e one, and I count on you to the limit. I didn't send that telegram
because I had any doubt, but I knew that they'd make a break for you first
of all and I didn't want you to be taken by surprise. By the way, have any
of them turned up yet?"

"A chap named Westland came to see me the very day I got your telegram,"
replied Joe.

"And he came well heeled, too," put in Jim. "Money was fairly dripping
from him. He just ached to give it away. It was only up to Joe to become a
bloated plutocrat on the spot."

"Offered good money, did he?" asked McRae, with quickened interest.

"Twenty thousand dollars right off the bat," replied Jim. "Fifteen
thousand dollars a year for a three-year contract. And as if that weren't
enough, he offered to put the money in the bank in advance and let Joe
draw against it as he went along."

McRae and Robbie exchanged glances. Here was proof that the new league
meant business right from the start. It was a competitor to be dreaded and
it was up to them to get their fighting clothes on at once.

"That's a whale of an offer," ejaculated Robbie.

"They've thrown their hat into the ring," remarked McRae. "From now on
it's a fight for blood."

"There's no need of asking what Joe said to that," said Robbie.

"I wish you'd been behind the door to hear it," grinned Jim. "The way Joe
lighted into him was a sin and a shame. He fairly skinned him alive. It
looked at one time as if there would be a scrap sure."

"It would have been a tremendous card for them to get the star pitcher of
the World's Series," said McRae with a sigh of relief. "And in these days,
when so many rumors are flying round it's a comfort to know there's one
man, at least, that money can't buy. There isn't a bit of shoddy in you,
Joe. You're all wool and a yard wide."

At this moment, Hughson, the famous pitcher who had been a tower of
strength to the Giants for ten years past, came strolling up, and Joe and
Jim fell upon him with a shout.

"How are you, Hughson, old man?" cried Joe. "How's that wing of yours
getting along?"

"All to the good," replied Hughson. "I stopped off for a day or two at
Youngstown and had it treated by Bonesetter Reese. I tell you, that old
chap's a wonder. He tells me it will be as good as ever when the season
opens."

"I'm mighty glad you're going along with us on this trip," said Jim,
heartily. "It wouldn't seem like the Giant team with you out of it."

"I'm going through as far as the coast