Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/317

Rh pleasant-looking shipping merchant, and shook hands with all the members of the club.

"Phil has been telling me about you," said Mr. Lawrence. "I expect to see a great game," and he laughed heartily.

"What do you think!" whispered Phil to Dave, just before the game started. "Father wants me to leave school next month, and take a trip on one of his ships to some South Sea islands!"

"Leave school and go to the South Seas!" echoed Dave, and his face fell. "We'll be sorry to lose you, Phil. But it will be a glorious outing for you."

"Father wants me to go on some special business. He doesn't want to put it in the supercargo's hands," explained Phil, and then he was called away to another part of the field.

The day was a perfect one, and the crowd was on hand fully half an hour before the great game began. Each club was given fifteen minutes for practice, and then the umpire came forward, watch in hand.

"Time is up," said he. "Get ready."

Rockville had the choice of inning, and sent Oak Hall to the bat. The Military Academy had a left-handed pitcher who was unusually swift, and who could throw a surprising in-shoot. Gasperfelder was his name, and many looked to him to win the game.