“No, ye don’t! The constable’s down keepin’ order in the bleachers, and you can’t locate him ’fore the game starts if ye want to. ’Sides, I reckon you ain’t a welsher.” The stranger allowed himself to be soothed down, and settled himself to watch the progress of things. Frank and Bully Carson met with the two umpires, and went over the ground rule regarding a home run. “No chance o’ your scrubs gettin’ the ball in the river,” jeered Carson. “Don’t need to worry over it. Ain’t never been done, anyhow!” “That’s no sign it can’t be done,” said Frank, with a smile. A gong rang out. Merry and Carson quickly discussed the question of outs and ins, while the umpires were announcing the batteries. “I’d like to git in the box first crack, an’ knock your block off,” growled Bully. “But I dunno’s I wouldn’t jest as soon knock you out o’ the box. Take your choice.” “Thanks,” said Merry easily. “Since you’re so kind, I think we’ll give you a chance to get a home run, Bully. According to the batting order, I’m afraid you won’t get a crack till the third inning, though.” Carson, whose name stood seventh on the list, glowered derisively. “Huh! We’ll prob’bly bat around twice in the first inning, you joke! You’d better get another pitcher warmin’ up.” “Come on, Bully,” cried Squint Fletcher. “Leave that poor simp alone!” No one had any need to hear the umpires’ announcement, and it was drowned in a roar of cheers as the Clippings went out to their positions. Colonel Carson glowered and tugged at his goatee, then smiled as Squint Fletcher advanced to the plate amid a mingling of hisses and cheers. Squint had his backers, who liked him for his rough-and-ready tactics. Indeed, it soon developed that the Clippers were not without friends. The general sentiment was against them, but there were plenty of hoodlums and toadies who were willing to cheer them. Also, many farmers had come in, who were used to yelling for the Clippers. The umpires took their positions, and Merry whipped over three balls to Billy. Squint stepped up to the plate, with a sneer, and balanced himself aggressively. Billy Mac signed for the double shoot. Frank nodded, took his time, and, amid a wild shriek of delight from the crowd, delivered the first pitched ball. Squint Fletcher pulled down his bat--and there was a crack like a pistol shot. Squint had landed square on Frank Merriwell, junior’s, famous double shoot! CHAPTER XI. THE CLIPPINGS GET WILD. The connection, however, was so plainly an accident, and Squint himself looked so bewildered, that every one roared with laughter. The ball went almost straight up in the air over first, until it seemed to lose itself in the sky. Fletcher came pounding down the base line, while Bully Carson, behind first, sent a roar at Clancy. The red-haired first baseman was not rattled, however. He calmly stepped back, pulled down his cap, and waited. The ball came down like a bullet and stuck in his glove. “Out!”