CHAPTER XVIII
THE FIRST GAME
About half past ten the next morning Ray and I stood at our accustomed place beside the dock awaiting the approach of Tony Larcom’s rowboat, which was to take us over to the baseball grounds, as it had done daily during the past two weeks.
“This is your last trip,” said Tony, as he shot his boat along close to the dock, and drew in his oars, “and for my part I am quite agreeable to a change. I think five weeks of this would have made me tired of my boat. My conscience has troubled me greatly about this aiding of two disreputable scamps to defeat the purposes of a college faculty. It is too much like convict trade. I am glad it is over and my conscience can rest.”
“Yes, Tony,” said Ray, “your conscience needs rest sadly, for, if it is any good at all, it must have been severely taxed during late years on your own account, to say nothing of the ‘disreputable scamps’ you speak of.”
“Well, we’ll let it rest, then,” laughed Tony. Two strokes of the oars sent us well out, and we were on our way to the ball ground.
Our first duty that morning had been to see Professor Fuller, who congratulated us on getting back, and added to our pleasure by telling us that we might move back our things to our rooms that very evening, so as to be able to begin our duties on Monday morning without further interruption. This, of course, was particularly welcome news to Ray, who longed to be back in his old apartments. Professor Fuller would listen to no thanks, but assured us that our own good conduct had brought about a reconsideration of the matter. We left him seated on his piazza, with Sport’s silky brown head resting on his knee, and bestowing upon the old dog a share of the affectionate spirit that ever flowed in a natural stream from the great warm heart of the man.
When we reached our landing place, clambered up the bank, and crossed the road to the ball field, we found the rest awaiting us. As Dean College was only four miles away, we rode over in an omnibus, and, to facilitate matters, we dressed ourselves in our uniforms before starting. On this occasion we used our new suits for the first time, and found ourselves remarkably well pleased with them, both in the fit and colors. The dark blue stockings and braid trimmings, together with the light gray material of which our knickerbockers and blouses were made, presented a very neat and pretty effect.
We received a round of cheers, as we emerged from the clubhouse, and started off, accompanied by two more omnibuses filled with fellow students who were going over to see the game. The day had been very bright and clear when we started, but towards twelve o’clock clouds began to gather, and the sky assumed a rather threatening aspect. We watched these symptoms at first with anxiety, but, as no rain fell, we were led to hope that the afternoon would pass without any interruption of our game by the weather.
We reached Dean about half past twelve, and were received pleasantly by several members of the nine, who were awaiting us at the entrance of the college grounds. As there was no hotel in the village, we were conducted to one of the eating clubs, where provision had been made for us.