“Two strikes,” said the umpire.
“What?” shouted Robinson.
“Don’t kick,” advised the jay. “You know you was bad fooled. Hit the next one.”
Robinson was mad, and he slashed furiously at the next ball pitched, which curved out and missed the end of his bat by eight inches.
“Striker out!” declared the umpire.
The jay had struck out the first two men, and now the amazed spectators began to clap their hands.
“Thankee,” said the queer fellow, touching the brim of his rusty derby. “You’re jest beginnin’ to ’preciate me.”
The next hitter grasped a bat and sprang up to the plate.
“Let’s see you strike me out!” he exclaimed. “I’ll bet a dollar you don’t.”