“This is clever of Merriwell,” said Preston. “He is sending a lamb to the slaughter. He knows which side his bread is buttered on. We can’t beat those fellows.” “Well, I will say one thing,” observed Walker. “This is the first time I have ever known Merriwell to decline to face the music.” “It shows just how big a chump Arlington is,” growled Marsh. “Why, poor fellow! he oughter know better!” “I was counting on seeing the mighty Merriwell knocked out of the box to-day,” said Preston. “This is a great disappointment to me.” “It’s ten to one Arlington won’t last three innings,” nodded Walker. “Perhaps Merriwell will go in after that, and we will have the pleasure of seeing both of them get their bumps.” Chester had been taking good care of himself for several days and was feeling in fine fettle. He was full of confidence, as usual, and believed he would be able to astonish every one by his work that day. “Well! well! well!” roared one of the Great Northern players from the bench, as their first batter stepped out. “See him pound the leather! Watch him drive it a mile!” Up popped Ted Smart, who cried: “Please don’t drive it a mile, sir! Please don’t drive it more than half a mile! I know you will hit it very, very hard, but I hope you won’t spoil the ball!” Arlington was ready to pitch, and now the players behind him opened up. “Put it right over, old boy,” said Earl Gardner. “Trim his whiskers!” chattered Chip Jolliby. “Let ’im see ’ow ’ard ’e can ’it hit,” advised Billy Bradley, the English boy. “Dern my picter! I am right here behind ye!” piped Obediah Tubbs. “Put it into the pocket!” growled Buckhart, holding up his big mitt. “Put it right there, old man!” Having toed the slab, Arlington whistled in the first ball, which was a sharp inshoot. The batter struck, and the ball plunked into the Texan’s glove. “Oh, dear me!” came from Ted Smart. “Didn’t he hit it hard!” The entire Fardale team was chattering away now in a lively fashion, every player on his toes and ready to do his duty. Having led the batter to swing at the first one, Chester sought to “pull” him with an outcurve. Ligner was wary, however and refused to go after it. “Get ’em over! Get ’em over, young feller!” he growled. “Can’t you find the plate?” Chester tried a high one, and again Ligner missed it. “Wasn’t that an awful hit!” came from Smart. “I didn’t expect him to hit it so far!” Arlington was doing his best at the very outset. He could not lead Ligner into reaching for wide ones. As a result, he was compelled to put the ball over. Then the batter did hit it. He drove it like a shot straight at Gardner, who never flinched. The ball struck in Earl’s hands, but dropped to the ground. Quick as thought Gardner picked it up and sent it across to first, and the first batter was out. Ligner paused near the base and stood with his hands on his hips, staring at Gardner.