CHAPTER XXIII.
THE FIRST RUN.
“What’s the matter, Merry?” asked Bart anxiously, as Frank came in to the bench. “You did not use the double-shoot once in that inning.”
“Oh, why not give the boys something to do?” said Frank. “They are shouting for it.”
He did not think it advisable to let Bart know his wrist had been injured. Still, knowing Merry as he did, Hodge seemed to feel that something was wrong, and this thought was in his mind when he picked out a bat and stepped up to the plate.
Two innings had passed without a score, and now Bart was resolved to do something to put the Merries into the game.
Nesbitt realized at last that he was up against something more than a lot of “easy marks,” and he decided that the snap was not so great as he had fancied at the outset.
Bart was cool, although he appeared anxious, and Nesbitt’s caution led him into the mistake of giving the batter a pass to first. Hodge flung aside his bat and trotted down, while Merry immediately took a position on the coaching-line.
Crouching there, Frank gave the signal to “hit and run,” knowing Browning would find it difficult to bunt or sacrifice.
The first one was good enough, and Bruce met it. Already Hodge was scooting for second.
The ball went straight at Joiler, who fell over himself in his anxiety to pick it up quick enough for a double play. The ball rolled between the feet of the short-stop and avoided his hand a moment. When he got it he made a snap throw to Waldron on second, and, without hesitation, Hodge slid feet first for the bag.