He had already given Clancy the hit-and-run signal, for he himself had little hope of making another decent hit. As he stepped in the box and faced Green, he saw the man’s lean brown face smiling at him, and knew that the other was even cooler than he himself.
For the second time, Green read danger in Merry’s eyes and resolved to take no chances. He sent down a wide one, and Chip lashed out at it in order to give Clancy a chance.
The red-haired chap went to third, safe by a narrow margin. After that, Green sent down no more wide ones, but instead he placed them so high that Olcott was forced to get on his toes to reach them. Yet they never went too high for him; Green was a perfect master, and his control was absolute.
Three of them sang past, while Merry waited desperately. He knew perfectly well that Green intended to pass him, in order to strike out the next three men.
“I’d sooner die fighting than be left at the post,” he muttered grimly, taking a firm grip on his bat.
Again Green smiled, scarcely taking the trouble to wind up for the throw. He sent the ball down to Olcott, far too high for a good strike, but Chip was past caring whether it was good or not.
With an effort, he swung up and reached for it. There was a crack, and the sphere shot out over second base--for his third hit off Green!
Merrell made a hard run in for the ball, secured it on the first bounce, and relayed in a beautiful throw to Olcott. Clancy was tearing for home, and he ran along as he had never run before. Glancing around, he saw the ball almost even with him, and as he neared home he went down in a desperate slide.
Olcott received the ball perfectly, and there was a moment of suspense as the dust rose and hid the play. Then the umpire’s figure emerged, hands down.
Fardale had won on Merry’s hit--the closest finish ever seen on Fardale field.
“I’m not so sure of that, fellows,” said Merry, as he entered the dressing room and heard Lowe’s remark; “I’d say that it’s Villum’s game. Didn’t he get the run that tied, and get it without assistance?”
A roar of laughter went up. As Merry went to his locker, however, he was approached by Colonel Gunn’s orderly, who shoved hastily through the crowd.
“Come outside, Mr. Merriwell!” cried the cadet. “The constable wants you!”