w in no condition to be unruffled by this menace
to his prowess.

Once more Springer sulked; not until Friday night did he again show
himself for practice. Eliot, thoroughly disgusted, and realizing that
it was the worst sort of policy to coax such a fellow, let him alone.
He was given a chance to warm up and do a little pitching to the
batters, but, following Eliot's example, no one tried to coddle him.

"Everybody be on time for the train to-morrow," urged Roger, as they
were dressing. "Trains won't wait for people who are late."

But even when he went to bed that night Springer was undecided as to
whether he would be on hand or not. Had he been urged, it is doubtful
if he would have appeared; but, perceiving, in spite of his dudgeon,
that he could gain nothing by remaining away, he arrived at the station
just in time to board the train with his comrades.

The day was disagreeable, rain threatening, and, deep in his heart,
Springer hoped it would pour all the afternoon. The menacing storm
holding off, however, at the appointed hour the two teams were on the
field ready for the clash.

Phil, still agitated by poorly hidden alarm, could not fail to observe
the all too evident confidence of the Clearport players. The local
crowd was likewise confident, something indicated by their
encouragement of and cheering for their players.

"If I'm batted out to-day it's my finish," thought the unhappy Oakdale
pitcher.

"Cheer up," said a Clearporter, trotting past him. "We won't do a
thing to you. If you're sick and need some medicine, we'll hand you
some of the same kind we gave Newbert and Crowell."

"Aw, go on!" growled Phil. "You're nothing but a lot of wind-bags."

While the locals were practicing Eliot called Grant and Springer aside,
giving each a ball.

"Warm up, both of you," he directed. "I'll catch you."

So these rivals, who had only a short time before been friends, stood
off at the proper distance and pitched alternately to Eliot. Grant was
steady and serene, with good control and in command of some curves, of
which the drop taught him by Springer led Roger to nod his head
approvingly; seeing which, Phil, who had not been right to start with,
grew very wild indeed.

Practice over, the Clearport captain trotted up to Roger, saying:

"We're all ready. We'll take the field. Let's get to playing before
it begins raining."

Phil sat down on the bench, throwing his sweater over his arm for
pro