anyway," answered Hughson. "More
for the fun of being with the boys than anything else. But I don't think
I'll make the trip around the world. I made a half promise some time ago
to coach the Yale team this coming spring, and they don't seem inclined to
let me out of it. And I don't know if after all it may not be best to rest
up this winter and get in shape for next year."

The three strolled on down the corridor, leaving McRae and Robbie in
earnest conversation.

"How many of the boys is Mac taking along?" asked Joe.

"I think he figures on about fourteen men," replied Hughson. "That will
give him three pitchers, two catchers, an extra infielder and outfielder,
besides the seven other men in their regular positions. That'll allow for
accident or sickness and ought to be enough."

"Just as I doped it out," remarked Joe.

"On a pinch, McRae could play himself," laughed Jim. "No better player
ever held down the third bag than Mac when he was on the old Orioles. The
old boy could give the youngsters points even now on winging them down to
first."

"For that matter, Robbie himself might go in behind the bat," grinned Joe.
"No ball could get by him without hitting him somewhere."

"It would be worth the price of admission to see Robbie running down to
first," admitted Hughson, with a smile.

"What kind of a team has Brennan got together for the All-American?" asked
Joe.

"Believe me; it's a good one," replied Hughson. "He's got a bunch of the
sweetest hitters that he could get from either league. They're a bunch of
fence breakers, all right. When those birds once get going, they're apt to
send any pitcher to the shower. You'll have all you want to do, Joe, to
keep them from straightening out your curves."

"I don't ask anything better," replied Joe, with a laugh. "I'd get soft if
they were too easy. But who are these ball killers? Let me know the
worst."

"Well," said Hughson, "there's Wallie Schalk behind the bat--you know how
he can line them out. Then there's Miller at first, Ebers at second,
McBride at short and Chapman at third. The outfielders will probably be
Cooper and Murray and Lange. For pitchers Brennan will have Hamilton,
Fraser and Ellis,--although Ellis was troubled with the charley-horse
toward the end of the season, and Banks may take his place."

"It's a strong team," commented Jim, "and they can certainly make the ball
scream when they hit it. They're a nifty lot of fielders, too. I guess
w