But the second baseman never heard him.
With a "thwack" that resounded over the diamond, the ball struck the pit in Fred's glove. But so tremendous was its force that the ball raised the boy off his feet, and as he struck the ground again he tripped and fell.
Madly the batter raced to first, while Hal came on to field the ball.
But before he reached his prostrate team mate, Fred held up his hand with the ball firmly clutched in his mitt—and Baxter had won the championship—4 to 0.
Hastening to their train that they might return to Baxter in time to prepare the bonfire and arrange for the dance with which the winning of the pennant was always celebrated, the students gave full vent to their joy.
Winthrop being only about twenty miles from Baxter, Margie and Dorothy had driven over to the game for the purpose of bringing Fred and Bronson back with them.
Being too happy to hurry, it was dusk when they reached home, and by the time they had finished supper the celebration was in full swing.
But Fred insisted he must see his mother before going to the campus, promising to join Margie and the others at the dance.
In delight Mrs. Markham listened to the account of the trip to Manchester and the winning of the game, and so long did they talk that it was almost eleven before Fred reached the school building where the dance was being held.
Margie was on the lookout for him, and as they entered, Bart and several of the girls who had been with his party at the game were standing near the door.