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292 to Phil's club, and it did, and Plum was hissed from the playground.

"What a big fool he is!" was Ben's comment. "That was a perfect strike and Plum knows it."

"Some of the other players wanted to finish the game, but Plum wouldn't let them," said Shadow. "They are as mad as hornets." And Hamilton was right; and the bully's club disbanded without another game.

After this unpleasantness the regular Oak Hall nine practiced harder than ever. Dave kept up his work at batting and pitching, and Phil was much pleased with him.

"He has a good eye," said the captain of the club. "He can put a ball just where he wants to," and in this statement Phil was right. It did not matter if Dave was in the field or on the slab, if he wanted to send in the sphere over the plate, or directly to one of the bases, he did it.

The customary challenge had been sent to Rockville and was accepted, the game to be played on the Oak Hall grounds. For the occasion a small grand stand was erected and tastefully decorated with flags and bunting. Both of the schools "chipped in," and hired the Rockville Cornet Band. Many visitors from the vicinity came to see the game, and so did Oliver Wadsworth, Professor Potts, Senator Morr, and Mr. Harris Lawrence, Phil's father. The latter was a heavy-set,