"Our fellows are not here yet, but they will be soon, you bet," called back a Central boy. "It's only twenty minutes past four."
"Spread out, men, and practice," directed Hi Martin.
"Yah! yah!" jeered a Central boy. "Get all the practice you can—-you'll need it."
"These ragamuffins are pretty full of brag," observed Hi scornfully to one of his lieutenants.
"They're just the kind of fellows that always do brag," returned the player addressed. "Their brag will all be gone within a half an hour. You'll see."
"Yes," agreed Hi thoughtfully. "If we can't trim this crowd to-day, then they're some wonders at ball. They don't have any idea how long we've been training in order to give them this trimming."
Some of Hi's players had already spread out over the field, and were doing some rapid passing. Certainly Hi's fielders promised well, from the little glimpse of their skill that was now had.
Then one of their best batsmen took up the willow, driving a few long, swift fielders.
"This will get the Centrals nervous before they start, if they see any of our work," laughed one of Hi's players.
Truth to tell, the North Grammar boys did show some pretty work.
Ted Teall looked on approvingly.