Umpire Gale looked sheepish, and his eyes did not meet Daddy's. Then Bo came trotting up. "What's wrong, boss?" he asked. "Aw, nuthin'. You're tryin' to switch balls on me. That's all. You can't pull off any stunts on Madden's Hill." "Why, boss, thet ball's all right. What you hollerin' about?" "Sure that ball's all right," replied Daddy. "It's a fine ball. An' we want a chanst to hit it! See?" Bo flared up and tried to bluster, but Daddy cut him short. "Give us our innin'--let us git a whack at that ball, or I'll run you off Madden's Hill." Bo suddenly looked a little pale and sick. "Course youse can git a whack at it," he said, in a weak attempt to be natural and dignified. Daddy tossed the ball to Harris, and as he hobbled off the field he heard Bo calling out low and cautiously to his players. Then Daddy was certain he had discovered a trick. He called his players around him. "This game ain't over yet. It ain't any more'n begun. I'll tell you what. Last innin' Bo's umpire switched balls on us. That ball was lively. An' they tried to switch back on me. But nix! We're goin' to git a chanst to hit that lively ball, An' they're goin' to git a dose of their own medicine. Now, you dead ones--come back to life! Show me some hittin' an' runnin'." "Daddy, you mean they run in a trick on us?" demanded Lane, with flashing eyes. "Funny about Natchez's strong finishes!" replied Daddy, coolly, as he eyed his angry players. They let out a roar, and then ran for the bats. The crowd, quick to sense what was in the air, thronged to the diamond and manifested alarming signs of outbreak. Sam Wickhart leaped to the plate and brandished his club. "Sam, let him pitch a couple," called Daddy from the bench. "Mebbe we'll git wise then." Harris had pitched only twice when the fact became plain that he could not throw this ball with the same speed as the other. The ball was heavier; besides Harris was also growing tired. The next pitch Sam hit far out over the center fielder's head for a home run. It was a longer hit than any Madden's Hill boy had ever made. The crowd shrieked its delight. Sam crossed the plate and then fell on the bench beside Daddy. "Say! that ball nearly knocked the bat out of my hands," panted Sam. "It made the bat spring!" "Fellers, don't wait," ordered Daddy. "Don't give the umpire a chanst to roast us now. Slam the first ball!" The aggressive captain lined the ball at Bo Stranathan. The Natchez shortstop had a fine opportunity to make the catch, but he made an inglorious muff. Tay Tay hurried to bat. Umpire Gale called the first pitch a strike. Tay slammed down his club. "T-t-t-t-to-to-twasn't over," he cried. "T-t-t-tay----" "Shut up," yelled Daddy. "We want to git this game over today."