``Shureitlooksasifshe’ssignedanewmanager，’’saidPat，hisshrewdeyestwinkling。
ThesoftglowinMadge’scheeksdeepenedintotell—talescarlet;Billieresembledaschoolboystrickeninguilt。
``Aha！sothat’sit？’’queriedheruncle。
``Ellston，’’saidPat。``Billie’shome—rundrivetodayrecalledhisnoticean’ifIdon’tmissguessitwonhimanothergame——thebestgameinlife。’’
``ByGeorge！’’exclaimedMr。Ellston。``IwasafraiditwasCarroll！’’
HeledMadgeawayandPatfollowedwithBillie。
``Shure，itwasgoodtoseeyoubrace，Billie，’’
saidthemanager，withakindlyhandontheyoungman’sarm。``I’mtickledtodeath。Thattendays’noticedoesn’tgo。See？I’vehadtoshakeuptheteambutyourjobisgood。IreleasedMcReadyoutrightan’tradedCarrolltoDenverforacatcherandafielder。Someofthedirectorsholleredmurder，an’Iexpectthefanswillroar，butI’mrunningthisteam，I’llhaveharmonyamongmyplayers。Carrollisagreatcatcher，buthe’saknocker。’’
THEWINNINGBALL
OnedayinJulyourRochesterclub，leaderintheEasternLeague，hadreturnedtothehotelafterwinningadouble—headerfromtheSyracuseclub。Forsomeoccultreasontherewastobealay—offnextdayandthenonthefollowinganotherdouble—header。Thesedouble—headerswehatednexttoexhibitiongames。Stillalay—offfortwenty—fourhours，atthatstageoftherace，wasaGodsend，andwereceivedthenewswithexclamationsofpleasure。
Afterdinnerwewereallsittingandsmokingcomfortablyinfrontofthehotelwhenourmanager，Merritt，camehurriedlyoutofthelobby。
Itstruckmethatheappearedalittleflustered。
``Say，youfellars，’’hesaidbrusquely。``Packyoursuitsandbereadyforthebusatseven—
thirty。’’
Foramomenttherewasablank，ominoussilence，whileweassimilatedthemeaningofhistersespeech。
``I’vegotagoodthingonfortomorrow，’’
continuedthemanager。``Sixtypercentgatereceiptsifwewin。ThatGuelphteamishotstuff，though。’’
``Guelph！’’exclaimedsomeoftheplayerssuspiciously。``Where’sGuelph？’’
``It’sinCanada。We’lltakethenightexpressan’gettheretomorrowintimeforthegame。
An’we’llhevtohustle。’’
UponMerrittthenrainedamultiplicityofexcuses。Gillingerwasnotwell，andoughttohavethatday’srest。Snead’seyeswouldprofitbyalay—off。DeerfootBrowningwasleadingtheleagueinbaserunning，andashislegswereallbruisedandscrapedbysliding，amanagerwhowasnotanidiotwouldhaveacareofsuchvaluablerunmakersforhisteam。Lakehad``Charley—
horse。’’Hathaway’sarmwassore。Bane’sstomachthreatenedgastritis。SpikeDoran’sfingerneededachancetoheal。Iwasstale，andtheotherplayers，threepitchers，sworetheirarmsshouldbeinthehospital。
``Cutitout！’’saidMerritt，gettingexasperated。
``You’dalllaydownonme——now，wouldn’tyou？Well，listentothis：McDougalpitchedtoday;
hedoesn’tgo。BlakeworksFriday，hedoesn’tgo。Buttherestofyoupuffed—up，high—
salariedstiffspackyourgripsquick。See？It’llcostanyfreshfellarfiftyformissin’thetrain。’’
SothatwashowelevenoftheRochesterteamfoundthemselvesmoodilyboardingaPullmanenrouteforBuffaloandCanada。Wewenttobedearlyandaroselate。
GuelphlaysomewhereintheinteriorofCanada，andwedidnotexpecttogetthereuntil1
o’clock。
Asitturnedout，thetrainwaslate;wehadtodresshurriedlyinthesmokingroom，packourcitizenclothesinourgripsandleavethetraintogodirecttotheballgroundswithouttimeforlunch。
Itwasatired，dusty—eyed，peevishcrowdofballplayersthatclimbedintoawaitingbusatthelittlestation。
WehadneverheardofGuelph;wedidnotcareanythingaboutRubebaseballteams。Baseballwasnotplaytous;itwasthehardestkindofwork，andofallthingsanexhibitiongamewasanabomination。
TheGuelphplayers，strappinglads，metuswitheverymarkofrespectandcourtesyandescortedustothefieldwithabrassbandthatwasloudinwelcome，ifnotharmoniousintune。
Some500menandboystrottedcuriouslyalongwithus，foralltheworldasifthebuswereacircusparadecagefilledwithstripedtigers。
Whatarustic，motleycrowdmassedaboutinandonthatballground。Theremusthavebeen10，000。
Theaudiencewasstrangetous。TheIndians，half—breeds，French—Canadians;thehuge，hulking，beardedfarmersortraders，ortrappers，whatevertheywere，werenewtoourbaseballexperience。
Theplayersthemselves，however，earnedthelargestshareofourattention。BythetimetheyhadpracticedafewmomentswelookedatMerrittandMerrittlookedatus。
Theselong，powerful，big—handedladsevidentlydidnotknowthedifferencebetweenlacrosseandbaseball;buttheywerequickascatsontheirfeet，andtheyscoopeduptheballinawaywonderfultosee。Andthrow！——itmadeaprofessional’sheartswelljusttoseethemlinetheballacrossthediamond。
``Lord！whatwhipstheseladshave！’’exclaimedMerritt。``Hopewe’renotupagainstit。
Ifthisteamshouldbeatuswewouldn’tdrawahandfulatToronto。Wecan’taffordtobebeaten。
Jumparoundandcinchthegamequick。Ifwegetinabadplace，I’llsneakinthe`rabbit。’’’
The``rabbit’’wasabaseballsimilarinappearancetotheordinaryleagueball;underitshorse—
hidecover，however，itwasremarkablydifferent。
Aningeniousfan，afriendofMerritt，hadremovedthecoversfromanumberofleagueballsandsewedthemonrubberballsofhisownmaking。
Theycouldnotbedistinguishedfromtheregulararticle，notevenbyanexperiencedprofessional——untiltheywerehit。Then！Thefactthataftereverybounceoneoftheserubberballsboundedswifterandhigherhadgivenitthenameofthe``rabbit。’’
Manyagamehadthe``rabbit’’wonforusatcriticalstages。Ofcourseitwasagainsttherulesoftheleague，andofcourseeveryplayerintheleagueknewaboutit;still，whenitwasjudiciouslyandcleverlybroughtintoaclosegame，the``rabbit’’
wouldbeinplay，andveryprobablyoverthefence，beforetheopposingcaptaincouldlearnofit，letaloneappealtotheumpire。
``Fellars，lookatthatguywho’sgoin’topitch，’’
suddenlyspokeuponeoftheteam。
Manyaswerethecountryplayerswhomweseasonedandtraveledprofessionalshadrunacross，thistwirleroutclassedthemforremarkableappearance。Moreover，whatputanentirelydifferenttingetoourmomentaryhumorwasthediscoverythathewasaswildasaMarchhareandcouldthrowaballsofastthatitresembledapeashotfromaboy’sairgun。
Deerfootledourbattinglist，andafterthefirstpitchedball，whichhedidnotsee，andthesecond，whichtickedhisshirtasitshotpast，heturnedtouswithanexpressionthatmadeusgroaninwardly。
WhenDeerfootlookedthatwayitmeantthepitcherwasdangerous。Deerfootmadenoefforttoswingatthenextball，andwaspromptlycalledoutonstrikes。
Iwassecondatbat，andwentupwithsomereluctance。Ihappenedtobeleadingtheleagueinbothlongdistanceandsafehitting，andIdotedonspeed。Buthavingstoppedmanymeanin—
shootswithvariouspartsofmyanatomy，Iwasrathersqueamishaboutfacingbackwoodsyapswhohadnocontrol。
WhenIhadwatchedacoupleofhispitches，whichtheumpirecalledstrikes，IgavehimcreditforasmuchspeedasRusie。Theseballswereasstraightasastring，singularlywithoutcurve，jump，orvariationofanykind。Ilinedthenextonesohardattheshortstopthatitcrackedlikeapistolasitstruckhishandsandwhirledhimhalfoffhisfeet。Stillhehungtotheballandgaveopportunityforthefirstcrashofapplause。
``Boys，he’satriflewild，’’Isaidtomyteam—
mates，``buthehasthemostbeautifulballtohityoueversaw。Idon’tbelieveheusesacurve，andwhenweoncetimethatspeedwe’llkillit。’’
Nextinning，afteroldmanHathawayhadbaffledtheCanadianswithhiswide，tantalizingcurves，mypredictionsbegantobeverified。Sneadrappedonehighandfartodeeprightfield。Toourinfinitesurprise，however，therightfielderranwithfleetnessthatmadeourownDeerfootseemslow，andhegotundertheballandcaughtit。
Doransentasizzlinggrasscutterdowntowardleft。Thelankythirdbasemandartedover，diveddown，and，comingupwiththeball，exhibitedthepowerofathrowingarmthatmadeasallgreenwithenvy。
Then，whenthecatcherchasedafoulflysomewherebackinthecrowdandcaughtit，webegantotakenotice。
``Luckystabs！’’saidMerrittcheerfully。``Theycan’tkeepthatup。We’lldrivehimtothewoodsnexttime。’’
Buttheydidkeepitup;moreover，theybecamemorebrilliantasthegameprogressed。WhatwithHathaway’sheadypitchingwesoondisposedofthemwhenatthebat;ourturns，however，owingtothewonderfulfieldingofthesebackwoodsmen，werealsofruitless。
Merritt，withhismindeveronthesliceofgatemoneycomingifwewon，begantofidgetandfumeandfindfault。
``You’reaswelllotofchampions，now，ain’tyou？’’heobservedbetweeninnings。
Allbaseballplayersliketobat，andnothingpleasesthemsomuchasbasehits;ontheotherhand，nothingisquitesopainfulastosendouthardlinersonlytoseethemcaught。Anditseemedasifeverymanonourteamconnectedwiththatlankytwirler’sfasthighballandhitwiththeforcethatmadethebatspringonlytohaveoneoftheserubesgethisbighandsuponit。
Consideringthatwewereinnoangelicframeofmindbeforethegamestarted，andinviewofMerritt’spersistentlyincreasingillhumor，thisfailureofourstohitaballsafelygraduallyworkedusintoakindoffrenzy。Fromindifferencewepassedtodetermination，andfromthattosheerpassionatepurpose。
Luckappearedtobeturninginthesixthinning。
Withoneout，Lakehitabeautytoright。Doranbeataninfieldgrounderandreachedfirst。Hathawaystruckout。
WithBrowningupandmenext，thesituationlookedratherprecariousfortheCanadians。
``Say，Deerfoot，’’whisperedMerritt，``dumponedownthethird—baseline。He’splayin’deep。
It’sapipe。Thenthebaseswillbefullan’Reddy’llcleanup。’’
InastagelikethatBrowningwasamanabsolutelytodependupon。Heplacedaslowbuntinthegrasstowardthirdandsprintedforfirst。
Thethirdbasemanfieldedtheball，but，beingconfused，didnotknowwheretothrowit。
``Stickitinyourbasket，’’yelledMerritt，inadelightthatshowedhowhardhewaspullingforthegatemoney，andhisbeamingsmileasheturnedtomewasinspiring。``Now，Reddy，it’suptoyou！I’mnotworryingaboutwhat’shappenedsofar。Iknow，withyouatbatinapinch，it’salloff！’’
Merritt’scomplimentwaspleasing，butitdidnotaugmentmypurpose，forthatalreadyhadreachedthehighestmark。Loveofhitting，ifnootherthing，gavemethethrillingfiretoarisetotheopportunity。Selectingmylightbat，Iwentupandfacedtherustictwirlerandsoftlysaidthingstohim。
Hedeliveredtheball，andIcouldhaveyelledaloud，sofast，sostraight，sotrueitspedtowardme。ThenIhititharderthanIhadeverhitaballinmylife。Thebatsprung，asifitwerewhalebone。Andtheballtookabulletcoursebetweencenterandleft。SobeautifulahitwasitthatIwatchedasIran。
OutofthetailofmyeyeIsawthecenterfielderrunning。WhenIroundedfirstbaseIgotagoodlookatthisfielder，andthoughIhadseenthegreatestoutfieldersthegameeverproduced，Ineversawonethatcoveredgroundsoswiftlyashe。
Ontheballsoared，andbegantodrop;onthefieldersped，andbegantodisappearoveralittlehillbackofhisposition。Thenhereachedupwithalongarmandmarvelouslycaughttheballinonehand。HewentoutofsightasItouchedsecondbase，andtheheterogeneouscrowdknewaboutagreatplaytomakemorenoisethanaherdofchargingbuffalo。
Inthenexthalfinningouropponents，bycleandrives，scoredtworunsandweinourturnagainwentoutignominiously。Whenthefirstoftheeighthcameweweredesperateandclamoredforthe``rabbit。’’
``I’vesneakeditin，’’saidMerritt，withalowvoice。``Gotittotheumpireonthelastpassedball。See，thepitcher’sgotitnow。Boys，it’salloffbutthefireworks！Now，breakloose！’’
Apeculiarityaboutthe``rabbit’’wasthefactthatthoughitfeltaslightastheregulationleagueballitcouldnotbethrownwiththesamespeedandtocurveitwasanimpossibility。
Banehitthefirstdeliveryfromourhoosierstumblingblock。Theballstruckthegroundandbegantoboundtowardshort。Witheverybounditwentswifter，longerandhigher，anditbouncedclearovertheshortstop’shead。Lakechoppedoneinfrontoftheplate，anditreboundedfromthegroundstraightupsohighthatbothrunnersweresafebeforeitcamedown。
Doranhittothepitcher。Theballcaromedhisleg，scootedfiendishlyatthesecondbaseman，andtriedtorunupalloverhimlikeatamesquirrel。Basesfull！
Hathawaygotasafeflyovertheinfieldandtworunstallied。Thepitcher，inspiteofthehelpoftheumpire，couldnotlocatetheplateforBalknap，andgavehimabaseonballs。Basesfullagain！
Deerfootslammedahotlinerstraightatthesecondbaseman，which，strikingsquarelyinhishands，recoiledassharplyasifithadstruckawall。Doranscored，andstillthebaseswerefilled。
Thelaboringpitcherbegantogetrattled;hecouldnotfindhisusualspeed;heknewit，butevidentlycouldnotaccountforit。
WhenIcametobat，indicationswerenotwantingthattheCanadianteamwouldsoonbeupintheair。Thelongpitcherdeliveredthe``rabbit，’’
andgotitlowdownbymyknees，whichwasanunfortunatethingforhim。Iswungonthatone，andtrottedroundthebasesbehindtherunnerswhilethecenterandleftfielderschasedtheball。
Gillingerweighednearlytwohundredpounds，andhegotallhisweightunderthe``rabbit。’’Itwentsohighthatwecouldscarcelyseeit。Alltheinfieldersrushedin，andafterstaggeringaround，withheadsbentback，oneofthem，theshortstop，managedtogetunderit。The``rabbit’’
boundedfortyfeetoutofhishands！
WhenSnead’sgroundernearlytorethethirdbaseman’slegoff;whenBane’shitprovedaselusiveasaflittingshadow;whenLake’slinerknockedthepitcherflat，andDoran’sflyleapedhighoutofthecenterfielder’sglove——thenthoseearnest，simple，countryballplayersrealizedsomethingwaswrong。Buttheyimagineditwasinthemselves，andafterashortspellofrattles，theysteadiedupandtriedharderthanever。Themotionstheywentthroughtryingtostopthatjumpingjackrabbitofaballwereludicrousintheextreme。
Finally，throughafoul，ashortfly，andascratchhittofirst，theyretiredthesideandwewentintothefieldwiththescore14to2inourfavor。
ButMerritthadnotfounditpossibletogetthe``rabbit’’outofplay！
Wespentafatefullyanxiousfewmomentssquabblingwiththeumpireandcaptainoverthe``rabbit。’’Attheideaoflettingthoseherculeanrailsplittershaveachancetohittherubberballwefeltourbloodruncold。
``Butthisballhasaripinit，’’blusteredGillinger。Heliedatrociously。Amicroscopecouldnothavediscoveredasmuchasascratchinthatsmoothleather。
``Sureithas，’’supplementedMerritt，inthesuavetonesofastagevillain。``We’reusedtoplayingwithgoodballs。’’
``Whydidyouringthisoneinonus？’’askedthecaptain。``Weneverthrewoutthisball。Wewantachancetohitit。’’
Thatwasjusttheonethingwedidnotwantthemtohave。Butfateplayedagainstus。
``Getuponyourtoes，nowan’dust，’’saidMerritt。``Takeyourmedicine，youlazysit—in—front—
of—the—hotelstiffs！Thinkofpayday！’’
NotimprobablyweallentertainedtheidenticalthoughtthatoldmanHathawaywasthelastpitcherunderthesuncalculatedtobeeffectivewiththe``rabbit。’’Heneverreliedonspeed;
infact，Merrittoftenscornfullyaccusedhimofbeingunabletobreakapaneofglass;heusedprincipallywhatwecalledfloatersandachangeofpace。Bothstyleswereabsolutelyimpracticalwiththe``rabbit。’’
``It’scomin’tous，allright，allright！’’yelledDeerfoottome，acrosstheinterveninggrass。I
wasoftheopinionthatitdidnottakeanygeniustomakeDeerfoot’sominousprophecy。
OldmanHathawaygazedatMerrittonthebenchasifhewishedthemanagercouldhearwhathewascallinghimandthenathisfellow—
playersasifbothtowarnandbeseechthem。
Thenhepitchedthe``rabbit。’’
Crack！
ThebiglumberingCanadianrappedtheballatCrabBane。Ididnotseeit，becauseitwentsofast，butIgatheredfromCrab’sactionsthatitmusthavebeenhitinhisdirection。Atanyrate，oneofhislegsfloppedoutsidewiseasifithadbeensuddenlyjerked，andhefellinaheap。
Theball，averitable``rabbit’’initswildjumps，headedonforDeerfoot，whocontrivedtostopitwithhisknees。
Thenextbatterresembledthefirstone，andthehitlikewise，onlyitleapedwickedlyatDoranandwentthroughhishandsasiftheyhadbeenpaper。ThethirdmanbattedupaveryhighflytoGillinger。Heclutchedatitwithhishugeshovelhands，buthecouldnotholdit。Thewayhepouncedupontheball，dugitoutofthegrass，andhurleditatHathaway，showedhisanger。
ObviouslyHathawayhadtostopthethrow，forhecouldnotgetoutoftheroad，andhespoketohiscaptaininwhatIknewwerenocomplimentaryterms。
Thusbeganretribution。Thosehuskyladscontinuedtohammerthe``rabbit’’attheinfieldersandasitbouncedharderateverybouncesotheybattedharderateverybat。
Anothersingularfeatureaboutthe``rabbit’’
wastheseemingimpossibilityforprofessionalstoholdit。Theirfamiliaritywithit，theirunderstandingofitsvagariesandinconsistencies，theirmortaldreadmadefieldingitamuchmoredifficultthingthanfortheiropponents。
Bywayofvariety，thelambastingCanadianscommencedtolambastafewoverthehillsandfaraway，whichchasedDeerfootandmeuntilourtongueslolledout。
Everytimearuncrossedtheplatethemotleycrowdhowled，roared，dancedandthrewuptheirhats。Themembersofthebattingteamprancedupanddownthesidelines，givingasplendidimitationofcannibalscelebratingtheoccasionofafeast。
OnceSneadstoopeddowntotrapthe``rabbit，’’
anditslippedthroughhislegs，forwhichhiscomradesjeeredhimunmercifully。Thenabrawnybattersentupatremendouslyhighflybetweenshortandthird。
``Youtakeit！’’yelledGillingertoBane。
``Youtakeit！’’repliedtheCrab，andactuallywalkedbackward。Thatballwentamilehigh。
Theskywashazy，gray，themostperplexinginwhichtojudgeaflyball。Anordinaryflygavetroubleenoughinthegauging。
Gillingerwanderedaroundundertheballforwhatseemedanage。Itdroppedasswiftlyasarocketshootsupward。Gillingerwentforwardinacircle，thensidestepped，andthrewuphisbroadhands。Hemisjudgedtheball，andithithimfairlyontheheadandbouncedalmosttowhereDoranstoodatsecond。
Ourbigcaptainwilted。Timewascalled。ButGillinger，whenhecameto，refusedtoleavethegameandwentbacktothirdwithalumponhisheadaslargeasagooseegg。
Everyoneofhisteammateswassorry，yeteveryonehowledinglee。Tobehitontheheadwastheunpardonablesinforaprofessional。
OldmanHathawaygraduallylostwhatlittlespeedhehad，andwithithisnerve。Everytimehepitchedthe``rabbit’’hedodged。Thatwasaboutthefunniestandstrangestthingeverseenonaballfield。Yetithadanelementoftragedy。
Hathaway’sexpertcontortionssavedhisheadandbodyondiversoccasions，butpresentlyalowbounderglancedoffthegrassandmanifestedanaffinityforhisleg。
Weallknewfromthecrackandthewaythepitcherwentdownthatthe``rabbit’’hadputhimoutofthegame。Theumpirecalledtime，andMerrittcamerunningonthediamond。
``Hardluck，oldman，’’saidthemanager。
``That’llmakeagreenandyellowspotallright。
Boys，we’restilltworunstothegood。There’soneout，an’wecanwinyet。Deerfoot，you’reasbadlycrippledasHathaway。Thebenchforyours。Hookerwillgotocenter，an’I’llpitch。’’
Merritt’sideadidnotstrikeusasabadone。
Hecouldpitch，andhealwayskepthisarminprimecondition。Wewelcomedhimintothefrayfortworeasons——becausehemightwinthegame，andbecausehemightbeovertakenbythebaseballNemesis。
WhileMerrittwasputtingonHathaway’sbaseballshoes，someofusendeavoredtogetthe``rabbit’’
awayfromtheumpire，buthewastoowise。
Merrittreceivedtheinnocent—lookingballwithalookofmingleddisgustandfear，andhesummarilyorderedustoourpositions。
Notfarhadwegone，however，whenwewereelectrifiedbytheumpire’ssharpwords：
``Naw！Naw，youdon’t。IsawyouchangetheballIgaveyouferoneinyourpocket！Naw！
Youdon’tcomeennyofyourAmericandodgesonus！Gimmeethetball，an’youusetheother，orI’llstopthegame。’’
WherewiththeshrewdumpiretooktheballfromMerritt’shandandfishedthe``rabbit’’fromhispocket。Ourthwartedmanagerstutteredhiswrath。``Y—yoube—be—wh—whiskeredy—yap！I’llg—g—give————’’
Whatdirethreathehadinmindnevermaterialized，forhebecamespeechless。Heglowereduponthecoollittleumpire，andthenturnedgrandlytowardtheplate。
Itmayhavebeenimagination，yetImadesureMerrittseemedtoshrinkandgrowsmallerbeforehepitchedaball。Foronethingtheplatewasuphillfromthepitcher’sbox，andthenthefellowstandingthereloomeduplikeahillandswungabatthatwouldhaveservedasawagontongue。
NowonderMerrittevincednervousness。Presentlyhewhirledanddeliveredtheball。
Bing！
Adarkstreakandawhitepuffofdustoversecondbaseshowedhowsafethathitwas。Bydintofmanfulbodywork，Hookercontrivedtostopthe``rabbit’’inmid—center。Anotherrunscored。Humannaturewasproofagainstthistemptation，andMerritt’splayerstenderedhimmanifoldcongratulationsanddissertations。
``Grand，youoldskinflint，grand！’’
``Therewasatwo—dollarbillstickin’onthethit。Whydidn’tyoustopit？’’
``Say，Merritt，whatlittlebrainsyou’vegotwillpresentlyberidin’onthe`rabbit。’’’
``Youwillchaseuptheseexhibitiongames！’’
``Takeyourmedicinenow。Ha！Ha！Ha！’’
Afterthesemercilesstaunts，andparticularlyafterthenextslashinghitthattiedthescore，Merrittlookedappreciablysmallerandhumbler。
Hethrewupanotherball，andactuallyshiedasitnearedtheplate。
Thegiantwhowaswaitingtoslugitevidentlythoughtbetterofhiseagernessasfarasthatpitchwasconcerned，forheletitgoby。
Merrittgotthenextballhigher。Withamightyswing，thebatsmanhitaterrificlinerrightatthepitcher。
Quickaslightning，Merrittwheeled，andtheballstruckhimwiththesoundoftwoboardsbroughtheavilytogetherwithasmack。
Merrittdidnotfall;hemeltedtothegroundandwrithedwhiletherunnersscoredwithmoretalliesthantheyneededtowin。
Whatdidwecare！Justicehadbeendoneus，andwewereunutterablyhappy。CrabeBanestoodonhishead;Gillingerbeganawardance;
oldmanHathawayhobbledouttothesidelinesandwhoopedlikeanIndian;Sneadrolledoverandoverinthegrass。Allofusbrokeoutintotypicalexpressionsofbaseballfrenzy，andindividualonesillustratingourparticularmoods。
Merrittgotupandmadeadivefortheball。
Withfacepositivelyflamingheflungitfarbeyondthemerrycrowd，overintoaswamp。Thenhelimpedforthebench。Whichthrowendedthemostmemorablegameeverrecordedtothecreditofthe``rabbit。’’
FALSECOLORS
``FatehasdecreedmorebadluckforSalisburyinSaturday’sgamewithBellville。Ithasleakedoutthatourrivalswillcomeoverstrengthenedbya`ringer，’nolessthanYale’sstarpitcher，Wayne。WesawhimshutPrincetonoutinJune，inthelastgameofthecollegeyear，andwearenotoptimisticinourpredictionsastowhatSalisburycandowithhim。ThisappearsaratherunfairprocedureforBellvilletoresortto。Whycouldn’ttheycomeoverwiththeirregularteam？
Theyhavewonagame，andsohavewe;bothgameswerecloseandbrilliant;thedecidinggamehasrousedunusualinterest。WeareinclinedtoresentBellville’smethodsasunsportsmanlike。
AllourplayerscandoistogointothisgameonSaturdayandtrythehardertowin。’’
WaynelaiddowntheSalisburyGazette，withalittlelaughofamusement，yetfeelingavague，disquietingsenseofsomethingakintoregret。
``Prettydecentofthatchapnottoroastme，’’
hesoliloquized。
SomewherehehadheardthatSalisburymaintainedanunsalariedteam。ItwasnotoriousamongcollegeathletesthattheBellvilleClubpaidfortheservicesofdistinguishedplayers。AndthisinitselfratherinclinedWaynetosympathizewithSalisbury。Heknewsomethingofthestrugglesofastrictlyamateurclubtocopewithitssemi—professionalrivals。
Ashewassittingthere，idlytippedbackinacomfortablechair，dreamingoversomeofthebaseballdisastershehadsurvivedbeforehiscollegecareer，hesawayoungmanenterthelobbyofthehotel，speaktotheclerk，andthenturnandcomedirectlytowardthewindowwhereWaynewassitting。
``AreyonMr。Wayne，theYalepitcher？’’
heaskedeagerly。Hewasafair—haired，clean—cutyoungfellow，andhisvoicerangpleasantly。
``Guilty，’’repliedWayne。
``Myname’sHuling。I’mcaptainoftheSalisburynine。Justlearnedyouwereintownandaregoingtopitchagainstustomorrow。Won’tyouwalkoutintothegroundswithmenow？
Youmightwanttowarmupalittle。’’
``Thankyou，yes，Iwill。GuessIwon’tneedmysuit。I’lljustlimberup，andgivemyarmagoodrub。’’
ItstruckWaynebeforetheyhadwalkedfarthatHulingwasanamiableandlikablechap。AsthecaptainoftheSalisburynine，hecertainlyhadnoreasontobeagreeabletotheMorristown``ringer，’’eventhoughWaynedidhappentobeafamousYalepitcher。
Thefieldwasanoval，greenasanemerald，levelasabilliardtableandhadnofencesorstandstoobstructtheopenviewofthesurroundingwoodedcountry。Oneachsideofthediamondwererowsofwoodenbenches，andatoneendofthefieldstoodalittleclubhouse。
Waynetookoffhiscoat，andtossedaballforawhiletoanambitiousyoungster，andthenwentintotheclubhouse，whereHulingintroducedhimtoseveralofhisplayers。Afteragoodrubdown，WaynethankedHulingforhiscourtesy，andstartedout，intendingtogobacktotown。
``Whynotstaytoseeuspractice？’’askedthecaptain。``We’renotafraidyou’llsizeupourweaknesses。Asamatteroffact，wedon’tlookforwardtoanyhittingstuntstomorrow，eh，Burns？Burns，here，isourleadinghitter，andhe’sbeenunusuallynoncommittalsinceheheardwhowasgoingtopitchforBellville。’’
``Well，Iwouldn’tgiveawholelotformyprospectsofahomeruntomorrow，’’saidBurns，withalaugh。
Waynewentoutside，andfoundaseatintheshade。Anumberofurchinshadtroopeduponthegreenfield，andcarriagesandmotorswerealreadyinevidence。Bythetimetheplayerscameoutofthedressingroom，readyforpractice，therewasquitealittlecrowdinattendance。
DespiteWayne’shesitation，Hulinginsisteduponintroducinghimtofriends，andfinallyhauledhimuptoabigtouringcarfullofgirls。Wayne，beingaYalepitcher，hadseenseveralthousandprettygirls，butthegroupinthatautomobilefairlydazzledhim。AndthelastonetowhomHulingpresentedhim——withthewords：``Dorothy，thisisMr。Wayne，theYalepitcher，whoistoplaywithBellvilletomorrow;Mr。Wayne，mysister’’——wasthegirlhehadknownhewouldmeetsomeday。
``Climbup，Mr。Wayne。Wecanmakeroom，’’
invitedMissHuling。
WaynethoughttheawkwardnesswithwhichhefoundaseatbesideherwasunbecomingtoaYalesenior。But，consideringshewasthegirlhehadbeenexpectingtodiscoverforyears，hisclumsinessbespoketheimportanceoftheevent。Themerrylaughterofthegirlsranginhisears。
Presently，avoicedetacheditselffromtheothers，andcamefloatingsoftlytohim。
``Mr。Wayne，soyou’regoingtowrestourlaurelsfromus？’’askedMissHuling。
``Idon’tknow——I’mnotinfallible——I’vebeenbeaten。’’
``When？Notthisseason？’’sheinquiredquickly，betrayingaknowledgeofhisrecordthatsurprisedandpleasedhim。``Mr。Wayne，IwasatthePoloGroundsonJunefifteenth。’’
HerwhitehandlightlytouchedthePrincetonpinatherneck。Waynerousedsuddenlyoutofhistrance。ThegirlwasaPrincetongirl！Thegleamofhergoldenhair，theflashofherblueeyes，becameclearinsight。
``I’mverypleasedtohearit，’’hereplied。
``Itwasagreatgame，Mr。Wayne，andyoumaywellbeproudofyourpartinwinningit。I
shouldn’tbesurprisedifyoutreatedtheSalisburyteamtothesamecoatofwhitewash。Wegirlsareupinarms。Ourboysstoodafairchancetowinthisgame，butnowthere’sadoubt。Bytheway，areyouacquaintedinBellville？’’
``No。ImetReed，theBellvillecaptain，inNewYorkthisweek。Hehadalreadygottenanextrapitcher——anotherringer——forthisgame，buthesaidhepreferredme，ifitcouldbearranged。’’
Whileconversing，WaynemadenoteofthefactthattheothergirlsstudiouslylefthimtoMissHuling。Iftheavoidancehadnotbeensomarked，hewouldneverhavethoughtofit。
``Mr。Wayne，ifyourwordisnotinvolved——willyouchangeyourmindandpitchtomorrow’sgameforusinsteadofBellville？’’
Quiteamazed，WayneturnedsquarelytolookatMissHuling。Insteadofdisarminghisquicksuspicion，hercool，sweetvoice，andbrave，blueeyesconfirmedit。Thecharmsofthecaptain’ssisterweretobeusedtowinhimawayfromtheBellvillenine。Heknewthetrick;ithadbeenplayeduponhimbefore。
Butneverhadanyothersuchoccasiongivenhimafeelingofregret。Thiscasewasdifferent。
Shewasthegirl。Andshemeanttoflirtwithhim，tousehereyesforalltheywereworthtoencompasstheWaterloooftherivalteam。
No，hehadmadeamistake，afterall——shewasnottherealgirl。Suddenlyconsciousofalittleshockofpain，hedismissedthatdreamgirlfromhismind，anddeterminedtomeetMissHulinghalfwayinhergame。Hecouldnotflirtaswellashecouldpitch;still，hewasnonovice。
``Well，MissHuling，mywordcertainlyisnotinvolved。ButastopitchingforSalisbury——thatdepends。’’
``Uponwhat？’’
``Uponwhatthereisinit。’’
``Mr。Wayne，youmean——money？Oh，Iknow。
MybrotherRextoldmehowyoucollegemenarepaidbigsums。Ourassociationwillnotgiveadollar，and，besides，mybrotherknowsnothingofthis。Butwegirlsareheartandsoulonwinningthisgame。We’ll————’’
``MissHuling，Ididn’tmeanremunerationinsordidcash，’’interruptedWayne，inatonethatheightenedthecolorinhercheeks。
Wayneeyedherkeenlywithmingledemotions。
Wasthatrose—leafflushinhercheeksnatural？
Somegirlscouldblushatwill。Werethewistfuleyes，theearnestlips，onlyshamming？Itcosthimsomebitternesstodecidethattheywere。
Herbeautyfascinated，whileithardenedhim。
Eternally，thebeautyofwomenmeanttheundoingofmen，whethertheyplayedthesimple，inconsequentialgameofbaseball，orthegreat，absorbing，mutablegameoflife。
Theshameofthesituationforhimwasincreasinglyannoying，inasmuchasthislovelygirlshouldstooptoflirtationwithastranger，andthesametimedrawhim，allurehim，despitetheapparentinsincerity。
``MissHuling，I’llpitchyourgamefortwothings，’’hecontinued。
``Namethem。’’
``WearYaleblueinplaceofthatorange—and—
blackPrincetonpin。’’
``Iwill。’’Shesaiditwithashyness，alookinhereyesthatmadeWaynewince。Whataperfectlittleactress！Butthereseemedjustachancethatthiswasnotdeceit。Foraninstanthewavered，heldbackbysubtle，finerintuition;thenhebeatdownthemountinginfluenceoftruthinthosedark—blueeyes，andspokedeliberately：
``Theotherthingis——ifIwinthegame——akiss。’’
DorothyHuling’sfaceflamedscarlet。ButthisdidnotaffectWaynesodeeply，thoughitshowedhimhismistake，asthedarkeningshadowofdisappointmentinhereyes。Ifshehadbeenaflirt，shewouldhavebeenpreparedforrudeness。Hebegancastingaboutinhismindforsomeapology，somemitigationofhisoffense;butashewasabouttospeak，thesuddenfadingofhercolor，leavingherpale，andthelookinherproud，darkeyesdisconcertedhimoutofutterance。
``Certainly，Mr。Wayne。Iagreetoyourpriceifyouwinthegame。’’
ButhowimmeasurablewasthedistancebetweentheshyconsenttowearYaleblue，andthepale，surprisedagreementtohissecondproposal！
Wayneexperiencedastrangesensationofpersonalloss。
Whileheendeavoredtofindhistongue，MissHulingspoketooneoftheboysstandingnear，andhestartedoffonarunforthefield。PresentlyHulingandtheotherplayersbrokeforthecar，soonsurroundingitinbreathlessanticipation。
``Wayne，isitstraight？You’llpitchforustomorrow？’’demandedthecaptain，withshiningeyes。
``SurelyIwill。Bellvilledon’tneedme。
They’vegotMackay，ofGeorgetown，’’repliedWayne。
Accustomedashewastobeingmobbedbyenthusiasticstudentsandadmiringfriends，Waynecouldnotbutfeelextremeembarrassmentatthereceptionaccordedhimnow。Hefeltthathewassailingunderfalsecolors。Theboysmauledhim，thegirlsflutteredabouthimwithgladlaughter。
Hehadtotearhimselfaway;andwhenhefinallyreachedhishotel，hewenttohisroom，withhismindinatumult。
Waynecursedhimselfroundly;thenhefellintodeepthought。Hebegantohopehecouldretrievetheblunder。Hewouldwinthegame;hewouldexplaintoherthetruth;hewouldaskforanopportunitytoprovehewasworthyofherfriendship;
hewouldnotmentionthekiss。Thislastthoughtcalledupthesoftcurveofherredlipsandthatitwaspossibleforhimtokisshermadethetemptationstrong。
Hissleepthatnightwasnotpeacefulanddreamless。Heawakenedlate，hadbreakfastsenttohisroom，andthentookalongwalkoutintothecountry。Afterlunchhedodgedthecrowdinthehotellobby，andhurriedupstairs，whereheputonhisbaseballsuit。ThefirstpersonhemetupongoingdownwasReed，theBellvilleman。
``What’sthisIhear，Wayne，aboutyourpitchingforSalisburytoday？Igotyourtelegram。’’
``Straightgoods，’’repliedWayne。
``ButIthoughtyouintendedtopitchforus？’’
``Ididn’tpromise，didI？’’
``No。Still，itlooksfishytome。’’
``You’vegotMackay，haven’tyou？’’
``Yes。Thetruthis，Iintendedtouseyouboth。’’
``Well，I’lltrytowinforSalisbury。Hopethere’snohardfeeling。’’
``Notatall。OnlyifIdidn’thavetheGeorgetowncrack，I’dyellmurder。Asitis，we’lltrimSalisburyanyway。’’
``Maybe，’’answeredWayne，laughing。``It’sahotday，andmyarmfeelsgood。’’
WhenWaynereachedtheballgrounds，hethoughthehadneverseenamoreinspiringsight。
Thebrightgreenovalwassurroundedbyaglitteringmassofwhiteandblueandblack。Outalongthefoullineswerecarriages，motors，andtally—hos，brilliantwithwavingfansandflags。
Overthefieldmurmuredthelowhumofmanyvoices。
``Hereyouare！’’criedHuling，makingagrabforWayne。``Wherewereyouthismorning？
Wecouldn’tfindyou。Come！We’vegotaminutebeforethepracticewhistleblows，andIpromisedtoexhibityou。’’
HehustledWaynedownthefirst—baseline，pastthecheeringcrowd，outamongthemotors，tothesametouringcarthatheremembered。Abevyofwhite—gownedgirlsroselikeacoveyofptarmigans，andwhirledflagsofmaroonandgray。
DorothyHulingworeabowofYaleblueuponherbreast，andWaynesawitandherfacethroughablur。
``Hurry，girls;getitover。We’vegottopractice，’’saidthecaptain。
InthemerrymeleesomeonetiedaknotofribbonuponWayne。Whoitwashedidnotknow;
hesawonlytheavertedfaceofDorothyHuling。
Andashereturnedtothefieldwithadullpang，hedeterminedhewouldmakeherindifferencedisappearwiththegladnessofavictoryforherteam。
Thepracticewasshort，butlongenoughforWaynetolocatetheglaringweaknessofSalisburyatshortstopandthirdbase。Infact，mostoftheplayersofhisteamshowedratherpoorform;theywereoverstrained，andplainlylackedexperiencenecessaryforsteadinessinanimportantgame。
Burns，thecatcher，however，gaveWayneconfidence。Hewasashort，sturdyyoungster，withalltheearmarksofacomingstar。Huling，thecaptain，handledhimselfwellatfirstbase。TheBellvilleplayersweremorematured，andsomeofthemwereformercollegecracks。Waynesawthathehadhisworkcutoutforhim。
Thewhistleblew。TheBellvilleteamtrottedtotheirpositioninthefield;theumpirecalledplay，andtossedaballtoMackay，thelong，leanGeorgetownpitcher。
Wells，thefirstbatter，fouledout;Stamfordhitaneasybouncetothepitcher，andClewsputupalittleTexasleaguer——allgoingout，one，two，three，onthreepitchedballs。
Theteamschangedfrombattofield。Waynefacedtheplateamidvociferouscheering。Hefeltthathecouldbeatthisteamevenwithoutgoodsupport。Hewasinthefinestcondition，andhisarmhadbeenrestingfortendays。Heknewthatifhehadcontrolofhishighinshoot，theseBellvilleplayerswouldfeelthewhizofsomespeedundertheirchins。
HestruckMooreout，retiredReedonameaslyfly，andmadeClarkhitaweakgroundertosecond;
andhewalkedintothebenchassuredoftheoutcome。Onsomedayshehadpoorcontrol;onothershisdropballrefusedtoworkproperly;
but，asluckwouldhaveit，hehadneverhadgreaterspeedoraccuracy，oramorebewilderingfastcurvethanonthisday，whenhemeanttowinagameforagirl。
``Boys，I’vegoteverything，’’hesaidtohisfellow—players，callingthemaroundhim。``Acoupleofrunswillwinforus。Now，listen，IknowMackay。Hehasn’tanyspeed，ormuchofacurve。
Allhe’sgotisateasingslowballandafoxyhead。
Don’tbetooanxioustohit。Makehimput’emover。’’
ButtheSalisburyplayerswerenotproofagainstthetemptingslowballsthatMackaydelivered。Theyhitatwidecurvesfarofftheplateandwhentheydidconnectwiththeballitwasonlytosendaneasychancetotheinfielders。
Thegameseesawedalong，inningafterinning;
itwasapitcher’sbattlethatlookedasifthefirstrunscoredwouldwinthegame。MackaytoyedwiththeSalisburyboys;itwashispleasuretotossuptwisting，floatingballsthatcouldscarcelybehitoutofthediamond。WaynehadtheBellvilleplayersutterlyathismercy;hemixeduphishighjumpandfastdropsocleverly，withhissweepingout—curve，thathisopponentswereunabletogaugehisdeliveryatall。
Inthefirstoftheseventh，BarrforBellvillehitaballwhichthethirdbasemanshouldhavefielded。Buthefumbled。Thesecondbattersentaflytoshortstop，whomuffedit。Thethirdhitterreachedhisbaseonanothererrorbyaninfielder。Herethebaseswerecrowded，andthesituationhadbecomecriticalallinamoment。
Waynebelievedtheinfieldwouldgotopieces，andlosethegame，thenandthere，ifanotherhitwenttoshortorthird。
``Steadyup，boys，’’calledWayne，andbeckonedforhiscatcher。
``Burns，it’suptoyouandme，’’hesaid，inalowtone。``I’vegottofantherestofthesehitters。You’redoingsplendidly。Now，watchcloseformydrop。Bereadytogodownonyourknees。
WhenIletmyselfout，theballgenerallyhitsthegroundjustbackoftheplate。’’
``Speed’emover！’’saidBurns，hissweatyfacegrimanddetermined。``I’llgetinfrontof’em。’’
TheheadofthebattinglistwasupforBellville，andthewholeBellvillecontingentonthesidelinesroseandyelledandcheered。
Moorewasalefthandedhitter，whochokedhisbatupshort，andpokedattheball。Hewasagoodbunter，andswiftonhisfeet。Waynehadtakenhismeasure，ashehadthatoftheotherplayers，earlierinthegame;andheknewitwasgoodpitchingtokeeptheballinclosetoMoore’shands，sothatifhedidhitit，thechanceswereitwouldnotgosafe。
Summoningallhisstrength，Waynetookhislongswingandshottheballovertheinsidecornerwithterrificspeed。
Onestrike！
Wayneknewitwouldnotdotowasteanyballsifhewishedtomaintainthatspeed，soheputthesecondoneinthesameplace。Moorestrucktoolate。
Twostrikes！
ThenBurnssignedforthelastdrop。Waynedelivereditwithtrepidation，foritwasahardcurvetohandle。Moorefellalloverhimselftryingtohitit。LittleBurnsdroppedtohiskneestoblocktheviciouscurve。Itstrucktheground，and，glancing，boomeddeeponthebreastprotector。
HowtheSalisburysupportersroaredtheirapproval！Onemanout——thebasesfull——withReed，thesluggingcaptain，atbat！
IfReedhadaweakness，Waynehadnotdiscoveredityet，althoughReedhadnothitsafely。
Thecaptainstoodsomewhatbackfromtheplate，afactthatinducedWaynetotryhimwiththespeedyoutcurve。Reedlungedwithapowerfulswing，pullingawayfromtheplate，andhemissedthecurvebyafoot。
Waynedidnotneedtoknowanymore。Reedhadmadehisreputationsluggingstraightballsfromheedlesspitchers。Hechoppedtheairtwicemore，andflunghisbatsavagelytotheground。
``Twoout——playthehitter！’’calledWaynetohisteam。
Clark，thethirdmanup，wasthesurestbatterontheBellvilleteam。Helookeddangerous。Hehadmadetheonlyhitsofartothecreditofhisteam。Waynetriedtoworkhimonahigh，fastballclosein。Clarkswungfreelyandcrackedarippinglinertoleft。Halfthecrowdroared，andthengroaned，forthebeautifulhitwentfoulbyseveralyards。Waynewiselydecidedtoriskallonhisfastdrop。Clarkmissedthefirst，fouledthesecond。
Twostrikes！
Thenhewaited。Hecoolyletone，two，threeofthefastdropsgobywithoutattemptingtohitthem。Burnsvaliantlygothisbodyinfrontofthem。Theseballswereallovertheplate，buttoolowtobecalledstrikes。Withtwostrikes，andthreeballs，andthebasesfull，Clarkhadtheadvantage。
Tightastheplacewas，Waynedidnotflinch。
Thegamedependedpracticallyuponthenextballdelivered。Waynecraftilyanddaringlydecidedtouseanotherfastdrop，forofallhisassortmentthatwouldbetheoneleastexpectedbyClark。
Butitmustbestartedhigher，sothatincaseClarkmadenoefforttoswing，itwouldstillbeastrike。
Grippingtheballwithaclinchedhand，Wayneswungsharply，anddroveithomewiththelimitofhispower。Itspedlikeabullet，waisthigh，andjustbeforereachingtheplatedarteddownward，asifithadglancedonaninvisiblebarrier。
Clarkwasfooledcompletelyandstruckfutilely。
Buttheballcaromedfromthehardground，hitBurnswitharesoundingthud，andbouncedaway。
Clarkbrokeforfirst，andMooredashedforhome。
Likeatigerthelittlecatcherpouncedupontheball，and，leapingbackintoline，blockedtheslidingMoorethreefeetfromtheplate。
PandemoniumburstlooseamongtheSalisburyadherents。Themenbawled，thewomenscreamed，theboysshrieked，andallwavedtheirhatsandflags，andjumpedupanddown，andmanifestedsymptomsofbaseballinsanity。
Inthefirstoftheeighthinning，Mackaysaileduptheballslikeballoons，anddisposedofthreebattersonthesameoldweakhitstohiscleverfielders。Inthelastoftheeighth，WaynestruckoutthreemoreBellvilleplayers。
``Burns，you’reup，’’saidWayne，who，inhisearnestnesstowin，keptcheeringhiscomrades。
``Dosomething。Getyourbaseanywayyoucan。
Getinfrontofone。Wemustscorethisinning。’’
Faithful，batteredBurnscunninglyimposedhishipovertheplateandreceivedanotherbruiseintheinterestsofhisteam。Theopposingplayersfuriouslystormedattheumpireforgivinghimhisbase，butBurns’trickwentthrough。Burnettbuntedskilfully，sendingBurnstosecond。Colehitaflytocenter。ThenHulingsingledbetweenshortandthird。
Itbecamenecessaryfortheumpiretodelaythegamewhileheputthemadlyleapingboysbackoffthecoachinglines。Theshrill，hilariouscheeringgraduallydiedout，andthefieldsettledintoaforcedquiet。
Waynehurrieduptotheplateandtookhisposition。Hehadalwaysbeenatimelyhitter，andhegrittedhisteethinhisresolvetosettlethisgame。Mackaywhirledhislongarm，wheeled，tookhislongstride，andpitchedaslow，tantalizingballthatseemednevertogetanywhere。ButWaynewaited，timeditperfectly，andmetitsquarely。
Theballflewsafelyovershort，andbutforafinesprintandstopbytheleftfielder，wouldhaveresultedinatriple，possiblyahomerun。Asitwas，BurnsandHulingscored;andWayne，byaslide，reachedsecondbase。Whenhearoseandsawthedisorderlyriot，andheardthenoiseofthatwell—dressedaudience，hehadamomentofexultation。ThenWellsflewouttocenterendingthechancesformoreruns。
AsWaynereceivedtheballinthepitcher’sbox，hepausedandlookedoutacrossthefieldtowardawhite—crownedmotorcar，andhecaughtagleamofDorothyHuling’sgoldenhair，andwonderedifshewereglad。
Fornothingshortofthemiraculouscouldsnatchthisgamefromhimnow。Burnshadwithstoodaseverepounding，buthewouldlastouttheinning，andWaynedidnottakeintoaccounttherestoftheteam。Heopenedupwithnoslackeningofhisterrificspeed，andhestruckoutthethreeremainingbattersonelevenpitchedballs。
ThenintherisingdinheranforBurnsandgavehimamightyhug。
``YoumadethegameststandofanycatcherI
everpitchedto，’’hesaidwarmly。
Burnslookedathisquivering，puffed，andbleedinghands，andsmiledasiftosaythatthiswaspraisetoremember，andrewardenough。
Thenthecrowdswoopeddownonthem，andtheywereswallowedupintheclamorandsurgeofvictory。WhenWaynegotoutofthethickandpressofit，hemadeabeelineforhishotel，andbyrunningagauntletmanagedtoescape。
Resting，dressing，anddiningwerematterswhichhewentthroughmechanically，withhismindeverononething。Later，hefoundadarkcorneroftheporchandsattherewaiting，thinking。
Therewastobeadancegiveninhonoroftheteamthateveningatthehotel。Hewatchedtheboysandgirlspassupthesteps。Whenthemusiccommenced，hearoseandwentintothehall。
Itwasbrightwithwhitegowns，andgaywithmovement。
