"Not much! Here is where Longley snows you under!"
And so the gibes and comments ran on, while every once in a while wild cheering rang out, mingled with the noise of horns and rattles.
The toss-up sent Longley to the bat first, and with a cheer from his friends Jack took the ball and walked down to the box.
"Now then, fellows, swat it good and plenty!" cried Tommy Flanders. "We want about half a dozen runs the first inning."
"He doesn't want much," murmured Fred.
The first man up was a heavy hitter named Durrick. He had one strike and two balls called, and then sent a low one to left field which gave him first base with ease.
"Hurrah, boys! Keep it a-going!" cried Tommy Flanders, dancing around joyously.
The second man up knocked two fouls and then a short fly to third. But then came another safe hit to right field which took the batter to first while the other runner gained third.
"Take it easy, old man," cautioned Gif, as he came up to speak to Jack. "Don't let them rattle you."
"They are not going to rattle me," answered Jack sturdily.