"It looks bad, but hanged if I don't believe him. No fellow could lie and look like that."
CHAPTER XII
McCarthy Defies Barney Baldwin
"Pardridge, playing third base in place of McCarthy, Holleran in left. Morton and Kennedy, battery for the Bears."
This announcement, bawled by a battery of megaphone men in front of the crowded stands that afternoon was the first intimation that McCarthy had of the contemplated action of Manager Clancy in taking him out of the game. He sprang from the end of the bench, where he was tying his shoes, toward the manager, an angry exclamation on his lips, and his blue eyes flashing as they narrowed to the battle slit. Swanson, who was sitting next him, fondling a bat, seized McCarthy with his tremendous grip and jerked him back to his seat.
"Steady, boy, steady," the big Swede cautioned. "Take your medicine. Show your gameness."
"I'm laid off," said McCarthy as if astonished. "It isn't right. He's laying me off for something he thinks I did"——
"Don't quit—be game," cautioned Swanson. "Tell me about it to-night."
McCarthy was miserable, and his face revealed it. Swanson, hardened by years of facing such little tragedies, of seeing the hearts of young players broken under such punishment, sympathized, but preserved a cheerful demeanor as he selected his bats and prepared for the battle.