“I fail to see the hand of iron,” he declared. “That’s an excellent metaphor, Garrett, but I fancy it’s all imagination.” Fairhaven now took the field for practice, which Dick made sharp and snappy, keeping every one, with the exception of Buckhart, on the move and on the _qui vive_ the same as when playing in a game. Not more than ten minutes were spent in this practice. It began with a snap and ended with a snap, every player stopping and starting for the bench at a signal given by their captain. The umpire walked onto the field and the home team trotted out. The game was about to begin. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER VI BUCKHART’S BLUNDER. As Earl Gardner, straight, handsome, and clear-eyed, walked out to the plate with his bat in his hand, Brick McLane suddenly rose in front of the Fairhaven crowd, lifted both hands above his head, and made a signal. To the jerking of the lobsterman’s arms the islanders gave a cheer in concert that was surprisingly well done. “What’s that? What’s that?” grinned big Bob Singleton. “They must have worked that thing up coming over. Sounds a little like Fardale, Dick.” “It sounds first-rate,” nodded Merriwell. “It’s the first time I’ve heard anything like a regular cheer since hitting this part of the country.” Gardner knew the eyes of Grace Garrett were on him, and, instead of making him nervous, this knowledge filled him with determination to lead off with a hit. On the score books the two teams were recorded as follows: FAIRHAVEN. ROCKFORD. Gardner, cf. Spangler, cf. Bold, ss. Jenners, ss. Bradley, 3d b. Swarton, 1st b. Singleton, 1st b. Torrey, 3d b. Buckhart, c. Morrisey, lf. Merriwell, p. Stowe, 2d b. Jolliby, lf. Randolf, rf Tubbs, 2d b. Brodie, c. Smart, rf. Kennedy, p. Blackington had spoken the truth when he stated to Garrett that he intended to put the Jersey City battery, Brodie and Kennedy, against Fairhaven. Kennedy was in the box, with Brodie crouching behind the bat. Brodie opened with a high inshoot, and a strike was called as Earl missed the ball cleanly. Back of third base at least half a hundred Rockford youngsters had gathered, and they whooped in shrill derision as Gardner missed. “He’ll never touch that pitcher!” shrieked one. “Holes in his bat!” yelled another. “He’s got a crooked eye!” came from a third. “Never could hit!” declared a fourth. Kennedy grinned derisively at Earl. “Too speedy for yer, kid?” he inquired. “I’ll give yer an easy one.” But Gardner refused to reach for the wide out which followed, and a ball was called.