen +upon Bellport.</p> + +<p>As this enterprising town lay quite a number of +miles down the river, it had been suggested that the +Columbia nine journey that way by means of Commodore +Adams’ launch, which, with the services of +his man, had been gladly offered for the day.</p> + +<p>Of course the two towns were connected by a +trolley, owned principally by the father of Lef Seller, +a junior in the school, and just now in bad odor +on account of some pranks he had played a short +time before. Special cars had been brought into +use on this gala day to accommodate the crowds +desiring to witness the struggle that must accompany +the first meeting of the rival nines.</p> + +<p>With the flags of the Harrapin River Boat Club +floating from stem and stern, and the band tooting +away gaily, the little launch left the float, and started +merrily down-stream.</p> + +<p>A roar from the crowd on the bank testified to +the fact that, while all Columbia could not journey +over to Bellport to witness this impending game, the +sympathies of those compelled to remain at home<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> +were with the boys who represented the honor of +the High School on this occasion.</p> + +<p>“Say, this is what I call going to battle in style,” +said Lanky Wallace, the tall first baseman, as he +shoved alongside Frank on the crowded seat, and +threw an arm around the other with the air of a +chum.</p> + +<p>“I was just speculating on how we will return—with +shouts and cheers, or dolefully telling each other +just how it happened,” remarked Frank; but his smiling +face was evidence of the fact that he had little +fears on that score as he looked around at the enthusiastic +countenances of his comrades.</p> + +<p>“If your arm’s in prime condition, as you say, I’m +not worrying any on that score, Frank. Coddling +may be a wonder, just as they claim, but once we +get on to his curves there’s going to be some smashing +work done. I feel that I’m in for business at +the old stand myself, to-day,” returned Lanky, with +a positive shake of his head.</p> + +<p>“Glad to hear you say it. A pitcher needs confidence +in the ability of his men to get runs, as well +as field like a machine. We’ve just <i>got</i> to do that +crowd up to-day, and that’s all there is to it.”</p> + +<p>“And we will, never fear, Frank,” observed Roderic +Seymour, who, leading senior though he was, +considered it an honor to serve as captain, and play<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> +second with the snappy nine Columbia had put into +the field this year.</p> + +<p>“Are we on time?” demanded Buster Billings, +always afraid of getting left, although worrying +did not seem to reduce his abundant flesh so that it +could be noticed.</p> + +<p>“Yes, with a margin to spare, if the boat shoves +along as she is doing right now,” replied Lanky +Wallace.</p> + +<p>Lanky, of course, covered first, and few balls ever +passed through his territory when he was feeling fit.</p> + +<p>Lef Seller was aboard the boat, since he was a +member of the team, though under a cloud temporarily, +and forbidden by the faculty from taking +part in any baseball game during the season. This +severe punishment sprung from his action in playing +an unusually mean prank upon Frank, whom he +chose to regard as his mortal enemy; and which circumstance, +together with many other interesting +events, has been set forth in full in the preceding +volume of this series, called: “The Boys of Columbia +High; or, The All Around Rivals of the School.”</p> + +<p>Lef tried to join with his mates and appear jolly, +but it was a great effort, when his heart was sore +on account of being listed as the black sheep of the +flock, to be shunned by self-respecting fellows.</p> + +<p>He had his own followers, who toadied to him +on account of the money he spent so freely; but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> +none of them happened to be aboard the boat, so +Lef felt that he was in one sense out of his element.</p> + +<p>The beautiful home town faded out of sight up +the river, and all eyes began to be turned toward +the bow, as they anticipated catching a distant +glimpse of Bellport at any moment.</p> + +<p>“Better save your wind until later, Herman!” +called out Tom Budd, the lithe shortstop, and a fellow +who was a natural acrobat, doing stunts in and +out of season; so that no one was ever surprised to +see him spring into the air, catch a liner, turn completely +over, and come up smiling, with the ball held +up for the umpire to take notice.</p> + +<p>“Plenty more left,” laughed the “best yeller Columbia +ever had,” as he waved his megaphone in +the air, and led the boys in another song.</p> + +<p>It was a glorious day in June, and not one aboard +that boat but felt the inspiration of the magical +sunshine and soft air.</p> + +<p>Half of the distance separating the rival towns +had been covered by this time, and the gallant little +launch was making fine speed down the current.</p> + +<p>“Looks like Clifford meant to be represented at +the game, too,” remarked one of the boys, pointing +to the shore.</p> + +<p>Clifford was above Columbia, and on the other +bank of the river. A road led down to the vicinity<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> +of Bellport, where a ferry took farm wagons across. +And on this road a cloud of dust told that all sorts +of vehicles had been impressed into service to carry +the baseball-mad people to the scene.</p> + +<p>Fine cars shot along, blowing their horns, and +steady-going farm horses trotted evenly by the side +of the road, all heading in the one direction. It was +enough to thrill the boys belonging to the team to +realize that all this excitement in the county was +caused by their crossing bats with the Bellport High +nine.</p> + +<p>“Poor old Clifford never got a peep in this year,” +mocked Jack Comfort, said to be the best chaser after +flies the school had ever known, and who guarded +center field.</p> + +<p>“Well, they had hard luck. The game they won +from us showed that there was cracking good stuff +on the team. I never saw a better game in my life, +with the score tied in the ninth. Wow! that was +some exciting!” exclaimed Lanky, his eyes sparkling +at the recollection.</p> + +<p>“It would have been our game if Ben Allison +could have held that fly out in left. He made a big +effort, but dropped the ball,” remarked Captain Seymour, +sadly.</p> + +<p>“Well, I reckon that failure just knocked poor +Ben out. He’s been no good to the team ever since, +and here we have to put our extra pitcher in right<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span> +garden just to fill in, because he’s a crackerjack pinch +hitter!” grumbled Buster.</p> + +<p>“That’s all right, boys, and I’m only too glad of +the chance to play at all. A freshman doesn’t often +get on the team, and it’s mighty fine for you to +boost me up this way,” Ralph West hastened to remark.</p> + +<p>Ralph did not live in Columbia, being one of the +pay students. He was anxious for an education, +and a fortunate chance had allowed him to come to +the thriving river town at the beginning of the +school year. He and Frank had become good +friends, and the latter was deeply interested in certain +strange features connected with Ralph’s fortunes.</p> + +<p>“I think it’s a poor rule that keeps freshmen off +the team so much. They are better fitted to take +part in sports then than later on, when filled with +ambition to excel in their studies,” said Jack Eastwick, +one of the juniors, and a substitute on the +team.</p> + +<p>At this there was a universal howl, for Jack was +notoriously averse to studying under any and all circumstances, +and depended upon a system of “cramming” +just before examinations to carry him +through.</p> + +<p>“Now, there’s a wide difference of opinion on +that question. For my part, I fully agree with +Coach Willoughby, who says——” but Buster was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> +seldom allowed to tell what this wonderful instructor, +whom the boys really believed existed only in +the imagination of the fat right fielder, had to say.</p> + +<p>As usual, a shout cut him short, and with an injured +stare at the laughing group, he relapsed into +disdainful silence.</p> + +<p>“Where are their grounds located?” asked Ralph, +who had never as yet had an opportunity for visiting +the Bellport field.</p> + +<p>“Half a mile below the town. Bellport is something +of a manufacturing place, and there’s going to +be more or less of a rough element at the game, for +the factories have shut down for a half holiday, beginning +this Saturday, and the hands are sure to +be out in force.”</p> + +<p>Frank looked a trifle anxious as he spoke, for +truth to tell he had more than once wondered +whether a sense of fairness would animate that +rough element, or the desire to see Bellport win at +any cost.</p> + +<p>“Listen! I thought I heard a roar just then. The +wind is coming up the river, and it must have been +shouts from the ball field,” and Seymour held up his +hand to ask for silence.</p> + +<p>It was while they were thus straining their ears +to catch the sounds from below that all at once the +familiar “pop-pop” of the exhaust connected with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> +the motor boat ceased, and soon their rapid progress +fell off.</p> + +<p>Immediately everybody started to shout at once, +wanting to know what had gone wrong. Frank +sprang over to where Abner Gould bent over the +little motor. The man lifted a troubled face toward +him.</p> + +<p>Every eye was glued on Frank as he started to +examine the engine, for they knew he had more of +a practical knowledge of such things than any one +aboard, unless it might be the man hired by Commodore +Adams to run his launch.</p> + +<p>“What ails the thing, Frank?” demanded Buster, +as the other raised up.</p> + +<p>“Yes, this isn’t the time for playing pranks. We’re +nearly due now on the field, and don’t want to be +called shirks!” exclaimed Lanky, warmly.</p> + +<p>“Boys, I’ve got some bad news for you,” announced +Frank.</p> + +<p>“What is it? Don’t keep us in suspense, old warhorse!” +cried “Bones” Shadduck, who played third +on the team.</p> + +<p>“The motor has broken down, and we’re in a bad +box!” declared Frank, seriously.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br> + +<small>A WARM BEGINNING FOR CODDLING</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">A groan</span> went up from full twenty throats, at this +dismal announcement.</p> + +<p>“What shall we do? We can’t just float down +like this. It would look as if we were whipped before +we began to play!” sang out Jack Comfort, +almost in a whine.</p> + +<p>“We’ve just got to swim for it, that’s all! Me +for the cool drink!” said Lanky, pretending to +poise on the bow of the boat as if for a plunge.</p> + +<p>Frank looked serious indeed, but it was something +more than the fact of the breakdown that worried +him. He had reason for suspecting that Abner +Gould must have done something to bring about this +condition of affairs!</p> + +<p>Still, he said nothing about it, not being sure. But +he could not help remembering that this man had +a brother who was known as something of a sport, +and made himself conspicuous at many of the baseball +games by his disposition to bet upon the result,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +something that the faculty of the several schools +very much objected to, though unable to stop fully.</p> + +<p>Dimly Frank could see how there might be some +connection between this circumstance and their sudden +delay. If Watkins Gould had been wagering +heavily against the Columbia team winning, everything +that helped disconcert them, and make them +unduly anxious, was to his credit. And Abner did +not have a face that Frank thought could be trusted.</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry, boys,” he said, as the others +crowded around, “there are more ways than one for +getting to Bellport. If necessary we could go ashore +and take the trolley.”</p> + +<p>“You might if they let us climb on the roof, for +every car is loaded down with people,” observed +Paul Bird, Frank’s chum and catcher.</p> + +<p>“All right. Here comes Mr. Garabrant in his +launch. Possibly he may be glad to give us a tow.”</p> + +<p>Frank, as he spoke, kept his eyes on the face of +the man who had charge of the motor. He felt +positive he saw a sudden look of keen disappointment +come upon it, though Abner, upon noticing +that he was being observed, tried to look pleased.</p> + +<p>“He did it, I’m dead certain!” was what Frank +was saying to himself, as a thrill of indignation +passed over his frame.</p> + +<p>He could stand honest defeat, but when trickery +was brought into play it made him angry. At the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +same time he did not dream for a moment that any +one on the opposing team could have had a hand in +this mess.</p> + +<p>Herman Hooker immediately got his megaphone +into service.</p> + +<p>“Ahoy there, Mr. Garrabrant! Will you kindly +head this way?” he shouted.</p> + +<p>The other launch immediately changed its course +and approached. There was quite a little company +aboard, and evidently the party was headed for the +athletic field of Bellport, to witness the great game.</p> + +<p>“What’s wrong here?” asked the gentlemanly +owner, as he stood up, the better to see.</p> + +<p>“A breakdown, and we have really no time to +monkey with repairs. Could you give us a tow, +sir?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Only too glad, boys. It’s very evident that unless +I do there would be small chance for a game to-day. +Hand us a painter, and we’ll make fast to a +cleat at our stern,” replied the Columbia business +man, readily.</p> + +<p>This being quickly adjusted, progress was once +more resumed. Perhaps they did not move quite so +fast as before, but that was a matter of small moment. +Once more the cheer captain led in vigorous +shouts that rang over the water, and brought answering +cries from either shore.</p> + +<p>“There’s Bellport!” said Frank, directing the attention<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> +of Ralph to the numerous tall chimneys that +marked the manufacturing town; but they were +belching out no smoke this afternoon, for the plants +lay idle, with the vast majority of the busy workers +in holiday attire heading toward the athletic field.</p> + +<p>A landing was made, and jumping ashore, the +boys gathered their material of war, after which the +march was taken up for the scene of battle.</p> + +<p>And when they turned a bend in the road, with +the fine field spread before them, every fellow was +thrilled to note the tremendous throng that had +gathered to see the game, and shout for their respective +team.</p> + +<p>“Whew! where did they all come from?” gasped +Lanky, as he gaped at the host of waving handkerchiefs +and hats that greeted their arrival.</p> + +<p>“The whole country is baseball mad, that’s what,” +remarked Paul, as he strode along at the side of the +pitcher.</p> + +<p>“It’s a grand sight, and ought to spur every fellow +to doing his level best,” remarked the other, drawing +in a big breath, for he had never before known such +a gathering to greet the Columbia High team, at +home or abroad.</p> + +<p>As usual, some of the boys began to pass balls +as they moved across the diamond. This was done +to wear away any nervousness that the sight of the +immense crowd might have aroused.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>The Bellport team had been practicing for some +time now, and were ready to give up the diamond +to the visitors. As the time for the commencement +of the game was not far away, Captain Seymour +sent his men out, and started Frank to warming up.</p> + +<p>The grandstand fairly swarmed with people, and +the bleachers were packed. Indeed, ropes had to +be used to keep the crowd off the diamond, and hundreds +sat beyond the right field, where there happened +to be some shade.</p> + +<p>It sounded like Bedlam broke loose, what with +the various school yells, the cat-calls and shouts, +and now and then a song breaking above the clamor. +Herman Hooker had hurried over to where his +shouting clan awaited him. They had kept a seat +for him in the front row, where he could jump up +at the proper time, and lead the cheering with that +astounding foghorn voice of his.</p> + +<p>Frank noticed as he passed the ball in to Paul that +Watkins Gould was present, and apparently boldly +seeking bets on the game. The bleachers were occupied +for the most part with the factory workers, a +rough crowd, and many of them ready to take a +chance on their favorite team.</p> + +<p>When finally the Columbia boys came in after a +strenuous practice covering about a quarter of an +hour, the many-colored flags fluttered from the hands +of those in the grandstand until the structure looked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> +like a great bunch of flowers; while from hundreds +of lusty throats rose the various class and school +cries, blending in a surge of sound.</p> + +<p>Then Bellport took the field, their going out being +the signal for a tremendous ovation, for they had +the full support of their town.</p> + +<p>Roderic Seymour had changed the batting list +somewhat since the last game played with Clifford. +To Ralph was given the honor of leading off, since +he was playing in place of Ben Allison. The order +ran in this fashion:</p> + +<div class="indentleft"> +<p>Ralph West—Left field.<br> +“Bones” Shaddock—Third base.<br> +Jack Comfort—Center field.<br> +Lanky Wallace—First base.<br> +Buster Billings—Right field.<br> +Tom Budd—Shortstop.<br> +Roderic Seymour—Second base.<br> +Paul Bird—Catcher.<br> +Frank Allen—Pitcher.</p> +</div> +<p>Ralph was a fair batter, but a better waiter. For +this latter reason he had been given orders to take his +time, and as he faced the opposing pitcher, Coddling, +who was said to be the best twirler Bellport had ever +turned out, he assumed a position of eagerness and +expectancy, as though burning with anxiety to strike.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span>Coddling had never played against any of these +fellows before. He was therefore forced to depend +entirely on what his catcher signaled. And Clay, +while on the team the preceding year, knew nothing +about the weaknesses of this new batter.</p> + +<p>Consequently Ralph got his base, after two strikes +had been called on him, one of which was really a +miss at an outcurve.</p> + +<p>Of course the excitement began at once. A hum +went around the field, and Columbia stock arose, +with mocking cries hurled at the local adherents.</p> + +<p>Shaddock was a good hitter as rule. He had +made something of a record on the team the preceding +year. The best he could do now, after knocking +three fouls, was to send one into the hands of +the shortstop, who failed, however, to double Ralph +at second on account of a fumble.</p> + +<p>Intense interest was taken in the coming to bat +of Jack Comfort.</p> + +<p>“Lace one out, old boy!” howled the Columbia +bunch in the center of the bleachers, where they had +gathered to fairly split the atmosphere with their +shouts.</p> + +<p>“You can do it if you try! Over Lacy’s head, +Jack!”</p> + +<p>Jack thereupon did try. Three times he swung +on the ball, and as often it came with a dull, sickening +thud in the catcher’s big mitt, while the grin<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> +on the face of Smith, Sr., the tall first baseman, +was most exasperating.</p> + +<p>A roar went up as Jack walked back to the bench +shaking his head. Those elusive “spit” balls of +Coddling had him guessing, and silently he stared +at the slim pitcher who had proved his right to the +name of wizard, as if trying to fathom where his +own efforts fell short.</p> + +<p>Now came Lanky Wallace. He was warmly +greeted by friend and foe alike, for somehow everybody +knew the elongated Columbia first baseman +always did his level best, and played a clean, square +game.</p> + +<p>Lanky was more fortunate than Jack, for he hit +the second ball Coddling floated up, hit it with a +vim that sent the sphere whistling out toward left, +much to the surprise of the pitcher, and the delight +of the crowd.</p> + +<p>As a man the entire mass swung to their feet to +follow the course of the ball. Smith, Jr., so called +to distinguish him from his brother, was covering +ground at a great rate, in the hope of getting his +hands upon the flying horsehide ere it went past.</p> + +<p>“He’s got it!” whooped the Bellport enthusiasts, +as the left fielder made a fine leap in the air, and +apparently snatched the ball down.</p> + +<p>“Not much he has! Go it, both of you! He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> +knocked the ball down, but never held it! Run, +you lazybones. Make a homer of it, Lanky!”</p> + +<p>It seemed as though two thousand people were +madly shrieking as the runners sped around the +bases. Smith, Jr., had recovered the ball, and was +relaying it home in the effort to catch Ralph at the +plate. A great slide, however, allowed the Columbia +man to get his run. Meanwhile, Lanky had reached +third, and was held on that bag by the coach.</p> + +<p>With two out and a man on third Buster Billings +swung his bat as if ready to put the ball over the +head of Snodgrass in right field.</p> + +<p>“Give me an easy one, Mr. Pitcher. I’m only +learning how to swing on ’em. Coach Willoughby +says——” and then Buster hit it!</p> + +<p>The ball took an awkward turn, so that although +both the pitcher and second baseman made a dive +at it neither was fortunate enough to fork the elusive +sphere. Amid a frightful clamor the fat Columbia +student managed to get to first, where he presently +stood, wiping his red face with a bandana.</p> + +<p>Of course Lanky easily came in, and the score +had been raised to two, which was an encouraging +start for the visitors, considering who was doing +the pitching.</p> + +<p>Tom Budd proved an easy victim, however. Coddling +took a brace, and although the Columbia shortstop +certainly tried his best to connect with one of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> +the bewildering drops which were handed up to +him, he never touched the ball.</p> + +<p>So the inning ended for Columbia, and they took +the field. Confidence had, however, been installed +in their hearts, for it seemed as if the terrible Coddling +might after all not be so very hard to get at.</p> + +<p>Frank had been up against most of these fellows +before. He knew that they had a reputation as +heavy hitters, and once started were hard to stop.</p> + +<p>Snodgrass, the first man up, usually managed to +draw his base. His very attitude at the plate bothered +a pitcher, which was just what he meant it to do.</p> + +<p>But Frank was determined that he should strike, +and sent swift balls directly over until he had managed +to get the other just where he wanted him. +Then a well directed outcurve deceived Snodgrass. +He went back to the bench amid the groans of the +crowd.</p> + +<p>Then up rose Hough, the doughty second baseman, +who was playing in place of Captain Cuthbert +Lee, on the sick list, with his trusty bat. He knocked +imaginary dirt from the soles of his shoes and took +his place. Hough had a good batting eye, and could +pick one out all right.</p> + +<p>Two balls and one strike had been called when +he swung viciously. The sound of the connection +was like a rifle report, and instantaneously the immense +crowd gave a howl of delight.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>Again was there an upheaval, as every eye tried +to follow the flight of the rapidly shooting ball.</p> + +<p>It was headed for the territory of Buster, and the +fat fielder was straining every nerve to get within +reaching distance of the flying sphere!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III<br> + +<small>A GAME WORTH SEEING</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">See</span> the ice wagon move!”</p> + +<p>“It’s got an engine attached to it somewhere, fellows!”</p> + +<p>“Will he get it—maybe, maybe not!” whooped +Jack Eastwick.</p> + +<p>“It’s a balloon, that’s what it is!” howled one Bellport +enthusiast.</p> + +<p>They saw Buster glancing over his shoulder once +or twice as he ran. It was a perfect wonder that +he did not stumble and fall flat, for on more than +one former occasion that was what had happened to +the apparently clumsy fielder.</p> + +<p>But Frank had high hopes. He knew that Buster +could rise to an emergency, and really accomplish +the impossible—for such stockily built fellows of his +class. He held his breath as the fielder turned +squarely around and threw up one of his hands. +Hough was already shooting down toward second +in wild haste. If Buster made a mess of it the hit<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> +was likely to count a home run, for it had enough +steam behind it to carry far afield.</p> + +<p>“He did it, Buster did it!” cried dozens of voices, +as though the speakers had considerable difficulty +in believing their own eyes.</p> + +<p>Then a fierce wave of sound went surging over +the field. It was a fine play that appealed to the +sportsmanlike spirit of an American crowd, so that +even the warmest adherents of Bellport High joined +in the tremendous cheer that awoke the echoes in +the hills near by.</p> + +<p>And Hough walked in from second, shaking his +head, and looking back toward the plump fielder as +though he felt that he had been robbed.</p> + +<p>Two out! It was a splendid beginning, and +nerved Frank to keep up the good work. If the +balance of the boys only did their duty as Buster +had shown how, the game would turn out to be a +one-sided affair at best.</p> + +<p>But Frank knew the vagaries that attach to baseball, +which serve to give it its greatest charm. No +game is won until the last man is put out. A rally +can cause a winning team to go all to pieces, so that +their opponents fairly “shoot holes through their +ranks.”</p> + +<p>“Banghardt next!”</p> + +<p>“He’s the boy who can do it, else why his name?”</p> + +<p>“Watch him knock the cover off the ball! See<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> +the fielders move out. Oh! Allen knows this chap. +He’s the swift bunch, all right!”</p> + +<p>After all this boasting it must have been a bit +humiliating to the Bellport boosters to see their +idol strike out; but that was what the mighty Banghardt +did. Three separate times did he send that +wagon-tongue bat of his whistling through the air, +each occasion being marked with a distinct grunt +as it met only vacant space, for the ball was not +where he believed it to be.</p> + +<p>“Better luck next time, Tony! Taking his measure +are you?” yelled a Columbia boy, derisively, as +the fielder threw his bat savagely away, and started +out to attend to his territory, for the inning was +over.</p> + +<p>Coddling took a brace after that first unfortunate +affair, and the next three visitors who faced him +were mowed down in regular order. His curves +were most exasperating, his speed terrific, and he +could mix a few fadeaway balls with the others in +a fashion that kept the batter guessing all the time.</p> + +<p>So once more Frank went into the box to face +the hard-hitting Bellport men.</p> + +<p>“Promises to be a warm game,” remarked a man +who happened to be sitting beside Lef Seller on the +bleachers.</p> + +<p>“Oh! I don’t know,” replied the disgruntled Columbia +student, a pitcher of no mean merit himself,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> +and who, but for his own misconduct, might have +been serving on the team as a substitute. “That +Coddling is a marvel sure, and they say he gets +better right along, finishing strong. It’s different, +with Frank. You see he starts well, but any little +thing is apt to rattle him badly, so that he goes to +pieces.”</p> + +<p>This was not so, as Lef well knew, but he could +never resist the temptation to give the boy he hated +a sly and underhand dig.</p> + +<p>The gentleman looked at his hat-band curiously.</p> + +<p>“You’re from Columbia, too, I believe, judging +from the purple and gold ribbon you wear?” he remarked, +with a slight sneer.</p> + +<p>“Oh! yes, I used to pitch for them last year, but +the faculty jumped on me for some foolish little +thing I did, and refused to let me take part this +season. Frank does his best, we all know, but he +isn’t just as steady as he might be,” continued Lef, +brazenly.</p> + +<p>“That’s queer. I had an idea Frank was about +as cool a player as I had ever seen in my old days +at Princeton. If that’s the reputation he has then +I’ve made the poorest play of my life, and I used +to be considered a judge. Buster gave me to understand +differently.”</p> + +<p>“Then you know Buster Billings?” asked Lef, +quickly and uneasily.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>“Why, I’m stopping at his house just now,” came +the reply.</p> + +<p>“Oh! then I can understand how it comes you +think so highly of Frank, because he has a few +chums always ready to sneeze when he takes snuff. +There are some others in Columbia, and I own that +I’m one of the gang, who believe Frank Allen to be +a greatly overrated athlete. There! did you see him +pass that man. He never pitched near the plate. I +told you he could be easily rattled!”</p> + +<p>“Wait, my boy. Many a pitcher, as you know, +does that, when he feels it in his bones that the batter +is able to hit the ball. Besides, perhaps he knows +that the next man is an easy mark for him,” remarked +the gentleman, who seemed to be quite at +home with regard to the fine points of the game.</p> + +<p>“That Smith, Jr., is the left fielder, and I have +seen him send the ball out of sight. But his brother +is no pie either, and if Frank thinks he’s going to +mow him down he has another guess coming,” muttered +Lef, eagerly watching, and ready to howl +should the batter connect.</p> + +<p>“One strike!” announced the umpire, though the +man had not swung at all.</p> + +<p>With the next ball he did strike viciously, but +the merry plunk as the horsehide sphere settled comfortably +in the big mitt of Paul Bird told that he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> +had failed to properly gauge the line of its rifleball +flight.</p> + +<p>After that came a foul and two balls. Frank +believed he had his measure taken, and it was with +the utmost confidence that he sent in one of his tantalizing +out-curves.</p> + +<p>“You’re out!” shouted the umpire.</p> + +<p>The man on first had not dared run down, for +he knew Frank’s battery mate was a remarkably +accurate thrower to second; and that only on rare +occasions had any opposing player purloined that +sack while Paul Bird stood behind the plate.</p> + +<p>“Only one down!” shouted the coach near first, +dancing about in an effort to divert the pitcher’s +attention from his business; but Frank was up to all +such stale tricks, and paid no attention to Snodgrass, +his eye being on Lacy at the bat, and Smith, Jr., on +the initial sack.</p> + +<p>Lacy was reckoned the dude of Bellport High. He +always seemed as though “walking on eggs,” as some +of the Columbia fellows said, and his manner of +dressing in the very latest style had gained him the +name of being a dandy. But when it came to covering +that short field he had few peers among the +school teams in that part of the country.</p> + +<p>He could also lace them out on occasion, too, having +that very desirable quality in a successful player, +called a “batting eye.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>Frank knew him of old, and played him cautiously. +In spite of his care, however, Herb reached +out and tapped one of his outshoots. The ball went +plunging in the direction of short, and the crowd +gasped to see how that acrobatic Tom Budd did his +part of the business.</p> + +<p>He threw himself headlong at the passing ball, as +though his legs were unable to carry him fast enough. +They saw him turn a complete somersault and land +on his feet like an acrobat in the circus.</p> + +<p>“Wow!” howled the amazed Bellport players, as +Tom whirled and sent the ball to Seymour on second, +who instantly relayed it to Lanky just in time to +cut off the leaping Lacy while he was yet in the air.</p> + +<p>“A double! What do you think of that for playing?” +shrieked the Columbia crowd, standing on +their feet, and waving the colors of their school as +if frenzied.</p> + +<p>“What sort of a human hinge have you got out +there in short?” asked the gentleman alongside Lef; +“I’ve seen some clever plays in my time, but that +certainly beat them all out. Can that chap play baseball +standing on his head?”</p> + +<p>“Oh! that’s Tom Budd, and he’s always doing +stunts. Sometimes he succeeds, but more often +makes a muss of it,” grunted Lef, who had felt disgusted +to see Bellport mowed down so easily when +things looked bright for a run.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>“I’m glad I happened to see him when he succeeded, +then. That was worth ten times the price +of the admission. I came to see a baseball match, +but this is as good as a circus,” laughed the other.</p> + +<p>Lef moved away. Somehow or other he felt that +he would be in more congenial atmosphere among +some of the Bellport rooters, and listening to derogatory +remarks concerning the fellow he detested.</p> + +<p>It was Ralph at the bat again, and this time he +went out on a fly that Snodgrass captured after a +hard run. Shadduck fanned after knocking about +seven fouls that gave Clay a number of hard runs +without any success at corraling one. And while +Jack Comfort managed to lift one that landed him +on first, he perished on the way to second, owing to +Clay’s straight shoot to the bag.</p> + +<p>In their half of the third, Bellport managed to put +one run over. Shaddock fumbled a hot liner that +came his way, allowing the stout Bardwell to gallop +to first. Then Clay lifted a fly that, while caught, +gave the other a chance to land on second.</p> + +<p>“Play the game, fellows!” shouted the eager +watchers, as the pitcher took his place to bat.</p> + +<p>Coddling bunted, and while out at first the chance +was given Bardwell to settle himself comfortably +on third.</p> + +<p>This compelled Snodgrass to hit, something he +seldom did, preferring to get his base on balls.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> +With a lucky little pop fly that neither Lanky nor +Buster could reach before it fell, he brought his +man in.</p> + +<p>Hough went out on a long fly to Comfort, so +that the score was now two to one in favor of Columbia.</p> + +<p>Frank, when coming in, glanced up toward the +grandstand. He knew very well just where his sister +and Minnie Cuthbert were seated, and nodded +his head with a smile in answer to the furious waving +of the little purple and gold banners both girls carried. +It was an inspiration to him to know that +they were watching his work.</p> + +<p>Then he looked up at the beautiful pennant that +floated over the field, offered by the same Mr. Garabrant +who had towed their disabled launch, to the +club winning the greater number of games in this +tri-school league series of battles on the diamond.</p> + +<p>“You’ll get it, Frank, never fear!” shouted some +one from the bleachers, seeing that look he gave.</p> + +<p>“Don’t count your chickens before they’re +hatched,” jeered a Bellport rooter.</p> + +<p>“It’s a bully good fight, all right,” admitted a +Clifford man, “and we’re only sorry to be out of it +up our way. But most of our people want Columbia +to win.”</p> + +<p>Three more innings saw no change in the score. +Several hits were made off each pitcher, but good<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> +fielding, and a tightening up all around, prevented +any damage resulting from such isolated cases.</p> + +<p>So the seventh commenced, with the strain greater +than ever.</p> + +<p>“Hold them down, Frank! You’ve got it, if you +do!”</p> + +<p>“But do some little batting yourselves, boys. Get +at him! Coddling’s easy when you just know how!” +jeered the other side.</p> + +<p>When Paul Bird stepped up to the plate to take his +turn at the beginning of the seventh some one started +to sing, “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean.” A +score of voices instantly joined in, followed by hundreds +of others, until there was so much noise that +the decisions of the umpire could not be heard above +it, and he had to depend on gestures entirely.</p> + +<p>And while the uproar was at its height Paul was +sent to first on balls!</p> + +<p>“Coddling is getting rattled, boys! Keep it up!” +shrieked a dozen frantic Columbia fellows, waving +their ribbon bedecked hats wildly.</p> + +<p>“Watch Frank bring him in with a three-bagger! +He can do it, all right!” sang the crowd, as the +pitcher stepped quietly up to the plate.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV<br> + +<small>THE RALLY THAT CAME TOO LATE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Frank</span> gave no sign of the excitement that thrilled +his every nerve. He realized that possibly a fortunate +hit on his part right then and there would +eventually win the game.</p> + +<p>Despite the furious racket that kept up on every +hand, he faced Coddling, and prepared to do his +very best to at least advance the runner.</p> + +<p>As a rule pitchers are not reckoned good batters, +but Frank Allen had always been known to hit well. +Coddling therefore tightened up, and determined to +put his rival out of the running by tempting him +with some of his astonishing assortment of curves +and drops, for his swift ball had already cost him +dear, so that he was afraid to use it often.</p> + +<p>Frank even allowed a strike to be called on him +before he picked out one that seemed to his liking. +What he did to that ball was a caution. It sailed +away out in right, and Snodgrass had the run of +his life to chase after it.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>Paul, reaching second, paused, an instant, for if +the ball were caught, he would have some difficulty +getting back to first in time.</p> + +<p>“Go on, Paul!” bellowed the coach through his +hands.</p> + +<p>The noise had broken out worse than ever, so that +each player had to be a law unto himself just then.</p> + +<p>“He muffed it! Run! run! run!” whooped everybody +who had the interest of Columbia at heart, +while the Bellport adherents looked dismal enough.</p> + +<p>It was an excusable error, for the fielder had fallen +headlong at the instant his fingers touched the ball. +He was up like a flash and chasing after it. Paul +circled the bases and easily came home, but the +coach held Frank at third, as the ball was coming +in when he reached there.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, it had been a three-bagger, despite +the mess Snodgrass had made of his effort to capture +the fly, and a run had resulted. Frank had reason +to feel satisfied with himself as he crouched there +and panted for breath.</p> + +<p>He knew that the chances were he would be a +little off in his work unless this inning lasted for +some time. That was one reason why his fellow +players tried to delay matters as best they could +within reason. Ralph tied his shoe, and then +knocked three fouls, finally going out on one that +Clay managed to get after a furious rush among the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> +crowd to the right, and which brought him much +hand-clapping.</p> + +<p>Then Bones Shadduck tried his hand. He wanted +to bring Frank in, and struck savagely at what he +considered fair balls; but Coddling had him guessing, +and finally put him to sleep with a fadeaway that +had not even reached the plate when the batter tried +to knock it out of sight, and “fell all over himself,” +as Lanky said, while doing so.</p> + +<p>In their half of this inning the Bellport boys +seemed to awaken from the trance that had been +binding them. There was a hustle and an energy to +their play that told Frank he had better take care, +or a batting rally would set in under which Bellport +would speed to victory as on former occasions.</p> + +<p>Bardwell opened with a hit that bounded off the +shins of Seymour. When the captain and second +baseman of Columbia managed to snatch up the ball +it was too late to head the runner off, though Bardwell +was a clumsy man on bases.</p> + +<p>He pretended to limp around as though he had +been spiked or something. The trick is, of course, +as old as the hills. It only happens when a better +runner is wanted on the initial bag. Seymour +nodded his head when the Bellport captain called +out, and accordingly Lacy was substituted for the +elephantine Bardwell.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>Clay tried to bring him in with a big hit away +out in center, but Comfort was on his job in that +territory, and managed to corral the ball after backing +out, even though he could not keep Lacy from +taking second.</p> + +<p>Then came Coddling. He was no great batter, +but there are times when baseball is full of surprises, +and Frank was taking no chances.</p> + +<p>“Fan him, Frank!” shouted an excited rooter +from the grandstand.</p> + +<p>“Let him hit it! Encourage a hard-working man +a little!” called another.</p> + +<p>Coddling tried his level best, but that did not seem +good enough, for he presently walked back to the +bench, with three strikes marked against his record.</p> + +<p>Snodgrass waited, and got his base, though Frank +considered that the umpire was unusually severe +with him in calling balls, when he cut the plate with +at least one of those that counted against him.</p> + +<p>“Now, Hough, you know what to do!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Hough, lam it good and hard over old Billings’ +head. He’ll never get another like he did that +first one. That was an accident!”</p> + +<p>“You’ve got him up in the air, boys! Lead that +horse into the stable!”</p> + +<p>Dozens of like cries sounded everywhere. It is a +part of the game to try and rattle the pitcher when +such an emergency arises.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span>Still, that faint smile remained on the face of +Frank Allen, as he prepared to take the measure of +this hard-hitting Bellport player, who had broken the +reputation of at least one promising pitcher.</p> + +<p>With two out, and men on first and third, Hough +certainly had reason to do everything in his power +to make a hit. Then came the sharp shock as the +bat met one of Frank’s curves on the nose, and the +ball went shooting down toward third.</p> + +<p>Shadduck stopped the speedy one as best he could, +but it was coming like a comet, and he could not +hold it. Jumping after the ball, he snatched it up. +The chances of getting it to Paul were rather +meagre, but it was his business to try, and he shot +it for home.</p> + +<p>No doubt the very rapidity of the play unsettled +him, so that he failed to send the ball exactly where +it would have cut the runner off. Paul had to reach +out after it, and then tag the sliding runner.</p> + +<p>“Safe!” shouted the umpire, who was there on +the spot to see.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Paul had tossed the ball back to Shadduck, +for there was danger of Snodgrass coming +down from second while all this was going on; in +fact, he had to be driven back with threatening +gestures.</p> + +<p>With two men on bases and two out, the inning +still had possibilities, and loud waxed the exultant<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> +cries of the Bellport rooters as they sang their school +song and made a great demonstration.</p> + +<p>“Got him up in a balloon! He’s ascending, all +right, boys! Give him another push, Tony!”</p> + +<p>Banghardt stepped up full of confidence, and +faced the pitcher with determination in his eye. Just +two minutes later he dropped his bat and trotted out +toward center, for the umpire had said that three +balls which sailed past him were along the strike +order—and the umpire belonged to Bellport, too, so +that there could be little doubt but what he was +right.</p> + +<p>So the eighth began with Columbia still one run +to the good, and Bellport just as positive as ever +that they could not only make the lone tally necessary +to tie, but add a few more for good measure.</p> + +<p>Comfort, Lanky Wallace and Billings tried to +accomplish something while they remained for a +fleeting space of time on deck, but Coddling seemed +to have taken a new lease of life, and they were +unable to connect with a single one of his elusive +benders.</p> + +<p>Frank shut his teeth hard as he went into the box +in turn. He was not given to weakening, despite +all that the envious Lef had declared; and his arm +felt just as good at that minute as in the second +inning.</p> + +<p>All Smiths looked alike to him, judging from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> +way he struck the two brothers out, one after the +other.</p> + +<p>Herb Lacy managed to work him for a free pass +to first, but after all it did him little good, for the +next batter, Bardwell, lifted a foul that Paul gathered +in against the grandstand, to the accompanying +cheers of the occupants.</p> + +<p>This brought affairs down to the ninth, and all +over the field there was intense excitement.</p> + +<p>“This is the lucky Bellport inning!” shouted one +fellow, encouragingly.</p> + +<p>“Watch them run the game out right here!”</p> + +<p>“Will they? Maybe, maybe not!” answered Jack +Eastwick.</p> + +<p>Herman Hooker had jumped to his feet as Columbia +went to bat for the last time. Up to the present +he had been content to play a minor part, but now +his time had come.</p> + +<p>“Give it to them, boys—give them the slogan we +love, good and strong. Hi! hi! hi! ho! ho! ho! +<i>veni! vidi! vici!</i> Columbia! Siss! boom! ah!”</p> + +<p>Amid such a pandemonium Tom Budd struck out, +though he died trying to find one of those balls +which Coddling seemed to be twining around his +neck. Seymour was somewhat more fortunate. He +raised a fine fly, but unfortunately it landed in the +outstretched hands of Smith, Junior, who did not +seem to stir a yard.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span>Paul Bird made a lucky hit that should have been +an out, but the players were so nervous by this +time that Lacy actually fumbled the ball. Frank, +with all the encouragement that might accompany +such backing as could spring from the “best yeller +Columbia ever had,” as he jumped up and down, and +waved his megaphone violently, sent a hot liner +straight at Hough on second that nearly took him +off his feet, though he held it.</p> + +<p>And then Bellport came to the bat. Every man +looked grimly confident. Clay made a hit out of the +first ball that came along, reaching out and stealing +what was meant to be a wide one.</p> + +<p>How those Bellport rooters did shriek and jump! +It seemed as though they would go crazy as they +begged and implored Coddling to win his own game +by advancing the runner by a little bunt.</p> + +<p>“He just can’t do it, boys!” called one fellow, +after Coddling had twice thrust out his bat and +failed to even touch the speeding ball.</p> + +<p>“Give him a pair of smoke glasses; the sun’s in +his eyes!”</p> + +<p>“Three times and out, Coddling—take care, old +hoss!”</p> + +<p>This time Coddling, in despair, struck savagely, +and perhaps to his own surprise, tapped the ball +smartly toward second.</p> + +<p>“Double ’em up!” arose the howl like a flash, for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> +the average baseball rooter can see the possibilities +of a play as soon as a player.</p> + +<p>And that was just what happened. Seymour +snatched the ball from the ground with one hand, +leaped over to his sack, and as his foot touched the +same he threw for Lanky on first. Coddling was +caught ten feet away, and a mighty groan attested +to the strain under which the Bellport crowd was +resting.</p> + +<p>Snodgrass again found that he just had to strike, +for Frank was putting them over on purpose now, +having full confidence in the men back of him. +Smash! went the ball. Lanky fell over very much +like a ten pin that has been caught by a rapidly moving +ball, but as he sat there he held up his hand to +prove that he had forked the sphere out of the air +and gripped it tight!</p> + +<p>The game was over, and it had been a heartbreaking +one all around. Immediately the great +crowd flooded the ground, and the players were +swallowed up in groups of admiring rooters. Herman +Hooker led his gallant band in another cheer, +in which the defeated Bellport team came in for a +share of the shouting; after which there was a wild +rush for all means of transportation whereby the +thousands could hope to reach their homes in the +neighboring towns.</p> + +<p>When the Columbia players reached the river they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> +found that during their absence Abner Gould had +succeeded in repairing the motor, so that it was now +in condition to take them back home. Frank could +not be sure that his suspicions were well founded, +and hence he decided to say nothing about the matter. +If the man had been hired by his sporting +brother to delay the Columbia team, and annoy them +so that they would go upon the field nervous and unstrung, +he had been caught in his own trap.</p> + +<p>Ralph West seemed anxious to speak to Frank in +private. They were on the way up the river, and +most of the boys had stretched out, talking over the +various thrilling events of the great game, when +Ralph dropped down beside Frank.</p> + +<p>“I’ve been wanting to say a few words to you +ever since we left Columbia, but couldn’t get the +chance,” he said in a low tone.</p> + +<p>Frank could see that he was unduly excited, and +he did not believe that this came wholly from his +clever work in the recent game.</p> + +<p>“All right, Ralph; what is it?” he asked encouragingly, +for they had been good friends for some +time, and Frank knew all about certain strange +events connected with the past life of the freshman +who had made good on the Columbia nine.</p> + +<p>“I went to the post-office just before we started +out,” commenced Ralph.</p> + +<p>Frank started, and looked at him eagerly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span>“This is just after the first of the month, and that +mysterious letter with the money enclosed used to +always come at such a time. Well, what happened?” +he asked.</p> + +<p>“I got the letter,” replied Ralph, drawing a long +breath.</p> + +<p>“With the money in it?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, just as before,” answered the freshman, +gulping hard as something seemed to choke him; +“and not a single word. Frank, it’s all opened up +again, and I must know who is sending me this +money. You promised to help me, and I’ll never +rest easy until I learn who I am!”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br> + +<small>A THUNDERBOLT IN THE SCHOOL</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Let</span> me see the envelope, Ralph,” Frank said, +soothingly.</p> + +<p>“Here it is, and it comes from your uncle’s office, +as before.”</p> + +<p>“That’s a fact, and I’m going to ask Uncle Jim +again to tell us what he knows of this queer arrangement. +Somebody wants you to get an education, and +takes this strange way of supplying the money. It’s +been coming ever since last summer, hasn’t it, +Ralph?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. And you know that Mr. and Mrs. West, +whom I always believed to be my parents, until +lately, admitted that I was only adopted by them, +taken from the poorhouse. Then there was that +poor Ben Davis. It looked to me that he might be +the one; but we saw him before he died, and he +denied that he knew anything about me. Oh, this is +a terrible fix for a fellow to be in!”</p> + +<p>“Cheer up, old chap. Come around to-night, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> +I’ll get father to take a hand in the game. Perhaps +he can induce Uncle Jim to explain who sends this +money on the sly through him. He said he had +promised not to tell, but dad may influence him some +way. I wouldn’t say anything more about it now. +The fellows are looking over this way, as though +wondering.”</p> + +<p>So Ralph tried to change his look of anxiety and +gloom to one that corresponded more nearly with +the uproarious delight that caused the others to break +out in almost continuous cheering under the inspiring +influence of Herman Hooker.</p> + +<p>That energetic individual was as hoarse as a crow +by this time, however, and had to give a rest to the +“best yelling voice that Columbia ever knew,” taking +it out in gestures that were almost tragic.</p> + +<p>And so in the evening of that never-to-be-forgotten +day they arrived home, to find the town gaily +decked in bunting, and crowds of students parading +the streets cheering and singing.</p> + +<p>Columbia promised to be painted red that night +of the great victory over the strong Bellport team. +Even the girls joined in the cheering and singing; +while an old cannon was made to do duty on the +green, with a salute to the boys who had carried +the colors of Columbia High to victory that day.</p> + +<p>One returning pilgrim saw nothing to boast about +in the snatching of this close game from Bellport.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> +That was Lef Seller. All the way back he had been +in more or less of a wordy war with various enthusiastic +rooters on the trolley, and his remarks had +been of a nature that almost caused him to be tossed +overboard.</p> + +<p>“His father may own this road, but that doesn’t +excuse him for running down his own school!” +declared one of the old graduates of Columbia High, +in disgust.</p> + +<p>Lef was in a very bitter frame of mind. To see +Frank come out a winner was like gall and wormwood +to his envious spirit. He racked his brain, +with the idea of finding some way of “pulling that +climbing duck down a peg,” as he muttered to himself.</p> + +<p>As a rule, when Lef Seller set about discovering +some means of playing a “trick,” as he called it, +upon a school mate, he usually managed to get +there, even though the gun he held sometimes kicked +worse at the butt than it did damage from the +muzzle.</p> + +<p>“Be sure and come around after supper, Ralph. +I’d ask you to go home with me now, but I know +you want to wash up and get into some other duds. +I’ll look for you,” remarked Frank, as the crowd +went ashore and walked into the town.</p> + +<p>“I’ll be there. This matter is a mighty serious +one with me, and if your father will only give me<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> +a little help I’d be obliged,” and Ralph shook the +hand of his friend warmly.</p> + +<p>“Poor chap,” said Frank to himself, as he walked +away and cast a glance over his shoulder to note +that the other had dropped his chin upon his breast +as though lost in sad thought. “It must be a nightmare +of a time not to know who you are. And then +there’s this money that comes every month from +some unknown source. Whoever can it be sending +it? Uncle Jim <i>must</i> tell, that’s all there is to it.”</p> + +<p>Uncle Jim meant Judge James Decatur Allen, +away down in New York. Frank had already appealed +to him, but the lawyer in reply had said he +did not feel able to explain the mystery, since he had +given his word to his unknown client.</p> + +<p>That night there was a council of war. Mr. Allen +heard the whole story, and was deeply interested in +the fortunes of poor Ralph.</p> + +<p>“I’ll write to Jim to-morrow, and explain things. +No matter if he has promised, he ought to take pity +on you, Ralph, and give you a hint. If you knew +it wasn’t your relatives who were sending this +money, your mind would be at ease, I suppose?” was +what the gentleman had said.</p> + +<p>“I might refuse to accept another cent of it in +that case,” replied Ralph, sturdily.</p> + +<p>“While I can understand how you feel about that, +let me caution you to go slow about looking a gift<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> +horse in the mouth. An education is priceless, and +even if the money came from some distasteful source, +you could still receive it and make up your mind +to positively return it some day.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, sir; that is what I meant to do, anyway,” +said Ralph.</p> + +<p>“Meanwhile say nothing about this. When I hear +from Jim I’ll have another talk with you. Perhaps +he may see fit to confide enough to me so that I can at +least ease your mind. And, Ralph, consider that this +is something of a second home to you. We have all +grown to like you very much, my lad.”</p> + +<p>Ralph could not reply, for he seemed too full of +sentiment for utterance; but he squeezed the hand +Mr. Allen gave him, and his look was eloquent +enough.</p> + +<p>On the following week there was little talked of at +school but that wonderful game at Bellport. The +next one, on the following Saturday, would be +played on the Columbia grounds; and the third as +dictated by fortune in the way of a tossed coin.</p> + +<p>Lef Seller was green with envy at the praise he +heard concerning the masterly way Frank had +pitched.</p> + +<p>“Just as if nobody ever won a game before. Huh! +there are half a dozen to my credit, and some of ’em +as hot as that one. But did you ever hear of the +old school going crazy over my work. I guess not!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> +But that Allen—oh, splash! I get sick hearing the +mention of his name!”</p> + +<p>That was the way he talked to his two cronies. +Bill Klemm and Tony Gilpin, after school was out, +about the middle of the week.</p> + +<p>Lef was sure of sympathy in this quarter, and it +did much to bolster up his resolution to get even +with Frank, no matter what happened.</p> + +<p>“Course you couldn’t ’spect to be looked at in +the light of a hero. It’s only the fellers what strut +around and try to look like tin gods on wheels that +gets the ribbons. Look at them gals talking to him +now. He ain’t any better lookin’ than you, Lef, but +he’s just got Minnie dead struck after him,” remarked +Tony, with his usual disregard for all the +rules of grammar.</p> + +<p>“Aw, let up on that, won’t you? Want to rub +salt in a feller’s cuts, I guess. Don’t I see it all, +and ain’t I just boiling with madness. She used to +think somethin’ of me before she got going with +that conceited little Helen Allen, and Frank, he +butted in. I never will forgive him for that, and it +won’t be long before he’ll get his, all right!” and +Lef nodded his head as he spoke, in a suggestive way +those cronies of his understood meant fight.</p> + +<p>But the tactics of Lef were never along that order +which brought about an open rupture. Fight he +would, if he could get the object of his hatred alone,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> +and have backing of his own, so that the odds were +three to one; but Lef had too much respect for the +strong muscles and agility of Columbia’s crack athlete +to risk a solitary meeting with him.</p> + +<p>No matter what he had in his mind he would not +confide in either of the others. When they asked +him he simply put his tongue in his cheek and +grinned, which signs they understood meant trouble +for Frank Allen.</p> + +<p>On Thursday morning, after the exercises in the +assembly hall, the principal of the school, instead of +dismissing the various classes to their rooms, asked +them to remain, as he had a communication of importance +which he wished to make.</p> + +<p>Expectation was on tiptoe immediately.</p> + +<p>Crafty Tony Gilpin, stealing a side look over toward +Lef, caught a fleeting glow of expectancy in +his eyes, while his manner of leaning forward indicated +that he might know what was coming.</p> + +<p>“He’s gone and done it!” was Tony’s prompt +inward declaration, and immediately his admiration +for his chief was increased tenfold.</p> + +<p>Every eye was fastened upon Professor Parke as +he stood up facing them. The ordinarily genial +teacher looked very sober, and this fact caused many +a heart to beat with apprehension, as various lads +imagined that some prank in which they were concerned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> +had been found out, and public disgrace was +to follow.</p> + +<p>“Young ladies and gentlemen,” began the professor, +who was always in the habit of addressing +the students in this dignified way, just as though his +training as a college man would allow of nothing +else, “I have a very painful duty to perform this +morning, and one I never thought would devolve +upon me here at Columbia, though I have heard of +it happening elsewhere.”</p> + +<p>You could have heard a pin drop as he stopped for +a moment. Two hundred and fifty hearts were +thrilled by his words. Every one present, save, possibly, +one, wondered what it could be the professor +was about to say. Tony was still shooting those +fugitive glances across the room, and each time he +observed the actions of his comrade he kept repeating +to himself:</p> + +<p>“Lef knows! He’s in this game, all right. He +said he’d do <i>something</i>, and I just reckon he has, +all right. Bully for Lef!”</p> + +<p>The professor spoke again, and his voice carried +to the furthest point in that large room, so that +every one could hear what he said.</p> + +<p>“I repeat that I have had a shock. I did not +believe there could be a student under my charge so +dishonorable as to attempt anything so small and +mean as this seems. And I am sure that every one<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> +here, save the miscreant who is guilty, will agree +with me in saying that, when you hear how he +planned to take advantage of the rest of you.”</p> + +<p>Lef was licking his lips now, and trying hard to +hide the grin that seemed to want to creep over his +face. He had all the appearance of one who was +enjoying a delightful treat, and yet who, for diplomatic +reasons, did not want other eyes to note the +fact.</p> + +<p>“Yesterday afternoon,” continued the Head, +slowly, while his eyes roved around the room, “I +received the first batch of examination papers from +the printers, far in advance of the usual time. I +counted them three times, and marked the number +on a slip, so that I could always be sure none were +missing.”</p> + +<p>A half suppressed sigh seemed to pass over the +room. Most of the students could begin to guess +at what was coming. They understood now what +the professor intended to convey when he spoke of +every one being cheated by the work of the malefactor.</p> + +<p>“Something called me away just then, and I did +a very unwise thing—thrust the packet of papers +into my desk, and left the latter open; but I never +dreamed that any one in this school could be guilty +of stealing the questions that mean the promotion of +the juniors in this year’s classes.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>“I was away about half an hour. Upon returning, +something seemed to tell me that my desk had +been entered, since things were plainly disturbed. +And when I recounted the packet <i>I found just one +paper short</i>!”</p> + +<p>Again he paused, and the entire assemblage +seemed to catch its breath, waiting.</p> + +<p>“When I had made sure that one of the papers +was gone, my pleasure over the fine showing of +Columbia in the week just passed fled. I knew that +unless that stolen paper were found, the entire batch +would have to be destroyed, for fear lest it be passed +around, and make our examination a mockery.</p> + +<p>“This morning I received a singular communication +from an unknown party, who claims that he +dares not sign his name, because it would make him +enemies; but he affirms that he saw a certain student +coming out of the office during yesterday afternoon, +and that following him up, he discovered him +looking at a piece of paper which seemed to him to +be a set of questions used in our yearly examinations.</p> + +<p>“As a rule, I seldom take any notice of anonymous +communications, but in this case I feel it a duty I +owe the entire junior class to do everything in my +power to discover the guilty one. The name mentioned +in this communication was one that stunned +me; but since it has been brought before my attention,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> +there seems to be nothing for me to do but +request the person in question to plead guilty or innocent.”</p> + +<p>Then he swept his eyes around, while many a lad +shivered in mortal fear, until finally, they came to +a pause, and the professor exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Frank Allen, come forward, please!”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI<br> + +<small>THE VINDICATION</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Oh!</span>”</p> + +<p>It seemed as though a score of voices framed that +one word. A few of the students looked pleased +because suspicion seemed to have alighted upon a +shining mark, but the vast majority were shocked +and stunned. Helen turned as white as a little +ghost, while Minnie Cuthbert half rose from her +seat, and stared at the principal as though she +thought he had surely taken leave of his senses.</p> + +<p>Frank stood up quickly. He could not help it if +his face burned just then, for any one would naturally +be confused at so sudden an accusation.</p> + +<p>Almost as quickly the color left his face, and he +flashed a defiant look around, as if to discover who +it was chuckled, for it appeared that Lef could not +wholly contain himself.</p> + +<p>Frank walked directly in front of the professor, +and looked him straight in the face. He bore himself +proudly, as might an innocent lad upon whom +unjust suspicion had been cast. If some enemy had +done this, Frank did not intend to let him have the +satisfaction of seeing how it hurt.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p054a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p054a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">FRANK WALKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PROFESSOR, AND +LOOKED HIM STRAIGHT IN THE FACE.<br> + +<i>Columbia High on the Diamond.</i><span class="gap"> <i>Page <a href="#Page_54">54</a>.</i></span></p> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span>“Frank, were you in my office alone at any time +yesterday afternoon?” asked Professor Parke steadily, +as he gazed at the lad before him, and those who +knew anything about reading expression would have +seen readily enough that it was more like a look of +sincere affection that he gave the boy than one of +accusation or doubt.</p> + +<p>“I was not, sir,” came the immediate response, +clear-cut and ringing.</p> + +<p>“This communication, which, as I said before, +has no name attached to it, states that you probably +have that examination paper in your pocket at this +moment. Is there any truth in that assertion, +Frank?” went on the principal.</p> + +<p>“So far as I know, sir, there is not. I am perfectly +willing to have any one search me over. In +fact, sir, after what has been said I <i>demand</i> that it +be done,” said the student, indignantly.</p> + +<p>“Suppose you do it yourself, Frank. Place everything +in your pockets on my desk here, please.”</p> + +<p>With a smile Frank started to obey. Of course, +every eye followed each of his movements, and +Lanky Wallace, who happened to be just behind Lef, +wondered why the fellow gripped his desk and partly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> +arose, as his lips kept forming unuttered words, and +he trembled all over.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Frank’s smile faded. He had a troubled +look on his face as he slowly drew something out, +took one swift glance at it, and then handed it up to +the professor.</p> + +<p>“It’s the paper!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, he had it after all!”</p> + +<p>“How did it ever happen? I don’t believe he +ever took it!”</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it dreadful, girls?” this last from Emily +Dodsworth, who had often tried to interest Frank +Allen in her own simpering self, but without success.</p> + +<p>Frank stood there, looking straight up into the +eyes of the principal.</p> + +<p>“This is indeed the missing examination paper. +The unknown party to whom we are so heavily indebted +certainly told the truth when he said it would +be found in your pocket, Frank. Are you willing +to answer me one question?”</p> + +<p>“I will answer as many as you ask me, sir,” replied +the boy, without quailing.</p> + +<p>“Have you ever seen this paper before, Frank?”</p> + +<p>“I give you my word for it, sir, that I never set +eyes on it until I drew it out of my pocket just +now. I don’t know how it got there, unless some +fellow put it there for fun, or to injure me.”</p> + +<p>A few smiled disdainfully. They were the ones<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> +who had always been envious of Frank Allen’s popularity +in the school, and rejoiced to see him even +temporarily under a cloud.</p> + +<p>But there were ten to one who looked terribly +stunned, and found it hard to realize that the boy +they had all admired as a shining example of honesty +and candor could even be accused of so despicable +a thing as this, the smallest, meanest cheat of +which any student could be guilty.</p> + +<p>“I wish to state right here, Frank, that I believe +you are speaking the exact truth,” said the professor, +with one of his rare smiles; “and I’m going to +explain just what I mean by that, if you will all +sit back in your seats and listen.”</p> + +<p>The silence became profound. Even Lef had +drawn within his shell, so to speak, at this unexpected +remark from the Head, as if he might have +been a cautious old tortoise. He scented trouble +from afar, and was preparing to put on an innocent +look. When Lef was really on his guard, it +would require a keen eye indeed to detect guilt in +his face. He could stare any one in the countenance +and lie out of any hole deliberately and +vehemently.</p> + +<p>“In the first place,” went on the principal, “I have +always set it down as an absolute fact that in nine +cases out of ten an anonymous communication is +the work of a sneak, a coward, and generally a criminal,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> +who wants to throw dust in the eyes of possible +pursuers, so as to effect his own escape. Either +that, or else it is his intention to ruin the reputation +of the party he accuses.</p> + +<p>“It might give me more or less embarrassment, +though not anxiety, in the premises, Frank, on account +of this paper being found on your person, only +for one thing. And that was just where circumstances +conspired to make the wretch who could so +miserably plot to harm a fellow student, overreach +himself.</p> + +<p>“After I had placed those papers in my desk, I +went straight to the gymnasium, where you were +practising, and called you aside. In my company +you went to ascertain about certain matters that you +had called to my attention, and where repairs were +absolutely necessary. And I wish to state emphatically +that during the half hour I was from my room +Frank Allen was actually at my side every minute +of the time until I stepped into my office again!”</p> + +<p>He paused, as if to let the effect of his statement +sink into the minds of the whole assemblage. Then +there came a ripple that immediately broke into a +deluge of cheers, until the entire building seemed to +vibrate with the tremendous volume of sound.</p> + +<p>Nor did Principal Parke raise a hand to assuage +the voluntary tribute to the popularity of the boy +who had been under so unjust a suspicion! Mr.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> +Amos Wellington, one of the other men teachers, +raised a hand feebly, but who cared for his protest +when the Head, by his silence, gave tacit consent to +the shouts.</p> + +<p>Then Professor Parke bent over and offered his +hand to Frank, which action was the occasion for +more cheers and a tiger, as well as the school yell. +There certainly had never been such an extraordinary +spectacle seen in old Columbia High during the +twenty years of its existence.</p> + +<p>And Lef shouted just as loudly as the rest! He +did not dare hold back, lest suspicion be turned his +way. He was trembling in his shoes even then as the +enormity of his iniquity burst upon him. What if +the janitor, Soggy Dolan, had glimpsed him when +he slipped out of the office, for the latter had gone +past with a step ladder on his shoulder, and might +have turned his head, unknown to the culprit.</p> + +<p>Lanky thought it queer that Lef should seem so +pleased over the vindication of one toward whom he +was known to bear only ill will. He imagined that +this sudden change of heart on the part of Lef might +be placed in the same category as the suspicion said +to attach to the Greeks bearing gifts.</p> + +<p>And so, after all, the incident that had been +planned as calculated to attach infamy to Frank’s +name only served to raise him still further in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> +estimation of his schoolmates, and the teachers of +Columbia High.</p> + +<p>And it was certainly a pleasure to have them all +swarm around him later on, to declare their satisfaction +and delight at his complete vindication.</p> + +<p>Frank was far from satisfied.</p> + +<p>It was a dreadful thought to realize that he had +an enemy in the school vindictive enough to do such +a terrible thing as this, simply to crush him.</p> + +<p>“Ten to one I could guess who he is,” said Lanky, +angrily.</p> + +<p>“Have you any proof of it?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>Lanky was forced to admit that his declaration +was only grounded on certain suspicious circumstances. +He would have told of Lef’s queer actions, +but Frank declined to listen.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to try and find out the truth for myself, +Lanky; but whatever I do, I won’t accuse any +one until I can pin him down with indisputable +proof,” he said.</p> + +<p>“And then what, Frank?”</p> + +<p>“Well, I won’t say, but the miserable coward who +would try to strip a fellow of his reputation hadn’t +ought to be allowed to go free,” and had Lef seen +the flash in the eyes that accompanied these words, +he would very likely have trembled more than ever, +and tried to walk a chalk-line.</p> + +<p>Frank sought the principal after school. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> +found the professor in his office, and the other welcomed +him with a warm smile.</p> + +<p>“What can I do for you, Frank? You understand +that not for a single minute did I dream that you +were guilty. I had remembered the circumstances +of your being in my company every bit of the time +while I was out of here, and the thief crept in to rob +my desk. But I would give a good deal to be able +to find out who played so mean a trick upon you.”</p> + +<p>“Will you let me see the paper you received, sir?” +asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“That you will find in my waste-paper basket yonder. +Now that you mention it, I can see that it was +unwise of me to toss it aside contemptuously. Have +you found it, my lad?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” said Frank, bending over.</p> + +<p>“I see, you think it possible to recognize the writing. +But in this case the scoundrel followed the +usual custom with all anonymous letter writers, for +he simply printed the words,” remarked the +principal.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir, I notice he did. And the paper seems +to be just what is used by every student in school, +as the supplies come from you,” observed Frank, +still examining the crumpled sheet.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid that we may never know who did +it, unless through some accident.”</p> + +<p>“Where did you find this note, sir?” continued<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> +the boy, eagerly, as though a sudden idea had struck +him.</p> + +<p>“Slipped under my door here when I opened it +this morning. You know Mr. Dolan does not open +my office save on Saturdays, when he cleans. Whoever +put the paper under the door chose a time when +no one was likely to see him.”</p> + +<p>“You threw this in the basket as soon as you read +it, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, for, as I remarked, I was indignant,” replied +the professor, curiously wondering what all +these questions implied.</p> + +<p>“And at that early time I don’t suppose you were +using your ink at all, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly not, Frank. What makes you ask that, +lad?”</p> + +<p>Frank spread the paper, which he had smoothed +out, before the gentleman.</p> + +<p>“You see, sir, whoever wrote this used ink; and +in some way or other he must have gotten a certain +small amount on his fingers and thumb. Look here, +and you will see where there is a very plain imprint +of a thumb, and from the other marks that accompany +it, I should say that it is the <i>left</i> thumb, too!”</p> + +<p>“You interest me amazingly, my boy. And it is +all just as you say. I do declare, it must be the +left thumb that has left an imprint here. I see what +you have in mind, Frank. Go your own way about<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> +it. If you discover the guilty one, I leave it to you +entirely whether you bring him before me or not. +This is your especial affair, and you can manage it +as you please.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I happened to be reading lately how they +take the imprint of criminals’ thumbs over in France, +and that no two are exactly alike. With other measurements, +it is called the Bertillon system, and has +been found to work well. There, I have made an +impression of my left thumb, and you can see, sir, +that the lines are very much unlike this one.”</p> + +<p>“Frank, you are correct, and I give you credit +for so much acumen. But do you want me to call +every boy in school in here and take an impression +of each left thumb, so that we can discover the one +rascal?” smiled the principal.</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, sir, but I thought I’d like to try on my +own hook, to see if I could land him,” exclaimed +Frank.</p> + +<p>“All right, go ahead. I give you free permission, +and wish you luck. And, Frank, perhaps you have +already some idea as to what direction you mean to +hunt first of all,” this last with uplifted eyebrows +and a questioning look.</p> + +<p>“Well, sir,” said Frank, as he turned to depart +with the precious paper safe in his pocket, “I suppose +I have suspicions, but they may be unjust toward +a certain party, and I wouldn’t mention them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> +to any one. Thank you, Professor, for helping me. +If I succeed, perhaps I may bring the proof to you. +It all depends upon circumstances.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, yes,” murmured the professor, after he +found himself alone; “I can understand what that +means. If the rascal pleads only strong enough that +generous lad will even go so far as to forgive him, +and hush the ugly matter up, for the honor of +Columbia. Would that there were more like him!”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII<br> + +<small>THE IMPRINT IN THE CLAY</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">I don’t</span> believe in it, that’s all!” said Lanky Wallace, +with a shake of his head.</p> + +<p>“Well, now, for my part, I’m not so hard to convince. +Just because they look alike at first glance +is no reason why it would be so if you put our +hands under a magnifier. I kind of side with +Frank,” observed Buster Billings.</p> + +<p>They were gathered in a group in the gymnasium, +and chattering like magpies. A dozen or more boys +had dropped in after school Thursday afternoon, as +a drizzling rain prevented any outdoor work, and +there were many temptations for lovers of athletics +in that well equipped gym.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to tell me,” burst out Lanky, with +a look of scorn, “that everybody’s two hands differ, +and that yours are entirely unlike mine. I just fail +to see it, and I’m not the only one, either.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” remarked Jack Eastwick; “as for me,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> +I side with Lanky. You’ll have to show me, Frank, +before I’ll back down.”</p> + +<p>Others of the boys began to gather around, attracted +by the animated discussion, just as Frank +had been hoping they would. He had noted the fact +that Lef Seller was in the place, not doing much in +the way of exercise, for he had been debarred from +competing in the track team or taking part in any +athletic rivalry for the balance of the term, and +could only look on and make sarcastic remarks.</p> + +<p>But, somehow, there seemed to be an attraction to +Lef in the person of Frank Allen. Perhaps it may +have been on a par with the fatality that draws the +silly moth to the flame of the candle. He had tried +to wrong the other terribly, and, the plot having +failed, he seemed eager to catch anything that was +said concerning the matter by Frank or his chums.</p> + +<p>So, among the rest, he lounged over to the spot +where Frank sat, upon the edge of a little table, idly +swinging his leg to and fro. Apparently Frank +never paid the slightest attention to the presence of +Lef; but, truth to tell, he was keenly alive to the fact.</p> + +<p>“What’s all this talk about over here?” demanded +Seymour, pushing into the group.</p> + +<p>Lanky took it upon himself to explain.</p> + +<p>“Why, Frank was springing a joke on the lot of +us. He says that our two hands are totally unlike—that +if an impression was made of each fellow’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> +right and left, he’d never dream they belonged to +the same body. What do you think of that, Rod. +It’s going some, for Frank, eh?”</p> + +<p>The captain of the nine looked thoughtful.</p> + +<p>“You may smile at it, fellows, but really I’m inclined +to side with Frank. I’ve read some strange +things along that line lately, and believe there’s considerable +truth in it,” he marked, soberly.</p> + +<p>At this Lanky laughed jeeringly. He had been +taken into the scheme far enough by Frank to know +how to play his part. And out of the corner of his +eye he saw that Lef Seller had hung to the outskirts +of the crowd, listening with some show of interest +to what was said. Lef, as a rule, had been frowned +upon of late when he came around, and as no one +noticed him now, he felt encouraged to remain. No +boy likes to feel that he is an outcast among his +schoolmates.</p> + +<p>“Prove it, Frank!” scoffed Lanky.</p> + +<p>“Yes, make your assertion good, old chap!” echoed +Buster, encouragingly.</p> + +<p>“Well, why not? And here’s a splendid chance +to make the test,” declared Frank, jumping down +from his seat.</p> + +<p>He strove to act as though badgered into the exposition +of his belief, when to tell the actual truth, the +stage had all been set beforehand for just this +opening.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span>“What’s he going to do, boys?” asked Jack +Eastwick.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I get on to his curves. See there, on that +window seat are a dozen little boxes. You know +what they contain, fellows?” cried Lanky.</p> + +<p>“The modeling clay Mr. Oswald uses in his geographic +lectures!” said Tom Budd, as he placed his +hands on the table Frank had just vacated, gave a +hitch to his lower extremities, and after a whirl +through the air like a cart wheel, once more calmly +alighted on his feet.</p> + +<p>“That’s just what. I’ve seen him show the topography +of a dozen countries with that stuff. It’s a +fad of Ossie’s. But what can Frank want with it? +Is he going to manufacture some artificial hands to +prove his words?” asked Jack, the doubter.</p> + +<p>“Now, look here, you fellows who doubt my assertion. +I’m going to make good; not only in my own +case, but every one of you have got to be convinced +by seeing how your own hands differ in a dozen +ways. Each fellow take one of these trays, just as +I am doing. Are you game to try?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“I’m ready for the test, and I’m not giving back +a word. Convince me, and I’ll own up, but I’ve got +to be shown,” declared Lanky.</p> + +<p>“Me, too!” echoed Jack, seizing a little box and +leveling the clay with a pad used for the purpose, +until it was perfectly smooth.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span>And Lef took the last tray! Frank chuckled when +he saw that, for he felt that there was some hope at +least that his neat little plan might not fall down in +the start through the suspicion of the one at whom +it was aimed.</p> + +<p>“Bless the little innocent’s heart!” whispered +Lanky in Frank’s ear.</p> + +<p>“First of all, every fellow write his name on the +tablet in front of his tray, so we’ll know which is +which,” said Frank, earnestly.</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” grinned Buster, “for I declare, if I’d +want to stand sponsor for some of the paws other +fellows own.”</p> + +<p>“The sentiment is kindly returned, Buster. You +are welcome to a monopoly of your own kind of +paws. Now, what, Frank?” queried Seymour.</p> + +<p>“All got your signature down? Well, pad the +stuff until it’s just as smooth as the ice was last +winter on the Harrapin, up near Rattail Island.”</p> + +<p>“Or as smooth as Lanky here when he’s got his +Sunday duds on,” suggested Buster, with a chuckle.</p> + +<p>“Now be very careful how you press your right +hand gently down in the clay on that side of the +tray. Lift it out quietly, so as to leave a positive +impression. Got that, everybody?” Frank went on, +suiting the action to the words himself.</p> + +<p>“I’m on, all right!” called out one.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span>“Me, too, and it’s just a dandy impression I +made!” declared Buster, exultantly.</p> + +<p>“You always do, especially when you take a +header over the handlebars of your wheel. I’ve seen +it!” spoke up Lanky, ready to get back at his chum +for the various sly digs he had received.</p> + +<p>Frank had his eyes about him. He knew that +Lef was following up the little experiment just as +eagerly as any of the others. It kept him near +them, and thus he could hear what they might be +talking about. If suggestions were offered concerning +the identity of the unknown who had tried to +get Frank into trouble, Lef was yearning to know +the drift of the sentiment.</p> + +<p>“Now, do the same with the left hand,” Frank +went on calmly, though his heart was undoubtedly +beating faster than its wont; “and be mighty careful +not to let it overlap the imprint of the right. How +about that, fellows?”</p> + +<p>“Mine is a perfect success!” declared Lanky, triumphantly.</p> + +<p>“And mine’s a blooming failure. What shall I +do about it, Frank?” called out Buster, in disgust.</p> + +<p>“Smooth it off and try again, until you’re satisfied +you’ve got a perfect impression of each hand,” +answered the master of ceremonies.</p> + +<p>“What comes next?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>“Lay the trays down here on the table so we can +all get around. Wait just a minute, fellows. I’ve +sent up to borrow Mr. Oswald’s big magnifier. That +is going to prove my assertion so that even the +scoffers will have to admit its truth. And here comes +Alfred with the glass.”</p> + +<p>Frank took one look at the contents of the tray +upon which he had written his own name. Then +he handed the glass to Buster.</p> + +<p>“Examine closely. Note first that there is a considerable +difference in width. Then measure the same +finger on each hand and you will see they differ in +length. Next pay attention to the peculiar markings. +No two fingers are alike in that respect, not even +your own. Well, is it so, Buster?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Wow! I’m a misfit all right! Somebody must +have got my other hand in the shuffle. The worst +of it is, how am I to tell which one really belongs +to the Billings family?” lamented the fat student, +sighing in pretended distress.</p> + +<p>So the glass went around. Frank stood still while +Lanky followed the movement of the magnifier until +every one had taken a look, and was ready to +admit the truth of what Frank had said.</p> + +<p>“No two alike in the whole bunch. I never would +have believed it,” admitted Lanky, who had been +peering at every impression.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>Without appearing to do so, he had managed to +crowd several of the boys away from the table, +and among them Lef; but having seen the wonders +of the magnifying glass proven, like most of their +type they had suddenly lost interest in the matter, +and were already turning their attention toward the +parallel bars, the swinging hoops and the punching +bags.</p> + +<p>Left alone at the table, Frank made a pretense +of arranging the trays just as he had found them, +now and then taking a look through the magnifier. +He had his eye on Lef and waited until the +other was engaged in some stunt at which he excelled.</p> + +<p>At first Lef had been debarred even the privileges +of the gymnasium on account of his playing a miserable +trick upon Frank as the editor of the Columbia +monthly paper; but after a bit this order had +been rescinded, so that now he was allowed to join +his fellows in their muscle-building work.</p> + +<p>When Frank presently saw the name of Lef Seller +written on the white tab of a moulding tray, and discovered +that the imprints of the other’s hands were +plainly stamped there before him, he eagerly held +his glass over the box. At the same time he drew +out the paper that had come to Professor Peake, +and compared the delicate tracery of lines on the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> +thumb with that which Lef had left behind him in +the moulding clay.</p> + +<p>There could be no possible mistake!</p> + +<p>The same thumb had made both impressions beyond +a possibility of doubt!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII<br> + +<small>TOEING THE MARK</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">So it</span> was that cur, just as I expected!”</p> + +<p>Frank felt a glow of indignation pass over him +at the conviction that he had by this simple but positive +means of identification discovered the thief +who had not only stolen the examination paper, but +tried to rob him of his good name.</p> + +<p>He and Lef had always been at war. Bitter rivals +in all things, they had on many occasions faced +each other on opposite sides. And because Frank +usually managed to win in these contests Lef hated +him bitterly.</p> + +<p>Frank was puzzled as to what he should do. His +first thought was to hasten to the principal’s office +and show him the proof of the charge he could make. +Then he shook his head. Somehow that seemed +to be too severe, for it would possibly result in the +expulsion of the other student of Columbia High. +And Frank hardly fancied having such a responsibility +thrust upon his shoulders.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>“I’ll charge him with it, and if he says he’s sorry, +let the matter go. Anyhow, the mischief’s done. +Those papers will have to go back, and others be +sent on. The little experiment has afforded me more +or less amusement, and that counts for something. +If I can only get Lef over here alone.”</p> + +<p>A bright thought struck Frank even while he +was puzzling over this matter.</p> + +<p>“That’s the idea—I can slip into the lunch room, +and coax him there.”</p> + +<p>First of all he carried the tray of moulding clay +through the convenient door. Mrs. Louden, who +had charge of the lunch counter, was still busily +engaged. She made it a rule to linger when a bunch +of the boys were working in the adjacent gymnasium, +since that sort of thing developed enormous +appetites, and many an extra dollar found its way +into her till through this afternoon source.</p> + +<p>After doing this Frank passed outside again.</p> + +<p>“How?” remarked Lanky, as he sidled up alongside +his friend.</p> + +<p>But this was not intended to be an Indian salutation. +Lanky was deeply interested, and wanted to +know.</p> + +<p>“I was right,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>There was no exultant strain to his voice such as +one might expect. Truth to tell, he felt only indignation +and disgust because of the fact that any fellow<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> +who had the home training Lef Seller enjoyed +should descend so low as to endeavor to ruin a companion’s +reputation.</p> + +<p>“Then soak him, pard! Show the measly skunk +no mercy! He ought to be kicked out of Columbia, +and that’s the truth!” gritted the other.</p> + +<p>Lanky knew his chum’s tenderness of heart, and +was afraid that Frank might be too easy with the +culprit.</p> + +<p>“Don’t forget what you promised me when I let +you in on this!”</p> + +<p>“Oh! yes, you tied my hands good and hard, so +that I couldn’t let out even one measly little squawk. +But my word is as good as my bond. Have it your +own way, but I certainly hope you’ll finish that fellow’s +loping so that he’ll never try any more of his +funny business on you again,” grumbled Lanky.</p> + +<p>“That would be almost too good,” laughed Frank; +“and now, while I go in the lunch room will you +manage to tell Lef that some one wants to see him +there?”</p> + +<p>“Sure I will,” grinned the other.</p> + +<p>“And try to keep the boys out for a little while, +will you, Lanky?”</p> + +<p>“If it’s possible, but you know as long as any +fellow has a nickel in his jeans, and the spirit moves, +he can’t be kept away from Mother Louden’s grub +corner with a derrick. But I’ve just thought of a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> +funny story I’ll tell ’em after Lef has gone to the +block.”</p> + +<p>Lanky hurried away, while Frank passed through +into the other room.</p> + +<p>Two minutes later Lef hurried into the place and +looked around. He seemed disappointed, and +frowned. Possibly the conceited fellow may even +have imagined from the air of mystery that Lanky +assumed when telling him some one wanted to see +him, that one of the girls, even Minnie herself, was +there with a message.</p> + +<p>Frank beckoned to him, earnestly. He saw Lef’s +face turn red at once, but since no one could ever +accuse the fellow of a lack of nerve, it was not +strange that he started toward the corner where +Frank was standing hiding something behind him.</p> + +<p>When Lef reached the other he was sneering as +he said:</p> + +<p>“Was it <i>you</i> sent for me? If I’d known it, I +wouldn’t have taken the trouble to come, and you +understand that, or you wouldn’t have had Lanky +make me believe it might be Minnie.”</p> + +<p>Frank flushed a trifle at the mention of that name, +for he and Lef had long been competitors for the +favor of the prettiest girl in Columbia.</p> + +<p>“That would have been too bad, for you, Lef,” +he said, quietly.</p> + +<p>“Oh! say you so. Perhaps you’ll take the trouble<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> +to tell me why?” observed the other, apparently as +bold as ever, though Frank could detect a little uneasiness +about his manner that told of newly awakened +fears.</p> + +<p>“Because if you hadn’t come I’d have taken the +matter up with Professor Parke,” and Frank +looked him straight in the eye as he spoke.</p> + +<p>“Matter—what matter?” demanded Lef, shivering +at the same time.</p> + +<p>Frank stepped aside, and in so doing exposed upon +the table one of the little trays used by Mr. Oswald +when instructing his pupils in the art of the mapmaker.</p> + +<p>“That’s your tray, Lef; it has your own signature +on the tag to make certain.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! I don’t deny it. But what under the sun +are you driving at, Frank Allen? I’m beginning to +believe that all the praise that’s been showered on +the mighty factor in saving that punk game last +Saturday has gone to his head, and that you’re getting +ratty.”</p> + +<p>“Wait and see. There’s the imprint of your left +hand as plain as day. You heard me say that no +two fingers in the world would make the same impression, +or thumbs either for that matter. Well +I’m going to show you that the <i>same thumb</i> can and +always will make a similar impression; and many a +rascal has gone to jail just because of it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span>With a quick motion Frank flirted a paper before +the astonished eyes of the boy who stood there. Lef +turned as white as a ghost, and had to grit his teeth +to keep from having them chatter with his sudden +fright.</p> + +<p>Had the ground opened and threatened to swallow +him just then he could hardly have been more +astonished and dismayed. It is the feeling of the +rogue whenever his own handiwork arises unexpectedly +to confront and confound him.</p> + +<p>“I guess you know that paper, Lef, all right,” said +Frank, meaningly.</p> + +<p>Lef pretended to lean forward to read it, but in +reality he was trying to shield his face until he could +screw up a little of his ordinary courage and brazen +assurance.</p> + +<p>“Rats!” he exclaimed at length, though his voice +trembled almost piteously, and instead of the customary +fire in his eyes they seemed to be filled with +a dumb entreaty; “I see that you’ve got the paper +the professor said came to him. What of it? +I ain’t got anything to do with that, and nothing +you can say will make anybody believe it, Frank +Allen!”</p> + +<p>“But you signed it yourself, Lef, as plain as day!” +declared Frank.</p> + +<p>“What’s that? Think I’m a fool, do you? Sign +nothing! The fellow who wrote that scribble was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> +wise enough to make only his mark,” sneered Lef.</p> + +<p>“Well, in this case his mark is as good as his +name,” went on Frank.</p> + +<p>Lef began to tremble. He realized that there was +something terrible back of these words, so calmly +spoken by the boy he had come to fear more than +any one he had ever known.</p> + +<p>“Tell me how?” he demanded, with one more +futile attempt at bluster.</p> + +<p>Frank pointed to the blur on the edge of the +sheet, where a thumbmark was plainly visible in ink.</p> + +<p>“That’s your signature, Lef! You never thought +when by accident your thumb made that blur that +you were signing your name here, but that’s just +what you did. The proof lies in that little drawer +where you made the impression of your left hand. +Alike as two peas they are, Lef. That would convict +you in any court. It stamps you as the low, +mean cur that you are, who would try to ruin a +companion’s reputation just to gratify his love of +revenge!”</p> + +<p>Lef stared at the small tray of moulding clay in +which the plain impression of his hands could be +seen.</p> + +<p>“You—did—that as a trap!” he gasped.</p> + +<p>“Well, just as you will. If it was a trap you fell +into it neatly enough, and you’re caught now. The +evidence is there, and if I showed it to Professor<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> +Parke I guess we wouldn’t be bothered with you at +Columbia High much longer,” went on Frank, +sternly.</p> + +<p>“Say, you wouldn’t be mean enough to do that, +Allen, I hope? I acknowledge the corn about this +thing. I did do it, but more to get you knocked off +the baseball team than anything else,” said Lef, in +pretended humility.</p> + +<p>All the while he was edging toward the table; but +if Frank suspected his design he took no measures +to stop the other.</p> + +<p>“What good would that do you?” demanded the +one Lef had injured.</p> + +<p>“I used to pitch for Columbia, yes, and won many +games for them up to the time you knocked me out. +I’ve never got over being sore for that. Lots of +times I’ve tried to get even. You know how. Sometimes +I succeeded in giving you a jolt; but more +times the shoe was on the other foot. This seems +to be one of that sort. I never thought the old man +had you with him all the time he was out of his +den.”</p> + +<p>“But you haven’t answered my question—how +would it profit you even if I was dropped from the +team?” continued Frank, persistently.</p> + +<p>“Why, I had some hope that when the team was +left without a pitcher enough influence might be +brought to bear on the Head to let me take my old<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> +place in the box again. That’s all I did it for; +Frank; I give you my word.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose you look at such things differently from +the way others do; and perhaps you even now believe +it wasn’t such a dirty trick after all. I’m just +wondering whether I’d better accept an apology +from you and let it go at that, or take the matter +before Professor Parke.”</p> + +<p>Lef made a sudden movement of his hand, and +the little tray was dumped from off the table, depositing +its contents in a mass upon the floor.</p> + +<p>“What did you do that for?” demanded Frank.</p> + +<p>“Destroying the evidence, that’s all. I guess you’ll +have some difficulty now about proving the ridiculous +assertion you just made. Of course I never +dreamed of playing such a mean trick as stealing +that paper, and hiding it on you! And, Mr. Smarty, +my word ought to be as good as yours, any day!”</p> + +<p>He thrust his face out as he spoke, in his usual +disagreeable way, thinking he had played a clever +trick on the other.</p> + +<p>“You’re wrong there. Although you’ve destroyed +that little print you so kindly made me you can’t +very well get rid of the original so easily,” said +Frank, pointing down at the left hand of the other.</p> + +<p>And Lef fell back in sheer dismay. He had forgotten +that it was the mark of his thumb to which +Frank referred.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>“The professor could easily insist upon you convicting +yourself by stamping another thumb-print +alongside this one. He asked me if I wanted to have +every fellow in Columbia make his mark, so that +the right one could be found; and I told him I preferred +going about it in my own way.”</p> + +<p>“Then—he knows?” asked Lef, in new alarm.</p> + +<p>“About the imprint on the paper, yes. He admitted +that it was a possible way for identifying +the one who had taken it out of his desk,” was +Frank’s answer.</p> + +<p>“And you’ve got to tell him then?” with a groan, +and a sinking of his head on his chest.</p> + +<p>“No, he said he’d leave that to me entirely; but +that, if I succeeded, and gave him the proof he’d +do the rest!”</p> + +<p>Like all cowards caught in their own toils, Lef +was not beneath playing upon his emotions in order +to secure immunity. To the surprise of Frank the +other suddenly grasped his hand and there seemed +to be a look of sincere agony on the face that was +thrust close to his.</p> + +<p>“Then I hope you’ll be above giving me away, +Frank. I’ve been a cur. I admit it, and don’t deserve +to be let down easy; but I’d hate to be expelled +from school, because, you know, my mother +has set her heart on my graduating, and going to +college. It would break her all up. I haven’t been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> +what I ought to be, but this is going to be a lesson +to me, sure it is!”</p> + +<p>Frank deep down in his heart believed the fellow +was a hypocrite; but under the circumstances what +could he do, now that Lef had brought his mother +into the affair? Frank knew her well, and believed +she was an estimable lady who certainly deserved +to have a better son than fortune had given her.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know whether to believe you or not, Lef; +but at any rate I guess I’ll keep my own counsel, for +a while at least,” he said.</p> + +<p>And as Lef moved away, he was secretly laughing +in his heart at the easy way he had tricked his +rival.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br> + +<small>A STUNNING SURPRISE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Everybody</span> report on the field this afternoon for +practice!” called Lanky.</p> + +<p>It was on Friday morning, and most of the members +of the nine chanced to be within hearing distance +of his shout.</p> + +<p>“Bellport will be over here to-morrow, and with +their teeth set to drop us down a peg,” remarked +Jack Eastwick, who, while no ball player of moment, +always manifested the greatest interest in the success +of the team.</p> + +<p>“Hope the weather keeps on as fine as it is to-day,” +said Tom Budd, as he turned a few flipflaps +around the group; but the boys were so accustomed +to his antics that they paid little attention to them, +although a stranger would have stared with amazement +to see his really wonderful stunts.</p> + +<p>“And that Frank’s arm is as full of ginger as it +was last Saturday. My! but he did shoot them in. +I heard some of the Bellport players talking about<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> +it after the game. They’re afraid of Frank, fellows, +actually afraid!”</p> + +<p>Lef Seller, who was hanging near, turned his head +away to conceal the sneer that persisted in settling +upon his face when he heard Buster make this announcement.</p> + +<p>It was like gall and wormwood to Lef to hear +any one say good things of Frank Allen. Every +time this happened it seemed as though he were +being robbed of something that by right should belong +to him.</p> + +<p>When they gathered that afternoon on the diamond, +Lef was around to watch and criticise as the +humor seized him. And Tony Gilpin also made +his appearance, although seldom seen of late on the +athletic field.</p> + +<p>“No show this afternoon to get it, Lef,” he remarked, +as he threw himself down near the other +on the grass under a tree that grew outside the +confines of the grounds.</p> + +<p>“Rotten luck! Of course he wouldn’t carry it in +his baseball uniform. That means we’ll have to +wait our chance. And till I get my fingers on that +paper I don’t dare so much as peep for fear that he +shows me up,” grunted Lef.</p> + +<p>From which it may be readily understood that he +was even then laying plans looking to another robbery, +this time in order to destroy all evidence of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> +his participation in that other offense. So one crime +often leads to another, after the first step has been +taken along the broad way.</p> + +<p>The boys were soon batting and throwing, while +waiting for the arrival of enough fellows to make +up the scrub team.</p> + +<p>Captain Seymour was a clever manager and he +had noticed just where the team had seemed a bit +weak during that great game with Bellport. It was +now his aim to strengthen those lame spots as best +the short time allowed.</p> + +<p>Those who had made errors of judgment were +to be put through a course whereby they might reasonably +remedy that defect. If a fielder had shown +wavering in the matter of running in on a fly or +backing away, he was to be bombarded with high, +vaulting ones until he seemed perfect.</p> + +<p>And so it went on. Columbia just then had no +regular coach, since the instructor at the school, +who had played that benevolent part with them +earlier in the season, had been called away by the +illness of his father.</p> + +<p>“Who’s missing?” called Seymour, as he began +to pick out his men, and arrange with the captain +of the scrub for the opening of a little five-inning +game.</p> + +<p>“All here but Buster Billings!” announced some +one.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>“And there he comes toddling along now!” another +called out.</p> + +<p>“Buster never would hurry if the world was coming +to an end,” said Lanky.</p> + +<p>“You wrong him there. Send a fly out in his +territory and see him go. Once he makes a start +and he can whoop things up like a wild broncho on +the plains. The only trouble with Buster is he can +hardly stop after he gets wound up. I saw him +knock down a whole section of a board fence once,” +laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>“Who’s he got with him?” asked “Bones” Shadduck.</p> + +<p>“It’s a gentleman stopping at his house. I saw +him come last night,” one of the boys answered +quickly.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Billings is having lots of company lately. +I met another gentleman at the game last week who +said he was visiting at their house,” remarked Jack +Eastwick.</p> + +<p>Buster came puffing up, his face rosy as ever, and +a set grin upon it.</p> + +<p>“Hello! fellows, a little late, am I? Well, Rome +never was built in a day. Plenty of time to do all +the practicing we want. And since we’re going to +have a real hot game of it why I thought I’d bring +an umpire along!”</p> + +<p>He pointed to the gentleman at his side, who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> +was smiling as if pleased to be among such a lot of +happy-go-lucky young athletes.</p> + +<p>“Reminds me of my salad days at Princeton, boys. +As George here says I’ll be only too glad to prove +of any assistance to you, either in the way of umpiring, +or giving you a few pointers,” the tall man +remarked.</p> + +<p>Buster threw out his chest, and the light of a long-delayed +triumph shone in his eyes as he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Fellows, allow me to introduce my friend, Coach +Willoughby!”</p> + +<p>“What!”</p> + +<p>More than a dozen pairs of dilated eyes stared +first at Buster and then toward the smiling and bowing +gentleman with the athletic build, who began +throwing off his coat as though anxious to get down +to business.</p> + +<p>For a long time past Buster had been quoting +Coach Willoughby as an authority on all manner +of sports in the gymnasium and on the field. By +degrees his comrades had grown to look upon +this personage as an imaginary party, and it +had of late become a regular habit with them to +shout every time Buster started to quote what his +patron saint would advise under such and such circumstances.</p> + +<p>Imagine their amazement, then, to have him not +only prove the truth of this wonderful man’s existence,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> +but to actually have him there on their +humble athletic field to coach them in their work!</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! three cheers for Buster!” whooped Jack +Comfort, as though by that means they might in +some measure atone for all the indignities they had +heaped upon the head of the fat student in times +past.</p> + +<p>“And three for Coach Willoughby!” echoed Paul +Bird, throwing up his catcher’s mitt.</p> + +<p>They were given with a will, while the object +of the attention, Buster, assumed an attitude, and +allowed a beautiful smile to light up his good-natured +face.</p> + +<p>Ralph was to pitch for the scrub. Taken in all +there was a pretty good set of players back of him, +and Frank knew that he would have to do his best +unless the regulars wanted to take chances of being +beaten, which would have a demoralizing effect upon +the team just at the threshold of their second struggle +with Bellport.</p> + +<p>Ralph never pitched better. He had that wonderfully +elusive ball of his working in a way that +deceived the heaviest batters most alarmingly.</p> + +<p>Coach Willoughby proved his thorough knowledge +of the game right from the start. He gave +Paul several little pointers that opened the eyes +of the catcher to some of his faults and weak places. +More than this, he frequently called the players of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> +the batting team about him and explained how certain +plays could be made with far greater chances +for success than by the older methods they were +following.</p> + +<p>“Sure Coach Willoughby is right up to date,” +grinned Buster, when one of his mates remarked +that the old Princeton player must have kept track +of the game ever since leaving college.</p> + +<p>When the fourth inning had ended, with just one +more to play, for the afternoon was waning, the +score was very close, being just five to four, in favor +of the regulars, and most of these runs had been +the result of errors rather than a weakness on the +part of either pitcher.</p> + +<p>In this inning Frank put on every ounce of steam +he could muster. The result was the complete discomfiture +of the enemy, who could not even manage +to connect with the ball.</p> + +<p>“Fine work, my boy!” complimented the coach +and umpire; and Frank blushed, since it must mean +something to be spoken to in this way by so old and +experienced a Princeton graduate as Coach Willoughby.</p> + +<p>Not to be outdone, Ralph, too, exerted himself in +this inning. One little pop fly that was gathered in +by the first baseman was the result of his labor; and +the scrub team came in, perspiring freely, but grinning +with the chase they had given the regulars.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>“Columbia High has reason to be proud of possessing +two such clever young twirlers as these boys. +I’m going to see that game to-morrow, if I have to +break an important engagement to do so,” declared +the gentlemanly umpire, earnestly, as he walked with +several of the players through the town on his way +to Buster’s house.</p> + +<p>Buster was apparently the happiest fellow in town. +Every time he looked at the sun-burned gentleman +he seemed to be saying:</p> + +<p>“Maybe you’ll believe me now, fellows—maybe +you’ll listen when I quote my favorite authority. +This day has seen my complete revenge, and I’m +satisfied!”</p> + +<p>“By the way, do we pass the post-office, George?” +asked Coach Willoughby; “for you see I forgot to +tell them at the office to address me here in care +of your father, and there might be an important +letter waiting for me.”</p> + +<p>“We can stop in and see, sir,” remarked Frank, +eagerly; but Buster did not notice that he was more +than ordinarily interested.</p> + +<p>“Then let’s do so, please, for here is the building. +Wait for me boys, or will you come in?” and with +Buster and Frank at his heels the old Princeton +player pushed through the doors.</p> + +<p>He stepped up to the window where Harvey<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> +Brooks waited upon the patrons of the general delivery +department.</p> + +<p>And then Frank heard him say in a matter of +fact tone of voice:</p> + +<p>“Anything here for Mr. Pliny Evans Smith?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir, one letter for you!” came the answer.</p> + +<p>The gentleman athlete received it, tore the end +off and was speedily devouring the contents. Frank +looked at Buster, who turned as red as a turkey +gobbler, and then gave a hysterical little gurgle.</p> + +<p>The evidence seemed plain that this wonderful +Coach Willoughby had been stamped a fraud of the +first water!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X<br> + +<small>ON THE RIVER ROAD</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Hello!</span> boys, what’s wrong here?”</p> + +<p>Coach Willoughby looked first at Buster’s glowing +and confused face, and then toward Frank’s smiling +countenance.</p> + +<p>Buster simply pointed to the envelope which had +fallen to the floor. As the truth broke upon the +mind of the other he laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>“Out of their own mouths are the wicked conspirators +condemned. See what a nice mess you’ve +coaxed me into, George! Here I am apparently unmasked +before this fine, mettlesome prize pitcher of +yours.”</p> + +<p>He turned to Frank, and assumed a little more +serious look as he continued:</p> + +<p>“My name is Willoughby, only that and nothing +more. I am a Princeton graduate, and, as you have +seen, I’ve been something of an all-around athlete +in my day, too. Recently I have been doing some +umpiring in a minor league, and as my wife doesn’t<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> +like the idea of seeing my name printed in such a +connection I use the one of Pliny Evans Smith. +That’s all there is to it boys, I assure you.”</p> + +<p>“You’ve done wonders for our team this afternoon, +sir, and if we only had the benefit of such +advice oftener it would be greatly to our benefit,” +declared Frank.</p> + +<p>“Thank you for the compliment, my lad. My +heart is always with the boys, and I believe I’d stop +to witness a good game of ball even though it threatened +to cost me a slice of my fortune. And Frank, +once upon a time I <i>was</i> a pitcher; even if I did go +to the well once too often,” the visitor laughed.</p> + +<p>“I wish you had shown me a few more tricks +about pitching, Mr. Willoughby,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>“Oh! I will, gladly,” said the ex-Princeton man, +readily enough, “although most of the games I knew +have been outlawed by time.”</p> + +<p>Some of the girls were playing basket-ball upon +the school green. The sight appealed to Coach Willoughby, +and he expressed a wish to stop over a brief +time to witness the conclusion of the fiercely-contested +game.</p> + +<p>Among the rest, Helen Allen and Minnie Cuthbert +were doing pretty good work for the side they happened +to be on.</p> + +<p>The visitor applauded certain plays, and almost +before any one knew it he was suggesting others<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> +that opened the eyes of the girls to the fact that +they had an authority on sports with them.</p> + +<p>So Buster was called upon to introduce his father’s +friend, and for half an hour Coach Willoughby +entered into a free lecture of advice connected with +the fascinating exercise of basket-ball.</p> + +<p>And when finally the lesson came to an end, Frank +walked down the street with both the girls, nor did +he turn in at his own gate, but continued on until +Minnie had been safely escorted to her home.</p> + +<p>He was conscious of the fact that Lef Seller saw +him, for they met face to face; but Lef assumed a +pleasant look and acted as though he was the last +fellow in Columbia to think of bearing malice.</p> + +<p>If Frank could have seen how he pounded the +pillows about when once safe up in his own room +at home, muttering wild threats as to what he would +do sooner or later to the fellow who had cut him +out of all the good things in life, he might not have +whistled so cheerily as he hurried back home for +supper.</p> + +<p>It was the night before the big battle with Bellport +on the home grounds of Columbia High. The whole +town seethed with anticipation of what the following +afternoon might bring forth. Hundreds of anxious +eyes scanned the bright heavens, and tried to +predict the weather that was to be meted out to +them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>Even the girls were adding their prayers to the +clerk of the weather so that he would grant them +a fine day like the preceding Saturday had been. +There was so very much at stake in connection with +that game. If Columbia won, the championship pennant +was theirs for the year; if she lost, then another +game must be played to decide the matter, +thus prolonging the agony a whole week!</p> + +<p>There was to be no more practice in the morning, +for Seymour believed his men were all in apple-pie +condition, and that too much work might make them +“go stale.”</p> + +<p>Hence they would be allowed to do whatever they +pleased during the morning, providing every one +turned out at three sharp in the afternoon, for the +game was to begin at three-thirty.</p> + +<p>It was in the morning that Frank appeared at +the house where Ralph boarded. The other saw +him far down the street, and was out on the stoop +by the time Frank arrived. He looked eagerly at +the visitor, as though a hope had flashed into his +mind that the other brought news.</p> + +<p>“How are you feeling this morning, Ralph? +How’s that arm? Hope you didn’t try it out too +hard yesterday afternoon. There’s no telling, you +know, and perhaps you might be called on to do +your duty to old Columbia to-day.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span>Ralph looked at his friend, and his eyes began +to show anxiety.</p> + +<p>“Oh! I hope you’re not going to say something +has happened to knock you out, and this such an important +game, too?” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“Now I should have known that you’d jump to +such a conclusion, and it was silly of me to put it +that way. No, there’s not the slightest thing the +matter with me that I know of, Ralph. My arm +feels just fine, and I think I’m fit to pitch the game +of my life; but as they say, you can’t most always +sometimes tell. Perhaps they may knock me out of +the box to-day,” laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe it can be done,” declared Ralph. +“Why, there were only three clean hits made off +you last week; and from the way you put them in +yesterday, I firmly believe you’re ten per cent +stronger now than you were a week ago.”</p> + +<p>“But they may have gauged my delivery then, +and be on to most of my little tricks, you see. Besides, +I heard that during the week they have had +that Clifford pitcher, Gus Hartigan, tossing them up +every p. m., and our boys say that he is a ringer +for a certain Frank Allen in his style of delivery.”</p> + +<p>Ralph looked surprised at hearing this. Nevertheless +he would not confess that he entertained +the least doubt about the ability of the boy he admired<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span> +to make the heavy batters of Bellport “look +small.”</p> + +<p>“I only hope nothing happens to make me break +into that game. I’m afraid that I’m too green as yet +to go up against such seasoned veterans as those fellows,” +he observed, with a shake of the head to +emphasize his fears.</p> + +<p>“You’re too modest, old fellow, by half. Don’t +you call our regular nine just as well seasoned, and +didn’t you hold us down to five hits yesterday, and +one of those a base scratch? I’d just like to see +those hustling batters from the smoky town breaking +their backs trying to get up against that fine +healthy ball you throw, that’s all,” and Frank felt +of the muscle in the arm of his comrade, at the same +time raising his eyes as if in wonder.</p> + +<p>“But you didn’t come here to tell me just that, +Frank?” continued Ralph! “there’s something more, +isn’t there?”</p> + +<p>“Why, yes, to tell the truth, I wanted to have a +quiet little chat with you.”</p> + +<p>“All right. Will you come up to my room?” +eagerly asked Ralph.</p> + +<p>“I hate to stay indoors this beautiful June morning. +Get your cap and let’s walk out along the river +road. We can be alone there, and at the same time +enjoy what both of us love—Nature.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span>“All right, Frank. Wait up just a minute, will +you?”</p> + +<p>In a short time they had left the confines of the +town behind them, and found themselves under the +trees along a favorite drive that followed the course +of the picturesque Harrapin river.</p> + +<p>The spring rains had come rather late, and the +water was unusually high for the time of year. It +was boiling along at quite a merry pace, gurgling, +and in some places creating quite a furore.</p> + +<p>“Now, what was it you wanted to tell me, +Frank?” asked Ralph, when they had been walking +briskly along for a mile or so, with Frank so busied +in his thoughts that he had apparently quite forgotten +the real reason for their morning exercise.</p> + +<p>“Why, to be sure. Excuse me for seeming to +neglect it so, old fellow. Truth is, I was bothering +my head over a personal matter, and wondering +what influence that fellow Lef Seller could bring to +bear that would ever induce Minnie to go out riding +with him; for I saw them start off as I was on the +way to your house.”</p> + +<p>Frank possibly turned a bit red as he spoke; but +then every one knew just how much he thought of +Minnie; and it had stabbed him to the quick to see +her seated in that fine vehicle of the Sellers, with the +grinning Lef at her side.</p> + +<p>Cudgel his brain as he would, Frank could remember<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +no cause he had given her for treating him +this way. They had parted on the preceding evening +with a laugh, and Minnie had seemed just as +much pleased to be in his society as ever. And yet +she had bowed to him rather frigidly, he thought, +as he met them; while Lef could not for the life of +him restrain that contemptuous grin.</p> + +<p>Ralph understood. They must have driven up +the river road, then. That, in a measure, would +explain just why Frank chose to walk that way. +Upon the freshman’s face a look of real sympathy +gathered; but he was too wise to attempt to express +it in words.</p> + +<p>“I can see the tricky hand of that Lef Seller +somewhere back of this thing, and you can bet he’s +said something or other to set her against you, +Frank,” he did manage to remark.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if he would dare, knowing that I can +break him if I choose,” muttered Frank, as he mechanically +put his hand into his inner coat pocket.</p> + +<p>Then he began to feel more hastily, a look of +concern coming over his face. By the time he had +covered every pocket in his garments he smiled +grimly.</p> + +<p>“Well, a fellow has to get up bright and early in +the morning to keep ahead of that cunning old fox!” +he said, bitterly.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Frank?” demanded his companion,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> +who had been surveying his actions with +wonder written all over his face.</p> + +<p>“I had something that seems to have taken wings +and flown away, that’s all.”</p> + +<p>“But you act as though it concerned Lef,” Ralph +kept on.</p> + +<p>“It did, though I don’t doubt that he’s burned +the paper before now. Just how it was taken bewilders +me. I was out last night, yes, and in a +bunch of fellows at the class meeting. You know +we’re getting up something of a surprise on the +seniors, in the shape of the annual supper and dance +which the juniors give to the graduating class. Lef +was there, but he avoided me all night. The only +fellow I could suspect would be that sneak, Asa +Barnes, who seemed to want to be unusually confidential +with me. And doubtless he swiped the +paper at some time when I wasn’t paying much +attention; for I’ve been told that he can play all the +sleight of hand tricks of a magician.”</p> + +<p>“Paper—you keep saying that, and I don’t understand?” +expostulated Ralph.</p> + +<p>“No more you do, Ralph. And I’m going to tell +you now, only it’s to be a dead secret between us.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll never repeat a word of it without your permission,” +remarked Ralph; at the same time thinking +how strange it was that his companion kept<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> +pushing this matter forward ahead of the affair +that concerned him, Ralph, so deeply.</p> + +<p>“You remember Professor Parke telling about the +anonymous note he received?”</p> + +<p>“Why, of course; and is that the paper you mean? +What were you keeping it for, and why should Lef +want to get hold of it?” asked Ralph, quickly.</p> + +<p>“Oh! you’re a little too rapid. Listen. On that +paper was a little blur. I made it out to be the mark +of some one’s left thumb, and the professor agreed +with me.”</p> + +<p>“What! did that have anything to do with what +you were telling us Thursday afternoon in the gym +about finger prints, and all that stuff?” flashed the +astonished freshman.</p> + +<p>“Everything to do with it, since that was only a +little dodge of mine to get Lef Seller to make a +plain impression of his left thumb. And, Ralph, +it corresponded exactly with the mark on the paper!”</p> + +<p>“Well, I declare, you do wonderful things, Frank! +I never heard of anything quite so clever as that. +Did you accuse him of it when he went in the lunch +room?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. Of course he denied it first. Then I told +him how I knew. He knocked the tray that carried +the imprint of his hands, on the floor, and defied +me; but I simply stated that he could be made to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> +show the print of his thumb at any time by the +Head!”</p> + +<p>“Good! What did he do then?” continued the +eager Ralph.</p> + +<p>“Knuckled down and pleaded with me not to give +him away. Promised to turn over a new leaf and +all that,” said Frank, shrugging his shoulders.</p> + +<p>“But you surely didn’t believe him?”</p> + +<p>“No, but you see I couldn’t find it in me to tell +on him, as it would mean his being expelled. But +Lef knew that he was in my power just so long as +I held that paper with the thumb-print on it.”</p> + +<p>“I see. And, slippery customer that he is, he hired +that other scamp to steal it out of your pocket. That +was an easy thing for Asa to do, if all they say about +his palming is true. Then it’s gone, as you say!” +dolefully remarked Ralph.</p> + +<p>“It seems so. And that accounts for his perky +airs this morning. He was laughing at me, partly +because he felt he could snap his finger in my face, +and then because Minnie had gone riding with him. +Oh! well, I’m not going to bother my head about +Lef Seller and his evil fortunes. If Minnie—but +the least said about that the soonest mended, I +guess,” and Frank closed his lips resolutely.</p> + +<p>“Then perhaps you won’t mind going back to my +affairs again, eh?” insinuated the freshman.</p> + +<p>“I declare I must ask you to forgive me again,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> +Ralph, for being so neglectful of your interests. I +only wanted to see you to say that father has heard +from Uncle Jim, and that he writes he is coming +up here to Columbia and will see you personally. +Uncle Jim also says that——”</p> + +<p>But what the New York lawyer wrote was fated +not to reach the ears of the party so deeply interested, +just then at any rate. A scream smote the air, +coming from some point around the nearest bend of +the river road, and accompanying this the boys heard +a wild voice, and the confused trample of a horse’s +hoofs!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br> + +<small>A TIME FOR QUICK THINKING</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">What</span> is that, Frank?” cried Ralph, in excitement.</p> + +<p>“Sounds like a horse running away!” replied the +other.</p> + +<p>Ralph saw his comrade’s face turn ashy white. +Then he remembered something Frank had said only +a short time before.</p> + +<p>“Oh! what if it is Lef’s horse!”</p> + +<p>Frank only groaned, and shut his teeth hard together. +But at the same time he started to run forward. +He had only taken half a dozen paces, when +something shot around the bend.</p> + +<p>“There it is, Frank!” shouted Ralph, ready to do +anything in his power to assist his friend, yet hardly +knowing just what to attempt first.</p> + +<p>He thought of swinging his arms above his head +wildly, of waving his hat, as he had read of cowboys +doing when they wished to turn runaway +steers; but then the river road at this point was narrow,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> +and if the frightened animal ever swerved, it +was almost certain to topple over into the water, +which was both deep and swift.</p> + +<p>“It’s them—Lef and Minnie!”</p> + +<p>The white lips of Frank formed these words as +he still staggered onward, though there was little +need of this. Surely the plunging horse, mad with +terror, would reach him before he could take half +a dozen breaths.</p> + +<p>What could he do to bring the beast to a halt? +He saw Lef half standing up and sawing wildly at +the lines, dragging the horse’s head from side to +side with the energy of his action. But what almost +froze the blood in Frank’s veins was the sight of +that pitiable, shrinking figure cowering down in the +seat just behind.</p> + +<p>How well he remembered that bright red dress. +He had thought the girl never looked so pretty as +the day she first wore that; and he mustered up +courage enough to tell her so, too. And now—Frank +gulped something down that threatened to +choke him, and tried to set his muscles for a mad +spring when the runaway horse came up with him.</p> + +<p>“Get out of the way! You’ll scare him into the +river!” howled the badly-rattled Lef, as he continued +to saw away at the lines as if for dear life.</p> + +<p>That was just what Frank thought would be the +best thing that could happen. As it was, an upset<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> +might cost one or both lives, if the occupants of +the swaying vehicle were hurled upon the rocks +at the side of the road.</p> + +<p>Instead of getting out of the way, as Lef seemed +to want, he stood as if rooted there. He even did +more, for he snatched off his hat and waved it in +order to make the horse sheer.</p> + +<p>“Stop that, you fool!”</p> + +<p>Lef fairly shrieked these words. He evidently +thought Frank had taken leave of his senses, and +would bring about a disaster. On the contrary, the +boy in the road had calculated wisely, and saw +that there was a chance of bringing that wild race to +a halt without a terrible smash.</p> + +<p>It turned out exactly as Frank had figured. The +animal, startled at seeing this figure in the middle +of the road, with wildly waving arms, and uttering +hoarse shouts, jumped to one side.</p> + +<p>There was the hill to the right, and hence the +only way in which the beast could leave the road was +in the direction of the river.</p> + +<p>It lay close to the thoroughfare at this point; indeed, +passersby had always been in the habit of +pulling up right there to admire the magnificent +view up and down the romantic looking stream.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p108a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p108a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">HE WAVED HIS HAT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE HORSE SHEER.<br> + +<i>Columbia High on the Diamond.</i> <span class="gap"> <i>Page <a href="#Page_108">108</a>.</i></span></p> +</figcaption> +</figure> + + +<p>Horse and vehicle shot over the bank, and with +a terrific splash vanished in the swirling water. It +seemed too bad that necessity compelled the sacrifice<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> +of that much admired red dress, Frank thought, +but there was no other way.</p> + +<p>“They’ll drown! Oh! my, what a splash! Frank, +run! run!”</p> + +<p>It was folly for Ralph to shout after this fashion, +for his companion was on the jump even before +the horse had touched the surface of the river. +Frank had eyes for only one thing, and that the +figure of Minnie.</p> + +<p>As he ran he saw the vehicle behind the swimming +horse. Lef was hanging to it desperately, as +badly frightened a boy as ever lived; for, strange +to say, he could not swim a stroke, having a mortal +dread of water.</p> + +<p>He was trying to yell something, but had swallowed +so much of the river that his words were next +to unintelligible. But Frank had by now discovered +another struggling figure a little back of the vehicle +and horse.</p> + +<p>“It’s Minnie!” was what his white lips framed +as he madly jumped down the bank, tearing off his +coat as he went. How he ever managed to free +his feet from the low shoes he was wearing, Frank +never knew, for he had not the faintest recollection +of doing anything of this sort.</p> + +<p>Now he was in the river, and swimming with +all his power toward that splashing form which, because +of the glimpses he had of the bright color, he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> +knew must be the imperiled girl. Her dress seemed +to be helping her to keep afloat, though this would +only last for a minute or so, when it must become +soaked, and serve to drag her down.</p> + +<p>The water was very deep at this point. Moreover, +the current had a full swing, and swept along +rapidly. On the other hand, fortunately, Minnie +was only a comparatively few yards away from the +shore, so that the boy did not have to cover any great +distance before reaching her.</p> + +<p>As he swam Frank was shouting hoarsely, his +strained eyes fastened upon the object of his intense +solicitude.</p> + +<p>“Keep it up, Minnie! Fight hard! I’m coming +to you! It’s all right!” was the burden of his encouraging +cries.</p> + +<p>Then he reached her, and began to tow her toward +the bank. The girl was almost hysterical with +fright, so that Frank was put to it to avoid having +her arms wrapped about his neck. Dragging her +thus, and all the time trying to soothe her by encouraging +words, he gained foot after foot.</p> + +<p>“Here! this way, Frank!”</p> + +<p>Ralph had waded into the water until it was up +to his waist. He also held out a stout stick he had +snatched from the ground. And when the fingers +of the swimmer closed upon the knob at the end of +this friendly club he knew it was over.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span>In another minute he had emerged from the water, +still holding fast to the form of Minnie. But the +girl did not faint. Far from it; she was now filled +with indignation toward the wretched Lef, who had +been drawn out of the river by the horse, and was +even then dripping on the low shore. The subdued +animal made no effort to continue his mad +flight; the cold water had taken all this desire out +of him, and he looked about as dejected as his +master.</p> + +<p>Frank was immediately engaged trying to wring +some of the water out of the girl’s skirt, and at +the same time seeking to cheer her up, for she was +now sobbing hysterically after her recent double +fright.</p> + +<p>Lef, finding that his horse would stand, now +pushed toward the group. His teeth still chattered, +more from recent fear than anything else. At the +same time he was full of anger toward Frank, who +had as usual been on the spot to win the laurels while +the husks came his way.</p> + +<p>“What did you do that for? The whole thing’s +your fault, Frank Allen! Minnie can blame you for +her ducking; and you might have cost one of us a +life. I believe you did it just to have a chance to +play the hero part you’re so fond of!”</p> + +<p>So Lef sputtered as he shook his hand in front +of Frank’s face.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span>The stooping boy looked up. There was a smouldering +fire in his own eyes, for he believed that only +for the cowardly nature of Lef and his inability to +manage the horse this thing need not have occurred.</p> + +<p>“Look there, <i>you</i>!” he said, sternly, pointing down +the road.</p> + +<p>Lef, looking, saw a furniture van coming along. +It took the entire width of the narrow river road, +and was at a spot where cruel rocks abounded on +either side.</p> + +<p>“You must have met that thing. The horse would +have dashed to one side, and the buggy been overturned +among those rocks. And you can understand +what must have followed. That’s why I made him +shy! I knew it was ten times safer for you both to +be dragged into the river than thrown out down +the road!”</p> + +<p>Lef was mute with horror. He realized that this +quick-witted boy had sized up the situation in a +second, and acted promptly.</p> + +<p>After all, there was no damage done save to their +ruffled feelings, and Minnie’s lovely red dress. But +the girl would not speak to Lef, even when he asked +her if she would get into the vehicle again.</p> + +<p>“Frank, you’ll walk home with me, won’t you?” +she said, turning to him, with the same old glow +in her blue eyes.</p> + +<p>“Only be too glad; and besides, I think the exercise<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> +would be the best thing for you after your ducking. +Ta! ta! Lef. The next time you ask a girl +to go out riding be sure you take a horse you can +manage.”</p> + +<p>Lef could not make any reply. He was too full +of anger to speak, and turning away he went back +to his horse. After the furniture van had passed he +jumped in and sped the animal, now tractable +enough, down the road. The three pedestrians +stepped aside to let him pass; but not a word was +said, although Ralph did wave a hand mockingly +after him, as if speeding his homeward flight.</p> + +<p>“What caused the runaway, Minnie?” asked +Frank, as they walked on, after Ralph had secured +Frank’s coat and shoes, the warm sunshine and air +rapidly drying the water-soaked garments of the +party.</p> + +<p>“I really hardly know. Something I said must +have made Lef angry, for he began to whip the +horse unmercifully, although I told him it was cruel. +We had turned to come back, you see. Oh! I was +so frightened! I’ll never go riding with him again. +I only hope my mother will never know,” she said, +entreatingly.</p> + +<p>“She won’t from me, and I can answer for Ralph +here,” said Frank, promptly.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later the boys parted from Minnie +and turned toward Frank’s house.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>“What’s the matter with your arm, Frank?” asked +Ralph, who had been noticing that the other kept +feeling of it every now and then.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid I bruised it against a rock when I +jumped in; and, hang the luck, of course it happens +to be my pitching wing. You may have to get in +that box to-day, after all, Ralph, and fight for the +glory of Old Columbia,” the other said, soberly.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br> + +<small>THE OLD PRINCETONIAN’S ADVICE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Oh!</span> I hope not!” exclaimed Ralph, in dismay, +as he eagerly pounced on the arm Frank had been +rubbing.</p> + +<p>“Come in with me, and I’ll see what some liniment +can do for it,” remarked the other, calmly; but it +was evident from his manner that he believed there +might be something more serious the matter than a +slight bruise.</p> + +<p>When Frank had stripped, so that his arm could +be examined, it was found that he had a nasty black +and blue mark as a result of coming in contact with +a rock in his impetuous dash into the river.</p> + +<p>“The worst of it is that the muscle is affected. +Every time I close my hand it causes intense pain. +I couldn’t do that hundreds of times during the +afternoon. Ralph, it’s positively up to you to-day!” +he said, finally.</p> + +<p>Ralph sighed deeply.</p> + +<p>“I’m awful sorry. Not that I won’t do my level<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> +best to take your place; but only for this I believe +we would have won that pennant to-day. It’s fortunate +there’s another game to follow,” he said, trying +to cheer up.</p> + +<p>“We’ll get this game, all right, don’t worry about +that. Before the sun goes down perhaps every fellow +will be shouting the praise of the new pitcher. +I’m just anxious to see those Bellport batters try to +size up that spit ball of yours.”</p> + +<p>“That’s mighty white of you to say so, Frank. +And you can depend on it I’ll do my level best,” +returned the other, firmly.</p> + +<p>“No fellow can do more. And now, suppose we +return once more to that affair of yours. Twice +we were interrupted when I started in to tell you,” +and Frank pushed his guest down into a comfortable +sleepy-hollow chair.</p> + +<p>“Oh! yes. Do you know I’d forgotten that entirely, +with so much other excitement going on. You +said your uncle wrote he intended paying your folks +a visit soon, and would meet me. I hope he makes +up his mind to tell me all he knows. It means everything +to me, you see,” returned Ralph.</p> + +<p>“I intend to make him tell. He just can’t go +back to the city again without letting either father +or else myself know all he does. But perhaps that +may not amount to much after all, Ralph.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean, Frank?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>“Why, you see, perhaps this mysterious person +who wants to do you some good, and yet hide his, +or her, light under a bushel, may have taken measures +to send the money each end of a month to my +uncle, and that he doesn’t know himself who really +hands it over to him,” Frank continued; for he +feared that his friend might allow his hopes to soar +too high, only to meet with grievous disappointment.</p> + +<p>Ralph sighed and shook his head.</p> + +<p>“I see what you mean, and I’ll try not to be too +sanguine. But I do hope something will come up +soon to relieve this awful suspense. And now I +want to forget all about that, and remember only +the game—and Columbia High!”</p> + +<p>“Good boy, Ralph! You’re made of the right +stuff. And never let it occur to you once that we’re +going to lose this game, no matter if the score is +five to one at the end of the seventh inning. Depend +on the boys to do their part in slamming out +the ball, while you pitch steadily away like a machine.”</p> + +<p>Ralph soon took his departure.</p> + +<p>The news would soon creep around Columbia, +and many of the enthusiastic supporters of the school +team must feel a quiver of apprehension when they +learned that reliable Frank Allen could not pitch +that afternoon.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>His enemies would crow over the fact. Doubtless +some of them, inspired by the malicious tongues +of Lef and his cronies, might even whisper that +Frank had been overtaken with a case of “cold feet,” +and shirked his duty.</p> + +<p>Ralph went straight to the home of Paul Bird.</p> + +<p>The morning was still young and there would be +plenty of time for the new battery to practice together, +and arrange all needed signals. Ralph had +not as yet played a regular game with Paul behind +the plate, so that it was necessary they should come +together, since so much depended on their acting in +concert.</p> + +<p>As it happened, Buster was out walking with the +visitor at his house, and seeing a couple of boys +hard at work in a lot, they drew near. To his surprise +he discovered that it was Ralph and Paul.</p> + +<p>“Here, what does this secret work mean? Going +to spring a surprise on the enemy when they show +up this p. m.?” he demanded.</p> + +<p>“Then you haven’t heard?” asked Paul, eagerly.</p> + +<p>“About what? Goodness gracious! don’t go telling +me that anything’s happened to Frank!” ejaculated +Buster.</p> + +<p>“He won’t be able to pitch this afternoon, and +Ralph has to go in. That’s why we are tossing a few +here, so as to get in touch,” replied the catcher.</p> + +<p>“What happened? Has Frank fallen sick? Did<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> +he get waylaid last night on the road home from +the meeting. I’ve known pitchers to be pounded in +order to keep them out of a game. Tell me, won’t +you, fellows? I’m quivering like a bowl of jelly +with eagerness. This <i>is</i> a nasty mess.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! I don’t know,” returned Paul, with a smile +at Buster’s anxiety, and the look of grief on his red +face, “it might be worse. Frank’s a dandy pitcher, +but I guess he has little on Ralph here. If he gets +that spit ball of his working right it’s going to be +one, two, three for Bellport.”</p> + +<p>“But is Frank hurt; I must know?” insisted the +other.</p> + +<p>“He got a bruise on his arm this morning while +we were out walking. Nothing serious, but it interferes +with his muscles when he grips a ball. He +is going to be on the field, and if they knock me +out of the box, why, Frank will have to go in, no +matter how he feels. But I hope it won’t be so bad +as that,” smiled Ralph.</p> + +<p>“Well, suppose you let my friend, Coach Willoughby, +give you a few pointers that may be useful. +He’s seen a lot of pitchers in his time, and +used to throw them in for the Tiger once himself,” +suggested Buster.</p> + +<p>“Oh! if he only would, I’d be ever so much +obliged. You see, Mr. Willoughby, I’m only a tenderfoot<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> +at this thing, and I’ve got heaps to learn!” +cried Ralph.</p> + +<p>“No doubt of that, my lad, but if yesterday’s performance +is a fair sample of your ability to puzzle +the batter, I rather think you’ll have some of these +heavy Bellport hitters knocking holes out of the atmosphere +this afternoon. What you need fear most +of all is lack of confidence. Get it in your head that +you <i>can</i> do a thing, and that you’re just <i>going</i> to do +it, and nine times out of ten you <i>will</i> do it.”</p> + +<p>And then the old Princeton “grad” began to put +the young battery through a course of instruction +that delighted their hearts. He even took a turn +in the box himself and sent some sizzling hot ones +down that rather staggered Paul.</p> + +<p>“You may be a ‘has-been’ as you say, sir, but I +wouldn’t like to stand up before you if you were +in your prime,” remarked the catcher, as he blocked +a ball that nearly took him off his feet.</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Paul. That’s as sincere a compliment +as I ever received. And now, Ralph, one more +turn here in the box and I think you will have exercised +that wing of yours quite enough for this morning. +Be careful of it, so that you don’t take cold +between now and ball time. I’m satisfied that the +good people of Columbia will see a game worth the +price to-day.”</p> + +<p>Ralph felt ten per cent. better after having this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> +talk and work with the veteran player. He knew +that he could carry out his end of the arrangement +if he only managed to keep up his courage and confidence.</p> + +<p>So it was in that frame of mind he ate his lunch, +and later on dressed for the expected game.</p> + +<p>Although it was hardly yet half-past two o’clock, +a steady stream of people had commenced to pour +out in the direction of the big field where the Columbia +sports were carried on, from baseball and +running, to football in the autumn.</p> + +<p>This level tract was at a considerable distance +from the town. Being between Columbia proper +and the town of Bellport down the river, it could +be reached by the trolley, or vehicles. As many +people did not care to ride, and the walking was +good, the mile of road was covered with pedestrians, +many of them boys in squads, all earnestly discussing +the coming contest, and the chances of victory.</p> + +<p>Hundreds were also pouring into the place from +Clifford above. Cheated out of a show in the contest +by a perverse fate, the fans of that town were +just as anxious to see which of their rivals would +come out ahead in the series.</p> + +<p>Ralph was a very modest boy. He purposely +took a roundabout course to the ball field, when +starting forth, as he wished to avoid meeting with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> +the crowds that thronged the trolley cars and the +main road.</p> + +<p>He knew he could easily make the grounds in +good time, though his detour would cause him to +pass over two miles instead of one. And just then +Ralph really wanted to have a little more time by +himself to brace up for the exciting event that was +before him.</p> + +<p>So, making a turn, he walked through the woods. +The smell of the cool, shady spots under the trees +seemed to soothe his nerves, and he was rapidly getting +the firm grip on himself that he wanted, and +which would be so essential to the success of his +contemplated work.</p> + +<p>He had no thought of anything happening to +detain him on the way. Frank might have enemies +bitter enough to attempt such mean tactics, but thus +far Ralph did not know of any person who would +have an object in keeping him out of the game, unless +it might be that undesirable character, Watkins +Gould, who staked his money on Bellport that other +day, and lost.</p> + +<p>So Ralph had covered about half of the distance, +and was aiming for a spot where, emerging from +the thick woods, he knew he could strike a road leading +directly to the athletic field.</p> + +<p>“What was that?” he asked himself, suddenly +stopping in his quick walk, for he thought he had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> +caught a sound not unlike the sobbing of a child.</p> + +<p>It seemed to well up from the thicket on his right. +Perhaps Ralph may have had one fleeting suspicion +that there could be a trick connected with the matter; +but when he heard the piteous cry a second time +he plunged straight toward the spot.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br> + +<small>LED BY A KINDLY FATE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Well</span>, I declare!”</p> + +<p>Ralph West stood rooted to the spot for a couple +of seconds, as he allowed this exclamation to escape +from his lips.</p> + +<p>Perhaps he had half expected to have a couple of +fellows pounce upon him as he pushed the branches +aside; which would account for the manner in which +his fists were clenched, and his teeth set.</p> + +<p>What he saw was an entirely different spectacle. +A little girl was seated on a hummock, rocking to +and fro, with her childish face tear-stained, and full +of bodily anguish.</p> + +<p>The blood upon her hand told that she must have +fallen and hurt herself badly. No doubt it was the +sight of the blood that frightened her even more +than the pain.</p> + +<p>Ralph sprang forward, and the tear-stained face +was turned up to him eagerly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>“What’s happened to you, little one?” asked the +boy, as he bent down.</p> + +<p>Already had he taken a clean handkerchief out, +and shaken it from its folds. Thank goodness he +had supplied himself liberally, with a hot game before +him. Picking up the mangled hand, he saw +that it was in need of immediate attention, as possibly +a heavy rock had fallen on the fingers.</p> + +<p>Ralph began to tenderly wrap his handkerchief +about the torn fingers, at the same time speaking +soothingly to the child. She had ceased crying and +was looking at him wonderingly. Doubtless his +baseball uniform astonished her greatly.</p> + +<p>“It fell on me,” she managed to say, pointing to +something near by; and Ralph saw that his surmise +had been correct in so far as it concerned a stone.</p> + +<p>“But what are you doing here; where do you +live?” he asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>The child should not be left here in these woods +with so serious a wound as the crushed fingers would +likely prove. And yet his time was not wholly his +own, since he must be on the field presently in order +to practice before the calling of the great game.</p> + +<p>“I’m Mary Smalling,” said the child, with utmost +confidence and simplicity, as if every one ought to +know after that.</p> + +<p>Ralph had caught sight of a dinner pail on the +ground near by. It was empty, too, which fact gave<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> +him the impression that the little girl might have +been on the way home after carrying a noonday meal +to her father.</p> + +<p>He had an indistinct recollection of hearing the +name before. Perhaps it was in connection with a +new family that had come to live on the outskirts +of the town; but just then in his confusion of ideas +he could not for the life of him tell whether it had +been on the other side along the river road, or to +the west.</p> + +<p>“Where does your father work?” he asked, on a +hazard.</p> + +<p>“For Mr. Gregg,” came the immediate answer.</p> + +<p>“At the mill, the flour mill?” asked the boy, +quickly.</p> + +<p>A nod of the little auburn-crowned head answered +him. Then Ralph knew what his duty was. +He remembered that the mill was only a quarter +of a mile away from the spot where they were at +that moment. Perhaps the child’s home might be +even closer, but he could not take the chances of +hunting for it.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to carry you to your father, Mary. +You’re not afraid of me, are you?” he asked, bending +down again; for some one ought to get her to +a doctor without much delay, so that it might be +discovered whether any bones had been broken by +the cruel fall of that heavy stone.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span>“Me? Oh! no,” she said, instantly, which +pleased Ralph more than he cared to say, for it told +him his manner had inspired confidence in the little +maid.</p> + +<p>So he gathered the wee mite of humanity up in +his arms, and having decided upon which direction +he should take, strode off.</p> + +<p>“But—my dinner pail! Daddy won’t like me to +lose it!” wailed the child, after they had gone fifty +paces.</p> + +<p>Nothing would do but that Ralph must return +in order that she might clutch it in her one well +hand. Then again he made a start. It was provoking +that an accident like this should delay him +just when minutes were of so much value. But +Ralph could not have had the heart to leave that innocent +child crying there alone in those dense woods +even though a dozen ball games depended on his +showing up at a certain time.</p> + +<p>The little one proved more of a load than he had +anticipated. Several times he would have been glad +of a chance to rest and put her down; but the passage +of time kept staring him in the face.</p> + +<p>Ralph hoped that this encounter would not prove +to be his undoing. He had grave fears that the +strain of carrying the child so great a distance +might shake his nerves in a way he would feel to +his disadvantage during the progress of the game.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>Little did the boy realize how a benevolent fortune +was playing directly into his hands, and that +the very thing he feared might be a calamity was +fated to be but another stepping stone on the road +to good luck.</p> + +<p>The little girl had stopped crying. He could see +her bright eyes looking up into his face every time +he glanced down. As he staggered along Ralph +kept talking in his cheery way, and no doubt that +had considerable to do with her appearance of contentment.</p> + +<p>At last, when Ralph feared he could hold out no +longer, he heard the familiar whirr of the big water +wheel, and caught a glimpse of the mill through +openings in the trees.</p> + +<p>“We’re almost there, Mary, and you will soon be +with your father,” he said, smiling down at her.</p> + +<p>“That will be nice. I’m glad you came,” the +child answered; and Ralph believed there was enough +of genuine gratitude in those simple words to repay +him doubly for all his trouble.</p> + +<p>All he begrudged was the time it had taken. Only +for that he would not have cared had the distance +been thrice as long, for it was certainly a pleasure +for this lad to do a service to a helpless little creature +in trouble.</p> + +<p>He reached the road over which the supplies of +the flour mill were carried, as well as the milled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> +product hauled away. It was easier going now.</p> + +<p>“There’s my daddy!” exclaimed Mary, struggling +up in his arms.</p> + +<p>Her voice must have reached the ears of a man +who was working just outside the door of the mill, +for he turned hastily and looked toward them. A +moment later and he started on a run toward Ralph.</p> + +<p>The boy could see that his face betokened alarm. +It was not exactly a bad face, though there were +the marks of dissipation upon it, showing that +Mary’s father had not always led the best sort of +a life.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter. What’s happened to the +child?” he cried, hoarsely, as he came closer to the +boy, who had stopped in his tracks now.</p> + +<p>“Anyhow, he loves the little girl, that’s sure,” +thought Ralph, as he saw the look of agony that +made the man’s face turn white.</p> + +<p>“She’s hurt her hand quite badly. I think a rock +must have fallen on it while she was picking wild +flowers, or reaching into the burrow of a chipmunk. +Be careful, sir, it’s bleeding a lot,” said Ralph, as +the man took her from his arms.</p> + +<p>“But I didn’t lose the bucket, daddy, like you said +I would!” cried the child, still gripping the tin +tightly.</p> + +<p>“Never mind the bucket, darling; it’s your hand<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> +I’m thinking about now. Where did you find her, +my boy?” asked the man, eagerly.</p> + +<p>Ralph was almost panting after his long and tiresome +walk, burdened as he had been. He was only +waiting to get his breath, so as to say that the little +girl ought to be taken to a doctor without delay, +and then expected to start in a hurry for the athletic +field.</p> + +<p>“About a quarter of a mile from here, and in the +woods. I think she must have been on the way +home. I was taking a roundabout way to the baseball +field, you see, where I have to pitch a game for +Columbia this afternoon,” Ralph explained, seeing +the man look inquiringly at his suit.</p> + +<p>“And you turned out of your way to carry my +child all the way here! It was kind of you to do +that, my boy, and I won’t forget it in a hurry. This +girlie is everything in the world to me, I tell you. +Thank you a thousand times for your trouble, and +any time Sam Smalling can do anything to return +the favor you just call on him, hear?” and he +squeezed Ralph’s hand with emphasis.</p> + +<p>“Oh! that’s all right. I wouldn’t have minded it +a bit, only I was afraid I might be late for the game,” +said Ralph, preparing to go.</p> + +<p>“And everything depends on the pitcher, I know. +That makes it all the kinder of you, turning aside +as you did. I hope you’ll stop in and see us some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> +time, my boy. We live in the Grant cottage, on +the road to Menhaven. The girl will be glad to see +you, and her mother, too, I wager.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll try to, some time later. But I hope you can +get her in to town to let a doctor look at those fingers +without delay. If a bone is broken it ought to be +set, you know,” said Ralph, over his shoulder, for he +had started off.</p> + +<p>“Hold on a minute, my boy. There’s our wagon +and horse right handy. I’ll speak to the boss, and +take the rig to drive to town right away. And by +jumping in you can get to the baseball grounds +quicker than if you walk; besides having a little rest. +Wait up a minute. You haven’t told me your name, +either, you see.”</p> + +<p>Halted by these words from the father of Mary, +Ralph turned on his heel. He saw that what the +other had said was true, and that by waiting a bit +he could ride with advantage to himself.</p> + +<p>“I guess that’s a fact, and if you’re going right +away I’ll hang on behind. To tell the truth, I’m a +little mixed up in my bearings, and might get lost +if I went without a guide. You see, I’ve only lived +about here since last fall. My name’s Ralph West! +Why, what’s the matter, sir?” for the man had +started back while he was speaking, and stared at +him as if suddenly given a shock.</p> + +<p>“Ralph West? Do you mean to tell me that <i>you</i><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> +are the boy, then? And that some fatality has +brought <i>you</i> to do a favor for me and mine? This +is the last straw on the camel’s back. I was weakening +before; now I don’t see how I can hold out!”</p> + +<p>And hearing these muttered words, Ralph realized +with a thrill that Sam Smalling, the father of the +child he had assisted, must know something about +his mysterious past!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br> + +<small>SAM SMALLING MAKES A PROMISE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">For</span> the time being Ralph forgot all about the +fact that he was nearly due on the baseball field that +afternoon. Sam Smalling’s words seemed to indicate +that he might be in possession of some knowledge +concerning the things which the boy was fairly +wild to know.</p> + +<p>“Oh! what do you mean?” he asked, in trembling +tones, as he came back to clutch the sleeve of the +man’s shirt eagerly, and fasten a pair of anxious +eyes on his face.</p> + +<p>Smalling was visibly shaken. He tried to avoid +the gaze of Ralph at first, and looked down at his +feet in the manner of a man whose sins had suddenly +arisen to confound him.</p> + +<p>“You must know something about me, Mr. Smalling, +or you wouldn’t have said what you did. I’ve +only recently learned that I was adopted by the +people I’ve always believed to be my own parents; +and ever since that time I’ve been just wild to learn +who I am. Do you know?” demanded Ralph.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>The other moved uneasily, and his rather shifty +eyes still refused to meet the penetrating gaze of +the boy.</p> + +<p>“Mebbe I do, and again mebbe I don’t. Come +and see me again, boy, and perhaps I can help you +find out what you want,” he muttered, with a shake +of the head, as if not wholly satisfied to speak more +plainly off-hand.</p> + +<p>“But why not now? Oh! if you only knew how +I lie awake nights wondering and wishing, I’m sure +you’d tell me all you know, sir. It’s a terrible thing +to be ignorant of who you are! No matter what +my parents may have been, I’d rather know than +keep on this way. Please tell me!” Ralph pleaded.</p> + +<p>“Not just now. It comes on me too sudden like. +I must have time to think it over and see just where +I stand. There’s more than one thing to be considered. +But I’ll tell you this, Ralph, after what +you’ve done for my little girl to-day I’m mighty +much inclined to break my word, and speak soon.”</p> + +<p>“Then I suppose I’ll just have to wait, Mr. Smalling; +but I do hope you’ll not be too long. When +can I come to see you about it, sir?” Ralph went on, +meaning to strike while the iron was hot.</p> + +<p>“Come to-night, then. And I reckon you can +expect to hear something that will do you good. But +we must get off now. I’m anxious to get Mary to +town, so a doctor can look after her hand; and as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> +for you, the sooner you drop in on that baseball +game the better, I reckon,” said the man, hurrying +over to where the owner of the flour mill seemed to +be working.</p> + +<p>Then Ralph remembered that his time was not +his own—that there would by now be a tremendous +crowd assembled on the athletic grounds, watching +the snappy work of the rival teams, and his absence +must be causing the Columbia High players considerable +anxiety, to say the least.</p> + +<p>Some of the spectators, who happened to know +that Ralph was slated to go in the box in place of +Frank Allen, would even be cruel enough to declare +that the novice must have been attacked with a case +of stage fright, and retreated from the grounds +after seeing the immense throng which he would +have to face.</p> + +<p>So Ralph tried to forget all his personal affairs +for the time being, and think only of his duty toward +his school.</p> + +<p>Now that she had found her father again, Mary +seemed to be satisfied. Ralph used another spare +handkerchief to make a loop in which the injured +hand could be suspended; and the little girl thanked +him with her bright eyes.</p> + +<p>By the time this had been done Smalling came up +with the team. Ralph lifted the girl to the seat beside +her father.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>“Come up here with us; plenty of room, Ralph,” +said the man; and seeing that he spoke truly, Ralph +hastened to comply, although he had been about to +swing himself up behind, with his feet dangling +over the tailboard.</p> + +<p>Consulting his watch, a little nickel affair costing +but one dollar, he discovered that he should have +been on the field before this. The rescue of Mary, +and carrying her all this way, had consumed considerable +time.</p> + +<p>Smalling urged the horses to do their best. He +was naturally anxious about his child, and, moreover, +knew that minutes were exceedingly precious +to the boy who had stepped aside to do this kindly +act.</p> + +<p>“I reckon you won’t be sorry for what you did, +boy,” he said, turning his head as they pushed forward +over the country road.</p> + +<p>His words gave Ralph the keenest sort of satisfaction. +He was thrilled with the thought of how +his good star must have been in the ascendent when +it urged him to investigate the meaning of those +apparent sobs in the bushes.</p> + +<p>“And to think how near I came to passing by, +thinking it might only be some fellow trying to +trick me,” was what Ralph was saying to himself all +the while.</p> + +<p>The man who drove seemed to be consumed with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> +a desire to learn something more about the other, +for he began to ask questions.</p> + +<p>“Did the old folks treat you white, Ralph?” was +his first demand.</p> + +<p>“If you mean Mr. and Mrs. West,” replied the +other, quickly, “I can say yes, perhaps far better +than I deserved, since I was none of their flesh and +blood. I think I’ve always looked on them just as +other boys do their own parents—up to lately, when +money started to come to me every month from an +unknown source, and then doubts began to awaken +in my head, for I saw them talking together often +as though trying to make up their minds to tell me +something.”</p> + +<p>“Money—how was that?” asked Smalling looking +deeply interested.</p> + +<p>“Why, along last summer I got a letter from the +office of a New York lawyer. It had forty dollars +in it, and just a couple of lines saying that I was to +accept the gift with the idea of getting an education, +and that the same amount would come every month.”</p> + +<p>“Phew! Looks like something had touched his +heart after all! Forty dollars, eh? And has it always +come, Ralph?” asked the driver, keeping his +eyes fixed upon the horses’ heads, as if unwilling to +meet the boy’s questioning gaze.</p> + +<p>“Yes, always. That was how I came to Columbia<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> +to attend the high school, for I was wild to get an +education,” replied Ralph, soberly.</p> + +<p>“Just so, and naturally, too. You come by that +desire all right, I guess,” muttered Smalling, who +seemed to be more or less embarrassed.</p> + +<p>A strange thought came into Ralph’s mind. What +could this confusion on the part of the other signify? +He looked eagerly into the face of the little girl sitting +beside him. Truth to tell, he was wondering +if it could possibly be that Mary might turn out to +be his sister!</p> + +<p>And, as if something had told Smalling what was +flitting through the brain of the boy, he turned his +head and looked at him.</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, it ain’t that, Ralph. You’re nothing to +me. I’ve been a bad man in my day, but I give you +my word I’d never desert a kid that belonged to me. +Drink has been at the bottom of all my evildoing, +though it is my own fault. Latterly, I’ve managed +to get a grip on myself, and p’raps it ain’t too late +to wipe out some of my past. You come to see me +this night, lad, and don’t fail. I reckon I’ll be in a +frame of mind to let a few things drop. I ought +to, I know. There’s something more than accident +in our meeting up in this way. It means Fate, +that’s what!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll be there, without fail, sir. How could I keep +away? And, oh, I hope and pray you won’t change<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> +your mind between now and night,” faltered the boy, +as he put his hand out and touched that of the driver.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was that confiding touch that did it, or +possibly Smalling’s eyes chanced to fall upon the +neatly bandaged hand of Mary just then, and he +was overwhelmed by a sense of the debt he owed +this lad.</p> + +<p>At any rate he impulsively grasped that extended +hand and squeezed it warmly.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to do more than give a half promise, +Ralph. Take my word for it, that when you come +to-night I’ll clear up pretty much all this affair about +who and what you are. And, lad, you needn’t worry +any more, because it’s goin’ to be all right,” was +what he said.</p> + +<p>“Oh, thank you ever so much for that promise! +It will give me heart to do my level best to-day; and +I have need of such a spur, I assure you, Mr. Smalling. +There, I had a glimpse of the baseball field +just then; and listen, what can they be shouting +for?” asked Ralph, as a mighty cheer came rolling +toward them.</p> + +<p>“Some feller has made a star play in practice, I +reckon. I’m some keen on ball myself, and calculated +on getting over later to the game. P’raps I’ll +stop off on the way out from town, though the girl +had better be took home to her ma.”</p> + +<p>“Your wife is living, then?” asked Ralph, even<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> +while he was trying to steady his nerves for the sight +that would soon break upon his vision as he entered +the big enclosure where Columbia High boys usually +met to enjoy baseball, football, and most outdoor +sports.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, and Mary has several brothers and sisters. +But she always wants to be the one to fetch +my dinner,” and from the way he looked down at +the girl it was evident that she must be his favorite.</p> + +<p>“Here’s where I must jump out, sir,” said Ralph, +suiting the action to the word as they came opposite +a big open gate.</p> + +<p>“Then I’ll look for you to-night?” asked Smalling, +his eyes ranging up and down the clean built figure +of the lad approvingly, and with a light kindling in +his eyes.</p> + +<p>“Unless they do me up so well this afternoon that +I can’t walk, I’ll be there,” replied the other, smilingly.</p> + +<p>“Goodby, Ralph,” said the little girl, holding out +her well hand. “I won’t forget how nice you was. +And I’m going to do up these for you, too,” pointing +to the several handkerchiefs Ralph had used to bind +up her hand, and make a sling.</p> + +<p>“All right. That’ll be fine. Goodby, both of you, +until to-night!”</p> + +<p>He turned away with a sigh. It seemed almost +too good to be true that he was going to hear great<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> +news so very soon. Ralph could hardly believe that +he was not dreaming.</p> + +<p>And then as he entered through the gate vehicles +used, he saw the athletic field and the tremendous +throng that packed it.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br> + +<small>“PLAY BALL!”</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Who’s</span> the umpire, Lef?” demanded Bill +Klemm.</p> + +<p>“Name’s Willoughby. Used to be a pitcher for +Princeton away back, they say.”</p> + +<p>“What they got him in for? Where’s Grigson, +the regular umpire?” continued Bill, as though his +comrade might be an information bureau.</p> + +<p>“Laid up, I hear. Captain Seymour says this feller +beats Grig all hollow. Guess they’ve got it all +rigged up to throw the game for Columbia. I +wouldn’t put it past that Frank Allen and his bunch +of toadies,” growled Lef, still sore after his experience +of the morning.</p> + +<p>“But they say Frank ain’t going to toss ’em over +to-day. Got hurt this morning in some way. One +fellow told me he jumped in the river and hauled +Minnie Cuthbert out. Nobody seems to know just +what happened, but his arm’s black and blue where +he hit a rock,” went on Bill, at the same time eyeing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span> +his friend closely, for he had heard Lef chuckle as +though quite tickled.</p> + +<p>“So that’s what happened to little Frankie, was it? +Served him right. He ought to mind his own business. +I reckon I’d tamed that hoss down soon if +he hadn’t cut in when he did,” grumbled Lef.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” demanded Bill, suspiciously, and +showing keen interest.</p> + +<p>“Never you mind. Tell about it another time. I +know just what Frank Allen did. He’s always playing +to the gallery, you know. Then who’s going to +pitch for Columbia?” asked the other, turning the +question aside.</p> + +<p>“They say Ralph West,” replied Bill.</p> + +<p>“That country kid. Why, these heavy batters of +Bellport will just eat him alive. It’s a pity they +can’t give <i>me</i> a chance to show what I can do. I’m +better by long odds than I was last year, and I held +’em down to three hits one game. Remember that, +don’t you, Bill?”</p> + +<p>“Course I do. But I’m lookin’ for that come-on. +Why ain’t he showin’ up and doin’ some practicin’? +P’raps he’s got the big head, and thinks he don’t +need to work out any before the game?” suggested +Bill, maliciously.</p> + +<p>“I kind of guess it’s just the other way, Bill,” +laughed Lef.</p> + +<p>“You mean he’s got cold feet, and won’t show up<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +at all. Well, that would be a joke now. What d’ye +suppose they’d do in such a case, Lef?”</p> + +<p>“Either the wounded hero would have to go in +and be slaughtered, or else they’d have to temporarily +lift my suspension, and let me toe the mark.”</p> + +<p>“I reckon you’re fit, all right, Lef. I’ve been +ketchin’ you for a week, and I never thought you +had so many cute tricks in you. And speed, why +it’s there to burn. I hope they do let you have a +chance,” remarked Bill.</p> + +<p>Lef uttered a grunt of disgust.</p> + +<p>“It’s all off,” he said, with a shrug of his shoulders.</p> + +<p>“What d’ye mean?” asked Bill.</p> + +<p>“Look yonder at that wagon stopping on the road +by the gate. A feller’s jumped out, and he’s got +a baseball suit on, too. It’s that sneak Ralph, as +sure’s you’re born. I’m on to his curves, all right. +He just wants to keep the crowd in suspense, you +know, and then get the cheers when he shows up. +Bah! he makes me tired, that’s what.”</p> + +<p>Lef judged others by himself. Under similar conditions +that was just what he would have done, for +applause was sweet in his ears.</p> + +<p>When Ralph was seen running across the field +there was a rippling cheer that advanced into a positive +roar. The boy’s face flamed, for he was not accustomed +to being in the limelight. Still, he paid<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +no attention to the shouts that greeted his coming, +but hastening over to where the boys were still practicing +he met Captain Seymour.</p> + +<p>“Glad you’ve turned up, Ralph. The boys were +beginning to get a little worried about you, and +Frank just said he’d go in if necessary, though his +arm is in a bad way, and he might injure it for +keeps. We want him for the last game—if there is +going to be another,” said Roderic, looking closely +at the other, as if to make up his mind whether +Ralph had brought his nerve with him.</p> + +<p>“The delay was entirely unavoidable. I had to +carry a little child half a mile. She had crushed +her hand. That is her father in the wagon with her, +on the way to the doctor’s. Hello! Frank! better +late than never. Send her in, Paul! How long can +I have to warm up, Captain?” said Ralph, as he +caught the ball, and began to return it, quietly at +first, but with increasing pressure as his muscles +responded to the demand made upon them.</p> + +<p>“The umpire says that the time is almost up; but +on account of your coming late he will postpone +calling the game ten minutes. Now, do your prettiest, +Ralph. I hope you get that trick ball working +handily this afternoon,” returned the other, who +was plainly more or less nervous.</p> + +<p>“I’m feeling in fine shape, Captain. If they knock +me hard it will be because I’m out of my class, I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> +expect,” was the confident rejoinder he received.</p> + +<p>For fully ten minutes then the young pitcher was +the center of observation. Friends and foes alike +commented upon his style of delivery. When he +sent in an extra swift one a murmur of admiration +bubbled forth.</p> + +<p>“I guess he’s the right sort,” called the sanguine +Columbia adherent.</p> + +<p>“If only he don’t lose his head when those hard +hitters begin to reach his ball a little. They’ve sent +more than one horse to the stable to be blanketed,” +declared another, less confident.</p> + +<p>Many secretly sighed because Frank Allen was +temporarily out of the game.</p> + +<p>“Hope he’ll be all right by next Saturday, then. +We can afford to lose this game, boys. It’ll only +square things, and make it all the more interesting,” +cried still another skeptic.</p> + +<p>“Give the boy a chance, will you?” demanded a +man near by; “you talk like he’s thrown this game +away already. I tell you he shows up well, and perhaps +some of you croakers will get a surprise yet!”</p> + +<p>“That’s the talk; encourage the boy!” called another +spectator.</p> + +<p>“He needs it all right,” jeered a Bellport rough; +“why, what our fellows will do to that kid will be a +shame. It’s like takin’ candy from the baby, that’s +what!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span>And all these floating exclamations came to the +ears of Ralph as he stood there near the end of the +bleachers and continued to send them in to Paul. He +had his teeth set, and was, as far as outward appearances +went, as cool as a veteran.</p> + +<p>Coach Willoughby, ready for the fray, gave him a +signal just then. It signified that there had been sufficient +practice, and that he was about to call the start +in another minute or two; so Ralph drew on his +sweater, not wishing to catch cold, for despite the hot +sun there was a cool breeze blowing.</p> + +<p>Frank wanted to have a last brief talk with his +friend. He knew more about the peculiarities of the +Bellport team than Ralph possibly could, and was +able to tell him just how some of them could be +coaxed to strike at an impossible ball.</p> + +<p>“Notice that their captain, Cuthbert Lee, is on his +old job to-day at second, in place of Hough. He’s a +hard hitter, Ralph, but from what I know of him I +think your teaser ball will fetch him. Only don’t +use it too often. And if he ever gets on a base keep +your eye on him. He’s the fastest runner they have, +and can steal bases to beat the band, while the pitcher +is winding up.”</p> + +<p>“Glad you told me, Frank. After the game wait +up for me. I’ve got some grand news to tell you,” +observed the pitcher, getting up and discarding his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span> +sweater as the loud voice of the old Princeton player, +now serving as umpire, was heard saying:</p> + +<p>“Play ball!”</p> + +<p>Frank took one look at the sparkling eyes of his +friend.</p> + +<p>“Tell me, is it about that thing?” he asked, eagerly, +and Ralph, turning as he started to walk off, +nodded his head in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>“Bully! You just make up your mind you’re going +to win, Ralph. I seem to feel it in my bones you +are!” Frank said, confidently.</p> + +<p>Ralph picked up the new ball which the umpire +had tossed into the box, and sent a few sizzling ones +to first base while the balance of the team hurried +to their places in the field.</p> + +<p>The crowd had become strangely silent now. +Every eye was glued upon the new pitcher, and of +course anxiety made many a Columbia heart nervous, +for Ralph was as yet an untried quantity +against a regular team. Many had faith in him, or +professed to have, though secretly even his boldest +adherents found themselves wondering how he +would act if those Bellport fellows ever began to +bombard his curves as they had been known to do +to more than one phenomenon in the past.</p> + +<p>The lineup of the Bellport team was just the same +as on the preceding Saturday, with the one exception +of second base. Here the familiar figure of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> +Cuthbert Lee was to be seen, and his cheery words +gave confidence to his men.</p> + +<p>The batting order of the visitors ran as follows:</p> + +<div class="indentleft"> +<p>Snodgrass—Right field.<br> +Lee—Second base.<br> +Banghardt—Center field.<br> +Smith, Jr.—Left field.<br> +Smith, Sr.—First base.<br> +Lacy—Shortstop.<br> +Bardwell—Third base.<br> +Clay—Catcher.<br> +Coddling—Pitcher.</p> +</div> + +<p>As usual, Snodgrass could be depended upon to +work the pitcher for a free ticket to the initial sack, +if it was within the range of possibilities. He was +a good waiter, and a fine judge of balls.</p> + +<p>“Put ’em over for this beanery waiter!”</p> + +<p>“Make him hit her out, West!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t forget you’ve got eight other fellows back +of you, boy!”</p> + +<p>“Now, soak it to him, youngster. You know!”</p> + +<p>Ralph suddenly shot the ball at the batter like a +flash. It passed straight over the plate as though it +cut the same in two equal parts.</p> + +<p>“Strike—one!” shouted the umpire, even as Snodgrass +jumped back, pretending that he had to dodge, +though he grinned at the same time.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br> + +<small>MAKING A GOOD START</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Through</span> the grandstand and over the field a +wave of enthusiasm went.</p> + +<p>Ralph paid no attention to the various shouts that +greeted his first delivery. He tried to see how he +could work his wonderful “spit” ball next, and +while Snodgrass struck he never came within inches +of a hit.</p> + +<p>Derisive cries began to be heard.</p> + +<p>“Get Snodgrass his glasses!”</p> + +<p>“Put him out to pasture; he’s outlived his usefulness!”</p> + +<p>Trust the ingenuity of schoolboys to invent scores +of cries calculated to unnerve the batter. But Snodgrass +only grinned and waited, crouching there as +though ready to annihilate the next ball that came +along.</p> + +<p>Ralph thought it policy to try a couple of outshoots, +and as the batter failed to strike they were +called balls. It was time now to take his measure +again, and Snodgrass knew what was coming.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span>“Three strikes—batter is out!” followed a wicked +sweep which the Bellport right fielder made at the +erratic “spit” ball that Ralph handed up.</p> + +<p>Lee stood there calmly awaiting his turn. There +was something in his attitude to tell Ralph he had +more to fear from the captain of the rival team +than any other man on it.</p> + +<p>Twice Lee struck at elusive balls. Then he managed +to connect with one and sent a screamer at +“Bones” Shadduck on third, which that worthy succeeded +in knocking down, though recovering the +ball just too late to catch the swift runner.</p> + +<p>“Now we’re off!” howled the coach, as he came +running up to take his place near the man on first.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken than the ball came plunk +into the hands of Lanky, who had been expecting +such a thing. Lee had danced off, as was his usual +custom. He made a desperate plunge for the bag, +but Lanky got him.</p> + +<p>“You’re out!” shouted the umpire, waving his +hand suggestively.</p> + +<p>Such a whoop as went up! It seemed as though +the crowd had gone wild. Bellport supporters +looked each other in the face.</p> + +<p>“What’s this we’ve struck?” said one, blankly.</p> + +<p>“He caught Cuthbert napping, sure! I never +knew that to happen before!”</p> + +<p>“He’s a wonder at throwing that ball to first.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> +Guess we ain’t going to steal many sacks on that +kid to-day, you hear me?” exclaimed another.</p> + +<p>“Oh! rats! you give me a pain! That was only +an accident. He couldn’t do it again in a year of +Sundays!” ejaculated one of the Bellport players +who was lounging near the bleachers.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps not,” laughed a Columbia graduate, +“but all the same he’s got you fellows guessing, and +you’ll cut your leads short at bases while he’s in the +box.”</p> + +<p>Banghardt, after knocking three fouls, also +struck out. This record against such known heavy +hitters delighted the crowd. A rattling cheer and +much hand-clapping greeted the incoming of Ralph. +Of course he had to doff his cap, and smile; but at +the same time he did not appear to be excited.</p> + +<p>The umpire was watching him curiously, for +Ralph had interested the veteran Princeton player +very much.</p> + +<p>“I think he’s going to do himself proud to-day. +These fellows may win, but not through that boy +going up in the air. He knows how to master himself,” +was what he said to Frank Allen, as he took +a drink from the water bucket.</p> + +<p>“I knew he had it in him; and I’m rather pleased +that an accident kept me out of the box to-day. It +may be the making of Ralph,” replied the other;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> +and hearing such warm, generous words, the umpire +nodded his head in appreciation.</p> + +<p>He had doubtless known so much shallow envy +among ball players that such an exhibition of pure +devotion to the interests of the school pleased him +greatly.</p> + +<p>The lineup of Columbia had been altered somewhat, +on account of Ralph taking the place of Frank +as pitcher. This threw him last on the batting order. +Ben Allison, the regular right fielder, was fortunately +able to occupy that place, and consequently he faced +Coddling first.</p> + +<p>By the way Coddling threw a few to his first +baseman it was evident that he had felt the defeat +of the previous Saturday keenly, and was there +with blood in his eye, determined to retrieve that +disaster.</p> + +<p>“Look at that, will you? Ain’t he got speed to +burn to-day? I’m sorry for Columbia, boys,” called +a Bellport student, with the colors of his school on +his hat.</p> + +<p>“Get out your wipers, boys. It’s sure going to be +a funeral!” mocked a boy who boasted of the famous +orange and purple.</p> + +<p>“Let up, you fellows. He’s going to pitch one +now!” shouted a man near by; and again the interest +was centered upon the pitcher’s box.</p> + +<p>Coddling wound up and shot one over. Allison<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> +promptly struck, but his bat only whistled through +the air, for the excellent reason that the ball was +not within six inches of where he supposed it to be.</p> + +<p>“Say, Mister Coddling is some at that sort of +thing, you see!” howled a delighted Bellport supporter, +jumping up and addressing the bleacher +crowd.</p> + +<p>“Sit down!”</p> + +<p>“Hire a hall and take a day off!”</p> + +<p>“Watch him send another disappearing ball down +the line, boys!”</p> + +<p>Coddling did. He had Allison guessing right +from the start. Perhaps that was because the right +fielder had not faced him as yet this season, and his +enforced layoff had rather weakened his batting eye, +for usually Ben was a reliable hitter.</p> + +<p>When he struck for the third time, and the umpire +waved him away, Allison only grinned and +trotted back to the bench, shaking his head humorously.</p> + +<p>“Bones” Shadduck took his place, and was immediately +greeted with a series of entreaties to accomplish +something.</p> + +<p>“Hit her out, even if you are caught!” his admirers +yelled.</p> + +<p>Shadduck made ready to do his best. One strike +was called, and as yet he apparently had not gauged<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> +the delivery of the wizard pitcher, who faced him +with that tantalizing smile on his face.</p> + +<p>Then he bunted, and was off for first like a shot. +Coddling made a wild dash for the ball, which had +started to roll along the line toward the sack. It +looked as though it would go foul, and perhaps that +was what kept the agile pitcher from trying to +snatch it up. When he did, it was too late, for +Bones had galloped over first, and was safe.</p> + +<p>Jack Comfort’s business was to sacrifice him down +along the line. He, too, bunted, and while easily +out himself, Bones had seen his signal, and got a +lovely start, so that he found himself squatting on +second.</p> + +<p>“That’s the way to do it! Play the game! Now, +Lanky, you’re IT!”</p> + +<p>Lanky managed to knock a grounder that landed +him on first, and Shadduck on third.</p> + +<p>“Coddling, take a brace and put ’em over!”</p> + +<p>Then stepped up Buster Billings. His appearance +always created a ripple of amusement, on account +of his ponderous calves. Buster only winked +knowingly at the yelling crowd and raised his bat, +waving it to and fro, cautiously.</p> + +<p>“Why, the feller thinks he can bunt now. Say, +don’t you know there’s two out?”</p> + +<p>“Let Buster alone. He knows his business, you’ll +see? That’s only his gentle way.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span>“And he can bat some, fellers, believe me!”</p> + +<p>Buster heard this last remark.</p> + +<p>“Thank you awfully for that kindness!” he remarked.</p> + +<p>“One strike!” said the umpire.</p> + +<p>“Hey, was that a baseball or a cannon ball that +whizzed past?” demanded Buster, pretending to be +greatly astonished when he heard the thud of the +horsehide sphere in Clay’s old mitt.</p> + +<p>And then he smote the very next ball that came +spinning along, smote it with so much energy that +it sailed away toward center field, with Tony Banghardt +running like a wild broncho in the endeavor +to get under.</p> + +<p>Of course Shadduck was away at once, since there +were already two out. Looking over his shoulder +as he bolted like a frightened deer, he saw Banghardt +make a gallant effort to spear the descending +ball with extended hand; but he lacked a few inches +of being in a position to accomplish this.</p> + +<p>Bones came home and the batter managed to land +on second, whereas another player might have +reached third, while Lanky perched on third, unable +to get home. Still, the crowd forgave Buster +for his slow running and assured him he was all +right.</p> + +<p>It would have made no difference at any rate, for +Tom Budd struck out, after he had knocked up<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> +four fouls and quite tired Buster with false starts.</p> + +<p>One inning had been played. The score stood one +to nothing, in favor of Columbia.</p> + +<p>“Good boy! Do it some more, West!”</p> + +<p>Ralph went into the box for that second inning, +resolved to continue his cool methods, and not allow +anything to rattle him.</p> + +<p>His first man he managed to get with considerable +effort. Smith, Jr., was possessed of a good batting +eye, and could not be easily fooled with fade-aways +and such. Still, he fell before that wonderful spit +ball that had such an erratic course, and the umpire +finally announced that the sizzling straight one that +burned over the plate was the signal for him to go +into retirement.</p> + +<p>After that Smith, Sr., stood up to give an account +of himself. He never appeared without his usual +grin, and even the taunts of the crowd did not +change his expression an iota.</p> + +<p>“Smash!”</p> + +<p>That was Smith, Sr.’s bat connecting with the +ball.</p> + +<p>“Run!” shrieked scores of voices, as the bleachers +arose to a man to see just where the ball had gone.</p> + +<p>Allison was after it, and making rapid progress +over the stubby grass in left.</p> + +<p>“He can get it—good old Ben is on the spot!” +yelled one well wisher.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>“Will he—maybe, maybe not!” sang out Jack +Eastwick, mockingly.</p> + +<p>Allison did his best to get there; but there was +too much steam to that hit, and it escaped him, while +Smith cantered home amid a salvo of frenzied +shouts.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII<br> + +<small>NEARING THE END</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> game moved along slowly.</p> + +<p>Seven full innings had been played, and the score +was still low. It had swung around until it stood +in favor of Bellport, four to three.</p> + +<p>“It’s anybody’s game yet!” shouted several.</p> + +<p>“Get into harness, boys! Put on another wrinkle +and win out! You can do it, Columbia!”</p> + +<p>“Where’s Herman Hooker? Get that voice of +yours working just now. Give the boys encouragement. +That’s all they want to pull out! Start +her up, Herman!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, tune up, Herman!”</p> + +<p>And as Bellport came to bat for the beginning +of the ninth, with no change in the score as yet, +Herman marshalled his cohorts in the bleachers, +and with that strident voice of his to lead, began +to cheer in concert, bleat out the famous school +cry, and sing “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,” +the immense crowd joining in until the volume of +sound might have been heard a mile away.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>“Careful, Ralph; this is a crisis!” Frank Allen +had said as his friend picked up his glove and +started toward the box.</p> + +<p>Ralph looked perfectly cool. Indeed, many who +saw him, and knew that this was his first game in +big company, prophesied that he would turn out to +be the greatest pitcher Columbia had ever known, +given a little more experience.</p> + +<p>He had just sent one over, and smiled to hear the +umpire instantly call a strike, when there arose a +medley of voices from the point just beyond the +termination of the bleachers.</p> + +<p>Ralph had accepted the ball from his catcher, and +held it gripped in his hand as he took a step back +into his box. Naturally his attention was directed +toward the spot, where he saw a tremendous commotion +had started, with men and boys swarming +back.</p> + +<p>“A fight! A fight!” was the first cry that passed +around to the grandstand, and hundreds immediately +stood up to see, their interest in the game for +the moment forgotten.</p> + +<p>But they immediately discovered that it must be +something else that had caused this stampede, for the +runners appeared to be frightened. What could it +be? Frank shouted to Police Chief Hogg, and the +latter started on the run for the scene of disturbance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>Every man, woman and child was now standing +up and craning necks to find out the truth. They +saw people running, women showing symptoms of +terror, and even men trying to put space between +themselves and some mysterious danger.</p> + +<p>Then a shout went up, for upon the field had +suddenly appeared a bull, showing symptoms of +anger, and evidently in a mood to launch himself +at the crowd, many of the ladies wearing gaily-colored +garments that appeared to arouse the fighting +spirit of the animal.</p> + +<p>Some of the boys of Columbia recognized the bull +as one belonging to a farmer who owned the property +adjoining the athletic field on the right, and +back of the grandstand. A high fence shut off this +pasture, but perhaps some of the boards may have +fallen down. At any rate, there was the bull trotting +straight toward the diamond, with hundreds of +frantic people going into a panic.</p> + +<p>“He wants to toss a few over! Give the bull a +chance!” shouted a funny fellow from the safety +of the grandstand; but had he been out there on the +field doubtless he would ere this have been taking +to his heels, like the majority of the alarmed spectators.</p> + +<p>Frank immediately suspected that some thoughtless +scamp who loved a prank without counting the +cost may have coaxed the bull to the opening made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> +in the fence, by waving a red handkerchief, and +then dodging when he had accomplished his purpose.</p> + +<p>“Get bats, fellows; we’ve got to chase him back +to cover!” he shouted, suiting his action to his +words.</p> + +<p>Other players also snatched up some of the war +clubs, and thus armed they bore down on the object +of their solicitude. Meanwhile the bull had trotted +straight for Ralph in the box. It looked as though +the animal meant to follow up the advice of the +joker in the grandstand, and ascertain whether he +could knock the pitcher out of the box.</p> + +<p>Ralph stood his ground. Indeed, he hardly knew +what to do, such was the tremendous clamor all +around him.</p> + +<p>“Soak him one, you!” howled a fellow who stood +on the top seat of the bleachers, and waved his arms.</p> + +<p>It was so easy to tell another what to do just +then, especially when in an apparently safe place +himself.</p> + +<p>“Yes, hit him in the eye, Ralph! Here’s your +chance to win your own game!”</p> + +<p>“Shoo the bully old boy away! He’s interfering, +with our game!”</p> + +<p>“It’s a set-up job of Columbia when they’re getting +licked, that’s what!”</p> + +<p>Ralph heard everything that was said. At the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> +same time he drew back his arm, with the intention +of delivering as swift a ball as he possibly could. +Of course, it could hardly be expected that such a +puny thing as a baseball would be sufficient to drive +the bull away; but it was all Ralph could do—and +he did it to the best of his ability.</p> + +<p>“Straight to the bull’s-eye, Ralph!” came a last +shout, just as he let go; and somehow it gave the +boy more or less satisfaction to know that he had +indeed done as directed.</p> + +<p>The hard ball struck the animal with tremendous +force on the side of the head, and, bounding off, +fell upon the diamond. Perhaps the blow astonished +the unwelcome visitor at the game. He +seemed to stop a few seconds as if trying to figure +just where the new assault had come from.</p> + +<p>“At him, boys!” shouted Frank, enabled to come +up because of this little delay.</p> + +<p>A dozen lads, Bellport players as well as those +of Columbia, had armed themselves with bats. They +were close at Frank’s heels when he started in to belabor +the bull on the flanks vigorously.</p> + +<p>One assailant the big fellow might have attacked, +but the multitude cowed him. Possibly he was not +a very vicious animal after all. Be that as it might, +the boys surrounded him like a wall, and forced +him to trot off toward the broken fence. He was +last seen kicking up his heels as he went through<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> +the gap, and his bellow a few seconds afterward +announced that while he may have thought it prudent +to retreat before superior numbers, his spirit +was not crushed.</p> + +<p>Frank, while the others returned toward the diamond, +winded a little from their efforts, took a look +at the fence as he was temporarily fixing up the +several boards that lay upon the ground.</p> + +<p>“These were all right before the game started. +Either some fellows knocked them off to get in +without paying, or else it was a set-up job to give +trouble.”</p> + +<p>This last idea made him instantly think of the +fellow most likely to engineer a miserable game like +this—Lef Seller. He remembered seeing the bully +over on the field at the end of the bleachers some +little time before, and several of his cronies with +him. Could he have possibly taken advantage of +every eye being riveted on the close game to play +this dangerous prank? Some one might have been +seriously injured by the coming of the bull.</p> + +<p>“What’s this.”</p> + +<p>Just before putting up the last plank Frank had +thrust his head through the opening to see what +had become of the baffled bull. His eye had fallen +on something red lying in the rank grass close to +the fence.</p> + +<p>“It’s a red bandana handkerchief, and a new one,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> +too, that has never even been in the wash. And +that was what they used to lure Mr. Bull in here. +Well, perhaps a fellow may think that a joke, but +if half a dozen women or children had been gored +he might have gone to prison for it.”</p> + +<p>He looked at the gaudy thing again.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps I may be able to find out who owns this. +Looks like it must have been bought this very day. +Anyhow, ‘finders keepers,’ and I’m in one stunning +red bandana blower,” and, laughing as he stowed +it away, he returned to see the continuation of +the close game.</p> + +<p>Smith, Sr., was on deck, with his bat making +little circles as he waited for his chance to whack +the ball. He had a peculiar “crouch” that amused +the crowd; but as the elongated first baseman was +a natural hitter, much could be forgiven him. In +baseball a batting eye is like the mantle of charity, +since it covers a multitude of sins.</p> + +<p>Smith, Sr., did hit it, too, though he should have +been an easy out, only that the ball took an unexpected +bounce just as Seymour had set himself to +gobble it, and shot over his head.</p> + +<p>“Oh!” came in a groan from all over the field, +though every one who knew the game understood +it was none of the second baseman’s fault, since +he never even touched the ball.</p> + +<p>Smith reached first, and made a grand bluff of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> +galloping down toward second to draw the throw, +but without success.</p> + +<p>Lacy was a shrewd one, and sacrificed himself +for the good of the cause, advancing his comrade +nicely to second. Bardwell tried the same thing, +but tapped the ball too hard. Consequently it went +quickly to Ralph, who snatched it up, hurled it like +a cannon ball to third, catching the runner; and +then it was shot across the diamond in time to just +double up the stout Bardwell as he jumped for the +first sack.</p> + +<p>“Now, what do you think of that?” shrieked the +local boys in chorus, led by the “best yeller Columbia +ever had.”</p> + +<p>“Never could do it again in a hundred years. +Bardwell stumbled, as he generally does. Luck was +against us!” answered one of the Bellport shouters, +promptly.</p> + +<p>Bellport had finished their side of the game. Columbia +still had an inning to play, with one run to tie, +and two to win!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII<br> + +<small>AN UNFORTUNATE HIT</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Who’s</span> up?” demanded Paul Bird, as he tossed +his mask and chest protector aside, wiped his steaming +face, and picked up a bat.</p> + +<p>“You are, and if ever you made a base hit get +one in now!” said Captain Seymour.</p> + +<p>“Yes, everything depends on this inning. We +can do it if we try, fellows!” exclaimed Ben Allison, +also selecting his favorite piece of ash.</p> + +<p>Once again the crowd settled down, though the +anxiety felt was plainly depicted on the faces all +around.</p> + +<p>The noise had broken out again worse than ever. +Even the voice of the brazen-throated Princeton +man could not be heard, and he depended on signals +to announce whether it might be a ball or a strike. +Not one of those boys but whose nerves thrilled +with the intense strain. And it can easily be understood +how Coddling must have suffered as he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> +toed the slab once more to try and mow the Columbia +boys down, so as to prevent a run.</p> + +<p>“You know how to do it, Coddling. Give them +some of your famous teasers, and see ’em break +their backs trying to connect!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Coddling, one, two, three for yours, now. +And start right in with this guy of a catcher!”</p> + +<p>“What have you got on him, hey? Did he let +a ball pass him like your feller? He ain’t so hefty, +but he’s the stuff they make champions out of!” +declared a Columbia backer, a brawny blacksmith, +whose appearance alone was enough to inspire respect, +so that the Bellport man dared make no answer.</p> + +<p>Paul waited. He did not want to appear too anxious. +He knew that the man who was hurling that +ball over was just as nervous as they make them, and +he hoped to profit by this. Still, he could not hold +off when he felt sure he saw a ball coming within +his reach.</p> + +<p>Too late after he struck he learned that it was +one of Coddling’s shrewd outshoots, and that it +had jumped beyond his reach.</p> + +<p>“Get a pole, sonny!” advised some one from the +crowd.</p> + +<p>“He felt for it that time; now he’s going to take +some!” shouted another.</p> + +<p>“Strike two!” came the voice of the umpire,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> +though Paul had not tried to connect; and that was +one of Coddling’s equally clever inshoots which had +seemed as if about to miss the plate by a foot, yet +took a sudden turn and shot in.</p> + +<p>If one were only a mind reader, Paul thought, +and could guess every time what the pitcher intended +to do, how easy it would all be.</p> + +<p>Suddenly changing his hold upon his bat, Paul +thrust it out with the intention of bunting. He +managed to connect, and was off like a flash, though +doubtful as to his chances for reaching first, for +he felt that he had not made as neat a drop of the +ball as he had hoped.</p> + +<p>Still, the ball player to be successful must try to +the utmost, no matter how discouraging the prospect, +always hoping that some little luck may turn +things his way—a dropped or fumbled ball has given +many a base that was not earned.</p> + +<p>“Run, Paul! Harder and you’ll get there!” +shrieked Herman through his megaphone, and the +sound seemed to spur the catcher to even greater +exertions.</p> + +<p>Runner and ball seemed to arrive at the same second. +Some shouted that he was out, and partisans +of Columbia cried that he was safe. The umpire +steadied his hand. That meant the runner had the +benefit of the doubt, and should remain where he +was on first.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>Then Bedlam seemed to break out! Even though +every fan from Bellport knew deep down in his +heart that the decision was just, still he felt it incumbent +on him to howl at the umpire, and the +ancient word, “robber!” was heard right and left.</p> + +<p>The old Princeton man only smiled, and turned +his attention to the game. Doubtless he chuckled +at hearing the old familiar outbursts to which he +had listened many a time himself, and perhaps joined +in shouting at the referee.</p> + +<p>By degrees the excitement began to ooze out, as +attention became riveted on the next man at bat. +This was Ralph.</p> + +<p>They had failed to rattle him while in the box, +but that did not prevent the Bellport legions from +indulging in a most astonishing din. Ralph never +noticed what was going on. His eye was on Coddling. +He wanted to guess what sort of a ball the +clever Bellport twirler meant to dish up to him.</p> + +<p>“Watch that feller! He’s going to win the game +if you let him hit it!”</p> + +<p>“Strike him out, Coddling. He’s dead easy!”</p> + +<p>“Hey, Ralph, old boy, you know what I told you? +Nothing less than a three-bagger will do! Hear +me?” called one fellow, who did not even know the +batter to speak to; but on the ball field astonishing +familiarity becomes the rule.</p> + +<p>Ralph had his teeth set hard. If it depended on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +him to win the game he meant that they should not +be disappointed. He watched Coddling eagerly, yet +with every muscle set for instantaneous work.</p> + +<p>Whack!</p> + +<p>“He done it! I told you so!”</p> + +<p>Ralph was jumping for first, while Paul had run +down to second. The third baseman had knocked +the ball down, but had to chase it, so that Coddling +rushed over to cover third as in duty bound, in case +Paul attempted to come along.</p> + +<p>But he went back to second, quite contented. +Columbia stock rose just about then; and Herman +again led his crowd whooping in concert:</p> + +<p>“Ho! ho! ho! hi! hi! hi! <i>veni! vidi! vici!</i> Columbia! +Sis boom, ah!”</p> + +<p>“Once more, fellows! You can do it! They’re +going to pieces! See ’em creeping in, expecting to +make a double play. Over the second base, and win +the game, Ben, and the pennant!”</p> + +<p>Allison meant to do that same thing. He took +a firm grip on his bat, and settled in his box to strike. +Since that first time he had faced Coddling three +times, and on every occasion had connected with +the ball, though twice he went out, once at first and +again when trying to stretch a fine hit into a triple, +much to the disgust of his backers.</p> + +<p>The noise died away as if by magic. Every one +was holding his or her breath, in the expectation of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> +giving vent to a whoop when Allison had either +done what he set out to do or passed out.</p> + +<p>Seymour stepped out and whispered to the batter.</p> + +<p>“He’s telling him to bunt!” cried a few, expecting +that this would be the program; and not realizing +that with the infield playing short it was next to +suicidal to attempt anything along this order, and +meant double play.</p> + +<p>Both basemen were playing well off, because they +had nothing to fear. Excitement was keyed up to +top notch.</p> + +<p>“Look out for Banghardt!” shrieked a coach; and +Paul found that the center fielder had crept in, so +that he came near being cut off from his bag.</p> + +<p>Again Coddling wound up to pitch. Allison let +the sphere pass.</p> + +<p>“One ball!”</p> + +<p>The next time it came the batter smote it full +“on the nose” and the sound of the collision electrified +that entire assemblage like a shock from a gigantic +battery. But alack and alas! as sometimes +happens, while he drove the ball directly in the line +he had marked out, it chanced to be just a few feet +too low!</p> + +<p>To the horror of the Columbia adherents it landed +full in the eager hands of the second baseman, who +held it fiercely for just a second, when he sent it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> +with all his might to Bardwell on third, but not +before touching his own base.</p> + +<p>Was it a triple? There was a wild upheaval on +the part of the entire mass of spectators. Paul had +thrown himself headlong for the bag, but that +swiftly-sent sphere was there just before him!</p> + +<p>The umpire made a sweeping motion of his hand. +Paul was out, and consequently Bellport had won +the game by making a wonderfully clever triple in +the last inning!</p> + +<p>Bedlam broke loose right then and there, and the +crowd surged over the field, whooping and howling +their various class yells. Herman led in a volcanic +cheer for the clever players who had managed that +remarkable play; and followed this with shouts for +both teams. Then songs were sung, and the boys +fraternized.</p> + +<p>It had been a splendid exhibition of work on +both sides. No one need be ashamed of having lost +such a game as that, as Frank hastened to assure +Ralph, who was naturally feeling a little sore over +such a sudden downfall to his high hopes.</p> + +<p>“The fortune of the game, old chap! Got to get +used to it. Why, just before Ben knocked into that +triple it looked as if we had ’em dead easy. Oh! +why couldn’t he have pulled off one of his favorite +little flies just over second! But what’s the use crying +over spilt milk? You did great work in the box!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> +Every one is saying we picked up a prize when we +came across you, Ralph.”</p> + +<p>By this time Ralph could himself smile a little.</p> + +<p>“After all, I came out twice as well as I expected. +If you don’t think my work was the cause of the +defeat I ought to be satisfied. I thought that bull +coming on the field broke me up a little. But, then, +they didn’t make another run,” he said.</p> + +<p>Frank threw an arm around his friend and walked +away with him. He wanted to get out of the crowd +so that they could talk. He had heard what Ralph +told Captain Seymour, and was naturally curious to +learn about the little adventure that had delayed the +arrival of the new pitcher.</p> + +<p>Besides, there had been those thrilling words +spoken by Ralph in connection with something that +bore upon his own tangled fortunes. What could +have happened?</p> + +<p>“Now, you know I’m just burning up with curiosity +to hear what’s been going on, Ralph. What +about this little child you carried home after she hurt +her hand; and how does that happen to have any +connection with your own matters?” he remarked, +when they found themselves removed to some degree +from the crowd that was swarming along the +road back to Columbia, some to take the trolley for +Bellport, others river conveyances for Clifford and +beyond.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span>Ralph turned a glowing face upon his friend.</p> + +<p>“Oh! Frank, I can hardly believe it even now, it +seems so very strange! Just to think, because I +wouldn’t believe some fellows were trying to get +me in the bushes, where they could keep me from +showing up, I’m going to hear the truth about the +past, and who I really am!”</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! that’s great news you’re telling me, and +I’m sure as glad as if I’d found another dad myself!” +exclaimed Frank.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX<br> + +<small>WHAT UNCLE JIM KNEW</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Of course</span> you are, Frank! Don’t I know what +an interest you’ve taken in this affair?”</p> + +<p>Ralph looked into the face of his friend as he +spoke, and there was sincere affection in his expression.</p> + +<p>“But tell me what happened, for I’m just wild to +know, Ralph.”</p> + +<p>The other had looked around several times while +they walked away from the field that had so lately +been the arena for that fiercely-fought battle of the +bats.</p> + +<p>“There’s some one following us, Frank,” he said, +uneasily.</p> + +<p>“Oh! come, you’re nervous after all this strain, +and imagining things. I guess it’s only some fellow +who happens to want to go the same way we do.”</p> + +<p>But when Frank had turned his head, to the surprise +of his comrade he gave vent to an exclamation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>“Well, I declare if I don’t believe it is him!” he +ejaculated, and his face took on an expression of +pleasure.</p> + +<p>“Who is it?” asked Ralph, eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Why, who but my uncle Jim!” was the reply.</p> + +<p>Ralph went a little white. Really things were +happening very rapidly, once they had taken a start. +He observed with deepest interest the big man who +was breathing hard as he managed to overtake them; +and Ralph took especial note of the fact that he +seemed to have a very genial face.</p> + +<p>“Hello! there, Frank; I thought it was you; but +you boys walk so fast I had more or less trouble +in overtaking you, and as to getting through that +crowd to speak to you on the field, it was utterly +impossible! How are you, my boy?” and the big +man from New York held out his hand to his +nephew.</p> + +<p>“Glad to see you, Uncle Jim. And it’s plain that +you are just as fond of baseball as ever. Sorry you +saw Columbia go down in defeat, though,” said +Frank.</p> + +<p>“Oh! that comes to every club sooner or later; +and in this case it was one of those accidents that +can never be avoided. I saw the last few innings, +and that triple play took my breath away. I give +you my word that contest was the equal of any I’ve +seen this year among the big leagues. And isn’t<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> +this the game little pitcher who held them down so +well?” with a curious glance at Frank’s companion.</p> + +<p>“Sure it is, and he would have won his game only +for that streak of tough luck. Uncle Jim, let me +introduce to you my friend, Ralph West!”</p> + +<p>The lawyer started and looked closer than ever +at the second boy.</p> + +<p>“Glad to meet you, Ralph. And, to tell the honest +truth, it was to see you that I’ve journeyed up here +just at a very busy time in my practice.”</p> + +<p>He still kept his eyes fastened on the face of the +boy, which of course he could see had gone white.</p> + +<p>“I’m glad to meet you, sir; and it’s mighty nice +for you to say such kind things about my work. I’m +green at it yet, but hope to do better after more practice,” +Ralph managed to say.</p> + +<p>“No doubt of that, not a bit. You’ve got all the +earmarks of a ‘comer’ in that line. But, Ralph, I +wish I were bringing you better news than I am able +to. I’ve been convinced by my brother that it is only +right to tell what little I know in connection with +that money, regardless of my promise. I’m only +sorry I happen to know so little, that’s all. But it +may start you along the right road.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, sir. Every little must help. I’ve +been fortunate enough to-day to meet a man who +seems to know something about the mystery of my +life; and he’s promised to tell me all this very night.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> +So that good luck seems to be swinging around my +way just now.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Ralph seems to have been able to have done +this man a great favor. As near as I can make out +he found a little child in the woods with her hand +crushed. She was crying bitterly. Ralph was on +his way by a roundabout route to the ball-grounds +when this happened; yet he carried that child a long +distance to her father. And it seems that the man +recognized Ralph, or on hearing his name, I don’t +know which, only that he promised to tell him something +to-night,” remarked Frank, eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Fine! couldn’t be better all around,” said the lawyer, +enthusiastically. “I see that to have been of +any assistance I should have turned up earlier. But +I had some very important cases on the docket; and +was not quite sure that I ought to break my word +until I received an urgent letter from Frank’s father +here. I can tell you just what I know in a very few +words, if you want me to, Ralph?”</p> + +<p>“I am wild to hear, sir, and was just wondering +how I could hold out several hours until night came +along. Please start right now, Judge Allen!” exclaimed +the boy.</p> + +<p>“Well, I am a man of very few words, which you +will admit is singular in a member of the legal profession. +The facts in the case are these: Last summer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> +there walked into my office a gentleman whose +card I have here with me.”</p> + +<p>Ralph glanced at the bit of pasteboard, and was +strangely thrilled to read the name “Arnold Gregory +Musgrove.”</p> + +<p>“Musgrove!” he repeated to himself several +times, as though it seemed to find a singular response +somewhere in the cells of his brain. Oh! +could it be possible that his name was the same as +that of the mysterious gentleman?</p> + +<p>The keen-eyed lawyer knew instinctively what +must be passing in his young mind, for he shook his +head seriously.</p> + +<p>“It may be just possible, Ralph, but until you +hear what this other party has to say I wouldn’t +build up too many hopes in that direction. What +I have to tell you will not put you in possession of +the positive facts. But to resume. This gentleman +first of all asked me if, in the line of my business, +I would undertake a little charitable work for him, +and I, of course, said I was there for any position of +trust connected with estates or otherwise; for you +know, Frank, that much of my income consists of +remuneration received from the care of property, +as I am what is called an estate lawyer.</p> + +<p>“Well, he told me that he had had a dear friend +who had died in abject poverty years back, and left +a boy who had been taken to the poorhouse away up<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> +in the country. The truth had only come to him +of late, and he wanted to do something for that +lad, but secretly, so that his name might never be +known in connection with the matter.”</p> + +<p>Ralph gripped the hand of Frank convulsively at +hearing this; but he did not utter one word, only +kept his glowing eyes fixed upon the lawyer’s sympathetic +face.</p> + +<p>“Upon investigating he had found that the lad +had been taken into their home by a couple named +West, living in the village of Scardale. He also +seemed to know that the boy was keenly desirous +of securing an education, from which he was now +debarred by the lack of means of his supposed +parents.</p> + +<p>“And so after binding me to secrecy he explained +his plan of action. I was to act as his intermediary, +sending a stated sum the first of every month, and +never letting a single hint fall as to whence it came. +Sitting there at my typewriter, Mr. Musgrove himself +wrote those few lines accompanying the first +remittance. And I have never seen him since that +day, though I learned he was in Europe traveling +with a widowed sister.”</p> + +<p>Ralph sighed heavily.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if it can be true? And if it is, why +shouldn’t he want to tell me just who my father and +father were? If I could only meet him face to face<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> +I would ask him that, and expect an answer,” he +said, slowly.</p> + +<p>“Well,” said the lawyer, with a little laugh, “from +what I saw of this Musgrove I’m afraid you +wouldn’t meet with great success. I didn’t wholly +like his looks. There was something shifty in his +eye, although he was rather a handsome gentleman, +and evidently accustomed to the best in the land.”</p> + +<p>Frank spoke up just then.</p> + +<p>“I can guess that you’ve been considering the +whole strange affair since you got my letter, Uncle, +and have arrived at some sort of conclusion yourself. +Won’t you tell us what you suspect, please?” +he said, urgently.</p> + +<p>“That’s a hard thing to put up to a lawyer, accustomed +to dealing only in stern facts, and eliminating +fiction from his figuring. But since meeting Ralph +here I’ve made up my mind to turn to his side of +the case. In fact, before coming up I wrote to the +address Mr. Musgrove left me, informing him that +I must throw up his affairs, since business was too +pressing. That leaves me free-handed; and I can +assist your young friend, Frank, without stultifying +myself.”</p> + +<p>“I knew you would, Uncle Jim. And now tell +us what you think!” cried Frank.</p> + +<p>“Just this: I have a suspicion that Mr. Arnold +Musgrove may have had a hand in some business in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> +the past that would not bear inspection. In other +words, that he was responsible for that boy being left +at the door of the poorhouse! That is a bold assertion +to make, without positive proof, and I would +hardly like to stand sponsor for it in court; but I +am only telling you this in secret.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, go on, please,” said Frank, throwing an +arm again around Ralph’s shoulders, for he knew +the other was trembling violently with emotion.</p> + +<p>“And as the years rolled on he must have kept +informed about what happened, for he knew all +about how Ralph had been adopted by the Wests; +yes, even to his ambition for an education. I imagine +the man’s conscience has begun to reproach him +as he grows older; and that it has finally forced him +to do something to compensate in a small way for +his action!”</p> + +<p>After the lawyer had ceased talking there was +silence for a full minute, broken finally by Frank, +saying:</p> + +<p>“Well, perhaps he may know it all to-night. I’ve +got my suspicions already, but I’m not going to say +anything yet. But I tell you I won’t sleep a wink +to-night until I’ve heard what Ralph has to report. +By the way, did you ever find out what the name +of Mr. Musgrove’s widowed sister was?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I had that much curiosity. It is Mrs. John +Langworthy, and her husband was a very smart<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> +and wealthy lawyer years ago,” replied Uncle Jim, +with a knowing smile.</p> + +<p>“H’m; Langworthy, eh?” and Frank looked meaningly +at Ralph, as he echoed the name.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XX<br> + +<small>TWICE A PRISONER</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It was</span> a peculiar coincidence that the freshman +spread was to come off this same night that meant +so much to Ralph.</p> + +<p>The sophomores had been wild to glean the particulars, +so that they might in some fashion manage +to break up the feast, either by kidnaping some of +the first-year students, get possession of the president +of the class, or else purloin the good things +that had been laid in for the spread.</p> + +<p>Ralph had intended going, for it promised to be +great fun. This new turn to his own private affairs, +however, knocked the notion out of his head. Indeed, +he forgot about it entirely.</p> + +<p>The minutes dragged terribly, and yet he knew +that he ought to wait a decent time to allow Sam +Smalling and his little family a chance to eat their +supper.</p> + +<p>About a quarter to eight he could hold back no +longer. It was getting dark, but he had asked questions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> +of Frank, and knew just where to find the +cottage in which the Smallings lived.</p> + +<p>To reach it he must walk almost a mile around +the town; but that, he expected, would be a matter +of only ten or fifteen minutes at most.</p> + +<p>So wrapped up was Ralph in his own affairs that +he never once thought of looking around him when +he stepped out of the gate and started off. Had +he done so he would have discovered several dusky +figures dogging his footsteps in a very suspicious +manner.</p> + +<p>They kept just so far in his rear until the town +had been left behind, and the country was at hand. +Of course these were sophs bent upon keeping the +new favorite of the freshies from attending that +dinner, which was doubtless to be spread in some +isolated barn far beyond the confines of Columbia, +in order to lessen the chances of the second class +interrupting the feast.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Ralph’s sober thoughts were interrupted. +He found himself pounced upon and borne +to the ground. In vain he struggled, for three +proved too much for even the athletic hero of that +afternoon game.</p> + +<p>At first he was amazed at what was happening, +and thoughts of some rascals boldly playing the +part of highway robbers flitted through his mind.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>Then a face was thrust close to his, and a voice +said:</p> + +<p>“Your goose is cooked, freshie. No fine spread +in yours this night. Instead, you will occupy a dungeon +until the midnight hour has struck. And if +our plans carry right we’ll have gobbled your class +grub long before then.”</p> + +<p>Of course the truth flashed through Ralph’s mind +now. He knew that he had fallen into the clutches +of the watchful sophomores, eager to capture all +the leading lights of the lower class, and spoil the +long anticipated treat.</p> + +<p>It was exasperating to say the least. Of course +none of them would believe him if he declared that +he had no idea of attending the dinner, and was +bent on private business of the utmost importance.</p> + +<p>Just as he expected, when he started to speak of +this they only jeered him.</p> + +<p>“Tell that to the marines, freshie. Don’t we know +that they expect to elect you the president of the class +to-night, in place of Rud Kipling, who went home +last week sick? Oh! no, you don’t get loose until +the clock strikes twelve, so save your breath. Tie +his hands, boys, and bring him along. I know a +cot beneath the hill, and there we’ll chuck him in to +ruminate, while we hike after that grub.”</p> + +<p>They assisted him to his feet after his hands had +been rudely lashed. Through a woods they walked,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> +whispering at times. Ralph was really angry at +this unexpected bit of hard luck. If the boys only +knew what it meant to him to have his liberty they +could not have the heart to hold him a prisoner in +this way.</p> + +<p>Coming to an old cabin, once the home of charcoal +burners, but long deserted, they thrust him inside +and, closing the door, fastened it in some +manner.</p> + +<p>When the mocking voices of the sophomores had +died away in the distance, and Ralph found himself +alone, he set about trying to effect his escape. Had +it been the dinner alone that was the inducement +he might have taken it philosophically, and simply +laughed at his predicament; but while he remained +there, precious minutes were passing, and the story +of his mysterious past waiting to be told.</p> + +<p>He struggled with the cord they had wrapped +about his wrists. The sophs were far from being +experts in tying up a prisoner, so that there was a +chance for Ralph to work his hands free. Force +would not accomplish it, but by manipulating his +right hand he was presently able to draw it out of +the bonds.</p> + +<p>There remained only the door between him and +liberty. He examined this part of the structure, to +find, as he suspected, that it was just as flimsy as +the rest of the old cabin. Consequently, when he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> +threw his weight against it, after several attempts, +the door gave way with a crash.</p> + +<p>Striking a light, Ralph found that all this had only +taken just fifteen minutes. It was now eight o’clock +plus seven minutes; and he was free to go his way.</p> + +<p>Another thought came into his mind. Loyalty +to his class struggled with this wild desire on his +part to hasten to the home of Sam Smalling, so as +to hear all he had to say.</p> + +<p>Was he not in duty bound to warn his fellows in +some manner? From what words the sophomores +who had captured him had let drop, it was evident +that they knew where the spread was to take place, +and that a raid was being organized, looking to the +stealing of the dainties provided for the freshman +dinner.</p> + +<p>Ralph thought it over, even as he was hurrying +along. After all, it seemed up to him to do something +to save his class the mortification of being +made the laughing stock of the vindictive second-year +boys, who were evidently abroad in force, bent +on breaking up the spread.</p> + +<p>Now that he came to consider the matter, the place +of secret meeting was in the same direction. No +wonder his captors were positive that he had been +heading for the rendezvous when overtaken with +disaster.</p> + +<p>“I might go out of my way enough to meet some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> +of the boys, and put them on their guard,” he said, +finally.</p> + +<p>That was Ralph’s nature all over, ever ready to +sacrifice his own interests in order to benefit those +with whom he was associated. It was the spirit +instilled in the souls of the Delta Pi members—loyalty +first of all to the school, and next to one’s +class.</p> + +<p>So Ralph made his way along cautiously. He +was in mortal fear lest he be pounced upon at any +moment by others of the prowling sophs, and held +once more a prisoner.</p> + +<p>In this fashion he drew near the farm where stood +the barn hired for the occasion by the freshmen. +No doubt it was completely surrounded by a cordon +of eager sophs, anxious to accomplish their work of +retaliation, for the freshmen had effectually broken +up their entertainment earlier in the season.</p> + +<p>Hearing voices coming along the road, indicating +a large company of boys and girls, Ralph knew that +the main body of his fellow class members must +be approaching, having gathered in town somewhere, +since the girls refused to attend unless suitably protected.</p> + +<p>Of course the sophomores would not dare attack +this group. Indeed, their plans covered a different +field entirely, since they contemplated making way<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> +with the provisions that were being carried to the +spread.</p> + +<p>Ralph waited until they were exactly opposite.</p> + +<p>“Watchman, what of the night?” he asked, suddenly +appearing among them.</p> + +<p>Several of the freshmen, thinking that an attack +was about to be sprung on them, had started to +grapple with the single figure. The passwords +spoken by Ralph, however, reassured them.</p> + +<p>“Don’t mention my name, anybody,” said Ralph, +in an impressive whisper; “for some of the sophomores +are hiding near by. They think I’m a prisoner +in the old hut of the charcoal burners in the +woods. I escaped and came here to tell you that +they know all about the place of meeting.”</p> + +<p>“Then somebody leaked, that’s all,” grumbled one +of the boys, angrily.</p> + +<p>“I suppose so. But they mean to get a chance +to steal your grub. Look out for them, fellows. +Keep a good watch out,” said Ralph, impressively.</p> + +<p>“Hey! hold on, where are you going to?” demanded +one of the group as Ralph started to slip +away.</p> + +<p>“Sorry, but I can’t be with you to-night, fellows. +Some mighty important business of a private character +chains me down,” explained the other.</p> + +<p>“No, you don’t now. You’re needed at the spread +more than any other fellow; and we don’t mean to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> +let you off this time. Private matters must wait +when the class of Umty Fourteen has the call. +Duty before pleasure, you know. Besides, you’re IT +to-night, and we just won’t get on without you. +Come on!”</p> + +<p>Ralph thus found himself in another fix, and +could well exclaim to be delivered from his friends. +First the enemy had captured him and tried to keep +him a prisoner until midnight. And now the fellow +members of his class, having determined to elect +him president for the balance of the season, seemed +equally bent on preventing him from keeping his +appointment with Smalling.</p> + +<p>He said nothing further, but walked along with +the crowd. All the while he was keeping his eyes +open in the hope of seeing a chance to drop out, and +giving his classmates the slip. He could not bear +the thought of postponing the interview with Sam +Smalling that might mean everything in the world +to him.</p> + +<p>They had reached the barn before he found his +opportunity. A number of freshmen had come on +at dusk to guard the place, so that their enemies +might not take possession unawares, and shut them +out.</p> + +<p>While the two divisions were fraternizing Ralph +saw his chance, and dodged aside.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>“Here, where’s Ralph West gone to? We mustn’t +let him slip away,” said a voice.</p> + +<p>“He was here a minute ago, but now he’s gone!” +cried Helen Allen, in a plaintive voice; and Ralph +felt doubly sorry that he was compelled to forego +a pleasant evening in the company of Frank’s sister.</p> + +<p>Scurrying through the end of the barn, he reached +the open air.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXI<br> + +<small>RALPH HEARS SOMETHING</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ralph</span> had become cautious by this time.</p> + +<p>“Two narrow squeaks, and the third time may see +me held tight,” he said to himself, as he crouched +there, looking around.</p> + +<p>He knew positively that the anxious sophomores +were hiding everywhere about, their eyes on the +barn where the freshmen had vanished, bearing their +dinner with them. How to creep away undetected +was a question for the lad to solve. He found +where the darkness lay most heavily, and laid out +his line of retreat accordingly.</p> + +<p>He was just about to rise when he thought he +had crept far enough away, when he heard a fluttering +of the bushes near by.</p> + +<p>“Are the birds all in the coop?” asked an unseen +crouching figure.</p> + +<p>Ralph knew that he had been taken for one of the +second-year boys. His ready wit came to the front, +so that he instantly replied:</p> + +<p>“Yes. And the captain wants you all to creep in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> +closer. I’m rounding the gang up. Move along!”</p> + +<p>He came near laughing aloud to see not one, but +three shadowy forms crawling off in the direction +of the barn, and leaving the path free for the escaping +freshman.</p> + +<p>“Ta! ta! and many thanks!” whispered Ralph, as +he waved a hand after the last of these figures.</p> + +<p>Then he started away, and it must be a pretty +clever sprinter who could overtake him now, once +he made a break. In several directions he heard +low voices calling, as though the hidden sophomores +wondered who it could be running along the road. +But there was no pursuit made, for which the already +weary Ralph felt glad.</p> + +<p>He had gone through with a tremendous amount +of mental and physical strain that day, and had no +desire to continue with another series of adventures.</p> + +<p>So he presently arrived in the near vicinity of the +cabin home of Sam Smalling.</p> + +<p>“There’s a light in the window,” he muttered, +as he drew near; “and that looks as if he expected +me.”</p> + +<p>Ralph was shivering, not with the cold, or even +because of his double adventure that night, but with +apprehension. He dreaded lest a disappointment +might await him. Perhaps, after all, the story +Smalling had to tell might not shed any particular +light on his history.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span>Another thing that had begun to give him anxiety. +He wondered whether he might not be the child of +that same Arnold Musgrove, and that from some +cause or other his father was ashamed to own him!</p> + +<p>Bracing himself, he stepped up to the door of the +humble cabin.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he knocked before the door was +opened.</p> + +<p>“Glad to see you, Ralph. I began to think you +wasn’t going to turn up, it was getting so late,” said +the man, holding out his hand and drawing him inside.</p> + +<p>“I was delayed on the way. Our class is giving +a spread to-night, and the sophs got hold of me, +making me a prisoner. I had some trouble breaking +away. Then I had to go and warn the fellows so +they might not be taken by surprise. But after all +it isn’t much after half-past eight, sir.”</p> + +<p>Ralph while speaking was looking around.</p> + +<p>“Surprised to see me alone here? Well, to tell +the truth I was ashamed to let the missus know what +a mean thing I done aways back, and I got her to +take all the kids and go over to stay with a neighbor +to-night. The woman’s sick, and my wife can +make herself useful there. I wanted a clear field, +because I’ve got something to say I’m mighty much +ashamed of,” said Smalling, slowly.</p> + +<p>“Before you tell me anything I think I ought to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> +let you know what’s happened to me since I met +you this afternoon.”</p> + +<p>So saying, Ralph rapidly narrated what the New +York lawyer had told him. The man listened +eagerly, though his manner was rather moody.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” he said as Ralph finished, “it all seems +to agree with what I know, only I wasn’t so sure +about them names. The man called himself Andrew +Jackson when he hired me to help him out years +back. Money tempted me; and besides, at that time +I hadn’t met the woman that helped me get the +better of my drink habit. Mind, I ain’t makin’ excuses +for what I done. It was a low game, and I’ve +often thought about it since, wondering what had +come of the baby I helped kidnap!”</p> + +<p>“Oh!”</p> + +<p>Ralph could not keep back that one exclamation. +It seemed to him that he must either be dreaming, +or else deep in some romance. That these matters +were connected with his own life seemed bordering +on an absurdity.</p> + +<p>“You must be about fourteen now, Ralph, I judge. +It was nigh that time back that I fell in with a gentleman +who seemed to have plenty of money, and +wanted some one to help him play a little game. As +I said, at that time I was drinking hard, and conscience +seldom bothered me; so I joined forces +with him, and together we did the business.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span>“He brought the baby to me in the night. It +was a boy about three months old, and even if he +had dressed it in ragged and dirty clothes, I knew +that it must have come from some family away up +in life. It had the looks of an aristocrat.</p> + +<p>“I obeyed orders, and carried that kid far away +from New York. Up here in the country I left it +in charge of an old woman for a month. That was +to wait till all the hue and cry had died out, you see, +and was according to my orders. Then I took the +baby and left him at the poorhouse door!”</p> + +<p>Again Ralph sighed. It seemed to him that he +was in a trance. Smalling had allowed his head to +fall forward upon his chest, as though he could +hardly bear to look into the eyes of the lad he had +injured so deeply.</p> + +<p>“Oh! please go on! How did you know that I +was taken by the Wests, and called Ralph? Tell +me everything—I must know all, now!” pleaded +the boy, with his voice quivering.</p> + +<p>Smalling looked up.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to tell everything now, Ralph, because +I’m sorry I ever had a hand in this game. I can +see now what that scoundrel was after, and how +he used me as a tool. Even if I go to jail for it, +I’m going to tell the truth!”</p> + +<p>He brought his fist down upon his knee as he +spoke in this manner.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>“Three years afterward I just chanced to be up +in these parts again for a little stay. To tell you +the ugly truth, I was hiding from the police at that +time. While here I remembered about that kid, and +asked a few cautious questions. In that way I +learned that the Wests had adopted you, and that +they called you Ralph. And when I heard that they +were a good family, and would treat you white, why, +I just kinder let the thing slip out of my mind, believing +that you’d be happy without ever knowing +that they wasn’t your real parents.</p> + +<p>“I admit that more’n once I tried to find that gent. +Them times was when I was hard up and thought +I might threaten him into giving me some more coin. +But he seemed to have covered his tracks too well +for me. I reckon I hunted New York all over +thinking to see him, but it was no go. Now I suppose +it was because he kept on the other side of +the ocean most of the time.”</p> + +<p>“Then you remember what he looked like, do +you?” asked Ralph, eagerly.</p> + +<p>At this Sam Smalling chuckled.</p> + +<p>“It’s better than that, my boy, far better. I’ve +got a picture of my benevolent employer, took in +the queerest way you ever heard of.”</p> + +<p>He drew out an old pocketbook, and rummaging +through this found a small piece of cardboard which +he handed to the boy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>Ralph uttered an exclamation of astonishment.</p> + +<p>The photograph was weak, having either faded +from age, or else because of insufficient light at +the time of taking; but it was easy to distinguish +in one of the two figures a man who much resembled +Sam Smalling.</p> + +<p>“Why, isn’t this you?” demanded Ralph.</p> + +<p>“No other. And that chap standing there is Mr. +Andrew Jackson, as he called himself, which I believe +is the same as Mr. Arnold Musgrove,” replied +the man.</p> + +<p>“But what is he handing you—that bundle?” +gasped the boy, suspecting the truth.</p> + +<p>“That was <i>you</i>, Ralph, the poor little baby that +he wanted to have disappear! Yes, this picture was +taken at just the minute he gave you to me. You +wonder how that could ever happen, and I’ll tell +you. I was bunking at the time with a drunken +photographer, and he knew what I was going to do. +It was his suggestion that he try and get a picture +of the man of money. I remember we had a hazy +notion that it might help us to get money out of the +chap later on.”</p> + +<p>“And he managed it, then?” asked Ralph, wondering; +for flashlights were hardly in use so far +back, and this picture showed no signs of having +been taken in that fashion.</p> + +<p>“He did, though I don’t know how. The click<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span> +of the machine startled my employer, and he came +near dropping the baby; but I told him it was a window +creaking upstairs in the old building, and he +believed it. But after all the picture never did +either of us any good, for I never could find Mr. +Jackson again to ask a loan on the strength of it,” +and the man laughed disdainfully.</p> + +<p>“But now the picture promises to come in valuable +to me. Oh! will you please let me have it to give +to Mr. Allen, who is going to carry my case out for +me?”</p> + +<p>“Certain I will. And, Ralph, though it may cost +me dear I stand ready to testify to my part in this +here rascally game when the time comes. I give +you my word on that, lad, come what will,” said Sam +Smalling, resolutely.</p> + +<p>Ralph squeezed his hand when he replied.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it may not be necessary at all. I promise +you that you will not be brought into the matter +if it can be helped; and Judge Allen will find a way, +with this picture to help out, I’m sure. Oh! I wonder +how that man could have been so cruel. And +do you really think that his sister, this widow, Mrs. +Langworthy, can be—<i>my mother</i>.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what it seems like, and you can make up +your mind to it, money was at the bottom of his +game when he stole you and had me take you away. +Sounds like a story out of the books, but I guess<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> +people to-day ain’t a bit different from old times.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad I came here to-night; and, Mr. Smalling, +after what you’ve said and done don’t think +I’m going to hold it against you. I’m too happy +myself to want to make anybody suffer. And later +on I expect to drop in here to see you again, you +and little Mary,” said the boy, rising to go, for he +was now just as anxious to see and consult with +Judge Allen as he had been to reach Sam Smalling’s +home.</p> + +<p>“I’ll expect you, Ralph. I’m glad this happened +as it did. It’s just Fate, that’s what! But the best +of luck go with you, lad; and remember to call on +me if there’s any hitch to the game. Good night, +Ralph, good night.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXII<br> + +<small>A PLAIN TALK WITH BILL KLEMM</small></h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">There</span>, what do you think of it, Frank?”</p> + +<p>Ralph sat back in a chair in his friend’s den, and +waited to hear the decision of the one in whose +opinion he had such faith.</p> + +<p>“It seems as clear as print to me, and I’m tickled +nearly to death at the way things are turning out +It was mighty nice in you coming here to-night on +the way home, and relieving my anxiety,” said the +other, vigorously wringing the hand of his visitor.</p> + +<p>“But I had a double motive. I hoped to see your +Uncle Jim, and now you tell me he’s away for the +night—gone with your father to see a sick friend +over the mountain, and won’t be back until morning. +But what do you make of all this strange story?”</p> + +<p>“That pretended Mr. Andrew Jackson is, of +course, Arnold Musgrove. And you are the baby he +turned over to Sam Smalling years ago. This picture +is what will clinch matters, if he puts up any +denial. As to just who you are, I have strong suspicions, +I must say,” returned Frank.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span>Then he wrote something on paper and thrust it +before Ralph.</p> + +<p>“How would you like to start out fresh under +that name, eh?”</p> + +<p>“Jack Langworthy!” read Ralph, and then threw +himself suddenly forward so that his arms clasped +Frank around the neck.</p> + +<p>Nature had given way. So long had he been +fighting to hold in his emotions that he could control +himself no longer.</p> + +<p>“I know I’m a fool and a baby to do this, but it +just seemed as though something broke loose and +swamped me,” he said, finally, as he wiped the +moisture from his eyes, and tried to smile in Frank’s +face.</p> + +<p>“I don’t blame you a bit. In fact, I think you’ve +done bully to hold in so long. And then the strain +of that game to-day was enough alone to knock the +props out from under any fellow. But cheer up, +Ralph! It’s going to be all right now, for the sky +has brightened, and I bet a cookey you find a loving +mother inside another month. Just think of it, will +you? Hurrah! But I say, it’ll take an everlasting +long time to learn to say Langworthy instead of +West; for it’s a big mouthful.”</p> + +<p>Ralph felt better after that.</p> + +<p>“I’ll be around to-morrow without fail to talk it +all over with your uncle. Please don’t let him know<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> +anything about it until I come. I’d like to be the +one to tell him the story, Frank.”</p> + +<p>“I’m mum on that score. But I wonder if those +sophs succeeded in stealing the spread of the freshmen, +or were they kept out of the barn by main +force? You’ve got some husky chaps in your class +this year, and they could give a good account of +themselves in a scrap. But Helen will tell me later,” +laughed Frank, as his comrade started for the door.</p> + +<p>Ralph was really quite exhausted, and knew that +he must get home and to bed. The tremendous strain +of that strenuous day was indeed telling on him.</p> + +<p>It was well on to midnight before voices outside +announced that the freshmen had returned from the +country. Helen came in, her face aglow with excitement, +to tell what a tremendous scuffle had followed +the attempt of the sophomores to break in and +spoil the spread.</p> + +<p>“But our boys put them out all right, Frank! Oh, +it was a tremendous time. Perhaps some of us girls +were in the scrimmage, too, for I know I found this +cap in my hand when it was all over,” and she laughingly +held up a boy’s headgear, decorated with the +ribbon of the second class, as well as the purple and +gold of Columbia.</p> + +<p>And that was all Frank could coax her to tell. +He could look back to several similar experiences +in his own school life, and appreciate what it meant<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> +to these freshmen, for Frank was a junior now.</p> + +<p>In the morning Frank sauntered around to a certain +modest house in town, where he greeted a young +fellow by the name of Gabe Brown. Gabe was in +the store which Frank’s father ran, known as the +department store of Columbia. Moreover, he had +charge of a certain counter in which Frank was +somewhat interested just then.</p> + +<p>“Hello, Gabe!” he said, as the other looked surprised +at seeing the son of his employer look up on +Sunday morning, “just wanted to get a little information +from you. Here’s a new bandana handkerchief +I picked up yesterday. Some fellow dropped +it out at the baseball grounds, and I’d like to find +out who he is. Can you help me?”</p> + +<p>Gabe took the article, and examined it.</p> + +<p>“Came from our place, didn’t it?” continued +Frank, seeing his smile.</p> + +<p>“It sure did, and I think I know whose it is, +Frank,” replied the salesman.</p> + +<p>“How could you be sure? Lots of these are sold +every season.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you notice that it’s just about new, and +never been washed, for the stiffening is in it +still. That shows it was bought recently, don’t it?” +asked Gabe.</p> + +<p>“Sounds reasonable,” admitted Frank, for this +was just what he himself had in mind all along.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>“Well, we ran out of these a week back, and ordered +more. They got in Friday evening, and I +sold just one yesterday. They’re different in design +from our old ones, too. See the point?” said Gabe, +triumphantly.</p> + +<p>“Sure. Who bought that one, now?”</p> + +<p>“Mr. William Klemm, Jr.,” came the expected +response.</p> + +<p>“Thanks; I thought so,” and Frank turned away, +leaving Gabe looking after him and muttering:</p> + +<p>“I reckon something’s going to happen close to +Billy Klemm just about now.”</p> + +<p>Frank saw the object of his solicitude on the street +in front of a vacant lot. Bill had slipped out to meet +one of his cronies on the sly, and perhaps puff a cigarette +in the cool of that Sunday morning.</p> + +<p>“Morning, Bill. Lost something yesterday, didn’t +you?” and Frank held up the red bandana.</p> + +<p>Bill started to put out his hand, and then drew +it cautiously back, as though he might have scented +a trap.</p> + +<p>“Naw, ain’t got any bandany rag. Belongs to +some other fellow. What made you reckon I owned +it?” he said, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>“Because Gabe Brown says he sold you this particular +one from a new lot that just came in, and +different from the old ones. You were in a hurry to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> +jump yesterday, Bill, when that bull started for the +hole in the fence!”</p> + +<p>Bill shut his teeth hard and looked as if about to +hotly deny that he knew anything about that matter.</p> + +<p>“Better go slow, Bill, or I might be tempted to +step around and tell your dad a few things. Keep +going with Lef Seller, and you’ll bring up in the +lockup sooner or later. And, Bill, it’s a lucky thing +for you that no one was seriously hurt yesterday +when you let that savage beast in on the crowd. If +there had been, I’d see to it that you were made to +pay the piper.”</p> + +<p>The awkward fellow looked frightened, and let +his head drop on his chest.</p> + +<p>“’Twas only a joke,” he mumbled, “but some fellers +they never see anything funny.”</p> + +<p>“Not when the joke endangers human life, and +there were lots of kids around in the ball-grounds. +Here, take the bandana, and stop pulling chestnuts +out of the fire for Lef Seller, just like the cat did for +the monkey.”</p> + +<p>Bill finally accepted the handkerchief, and tried +to put a bold face on the matter, saying:</p> + +<p>“Guess if anything, the old bull he’s got a right +to kick, ’cause he near had the life pounded out of +him with them bats. It’s white of you not to peep, +Frank. I reckon I’ll take your advice, and cut Lef +out.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span>But Frank was not deceived. He knew the kind +of fellow Bill was, and that there would be a very +small chance of reforming his ways.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” Frank was musing to himself as he walked +away, “they say there was a certain old gentleman +with horns and cloven hoofs who, when he was sick, +sighed to be a saint; but when he got well was he? +Not any! And Bill Klemm only feels sorry when +he thinks he’s in for a licking at home, or in school.”</p> + +<p>When Mr. Allen and Uncle Jim returned, Ralph +was on hand. He and the lawyer went “into executive +session,” as the latter laughingly said, and remained +in the library for a full hour.</p> + +<p>“He’s going to fix it for me,” declared Ralph, +later on, as he and Frank walked down the road +together.</p> + +<p>“Then he thought it a clear case, did he?” asked +his chum, eagerly.</p> + +<p>“So much so that he says he will start across to +Italy in a week, after his big case is over with, and +see the lady himself,” replied Ralph, promptly.</p> + +<p>“Bully for Uncle Jim! Didn’t I tell you he was +game. But what does he do that for, when he could +cable?”</p> + +<p>“He’s a lawyer, and cautious. Besides, he says, +and it looks good to me, that a man who could steal +a baby away from his sister for the sake of gain, +wouldn’t be above opening her mail, or even reading<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> +a cablegram. It might put him on his guard, and +spoil things. And so he’s going himself. Oh, +Frank, that will be a long month to me!”</p> + +<p>“But with such happiness coming you can stand +it. Think of the past, and how different things +look now. Ralph, old chap, I’m sure glad it’s happening +this way. Besides, it’ll give a fellow a chance +to repeat that name Langworthy a few times to myself, +so as to kind of get used to it.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t be too dead sure,” remarked Ralph. “You +know the old saying, there’s many a slip between +the cup and the lip. But I’m glad you say your +arm is getting on nicely, for you’ve just got to pitch +next Saturday, and pull old Columbia through to +glory.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIII<br> + +<small>WHEN CODDLING WEAKENED</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Crash!</span></p> + +<p>“Wow! Look at that ball go, will you?”</p> + +<p>“And two men on bases! Here’s where we climb +all over poor old Columbia!”</p> + +<p>“What’s the score now?”</p> + +<p>“Seven to five, and this makes it——”</p> + +<p>“Hold on, there; you’re counting your chickens +before they’re hatched. Did you notice that reliable +old Jack Comfort got under that screamer, and +tagged it? And if you look sharp enough, Bellport, +you’ll see two husky lads tearing back to try +and make their bases before the ball comes; but it’s +no go! There, Seymour has it on his man, and +watch him send the ball to Lanky! All out! Set +’em up in the other alley, boys!”</p> + +<p>Such a frightful noise as followed this splendid +play on the part of the club that was coming up from +behind. What with Herman Hooker and his squad +of howlers, megaphone and all, together with a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> +thousand other brazen-throated shouters, it really +seemed as though the very earth trembled.</p> + +<p>It was the ending of the seventh inning. The +game was being played in Bellport, since they had +been fortunate enough to win the toss. That was +the first sign of luck in their favor. Besides, everybody +knew that Frank Allen was still somewhat +handicapped by his accident, though he had the grit +to continue in the box as long as Captain Seymour +wished.</p> + +<p>At one time the score had been seven to three, so +that as the game progressed it began to seem that +the Columbia High boys were climbing. They had +had their little juggle, in which every man nearly +did something foolish, and runs piled in; after which +they had settled down to serious business.</p> + +<p>“They’re creeping up, boys, creeping up!” shouted +Herman, encouragingly.</p> + +<p>“Sure they are, and if the game only lasts ten +hours more it looks like Columbia might come in +neck and neck with Bellport,” jeered one of the +mill workers.</p> + +<p>Watkins Gould was about, and evidently making +wagers, although he did not dare show the color of +his money. There was more or less talk about finding +some means of keeping him out, since he had +been known to try and influence a player to do some +underhand work and throw a game.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>The eighth inning began.</p> + +<p>Seymour had been encouraging his men to make +a break and do some consecutive batting that would +count.</p> + +<p>“We only need two runs to tie, three to win, fellows. +Somebody jump on first, and then the rest of +us get busy with our little bats!” he was saying, as +his men came hustling in from the field to the bench.</p> + +<p>“Batter up!” called the umpire.</p> + +<p>“That means me,” sang out Ben Allison, as he +stepped forward to the plate.</p> + +<p>Coddling looked unusually savage. The fact of +the matter was he knew that these boys of Columbia +were rapidly getting on to his curves. The last +inning they had hit him freely, and seemed ready to +take up the good work again right now.</p> + +<p>When that feeling pinches at the door of a pitcher’s +heart, he is going to hurt himself trying to excel. +Coddling’s one great mainstay had been his coolness +under any and all conditions; and when he allowed +himself to show signs of anger he not only injured +his chances, but gave encouragement to the enemy.</p> + +<p>Ben could always hit the Bellport pitcher. If he +got on first there were other dangerous batters to +follow. Just then they looked like real giants to +Coddling; and yet at another time he had smiled disdainfully +at the same fellows, and with coolness +struck them out in succession.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span>Allison was a good waiter usually. To-day he +took toll of the very first ball that the Bellport +pitcher sent twisting on its way. When a team gets +in its stride, and is hitting with perfect confidence, +all balls seem to look alike to them, and it is next +to impossible to keep the sphere out of their reach.</p> + +<p>“That’s the way, fellows! Here’s Ben waiting for +his ticket around the course. Bones, push him along, +will you?” shouted Herman Hooker through his +megaphone.</p> + +<p>Just as if he were taking his orders from that +source, what did Shadduck do but lay down the most +beautiful little bunt imaginable, right along the line, +but keeping well within bounds.</p> + +<p>“Go it, you heifer!” shouted the bleachers.</p> + +<p>Bones never got to first, but there was a grin on +his freckled face as he turned aside and retraced his +steps, for he had landed his comrade on second, +and that was what he had been instructed by Captain +Seymour to do.</p> + +<p>Then up stepped Jack Comfort. It looked as +though he meant to duplicate the performance of +Bones, for he made a stab at the first ball. But that +was only in the line of a trick with Jack. All the +while he was picking out just where he could swipe +the next ball that came along.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p214a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p214a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">BEN MADE A GALLANT SLIDE FOR HOME.<br> + +<i>Columbia High on the Diamond</i><span class="gap"> <i>Page <a href="#Page_215">215</a>.</i></span></p> +</figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>As the bat and ball came together with a vicious +smash, there burst from the frantic crowd a howl +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>such as had never before been heard on those Bellport +grounds.</p> + +<p>“Run, Jack, run! Go it, Ben, you slow-coach. +Hurry! the ball’s after you!”</p> + +<p>Ben made a gallant slide for home, though there +was hardly any necessity for it. Still, he believed in +making sure; and the ball did plunk in the catcher’s +mitt even as his hand fell on the plate.</p> + +<p>“One run!”</p> + +<p>“A man on second, and only one out!”</p> + +<p>“Keep it going, you tigers. You’ve got Coddling’s +measure all right. Put the Indian sign on +him! Give us another cheer, Herman!”</p> + +<p>“All together, then, and with a whirl! Here you +go, now! Ho! ho! ho! hi! hi! hi! <i>veni! vidi! vici!</i> +Columbia! Siss! boom! ay!”</p> + +<p>Herman and his cohort could not sit through such +excitement as this. They had left the bleachers and +were jumping up and down like a group of wild +Indians, waving their arms, dancing in a circle, and +shrieking until every mother’s son gave promise of +being as hoarse as a crow on the morrow.</p> + +<p>If noise could coax Columbia to win this up-hill +game, there was certainly every inducement in the +world for them to accomplish that task.</p> + +<p>Lanky Wallace to the bat. Lanky had not distinguished +himself overly much thus far during the +day.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span>“He’s due for a hit, fellows, mark me!” cried one +enthusiast, and Lanky heard, for he grinned and +nodded, as if he felt it in his bones.</p> + +<p>Coddling was wabbling by now. He had weakened +in the great strain. Somehow he believed in +his soul that Lanky had it in for him, and actually +began to toss wide ones, having less fear of the next +two batters. But Lanky was indignant, and did not +mean to be cheated of his prey. If the mountain +refused to come to Mahomet, then Mahomet must +go to the mountain.</p> + +<p>“Step out and take one, Lanky, old boy!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you dare let him pass you! He’s tricky, +all right, and he knows you can swat it! Oblige us, +Lanky, please!”</p> + +<p>Lanky evidently could not find it in his heart to +refuse such pleading. And he “swatted it” so very +hard that Smith, Jr., had to run like a deer to keep +the long-legged first baseman from making a clean +sweep of the bases.</p> + +<p>The score tied, and a man on third, with only one +out!</p> + +<p>Imagine the racket that ensued. Men began to +shake hands with each other in their intense emotional +excitement, that is, men who owned to a +partiality for Columbia. As for the good people of +Bellport, they cheered in a faint way, feeling the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> +strain, but not exactly liking the way things were +going against them.</p> + +<p>“Now, Buster, <i>you</i> know! Pick out a good one, +and send it over the fence!”</p> + +<p>Buster wanted to do just that. It would have +pleased him immensely to have been the one to bat +in the run needed to lead the score, and possibly win +the game.</p> + +<p>But he was over anxious, or else Coddling got a +new grip on himself; for Buster ingloriously struck +out. A groan went up from the Columbia High partisans, +for they had been indulging in hopes that the +wonderful Coddling had gone to pieces.</p> + +<p>Tom Budd stepped up to try his luck. He had +been responsible for one of the earlier runs in the +game, and there was hope that he could connect with +a twister, just as before.</p> + +<p>When the smack of the bat announced that he had, +a shout started to break loose; but it instantly degenerated +into a groan, followed by whoops from +the Bellport adherents. For Tom Budd had knocked +up a soaring foul that dropped into the big mitt of +Clay, and was smothered there.</p> + +<p>During their half of the eighth the Bellport boys +went out one, two, three.</p> + +<p>So the ninth inning opened.</p> + +<p>Once again the Columbias had a chance to distinguish +themselves. Seymour himself started<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> +things moving this time with a hot one that stung +the hands of Herbert Lacy at short, so that he +fumbled it, and the runner just reached the bag in +time to be called safe, though it was a close call.</p> + +<p>Paul Bird knew that it was his part of the play +to advance the runner a base. He waited carefully +while Coddling took his time and recovered his wind. +Then Paul tapped a bunt close to the plate. Clay, in +his eagerness to handle it, fought the ball. It was +just about two seconds, but he saw he had lost his +man at second, and had to hustle hard to get Paul +at first.</p> + +<p>Was this inning to be a repetition of the last one? +everybody sat up and seemed to be holding their +breath in suspense. Everything depended on what +Frank Allen could do, when a hit might mean the +game.</p> + +<p>Frank tried to calm his nerves as he stepped into +the batter’s position and gave a reassuring glance toward +the grandstand, where he knew full well a +pretty girl was waving her little flag, and praying +in her heart that he would win his own game with +the single hit that was needed at this critical point.</p> + +<p>Coddling was winding up preparatory to throwing, +when Frank received a signal from Captain +Seymour at second that told him to wait. He knew +what that meant, and that the fleetfooted Columbia<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> +man was about to get enough of a lead to steal +third.</p> + +<p>With Clay behind the bat, that was indeed a risky +thing to attempt; but no one was apparently expecting +such a move, and in that it stood a chance for +succeeding.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIV<br> + +<small>WINNING AN UP-HILL GAME</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Just</span> at that moment there was such a dreadful +clamor all over the field that hearing any note of +warning was utterly out of the question. The Columbia +cheer captain had started in again with his +corps, and what they did to rend the atmosphere with +their racket was wonderful.</p> + +<p>Coddling knew from the hasty gesture of the +catcher that something was going on; but he had +wound up for a throw, and could not hold back without +a balk. The best he could do was to send it +in direct to Clay’s hands, in order to give the other +a fair chance to throw to third, so as to catch the +purloiner of sacks.</p> + +<p>Of course, Frank made a wild sweep at the ball. +That was a part of the game, to help disconcert the +catcher. Clay stopped the ball successfully, but it +came at such an angle that he was not in exact position +to hurl the sphere to third.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span>A second counts for considerable at times in baseball. +Seymour slid like a Western avalanche. His +extended fingers touched the base just as Bardwell +grabbed the spinning ball, and dropped to touch him.</p> + +<p>The umpire extended both hands. That meant, +of course, the runner was safe, and a shriek went +up from that immense crowd.</p> + +<p>Now Frank faced Coddling again. Only a nice +little base hit was needed to bring the runner home. +Would the Columbia pitcher be equal to the call, +or must trusty old Ben Allison be delegated to the +task?</p> + +<p>Frank struck! The “smack” electrified every +heart in that great throng!</p> + +<p>Far away out over the center field soared the ball, +and several thousand eyes followed its flight. Every +player knew that the thing had been done, although +there was Tony Banghardt chasing wildly to get +out far enough to hold the ball.</p> + +<p>“He’ll get it! Not this time, Columbia! Tony’s +going to hold that balloon!” howled a half-crazy +Bellport backer, as he stretched his neck to watch.</p> + +<p>“You’ve got another guess coming, old fellow. +What will the man on third be doing all that time +eh?” jeered a Columbia student.</p> + +<p>Banghardt did get under. He made a magnificent +catch, and held the ball, even though he rolled over +twice in so doing. But Seymour had shot from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> +third bag the very second the ball fell. He was +racing like a wild broncho for home as Tony rolled +about in the field. And by the time the Bellport +player managed to regain his feet to hold up the +ball, a run had crossed the plate for the visitors!</p> + +<p>Again and again did Herman Hooker lead his +demonstrative band around. They howled, they +cheered, they shrieked; and those who had lost control +of their voices jumped up and down like dancing +dervishes.</p> + +<p><i>Columbia was a run to the good!</i></p> + +<p>Allison went out, shortstop to first. Then came +the Bellports to the bat, grim and determined, with +Lee first to the plate, and ready to smash the ball +over the fence. Frank felt his lame arm troubling +him, but he set his teeth hard. He must hold out +now to the end. This game meant everything to +Columbia High, and he was determined not to lose +it, if such a disaster could be avoided.</p> + +<p>And every other man on the team felt just the +same way. When Lee did go after an outshoot, and +give it a frightful crack, the crowd uttered an involuntary +“oh!” and then followed it with a tumultuous +burst of cheering. It was that acrobatic +shortstop, Tom Budd, who became responsible for +this mad applause; for he had thrown himself to +one side, made a stab for the speedy passing ball, +turned a complete somersault, and upon landing on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> +his feet shot the sphere at Lanky on first in plenty of +time to head off the runner.</p> + +<p>Banghardt came next. The Bellports died hard, +and Tony might have followed up his brilliant catch +with a hard hit, only he was short of breath. Consequently +after knocking two wicked fouls, the umpire +decided that he had allowed another good one +to pass over the plate. So Tony was invited to +retire.</p> + +<p>Smith, Jr., appeared as the last hope. Already +were the players beginning to put their bats away in +the bags, as though the game might be reckoned as +good as over. Frank never faltered a particle. This +man was just as dangerous as though a dozen came +after him. There must be no let-up in speed or +curves; for many a game apparently won has gone +the other way through over-confidence.</p> + +<p>Three times did Smith sweep the air without +discovering until too late that he had bitten at deceivers. +Then a roar broke out that dwarfed all previous +noises!</p> + +<p>The game belonged to Columbia High! It meant +that the coveted pennant of the Tri-School League +belonged to Columbia High for this season!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXV<br> + +<small>CONCLUSION</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> night a crowd gathered in the big assembly +room of the Columbia High School to see Roderic +Seymour and his gallant boys receive the splendid +flag which the girls of Columbia High had purchased +to fly upon the staff at the athletic grounds whenever +a game of any sort was in progress.</p> + +<p>Helen Allen had been chosen to make the presentation +address, because she was known to be the +best speaker among Columbia’s fair ones. And both +Paul Bird and Ralph West thought her the prettiest +girl in the wide world as, with rosy cheeks and +sparkling eyes, she told what pride the sisters of the +Columbia boys took in their sterling fight for the +baseball pennant.</p> + +<p>If there was one disgruntled fellow in that big +hall it must have been Lef Seller, who had seen so +many of his schemes for getting even with his rival, +Frank Allen, go astray of late. He had come because +somehow he could not keep away; but during<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> +the exercises, while everybody else seemed to be +filled with delight, Lef could only grit his teeth, and +mutter low threats to himself, still cherishing the +hope that the day would come when fortune might +once more shine upon him, to the confusion of his +enemies.</p> + +<p>Although the school term was nearly ended that +seemed to be no reason for Columbia High losing +all interest in outdoor sports. There were other +days to come, and that not far distant, when these +sturdy lads of the banner high school would meet +again in friendly struggles with their student rivals +of Bellport and Clifford. Something of the nature +of these contests may be gleaned from the title of +the next volume in this series, to be called, “The +Boys of Columbia High on the River; or, The Boat +Race Plot That Failed.” It will be found crammed +full of the further doings of these wideawake lads, in +whose fortunes we have found ourselves so deeply +concerned.</p> + +<p>While the yearly examinations were being conducted +as usual, Ralph found it exceedingly difficult +to concentrate his mind on his work. He knew that +Judge Allen had taken passage for Europe, in order +to follow up the mysterious travelers, who had last +been heard from in Italy.</p> + +<p>So the school year closed in a blaze of glory. +Principal Parke declared they had never known a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> +more successful season, and with the percentage so +high. The graduation exercises passed off without +a hitch; nor was the electric current cut off on this +occasion, as had happened once before, when mischief-makers +severed the wires, and lamps had to be +brought in so that Lanky Wallace could complete +his declamation.</p> + +<p>Ralph was frequently in consultation with his +good friend Frank, while he waited to hear from +abroad.</p> + +<p>“What would I do without you, Frank?” he said, +as they sat under the apple tree on that July morning +just a day or two before the Glorious Fourth.</p> + +<p>“Oh, you’d manage to get on all right,” returned +the other, quickly. “Cheer up, old fellow. It’s +always darkest just before dawn. You’ll get a letter +any day now, and perhaps written by the one you are +longing to hear from most. Try and put it out of +your mind for a bit, and think of the great times +we expect to have on the river.”</p> + +<p>“That’s always the way with you, Frank. You +manage to chase away the blues better than any +medicine made. I’m going to laugh, and try to forget +my troubles for a little while. Yes, the letter +is on the way now, I don’t doubt; but oh! how the +days drag along, waiting for news,” sighed Ralph.</p> + +<p>“Here comes Helen. Now we’ll go inside and +have her give us some music that is bound to liven<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> +us up. I just feel like singing, and it will do you +good,” cried Frank.</p> + +<p>Ralph was nothing loath. There was an attraction +about Frank’s charming sister that always appealed +to the homeless lad. So they were soon +gathered about the piano, and joining voices in such +old favorites as “Tenting To-night,” “I Know a +Bank,” “Upidee,” and many others.</p> + +<p>“Now, let’s wind up with the ‘Red, White and +Blue,’” said Frank, when Ralph had declared he +must be going.</p> + +<p>So, as on many a hard fought athletic field, the +familiar words of the grand old tune rolled out—always +a favorite with these students of the famous +high school bearing the same cherished name:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="first">“O, Columbia, the gem of the ocean,</div> +<div class="indent">The home of the brave and the free,</div> +<div class="verse">The shrine of each patriot’s devotion,</div> +<div class="indent">A world offers homage to thee!”</div> +</div></div> + +<p class="center">THE END</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="transnote"> +<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> + +<p>Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> + +<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p> +</div></div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75400 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + |