"Yes; it is. I'll call Martin, and you two will attend me for
the pitch of the coin."

"Wait a moment, please," called Hi, from across the field.

"What's the matter?" shouted a spectator.

"The North Grammars want to go home and change their uniforms,"
shouted another onlooker.

There was a great laugh at this, which caused Hi Martin to color
and look belligerent. He came stalking across the field.

"Ladies and gentlemen," shouted Ted Teall, affecting the manner
of an announcer, "I beg to state that the game about to begin
will be between two famous nines, known as the Gentlemen and the
Chromos."

At this there was more laughter, while Hi Martin shook with rage.
Looking at the bright red so prominent in the North Grammar uniforms,
there could be no doubt as to which nine had been dubbed the "Chromos."

"Mr. Umpire," called Hi angrily, "have you power to preserve order
here to-day?"

"I'll do my best," agreed Tozier. "But this is an open field
that any one may enter, and there are no police here."

"Play ball, you red-heads!" jeered a boy, referring to the bright
red caps of the North Grammars. "Don't holler for the police
until you find out whether you can stand up to the Centrals."

"Now, let us stop all guying of the players and all other nonsense,"
called Tozier firmly, as he held up his right hand. "Remember
that we are here to see a game and not to listen to cheap wit."

That held the unruly ones back for a few moments. Tozier drew
a coin from one of his pockets, exhibited it to the captains,
and asked:

"Who will call the toss?"

"Martin may," nodded Captain Dick.

"Ready, then."

Ben Tozier sent the coin spinning skyward. When it turned to
fall Hi called out:

"Tails."

"Heads win," declared Umpire Tozier.

"Captain Martin, have you any choice?" inquired Prescott politely.

"I didn't win the toss," Hi returned sulkily.

"But we'll give you your choice if you have any," Dick insisted.

"We'd rather go to bat," Hi observed.

"Then, Mr. Umpire," continued Dick, turning to Tozier, "the Centrals
choose the field."

"Get to your places," nodded Ben. "Martin at bat; Percival on
deck," called the score-keeper.

Dick ran down to the pitcher's box, while Greg, slipping on mask
and glove, took up his position behind the plate.

Tozier carelessly broke the seal on the package enclosing a ball,
inspected it, and dropped it into Dick's hands. Dick threw an
overshoot to Greg, who mitted i