Gamp understood that the big fellow would attempt to steal, and he regarded the matter as a very foolish piece of business on Merriwell’s part.
“Frank ought to know Bruce cuc-cuc-cuc-can’t run faster than a snail,” thought Joe.
However, he obeyed the sign, which was for him to slash at the first ball pitched. This he did most successfully, missing it easily, and falling backward to bother the catcher.
Gamp’s floundering about bothered McCann just long enough to make it impossible to catch Browning, who ran with most surprising speed for him. However, McCann threw, and the runner was forced to slide, which he did.
“That’s the stuff!” cried Frank encouragingly. “Just see how easy it is.”
“Let him try it again!” muttered McCann sourly. “Let anybody try it. See if I don’t git der next duffer w’ot goes down.”
With Browning on second, Gamp longed to hit the ball hard, and he succeeded in fouling it three times in succession. Then he put up a long fly to right field, on which Browning ran the moment the ball fell into the hands of McGlinkey.
McGlinkey threw to Waldron, who wheeled about with the ball in his hands.
Browning had covered ground with great speed and was on his way from third to the home plate.
Uttering a low curse, McCann ran out after the ball, caught it, and plunged back in a mad effort to stop the score.