“Boys,” said Hurley, rising to his feet, “that man Merriwell has invented a new curve, and we’ll have to wake up and hustle if we get any safe hits off him to-day.”
“And all my labor in teaching this bunch to hit the double-shoot was wasted!” moaned the sailor. “When I think of that it makes my arm wearied and weak. I am fain to confess that Merriwell is too astute for a mortal of common clay.”
Crackson Swatt sat down gloomily.
“I’ve batted against spit-ball pitchers before; but I’ve never seen one with that kink in his delivery,” he admitted.
“You didn’t bunt,” said Hurley.
“I tried it once and missed. When I can’t get my bat against a ball that curves fair over the plate the pitcher is a wizard or I have lost my batting eye.”
Roden was next, and he attempted a bunt. He was the first to make anything like a success at hitting the ball, but his bunt went into the hands of Ready, who came rushing in for it.
Jack had plenty of time to throw Roden out, but he made a bad throw to Browning. The ball went over Bruce’s head and into the crowd.
Wiley yelled like a maniac.