Now, to "wipe" Dalzell, who had known everyone of Dick's old curves and tricks in former days, did not look like a promising task, for Dalzell, in addition to his special knowledge about this pitcher, was an expert with the bat. But there might be a chance to put Dan on the mourner's bench. If Dalzell succeeded in picking up even a single from Dick's starting delivery, then Dave could be all but depended upon to push his Navy chum a bag or two further around the course.
"If I can twist Dan all up, it may serve to rattle Dave, too," thought the Army pitcher like a flash.
Dalzell poised the bat, and stood swinging it gently, with an expectant grin that, had it been a school audience, would have made the youngsters on the bleachers yell:
"Get your face closed tight, Danny! That grin hides the stick!"
Dalzell had often had that hurled at him in the old days, but he did not have to dread it now. But Prescott knew that old broad grin. It was Dalzell's favorite "rattler" for the balltosser.
"I think I know the scheme for getting the hair off your goat," mused Prescott, as he sent in his first.
"Ball one!" called the umpire.
Dan's grin broadened.
"Ball two!"
Dalzell knew he had the Army pitcher going now, and didn't take the trouble to reach for the ball.