"And here are the shoes and stockings," put in another member.
"And the score-book," came from a third. "And the letters for our shirts."
"And one dozen regular league balls and six first-class bats with a canvas cover," put in another. "Now we are ready to play ball and no mistake."
"Well, it's time we were ready," came from Bart. "Here is a challenge that just reached me," and the secretary drew it from his pocket.
"The first!" cried Harry. "Who is it from?"
"I'll read it," said Bart, and proceeded to do so.
"To the Lakeport Baseball Club:
"We, the members of the Excelsior Baseball Club, of Lakeport, do hereby challenge you to a game of ball, to be played on our grounds or on your own, as you may choose, on Saturday, June 10, at 3 P. M. It is understood that the admission to the grand stand shall be placed at 10 cents to everybody and that the winning team shall take three-quarters of the receipts and be declared the champions of Lakeport.
"Silas Voup, Captain E. B. C.
"Sidney Yates, Secretary E. B. C.