field," responded McRae warmly.
"When that boy thinks, he runs rings around lightning."

"And he's thinking all the time," chimed in Jim.

But the peril was not yet over. The man at the most dangerous corner had
been disposed of, yet there was still a man on first and another on
second. A safe hit would tie the game at least, and possibly win it.

Joe wound up deliberately and shot a high fast one over the plate. It came
so swiftly that the batter did not offer at it, and looked aggrieved when
the umpire called it a strike.

The next was a crafty outcurve which went as a ball. The batsman fouled
off the next.

With two strikes on and only one ball called, Joe was on "easy street" and
could afford to "waste a few." Twice in succession he tempted the batsman
with balls that were wide of the plate, but the batter was wary and
refused them.

Now the count was "two and three," and the crowd broke into a roar.

"Good eye, old man!" they shouted to the batter.

"You've got him in a hole!"

"It only takes one to do it!"

"He's got to put it over!"

With all the force of his sinewy arm, Joe "put it over."

The batsman made a wicked drive at it and sent it hurtling to the box
about two feet over Joe's head.

Joe saw it coming, leaped into the air and speared it with his gloved
hand. The men on bases had started to run, thinking it a sure hit. Joe
wheeled and sent the ball down to Burkett at first.

"Look at that!"

"Some speed, eh?"

"I should say so."

"Matson has got them going!"

The man who had left the bag strove desperately to get back, but he was
too late. That rattling double play had ended the game with the
All-American team a victor by a score of four to three.

Joe's fingers tingled as he pulled off the glove, for that terrific drive
had stung. The crowd had been stunned for a moment by the suddenness with
which the game and their hopes of victory had gone glimmering. But it had
been a remarkable play and the first silence was followed by a round of
sportsmanlike applause--though of course it was nothing to what would have
greeted the victory of the home team.

"Fine work, Matson!"

"Best I ever saw!"

"You're the boy to do it."

"Best pitcher in the world!"

Joe found himself the center of a joyous crowd when he reached his own
bench. All were jubilant that they had escaped the humiliation of being
whipped by a minor league team.

"You've brought home the bacon, Joe!" chortled McRae.