“T’anks,” returned the tramp. “You’re jest beginning to git onto me style. I tol’ yer I was an all-round wizard, but you didn’t believe me. Now, mebbe you’ll try that combination when I call for it.”
“The very next time,” promised Dick.
The opportunity came very soon, for with two strikes and two balls called on Jenners, Hoboson signaled for Dick to use his most effective curve.
Merriwell sent in his combination, but did not get it over the plate.
Plunk!—the ball landed in the tramp’s mitt and stuck there.
“Jest as e—easy!” he chuckled.
Again he called for this ball and again Dick used it. This time Jenners struck and missed, and once more the ball plunked into the catcher’s mit and remained there.
Three Rockfordites were out.
“Well, I guess he can catch!” whooped McLane. “He’s not a beaut, but he fills the bill!”
“Who in tut-tut-thunder is this fellow?” chattered Jolliby, as he reached the bench. “He’s all right, Dick. I don’t believe Rockford could have scored if we’d had him in the fuf-fuf-fuf-first place.”