“The very first one!” laughed Morley. “Why, I knew it was a snap!”
“Mr. Umpire,” said Frank quietly, “if that gentleman is going to make remarks, kindly ask him to leave the players’ bench.”
“That’s right, Morley,” said the umpire, “you will have to keep still while you are on the bench.”
This caused the crowd to howl derisively, and it seemed that the Merries had very few friends present.
Davis was ready to strike, and Frank gave him a wide out drop. He let it pass, and Jones took the opportunity to hustle for second in an attempt to steal.
Hodge took the ball, did not swing, but seemed to pull his hand just back to his ear, and then threw to second. It was a quick, easy throw, and it did not seem that Bart put enough force into it to send the ball down.
“Slide!” yelled the coacher.
Jones had been running like a deer, for he was the best base-stealer on the team, as well as the surest hitter. Forward he flung himself, sliding gracefully along the ground with his hands outstretched.
The ball came into Rattleton’s hands about two feet from the ground, and Harry had it on the runner when Jones’ hands were yet a foot from the bag.
“Man is out!” announced the umpire.