“Robbery!” whooped Wiley. “That was a beaut!”
The umpire gave him a look.
“Forget it! Forget it!” growled the sailor in a low tone. “I am onto your tricks!”
The bases were now filled, and Knealy was at the bat.
“A little single, Knealy, old huckleberry!” cried Madison from second. “That’s all you want!”
“Dern his picter! he will never get it!” squealed Obediah Tubbs.
In a few moments, however, it began to look as if a run might be forced in. Although Dick “cut the corners,” the umpire refused to call strikes, and three balls in succession were declared.
This was too much for Dick, who turned on the umpire, asking in a low tone:
“What’s your price for this job?”
“What’s that?” fiercely demanded the fellow. “Are you offering to buy me?”