"I might be mistaken," thought Tom, and he honestly hoped that he was. "Anyhow, my arm is better, and I can pitch--at least on the scrub." The game between the first and second teams that day was a "hot" one. Langridge seemed to have recovered mastery of himself and he pitched surprisingly well. Tom, because of his hurt, was not at his best. The 'varsity lads were joyful when they beat the scrub by a big score. "Well, now, if we do as well as that Saturday against Boxer Hall," said Kindlings Woodhouse, "we'll be all to the pepper hash, poetically speaking." "We've got to do a great deal better than this against Boxer," declared Coach Lighton with a shake of his head. "Why?" asked Langridge. "Because much depends on this game. I don't know whether you boys have figured it out, but we have a mighty slim chance for the pennant this year." "Have we any?" asked Sid. "Yes," replied the coach, "and it's just this. If we win the game against Boxer----" "Which we will," declared Langridge confidently. "If we do," went on Mr. Lighton, "and also win the one the following Saturday from Fairview, we will capture the pennant by a narrow margin." "Hurrah!" cried Kindlings. "Not so fast," admonished Mr. Lighton. "You boys will have to play ball as you never played it before and against rather heavy odds." "How's that?" inquired Sid. "Well, both games are away from your own grounds. You are to play Boxer Hall on their diamond and the Fairview game takes place over at the co-ed institution. That means that they'll have a big crowd of rooters out, and you know what an incentive that is." "We'll take a lot too!" cried Holly Cross. "Sure, we'll organize a cheering club," added Bricktop Molloy. "And bring megaphones," declared Jerry Jackson. "And phonographs," echoed his twin brother. "Win the games, that's what you want to do!" said Mr. Lighton. "Win the games! Play ball! Bat your best, you hard hitters. You that aren't so sure, practice. Fielders, get on to every fly as if you had glue on your gloves. Kerr, play close up to the bat. Henderson, you want to practice jumping for high ones, for they do come high when the boys get excited. Langridge----" "Yes, what about me?" drawled the pitcher. "Pitch your very best," said Mr. Lighton, and there was a different meaning in his admonition than before. "Now don't let any chance go by without practice," he added as he turned toward the other members of the nine. "We've got our work cut out for us. I want to see Randall win the pennant." "So do we!" shouted the others in a chorus as the coach left them. And the days that followed were filled with anxiety and anticipation for the members of the nine and those substitutes who hoped for a chance to play. As for Tom Parsons, he felt that if he could pitch in one of the games he would ask for nothing more. But he had small hopes. CHAPTER XXX A GREAT GAME