"How about Sheffield?" queried Bunny, joining the coach. "Has he come yet?"
The man shook his head. "Sheffield's always two minutes late. He has seven miles to cover in that machine of his, but he generally waits till the last second." He glanced about anxiously. "We have nearly the entire squad here, and Ferris can play third if he has to, but I want Sheffield."
"I might wait here," Bunny suggested, "say, for ten minutes. Roy always leaves his car in Grady's barn, so he's sure to pass this way. When he does come, I'll get him to the station on the run."
The coach breathed a sigh of relief. "That's the plan, Payton. I'll leave the uniforms and bat bag with you, too, and you can pile them on Ernie Langer's dray when he comes. Then you can ride with him to the station and keep him from going to sleep."
Since the entire patrol had voted to go to Laurel, Bunny ventured another suggestion. "There are eight of us here who have worked together; nine altogether, counting Prissler, who is training to be a tenderfoot. If we all stay with the baggage, we can carry it to the station, in case Langer should be late."
Professor Leland considered. "Langer is coming, all right. But if I thought there was a chance of his being behind time, I'd let the squad carry the baggage to the station now. Still, your way keeps us from taking any chances at all." He paused to study his watch. "Remember, the train stops at 9:40 only to let off and take on passengers. You must be there on time. At three o'clock this afternoon, when the game is called, I don't want to play with four or five substitutes."
"We'll be there," chorused the Scouts, while Bunny and Bi carefully set their watches with that of the coach.
It was eighteen minutes past nine when Professor Leland and his players, minus the Scouts, started up the street toward the station.
"We can wait till nine-thirty if we have to," Bunny decided, "and then make the train by the skin of our teeth. But I hope old Slowpoke Langer and his dray come along before that. Roy Sheffield ought to be here now."
It was Mr. Langer, however, who arrived first, sleepily jogging his horses toward the corner. At exactly twenty-six minutes past nine he drew up beside the pile of baggage.