Again Bender motioned for Mulloy to move back from the plate.
"Pitch the ball, me fri'nd—pitch the ball," said Barney. "Oi'm in me box, and I'll shtand here."
An instant later Bender delivered the ball, deliberately snapping a swift one straight at Mulloy.
Barney might have dropped to the ground and thus avoided being hit, but, instead of doing so, he leaned far forward, with his left shoulder advanced and his right shoulder held well back. In this manner he escaped being hit fairly by the ball, which glanced from the back of his right shoulder.
"Take your base!" called Carker promptly.
Instantly there was a howl of protestation from the crowd back of first base.
McCann made a rush at Carker.
"Call him back!" snarled the captain of the Rovers. "He didn't try to dodge that ball! He didn't try to get out of the way!"
"The pitcher hit him deliberately," said Greg calmly. "He was threatened before the ball was pitched. Get back into your position."
McCann placed his hands on his hips and glared at Carker.