Suddenly Potter was anxious. He knew another ball would fill the bases. Although he was aware that the batter would not strike, he was altogether too anxious to get the ball across, and he failed to find the plate.
“Take your base!” said the umpire.
The spectators shouted. The bases were filled, and up to the plate stepped Frank Merriwell.
Now was the time to win.
Charley Bates was paler than usual, while Hank Dowling, for all of his nerve, did not look quite easy.
Potter began to fancy that everybody on the other team intended trying to walk. That caused him to put the first ball right over for Merriwell.
It was just where Frank wanted it. He met it fairly, and away sailed the sphere.
For a moment the runners held their bases, and then a great roar went up:
“It’s over the fence!”
In right field the fence was shorter than elsewhere, and Merry had picked out that point, driving the ball hard to put it over.