The practice all around was sharp and spirited, and Frank was greatly encouraged as he saw how well the team took hold. But it would not do to play too long on the first day, and after an hour or so, he called a halt.
“We want to keep an eye on those fellows, Bobby,” remarked Fred a little uneasily as they were going toward the school. “They’re going to crowd you out if they can.”
“Let them try,” replied Bobby. “I’m going to try my best to hold up my end with Hicksley and beat him if I can. But if he can prove that he’s a better pitcher than I am, I won’t kick if I have to play second fiddle. I’d be willing to do anything to help Rockledge win.”
CHAPTER XX
THE SUGAR CAMP
An untimely snow storm that was wholly unlooked for by the boys dismayed them by putting a stop to their practice for the time being. But the snow, though heavy, did not last long, and began to melt rapidly under the rays of the sun.
“See how the water is running down those trees,” remarked Shiner, looking out of the window one Friday morning.
“That isn’t water, boy,” said Sparrow. “That’s sap. The trees are bursting with it just now.”
“By the way, fellows,” put in Skeets, “have you ever been to a maple sugar camp when the sap was running?”
Most of them had not and Skeets went on to explain.
“It’s the best fun ever,” he said; “and now’s just the time to see it running full blast when the snow is melting and the air is warm. On a day like this the sap comes down in bucketfuls. And you can see just how they collect it, and how they boil it down until it’s a thick syrup, and the way that hot maple sugar does taste—yum yum!” and here he closed his eyes in blissful recollection.