n of Roy's glance, the city youth turned his
head and smiled in an undisturbed manner, which was doubtless intended
to convey his unshaken confidence in the ultimate outcome of the game,
and really did much to soothe and reassure his agitated friend.

As Oakdale took the field, Copley was seen speaking hurriedly to Len
Roberts, who was to lead off at bat in the third. Roberts, listening,
nodded, and his face was contorted by that crooked grin which always
seemed trying to pull his crooked nose back into its proper place.
Then, as he stepped into the box, he shot a glance toward the standees
back of first, who had pushed out close to the ropes, among whom
Herbert Rackliff was carelessly lighting a cigarette.

"Never mind, Barville," called Herbert in a low, yet singularly
distinct, tone of voice, while Eliot was signaling to Springer. "The
game is young, and I'll bet you'll win. That's _straight_."

Eliot's past experience with the visitors had taught him that Roberts
rarely sought for a hit unless forced to do so, being the kind of a
batter who preferred to wait and walk whenever he could; therefore the
Oakdale captain signed for Springer to put the first ball over.

Barely had Sile Crane flung over his shoulder the words, "Aw, go lay
down!"--directed toward Rackliff--when, to the surprise of very many
beside Eliot, Roberts landed hard on Springer's straight one, driving
it toward center field. Fortunately, Stone had little trouble in
reaching the ball and catching it.

"Hard luck, Len," sounded the voice of Rackliff, as Oakdale's burst of
applause died down. "Hit 'em where they ain't; that's the way. Here
comes the huckleberry now," he added, as Berry, the visitors'
shortstop, took the place of Roberts. "He'll hit it _out_."

"This Berry will be picked in a moment," cried Cooper instantly. "He's
ripe. Get him, Springer."

Crack!--Berry planted the willow against Phil's outcurve, and again the
ball sailed toward the outfield, this time going toward right. Again
the fielder had no trouble in reaching it ere it fell to the ground,
and Grant scooped and held it while running lightly forward.

"He hit it out, sure enough," chortled Cooper. "Rack, you're
ruined--financially busted wide open."

Still Herbert seemed unruffled, continuing to smile. "If I lose," he
said, "I can stand it."

"But _I_ can't," muttered Roy Hooker beneath his breath.

Springer, knowing Dingley, Barville's leading batter, who w