Bart was arousing admiration by his cool, steady work. Ned Noon saw this, and ground his teeth in fury.
It was Noon’s turn to come to bat. He advanced, resolved to do something or drop dead in the attempt.
A gleam entered Frank Merriwell’s eyes. He gathered himself. Two men had been allowed to hit; but if Ned Noon got a hit he would earn it. Then Merriwell sent them over with all kinds of twists and curves. Ned was fooled. He fanned three times, flung his bat to the ground and uttered a curse.
The regulars had failed to score in their half of the second inning.
CHAPTER XVII.
A GOOD FINISH.
Walbert did his prettiest. He struck out one of the “scrub,” and then the bases were filled. It looked like several more scores for Merriwell’s side.
Walbert set his teeth and pitched. He realized that he was working for a place on the ’varsity nine, and never had he done better. He struck out another man. Then the next batter sent a long one straight out to the center fielder, who gathered it in and the inning ended.
The spectators were greatly interested, for it was a hot game, something they had not expected. They began to chaff the regulars. Some of them said Merriwell’s team was the right one to represent Yale on the diamond that season.
Browning had not been given much work, but, to his own surprise, he was wide awake. The excitement of the game had aroused him from his lethargy.