ing, mocking face continued to leer at him. Wherever he looked it hovered before his

a long and wearisome journey in order that he might be absolutely sure, by putting the deal through in person, of signing the southpaw for the Blue Stockings at an increased salary. The very fact

isunderstanding, the catcher quickly changed the sign. The pitcher delivered the ball

lley advancing at the same time. The Wind Jammers r

atten the hatches! The storm is upon us! It's going to be

e, Lefty took the

en to cross me?"

prompt acknowledgment; "b

st that Locke should retire at once and let Ma

st pitch in his own natural way and do his best, or he must retire and let Dade Matthews try to check the overconfident aggressors. If he retired, he would prolong the uncertainty in his own mind; he would leave himse

" he decided. "I'm going to find o

f mind, he must know what stuff was left in him. And there was no one present with authority, no coach, no counselor, to restrain him. There

n, pal," he begged; "don't blow up. Gimme one

es had ceased their noise. Only the Wind Jammer

the old free, supple, whiplash motion, and the ball that left his fingers cut the ai

lotter. "Where've you been keepin' d

. But he seemed to have forgotten O'Reilley, and the Irishman was taking a lead on which he should hav

s was the man who covered the bag, and O'Reilley found himself caught between second and third. Gates went after him, and the Irishman ran toward third. But Locke had cut in on the l

s was swiftly creeping down to make a dash. On the coaching line, Cap'n Wiley did

ow to Sommers, who jammed the ball on to the long-geared runner as he was sliding for the plate. The affair had been so skillfully managed that not only was

s out," said Schepps. "Dis Lefty

"Just a little lull in the tornado," he sa

he spectators, who had been worried a short time before, now expressed their approval; and when, a minute later, the southpaw wh

cried one. "Dat Lefty pusson

es regarding that wreck?" Then he roared at the Swede: "Get into the game, Oleson! I

ur eye on me." Believing himself a hitter superior to the men who had touched Locke up so successf

winging led the southpaw to fancy that he had a preference for drops, and therefore Locke wound the next one round his neck, puncturing his weakness. Not

Then he turned on O'Reilley. "Cast off that mooring! Break your anchor loose and get under way!

ight at the Marine Marvel's coaching contortions. "Cal

rt. "You are a base deceiver, Lefty. Such chicanery is shameful! I

, who did not seem to be so very offensive, after all, and who wa

er's slants. But when Lefty suddenly gave him another exactly like the last, he slashed at it awkwardly and fruitlessly

itcher," admitted Oleson.