Joe calmed himself by an effort, and then sent in his fadeaway. It completely fooled the batter, who struck at it so hard that he swung around in a circle.
"You're out!" called the umpire. Joe's heart beat with pride.
But I must not dwell too long on that comparatively unimportant game, as I have other, and bigger ones, of which to write. Sufficient to say that, though there were a few scattering hits made off Joe, the visitors did not get another run, though they tried desperately in the last half of the ninth.
But it was not to be, and St. Louis had the game by a good margin.
"That's fine work, boys!" the manager greeted them. "Matson, you're coming on. I won't promise to pitch you against the Giants this season, unless all my other pitchers get 'Charlie-horse,'" he went on, "but I'll say I like your work."
"Thanks!" murmured Joe, his heart warming to the praise.
"Congratulations, old man!" cried Rad, as they went to the dressing rooms together. "You did yourself proud!"
"I'm glad you think so. I wonder what sort of a story it will be when I go up against a big league team?"
"Oh, you'll go up against 'em all right!" predicted his chum, "and you'll win, too!"
Preparations for leaving Reedville were made. The training was over; hard work was now ahead for all. Nothing more was seen of Shalleg and Wessel, though they might have been at that last game, for all Joe knew.