“Well, Merry,” he called, “you did the trick, but I had begun to think you were not in it.” “Yaw,” nodded Hans, “you hat pegun to think I vos nod in id, but ven you got der sdart der odder veller on I seen how der peesness peen goin’ to end. You vos a lulu, Vrankie!” Hans’ dialect caused those in his vicinity to smile or laugh outright. Frank came ashore, and immediately he was surrounded by the ball players. “Mr. Merriwell,” said the captain of the Newport team, “we would like to have you umpire the game for us this afternoon. It begins right away.” “It will be a great favor, Mr. Merriwell,” declared the captain of the M. C. I.’s, with more politeness. “I assure you we shall regard it as a great favor.” “The position is not a pleasant one,” said Frank. “I’d much rather look on and see the game.” “We will pay you if you——” began the Newport captain. Frank stopped him. “You cannot hire me for money to umpire,” he said, promptly. “If I did so——” “Will you?” cried several. “Go ahead, Merry,” said Hodge. “Well,” laughed Frank, “I’ll do it.” One minute later criers were running over the ground announcing that the ball game that afternoon would be umpired by the great Yale pitcher, Frank Merriwell. Frank was given time to change his clothes, and then, still accompanied by Hodge, he went onto the ball ground. The ground was not fenced, and it was completely surrounded by a throng of spectators. The M. C. I.’s were practicing. As Frank appeared, somebody shouted: “Here comes Merriwell!” There was a great clapping of hands. Frank was dressed in a spotless white flannel suit, and he made a handsome appearance. The captains of the two teams approached him, and he asked them about ground rules. They gave him the desired information, and then he was provided with a fresh Spaulding in an unbroken box. The Newports had practiced already, and the time for the game to begin was past, so Merriwell stepped out behind the plate and called: “Play ball!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XXV NEWPORT WINS. It had been decided that the M. C. I.’s should take the field, so they remained in their positions, and the game began with a sharp two-bagger from Newport’s first batter. To the astonishment of everybody, although he had been behind the plate when the ball was hit, Frank was down to second base ahead of the runner, standing in just the proper position to see the play perfectly, and he pronounced the man safe on a close play, a decision that might have been disputed had he remained near the plate. In fact, the second baseman opened his mouth to dispute the ruling, but closed up immediately on seeing that Frank was not more than ten feet away.