“What’s got into you?” he cried. “What are you trying to do? Where are you going?”
Brad made no answer, but endeavored to pass Earl and continue toward third.
By this time Dick Merriwell had reached the spot, and he seized Brad by the arm, turning him around.
“The other way, you crazy loon!” he exclaimed. “First base is on the other side!”
Realizing his blunder at last, Brad started across the diamond toward first.
“Get into the base line!” cried Dick.
Buckhart did not seem to hear this, for he continued toward first, without attempting to follow the base line.
Spangler had secured the ball at last, and he threw it to Stowe, who promptly lined it over to Bill Swarton. By the time the ball reached Swarton’s hands, Buckhart was on first.
Swarton touched him with the ball and then called for the umpire to declare him out.
“Why, dern your picter!” cried Obediah Tubbs, “he’s on the base! He can’t be out!”