Again Dan sent in the ball, this time even swifter than before, but as it reached the plate it suddenly seemed to rise in the air and Hodge struck several inches beneath it. An expression of surprise, almost of chagrin, appeared upon the face of the tall player and as he looked again at Dan there was an added element of interest in his expression.
Once more the pitcher turned himself about and Hodge braced himself for even a swifter ball, but in spite of Dan’s contortions the ball slowly rose and Hodge had struck at it long before it had crossed the plate.
“You’re out!” called Samson sharply to the batter, though he was looking keenly at Dan as he spoke.
“Come on, Smith. Try your luck,” said Hodge to one of the other boys who was standing with a bat in his hand awaiting his turn.
Smith, stout, stolid, manifestly possessed of great strength, advanced laughingly to the plate and keenly watched Dan. He struck viciously at the first ball and a long foul followed. He lunged at the next ball, but it seemed to dodge his bat. He looked again at the pitcher, grasped his bat more firmly, and then swung quickly at the ball which Dan sent in with his utmost strength. “Strike!” called Samson, then turning to the catcher, who had dropped the ball, he said, “What’s the trouble, Ned? Can’t you hold him?”
“Go ahead,” replied Ned grimly, bracing himself.
Again the ball came swiftly, but Smith once more failed to hit, and when Dan repeated his experiment with Hodge by sending a slow ball and the batter struck at it long before it reached him Smith good-naturedly exclaimed as he threw down his bat, “No use, fellows. You can’t find the ball.”
Gus Kiggins now walked to the plate. Without knowing who was facing him, Dan felt that there was opposition keen and strong expressed in the face of the player. The interest of all in the little group of spectators was aroused now, and Walter, whose delight at Dan’s feat in striking out the two heavy hitters of the school nine was unconcealed, was watching the young pitcher with increasing eagerness. If Gus Kiggins could be struck out too! “Dan,” he said in a low voice, “give Gus a low drop. He can’t hit a low ball.”
Without betraying whether or not he had heard the suggestion, Dan looked keenly at the batter and then sent in a sudden and terrifically swift ball that crossed the plate before Gus had fairly drawn back his bat. The ball was quickly returned by Ned, and again, with his sudden quick swing, Dan threw the ball before Gus was fully aware.
“Two strikes!” called Samson in a low voice.