The occasion was the last of a series of baseball games between the Kentfield Military Academy and the Blue Hill Cadets, a rival organization. It was for the championship of the league, which coveted honor lay between Kentfield and Blue Hill, with the chances in favor of the former.
Each nine had won a game in the final series of the best two out of three, and to-day would decide the matter.
"That's the stuff, Dick old man!"
"That's got him going!"
"Make him fan again!"
These cries greeted Dick's delivery of the ball to Lem Gordon, who was up for Blue Hill, for Lem had struck and missed.
"Only two more like that Dick!" called Paul Drew, "and we'll be all to the merry."
"Watch Lem poke it, though!" called Joe Bell, the plucky little captain of the Blue Hill nine. "A home run, Lem, or a broken bat."
The lad at home plate nodded, and kept a close watch on Dick, who was winding up for another delivery.
"Two balls—one strike," Innis Beeby called. "Watch yourself, Dick."