“We can fill Hewett’s place all right, and we might find a catcher,” he groaned. “But how in the world do you expect to get hold of a pitcher in less than twenty-four hours, when I’ve tried in vain to do that very thing ever since Smith left us a month ago?”
A hand clapped him on the back, and the big Texan’s hearty voice sounded in his ears.
“Brace up, bucko! You don’t seem to be wise to the fact that you’ve got a battery complete right on the ground; and, in the field, Tucker can knock spots out of that quitter. You hear me gently warble!”
Gardiner turned swiftly as though he could scarcely believe his senses.
“What?” he exclaimed. “You mean that you would——”
“That’s sure what I’m trying to express,” Buckhart grinned. “Seeing as we’re someways responsible for that bunch going on strike, it’ll only square things up if we take their places. How about it, pard?”
“Of course, we’ll play,” Dick said quickly, “if they want us to.”
A sudden smile flashed into the first baseman’s face.
“Want you!” he cried. “Well, I guess yes! Only I should never have dared suggest such a thing. Talk about luck! Why, this is the best thing that could have happened. We’ll give the mine boys the surprise of their lives, and a minute ago I was thinking of throwing up the game. Gee! I can hardly believe it’s true.”
Dick looked at his watch.