“Perhaps the others are somewhere around,” answered Darry. The catcher came limping up and the game was resumed. But no more runs were made and the innings came to an end with another tied score, 6 to 6. Then came a long wait. “I hope they don’t call it off on account of not having another substitute,” said Frank. And then he continued: “I wonder where Mark is? He isn’t down at the bench.” A minute later the American team came from their dressing room, where they had been in conference, and ran to their various positions on the field. As they did so the boys in the stand gave a cry of amazement. “Well, I never!” came from Darry. “Is it really Mark?” questioned Sam. “Of course it is!” shouted Frank, leaping to his feet and swinging his cap. “It’s Mark, and he’s going to play second base!” CHAPTER XIV WINNING A VICTORY Frank was right, one of the two substitute players to go forth was really Mark, and he had run across the diamond to fill the important position mentioned. The explanation of this state of affairs is very simple. On being introduced to the player from Rochester Mark had discovered that he had met the fellow before, and a long talk on baseball matters followed. Then Mark was introduced to the captain of the team, who told of the way they were handicapped with only one substitute player, two others having disappointed him, and of the fact that the second baseman was liable to give out at any moment. After the muff already mentioned the second baseman refused to play longer and had to be excused. Then came the accident at the home plate and the team found itself short a man. “I’ll fill that place,” came from Mark. “I think I can give satisfaction. Anyway, I’ll try my best.” “Give him the chance,” came from the Rochester player, and so it was decided, the captain thinking he could remove Mark at the end of one innings if the youth proved “a stick,” as he put it. It was natural for the boys to give a cheer, and they did so with a will, even Professor Strong joining in, for he was almost as enthusiastic as anybody. Mark heard and saw them and waved his hand. He had slipped on a player’s suit, as well as a cap and a pair of baseball shoes and, to use Frank’s words, “he looked the real thing.” But there was one in the crowd who did not fancy the turn affairs had taken. I doubt if there is need to state that this was Hockley. “Humph! so he has wormed his way in with them,” he muttered. “I hope he loses the game.” The ardor of the Americans among the spectators was considerably dampened when the two substitutes appeared. With the score a tie and only three more innings to play it was felt that the Roosevelts would have to put forth their very best efforts in order to win.