The approval of this act on the part of the two captains came from the cadets and the spectators in a burst of applause.
The game continued with two of the substitutes acting as umpires, Obediah Tubbs being one of these, while Franklin furnished the other. These fellows alternated with every inning in deciding on the balls and strikes, so that both sides were given a fair show.
Merriwell was the first batter up for Fardale in the third inning, and, after having two strikes called on him, he hit a grounder past Gibbs, secured first on it, turned toward second, and drew the ball from Jarley, to whom it had been returned by Gannon. Jarley snapped the ball over so quickly in order to catch Dick that he made a bad throw.
Madison stretched himself for it, but barely touched it with the end of his mitt.
Dick danced down to second.
“Now that’s too bad!” piped the voice of Ted Smart. “I’m just as sorry as I can be! I am afraid we’re going to get some scores!”
“Don’t be afraid, little fellow,” said Gibbs mockingly. “There is not the least danger of it.”
“Oh, I am so anxious!” said Ted. “I am so nervous and excited! Why, I should just hate to see us getting any scores now!”
As Darrell walked out to bat he glanced toward Dick, who was on second, and received a signal to bunt.
Although Darrell longed to swing hard at the ball, he obeyed the signal, and bunted toward first base, doing his best to outrun the ball.