"It'll be a tie at dark," sighed some of the fans.
"Oh, well, a tie doesn't score against Gridley," others added, consolingly.
In the five innings Dick Prescott had to run twice. The first time he was left at first base. The second time he had reached second, and was cautiously stealing third, when Gridley's batsman, Captain Purcell, struck his side out on a foul hit.
"How's your wrist holding up?" asked Purcell, in a low tone, as
Dick came in.
"It feels strong.
"Do you think Darrin had better have the rest of the game?"
"Not on account of my wrist."
"But can you run the bases to the end?"
"If it doesn't call for any more running than we've had," smiled
Dick.
Then he caught the ball, held it an instant, signaled, and let drive. It was the same Gardiner batsman whom Prescott had struck out at the opening of the game. This time the young giant got the range of the ball by sheer good guessing.