Dan, however, did not respond. Taking his position near the box, he began to throw the ball swiftly, first to one baseman and then to another. In a brief time the game was resumed and Dan’s labors were renewed.
“Ball one,” called the umpire after the first ball was delivered.
“Strike one” and “ball two” and “ball three” followed in order, the batter apparently making no attempt to hit.
“Look out thar, Dan’l!” shouted Silas. “Watch that fellow; don’t ye let him fool ye!”
“Careful, Dan,” suggested Walter in a low voice.
The batter, however, awkwardly struck the ball and a high foul resulted, the catcher succeeding, after a long run, in reaching and holding it.
“Hi! That’s one out! Put that down in yer book or ye may forget it!” roared Silas to the scorer. “I guess those Benson fellows feel a little homesick! Don’t be too hard on ’em, Dan! Jes’ let ’em knock a ball t’ th’ city fellow ye’ve got for short-stop.”
Walter’s cheeks flushed slightly as a laugh from the crowd greeted the suggestion of Silas, but he did not glance in the direction of the noisy harness-maker.
The next batter “fanned” and Silas gave vent to his glee in renewed calls upon the Benson nine to “shut up shop.” When the third man faced Dan and he too “fanned” out, even Walter began to share in the excitement that prevailed in the Rodman contingent.
“Dan, you’ve struck out five of the six men that have faced you,” he said warmly as he walked beside his friend from the diamond.