Madison fouled the second ball pitched and followed this up by driving the third one straight at Gardner. The ball was twisting fiercely when it struck Earl’s hands, and he failed to hold it. By the time he had recovered it Gannon was on second and Madison close to first. Earl did not throw to Singleton.
“Rotten!” he muttered, his face flushing.
“That’s all right, old man,” assured Dick. “Don’t worry about that.”
Madison hopped about near first, slapping his knee and laughing.
“Got ’em going again, fellows!” he cried. “Keep it up, Jarley, my boy! They are rattled!”
“I wish I thought it!” squeaked Obediah Tubbs from the bench.
Dick worked carefully with Jarley, getting two strikes on him, while two balls had also been called. He then put a speedy one over the inside corner, but the umpire declared it a ball.
Buckhart signaled for a drop. Dick threw the ball so it seemed as if it must pass the plate higher than Jarley’s head. It was a magnificent sharp drop, and cut down across the batter’s shoulders.
Jarley let it pass.
“Take your base!” directed the umpire.