Both Swiftwing and Gamp went after the ball, but Frank saw at once that neither of them could catch it.
Swiftwing was a great runner, and he sped to cut the ball off after it struck the ground.
Hanson crossed first and tore along to second, urged by the roaring crowd.
Bart Hodge groaned as he saw the ball strike the ground and go bounding away into left field, with Swiftwing tearing after it.
“Home run! home run!” yelled the spectators, while one of the home team raced down to third, to be on hand there and send Hanson home as he came along.
Away out in the far extreme of left field Swiftwing finally ran down the ball. But Hanson was almost to third, and the spectators in the grand stand and on the bleachers were certain he could reach home before the ball could be sent in.
“Come home! come home!” they screamed.
Hanson crossed third, and the coacher sent him right along.
In the meantime Swiftwing had picked up the ball and given it a quick snap to Gamp, the long New Hampshire youth, who was within two rods of him. Joe turned with the ball in his hand, and saw Hanson crossing third.