"Wake up, Purdy! You'll have to do better than that!"
The cry was taken up on all sides, and Phil motioned for Purdy to retire and for Dave to come out.
"It's too bad, Purdy, old man," whispered Dave, as he passed the rattled pitcher.
"Fortune of war," was the grim and plucky answer. "I did my best. Go in and wax 'em!"
Dave might have been nervous had he allowed himself to think of what was before him. The bases were filled and nobody was out. It was certainly a trying moment, to say the least. He took his place in the box and the umpire called out "Play!" Then the ball fairly streaked over the plate.
With the ball again in hand, Dave looked at the batter and then cast a swift glance toward third. Over to the base went the ball, and much to his surprise the runner was caught two feet off the bag.
What a cheering went up! All the Oak Hall supporters felt that Dave meant business, and their drooping spirits revived as if by magic.
With care the pitcher delivered one ball after another--a drop, and then one that was as straight as it was swift. The batter was struck out, and another roar went up from the Oak Hall contingent. Laura waved her banner and Jessie her handkerchief.
"Two out! Now, Porter, go after the third!"
And Dave did go after the next batter. But the fellow was a good hitter and managed to find the ball. But no run came in, and the inning was saved.
It was a victory in itself and many came up to shake Dave by the hand. But he waved them aside.
"Hold on," he said. "The game isn't over yet--and please to remember the score is four to eight against us."
In the eighth inning the Oak Hall nine managed to make two runs. In that inning Dave by clever work held the opposition down to one scratch hit which went for nothing, and received more applause. Then came the ninth inning, and in that Oak Hall tied the score, amid a yelling that could be heard a mile away. Even Doctor Clay was cheering, and in his enthusiasm Andrew Dale completely smashed the derby hat he wore.
The tenth inning opened amid a breathless silence. Oak Hall did its best to score, but failed. Then Dave walked down to the box once again, and in a manner that was certainly wonderful struck out two men after one man had been caught out on a pop fly.