of
practice lately. Today he ought to shine at his best."

"We all hope so, Mister," said Ernest, boldly, "because, unless the
signs fail, he's going to need all his cunning this same day. That lad
has the measure of your hard hitters already taken. Did you see him mow
down Clifford then like a weed? Why, he'll have the best of them eating
out of his hand before the day is done, believe me."

The gentleman only laughed. He could make allowances for a boy's natural
enthusiasm. They did not know Hendrix at his best, as the Harmony folks
did. He needed a little scare to force him to exert himself to the
utmost. Yes, it really promised to be something of a game, if only the
youngster kept going for half a dozen innings before he went to pieces,
and the ball commenced to fly to every far corner of the field.

When the play was called the two nines on the diamond were lined up as
follows:

Chester Harmony
-------------- ----------- --------------
Jack Winters First Base Hatchings
Phil Parker Left Field Clifford
Herbert Jones Second Base Martin
Joel Jackman Centre Field Oldsmith
Toby Hopkins Shortstop Bailey
Big Bob Jeffries Right Field O'Leary
Fred Badger Third Base Young
Steve Mullane Catcher Chase
Alec Donohue Pitcher Hendrix

The first inning ended in no hits on either side. It looked very much as
though the game might turn out to be a pitchers' duel. Some people like
that sort of battle royal, but in the main the spectators would much
rather see a regular old-fashioned batting fest, especially if it is
_their_ side that is doing most of the hitting.

Again did Hendrix start in to dazzle the locals with an exhibition of
his wonderfully puzzling curves and drops. He certainly had them
guessing, and in vain did they try to get the ball out of the diamond.
Joel Jackman, the first man up, did manage to connect with the ball,
perhaps by sheer accident. At the crack everybody held his or her breath
and waited, for Joel was long-legged and a noted sprinter, so if only he
got on first there might be some hope of succeeding batters working him
around the circuit.

But Martin out near second made a leap, and snatched the ball off the
ground as easily as though it were a habit of his to get a