“Quit your preaching, you guys,” growled Hartley thickly. “It doesn’t work with me. You’ve done me dirt and I’m going to get even with you yet and don’t you forget it.”
He moved away unsteadily, and the chums watched him with a sentiment of pity.
“Poor old Bugs,” remarked Jim. “He can’t bat successfully against the Demon Rum.”
“No,” assented Joe. “I’m afraid he’ll be struck out.”
[CHAPTER X]
THE OPENING GUN
The practice games of the next few days were by no means tame affairs, even though there was nothing especially at stake.
The All-National team was, as has been seen, chosen from among the stars of the profession, and though they lacked, of course, the team work of the Giants, they gave the latter all they could do to hold their own. They had been ordered to “tear things wide open” and play the game for all it was worth.
This they proceeded to do with such effect that when the time for the great Series arrived the Giants had been put on their mettle and were at the very top of their form.