Thinking Merriwell frightened, Welch proceeded to rub it in by offering to give the boy ten dollars every time he struck out if Dick would give him a dollar for every clean hit he made.
“Which is the same as betting,” said Dick. “I never bet.”
“Of course he doesn’t,” chuckled Towne. “He hasn’t sand enough. I don’t believe he has the nerve to get out here and pitch for batting practice.”
“What sort of batting practice is this to be?” demanded Dick sharply. “Under ordinary circumstances the pitching is not made too difficult for the batter. It’s not customary in such practice for the pitcher to deceive the batter in any possible way. Instead of that, he is to put the ball over if he can.”
“If you’ll pitch, I shall be highly pleased to have you deceive me in any possible manner,” said Welch. “Just show what you can do, will you? They say Manhattan College has a pitcher after your style, and I just want to show the boys what I’m going to do to him.”
“Go ahead, Merriwell,” urged Emery.
Thus challenged, Dick proceeded to pull off his coat and get ready for business.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE FRESHMAN PITCHER.
Dick had not come out for that purpose, and he gave Billings a good-natured frown, receiving in return an equally good-natured smile of satisfaction. Things had happened exactly the way Billings had hoped they would. It was his belief that Merriwell could show the varsity pitchers a few tricks, but the boy was not the kind voluntarily to show off, and the pride and prejudice of the varsity pitchers would prevent them from seeking any tips of a freshman.
It must be confessed that Merriwell’s blood had been warmed a little by the unconcealed sneering of Welch and Towne. He knew both of these fellows disliked him heartily, and, to tell the truth, he was not inclined to waste any love on them.