Bill was a bit nervous but as Cap had been sent in to catch the pitcher grew confident as he saw the friendly face of his brother, and caught the well-known signal for an out shoot.
Bill nodded in confirmation, drew back his arm, hesitated a moment, wondered for one wild second whether he was still himself, and could see to make the curve, and then—he threw.
“Strike one!” howled the umpire, and then Bill knew that he was himself, and a fierce joy welled up in his heart. He caught the ball Cap tossed back to him, and sent it stinging in again.
“Strike two!” was the reassuring call, and the batter pounded the plate in desperation, for he had not before moved his stick.
He swung viciously at the next one, and—missed it clean.
“That’s the boy!”
“Go at ’em!”
“Put some more over like that!”
“Give the next one a teaser!”
Thus Bill’s friends encouraged him.