The game commenced, and John's side had the "ins."
"You must catch," said Charlie to Nat. It was usually Nat's part to catch.
"And you must throw," responded Nat. "I can catch your balls best."
The very first ball that was thrown, John missed, though he struck with a well-aimed blow, as he thought, and Nat caught it.
"That is too bad," was the exclamation heard on one side, and "good," "capital," on the other.
Charlie took the bat, and was fortunate in hitting the ball the first time he struck. Now it was Nat's turn, and, with bat in hand, he took his place.
"Be sure and hit," said Charlie.
"I should like to see a ball go by him without getting a rap," answered Frank, who was now the catcher. "The ball always seems to think it is no use to try to pass him."
"There, take that," said Nat, as he sent the ball, at his first bat, over the heads of all, so far that he had time to run round the whole circle of goals, turning a somerset as he came in.
"A good beginning, Nat; let us see you do that again," said Frank.