Another umpire was quickly chosen—a fellow known to be strictly fair. Then the game went on and soon two players were out. But a runner had got to third and the next boy to the bat was Kyle Fenton. Kyle watched his chances and getting a ball about right rapped it smartly to centerfield. This brought in the runner from third; and the game went to the Excelsiors by a score of 8 to 7.
As soon as the last run came in the Excelsiors and their friends went wild with excitement. But the general public took the result coldly, for many felt that the game had not been fairly umpired by Cameron.
"The score should really be, Lakeports 7, Excelsiors 6," said Mr. Monroe Corsen. "The umpiring was simply outrageous."
"Wait till we play the third of the series," answered Joe. "I'll warrant that we'll have a fair and square umpire; somebody we know we can trust."
Of course the Excelsiors insisted upon it that the game had been fairly played. The only "kicker" was Kyle Fenton, the new member, who shortly afterwards sent in his resignation.
"That crowd makes me sick," he declared to Harry. "When I play ball I want to do it on the level."
"They have to thank you for two runs made," replied Harry.
"Humph! if I had known the sort of fellows they are I should never have joined them."
Kyle wanted to join the Lakeports and was finally put on the list of substitutes. As a substitute he played half a dozen games, and helped the club along a great deal.
"But I can't let you play when we have that final game with the Excelsiors," said Joe. "If I did and we happen to win, they would throw it up to us that we had stolen one of their players."