The grand stand filled rapidly. It was a hot afternoon, but there was a draught through the grand stand, so that the upper seats were comfortable. Beyond the dusty diamond the green woods looked cool and inviting. The ball ground was on an elevated spot, from which a view of the village and bay could be obtained. Winding through the distant line of woods the river might be seen. Away to the west loomed a range of purple mountains. Dressed in their scarlet uniforms, the Camdens were on the field practicing. Although Bascomb was going to be on the bench that afternoon, he was warming up as if he expected to go into the box. He had cast aside cap and sweater, and was pitching all kinds of shoots to a young chap he had found willing to catch him. Woods was batting to the infield, but somebody was needed to give the outfield some work. Merriwell was called for by McDornick. Frank was leaning on the rail down near the peanut stand, Diamond, Hodge, Browning and Dunnerwust being with him. The entire party had left the yacht to witness the game of ball, but the _White Wings_ was being watched by a young man on another yacht that lay near her. "Where's Frank Merriwell?" cried McDornick from the field. "Let him knock out some sky scrapers for us." Moslof asked Merriwell to bat some to the outfield, and so Frank tossed aside his yachting jacket and advanced toward the plate. There was a sudden burst of applause from the grand stand and it went all round the ground, bringing a hot flush to Merry's face. "I wish they wouldn't do that!" he muttered. Surely he was a handsome-looking fellow in his yachting suit. He selected a bat, and then, without any apparent effort, drove out a high liner for Cogern in deep center. He gave the fielders all the work they wanted. "Here come the Rocklands!" A great crowd was coming up the road, in the van of which could be seen the boys in gray from the Limerock City. The Rockland rooters had not been frightened away by the report that Woods and Makune would play with Camden. They were coming in a body to whoop and yell and growl for their team--yes, to fight for it, if necessary. They poured into the ground. All the available standing room was taken, and the crowd overflowed so that it encroached upon the field. The Camdens came in and let their opponents have the field for practice. "Fellows," smiled Frank, as he joined his friends, "this is going to be a hot afternoon." "All of that," nodded Hodge. "It's plain there is an intense feeling of rivalry between these two towns." "Say, fellows," put in Jack Diamond, "I haven't stopped wondering yet." "What about?" asked Frank.