cCarthy or Swanson could have handled. Williams touched
the ball with his groping fingers just before McCarthy, stooping and
going at full speed, scooped it and tried to snap it to second base.
The ball left his hand just as he crashed with terrific force into
Williams. Both men reeled and went down, stunned and dazed. The ball
flew wild and rolled on into right field. One Pilgrim progressed to
the plate. Douglass, who had been on first, dived safely to third,
while only Swanson's fast recovery drove the batter back to first.

Williams arose, hurt and furious, and while McCarthy was striving to
struggle to his feet the pitcher aimed a vicious blow at his head.
Swanson's arm was interposed just in time to stop the blow, and before
Williams could strike again players of both teams and the umpires
rushed in and prevented further hostilities. The shaken and bruised
players recovered and resumed play in a short time, and another safe
hit and an out sent two more of the Pilgrims scurrying across the
plate. Against the three run lead caused by the mix-up between the
pitcher and third baseman the Bears fought desperately. Puckett was
pitching one of his cleverest, most studious games and, although the
Bears strove again and again to start a counter rally, he held them
helpless and the Pilgrims won the game 3 to 1.

A sore and disappointed team crowded into the big auto 'bus after the
game. They were depressed and silent, for the Panthers had won and the
teams again practically were tied for the lead of the championship
race. This knowledge that they had thrown away a game to a second
division team which they expected to beat four times was bad enough,
but that the Pilgrims should have won from Williams for the first time
in two seasons made the dose more bitter. No word of blame for any one
was uttered. But McCarthy, bruised and nursing a cut on his forehead,
grieved and refused to be comforted.

"That was a great play you tried to make, Kohinoor," remarked Manager
Clancy just before the 'bus reached the hotel. "I like to see a player
try to get the runners nearest home. If you had forced that fellow at
second, as you tried to do when Adonis cut into the play, the next hit
never would have got through the infield, and the chances are we'd have
had a double play and won the game."

These were the first words of praise Manager Clancy ever had said to
him, and he felt better.

The players had been invited to att