But this was not Weston’s day. To Grafton’s dismay, Gus very promptly passed the third man, working only one strike against him, and behold, the bases were filled and there were no outs! So suddenly can the fortunes of battle shift in the game of baseball! Brooks, his gaze on the bench, jumped to his feet.
“Come on, fellows!” he said. “At it again! Peter signaled.”
“Gee,” murmured Brunswick, “I don’t see much use warming up a day like this! I haven’t a square inch on me that’s dry!”
“Never mind your troubles, Willie; shoot ’em!” responded Brooks, grinning as he drew his mitt on. “One of you guys will have to go in there in about two shakes. They’re holding the game now for you to limber up your old arms. Shoot ’em, Dud!”
Over on the diamond Captain Murtha and Bert Winslow and Nick Blake had surrounded the unfortunate Weston, Pete Gordon, ball in hand, standing guard at the plate. A faint breeze came up from the river and awakened murmurs of relief from the sweltering spectators. Lawrence demanded that the game go on, half a dozen impetuous youths leaping from the bench to confront the umpire. The group in the center of the diamond melted and Weston held up his hand for the ball. Gordon tossed it back to him, knelt and signaled.
“All right, Gus, now?” he encouraged. “Make ’em good, old man! Let’s get this one! Slide ’em over!”
The infielders crept up to short-field, the runners capered and took daring leads and the coachers shouted themselves hoarse. Gus wound up and shot the ball away. It dropped prettily across the base, but the batter refused it and the umpire upheld him.
“Ball!” announced the latter. Weston, hands on bent knees, stared as though dumfounded. Then he straightened, turned on his heel and cast his arms derisively apart. Lawrence jeered enjoyably.
“Pretty good, Gus,” called Gordon. “Never mind, though. Let’s have it this time!”
But Weston, though he took time and pains, shot one in that sent the batsman staggering out of his box and sent Guy Murtha to the mound. “That’ll do, Gus,” said Guy. “This isn’t your day, old man.”