CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
I.—On the Way Home from the Fishing Hole[17]
II.—A Startling Accusation[25]
III.—When the Challenge Came[33]
IV.—The Practice Game with the Scrub Team[41]
V.—Between Earth and Sky[49]
VI.—A Question of a Scout's Duty[57]
VII.—More Work on the Diamond[65]
VIII.—The Punctured Tire[73]
IX.—Faithful to His Friend[81]
X.—Giving Him Another Chance[89]
XI.—Ready for the Battle of the Bats[97]
XII.—Stealing the Signals[105]
XIII.—Ready for the Great Game[113]
XIV.—How the Fight Went On[121]
XV.—Lil Artha Plants His Garden in Deep Center[129]
XVI.—The Mystery Solved[137]

THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS
FAST NINE;
OR,
A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD.