“Here goes Merriwell into the box for the second time,” said Necker. “Now watch. I hope they find him.”
Captain Hurley was the first batter to face Frank in the second inning. He was resolved to set an example for his men to follow. Being a new hitter, he felt confident that Merry would find trouble in fooling him.
Frank knew Hurley’s reputation, and he took no chances. The first ball pitched was the new curve, and it swept over the inside corner of the plate.
Hurley fouled it lightly, but the ball landed in Hodge’s mitt and remained there.
Then Frank pitched two that seemed very wild. Hurley wondered if he had lost control. He was wondering when another of those queer corner cutters came over the outside edge and he struck at it.
“Two strikes!” cried the umpire, as the ball spanked into Bart’s big mitt.
“Ye gods and little fishhooks!” moaned Cap’n Wiley, resting his head on his hands. “Is our noble leader going the way of dew before the morning sunshine? Will he likewise evaporate and fade away? Such a calamity would be too excruciating to endure.”
Hurley was puzzled. He could not understand why he had missed the ball, but he realized that he had not fathomed the curve Frank was using.
“I’ll get the next one!” he vowed.
Frank tried the inside corner, and for the third time Hurley missed.