“I’m going to!” came from Tommy, as he raced on faster than ever. He was soon at the side of Dan, and a few seconds later both were at the big tree, while Sammie, picking himself up, came on after them, but too late to win the race.
“Tommy and Dan are the captains!” cried Patsie Cook. “Take me on your side, Tommy!”
“I’m going to play on Dan’s side!” exclaimed Sammie, who felt just a little bit angry at Tommy for having beaten him.
“All right,” answered Dan, good-naturedly, and he was satisfied, for Sammie was a good player.
And so the choosing of the sides went on, and then the ten lads hurried back to the middle of the field, where the grass was not so long, and where you did not have to hunt half an hour to find the ball after you had batted it.
“Let’s see who has first inning,” suggested Tommy. So he tossed the bat to Dan, who caught it in one hand, about half way down. Then Tommy put his hand on top of Dan’s, and Dan did the same thing to Tommy’s pudgy fist, until the top of the bat was reached, when Tommy, having the last hold, was entitled to choose first or last inning, just as he liked.
“He hasn’t got his whole hand on that bat!” exclaimed Sammie, who wanted his side to have the advantage.
“I have so!” cried Tommy.
“Hit the top of the bat with a brick and you can soon tell,” advised George Squire.
This was done, and it was found that when the bat was tapped Tommy’s hand was not touched, so Sammie’s objection did not amount to anything.