to his form; the fourth, wholly so. Now, Fred sent in two more
spitballs, then changed to other styles. He was pitching famously,
now.

"That's all, unless you wish more, sir," announced Fred, finally,
when the ball came back to him.

"It's enough. Magnificently done," called Coach Luce, after a
glance at the two members of the Athletic Committee.

"Oh, you Rip!"

"Good old Rip!"

The cheering commenced again, swelling in volume.

Coach Luce signaled to Dick Prescott, who, coolly, yet with a
somewhat pallid face, came forward to the box. He removed the
wrapping from a new ball and took his post.

The cheering stopped now. Dick was extremely well liked in Gridley.
Most of the spectators felt sorry for this poor young soph, who
must make a showing after that phenomenon, Ripley.

"The first two or three don't need to count, Prescott," called
Luce. "Get yourself warmed up."

Fred stood at the side, looking on with a sense of amusement which,
for policy's sake, he strove to conceal.