Andy was there to meet it, and the way he lined the sphere down to left field was a sight to behold. Down he pounded for first while Pepper legged it for all he was worth for home. The ball came in, but too late and while Pepper was called safe Andy managed to slide to second amid a renewed cheering.
“Thirteen to fourteen!” was the cry. “And only one man out! Now is your chance to tie the score!”
Coulter walked down to the pitcher’s box.
“Keep cool, Reff,” he whispered. “Don’t let them rattle you.”
“They are not rattling me,” was the dogged answer. But the very tone of his voice showed the bully’s nervousness.
Stuffer was now up and he, too, was nervous. He watched the pitcher as a cat watches a mouse. Ritter sent in a ball that was remarkably swift. It came directly for Stuffer’s head and he had barely time to pull back out of the way.
“Ball one!” cried the umpire.
“Say, what do you want to do, kill me?” cried Stuffer angrily.
“I—er—the ball slipped,” answered Ritter lamely.
“Bat it down to the woods, Stuffer!” cried one of the supporters of Company B.