``Con，how’dyoulikethatdrive？’’heaskedme，withabrightgleaminhiseyes。
　　``O—h—！——abeaut！’’Ireplied，incoherently。TheplayersonthebenchwereallasgladasIwas。
　　Henleyflewouttoleft。Mullaneysmashedatwo—
　　baggertoright。ThenGregghitsafely，butMullaney，intryingtoscoreontheplay，wasoutattheplate。
　　``Fourhits！Itellyoufellows，something’scomingoff，’’saidRaddy。``Now，ifonlyRube————’’
　　Whatadifferencetherewasinthatlongrustic！
　　Hestalkedintothebox，unmindfulofthehootingcrowdandgrimlyfacedSchultz，thefirstbatterupfortheBisons。ThistimeRubewasdeliberate。
　　Andwherehehadnotswungbeforehenowgothisbodyandarmintofullmotion。Theballcameinlikeaglintoflight。Schultzlookedsurprised。Theumpirecalled``Strike！’’
　　``Wow！’’yelledtheBuffalocoacher。RubespedupthesidewheelerandSchultzreachedwidetomeetitandfailed。Thethirdwasthelightningdrop，straightovertheplate。Thebatterpokedweaklyatit。ThenCarlstruckoutandManningfollowing，didlikewise。ThreeofthebesthittersintheEasternretiredonninestrikes！Thatwasnofluke。Iknewwhatitmeant，andIsattherehuggingmyselfwiththehumofsomethingjoyousinmyears。
　　Gregghadaglowonhissweatyface。``Oh，butsay，boys，takeatipfromme！TheRube’saworldbeater！Raddyknewit;hesizedupthatswing，andnowIknowit。Getwise，youits！’’
　　WhenoldSpearspastedasinglethroughshortstop，theBuffalomanagertookClaryoutoftheboxandputinVane，theirbestpitcher。Bogartadvancedtherunnertosecond，butwasthrownoutontheplay。ThenRubecameup。HeswungahugebatandloomedovertheBison’stwirler。
　　Rubehadthelookofahitter。Heseemedtobeholdinghimselfbackfromwalkingrightintotheball。Andhehitonehighandfaraway。ThefastCarlcouldnotgetunderit，thoughhemadeavalianteffort。SpearsscoredandRube’slongstridescarriedhimtothird。Thecoldcrowdinthestandscametolife;eventhesorebleachersopenedup。McCalldumpedaslowteaserdowntheline，ahitthatwouldeasilyhavescoredRube，butheranalittleway，thenstopped，triedtogetback，andwaseasilytouchedout。Ashwell’shardchancegavetheBison’sshortstopanerror，andStringercameupwithtwomenonbases。Stringerhitafoulovertheright—fieldfenceandthecrowdhowled。Thenhehitahardlongdrivestraightintothecenterfielder’shands。
　　``Con，Idon’tknowwhattothink，butdingmeifweain’thittin’theball，’’saidSpears。Thentohisplayers：``Alittlemoreofthatandwe’rebackinouroldshape。Allinaminute——at’emnow！Rube，youdingedoldPogie，pitch！’’
　　Rubetoedtherubber，wrappedhislongbrownfingersroundtheball，steppedoutasheswungand——zing！ThatinningheunloosedafewmorekinksinhisarmandhetriedsomenewballsupontheBisons。Butwhateverheusedandwhereverheputthemtheresultwasthesame——theycuttheplateandtheBisonswerepowerless。
　　Thatinningmarkedthechangeinmyteam。
　　Theyhadcomehack。Thehoodoohadvanished。
　　ThechampionshipWorcesterteamwasitselfagain。
　　TheBisonswerefighting，too，butRubehadthemhelpless。Whentheydidhitaballoneofmyinfielderssnappeditup。Nochanceswenttotheoutfield。Isattherelisteningtomymen，andreveledinamomentthatIhadlongprayedfor。
　　``Nowyou’repitchingsome，Rube。Anotherstrike！Gethimaboard！’’calledAshwell。
　　``Ding’em，Rube，ding’em！’’camefromCapt。
　　Spears。
　　``Speed？Oh—no！’’yelledBogartatthirdbase。
　　``It’salloff，Rube！It’salloff——alloff！’’
　　So，withthewonderfulpitchingofanangryrube，theWorcesterteamcameintoitsownagain。Isatthroughitallwithoutanotherword;
　　withoutgivingasignal。InawayIrealizedtheawakeningofthebleachers，andheardthepoundoffeetandthecrash，butitwasthespiritofmyteamthatthrilledme。Nexttothattheworkofmynewfindabsorbedme。Igloatedoverhiseasy，deceivingswing。Iroseoutofmyseatwhenhethrewthatstraightfastball，swiftasabullet，trueasaplumbline。Andwhenthosehard—hitting，surebuntingBisonschoppedinvainatthewonderfuldrop，Ichokedbackawildyell。ForRubemeanttheworldtomethatday。
　　Intheeighththescorewas8to6。TheBisonshadonescratchhittotheircredit，butnotarunnerhadgotbeyondfirstbase。AgainRubeheldthemsafely，onemanstrikingout，anotherfoulingout，andthethirdgoingoutonalittlefly。
　　Crash！Crash！Crash！Crash！Thebleachersweremakingupformanygamesinwhichtheycouldnotexpresstheirriotousfeelings。
　　``It’sacinchwe’llwin！’’yelledafanwithavoice。Rubewasthefirstmanupinourhalfoftheninthandhisbigbatlammedthefirstballsafeoversecondbase。Thecrowd，hungryforvictory，gottotheirfeetandstayedupontheirfeet，calling，cheeringforruns。Itwasthemomentformetogetinthegame，andIleapedup，strunglikeawire，andwhitehotwithinspiration。
　　IsentSpearstothecoachingboxwithorderstomakeRuberunonthefirstball。I
　　grippedMcCallwithhandsthatmadehimwince。
　　ThenIdroppedbackonthebenchspentandpanting。Itwasonlyagame，yetitmeantsomuch！LittleMcCallwasdarkasathundercloud，andhisfieryeyessnapped。Hewasthefastestmanintheleague，andcouldhavebuntedanarrowfromabow。ThefoxyBisonthirdbasemanedgedin。Macfeintedtobunttowardhimthenturnedhisbatinwardanddumpedateasingcurvingballdownthefirstbaseline。Ruberanasifinseven—leagueboots。Mac’sshortlegstwinkled;hewentlikethewind;heleapedintofirstbasewithhislongslide，andbeatthethrow。
　　Thestandsandbleachersseemedtobetumblingdown。Foramomenttheairwasfullofdeafeningsound。Thencamethepause，thedyingawayofclatterandroar，theclosewaiting，suspendedquiet。Spears’clearvoice，ashecoachedRube，initskeennoteseemedinevitableofanotherrun。
　　Ashwelltookhisstand。Hewasanotherleft—
　　handhitter，andagainstaright—handpitcher，insuchcircumstancesasthese，themostdangerousofmen。Vaneknewit。Ellis，theBisoncaptainknewit，asshowedplainlyinhissignaltocatchRubeatsecond。ButSpears’warningheldorfrightenedRubeonthebag。
　　Vanewastedaball，thenanother。Ashwellcouldnotbecoaxed。WearilyVaneswung;theshortstopracedouttogetinlineforapossiblehitthroughthewidespacetohisright，andthesecondbasemangotonhistoesasbothbaserunnersstarted。
　　Crack！Theoldstoryofthehitandrungame！
　　Ashwell’shitcrossedsharplywhereamomentbeforetheshortstophadbeenstanding。WithgiganticstridesRuberoundedthecornerandscored。McCallflittedthroughsecond，anddivingintothirdwithacloudofdust，gottheumpire’sdecision。WhenStringerhurriedupwithMaconthirdandAshonfirstthewholefieldseemedrackedinadeafeningstorm。Againitsubsidedquickly。ThehopesoftheWorcesterfanshadbeencrushedtoooftenoflateforthemtobefearless。
　　ButIhadnofear。Ionlywantedthesuspenseended。Iwaslikeamanclampedinavise。
　　Stringerstoodmotionless。Macbentlowwiththesprinters’stoop;Ashwatchedthepitcher’sarmandslowlyedgedofffirst。Stringerwaitedforonestrikeandtwoballs，thenhehitthenext。Ithuggedthefirstbaseline，bouncedfiercelypastthebagandskippedoverthegrasstobumphardintothefence。McCallrompedhome，andlameAshwellbeatanyrunheevermadetotheplate。
　　Rolling，swelling，crashingroaroffrenziedfeetcouldnotdownthehighpiercingsustainedyellofthefans。Itwasgreat。Threeweeksofsubmergedbottledbaseballjoyexplodedinonemadoutburst！Thefans，too，hadcomeintotheirownagain。
　　Wescorednomore。ButtheBisonswerebeaten。Theirspiritwasbroken。ThisdidnotmaketheRubeletupintheirlasthalfinning。
　　Grimandpalehefacedthem。Ateverylongstepandswinghetossedhisshockoflighthair。Attheendhewasevenstrongerthanatthebeginning。
　　Hestillhadtheglancing，floatingairyqualitythatbaseballplayerscallspeed。Andhestruckoutthelastthreebatters。
　　InthetumultthatburstovermyearsIsatstaringatthedotsonmyscorecard。Fourteenstrikeouts！onescratchhit！Nobaseonballssincethefirstinning！Thattoldthestorywhichdeadenedsensesdoubted。Therewasaroarinmyears。Someonewaspoundingme。AsIstruggledtogetintothedressingroomthecrowdmobbedme。ButIdidnothearwhattheyyelled。
　　Ihadakindofmistyveilbeforemyeyes，inwhichIsawthatlankyRubemagnifiedintoagloriousfigure。Isawthepennantwaving，andthegleamofawhitecottagethroughthetrees，andatrimfigurewaitingatthegate。ThenI
　　rolledintothedressingroom。
　　Somehowitseemedstrangetome。Mostoftheplayerswerestretchedoutinpeculiarconvulsions。
　　OldSpearssatwithdroopinghead。Thenawildflaming—eyedgiantswoopeduponme。Withavoiceofthunderheannounced：
　　``I’ma—goin’tolickyou，too！’’
　　AfterthatwenevercalledhimanynameexceptRube。
　　THERUBE’SPENNANT
　　``Fellows，it’sthisway。You’vegottowintoday’sgame。It’sthelastoftheseasonandmeansthepennantforWorcester。Onemorehardscrapandwe’redone！Ofalltheup—hillfightsanybunchevermadetolandtheflag，ourhasbeenthebest。You’rethebestteamIevermanaged，thegamestgangofballplayersthateversteppedinspikes。We’veplayedinthehardestkindofluckallseason，exceptthatshorttripwecalledtheRube’sHoneymoon。Wegotabadstart，andsorearmsandbustedfingers，allkindsofinjuries，everyaccidentcalculatedtohurtateam’schances，cameourway。Butinspiteofitallwegottheleadandwe’veheldit，andtodaywe’restillafewpointsaheadofBuffalo。’’
　　Ipausedtocatchmybreath，andlookedroundonthegrim，tiredfacesofmyplayers。Theymadeasterngroup。Thecloseoftheseasonfoundthemalmostplayedout。Whatahardchanceitwas，aftertheirextraordinaryefforts，tobringtheissueofthepennantdowntothislastgame！
　　``Ifwelosetoday，Buffalo，withthreegamesmoretoplayathome，willpullthebunting，’’I
　　wenton。``Butthey’renotgoingtowin！I’mputtingituptoyouthatway。IknowSpearsisallin;Raddy’sarmisgone;Ashisplayingononeleg;you’reallcrippled。Butyou’vegotonemoregameinyou，Iknow。TheselastfewweekstheRubehasbeenpitchingoutofturnandhe’saboutallin，too。He’skeptusinthelead。Ifhewinstodayit’llbeRube’sPennant。Butthatmightapplytoallofyou。Now，shallwetalkovertheplaytoday？Anytrickstopulloff？Anyinsidework？’’
　　``Con，you’reprettymuchupsetan’nervous，’’
　　repliedSpears，soberly。``Itain’tnowonder。
　　Thishasbeenonecorkerofaseason。Iwanttosuggestthatyouletmeruntheteamtoday。I’vetalkedovertheplaywiththefellers。Weain’tgoin’tolosethisgame，Con。Buffalohasbeencomin’witharushlately，an’they’reconfident。
　　Butwe’vebeenholdin’in，restin’upasmuchaswedaredan’stillkeepourlead。Mebbeeit’llsurpriseyoutoknowwe’vebeteverydollarwecouldgetholdofonthisgame。Why，Buffalomoneyiseverywhere。’’
　　``Allright，Spears，I’llturntheteamovertoyou。We’vegotthebannercrowdoftheyearoutthererightnow，agreatcrowdtoplaybefore。
　　I’mmorefussedupoverthisgamethananyI
　　remember。ButIhaveasortofblindfaithinmyteam……Iguessthat’sallIwanttosay。’’
　　SpearsledthesilentplayersoutofthedressingroomandIfollowed;andwhiletheybegantotossballstoandfro，tolimberupcold，deadarms，Isatonthebench。
　　TheBisonswereprancingaboutthediamond，andtheirswaggeringassurancewasnotconducivetohopefortheWorcesters。Iwonderedhowmanyofthatvast，noisyaudience，intentontheday’ssport，evenhadathoughtofwhatpainandtoilitmeanttomyplayers。TheBuffalomenwereingoodshape;theyhadbeenlucky;theywereatthetopoftheirstride，andthatmadeallthedifference。
　　Atanyrate，therewereafewfaithfullittlewomeninthegrandstand——MillyandNanandRoseStringerandKateBogart——whosatwithcompressedlipsandhopedandprayedforthatgametobeginandend。
　　Thegongcalledoffthepractice，andSpears，takingthefield，yelledgruffencouragementtohismen。UmpireCarterbrushedofftheplateandtossedawhiteballtoRubeandcalled：``Play！’’
　　Thebleacherssetupanexultant，satisfiedshoutandsatdowntowait。
　　SchultztoedtheplateandwatchedtheRubepitchacouple。Thereseemedtobenodiminutionofthegreatpitcher’sspeedandbothballscuttheplate。Schultzclippedthenextonedownthethird—
　　baseLine。Bogarttrappeditclosetothebag，andgotitawayunderhand，beatingthespeedyrunnerbyanose。Itwasaprettyplaytostartwith，andthespectatorswerenotclose—mouthedinappreciation。Theshort，stockyCarlambleduptobat，andIheardhimcalltheRubesomething。Itwasnotafriendlycontest，thisdecidinggamebetweenBuffaloandWorcester。
　　``Bingoneclosetohisswellednut！’’growledSpearstotheRube。
　　CarlchoppedabouncinggrounderthroughshortandAshwasafteritlikeatiger，butitwasahit。TheBuffalocontingentopenedup。ThenManningfacedtheRube，andhe，too，ventedsarcasm。Itmightnothavebeenheardbytheslow，imperturbablepitcherforallthenoticehetook。
　　Carledgedofffirst，slidbacktwice，gotathirdstart，andontheRube’spitchwasoffforsecondbasewiththeleadthatalwaysmadehimdangerous。
　　Manningswungvainly，andGreggsnappedathrowtoMullaney。Ballandrunnergottothebagapparentlysimultaneously;theumpirecalledCarlout，andthecrowdutteredaquickroarofdelight。
　　ThenextpitchtoManningwasastrike。Rubewasnotwastinganyballs，apointInotedwithmingledfearandsatisfaction。Forhemighthavefeltthathehadnostrengthtosparethatdayandsocouldnottrytoworkthebatters。Againheswung，andManningrappedalonglineflyoverMcCall。Asthelittleleftfielderturnedatthesoundofthehitandsprintedout，hislamenesswascertainlynotinevidence。Hewastheswiftestrunnerintheleagueandalwayswhenhegotgoingthecrowdroseinwildclamortowatchhim。
　　Mactookthatflyrightoffthefoulflagindeepleft，andthebleachersdinnedtheirpleasure。
　　Theteamschangedpositions。``Fellers，’’saidSpears，savagely，``wemaybeabunged—uplotofstiffs，but，say！Wecanhit！Ifyouloveyouroldcaptain——stingtheball！’’
　　Vane，theBisonpitcher，surelyhadhisworkcutoutforhim。ForonesympatheticmomentI
　　sawhispartthroughhiseyes。MyWorcesterveterans，longusedtobeingunderfire，wererelentlesslybentontakingthatgame。Itshowedinmanyways，particularlyintheirsilence，becausetheywereseldomasilentteam。McCallhesitatedamomentoverhisbats。Then，ashepickedupthelightestone，Isawhisjawset，andIknewheintendedtobunt。Hewaslame，yethemeanttobeatoutaninfieldhit。Hewentupscowling。
　　Vanehadanoldhead，andhehadavariedassortmentofballs。ForMacheusedanunderhandcurve，risingattheplateandcurvingintotheleft—hander。Macsteppedbackandletitgo。
　　``That’stheplace，Bo，’’criedtheBuffaloinfielders。``Keep’emcloseontheCrab。’’EagerandfierceasMcCallwas，heletpitchafterpitchgobytillhehadthreeballsandtwostrikes。StilltheheadyVanesentupanotherpitchsimilartotheothers。Macsteppedforwardinthebox，droppedhisbatontheball，andleapeddownthelinetowardfirstbase。Vanecamerushinginforthebunt，gotitandthrew。Butasthespeedingballnearedthebaseman，Macstretchedoutintotheairandshotforthebag。Byafractionofasecondhebeattheball。Itwasoneofhisdemon—
　　slides。Heknewthatthechancesfavoredhisbeingcrippled;weallknewthatsomedayMacwouldsliderecklesslyoncetoooften。Butthat，too，isallinthegameandinthespiritofagreatplayer。
　　``We’reon，’’saidSpears;``nowkeepwithhim。’’
　　BythatthecaptainmeantthatMacwouldgodown，andAshwellwouldhitwiththerun。
　　WhenVanepitched，littleMcCallwasflittingtowardsecond。TheBisonshortstopstartedforthebag，andAshhitsquarethroughhistracks。
　　Arollingcheerburstfromthebleachers，andswelledtillMcCalloverranthirdbaseandwasthrownbackbythecoacher。Stringerhurriedforwardwithhisbigbat。
　　``Oh！My！’’yelledafan，andhevoicedmysentimentsexactly。Herewewouldscore，andbeonerunclosertothatdearlyboughtpennant。
　　Howwellmymenworkedtogether！Asthepitcherlettheballgo，AshwasdiggingforsecondandMacwasshootingplateward。TheyplayedonthechanceofStringer’shitting。
　　Stringerswung，thebatcracked，weheardathudsomewhere，andthenManning，halfknockedover，wasfumblingfortheball。Hehadknockeddownaterrificdrivewithhismitt，andhegottheballintimetoputStringerout。ButMacscoredandAshdrewathrowtothirdbaseandbeatit。Hehadabadankle，butnoonenoticeditinthatdaringrun。
　　``Watchmepasteone！’’saidCaptainSpears，ashespatseveralyards。Hebattedoutaflysolongandhighandfarthat，slowashewas，hehadnearlyruntosecondbasewhenCarlmadethecatch。Asheasilyscoredonthethrow—in。ThenBogartsentoneskippingoversecond，andTreadwell，scoopingitontherun，completedaplaythatshowedwhyhewasconsideredthestaroftheBisoninfield。
　　``Tworuns，fellers！’’saidSpears。``That’ssome！Push’emover，Rube。’’
　　Thesecondinningsomewhatquickenedthepace。EventheRubeworkedalittlefaster。EllislinedtoCairnsinright;Treadwellfouledtwoballsandhadacalledstrike，andwasout;McKnighthitalowflyovershort，thenBudWilersentonebetweenSpearsandMullaney。SpearswentforitwhiletheRubewithgiantstridesrantocoverfirstbase。BetweenthemtheygotBud，butitwasonlybecausehewasheavyandslowonhisfeet。
　　InourhalfofthatinningMullaney，GreggandCairnswentoutinone，two，threeorder。
　　WithPannellup，IsawthattheRubeheldinonhisspeed，orelsehewastiring。Pannellhitthesecondslowballfortwobases。Vanesacrificed，andthentheredoubtableSchultzcameup。
　　Heappearedtobeinnohurrytobat。ThenI
　　sawthatthefoxyBuffaloplayerswereworkingtotiretheRube。Theyhadthesituationfigured。
　　ButtheywerenowiserthanoldSpears。
　　``Make’emhit，Rube。Push’emstraightover。
　　Nevermindthecorners。Wedon’tcareforafewruns。We’llhitthisgameout。’’
　　ShultzfliedtoMac，whomadeabeautifulthrowtotheplatetoolatetocatchPannell。CarldeliberatelybuntedtotherightoftheRubeanditcostthebigpitcherstrenuousefforttocatchhisman。
　　``WegottheRubewaggin’！’’yelledaBuffaloplayer。
　　Manningtripleddowntheleftfoulline——ahitthebleacherscalledascreamer。WhenElliscameup，itlookedlikeatiescore，andwhentheRubepitcheditwasplainthathewastired。TheBisonsyelledtheirassuranceofthisandtheaudiencesettledintoquiet。Ellisbattedascorcherthatlookedgoodforahit。ButthefastAshwellwasmovingwiththeball，andheplungedlengthwisetogetitsquareinhisglove。Thehithadbeensosharpthathehadtimetogetupandmakethethrowtobeattherunner。Thebleachersthunderedattheplay。
　　``You’reup，Rube，’’calledSpears。``Lamoneoutofthelot！’’
　　TheRubewasanuncertainbatter。Therewasneveranytellingwhathemightdo，forhehadspellsofgoodandbadhitting。Butwhenhedidgethisbatontheballitmeantachaseforsomefielder。Hewentupswinginghishugeclub，andhehitaflythatwouldhavebeenaneasyhomerunforafastman。ButthebestRubecoulddowastoreachthirdbase。Thiswascertainlygoodenough，asthebleachersloudlyproclaimed，andanothertallyforusseemedsure。
　　McCallbuntedtowardthird，anotherofhisteasers。TheRubewouldsurelyhavescoredhadhestartedwiththeball，buthedidnottryandmissedachance。Wiler，ofcourse，heldtheball，andMacgottofirstwithoutspecialeffort。Hewentdownonthefirstpitch。ThenAshlinedtoCarl。TheRubewaitedtilltheballwascaughtandstartedforhome。Thecrowdscreamed，theRuberanforallhewasworthandCarl’sthrowtotheplateshotinlowandtrue。EllisblockedtheRubeandtaggedhimout。
　　ItlookedtothebleachersasifEllishadbeenunnecessarilyrough，andtheyhissedandstormeddisapproval。Asforme，IknewtheBisonswerelosingnochancetowearoutmypitcher。StringerfouledoutwithMaconthird，anditmadehimsoangrythathethrewhisbattowardthebench，makingsomeoftheboysskiplively。
　　Thenextthreeinnings，asfarasscoringwasconcerned，wereallforBuffalo。ButtheWorcesterinfieldplayedmagnificentball，holdingtheiropponentstooneruneachinning。
　　Thatmadethescore4to2infavorofBuffalo。
　　Inthelasthalfofthesixth，withAshonfirstbaseandtwomenout，oldSpearshitanotherofhisloftyflies，andthisonewentoverthefenceandtiedthescore。Howthebleachersroared！
　　Itwasfulltwominutesbeforetheyquieteddown。
　　Tomakeitallthemoreexciting，Bogarthitsafely，ranlikeadeertothirdonMullaney’sgrounder，whichWilerknockeddown，andscoredonapassedball。Greggendedtheinningbystrikingout。
　　``GetattheRube！’’boomedEllis，theBisoncaptain。``We’llhavehimupintheairsoon。Getinthegamenow，youstickers！’’
　　BeforeIknewwhathadhappened，theBisonshadagaintiedthescore。Theywereindomitable。
　　Theygrewstrongerallthetime。Astrokeofgoodlucknowwouldclinchthegameforthem。
　　TheRubewasbeginningtolaborinthebox;Ashwellwaslimping;Spearslookedasifhewoulddropanymoment;McCallcouldscarcelywalk。
　　Butiftheballcamehiswayhecouldstillrun。
　　Nevertheless，Ineversawanyfinerfieldingthanthesecrippedplayersexecutedthatinning。
　　``Ash——Mac——canyouholdout？’’Iasked，whentheylimpedin。Ireceivedglancesofscornformyquestion。Spears，however，wasnotsanguine。
　　``I’llstickprettymuchifsomethin’doesn’thappen，’’hesaid;``butI’mallin。I’llneedarunnerifIgettofirstthistime。’’
　　SpearslumbereddowntofirstbaseonaninfieldhitandtheheavyManninggavehimthehip。
　　OldSpearswentdown，andIforoneknewhewasoutinmorewaysthanthatsignifiedbyCarter’ssharp：``Out！’’
　　Theoldwar—horsegatheredhimselfupslowlyandpainfully，andwithhisarmsfoldedandhisjawprotruding，helimpedtowardtheumpire。
　　``Didyoucallmeout？’’heasked，inavoiceplainlyaudibletoanyoneonthefield。
　　``Yes，’’snappedCarter。
　　``Whatfor？Ibeattheball，an’Mannin’
　　playeddirtywithme——gavemethehip。’’
　　``Icalledyouout。’’
　　``ButIwasn’tout！’’
　　``Shutupnow！Getoffthediamond！’’orderedCarter，peremptorily。
　　``What？Me？Say，I’mcaptainofthisteam。
　　Can’tIquestionadecision？’’
　　``Notmine。Spears，you’redelayingthegame。’’
　　``Itellyouitwasarottendecision，’’yelledSpears。Thebleachersagreedwithhim。
　　Cartergrewredintheface。HeandSpearshadbeforethenmetinfieldsquabbles，andheshowedit。
　　``Fiftydollars！’’
　　``More！Youcheap—skateyoupiker！More！’’
　　``It’sahundred！’’
　　``Putmeoutofthegame！’’roaredSpears。
　　``Youbet！Hurrynow——skedaddle！’’
　　``Rob—b—ber！’’bawledSpears。
　　Thenhelaboredslowlytowardthebench，allred，andyetwithperspiration，hisdemeanoroneofoutrageddignity。Thegreatcrowd，asoneman，stoodupandyelledhoarselyatCarter，andhissedandrailedathim。WhenSpearsgottothebenchhesatdownbesidemeasifinpain，buthewassmiling。
　　``Con，Iwasallin，an’knowin’Icouldn’tplayanylonger，thoughtI’dtrytoscareCarter。Say，hewaswhiteintheface。Ifweplayintoaclosedecisionnow，he’llgiveittous。’’
　　BogartandMullaneybattedoutinshortorder，andoncemoretheaggressiveBisonshurriedinfortheirturn。SpearssentCairnstofirstbaseandJonestoright。TheRubelobbeduphisslowball。Inthattightpinchheshowedhissplendidnerve。TwoBuffaloplayers，over—anxious，poppedupflies。TheRubekeptonpitchingtheslowcurveuntilitwashitsafely。Thenheavinghisshoulderswithallhismighthegotallthemotionpossibleintohisswingandletdrive。
　　Hehadalmostallofhisoldspeed，butithurtmetoseehimworkwithsuchdesperateeffort。
　　HestruckWilerout。
　　Hecamestoopingintothebench，apparentlydeaftothestunningroundofapplause。EveryplayerontheteamhadawordfortheRube。
　　Therewasnoquittinginthatbunch，andifIeversawvictoryonthesternfacesofballplayersitwasinthatmoment。
　　``Wehaven’topenedupyet。Mebbeethisistheinnin’。Ifitain’t，thenextis，’’saidSpears。
　　Withtheweakendofthebattinglistup，thereseemedlittlehopeofgettingarunonVanethatinning。HehadsomuchconfidencethatheputtheballoverforGregg，whohitoutofthereachoftheinfield。AgainVanesentuphisstraightball，nodoubtexpectingCairnstohitintoadoubleplay。ButCairnssurprisedVaneandeverybodyelsebypokingasafetypastfirstbase。
　　Thefansbegantohowlandpoundandwhistle。
　　TheRubestrodetobat。Theinfieldclosedinforabunt，buttheRubehadnoordersforthatstyleofplay。Spearshadsaidnothingtohim。
　　Vanelosthisnonchalanceandsettleddown。Hecutloosewithallhisspeed。Rubesteppedout，suddenlywhirled，thentriedtododge，buttheballhithimfairintheback。Rubesaggedinhistracks，thenstraightenedup，andwalkedslowlytofirstbase。Score5to5，basesfull，noouts，McCallatbat。Isatdumbonthebench，thrillingandshivering。McCall！Ashwell！Stringertobat！
　　``Playitsafe！Holdthebags！’’yelledthecoacher。
　　McCallfairlyspouteddefianceashefacedVane。
　　``Pitch！It’salloff！An’youknowit！’’
　　IfVaneknewthat，heshowednoevidenceofit。Hisfacewascold，unsmiling，rigid。HehadtopitchtoMcCall，thefastestmanintheleague;
　　toAshwell，thebestbunter;toStringer，thechampionbatter。Itwasasupremetestforagreatpitcher。TherewasonlyonekindofaballthatMcCallwasnotsuretohit，andthatwasahighcurve，inclose。Vanethrewitwithallhispower。
　　Cartercalleditastrike。AgainVaneswungandhisarmfairlycracked。Macfouledtheball。Thethirdwaswide。Slowly，withliftingbreast，Vanegotready，whirledsavagelyandshotuptheball。
　　McCallstruckout。
　　AstheBuffaloplayerscrowedandtheaudiencegroaneditwasworthyofnotethatlittleMcCallshowednotemper。Yethehadfailedtograspagreatopportunity。
　　``Ash，Icouldn’tsee’em，’’hesaid，ashepassedtothebench。``Speed，whew！lookoutforit。
　　He’sbeensavin’up。Hitquick，an’you’llgethim。’’
　　AshwellbentovertheplateandgloweredatVane。
　　``Pitch！It’salloff！An’youknowit！’’hehissed，usingMac’swords。
　　Ashwell，too，wasleft—handed;he，too，wasextremelyhardtopitchto;andifhehadaweaknessthatanyofuseverdiscovered，itwasaslowcurveandchangeofpace。ButIdoubtedifVanewoulddaretouseslowballstoAshatthatcriticalmoment。IhadyettolearnsomethingofVane。
　　HegaveAshaslow，wide—sweepingsidewheeler，thatcurvedroundovertheplate。Ashalwaystookastrike，sothisdidnotmatter。ThenVaneusedhisdeceptivechangeofpace，sendingupacurvethatjustmissedAsh’sbatasheswung。
　　``Oh！A—h—h！hit！’’wailedthebleachers。
　　Vanedoubleduplikeacontortionist，andshotupalightning—swiftdropthatfooledAshcompletely。Againthecrowdgroaned。Scoretied，basesfull，twoout，Stringeratbat！
　　``It’suptoyou，String，’’calledAsh，steppingaside。
　　StringerdidnotcallouttoVane。Thatwasnothisway。Hestoodtenseandalert，batonhisshoulder，hispowerfulformbraced，andhewaited。Theoutfielderstrottedovertowardrightfield，andtheinfieldersplayeddeep，callingoutwarningsandencouragementtothepitcher。
　　Stringerhadnoweakness，andVaneknewthis。
　　Neverthelesshedidnotmanifestanyuneasiness，andpitchedthefirstballwithoutanyextramotion。Cartercalleditastrike。IsawStringersinkdownslightlyandgrowtenserallover。I
　　believethatmomentwaslongerformethanforeitherthepitcherorthebatter。Vanetookhistime，watchedthebaserunners，feintedtothrowtocatchthem，andthendeliveredtheballtowardtheplatewiththelimitofhispower。
　　Stringerhittheball。AslongasIlive，Iwillseethatglancinglowliner。Shultz，byawonderfulplayindeepcenter，blockedtheballandtherebysaveditfrombeingahomerun。ButwhenStringerstoppedonsecondbase，alltherunnershadscored。
　　Ashrill，shrieking，high—pitchedyell！Thebleachersthreatenedtodestroythestandsandalsotheirthroatsinonelongrevelofbaseballmadness。
　　Jones，battinginplaceofSpears，hadgoneupandfouledoutbeforetheuproarhadsubsided。
　　``Fellers，IreckonIfeeleasier，’’saidtheRube。
　　ItwastheonlytimeIhadeverheardhimspeaktotheplayersatsuchastage``Onlysixbatters，Rube，’’calledoutSpears。
　　``Boys，it’sagrandgame，an’it’sour’n！’’
　　TheRubehadenoughthatinningtodisposeofthelowerhalfoftheBuffalolistwithoutanyalarmingbidsforarun。Andinourhalf，BogartandMullaneyhitviciousgroundballsthatgaveTreadwellandWileropportunitiesforsuperbplays。Carl，likewise，madeabeautifulrunningcatchofGregg’slinefly。TheBisonswerestillinthegame，stillcapableofpullingitoutatthelastmoment。
　　WhenShultzstalkeduptotheplateIshutmyeyesamoment，andsostillwasitthatthefieldandstandsmighthavebeenempty。Yet，thoughItried，Icouldnotkeepmyeyesclosed。IopenedthemtowatchtheRube。IknewSpearsfeltthesameasI，forhewasblowinglikeaporpoiseandmutteringtohimself：``MebeetheRubewon’tlastan’I’venoonetoputin！’’
　　TheRubepitchedwithheavy，violenteffort。
　　Hehadstillenoughspeedtobedangerous。ButafterthemannerofballplayersShultzandthecoachersmockedhim。
　　``Takeallyoucan，’’calledEllistoShultz。
　　EverypitchlessenedtheRube’sstrengthandthesewiseopponentsknewit。LikewisetheRubehimselfknew，andneverhadheshownbetterheadworkthaninthisinning。Ifheweretowin，hemustbequick。Sohewastednotaball。Thefirstpitchandthesecond，deliveredbreasthighandfairlyovertheplate，beautifulballstohit，Shultzwatchedspeedby。HeswunghardonthethirdandthecrippledAshwelldoveforitinacloudofdust，gotahandinfrontofit，butuselessly，forthehitwassafe。Thecrowdcheeredthatsplendideffort。
　　Carlmarchedtobat，andheswunghisclubovertheplateasifheknewwhattoexpect。``Comeon，Rube！’’heshouted。Wearily，doggedly，theRubewhirled，andwhippedhisarm。Theballhadallhisoldglancingspeedanditwasastrike。
　　TheRubewasmakingatremendouseffort。
　　Againhegothisbodyinconvulsivemotion——twostrikes！Shultzhadmadenomovetorun，norhadCarlmadeanymovetohit。Theseveteranswerewaiting。TheRubehadpitchedfivestrikes——couldhelast？
　　``Now，Carl！’’yelledEllis，withstartlingsuddenness，astheRubepitchedagain。
　　Crack！Carlplacedthathitassafelythroughshortasifhehadthrownit。McCall’slittlelegstwinkledashedashedoverthegrass。Hehadtoheadoffthathitandheranlikeastreak。Downandforwardhepitched，asifinoneofhisfierceslides，andhegothisbodyinfrontoftheball，blockingit，andthenherolledoverandover。ButhejumpedupandlinedtheballtoBogart，almostcatchingShultzatthird—base。Then，asMactriedtowalk，hislamelegbuckledunderhim，anddownhewent，andout。
　　``Calltime，’’IcalledtoCarter。``McCallisdone……Myers，yougotoleftan’forLord’ssakeplayball！’’
　　StringerandBogarthurriedtoMacand，liftinghimupandsupportinghimbetweenthemwithhisarmsaroundtheirshoulders，theyledhimoffamidcheersfromthestands。Macwaswhitewithpain。
　　``Naw，Iwon’tgooffthefield。Leavemeonthebench，’’hesaid。``Fight’emnow。It’sourgame。Nevermindacoupleofruns。’’
　　TheboysranbacktotheirpositionsandCartercalledplay。PerhapsalittledelayhadbeenhelpfultotheRube。SlowlyhesteppedintotheboxandwatchedShultzatthirdandCarlatsecond。
　　Therewasnotmuchprobabilityofhisthrowingtocatchthemoffthebase，butenoughofapossibilitytomakethemcareful，soheheldthemclose。
　　TheRubepitchedastriketoManning，thenanother。Thatmadeeightstrikessquareovertheplatethatinning。Whatmagnificentcontrol！ItwasequaledbytheimplacablepatienceofthoseveteranBisons。ManninghitthenextballashardasCarlhadhithis。ButMullaneyplungeddown，cameupwiththeball，feintedtofoolCarl，thenletdrivetoGreggtocatchthefleetingShultz。
　　Thethrowwentwide，butGregggotit，and，leapinglengthwise，taggedShultzoutayardfromtheplate。
　　Oneout。Tworunnersonbases。Thebleachersroseandsplittheirthroats。Wouldtheinningneverend？
　　Spearskepttellinghimself：``They’llscore，butwe’llwin。It’sourgame！’’
　　IhadasickeningfearthatthestrangeconfidencethatobsessedtheWorcesterplayershadbeenblind，unreasoningvanity。
　　``Carlwillsteal，’’mutteredSpears。``Hecan’tbestopped。’’
　　Spearshadcalledtheplay。TheRubetriedtoholdthelittlebase—stealerclosetosecond，but，afteroneattempt，wiselyturnedtohishardtaskofmakingtheBisonshitandhitquickly。Ellislettheballpass;Greggmadeaperfectthrowtothird;Bogartcaughttheballandmovedlikeaflash，butCarlslidunderhishandstothebag。
　　Manningrandowntosecond。TheRubepitchedagain，andthiswashistenthballovertheplate。
　　EventheBuffaloplayersevincedeloquentappreciationoftheRube’sdefenceatthislaststand。
　　ThenEllissentacleanhittoright，scoringbothCarlandManning。Ibreathedeasier，foritseemedwiththosetworunnersin，theRubehadabetterchance。Treadwellalsotookthosetworunnersin，theRubehadawaythoseBisonswaited。Theyhadtheirreward，fortheRube’sspeedlefthim。Whenhepitchedagaintheballhadcontrol，butnoshoot。Treadwellhititwithallhisstrength。LikeahugecatAshwellpounceduponit，ranoversecondbase，forcingEllis，andhisspeedysnaptofirstalmostcaughtTreadwell。
　　Score8to7。Twoout。Runneronfirst。Oneruntotie。
　　Inmyhazy，dimmedvisionIsawtheRube’spennantwavingfromtheflag—pole。
　　``It’sourgame！’’howledSpearsinmyear，forthenoisefromthestandswasdeafening。
　　``It’sourpennant！’’
　　TheformidablebattingstrengthoftheBisonshadbeenmet，notwithoutdisaster，butwithoutdefeat。McKnightcameupforBuffaloandtheRubetookhiswearyswing。ThebattermadeaterrificlungeandhittheballwithasolidcrackItlinedforcenter。
　　Suddenlyelectrifiedintoaction，Ileapedup。
　　Thathit！Itfrozemewithhorror。Itwasahome—run。IsawStringerflytowardleftcenter。
　　Heranlikesomethingwild。IsawtheheavyTreadwelllumberingroundthebases。IsawAshwellrunoutintocenterfield。
　　``Ah—h！’’Thewholeaudiencerelieveditsterrorinthatexpulsionofsuspendedbreath。
　　Stringerhadleapedhightoknockdowntheball，savingasurehome—runandthegame。Herecoveredhimself，dashedbackfortheballandshotittoAsh。
　　WhenAshturnedtowardtheplate，Treadwellwasroundingthirdbase。Atiescoreappearedinevitable。IsawAsh’sarmwhipandtheballshootforward，leveled，glancing，beautifulinitsflight。Thecrowdsawit，andthesilencebroketoayellthatroseandroseastheballspedin。
　　Thatyellswelledtoasplittingshriek，andTreadwellslidinthedust，andtheballshotintoGregg’shandsallatthesameinstant。
　　Carterwavedbotharmsupwards。Itwastheumpire’sactionwhenhisdecisionwentagainstthebase—runner。Theaudiencerolleduponegreatstenoriancry。
　　``Out！’’
　　Icollapsedandsankbackuponthebench。Myconfusedsensesreceivedadullroarofpoundingfeetanddinningvoicesastheheraldofvictory。
　　IfeltmyselfthinkinghowpleasedMillywouldbe。
　　Ihadadistinctpictureinmymindofawhitecottageonahill，nolongeradream，butareality，madepossibleformebytheRube’swinningofthepennant，THERUBE’SHONEYMOON
　　``He’sgotanewmanager。Watchhimpitchnow！’’ThatwaswhatNanBrownsaidtomeaboutRubeHurtle，mygreatpitcher，andItookitasherwayofannouncingherengagement。
　　Mybaseballcareerheldsomeproudmoments，butthisone，whereinIrealizedthesuccessofmymatchmakingplans，wascertainlytheproudestone。So，entirelyoutsideofthehonestpleasureIgotoutoftheRube’shappiness，therewasreasonformetocongratulatemyself。Hewasatransformedman，soabsolutelyrenewed，sowildwithjoy，thatonthestrengthofit，IdecidedthepennantforWorcesterwasaforegoneconclusion，and，sureofthemoneypromisedmebythedirectors，MillyandIbegantomakeplansforthecottageuponthehill。
　　TheRubeinsistedonpitchingMonday’sgameagainsttheTorontos，andalthoughpoorfieldinggavethemacoupleofruns，theyneverhadachance。Theycouldnotseetheball。TheRubewrappeditaroundtheirnecksandbetweentheirwristsandstraightovertheplatewithsuchincrediblespeedthattheymightjustaswellhavetriedtobatriflebullets。
　　ThatnightIwashappy。Spears，myveterancaptain，wasonehugesmile;Radbournequietlyassuredmethatallwasovernowbuttheshouting;
　　alltheboyswerehappy。
　　AndtheRubewasthehappiestofall。Atthehotelheburstoutwithhisexceedinggoodfortune。HeandNanweretobemarriedupontheFourthofJuly！
　　AfterthenoisycongratulationswereoverandtheRubehadgone，SpearslookedatmeandI
　　lookedathim。
　　``Con，’’saidhesoberly，``wejustcan’tlethimgetmarriedontheFourth。’’
　　``Whynot？Surewecan。We’llhelphimgetmarried。Itellyouit’llsavethepennantforus。
　　Lookhowhepitchedtoday！NanBrownisoursalvation！’’
　　``Seehere，Con，you’vegotsoftenin’ofthebrain，too。Where’syourbaseballsense？We’vegotapennanttowin。ByJulyFourthwe’llbeclosetotheleadagain，an’there’sthatthreeweeks’tripontheroad，thelongestan’hardestoftheseason。We’vejustgottobreakevenonthattrip。Youknowwhatthatmeans。IftheRubemarriesNan——whatarewegoin’todo？Wecan’tleavehimbehind。IfhetakesNanwithus——whyit’llbeahoneymoon！An’halfthegangisstuckonNanBrown！An’NanBrownwouldflirtinherbridalveil！……WhyCon，we’reupagainstaworsepropositionthanever。’’
　　``GoodHeavens！Cap。You’reright，’’I
　　groaned。``Ineverthoughtofthat。We’vegottopostponethewedding……Howonearthcanwe？I’veheardhertellMillythat。She’llneverconsenttoit。Say，this’lldrivemetodrink。’’
　　``AllIgottosayisthis，Con。IftheRubetakeshiswifeonthattripit’sgoin’tobeanall—
　　firedhummer。Don’tyouforgetthat。’’
　　``I’mnotlikelyto。But，Spears，thepointisthis——willtheRubewinhisgames？’’
　　``Figurin’fromhisworktoday，I’dgamblehe’llneverloseanothergame。Itain’tthat。I’mthinkin’ofwhatthegangwilldotohiman’Nanonthecarsan’atthehotels。Oh！Lord，Con，itain’tpossibletostandforthathoneymoontrip！
　　Justthink！’’
　　``Iftheworstcomestotheworst，Cap，Idon’tcareforanythingbutthegames。IfwegetintheleadandstaythereI’llstandforanything……
　　Couldn’tthegangbecoaxedorboughtofftolettheRubeandNanalone？’’
　　``Notonyourlife！Thereain’tenoughloveormoneyonearthtostopthem。It’llbeawful。
　　Mind，I’mnotresponsible。Don’tyougoholdin’
　　meresponsible。InallmyyearsofbaseballI
　　neverwentonatripwithabrideinthegame。
　　That’snewonme，an’Ineverheardofit。I’dbebadenoughifhewasn’tarubean’ifshewasn’tacrazygirl—fanan’aflirttoboot，an’withhalftheboysinlovewithher，butasitis————’’
　　Spearsgaveupand，gravelyshakinghishead，heleftme。Ispentalittlewhileinsoberreflection，andfinallycametotheconclusionthat，inmydesperateambitiontowinthepennant，Iwouldhavetakenhalfadozenrubepitchersandtheirbaseball—madebridesonthetrip，ifbysodoingIcouldincreasethepercentageofgameswon。
　　Nevertheless，IwantedtopostponetheRube’sweddingifitwaspossible，andIwentouttoseeMillyandaskedhertohelpus。ButforonceinherlifeMillyturnedtraitor。
　　``Connie，youdon’twanttopostponeit。Why，howperfectlylovely！……Mrs。StringerwillgoonthattripandMrs。Bogart……Connie，I’mgoingtoo！’’
　　Sheactuallyjumpedupanddowninglee。Thatwasthewomaninher。Ittakesaweddingtogetawoman。Iremonstratedandpleadedandcommanded，alltonopurpose。Millyintendedtogoonthattriptoseethegames，andthefun，andthehoneymoon。
　　ShecoaxedsohardthatIyielded。ThereuponshecalledupMrs。Stringeronthetelephone，andofcoursefoundthatyoungwomanjustaseagerasshewas。Formypart，Ithrewanxietyandcaretothefourwinds，anddecidedtobeashappyasanyofthem。Thepennantwasmine！Somethingkeptringingthatinmyears。WiththeRubeworkinghisironarmfortheedificationofhisproudNancyBrown，therewasextremelikelihoodofdiversshut—outsandhumiliatingdefeatsforsomeEasternLeagueteams。
　　HowwellIcalculatedbecameamatterofbaseballhistoryduringthatlastweekofJune。Wewonsixstraightgames，threeofwhichfelltotheRube’scredit。Hisopponentsscoredfourrunsinthethreegames，againstthenineteenwemade。
　　UponJuly1，RadbournebeatProvidenceandCairnswonthesecondgame。Wenowhadastringofeightvictories。Sundaywerested，andMondaywastheFourth，withmorningandafternoongameswithBuffalo。
　　UponthemorningoftheFourth，IlookedfortheRubeatthehotel，butcouldnotfindhim。Hedidnotshowupatthegroundswhentheotherboysdid，andIbegantoworry。ItwastheRube’sturntopitchandwewereneckandneckwithBuffaloforfirstplace。Ifwewonbothgameswewouldgoaheadofourrivals。SoIwasallonedge，andkeptgoingtothedressing—roomtoseeiftheRubehadarrived。Hecame，finally，whenalltheboysweredressed，andabouttogooutforpractice。Hehadonanewsuit，atailor—madesuitatthat，andhelookedfine。Therewasabouthimakindofstrangeradiance。Hestatedsimplythathehadarrivedlatebecausehehadjustbeenmarried。Beforecongratulationswereoutofourmouths，heturnedtome。
　　``Con，Iwanttopitchbothgamestoday，’’hesaid。
　　``What！Say，Whit，Buffaloisonthecardtodayandweareonlythreepointsbehindthem。
　　Ifwewinbothwe’llbeleadingtheleagueoncemore。Idon’tknowaboutpitchingyoubothgames。’’
　　``Ireckonwe’llbeintheleadtonightthen，’’
　　hereplied，``forI’llwinthemboth。’’
　　IwasabouttoreplywhenDave，theground—
　　keeper，calledmetothedoor，sayingtherewasamantoseeme。Iwentout，andtherestoodMorrisey，manageroftheChicagoAmericanLeagueteam。Wekneweachotherwellandexchangedgreetings。
　　``Con，Idroppedofftoseeyouaboutthisnewpitcherofyours，theonetheycalltheRube。I
　　wanttoseehimwork。I’veheardhe’sprettyfast。Howaboutit？’’
　　``Wait——tillyouseehimpitch，’’Ireplied。I
　　couldscarcelygetthatmuchout，forMorrisey’spresencemeantagreatdealandIdidnotwanttobetraymyelation。
　　``Anystringsonhim？’’queriedthebigleaguemanager，sharply。
　　``Well，Morrisey，notexactly。Icangiveyouthefirstcall。You’llhavetobidhigh，though。
　　Justwaittillyouseehimwork。’’
　　``I’mgladtohearthat。Myscoutwasoverherewatchinghimpitchandsayshe’sawonder。’’
　　WhatluckitwasthatMorriseyshouldhavecomeuponthisday！Icouldhardlycontainmyself。
　　AlmostIbegantospendthemoneyIwouldgetforsellingtheRubetothebigleaguemanager。
　　Wetookseatsinthegrandstand，asMorriseydidnotwanttobeseenbyanyplayers，andIstayedtherewithhimuntilthegongsounded。
　　Therewasabigattendance。IlookedalloverthestandforNan，butshewaslostinthegaycrowd。ButwhenIwentdowntothebenchI
　　sawherupinmyprivateboxwithMilly。IttooknosecondglancetoseethatNanBrownwasabrideandgloryinginthefact。
　　Then，intheabsorptionofthegame，IbecameoblivioustoMillyandNan;thenoisycrowd;thegiantfire—crackersandthesmoke;tothepresenceofMorrisey;toallexcepttheRubeandmyteamandtheiropponents。Fortunatelyformyhopes，thegameopenedwithcharacteristicWorcesterdash。LittleMcCalldoubled，Ashwelldrewhisbaseonfourwidepitches，andStringerdrovetheballovertheright—fieldfence——threeruns！
　　Threerunswereenoughtowinthatgame。OfalltheexhibitionsofpitchingwithwhichtheRubehadfavoredus，thisonewasthefinest。Itwasperhapsnotsomuchhismarvelousspeedandunhittablecurvesthatmadethegameonememorableintheannalsofpitching;itwashisperfectcontrolintheplacingofballs，inthecuttingofcorners;inhisabsoluteimplacablemasteryofthesituation。Buffalowasunabletofindhimatall。Thegamewasswiftshort，decisive，withthescore5to0inourfavor。ButthescoredidnottellalloftheRube’sworkthatmorning。HeshutoutBuffalowithoutahit，orascratch，thefirstno—hit，no—rungameoftheyear。Hegavenobaseonballs;notaBuffaloplayergottofirstbase;onlyoneflywenttotheoutfield。
　　ForonceIforgotMillyafteragame，andI
　　hurriedtofindMorrisey，andcarriedhimofftohavedinnerwithme。
　　``Yourrubeisawonder，andthat’safact，’’hesaidtomeseveraltimes。``Whereonearthdidyougethim？Connelly，he’smymeat。Doyouunderstand？Canyouletmehavehimrightnow？’’
　　``No，Morrisey，I’vegotthepennanttowinfirst。ThenI’llsellhim。’’
　　``Howmuch？Doyouhear？Howmuch？’’
　　Morriseyhammeredthetablewithhisfistandhiseyesgleamed。
　　CarriedawayasIwasbyhisvehemence，Iwasyetabletocalculateshrewdly，andIdecidedtonameaveryhighprice，fromwhichIcouldcomedownandstillmakeasplendiddeal。
　　``Howmuch？’’demandedMorrisey。
　　``Fivethousanddollars，’’Ireplied，andgulpedwhenIgotthewordsout。
　　Morriseyneverbattedaneye。
　　``Waiter，quick，penandinkandpaper！’’
　　Presentlymyhand，nonetoofirm，wassigningmynametoacontractwherebyIwastosellmypitcherforfivethousanddollarsatthecloseofthecurrentseason。IneversawamanlooksopleasedasMorriseywhenhefoldedthatcontractandputitinhispocket。Hebademegood—byeandhurriedofftocatchatrain，andheneverknewtheRubehadpitchedthegreatgameonhisweddingday。
　　Thatafternoonbeforeacrowdthathadtoberopedoffthediamond，IputtheRubeagainsttheBisons。Howwellheshowedthebaseballknowledgehehadassimilated！Hechangedhisstyleinthatsecondgame。Heusedaslowballandwidecurvesandtookthingseasy。HemadeBuffalohittheballandwhenrunnersgotonbasesoncemoreletouthisspeedandheldthemdown。Hereliedupontheplayersbehindhimandtheywereequaltotheoccasion。
　　Itwasatotallydifferentgamefromthatofthemorning，andperhapsonemoresuitedtothepleasureoftheaudience。Therewasplentyofhardhitting，sharpfieldingandgoodbaserunning，andthegamewascloseandexcitinguptotheeighth，whenMullaney’striplegaveustworuns，andaleadthatwasnotheaded。TothedeafeningroarofthebleacherstheRubewalkedoffthefield，havingpitchedWorcesterintofirstplaceinthepennantrace。