Instantly Villum gained his feet and plunged toward second, repeating his bull-head effort of the fourth inning. While Smith chased the ball the crowd began to yell encouragement at him, remembering that he had scored the first tally.
On reaching second, Villum took a look over his shoulder and started for third. Smith had gained the ball, and was sending it across the diamond to Craven, but none the less he pounded on, head down and elbows working.
He was only halfway from second when Craven picked up the ball and started for him with a grin. Villum never slacked up, despite the frantic yells that were directed at him. Just as Craven reached out to tag him, however, he stumbled over his own foot and fell like a shot, headfirst.
He struck squarely against Craven’s knees. The latter’s hand was distinctly seen to fly out, while the ball dropped and rolled away. Out of the whirling arms and legs emerged Villum, bounced to third, and turned toward home.
“I toldt you I vos a home run got!” he bellowed.
This time, however, this amazing luck seemed to have deserted him. Craven rolled over and got the ball, and quickly snapped it home. Olcott stepped out to get it, flinging aside his mask, and a groan swelled out from the crowd.
“He’s done for!”
“Nefer!” roared Villum, bouncing along desperately.
Once more he shot to earth, just as the ball came whizzing along over him. Olcott took the ball and fetched it down, but Villum had already come to a stop, hands outstretched before him.
“Shudgement!” he squawked at the umpire. “You pet me dot I vos safe!”