“Dern my picter! I am right here behind ye!” piped Obediah Tubbs.
“Put it into the pocket!” growled Buckhart, holding up his big mitt. “Put it right there, old man!”
Having toed the slab, Arlington whistled in the first ball, which was a sharp inshoot.
The batter struck, and the ball plunked into the Texan’s glove.
“Oh, dear me!” came from Ted Smart. “Didn’t he hit it hard!”
The entire Fardale team was chattering away now in a lively fashion, every player on his toes and ready to do his duty.
Having led the batter to swing at the first one, Chester sought to “pull” him with an outcurve.
Ligner was wary, however and refused to go after it.
“Get ’em over! Get ’em over, young feller!” he growled. “Can’t you find the plate?”
Chester tried a high one, and again Ligner missed it.