Grumbling and still twisting and rubbing the wounded shoulder the runner slowly made his way to the first base.
“You’ve got them scared, Dan,” called Walter encouragingly. “Keep it up!” Dan did not glance at his friend as he once more faced the batter. Suddenly whirling about he threw the ball with terrific speed to the first-baseman, who touched the startled Benson player before the latter was fully aware of his peril.
“He’s out!” called Moulton sharply.
“He had his foot in the way! He kept me off the base!” angrily shouted the runner.
The umpire did not even glance at the player as the angry protest was heard. “Batter up!” he said quietly.
“But I’m tellin’ ye I ain’t out,” again called the disgruntled Benson player. “He had his foot——”
“You’re out!” interrupted Moulton quietly. Then, ignoring the player, who at last with many mutterings and shakings of his head slowly rejoined his comrades, he was again watching the pitcher.
“Strike one!” he called as Dan sent a slow ball over the plate.
“Ball one!” he added a moment later.