Not to be caught by any mischance, Hal brought Bart along with the team. Word had been passed among the Baxter contingent that the two stars of the first game would join the nine at Winthrop, and when they reached the town, the students inquired anxiously for them. But no one could give them any information. Much worried, Hal took his team to the ball park, where they put in a good practice in order to acquaint themselves with the diamond. When the Landon supporters arrived, they rejoiced to learn that Fred and Bronson were missing, declaring the game was as good as won. Indeed, their prophecy seemed true, for as the time for the game approached and the two boys failed to appear, the members of the Baxter nine grew more and more nervous. Vainly Hal and Sandow tried to rally them, but their words showed their own anxiety, and, therefore failed. Alone of all the team or supporters, Bart was happy. His mother had brought a party of girls from out of town to see the game, and the bully realized that if his pitching were not successful, he could lay the defeat to his team mates' nervousness over the absence of Fred and Bronson. Meanwhile, unconscious of the worry they were causing, and exhausted by the excitement of the identification and the long night journey, the two boys were sleeping soundly. Of a sudden, however, Fred woke up. Noting the bright daylight, he aroused his companion. "See what time it is; quick!" he exclaimed. Sleepily, Bronson fumbled in his clothes, at last finding his watch. "My eye! It's one fifteen!" he gasped. "And the game begins at two," cried Fred. "Hal must be worried to death. Quick! into your clothes. We'll get a bite to eat and hike out to the park." Into their clothes the boys literally flew, but as both realized the necessity of a good meal, they did not hurry their dinner unduly, setting out for the diamond at ten minutes before two in a carriage which Bronson insisted upon hiring. The seats were filled with followers of the rival nines, cheering, tooting horns and singing, and the players were warming up when Fred and Bronson rushed into the dressing-room. Seizing their suits, which Hal had brought, they trotted onto the field just as the two captains were tossing for innings. As the Baxter students caught sight of the yellow head and the tall form, they rose to their feet. "Here they are! Here they are!" they roared. Instantly the eyes of the teams and of all the Landon and Winthrop spectators were focused upon the two late arrivals. The Baxter players rushed toward them, howling with joy. "Can I have time to warm up my pitcher?" asked Hal of the Landon captain. "No. You've got Montgomery ready," returned Mitchell. But Hal did not propose to use the bully if he could help it. "Hey, Bronson, are you fit to go right in?" asked his captain. "I'd rather limber up a minute or two."