[CHAPTER XXIV]
HARD LUCK
Shouts and yells greeted the announcement of the umpire—cheers from the admirers of the respective batteries.
“Yah!” voiced the wearers of the crimson. “That’s our one best bower! Oh you Elkert! Tear ’em apart, Snyder!”
Back came the challenge from the sons of Yale.
“You’re our meat, Harvard! Keep your eye on the ball—that’s all you’ll be able to do. Fool ’em, Matson. ’Rah for Baseball Joe!”
Our hero was becoming quite a favorite with his classmates, many of whom now knew of his one ambition. But Kendall had his admirers too.
“He eats ’em alive—Shorty Kendall does!” came the cry. “Look out for our bear-cats, Harvard!”
Once more came a riot of cheers and songs, each college group striving its best to outdo the other, giving its favorite cries or songs.
“Come, get together, you two, and make sure you don’t have any mix-up on signals,” exclaimed Mr. Hasbrook to Joe and the catcher. “We want to win this game. And, Joe, don’t forget what I told you about getting in on all the plays you can. We’ll need every man if we take this game. Harvard has several good twirlers, and she’s been playing like a house afire. Watch yourselves.”