Part 4 (1/2)
”Say, he's got muscle, all right,” observed Clinton to Kerr.
”That's what. There's cla.s.s there, all right. Shouldn't wonder but what he'd give Langridge a rub for pitcher, if he plays baseball.”
”Oh, he'll play, all right. A fellow who can throw as he did can't help playing.”
”Who's that?” asked Sid in a breathing spell, following a temporary repulse of the enemy.
”The new lad--Tom Parsons.”
”Oh, yes, he plays ball,” said Sid. ”His father knows my father. They used to be chums in Northville, a country town. That's how Tom happened to come here, and he asked if he couldn't room with me. He plays ball, all right.”
”Pitch?” asked Clinton laconically.
”I think so. Look out, here they come again!”
The conversation was interrupted to repel another rush.
”Look out below!” suddenly called the Snail from his perch near the cupola.
”Got the clapper?” yelled Langridge.
”Yep! Here it is!”
Something fell with a thud in the midst of a group of freshmen. It was the bell clapper, which the Snail had unhooked. Tom Parsons made a dive for it.
”I'll take that!” exclaimed Langridge roughly, as he shoved the newcomer to one side and grabbed up the ma.s.s of iron.
”I was only going to help,” replied Tom good-naturedly.
”Cut with it!” ordered Kerr. ”We can't hold 'em much longer, and we don't want 'em to get it now. Skip, Langridge. Take some interference with you.”
As if it was a football game, several lads made a sort of flying wedge in front of Langridge, with him inside the apex, and, thus protected, he bored through the ma.s.s of soph.o.m.ores.
”After him!” yelled several second-years, who had become aware of the trick. ”He's got the clapper!”
Most of the lads rushed away from the chapel, only those remaining who were holding the rope taut. Some of these even started away.
”Hold on!” yelled the Snail. ”I'm up here yet! I want to get down!”
”Don't leave Sam up there!” cried Kerr. ”Hold the rope, fellows, until he s.h.i.+ns down.”
Several freshmen ran back.
”I'll help hold,” volunteered Tom, though there was a temptation to join the fighting throng that surrounded Langridge and his defenders.
The Snail slid to the ground, the rope was pulled from the cross, and the lads, coiling it up as they ran, hastened to the aid of their freshmen comrades.
CHAPTER III
A BASEBALL MEETING