Suddenly Abe clutched the sailor nervously, as he exclaimed:
“There! there! That umpire is talking to the sandy man who watched me! Look at him!”
“There must be a hazy cloud over my optics,” said Wiley, “for I assure you I fail to see the parties in question. Where are they?”
“Over there in the crowd,” declared the boy, pointing. “They saw me! The sandy man has gone again!”
“Abe, what you need is something for your nerves. When I get that way I take a little spirits fermenti.”
Although Abe declared he was certain he was being watched, Wiley fancied it a case of nervousness and gave little attention to anything save the game.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE LAST EFFORT.
The three innings which followed were exciting enough to keep the spectators nerved to the highest pitch. In each inning the contesting teams struggled hard for more scores, but good work and fast fielding prevented either side from obtaining a tally.
Franklin came up into the first half of the seventh with Jarley at bat. The clever little shortstop of the visitors bunted the first ball pitched, and managed to reach first ahead of it. Knealy followed with a bunt and was out at first, but Jarley went down to second.
“Lace it, Tipton—good old Tip!” sang the Franklin crowd.