Dick, as he struck first and turned, took a fleeting look at the
North's right fielder, still in pursuit of the long fly that had
gone by him and was rolling over the field. Then, straining lungs and
nerves, Dick sprinted toward the second bag.

"Go it! Hustle!"

Behind him Dick heard the whistle of the coming ball. Just ahead
of him was the plate. He took a long leap, then slid. Second
baseman held up the ball in his right hand.

"Safe, safe!" yelled the gleeful Central spectators.

"Out! That was out!" hoarsely declared the boosters for the North
Grammars.

"Safe at second," called Ben Tozier steadily.

"Oh, you ape of an umpire!" grunted Hi Martin disgustedly, as
he mitted the ball from second. For an instant he watched Dick,
who was edging away from second. Then he turned to send in a
drive past Greg, who now hovered over the plate.

Greg Holmes went to two strikes and three balls, Hi all the time
alertly watching Prescott at second.

Crack! And now Greg was running. Norths' left-fielder muffed
the ball, then recovered and threw like a flash to third. But
Dick was there a shade of a second ahead of the leather.