“Everybody hit him before,” said Dorrity. “Let’s make ’em good this time.”
Hanson was the first man up, and he was breathing heavily. Frank gave him no time to rest, but sent one straight over. Hanson hit it and sent it sailing out for a short hit over the infield. Every one thought it was a hit.
Dick Merriwell raced back after the ball, looking over his shoulder to see it coming down. As it dropped, he jumped forward, caught it with his right hand, dropped it, but caught it with his left before it could fall to the ground.
As the boy turned, with the ball in his hands, the crowd rose up and gave him a cheer.
“Did you ever see anything like that?” roared the man with the hoarse voice.
“Never in my life!” shrieked one with a shrill voice.
“Kid, you’re all right!” came from various quarters.
“Who is that boy?” was the question that passed from lip to lip.
At length somebody found out the truth, and then men and women were saying: