I concluded to say nothing about the matter to any of the other fellows except Ray, knowing that it would only have a discouraging effect upon them; so when twelve o’clock came I went down to the grounds, and occupied myself in coaching the others instead of pitching. This appeared perfectly natural to the rest, for Ray had left on the noon train for Berkeley to witness the Park-Halford game, and I had always acted as captain in his absence. At seven o’clock that evening Tony and I went down to the depot, and met Ray and Clinton Edwards on their return from the game. They were talking earnestly as they came towards us, and I fancied that they both wore a hopeful expression of face. “Who beat?” cried Tony, eager to learn the news. “Oh, Park College, of course,” answered Edwards. “They nearly always do on their own grounds.” “What was the score?” I asked, as we turned back towards the college. “Five to three,” answered Ray. “Why, that was pretty close. Was it a good game?” “Yes, fair; and the Park men only won by shouting Halford out of the game. It was one of the meanest games, as far as Park College is concerned, that I ever saw. I honestly believe the Halford men might have beaten on neutral grounds, but the mob made such a racket that they couldn’t help making a few errors, and those errors cost them the game.” “Then the teams were evenly matched?” “Very, and for a while it was simply a toss up as to which would win. Boys, Halford has a pretty good nine this year.” “How about Park?” “Not so good as usual――in most respects not a bit better than the Halford team. If we can beat one of them we can beat the other.” “And what do you think of our chances now?” I asked anxiously. “Extremely good. I don’t think either of those nines are as good as the team that we can put in the field Saturday.” Saturday! I had almost forgotten about my wrist, and the word suddenly brought back the recollection of my misfortune. I was reluctant to cast any cloud over the hopeful spirits of my companions, but I knew it had to come; so as soon as we reached Ray’s room I told him what had happened. I tried not to exaggerate it, and repeated the doctor’s very words, that they might know exactly what to expect. Their faces grew very serious at once. Ray examined my wrist anxiously, then bit his lip with annoyance. “Well, in all my life,” he exclaimed, “I never ran up against such a succession of unlucky circumstances. It certainly seems as if everything was conspiring to destroy our chances.” I tried to be as hopeful as possible. “Perhaps it may improve in a day or so. I intend to exercise it, gently at first, and then harder, so as to limber it up. I tell you one thing, boys, I am going to play under any circumstances. All I fear is that my wrist will be weak and injure my work.” “Can’t we have the game postponed?” asked Tony.