The baseball boys of Lakeport

by Edward Stratemeyer

"Link Darrow is afraid to pitch!" sneered one of the rival players.

"I was only put in to give Joe a rest," answered Link, calmly. He thought more of his club than he did of himself.

The Excelsiors watched every chance, and when a ball was dropped by a Lakeport player at second, one of the runners slid home. Then another run came in, and the score was a tie.

"A tie! A tie!"

"Keep at 'em! You've got 'em on the run!"

Two men were out. The best batter of the Excelsior club now faced Joe. In came the ball swiftly.

"One strike!"

Again was the ball delivered.

"Two strikes!"

With the ball in hand, Joe made a signal to Fred, for a slow drop. In it came, in a manner that was truly tantalizing to the batsman. He swung his bat savagely—and missed it.