When the ball was tossed to Ware he angrily threw it on the ground at his feet and walked around it.
“Talk about your horseshoes!” he growled. “That was the worst accident that ever happened!”
“He! he!” exclaimed Obediah, as he rose to his feet. “Fooled you that time, Mr. Pitcher! You’re pretty slick yourself, but you can be fooled!”
Buckhart was the next batter.
Apparently Ware continued to be very angry, and he did not seem to give much attention to Tubbs. This being the case, Obediah edged off from second, elated over his success and feeling a strong desire to create further enthusiasm by stealing to third.
Suddenly Warren put his hand up to his mask, as if to change it as he crouched under the bat.
Instantly Ware whirled and snapped the ball into the hands of Roberts, who had darted past Tubbs and was in position to receive the throw and tag Obediah before the fat boy could get back to the bag.
The coacher had uttered a cry of warning, but it came too late.
“Out at second!” announced the umpire.
Then the Fairport crowd had a chance to cheer.