"Two strikes!"
Bob grinned and gripped the ball more firmly. Then came Mr. Perkins' voice again, "One ball—two balls!"
All eyes were upon the stalwart form of Dalton. One more strike, and the game would be over.
But as the next ball shot above the plate, a solid smack sounded. An awkward bounder was ripping toward first base at such a speed that the eye could scarcely follow it.
Another great shout arose as Clayton sped home. No one expected that the ball would be fielded until the batter was safe on second.
Then the spectators witnessed an astonishing sight. Dave Brandon darted off the bag with lightning agility. Breathlessly they watched him. The stout boy reached far out.
"Look at that elephant," remarked "Little Bill" to the boy sitting next to him. "What does he think he's going to do?"
Smack! The ball had bounded, striking squarely in the centre of Brandon's mitt. Dave instantly recovered himself and made for first base.
Then a series of wild yells and whoops from the Ramblers broke forth, for Mr. Perkins was heard to say, "Runner out on first." By a fraction of a second, Dave had beaten Dalton in the race and won the game.
Even the villagers were good-natured enough to cheer his play, and the "poet" almost blushed when his enthusiastic friends surrounded him.