“Up!” shouted the leader of the cheering, with an upward motion of both arms. “All up for Merriwell!”
Every boy in blue rose to his feet as Dick advanced to the plate, bat in hand.
“’Ere’s where we win the game, don’t y’ ’now!” shrieked Billy Bradley. “He will do the trick!”
When Dick struck wide of the first ball with an awkward swing of the bat some were surprised. Others, however, saw the object, for Buckhart took second on that pitch, and Merriwell’s flourish had been for the purpose of bothering the catcher. He had not tried to touch the ball.
“A hit now will win this game!” panted Earl Gardner.
“He will get it,” said Barron Black confidently.
Armstrong was on his mettle, and did his best to deceive Merriwell. He led the batter to swing at a deceptive in-drop, and two strikes were called.
“Sit down! sit down!” yelled a Rivermouth fellow. “The inning is over! He will never disturb Armstrong!”
Barely had the words been uttered when Dick met one of Armstrong’s curves and sent the ball skimming along the ground at great speed.
The shortstop sprang to get in front of it, while Jolliby made a daring dash for the plate. The ball took an erratic bound just before reaching the shortstop and went over his shoulder.