Bunting streamed everywhere. Torpedoes,
firecrackers, bombs, and revolvers rent the air with deafening
explosions. The brass guns on two yachts in the harbor contributed an
occasional salvo. As the boys rowed in to the shore the strains of "The
Star-Spangled Banner" came floating over the water, and round the outer
point appeared one of the small bay steamers, loaded with excursionists,
including a brass band. On board also was the Camden baseball team,
scheduled to play the opening game in the county league series with the
home team that afternoon.

Bedlam broke loose as the steamer made fast to the wharf and the crowd
aboard streamed ashore. To Spurling and his friends, after three weeks
of Tarpaulin Island, the narrow, winding street with its holiday crowd
afforded the bustle and varied interest of a city. Even Percy deigned to
allow himself to be tempted out of the sulky dignity which he had
assumed since the council of the previous afternoon.

The group scattered. Lane and Stevens wandered about town, taking in the
sights and dodging the torpedoes and firecrackers of enthusiastic
patriots of a more or less tender age. Spurling found an old 'longshore
acquaintance from a visiting boat and went off aboard to inspect his new
type of engine. Filippo struck up an eternal friendship with a
fellow-countryman from the granite quarries on Hurricane. Percy, left to
his own resources, invested in a new brand of cigarettes and promenaded
back and forth along the main street, smoking and eying the passers-by
superciliously.

Noon found the restaurants packed with hungry excursionists; but the
crowds were good-natured and everybody was able to get plenty to eat. At
two o'clock there was a grand rush to the baseball-grounds.

Spurling, Lane, and Stevens sat together in the front of the stand;
Percy perched at the extreme right of the topmost row; while Filippo lay
on the grass back of third base with his new-found, swarthy compatriot.

Evidently there was some hitch about beginning the game. The Vinalhavens
had taken the field for practice. The Camden team, bunched close
together, were talking earnestly, meanwhile casting anxious glances
toward the street that led to the water.

The Vinalhaven scorer passed before the stand with his book.

"What's the trouble?" asked Stevens.

"Camden catcher and third-baseman haven't shown up. They started out
with a party in a power-boat before the steamer. Engine must have broken
down