The one who struck it sent it straight at Hodge.
Bart met it with a good crack and sent it back.
Barney Mulloy poised his bat.
“Begobs! Oi’ll knock the paling off it wid me shtick!” he cried.
With all his might he struck.
And missed it!
But one of the young Indians was on hand, and he seemed prepared for such an emergency, as he struck the ball before it could reach the ground, lifting it into the air again, and saving the first defeat for Swiftwing’s side.
Hans Dunnerwust saw the ball coming in his direction, and he resolved to get some glory out of the game.
He ran to meet it, tripped himself, fell down, rolled over, sat up, and swung his bat. In some manner he succeeded in hitting the ball as he sat on the ground, and he sent it into the air again.
“You don’d done dot mit me!” he cried, and the spectators roared and cheered, the white men laughing loudly, and not a few of the Indians betraying mirth.