"Hooray! We don't need Bart!" yelled Buttons joyously, while the other boys slapped one another on the back, and jumped and capered in their delight at the discovery of so classy a pitcher in the form of the tall, awkward Second.
Hal was as pleased as the rest, but believing it not in keeping with his dignity as captain to show his feelings, he took out the book in which he had listed the names of the candidates and added Bronson's.
"Go into the box and pitch a few balls to Gregory, who'll do the major part of our catching," commanded Hal, as he finished writing. "The rest of you practice fielding. Lefty, you knock them grounders."
But though the boys all obediently took positions, they simply stood in their places watching the new pitcher.
Conscious of the scrutiny, Bronson showed no signs of being rattled, and with cool deliberation threw a half dozen balls which showed that he had curves and speed.
"Great stuff!" whispered Sandow, who was standing with Hal behind the pitching find. "Wonder if he's hard to hit?"
"We'll soon know," returned the captain. "Wait a minute, Bronson; I want you to pitch a few with Sandow at the plate."
When the others heard the words, they grinned expectantly, for the leader of the Firsts was the hardest hitter in the school.
"Will you call strikes and balls?" asked Bronson, turning to Hal.
"Why, yes; if you like."