"Two strikes!"
"Lam it, you pirate; lam it!" howled Nat.
Manning smiled curiously. Then, as the ball again shot toward him, he bunted just inside the third base line.
Baseman and pitcher dashed simultaneously toward it. Benson, however, stopped the ball, which he tossed to "Jack Frost" with the laconic remark:
"Too late."
Fuller and Manning played off the bases as far as they dared, worrying the pitcher to the best of their ability.
"Two men on the circuit and none down!" yelled John Hackett. "Don't be afraid to take a chance, fellows. Go it, Fuller; get right off to third!"
The number of gloomy faces among the high school contingent increased.
"I've a dreadful fear that the Ramblers are going to pieces," muttered Benny, disconsolately. "Dave Brandon will never, never print the article I'm going to write. Hello—I reckon this settles it!"
George Marlow, left fielder of the Stars, had connected with the ball so successfully that next instant all three bases were occupied.