"Now, boys, show 'em what you can do!" pleaded a score of Randall "fans," as Tom and his men walked in to the bench for their share of the fifth inning.
Dutch Housenlager was up first, and he selected a bat with care.
"What are you going to do, me son," asked Bricktop solicitously.
"Knock a home run," declared Dutch, and he faced the pitcher with a grim air. He didn't do that, but he did rap out a single, and got to first. Then came Phil Clinton, who made a sacrifice bunt. That is, it was intended for that, but the pitcher fumbled it, and was delayed in getting it to first. Then the throw was so wild that the Fairview first baseman had to take his foot off the bag to get it, and, meanwhile Phil was legging it for the bag for all he was worth, while Dutch went on to second.
"Batter's out!" howled the umpire, though it seemed to all the Randall players that Phil was safe. Tom protested hotly at the decision, but it stood, and, though it looked as if there would be trouble, Mr. Leighton calmed things down.
"Only one gone," he said, "and Holly Cross is up next. He'll bring in Dutch, and score himself."
Holly sent out a beautiful hit to center field, and there was a chorus of joyful cries.
Dutch legged it from second to third, and started home, but the ball, which the center fielder had managed to get sooner than had been expected, looked dangerous to Dutch, and he ran back to third, after being halfway home. Holly was safe on second, and amid a storm of encouraging yells Dan Woodhouse got up.
"Now a home run, Kindlings!" called the crowd, and then Bean and his cohorts began singing: "We've Got 'em on the Run Now."
Dan got two balls, and the third one was just where he wanted it. He slammed it out for a three base hit, and Dutch and Holly scored the first two runs of the game, while Tom did a war dance at third, where he was coaching. On a single by Bricktop Dan came in, though he was nearly caught at home, for the ball was quickly relayed in from left field, where the shortstop had sent it, but old Kindlings slid in through a cloud of dust, and Charley Simonson, who was catching for Fairview, dropped the horsehide, so Dan's run counted.
"Three--nothing! Three--nothing!" yelled Tom, wild with joy. "Now, boys, we've struck our gait! And only one out!"