“Oh, hit it! hit it!” exclaimed the pitcher. “What are you making motions like that for?”
Arlington did not reply. With the next ball pitched, however, he swung and met it full and fair. At first it seemed certain the ball would go over the fence, and a roar of delight rose from the cadets. It struck against the top of the fence, however, and bounded back. Although it did not go over, this hit was sufficient to let both Tubbs and Buckhart score.
Immediately the cadets began to sing “Fardale’s Way.”
Factor now keyed himself up and pitched at his best. Gardner drove out a short fly that was captured, while Black followed with a longer one that was taken by an outfielder, on which Arlington reached third. Flint now came up once more and was given an ovation. This time he drove a hot one along the ground, and Grace barely touched it as it went bounding past. On this Arlington scored.
The Fardale boys were wild with delight. They shouted until they were hoarse.
Bradley did his best to follow the good example that had been set for him, but at last Factor woke up and struck the latter out, which retired the home team; but not, however, until three tallies had been added to their score, which left them, at the close of the second inning, five in the lead.
CHAPTER III.
GREAT NORTHERN FINDS ARLINGTON.
By this time the cadets were jubilant, and Chester Arlington was greatly puffed up over his success. The Fardale boys had anticipated nothing like this, and they were beginning to believe their team would take the game with ease.
“This is Arlington’s day,” declared Clint Shaw. “He struck it right this time.”
“He’s pitching a great game,” muttered Tom Walker.