"Strike one!" called Ben Tozier, slipping a pebble to his other
hand.

Dick smiled quietly as the ball came back to him. Greg signaled
for an outshoot. But Dick "made up" the ball and imitated his
delivery of the throw before.

"I'll get down and get it, this time!" flashed Martin resentfully.
He did, only to find himself no nearer the ball than before.

"Strike two!"

Tittering came from the sides now, also some applause. The spectators
had just begun to understand that Dick Prescott was pitching better
ball.

"Ball one!"

Hi felt a bit better for a moment. Then:

"Strike three! Out!"

With a muttered growl of disgust, Captain Martin gave up his post
to Percival.

"What has got into Prescott?" demanded Rodgers, of the Norths,
anxiously.

"Oh, we'll pound him to pieces soon," muttered Hi.