Squint at once moved for a new trial, but the umpire denied the motion, and the Clippings and their admirers sent up a shrill yell as they knew the score was tied. During the argument Frank stole third, but an instant later Moore was caught off first, and the inning was over, with the score tied.
The fifth, sixth, and seventh passed without another run. In the eighth, Runge took third on a long fly, which Henderson dropped, but he died there. Henderson made good his error by a hit in the next half, and Chub Newton astonished every one by getting another, but the Clippers woke up and effected a beautiful double play that retired the side.
The ninth opened with the heavy end of both sides at bat. The crowd was now silent and tense, for the game was apt to jump either way without warning. Merriwell seemed airtight, and Carson had superb support behind him.
Squint Fletcher strode up to the plate, and came down on the first ball Frank put over. The hit was a clean one, the sphere flying out between Moore and Nippen for a Texas leaguer, but Squint was not content with this. He tore around first and went on to second like a whirlwind.
Moore sent the ball in to Spaulding perfectly. The second baseman stood off the line, and, as he stooped for the catch, Squint came slamming into him in a whirl of dust. The ball was seen to drop, and, when the dust cleared off, Spaulding was fiercely addressing the grinning Squint, whose spikes had gone into his leg.
“Rotten! Murder him!” went up the yell.
“Dirty work! Smash him, Jim!” cried McCarthy.
Spaulding was about to obey, when Chip Merriwell leaped on him and restored him to sanity. Muttering, the angry Spaulding wiped the blood from his leg and limped to his place. Frank returned to his box, glad that trouble had been avoided.
Burkett fanned, but Bangs clipped a high one that Moore misjudged. Squint was halted at third, while Bangs took second on a close decision, with one out. Ironton came up and deliberately stepped into Merry’s double shoot, but did it so cleverly that the umpire was deceived into giving him a base. The sacks were filled.
The next man up was Johnson. Frank fooled him once, then snapped the ball to Clancy in an endeavor to catch Ironton. The effort failed, but Squint Fletcher took a chance on reaching home.