Shadduck made ready to do his best. One strike was called, and as yet he apparently had not gauged the delivery of the wizard pitcher, who faced him with that tantalizing smile on his face.
Then he bunted, and was off for first like a shot. Coddling made a wild dash for the ball, which had started to roll along the line toward the sack. It looked as though it would go foul, and perhaps that was what kept the agile pitcher from trying to snatch it up. When he did, it was too late, for Bones had galloped over first, and was safe.
Jack Comfort’s business was to sacrifice him down along the line. He, too, bunted, and while easily out himself, Bones had seen his signal, and got a lovely start, so that he found himself squatting on second.
“That’s the way to do it! Play the game! Now, Lanky, you’re IT!”
Lanky managed to knock a grounder that landed him on first, and Shadduck on third.
“Coddling, take a brace and put ’em over!”
Then stepped up Buster Billings. His appearance always created a ripple of amusement, on account of his ponderous calves. Buster only winked knowingly at the yelling crowd and raised his bat, waving it to and fro, cautiously.
“Why, the feller thinks he can bunt now. Say, don’t you know there’s two out?”
“Let Buster alone. He knows his business, you’ll see? That’s only his gentle way.”
“And he can bat some, fellers, believe me!”