"Beat it now and get them to him on the bench before the game starts."
Speedy grinned broadly. He was in luck. Not only had he brought Ruth to the game but now he had been made custodian of the famous slugger's two newest bats and had been appointed the Mercury who was to speed them to him. Speedy started up toward the door through which he entered these sacred precincts.
"Here, you—the other door," called Barney, eyeing him suspiciously.
Speedy dashed over to the exit pointed out to him. It led directly onto the field. The New York team was holding their batting practice and the field was alive with white-clad players. Speedy hurried down the field, keeping close to the grandstand and carrying his important burden proudly over his right shoulder. Babe was standing midway between the bench and the home plate leaning on a bat. Speedy approached him amid the curious glances of the other players and a glowering look from the Yankee's little red-headed mascot, who must have thought somebody had arrived to take his job away from him.
"Here's your new bats, Mr. Ruth," said Speedy, holding them out.
"Good. Thanks," said Babe. Then noticing who had brought them, "Golly, kid, you sure do get around a lot," he laughed.
It was his turn at bat at that moment and he dropped the stick in his hand and selected one of the new ones brought by Speedy. He tossed the two
