Then in came Dick's wickedest drop ball, and it looked so good
that Captain Ted took a free chance.
"Strike one!" remarked Umpire Tozier.
Some of the grin vanished from Ted's face, but his eyes now flashed
the fire of resolve.
"Strike two!"
Teall began to feel little tremors running all up and down his
spine.
"Steady, you idiot!" he warned himself.
"Ball one!"
Captain Teall began to feel better. Perhaps Dick's arm was beginning
to grow stale.
"Strike three. Out!"
Ted started for the bench, hurling his bat before him. He was
full of self-disgust.
"A fellow never can guess when he has Dick thrashed," he said
to a South beside him.
"I didn't expect to see you play out before him in the ninth,
Ted," replied the classmate.
"Neither did I," muttered Teall gloomily.
"Strike three! Out!" sounded Umpire Tozier's droning voice.
Then Ted sat up straight, rubbing his eyes.
"Two out, and no one on bases!" groaned Ted. "Oh, fellows---those
of you who have a chance---do something. For goodness' sake,
do something to save South Grammar."
A few agonized moments passed while those at the batting benches
looked on at the fellow now performing by the plate.
"Strike three! Out!" remarked Ben Tozier decisively.
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