“Don’t let that worry you,” replied the Chief. “We have Mr. Gifford here to step into the breach if he’s needed. Porter’s a pretty clever pitcher if he _is_ young. By the way, what time do we start, Scovill?” “Three o’clock. It will be a little cooler by then. Besides, it gives a chance for the Greenwood boys to get over here. There’s another camp on the other side of the mountain, Langham. We had a sort of a date to play with them to-day, but they were quite satisfied to postpone it.” “Why, I’m sorry! I didn’t know we were interfering with----” “Not a bit! Not a bit! Greenwood’s just as well pleased to come over and look on to-day. It takes them nearly an hour to hike around here, and that’s one reason I thought we’d wait until three.” He looked at his watch. “They ought to be showing up pretty soon now. I suppose your boys will want to do a little practising before the game. Any time they’d like to go down to the field I’ll send someone along to show them the way.” Mr. Gifford consulted his watch in turn. “It’s twenty past two,” he said. “Perhaps we’d better go now, Mr. Scovill. I’d like them to put in about twenty minutes or so to limber up.” “Certainly. Joe, you show Mr. Gifford the way, will you?” Mr. Phillips assented with alacrity and Mr. Gifford, Sam, and Steve went off to get into their togs and gather the players together. When they had left, Mr. York said: “A born ball-player, that young Craig. I’ll be glad to see him in action again. It’s funny about catchers. Their job is the pivotal one on the team and yet they don’t get half the credit they deserve. I suppose the average fan will tell you what every man on the team did in a game before he will mention the catcher’s work at all. There’s not very much chance for spectacular stunts behind the plate, and I guess that’s why the catcher doesn’t get in the spotlight more. Just the same, if I had to build up a ball team I’d start in by finding a good catcher--if I could. There aren’t so many of them, by jingo! And then I’d build up the team around that catcher. Someone ought to grab Craig about now and take him in hand. A man who knew how could make a fine backstop of that fellow!” “Why don’t you try it?” asked Mr. Scovill, with a laugh. “Not a bad idea,” replied Mr. York soberly. “At least, I might put someone onto him. I wouldn’t mind seeing him playing with Warner in a year or two. Happen to know, Mr. Langham, whether he has his college picked out?” “No, I don’t. But”--and here Mr. Langham’s eye twinkled--“there are three loyal Burton men at my camp, and----” “Help!” laughed Mr. York. “Nuf ced! Still, if he did manage to escape you chaps I’d like a chance at him. Suppose we walk down and see them practise.”