Once they reached the field where the games were held they found fully fifty of the town fellows on hand, some tossing the ball, others batting flies for a host of catchers.
It was soon arranged. Among the fellows who did not, for various reasons, belong to the scouts there happened to be some pretty good timber for the several positions on the field. And Johnny Kline was the one to act as captain. Johnny was a good player, but addicted so much to strong slang that he despaired of ever being able to make good in the troop, and kept putting off the day when his application for membership would go in.
"Now we're all ready, Elmer," said Mark, who caught for the regular team.
"Yes, let's get down to business," remarked Lil Artha, who, besides being a cracking good first baseman, was also a field captain.
"Just wait a minute, please," said little Jasper Merriweather, "for here comes Mr. Garrabrant, and he looks like he might be bringing us some great news."
"Hey! bet you that old challenge has arrived!" shouted Red Huggins.
"And you win, hands down, Red," declared the fine-looking young man who gave more or less of his time to the affairs of the troop, on account of the deep interest he had in boys in general, "because you see that is just what I am holding in my hand. So close in and listen while I read it to you!"
"Hurrah! now will you be good, Fairfield?" shouted Lil Artha, waving his cap.