“Shut up, Nippen,” exclaimed Merry. “He doesn’t dare hit you.”
As if to disprove this, Carson launched another in the same place. Nippen jumped back, and, as his bat fell, the ball struck against it and rolled out into the diamond.
The big fellow leaped out toward first. Bangs darted in to secure the ball, laughing as he did so. He straightened up with it, and slapped it to Burkett, but a cry of amazement went up. Nippen had beaten out the throw!
“Watch the elephant run!” shrieked the fans.
Clancy walked out to the plate, while Chub went down to coach at first.
“Hello, carrot-top!” growled Squint. “Watch out you don’t scorch the ball on his thatch, Bully!”
Carson knew that Clancy was dangerous. He put over a fast drop, but Clan refused to bite. Then came a slow fadeaway, and the red-haired chap took it on the nose.
There was a groan of dismay. The ball soared high, and Merrell raced back toward the fence. Then he stopped, and waited, and the ball came down into his glove.
Nippen, showing poor judgment, had dashed for second as soon as the ball settled softly in Merrell’s glove. The center fielder did not wait an instant, however, and threw the ball to Murray, who made Nippen an easy out.
The Clippings were retired. The inning was over, without a run.