“Ahoy, there, Buck, you magnificent son of the Lone Star State!” cried the captain, as he made a salute. “It gives my optics a sensation of delectation to once more behold your sturdy form. Go ahead, boys, and cut your capers. You will excuse me if I occasionally indulge in a hornpipe around the bench here.”
“Play ball!” cried the umpire.
“They’re off!” shouted Wiley. “Let the excitement sizzle!”
Dick gave a sudden hitch at his trousers with one hand and then pitched the ball.
It was a rise.
Dustan was prepared for it, and the bat met the ball with a resounding crack.
“Ah!” cried the Franklin spectators.
It was a clean two-bagger.
“Here we go!” laughed Nort Madison, dancing round on the coaching line. “Get a lead, Dustan! We’ll jump into this game and win it at the start!”
Gibbs, a stocky-looking chap, was the next hitter.