As Gamp came to bat, Bart took a desperate chance, and again stole second.
“Now for a clean hit!” sighed Jack Ready.
Gamp smashed the ball, sending it far into the field, but Jones got under it. Hodge took a chance and sprinted for third. Jones made a handsome throw, and Bart was out by four feet, which ended the Merries’ chance for tieing the score in that inning.
Morgan’s team had not given up hope of making more runs, and they came to bat with considerable ginger in the first of the ninth.
Dunnerwurst pranced out with his stick, and again invited the fielders to “mofe pack nearer.” Knowing that Hans was liable to strike at almost anything, Dick started with a high ball.
The Dutch lad hit it, and the ball went out between first and second.
“Didn’t you toldt me so!” whooped Hans, as he scooted for first.
It seemed like a safe hit, but Carson was playing short, and the ball came to him on a beautiful bound. He picked it up cleanly and threw without a moment of delay to first.
“Out!” cried the umpire, as the ball spanked into Browning’s mitt, a moment before Hans reached the bag.