At the precise second that Jeffords pitched the ball Tom's long legs began to move at such an extraordinary rate as to cause murmurs of wonderment to come from the onlookers.
"By cracky, he can go faster'n the ball!" shouted "Uncle" Steve.
Professor Ivins scowled. He looked at the Goose Hill storekeeper with an air of profound disdain. The spectacle of a man of Mr. Kimbole's age acting in such an undignified fashion rather shocked his sensitive nature.
"If I were in your place I should hardly——"
"Bully boy!" roared Mr. Kimbole, suddenly. "Bully boy! He beat out the ball by a good two yards!"
The field was in an uproar again.
But the noise was as nothing compared to the tumult which broke out when Tom, on the twirler's second throw, once more dared to match his speed against that of their opponents.
Bending far over, he tore down the third base line with all his might, and, with the frantic shouts of the crowd ringing in his ears, slid for the sack, sending up puffs of whirling yellow dust.
"By gum, I'd like to have you on our side," said Joe Wiles, generously.
He lined the ball to Jeffords, while Tom scrambled to his feet, dusted his uniform and surveyed the situation keenly.