Despite their annoyance, the Cubs were impressed. Pat was plently good! No argument about that. His flashy skill so amazed them that they did not try to recover the ball.
One of the invaders snatched and passed it back to Pat. From that moment, it became a teasing, tormenting game of “keep it away from the Cubs.”
“You’ve no right to come in here and break up our practice.” Chips Davis accused hotly. “Give me that ball!”
He rushed in to snatch it. Pat with jeering laughter, passed it on to another boy in his group.
“Give us our ball!” Chips shouted again. “If you don’t hand it over—”
“Yah, yah, yah,” mocked Pat. “Here it is, baby!”
He heaved the ball with terrific force. It struck the surprised Chips in the pit of his stomach, doubling him over.
At this moment, Sam Hatfield, the Cubmaster, appeared in the gymnasium doorway. The athletic coach and leader in the citywide Pack had a knack of getting on well with all types of boys. Now, as if he had noted nothing amiss, he commented cheerfully:
“Well, well, I see we have some new recruits today.”
“Recruits, nothing!” snorted Midge Holloway. “These hoodlums are trying to take over the gym—that’s what!”