Lane and Sam got him upright
and handed the crutch to him. Daddy began
to hobble out to the pitcher's box.
``Don't you hide that ball. See! I've got my
eye on this game. That ball was in play, an' you
can't use the other.''
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.
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