Silence smiled scornfully as he breathed forth a whiff of smoke.
"That may have been your experience in the past," he observed, "but you're up against a different proposition to-day, young man."
"Will you give your batting order to our scorer?" asked Bearover.
"You'll find our scorer sitting yonder," said Merry. "He'll give you the batting order."
"One more point," suggested Silence. "You seem determined to have things pretty much your own way here. I know it's customary for the home team to take its choice of innings. In this case it's possible you may be able to concede a point and give us the choice."
"Why, certainly," replied Frank, with a smile. "You may choose."
"Then we'll let you bat first."
A few minutes later the Rovers came in, and Merry's team trotted onto the field.
The scorers recorded the batting order of each team as follows:
MERRIES. ROVERS.
Mulloy, 3d b. McCann, ss.
Hodge, c. Mertez, rf.
Merriwell, p. Grifford, cf.
Badger, 2d b. Holmes, 1st b.
Diamond, ss. O'Day, 3d b.
Browning, 1st b. Clover, 2d b.
Gallup, cf. Roach, lf.
Carson, lf. Bancroft, c.
Dunnerwust, rf. Bender, p.