“Can’t tell how soon you may,” said Hoboson. “Things are always happening, you know. I’ll be on hand to watch the game to-morrer, and if you need a substitute jest call on me. It would delight me to go behind the bat and handle the sphere in that position.” “Are you in need of money?” asked Dick, thrusting his hand into his pocket. Hoboson held up his hand, at the same time shaking his head. “A little money is sufficient for my passing wants,” he said. “I couldn’t think of accepting anything from you.” “Where are you stopping?” “Any old place I hang my hat is home sweet home to me,” was the answer. “Have you enough to pay for your lodging to-night?” “Sure thing. You can’t reward me, my boy, for a little favor. I’ll see you at the game to-morrer. Good night and pleasant dreams.” Then, although they called to him, the singular tramp hurried away and quickly disappeared in the darkness. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER V THE DOPE WORKS. In Rockford the dinner hour came at midday, and the island boys ate heartily, all being in good spirits, for they believed, with Dick on the slab, there was an excellent prospect of defeating the locals that day. Being permitted to gorge himself with custard pie, Obediah Tubbs was unusually jolly and chipper. An hour later, as Dick was donning his uniform in his room, Buckhart appeared, having already changed his clothes. “Pard,” said the Westerner, as he came in and dropped limply on a chair, “there sure is something the matter with me. Never before felt so blamed lifeless and inert in all my career.” “Perhaps you ate too much,” suggested Dick. “I don’t opine it was that. Never had a square meal take the snap out of me this way before.” Merriwell now observed that his friend was unusually pale. “I hope you’re not sick, Brad!” he quickly exclaimed. “If you should fall sick now we’d be in a bad hole this afternoon.” “Oh, I’m not exactly sick,” declared the Texan. “I’m jest weak and done up. Don’t seem to care a rap whether I play ball or not. It’s a mighty odd thing for me, and I don’t know what to make of it.” Never before had Merriwell known his friend to be other than eager and enthusiastic in regard to a coming game, and this surprising change in Buckhart was quite enough to alarm the captain of the island team. “Perhaps you need a little air,” suggested Merriwell. “It’s hot to-day. A good walk might brace you up.” “That’s just what I don’t want to take,” said Buckhart. “I feel more like stretching out somewhere and keeping still.” Although he was not a little disturbed, Dick said nothing more until he had finished dressing for the ball field. When he was quite ready he tucked his favorite glove into his belt, looked around to make sure Garrett had sent all the bats to the field, and then called Brad to follow and started for the door.