"Oh, I thought I had time. Besides, my foot slipped," was the surly answer.
The second batter had a strike called on him and then managed to get to first on a short hit to left field. The batter to follow went out on a foul tip which Fred captured in a style that earned him quite some applause.
Joe was watching the runner on first, but despite his best efforts to catch him the runner managed to get down to second and then up to third.
"Play the runner!" he said to those covering the infield. Then he delivered one of his swiftest balls. But by good luck the batter sent it down to left of center and managed to get to first. In the meantime the runner at third slid in to the home plate.
The Excelsiors had scored the first run.
CHAPTER XIII.
PAUL'S GREAT CATCH.
There was a tremendous cheering from those who favored Si Voup's club, while the Lakeport sympathizers were correspondingly silent.
"The Excelsiors get the first run!"
"They are going to win this game sure!"