Singleton, catching a nod from Coach Steele, with a sigh walked toward the players' bench, while "Jack Frost," glad to get into the fray, dashed to the mound.
"Too bad my wing went back on me," exclaimed Singleton, as the two passed each other. "Good luck, old boy."
"Jack" signalized his advent in the box by promptly striking out the next batter.
When John Appleby walked briskly to the plate a storm of approval from the visiting contingent clearly demonstrated to the pitcher that he was considered one of the "star" hitters of the aggregation.
"Now is the time for some of your good stickwork, old boy!" yelled one. "Two men on bases and only one down. Start 'em around the circuit!"
The runners on first and second were doing all in their power to worry the twirler—playing off and running back.
"Take a few yards more, Wiles!" bawled the coach at first. "He won't throw it!"
"Jack Frost" realized that it was the critical juncture of the game. The sight of "Crackers" Brown and Owen Lawrence not far from the "grand stand" nerved him to do his utmost.
"Here's where I'll have to put everything I know on the ball," he reflected, warily watching the antics of the base-runners.
He wheeled abruptly around and shot the ball with all his force toward the batsman.