Hodge was the man, and he longed to hit the ball hard, believing he could drive in at least one score. Merry, however, signed for Bart to bunt toward first.
Frank’s system of signals was complete, and both base-runners knew just what was to happen if Hodge could meet the ball right.
Holding his bat loosely, Bart succeeded in bunting the very first ball, sending it rolling along just inside the chalk-line that led from the home plate to first bag.
Hodge sped toward first, while Ready raced up to third and Carson went down to second.
Bowers sprang after the ball, but it rolled along beyond his reach in a most provoking manner, and he secured it just too late to throw Bart out.
This clever opening by Frank’s team set the spectators on edge and astounded the home team.
Nesbitt had fancied the youngsters could not get five safe hits off him, yet three had been made by the first three batters to face him, although two of them were bunts.
At this point Frank fancied he had made a mistake in placing Browning fourth on the list, for Bruce could not sacrifice very well, and a sacrifice hit would make it easy to bring in a run.
Bruce had seen the others bunting, and that led him to believe Nesbitt easy to hit. He picked out his own heavy bat and loafed up to the plate.