The Fardale fans began to pluck up hope. They roared out hoarse entreaties to fight it out, and as he glanced at the grand stand Merry saw Colonel Gunn standing up and excitedly waving his hat, dignity utterly forgotten, while Randall clutched him around the neck and yelled like a crazy man.
“Here’s a nice straight one for you, Green,” said Chip.
Green evidently believed him, for he swung at the ball wickedly. But the sphere took a queer upward jump into Billy’s mitt, and Green stepped back with a single gasp of amazement.
“What you got on that ball?” he queried wonderingly.
Smiling, Merry sent down another, square in the groove. This time Green stood back and watched it, then grinned.
“Let her come!” he cried, and Chip knew that he had solved the jump.
With that, he sent down a straight ball. Green grinned again, struck a foot above it—and was out!
But the Clippers were still one run to the good.