“But he didn’t get it,” sneered Cowles. “He simply knocked his ball aside so that it was lost, which gave Walpole a chance to score. Mason is directly responsible for the first score made by Princeton. In the last game he was responsible for more than half the scores made!”
“Merriwell will have to take him out now,” said Mullen.
But Frank Merriwell had no thought of taking Mason out for that piece of work. He knew there was not one fielder in twenty who could have touched that ball. Mason had come very near getting it. Had he caught it, it would have been one of the most remarkable and sensational outfield plays of the season.
Hodge said not a word, but he did look toward Frank inquiringly. Starbright’s face wore an expression of disgust.
“Hard luck, boys; that’s all,” said Frank quietly.
“Take him out!” shouted somebody on the Yale side.
Mason heard that cry, and it cut him like a keen knife.
“Gods!” he growled, through his teeth, “I’d never have been here if Merriwell hadn’t insisted. Luck is against me, that’s all!”
Merritt, the next batter, was one of the heavy hitters of the Princeton nine. He picked out a good one and lammed it hard. It went sailing away toward left field.
Starbright was being hit rather freely.