“I suppose we did,” assented the other. “You can trust boys to get fun out of anything. But in those days it was mainly sport. Now it’s sport and skill combined.”
The lads were to get off at the next station, and there was a general stir as they got their things together.
“I’m very glad I met you,” said Fred, as he shook hands with his chance acquaintance. “I’ve learned a lot about the game that I didn’t know before.”
“It does me good to brush up against you young fellows,” the man replied warmly, returning the handshake. “I hope you wax the other team this afternoon. I’ll be rooting for you to win.”
“We’ll do our best,” promised Fred. “Thanks for the good wishes. It would be jolly if you could stop off and see the game.”
“I’d like nothing better, but business won’t let me. Good-bye and good luck.”
“Who’s your friend that you were talking to so long?” asked Ned, as the crowd got off the train.
“I never saw him before,” answered Fred. “But he’s a good old scout, whoever he is. He sure is fond of baseball and he knows the game. I’d like to have him in the stands this afternoon. I’ll bet he’d be a mascot for us.”
The nine was in fine fettle, and felt that they would have no excuses to offer if they failed to win.
“But we’re not going to lose!” exclaimed Granger. “I feel it in my bones!”