Bob's side having won, the visitors started for the players' bench.
As they did so they saw something which caused them to utter loud exclamations of astonishment and anger. And what they and every one else saw was bringing shouts of approval and encouragement from a mass of turbulent boys.
The home plate and each of the three bases was covered by a large-sized soap box, and on every box sat a grinning youth.
"What does this mean?" cried Ed Barr, fairly racing to the home station, where Dan Brown occupied a prominent position.
"What does this mean?" echoed "Crackers." He looked calmly at the agitated manager. "It means just this, Barr: no game will be played here to-day unless we do our share of the playing."
CHAPTER XXII
PLAIN TALK
The field was in an uproar. The gleeful supporters of the "Hopes," at this new turn in affairs, roared their approval. And through all the turmoil and confusion the "outlaws" who were not sitting on the bases gathered at advantageous points on the field, apparently ready and anxious to resist any attempt to put them off.
When Bob Somers, followed by the rest of the team, came running over a hostile demonstration broke forth.