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Chapter 10: Delegation, Leadership, and Management
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Leadership is best defined as a process that:
a. motivates people to accomplish set goals.
b. provides a framework for health care delivery systems.
c. guides staff to use resources to meet patient needs.
d. uses advanced management training.
ANS: C
A comprehensive process that guides staff to use resources to meet patient needs best defines
leadership.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 123 OBJ: Theory #1
TOP: Leadership KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A MSC: NCLEX: N/A
2. The best description of an autocratic leader is a leader who:
a. is permissive.
b. has confidence in the staff.
c. tightly controls team members.
d. accepts all responsibility for the team.
ANS: C
An autocratic leader tightly controls team members and closely monitors the work of each
staff member.
3. A laissez-faire leader would be most likely to:
a. consult staff members.
b. tightly control team members.
c. allow team members to function independently.
d. set goals that are task oriented.
ANS: C
A laissez-faire leader does not attempt to control the team and offers little direction. The
leader allows the team members to function independently.
4. A team leader with effective communication skills would:
a. make precise authoritarian assignments to team members.
b. give specific information in a tactful, friendly manner.
c. maintain eye contact when giving directions.
d. limit time for feedback and complaints.
ANS: B

Effective communication needs to be concise and delivered in a tactful and friendly manner
and allows for feedback and two-way communication. Limitation of flow of feedback and
complaints and precise authoritarian behavior limit two-way communication.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 124 OBJ: Theory #2
5. The most effective communication from a nurse leader to a team member that is most likely to
have a positive outcome would be:
a. “Jane, be sure to get those vital signs recorded on time today.”
b. “Jane, I need those vital signs before breakfast.”
c. “Jane, please give me a list of those vital signs before breakfast.”
d. “Jane, breakfast trays are being served. You need to get those vital signs.”
ANS: C
Communication should be clear and concise, but also accompanied by a polite “please” and
“thank you.” Effective communication demonstrates a sense of trust and respect toward
others.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 125 OBJ: Theory #3
6. Prior to addressing a situation, the nurse is aware that an effective leader must _____ the
problem.
a. define
b. identify persons to address
c. know the legal implications of
d. look to alternatives to address
ANS: A
The nurse leader must first be clear about what a problem involves before attempting to
address the situation.
TOP: Problem Solving KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: basic care and comfort
7. The nurse is aware that the best way to evaluate an unlicensed assistive personnel’s (UAP’s)
ability to perform a skill or task is to:
a. obtain verbal confirmation from another nurse that the nursing assistant is
proficient.
b. review documentation that the nursing assistant is competent in skills.
c. observe the nursing assistant performing the skill or task.
d. demonstrate the skill to the nursing assistant before his demonstration.
ANS: C
The best way to evaluate a person’s ability to perform a skill is to observe him.
Documentation and information from another nurse support a nurse’s decision to delegate the
task to the nursing assistant but are not the best means for evaluation of competency.
TOP: Delegation KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC: NCLEX: Safe Effective Care Environment: safety and infection control
8. The nurse’s most appropriate selection of a task to be delegated to an unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP) would be:
a. assessing circulation in the toes of a patient in a cast.
b. changing a patient’s wound dressing.
c. taking the blood pressure of a patient who has just returned from surgery.
d. toileting a patient on a bladder-training regimen.
ANS: D
Assessing tissue perfusion, changing a patient’s wound dressing, and assessing a patient
require interventions by licensed personnel. Toileting a patient on a routine basis is
appropriate to delegate to a nursing assistant.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 126, Box 10-2
OBJ: Theory #4 TOP: Delegation KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
9. The nurse is aware that when a task is delegated to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP),
the nurse is:
a. no longer responsible to that patient.
b. responsible to communicate outcome to appropriate senior staff.
c. responsible for overall patient care.
d. liable for all adverse outcomes.
ANS: C
Nurses are responsible for all patients’ care, regardless of tasks they have delegated to other
staff members.
TOP: Delegation KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
10. The nurse recognizes that one of the responsibilities of a charge nurse as opposed to the team
leader is that the charge nurse is responsible for:
a. evaluating members of the health care team.
b. evaluating unlicensed assistive personnel.
c. making rounds and assessing all patients on the unit.
d. collaborating with physicians and other health team members.
ANS: C
The charge nurse is an advanced leadership role, which includes the assessments of all
patients on the unit, and is responsible for the total nursing care during the shift.
TOP: Advanced Leadership Roles KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
11. When transcribing a physician’s orders, the nurse must:
a. transcribe only the generic name of the drug.
b. give a copy of the order to the nurse responsible for that patient’s care.
c. review unclear orders with the charge nurse.

d. transfer orders to the Medication Administration Record (MAR).
ANS: D
Transcribing orders means to transfer them to the Kardex and/or MAR. Preferably both the
generic and trade name of the drug should be recorded. The nurse giving the actual care
should be informed of the order change but does not need a copy of the order. Questions
relative to unclear orders are clarified with the prescribing physician.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 129 OBJ: Clinical Practice #5
TOP: Written Orders KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe Effective Care Environment: coordinated care
12. The example of a physician’s order that was received by telephone that has all the essential
documentation is:
a. Increase Coumadin to 3 mg daily: order from A. Doctor received by A. Nurse
11/11/11 @ 0930.
b. 11/11/11 @ 0930 TO. From A. Doctor: Increase Coumadin (Warfarin) to 3 mg
daily. A. Nurse, LVN.
c. TO: from A. Doctor: Increase Coumadin to 3 mg every day. A. Nurse.
d. 11/11/11 received TO to increase Coumadin (Warfarin) to 3 mg daily A. Nurse.
ANS: B
Documentation for a telephone order should be recorded as a TO with the date and time of the
receipt of the order, the order as requested by the physician, and signed with a first initial and
last name with professional designation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: p. 130 OBJ: Clinical Practice #5
TOP: Transcribing Telephone Orders KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
13. The nurse in a long-term care facility is aware that the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the
Minimum Data Set (MDS) facilitate the:
a. patient receiving the appropriate treatments.
b. effectiveness of the planning for quality improvement.
c. reimbursement to the facility from Medicare and Medicaid payments.
d. enhancement of the database for procedures related to risk management.
ANS: C
MDS sheets must be filled out correctly for facilities to receive the maximal Medicare or
Medicaid payment for services rendered.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 131 OBJ: Clinical Practice #6
TOP: Documentation for Reimbursement KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
14. A nurse can best minimize the liability of a lawsuit against the facility by:
a. strictly adhering to the policies and procedures of the facility.
b. demonstrating concern and attending to patient complaints.
c. advising the supervisor of significant events or problems with patient relations.
d. giving a copy of the policy and procedures to each patient.
ANS: B

A nurse can best minimize liability for a lawsuit by demonstrating concern and attending to
patient complaints and concerns. Adherence to procedures and policies may be a defense in a
lawsuit but does not necessarily diminish the risk. Advising the supervisor of a significant
event does not diminish the risk.
TOP: Risk Reduction KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
15. Nursing documentation that would best assist with reimbursement to a facility would be:
a. Patient was up in chair for 2 hours after breakfast.
b. Patient was ambulated in the hall three times this shift.
c. Patient was assisted to a recliner chair to use the oxygen concentrator.
d. Patient received bath in shower room.
ANS: C
Nurses should document care delivered and equipment used in order to get appropriate
reimbursement.
16. The behavior least likely seen in an autocratic leader would be a person who:
a. provides close supervision of work by staff members.
b. often consults staff when making decisions.
c. quickly points out mistakes made by staff members.
d. frequently gives out new directives.
ANS: B
The autocratic leader never consults staff relative to decision making. The autocratic leader
tightly controls team members. This type of leadership style has been described as “my way
or the highway.” The leader closely supervises the work of each staff member. When mistakes
are made, they are quickly pointed out.
17. The nurse recognizes that the use of the democratic approach in leadership will:
a. cause team members to feel that their feelings are secondary to the
accomplishment of the goal.
b. cause mistakes to be discovered and pointed out.
c. take more time to accomplish goals.
d. use the leader’s skills and knowledge.
ANS: C
The democratic process will take more time to accomplish the goal because the leader
frequently consults with staff members and seeks staff participation in decision making. The
skills and knowledge of the team members are readily used to ensure that the team functions
efficiently. Team members are respected as individuals, and there is an open and trusting
attitude overall. The democratic leader is part of the team, not sitting above it, and accepts
responsibility for the actions of the team.

18. An inappropriate delegation to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) would be:
a. applying a condom catheter.
b. assessing a patient’s pain.
c. giving a sitz bath.
d. giving an enema.
ANS: B
Assessment or aspects of the analysis, planning, or evaluation phases of the nursing process
must be performed by the registered nurse. These functions cannot be delegated to UAPs.
19. The nurse is aware that assignment of an unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP) differs from delegation in that in delegation, the:
a. nurse has transferred the authority to perform the task.
b. UAPs are covered by their own certification.
c. UAPs are performing activities within the scope of their job description.
d. licensed person must accompany the UAP to supervise the activity.
ANS: A
Delegation occurs when a licensed nurse transfers the authority to perform a specific task.
TOP: Delegation KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A MSC: NCLEX: N/A
20. The nurse is initially guided in the process of delegation to an unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP) by the:
a. state’s nurse practice act.
b. competencies of the UAP.
c. policies of the facility.
d. needs of the patient.
ANS: A
The initial delegation guidelines are described by the state’s nurse practice act. The policies of
the facility may further limit what delegation may occur regardless of the competencies of the
UAP.
TOP: Delegation Guidelines KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
21. When the team leader becomes concerned about the frequent tardiness of the unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP), the most appropriate documentation would be:
a. Has been late to work 6 times in this pay period (January 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 14).
States she overslept. Counseled on January 9. Unit management made aware.
b. Frequently late to work. States she overslept. Co-workers state she is working
elsewhere at night. Will follow up.
c. Tardiness is causing inability to finish assignments without assistance from others.

d. Oversleeping and active social life have caused tardiness six times in this pay
period.
ANS: A
Documentation of the specific facts (not opinion) should occur. The unit manager should also
be made aware of the problem.
22. The LPN/LVN who is transcribing orders is unclear about the intent of an order. The
LPN/LVN should:
a. consult the charge nurse.
b. call the physician.
c. transcribe the order as written.
d. mark the order in red as UNTRANSCRIBED.
ANS: B
An order that is unclear should be clarified with the physician.
TOP: Order Transcription KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
23. The best communication given by the nurse to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)
would be:
a. “Let me know if my patient’s temperature is high.”
b. “Please measure each urine output and report it to me.”
c. “Tell me if the patient seems more uncomfortable.”
d. “Notify me when the dressing needs to be changed.”
ANS: B
When delegating, the nurse should make it clear as to what the unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP) is to do. Nurses should not ask UAPs to perform assessments where professional
judgment is required about patient condition.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 125-126 OBJ: Theory #4
TOP: Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
24. The team leader who is reviewing the list of the assigned patients would give priority to the
patient who:
a. has a scheduled medication due.
b. requires dressing changes three times a day.
c. is experiencing acute chest pain.
d. is confused and disoriented.
ANS: C
Unstable patients take precedence over stable patients. Scheduled medications and treatments
must be done before tasks that are ordered “three times a day.”
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: p. 128 OBJ: Theory #6

TOP: Prioritization KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: basic care and comfort
25. A nurse is aware that the medication orders on the MAR/Kardex should be verified with the
chart orders every:
a. shift.
b. 12 hours.
c. 24 hours.
d. 48 hours.
ANS: C
Medications recorded on the MAR/Kardex should be verified with the chart orders every 24
hours.
TOP: Verification of OrdersKEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
26. The considerations for an LPN/LVN to be eligible for an advanced leadership role as a charge
nurse include a minimum of staff nursing experience of _____ months.
a. 12
b. 18
c. 24
d. 36
ANS: A
A minimum of 12 months is required for an LPN/LVN to be considered for the role of charge
nurse.
TOP: Prioritization KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
27. The nurse is aware that orders for a patient going to surgery are:
a. pertinent only for the immediate preoperative period.
b. canceled when the physician writes, “resume previous orders.”
c. can be continued when the patient returns to the unit.
d. canceled by the nurse in the operating room when the surgery is complete.
ANS: A
The preoperative orders are pertinent only for the preoperative period. All orders written
preoperatively are considered canceled at the time the patient enters surgery. Brand new
orders must be written in their entirety for the postsurgical patient. “Resume previous orders”
is not acceptable by most institutional policies.
TOP: Physician Orders KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
28. The nurse receiving a telephone order from a physician who is following the Joint
Commission International Center for Patient Safety should:
a. receive the order from the physician, transcribe the order to the chart, and ask the

physician if he will confirm the order.
b. receive the order from the physician, repeat the order to the physician, and then
transcribe the order to the chart.
c. receive the order from the physician, transcribe the order to the chart, and then read
back the order to the physician.
d. write the telephone order verbatim as the physician gives it and then read it back to
the charge nurse.
ANS: C
The Joint Commission requires institutions to verify verbal or telephone orders by having the
person receiving the order “read back” the order to the person initiating the order, usually the
physician. This “read back” requires that the person accepting the order actually write the
order down in the chart in order to be reading it back.
TOP: Read Back KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A MSC: NCLEX: N/A
COMPLETION
29. Staff nurses have many responsibilities to their patients throughout their shift. However, the
_________ is responsible for the total nursing care of patients during a shift and is also
responsible for giving reports to the oncoming shift and evaluating members of the health care
team.
ANS:
charge nurse
All nurses need to know the responsibilities of each person on the health care team, and the
charge nurse is responsible for the total nursing care of patients during a shift.
TOP: Charge Nurse Role KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
30. Characteristics of effective communication would include: (Select all that apply.)
a. using eye contact.
b. using concise statements when giving information.
c. addressing conflicts before delegation of duties.
d. obtaining feedback about directions given.
e. assigning responsibility for creation of any conflict.
ANS: A, B, D
Effective communication includes using direct eye contact between the persons involved,
using concise statements for clarity, and obtaining feedback to ensure that information has
been understood. Conflict resolution may or may not pertain to communication and may be
addressed following instructions.
TOP: Effective Communication KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A

MSC: NCLEX: N/A
31. Which statements are true regarding delegation of duties to unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAPs) by a licensed nurse? (Select all that apply.)
a. The LPN/LVN in charge must be familiar with the competency of staff.
b. The LPN/LVN must be familiar with the job descriptions of UAPs.
c. An LPN/LVN may delegate any skill or task to a UAP once the nursing assistant
has demonstrated proficiency.
d. A nurse must be familiar with the nurse practice act.
e. The certification of the UAP makes nursing assistants liable for their actions.
ANS: A, B, D
Delegation requires that the LPN/LVN be familiar with the competency of the staff as well as
their job description. Even if the nursing assistant is proficient in a skill, no delegation
requiring professional judgment is allowed. The nursing assistant is not liable; the supervising
nurse is.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 125-126 OBJ: Theory #4
TOP: Delegation KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A MSC: NCLEX: N/A
32. Important characteristics of delegation to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) include:
(Select all that apply.)
a. use of effective communication.
b. provision of constructive criticism immediately.
c. direction for the desired result and time for completion.
d. provision of tactful feedback.
e. informing the patient that the delegated task will be performed by a UAP.
ANS: A, C, D, E
When delegating to UAPs, it is important to use effective communication, as well as direction
for results. Patients should be informed that the task will be performed by a UAP.
Constructive criticism should be done privately after the event and should always be done
tactfully.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: pp. 126-127 OBJ: Theory #4
TOP: Delegation KEY: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: N/A
33. Which responsibilities are common to an LPN/LVN team leader in both health care facilities
and medical clinics? (Select all that apply.)
a. Organizes staff meetings
b. Assists in writing policies and procedures
c. Assists in resolving staff conflicts
d. Prepares the schedule for patient activities
e. Evaluates unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs)
ANS: B, C, E
Writing policies and procedures, assisting to resolve staff conflicts, and evaluating UAPs are
duties common to LPN/LVN team leaders in health care facilities. Only in medical clinics do
LPNs/LVNs generally attend staff meetings and oversee scheduling of patients.
TOP: Team Leader Responsibilities KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A

MSC: NCLEX: N/A
OTHER
34. Place the steps of transcription of physician’s orders in proper sequence. (Separate letters with
a comma and space as follows: A, B, C, D, E.)
A. Transmit orders to pharmacy, dietary, or ancillary services.
B. Add medication changes to MAR.
C. Process the “stat” orders first.
D. Read through all of the order.
E. Sign off order with a red line across page.
ANS:
D, C, B, A, E
The nurse should read through all of the orders before transmission; process the “stat” orders
first; add medications to the MAR; transmit orders to pharmacy, dietary, or ancillary services;
and then sign off the order with name and title.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: pp. 129-130 OBJ: Clinical Practice #5
TOP: Transcribing Orders KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: N/A

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nuisance when I’m at the training camp.”
“I did not assume that you were an officer,” answered the young
man, who, for the present, must be known only as “R. V.” “But you
were the only one near my valise, which was opened when I went to
send that wire. Now it’s up to you——”
“Hold on!” cried Joe, trying not to let his rather quick temper get
the better of him. “Nothing is ‘up to me,’ as you call it. I didn’t touch
your valise. I didn’t even know I sat near it until you called my
attention to it. And if it was opened, and something taken out, I beg
to assure you that I had nothing to do with it. That’s all!”
“But if you didn’t take it; who did?” asked “R. V.” in some
bewilderment.
“How should I know?” retorted Joe, coolly. “And I’d advise you to
be more careful after this, in making accusations.”
He spoke rather loudly—in fact so did “R. V.,” and it was but
natural that several of the delayed passengers should gather outside
the station, attracted by the voices.
Some of them looked in through the opened windows and doors,
and, seeing nothing more than what seemed to be an ordinary
dispute, strolled on.
“But this won’t do,” insisted “R. V.,” which expression seemed to
be a favorite with him. “This won’t do at all, you know, my good
fellow. My watch is gone, and my sister’s jewelry. It won’t do——”
“Well, I have nothing to do with it,” declared Joe, “and I don’t
want to hear any more about it. This ends it—see!”
“Oh, but I say! You were nearest to my valise, and——”
“What’s the trouble?” interrupted the ticket agent, coming from his
little office. “What’s the row here?”
“My valise!” exclaimed “R. V.” angrily. “It’s been opened, and——”

“He thinks I did it just because I sat near it!” broke in Joe,
determined to get in his word first. “It’s absurd! I never touched his
baggage.”
The agent looked at the modish youth.
“Is that the only reason you accuse him—because he sat near
your satchel?” he asked.
“Why—er—yes, to be sure. Isn’t that reason enough?”
“It wouldn’t be for me, young man. I don’t see that you can do
anything about it. You say he took something of yours, and he says
he didn’t. That’s six of one and a half-dozen of the other. You ought
to have your satchel locked if you carry valuables in it.”
“It was locked, but I opened it and forgot to lock it again.”
“That’s up to you then,” and the agent’s sympathies seemed to be
with Joe.
“Well, but it won’t do, you know. It won’t do at all!” protested “R.
V.,” this time pleadingly. “I must have my things back!”
“Then you had better go to the police,” broke in the agent.
“If you like, though I’ve never done such a thing before, I’ll submit
to a search,” said Joe, the red blood mantling to his cheeks as he
thought of the needless indignity. “I can refer to several well-known
persons who will vouch for me, but if you feel——”
“All aboard!” suddenly called the conductor of the stalled train,
coming into the depot. “We just got word that we can proceed. If we
can reach the next junction before the fast mail, we can go ahead of
her and get around the wreck. Lively now! All aboard!”
There was a scramble in which Joe and “R. V.” took a part. All of
the passengers were anxious to proceed, and if haste meant that
they could avoid further delay they were willing to hasten. The
engineer whistled impatiently, and men and women scrambled into
the coaches they had left.

“R. V.” caught up his peculiar bag and without another look at Joe,
got aboard. For a moment the young pitcher had an idea of insisting
on having the unpleasant matter settled, but he, too, wanted to go
on. At any rate no one he knew or cared about had heard the unjust
accusation made, and if he insisted on vindication, by means of a
personal search, it might lead to unpleasant complications.
“Even if he saw that I didn’t have his truck on me that wouldn’t
prove anything to him—he’d say it ‘wouldn’t do,’” thought Joe. “He’s
altogether too positive.”
And so, leaving the matter of the missing articles unsettled, Joe
sprinted for the train.
Joe saw his accuser enter the rear coach, while the young ball
player took his place in the second coach, where he had been
before.
“If he wants to take up this matter again he knows I’m aboard,”
mused Joe, as the train pulled out of the way-station.
But the matter was not reopened, and when the junction was
reached our hero saw “R. V.” hurrying off to make other connections.
As he turned away, however, he favored Joe with a look that was not
altogether pleasant.
The remainder of our hero’s trip to Montville was uneventful, save
that it was rather monotonous, and, the further South he went the
worse the railroad service became, until he found that he was going
to be nearly half a day late.
But he was not expected at any special time, and he knew that he
had done the best possible. Arriving in Montville, which he found to
be a typical small Southern town, Joe put up at the hotel where he
had been told by “Jimmie” Mack to take quarters.
“Are any of the Pittston players around—is Mr. Gregory here?”
asked Joe of the clerk, after registering. It was shortly after two
o’clock.

“They’re all out practicing, I believe,” was the answer. “Mr. Gregory
was here a while ago, but I reckon as how he-all went out to the
field, too. Are you a member of the nine, sir?”
The clerk really said “suh,” but the peculiarities of Southern talk
are too well known to need imitating.
“Well, I suppose I am, but I’ve only just joined,” answered Joe,
with a smile. “I’m one of the new pitchers.”
“Glad to know you. We enjoy having you ball players here. It sort
of livens things up. I believe your team is going to cross bats with
our home team Saturday.”
“That’s good!” exclaimed Joe, who was just “aching” to get into a
game again.
He ate a light luncheon and then, inquiring his way, went out to
the ball field.
He was rather disappointed at first. It was not as good as the one
where the Silver Stars played—not as well laid out or kept up, and
the grandstand was only about half as large.
“But of course it’s only a practice field,” reasoned Joe, as he
looked about for a sight of “Jimmie” Mack, whom alone he knew.
“The home field at Pittston will probably be all right. Still, I’ve got to
remember that I’m not playing in a major league. This will do for a
start.”
He looked over the men with whom he was to associate and play
ball for the next year or so—perhaps longer. The members of the
team were throwing and catching—some were batting flies, and
laying down grounders for others to catch or pick up. One or two
were practicing “fungo” batting. Up near the grandstand a couple of
pitchers were “warming-up,” while the catchers were receiving the
balls in their big mitts.
Several small and worshipping boys were on hand, as always is
the case, gathering up the discarded bats, running after passed balls
and bringing water to their heroes.

“Well, I’m here, anyhow,” thought Joe. “Now to see what sort of a
stab I can make at professional ball.”
No one seemed to notice the advent of the young pitcher on the
field, and if he expected to receive an ovation, such as was accorded
to him when he left home, Joe was grievously disappointed.
But I do not believe Joe Matson looked for anything of the sort. In
fact I know he did not, for Joe was a sensible lad. He realized that
however good a college player he might be he was now entering the
ranks of men who made their living at ball playing. And there is a
great deal of difference between doing a thing for fun, and doing it
to get your bread and butter—a heap of difference.
Joe stood on the edge of the diamond looking at the players. They
seemed to be a clean-cut set of young fellows. One or two looked to
be veterans at the game, and here and there Joe could pick out one
whose hair was turning the least little bit gray. He wondered if they
had slid down the scale, and, finding their powers waning, had
gotten out of the big leagues to take it a little easier in one of the
“bush” variety.
“But it’s baseball—it’s a start—it’s just what I want!” thought Joe,
as he drew a deep breath, the odors of crushed green grass, the dry
dust and the whiff of leather mingling under the hot rays of the
Southern sun.
“It’s baseball, and that’s enough!” exulted Joe.
“Well, I see you got here!” exclaimed a voice behind him, and Joe
turned to see “Jimmie” Mack, in uniform, holding out a welcoming
hand.
“Yes,” said Joe with a smile. “I’m a little late, but—I’m here.”
“If the trains arrive on time down here everybody worries,” went
on Jimmie. “They think something is going to happen. Did you bring
a uniform?”
Joe indicated his valise, into which he had hastily stuffed, at the
hotel, one of his old suits.

“Well, slip it on—take any dressing room that’s vacant there,” and
Jimmie motioned to the grandstand. “Then come out and I’ll have
you meet the boys. We’re only doing light practice as yet, but we’ll
soon have to hump ourselves, for the season will shortly open.”
“Is Mr. Gregory here?” asked Joe, feeling that he ought to meet
the manager of the team.
“He’ll be here before the day is over. Oh, Harrison!” he called to a
passing player, “come over and meet Joe Matson, one of our new
pitchers. Harrison tries to play centre,” explained the assistant
manager with a smile.
“Quit your kiddin’!” exclaimed the centre fielder as he shook hands
with Joe. “Glad to meet you, son. You mustn’t mind Jimmie,” he
went on. “Ever played before?”
“Not professionally.”
“That’s what I meant.”
“Joe’s the boy who pitched Yale to the championship this year,”
explained Jimmie Mack.
“Oh, ho! Yes, I heard about that. Well, hope you like it here. I’m
going out in the field. See you there,” and Harrison passed on.
Joe lost no time in changing into his playing togs. The dressing
rooms in the Montville grandstand were only apologies compared
with what Joe was used to.
But he knew that this was only a training camp, and that they
would not be here long.
He walked out on the field, feeling a little nervous and rather
lonesome—“like a cat in a strange garret,” as he wrote home to his
folks. But Joe’s school and college training stood him in good stead,
and when he had been introduced to most of the players, who
welcomed him warmly, he felt more at home.
Then he went out in the field, and began catching flies with the
others.

“But I wish they’d put me at pitching,” mused Joe. “That’s what I
want to do.”
He was to learn that to make haste slowly is a motto more or less
followed by professional ball players. There would be time enough to
put on speed before the season closed.

CHAPTER V
THE CLASH
“That’s the way! Line ’em out, now!”
“Put some speed into that!”
“Look out for a high one!”
“Oh, get farther back! I’m going to knock the cover off this time!”
These were only a few of the cries and calls that echoed over the
ball field at Montville. The occasion was the daily practice of the
Pittston nine, and orders had come from the manager and trainer to
start in on more lively work. It was Joe’s third day with the
professionals.
He had made the acquaintance of all the players, but as yet had
neither admitted, nor been admitted to, a real friendship with any of
them. It was too early.
Joe held back because he was naturally a bit diffident. Then, too,
most of the men were older than he, and with one exception they
had been in the professional ranks for several seasons. That one
exception was Charlie Hall, who played short. He, like Joe, had been
taken that Spring from the amateur ranks. Hall had played on a
Western college team, and had been picked out by one of the ever-
present professional scouts.
With Charlie, Joe felt more at home than with any of the others
and yet he felt that soon he would have good friends among the
older men.
On their part they did not become friendly with Joe at once simply
for the reason that they wanted to “size him up,” or “get his

number,” as Jimmie Mack put it in speaking of the matter.
“But they’ll cotton to you after a bit, Joe,” said the assistant
manager, “and you’ll like them, too. Don’t get discouraged.”
“I won’t,” was the answer.
There was one man on the team, though, with whom Joe felt that
he would never be on friendly terms, and this was Jake Collin, one of
the pitchers—the chief pitcher and mainstay of the nine on the
mound, from what Joe picked up by hearing the other men talk. And
Collin himself was not at all modest about his ability. That he had
ability Joe was ready to concede. And Collin wanted everyone else to
know it, too. He was always talking about his record, and his batting
average, which, to do him credit, was good.
Collin was not much older than Joe, but a rather fast life and hard
living counted for more than years. Joe heard whispers that Collin
could not last much longer.
Perhaps it was a realization of this that made Collin rather resent
the arrival of our hero on the Pittston nine. For he gave Joe but a
cold greeting, and, as he moved off to practice, the young pitcher
could hear him saying something about “college dudes thinking they
can play professional ball.”
Joe’s faced flushed, but he said nothing. It was something that
called more for deeds than words.
“Everybody lively now! I want some snappy work!” called Jimmie
Mack as the practice progressed. “If we’re going to play the
Montville team Saturday we want to snow them under. A win by a
few runs won’t be the thing at all, and, let me tell you, those boys
can play ball.
“So step lively, everybody. Run bases as if you meant to get back
home some time this week. Slug the ball until the cover comes off.
And you, Collin, get a little more speed on your delivery. Is your arm
sore?”

“Arm sore? I guess not! I’m all right!” and the man’s eyes snapped
angrily.
“Well, then, show it. Let’s see what you’ve got up your sleeve,
anyhow. Here comes Gregory now—he’ll catch a few for you, and
then we’ll do some batting.”
The manager, whom Joe had met and liked, came out to join in
the practice. He nodded to our hero, and then took Collin off to one
side, to give him some instructions.
Joe under the direction of Jimmie Mack was allowed to do some
pitching now. With Terry Hanson the left fielder, to back him up, Joe
began throwing in the balls on a space in front of the grandstand.
Joe noticed that Collin regarded him sharply in the intervals of his
own practice, but he was prepared for a little professional jealousy,
and knew how to take it. He had seen it manifested often enough at
school and college, though there the spirit of the university was
paramount to personal triumph—every player was willing to sacrifice
himself that the team might win. And, in a large measure, of course,
this is so in professional baseball. But human nature is human
nature, whether one is playing for money or for glory, and in
perhaps no other sport where money counts for as much as it does
in baseball, will you find more of the spirit of the school than in the
ranks of the diamond professionals.
“Take it easy, Joe; take it easy,” advised Terry, with a good-
natured smile, as the lad stung in the balls. “You’ve got speed, and
I’m willing to admit it without having you split my mitt. But save
yourself for a game. You’re not trying to pitch anyone out now, you
know, and there’s no one looking at you.”
“I guess I forgot this was just practice,” admitted Joe with a laugh.
“I’ll throw in some easy ones.”
He did, and saw an admiring look on Terry’s face.
“They seem to have the punch—that’s a nice little drop you’ve got.
But don’t work it too much. Vary your delivery.”

From time to time as the practice proceeded Terry gave Joe good
advice. Occasionally this would be supplemented by something Mack
or Gregory would say and Joe took it all in, resolving to profit by it.
The practice came to an end, and the players were advised by
their trainer, Mike McGuire, to take walks in the country round-about.
“It’ll be good for your legs and wind,” was the comment.
Joe enjoyed this almost as much as the work on the field, for the
country was new to him and a source of constant delight. He went
out with some of the men, and again would stroll off by himself.
Saturday, the day when the first practice game was to be played,
found Joe a bit nervous. He wondered whether he would get a
chance to pitch. So too, for that matter, did Tom Tooley, the south-
paw moundman, who was nearer Joe’s age than was Collin.
“Who’s going to be the battery?” was heard on all sides as the
Pittston players went to the grounds.
“The old man hasn’t given it out yet,” was the reply of Jimmie
Mack. The “old man” was always the manager, and the term
conveyed no hint of disrespect.
The Montville team, a semi-professional one, was a good bit like
the Silver Stars, Joe thought, when he saw the members run out on
the diamond for practice. Still they looked to be a “husky lot,” as he
admitted, and he was glad of it, for he wanted to see what he and
his team-mates could do against a good aggregation.
“Play ball! Play ball!” called the umpire, as he dusted off the home
plate. There was quite a crowd present, and when Gregory handed
over his batting list the umpire made the announcement:
“Batteries—for Pittston, Collin and Gregory. For Montville, Smith
and Jennings.”
“Um. He’s going to pitch Collin,” murmured Tooley in Joe’s ear.
“That means we warm the bench.”
Joe was a little disappointed, but he tried not to show it.

This first game was neither better nor worse than many others.
Naturally the playing was ragged under the circumstances.
The Pittstons had everything to lose by being beaten and not
much to gain if they won the game. On the other hand the home
nine had much to gain in case they should win. So they took rather
desperate chances.
Pittston was first at bat, and succeeded in getting two runs over.
Then came a slump, and in quick succession three men went down,
two being struck out. The Montville pitcher was a professional who
had been in a big league, but who had drifted to a minor, and finally
landed in the semi-pro ranks. But he had some good “heaves” left.
Collin walked to the mound with a rather bored air of superiority.
There was a little whispered conference between him and the
catcher-manager, and the second half of the first inning began.
Collin did well, and though hit twice for singles, not a run came in,
and the home team was credited with a zero on the score-board.
“Oh, I guess we can play some!” cried one of the professionals.
“What are you crowing over?” demanded Jimmie Mack. “If we win
this I suppose you fellows will want medals! Why this is nothing but
a kid bunch we’re up against.”
“Don’t let ’em fool you, though,” advised the manager, who
overheard the talk.
And then, to the surprise and dismay of all, the home team
proceeded to “do things” to the professionals. They began making
runs, and succeeded in stopping the winning streak of the Pittstons.
The detailed play would not interest you, and, for that matter it
was a thing the Pittstons did not like to recall afterward. There was a
bad slump, and when the seventh inning arrived Gregory called:
“Matson, you bat for Collin.”
Joe felt the blood rush to his face.

“Does that mean I’m going to be taken out of the box?” asked the
chief pitcher, stalking angrily over to the manager.
“It means just that, son. I can’t afford to lose this game, and we
sure will the way you’re feedin’ ’em in to ’em. I guess you drew it a
little too fine the last few days. You need a rest.”
“But—I—er—I——” protested Collin.
“That’ll do,” said Gregory, sharply. “Joe Matson will pitch. It’s a
chance, but I’ve got to take it.”
“What’s the matter with Tooley?” demanded Collin. “What do you
want to go shove this raw college jake in ahead of us for? Say!”
“Go to the bench!” ordered the manager. “I know what I’m doing,
Collin!”
The pitcher seemed about to say something, and the look he gave
Joe was far from friendly. Then, realizing that he was under the
manager’s orders, he stalked to the bench.
“You won’t do this again, if I can prevent it!” snapped Collin at
Joe, as he passed him. “I’ll run you out of the league, if you try to
come it over me!”
Only a few players heard him, and one or two whispered to him to
quiet down, but he glared at Joe, who felt far from comfortable.
But he was to have his chance to pitch at last.

CHAPTER VI
A STRAIGHT THROW
Joe had hopes of making a safe hit when he came up, but pitchers
are proverbially bad batsmen and our hero was no exception. I wish
I could say that he “slammed one out for a home run, and came in
amid wild applause,” but truth compels me to state that Joe only
knocked a little pop fly which dropped neatly into the hands of the
second baseman, and Joe went back to the bench.
“Never mind,” consoled Jimmie Mack, “you’re not here to bat—we
count on you to pitch, though of course if you can hit the ball do it—
every time. But don’t get nervous.”
“I’m not,” answered Joe.
And, to do him justice, his nerves were in excellent shape. He had
not played on the school and Yale nines for nothing, and he had
faced many a crisis fully as acute as the present one.
Then, too, the action of Collin must have had its effect. It was not
pleasant for Joe to feel that he had won the enmity of the chief
pitcher of the nine. But our hero resolved to do his best and let
other matters take care of themselves.
Whether it was the advent of Joe into the game, or because
matters would have turned out that way anyhow, was not disclosed,
but Pittston seemed to brace up, and that inning added three runs to
their score, which put them on even terms with the home team—the
members of which were playing phenomenal ball.
“And now we’ve got to go in and beat them!” exclaimed Manager
Gregory, as his men took the field. “Joe, I want to see what you can
do.”

Enough to make any young pitcher nervous; was it not? Yet Joe
kept his nerves in check—no easy matter—and walked to the box
with all the ease he could muster.
He fingered the ball for a moment, rubbed a little dirt on it—not
that the spheroid needed it, but it gave him a chance to look at
Gregory and catch his signal for a fast out. He nodded
comprehendingly, having mastered the signals, and wound up for his
first delivery.
“Ball one!” howled the umpire.
Joe was a little nettled. He was sure it had gone cleanly over the
plate, curving out just as he intended it should, and yet it was called
a ball. But he concealed his chagrin, and caught the horsehide which
Gregory threw back to him—the catcher hesitating just the least bit,
and with a look at the umpire which said much.
Again came the signal for a fast out.
Joe nodded.
Once more the young pitcher threw and this time, though the
batter swung desperately at it, not having moved his stick before,
there came from the umpire the welcome cry of:
“Strike—one!”
Joe was beginning to make good.
I shall not weary you with a full account of the game. I have
other, and more interesting contests to tell of as we proceed.
Sufficient to say that while Joe did not “set the river afire,” he did
strike out three men that inning, after a two-bagger had been made.
But Joe “tightened up,” just in time to prevent a run coming in, and
the score was still a tie when the last man was out.
In the next inning Pittston managed, by hard work, and a close
decision on the part of the umpire, to add another run to their score.
This put them one ahead, and the struggle now was to hold their
opponents hitless. It devolved upon Joe to accomplish this.

And he did it.
Perhaps it was no great feat, as baseball history goes, but it
meant much to him—a raw recruit in his first professional league,
“bush” though it was. Joe made good, and when he struck out the
last man (one of the best hitters, too, by the way) there was an
enthusiastic scene on that little ball field.
“Good, Joe! Good!” cried Jimmie Mack, and even the rather staid
Mr. Gregory condescended to smile and say:
“I thought you could do it!”
Collin, suffering from his turn-down, sulked on the bench, and
growled:
“I’ll show that young upstart! He can’t come here and walk over
me.”
“He didn’t walk over you—he pitched over you,” said George Lee,
the second baseman. “He pitched good ball.”
“Bah! Just a fluke! If I hadn’t strained my arm yesterday I’d have
made this home team look like a sick cat!”
“Post-mortems are out of style,” said Lee. “Be a sport! It’s all in
the game!”
“Um!” growled Collin, surlily.
The team played the game all over again at the hotel that night.
Of course it was not much of a victory, close as it was, but it showed
of what stuff the players were made, and it gave many, who were
ignorant of Joe’s abilities, an insight into what he could do.
“Well, what do you think of my find?” asked Jimmie Mack of his
chief that night.
“All right, Jimmie! All right! I think we’ll make a ball-player of him
yet.”
“So do I. And the blessed part of it is that he hasn’t got a swelled
head from his college work. That’s the saving grace of it. Yes, I think

Joe is due to arrive soon.”
If Joe had heard this perhaps he would have resented it
somewhat. Surely, after having supplanted a veteran pitcher, even
though of no great ability, and won his first professional game, Joe
might have been excused for patting himself on the back, and
feeling proud. And he did, too, in a sense.
But perhaps it was just as well he did not hear himself discussed.
Anyhow, he was up in his room writing home.
The next day was Sunday, and in the afternoon Joe went for a
long walk. He asked several of the men to go with him, but they all
made good-enough excuses, so Joe set off by himself.
It was a beautiful day, a little too warm, but then that was to be
expected in the South, and Joe was dressed for it. As he walked
along a country road he came to a parting of the ways; a weather-
beaten sign-post informed him that one highway led to North Ford,
while the other would take him to Goldsboro.
“Goldsboro; eh?” mused Joe. “That’s where that ‘R. V.’ fellow lives,
who thought I robbed his valise. I wonder if I’ll ever meet him? I’ve
a good notion to take a chance, and walk over that way. I can ask
him if he found his stuff. Maybe it’s risky, but I’m going to do it.”
He set off at a swinging pace to limber up his muscles, thinking of
many things, and wondering, if, after all, he was going to like
professional baseball. Certainly he had started in as well as could be
expected, save for the enmity of Collin.
Joe got out into the open country and breathed deeply of the
sweet air. The road swept along in a gentle curve, on one side being
deep woods, while on the other was a rather steep descent to the
valley below. In places the road approached close to the edge of a
steep cliff.
As the young pitcher strode along he heard behind him the clatter
of hoofs. It was a galloping horse, and the rattle of wheels told that
the animal was drawing a carriage.

“Someone’s in a hurry,” mused Joe. “Going for a doctor, maybe.”
A moment later he saw what he knew might at any moment
become a tragedy.
A spirited horse, attached to a light carriage, dashed around a
bend in the road, coming straight for Joe. And in the carriage was a
young girl, whose fear-blanched face told that she realized her
danger. A broken, dangling rein showed that she had tried in vain to
stop the runaway.
Joe formed a sudden resolve. He knew something of horses, and
had more than once stopped a frightened animal. He ran forward,
intending to cut across the path of this one, and grasp the bridle.
But as the horse headed for him, and caught sight of the youth, it
swerved to one side, and dashed across an intervening field, straight
for the steep cliff.
“Look out!” cried Joe, as if that meant anything.
The girl screamed, and seemed about to jump.
“I’ve got to stop that horse!” gasped Joe, and he broke into a run.
Then the uselessness of this came to him and he stopped.
At his feet were several large, round and smooth stones. Hardly
knowing why he picked up one, just as the horse turned sideways to
him.
“If I could only hit him on the head, and stun him so that he’d
stop before he gets to the cliff!” thought Joe. “If I don’t he’ll go over
sure as fate!”
The next instant he threw.
Straight and true went the stone, and struck the horse hard on
the head.
The animal reared, then staggered. It tried to keep on, but the
blow had been a disabling one. It tried to keep on its legs but they

crumpled under the beast, and the next moment it went down in a
heap, almost on the verge of the steep descent.
The carriage swerved and ran partly up on the prostrate animal,
while the shock of the sudden stop threw the girl out on the soft
grass, where she lay in a crumpled heap.
Joe sprinted forward.
“I hope I did the right thing, after all,” he panted. “I hope she isn’t
killed!”

CHAPTER VII
THE GIRL
Joe Matson bent over the unconscious girl, and, even in the
excitement of the moment, out of breath as he was from his fast
run, he could not but note how pretty she was. Though now her
cheeks that must usually be pink with the flush of health, were pale.
She lay in a heap on the grass, at the side of the overturned
carriage, from which the horse had partly freed itself. The animal
was now showing signs of recovering from the stunning blow of the
stone.
“I’ve got to get her away from here,” decided Joe. “If that brute
starts kicking around he may hurt her. I’ve got to pick her up and
carry her. She doesn’t look able to walk.”
In his sturdy arms he picked up the unconscious girl, and carried
her some distance off, placing her on a grassy bank.
“Let’s see—what do you do when a girl faints?” mused Joe,
scratching his head in puzzled fashion. “Water—that’s it—you have to
sprinkle her face with water.”
He looked about for some sign of a brook or spring, and, listening,
his ear caught a musical trickle off to one side.
“Must be a stream over there,” he decided. He glanced again at
the girl before leaving her. She gave no sign of returning
consciousness, and one hand, Joe noticed when he carried her, hung
limp, as though the wrist was broken.
“And she’s lucky to get off with that,” decided the young pitcher. “I
hope I did the right thing by stopping the horse that way. She sure
would have gone over the cliff if I hadn’t.”

The horse, from which had gone all desire to run farther, now
struggled to its feet, and shook itself once or twice to adjust the
harness. It was partly loose from it, and, with a plunge or two, soon
wholly freed itself.
“Run away again if you want to now,” exclaimed Joe, shaking his
fist at the brute. “You can’t hurt anyone but yourself, anyhow. Jump
over the cliff if you like!”
But the horse did not seem to care for any such performance now,
and, after shaking himself again, began nibbling the grass as though
nothing had happened.
“All right,” went on Joe, talking to the horse for companionship,
since the neighborhood seemed deserted. “Stay there, old fellow. I
may need you to get to a doctor, or to some house. She may be
badly hurt.”
For want of something better Joe used the top of his cap in which
to carry the water which he found in a clear-running brook, not far
from where he had placed the girl.
The sprinkling of the first few drops of the cold liquid on her face
caused her to open her eyes. Consciousness came back quickly, and,
with a start, she gazed up at Joe uncomprehendingly.
“You’re all right,” he said, reassuringly. “That is, I hope so. Do you
think you are hurt anywhere? Shall I get a doctor? Where do you
live?”
Afterward he realized that his hurried questions had given her little
chance to speak, but he meant to make her feel that she would be
taken care of.
“What—what happened?” she faltered.
“Your horse ran away,” Joe explained, with a smile. “He’s over
there now; not hurt, fortunately.”
“Oh, I remember now! Something frightened Prince and he bolted.
He never did it before. Oh, I was so frightened. I tried—tried to stop

him, but could not. The rein broke.”
The girl sat up now, Joe’s arm about her, supporting her, for she
was much in need of assistance, being weak and trembling.
“Then he bolted into a field,” she resumed, “and he was headed
for a cliff. Oh, how I tried to stop him! But he wouldn’t. Then—then
something—something happened!”
She looked wonderingly at Joe.
“Yes, I’m afraid I happened it,” he said with a smile. “I saw that
your horse might go over the cliff, so I threw a stone, and hit him on
the head. It stunned him, he fell, and threw you out.”
“I remember up to that point,” she said with a faint smile. “I saw
Prince go down, and I thought we were going over the cliff. Oh,
what an escape!”
“And yet not altogether an escape,” remarked Joe. “Your arm
seems hurt.”
She glanced down in some surprise at her right wrist, as though
noticing it for the first time. Then, as she moved it ever so slightly, a
cry of pain escaped her lips.
“It—it’s broken!” she faltered.
Joe took it tenderly in his hand.
“Only sprained, I think,” he said, gravely. “It needs attention at
once, though; I must get you a doctor. Can you walk?”
“I think so.”
She struggled to her feet with his help, the red blood now surging
into her pale cheeks, and making her, Joe thought, more beautiful
than ever.
“Be careful!” he exclaimed, as she swayed. His arm was about her,
so she did not fall.
“I—I guess I’m weaker than I thought,” she murmured. “But it
isn’t because I’m injured—except my wrist. I think it must be the

shock. Why, there’s Prince!” she added, as she saw the grazing
horse. “He isn’t hurt!”
“No, I only stunned him with the stone I threw,” said Joe.
“Oh, and so you threw a stone at him, and stopped him?” She
seemed in somewhat of a daze.
“Yes.”
“What a splendid thrower you must be!” There was admiration in
her tones.
“It’s from playing ball,” explained Joe, modestly. “I’m a pitcher on
the Pittston nine. We’re training over at Montville.”
“Oh,” she murmured, understandingly.
“If I could get you some water to drink, it would make you feel
better,” said Joe. “Then I might patch up the broken harness and get
you home. Do you live around here?”
“Yes, just outside of Goldsboro. Perhaps you could make a leaf
answer for a cup,” she suggested. “I believe I would like a little
water. It would do me good.”
She moistened her dry lips with her tongue as Joe hastened back
to the little brook. He managed to curl an oak leaf into a rude but
clean cup, and brought back a little water. The girl sipped it
gratefully, and the effect was apparent at once. She was able to
stand alone.
“Now to see if I can get that horse of yours hitched to the
carriage,” spoke the young pitcher, “that is, if the carriage isn’t
broken.”
“It’s awfully kind of you, Mr.——” she paused suggestively.
“I’m Joe Matson, formerly of Yale,” was our hero’s answer, and,
somehow, he felt not a little proud of that “Yale.” After all, his
university training, incomplete though it had been, was not to be
despised.

“Oh, a Yale man!” her eyes were beginning to sparkle now.
“But I gave it up to enter professional baseball,” the young pitcher
went on. “It’s my first attempt. If you do not feel able to get into the
carriage—provided it’s in running shape—perhaps I could take you to
some house near here and send word to your folks,” he suggested.
“Oh, I think I can ride—provided, as you say, the carriage is in
shape to use,” she answered, quickly. “I am Miss Varley. It’s awfully
good of you to take so much trouble.”
“Not at all,” protested Joe. He noticed a shadow of pain pass over
her face, and she clasped her sprained wrist in her left hand.
“That must hurt a lot, Miss Varley,” spoke Joe with warm
sympathy. “I know what a sprain is. I’ve had many a one. Let me
wrap a cold, wet rag around it. That will do until you can get to a
doctor and have him reduce it.”
Not waiting for permission Joe hurried back to the brook, and
dipped his handkerchief in the cold water. This he bound tightly
around the already swelling wrist, tying it skillfully, for he knew
something about first aid work—one needed to when one played ball
for a living.
“That’s better,” she said, with a sigh of relief. “It’s ever so much
better. Oh, I don’t know what would have happened if you had not
been here!”
“Probably someone else would have done as well,” laughed Joe.
“Now about that carriage.”
Prince looked up as the youth approached, and Joe saw a big
bruise on the animal’s head.
“Too bad, old fellow, that I had to do that,” spoke Joe, for he loved
animals. “No other way, though. I had to stop you.”
A look showed him that the horse was not otherwise injured by
the runaway, and another look showed him that it would be
impossible to use the carriage. One of the wheels was broken.

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