"Runner safe," drawled Tozier.
Spoff Henderson came next to bat. Ted, with great care, struck him out. Toby Ross met with similar disaster, nor did Reade have any chance to steal up to second. Then Greg advanced to the plate. He had his own favorite stick, which he swung with great confidence.
"Now, just see what I'll do to you!" was what Ted Teall's impudent smile meant.
Crack! Holmes hit the first ball, reaching first and pushing
Tom to second.
"Danny Grin, don't fail us," begged Prescott, as Dan started for the plate. "Two men out, remember!"
As Dalzell faced the pitcher his grin was broader than Teall's.
Two strikes and two balls were quickly called. Some of Dalzell's assurance was gone now, but he steadied himself down. It would never do to strike out at such a time.
Then Danny Grin made his third strike, but he drove the ball ahead of him, forcing the right fielder of the Souths to run backward for it, but he missed the catch and by the time the ball was in circulation again the bases were full of Central Grammar runners.
"I'm glad you're going forward," whispered Dave, just as Dick started towards the plate, his favorite bat in hand.
"I'll make a monkey of you," muttered Teall, just loudly enough for the words to reach Prescott.