"Use Bart," urged the leader of the Firsts. "He'll do his best to outdo Clothespin's record, and with Fred out of the game, he'll have no reason to throw it."
This move agreed upon, Hal summoned the bully by telephone.
"I want you to pitch to-morrow," exclaimed the captain when the boy appeared.
"With Fred on second?"
"No; with Lefty. Johnson will take Lefty's place in the field."
"Where's Fred?"
"Out of town. Will you do your best, or will you sulk?"
"I sulk? Not when I have the chance to take down Bronson's swelled head by showing him that he isn't the only fellow at Baxter who can pitch."
Satisfied with this retort, Hal ordered Bart to find Gregory and put in some hard practice, while Sandow promised to drop round and pitch to him that he might train his batting eye.
But when the students heard the two stars of the first game were to be out of the second, they were glum indeed.