Waldron was one of the surest batters on the home team. He picked up his favorite slugger, and advanced to the plate with it over his shoulder.
“Strike this man out, Merriwell,” cried somebody on the bleachers. “I’ll bet a hundred dollars you can’t do it!”
This was enough to indicate just how Waldron was regarded as a batter, and it made Merry decidedly cautious. He began with a sharp drop, which Waldron fouled.
“That won’t do!” Merriwell mentally exclaimed. “He can hit drops.”
A rise followed, but it was higher than the batter’s shoulders when it passed over the plate, and Waldron let it pass.
“One ball,” said the umpire.
Bart called for the double-shoot. Merry had not wished to use it on the fellow so soon, but he nodded and sent it in.
Waldron saw the ball start for him and begin to curve quickly, as if going over the plate. Regarding it as an ordinary out, the batter swung. To his amazement, the ball reversed and shot in, striking him glancingly on the wrist.
Waldron dropped the bat and started for first, but the umpire promptly sent him back.