"Finish dressing as quickly as you can," urged Old Dut. "Your
time is slipping away."
At last they were ready. Carrying masks, bats, gloves, they fell
in by twos, Principal Jones marching them from the building, along
the street and into the field where their arrival had created
such a furor.
Yet, excited as he was, Dick had not forgotten to ask both Mr.
Brown and Old Dut not to fail to express their deepest thanks
to Mr. Winthrop and to Colonel Garwood.
Ben Tozier, of the High School baseball nine, had been accepted
as umpire for the day. He now came forward to meet Captain Dick's
company.
"My, but you youngsters look about the finest ever," announced
Ben. "I hope you can play as well as you look. Captain Prescott,
do you claim any time for practice?"
"Not if it's time to begin playing," Dick answered.
"Yes; it is. I'll call Martin, and you two will attend me for
the pitch of the coin."
"Wait a moment, please," called Hi, from across the field.
"What's the matter?" shouted a spectator.
"The North Grammars want to go home and change their uniforms,"
shouted another onlooker.
There was a great laugh at this, which caused Hi Martin to color
and look belligerent. He came stalking across the field.
"Ladies and gentlemen," shouted Ted Teall, affecting the manner
of an announcer, "I beg to state that the game about to begin
will be between two famous nines, known as the Gentlemen and the
Chromos.
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