第9章 THE RUBE(3)

Ashwell hit a couple of measly punks, but when he assayed a bunt the gang yelled derisively at him.

``What's he got?'' The old familiar cry of batters when facing a new pitcher!

Stringer went up, bold and formidable.That was what made him the great hitter he was.He loved to bat; he would have faced anybody; he would have faced even a cannon.New curves were a fascination to him.And speed for him, in his own words, was ``apple pie.'' In this instance, surprise was in store for Stringer.Rube shot up the straight one, then the wide curve, then the drop.Stringer missed them all, struck out, fell down ignominiously.It was the first time he had fanned that season and he looked dazed.

We had to haul him away.

I called off the practice, somewhat worried about Rube's showing, and undecided whether or not to try him in the game that day.So I went to Radbourne, who had quietly watched Rube while on the field.Raddy was an old pitcher and had seen the rise of a hundred stars.I told him about the game at Rickettsville and what I thought of Rube, and frankly asked his opinion.

``Con, you've made the find of your life,'' said Raddy, quietly and deliberately.

This from Radbourne was not only comforting;it was relief, hope, assurance.I avoided Spears, for it would hardly be possible for him to regard the Rube favorably, and I kept under cover until time to show up at the grounds.

Buffalo was on the ticket for that afternoon, and the Bisons were leading the race and playing in topnotch form.I went into the dressing room while the players were changing suits, because there was a little unpleasantness that I wanted to spring on them before we got on the field.

``Boys,'' I said, curtly, ``Hurtle works today.

Cut loose, now, and back him up.''

I had to grab a bat and pound on the wall to stop the uproar.

``Did you mutts hear what I said? Well, it goes.

Not a word, now.I'm handling this team.We're in bad, I know, but it's my judgment to pitch Hurtle, rube or no rube, and it's up to you to back us.That's the baseball of it.''

Grumbling and muttering, they passed out of the dressing room.I knew ball players.If Hurtle should happen to show good form they would turn in a flash.Rube tagged reluctantly in their rear.He looked like a man in a trance.I wanted to speak encouragingly to him, but Raddy told me to keep quiet.

It was inspiring to see my team practice that afternoon.There had come a subtle change.Iforesaw one of those baseball climaxes that can be felt and seen, but not explained.Whether it was a hint of the hoped-for brace, or only another flash of form before the final let-down, I had no means to tell.But I was on edge.

Carter, the umpire, called out the batteries, and I sent my team into the field.When that long, lanky, awkward rustic started for the pitcher's box, I thought the bleachers would make him drop in his tracks.The fans were sore on any one those days, and a new pitcher was bound to hear from them.

``Where! Oh, where! Oh, where!''

``Connelly's found another dead one!''

``Scarecrow!''

``Look at his pants!''

``Pad his legs!''

Then the inning began, and things happened.

Rube had marvelous speed, but he could not find the plate.He threw the ball the second he got it; he hit men, walked men, and fell all over himself trying to field bunts.The crowd stormed and railed and hissed.The Bisons pranced round the bases and yelled like Indians.Finally they retired with eight runs.

Eight runs! Enough to win two games! I

could not have told how it happened.I was sick and all but crushed.Still I had a blind, dogged faith in the big rustic.I believed he had not got started right.It was a trying situation.I called Spears and Raddy to my side and talked fast.

``It's all off now.Let the dinged rube take his medicine,'' growled Spears.

``Don't take him out,'' said Raddy.``He's not shown at all what's in him.The blamed hayseed is up in the air.He's crazy.He doesn't know what he's doing.I tell you, Con, he may be scared to death, but he's dead in earnest.''

Suddenly I recalled the advice of the pleasant old fellow at Rickettsville.

``Spears, you're the captain,'' I said, sharply.

``Go after the rube.Wake him up.Tell him he can't pitch.Call him `Pogie!' That's a name that stirs him up.''

``Well, I'll be dinged! He looks it,'' replied Spears.``Here, Rube, get off the bench.Come here.''

Rube lurched toward us.He seemed to be walking in his sleep.His breast was laboring and he was dripping with sweat.

``Who ever told you that you could pitch?''

asked Spears genially.He was master at baseball ridicule.I had never yet seen the youngster who could stand his badinage.He said a few things, then wound up with: ``Come now, you cross between a hayrack and a wagon tongue, get sore and do something.Pitch if you can.Show us! Do you hear, you tow-headed Pogie!''

Rube jumped as if he had been struck.His face flamed red and his little eyes turned black.He shoved his big fist under Capt.Spears' nose.

``Mister, I'll lick you fer thet--after the game!

And I'll show you dog-goned well how I can pitch.''