" glared Martin at the offender, as the Norths took
the field.

However, all predictions were still in favor of the North Grammars,
who had two runs put away while they had kept Prescott's men from
scoring.

"Fellows, we've got to do something, and we must make it strong!"
muttered Dick, as his side came in.

Reade went to bat---was struck out.

"That wasn't very strong," sighed Tom, as he passed Dick going
to the plate.

Dick Prescott had his favorite bat in his hand. He gripped it
a little harder for an instant, then relaxed and waited for Hi's
puzzling delivery.

"Strike one!"

Dick swung for the next one that came. Almost mechanically Tozier
opened his mouth to call:

"Stri-----"

But Dick's willow cut in with a "whack!"

"Woof! Whoop!" Central boys among the spectators sent up an expectant
yell, then watched breathlessly. Was the luck about to change?

"Go it! Go it! Go it!" yelled the Central boys in three different
pitches of enthusiasm.

Dick, as he struck first and turned, took a fleeting look at the
North's right fielder, still in pursuit of the long fly that had
gone by him and was rolling over the field. Then, straining lungs and
nerves, Dick sprinted toward the second bag.

"Go it! Hustle!"

Behind him Dick heard the whistle of the coming ball. Just ahead
of him was the plate. He took a long leap, then slid. Second
baseman held up the ball in his right hand.

"Safe, safe!" yelled the gleeful Central spectators.

"Out! That was out!" hoarsely declared the boosters for the North
Grammars.

"Safe at second," called Ben Tozier steadily.

"Oh, you ape of an umpire!" grunted Hi Martin disgustedly, as
he mitted the ball from second. For an instant he watched Dick,
who was edging away from second. Then he turned to send in a
drive past Greg, who now hovered over the plate.

Greg Holmes went to two strikes and three balls, Hi all the time
alertly watching Prescott at second.

Crack! And now Greg was running. Norths' left-fielder muffed
the ball, then recovered and threw like a flash to third. But
Dick was there a shade of a second ahead of the leather.

"Safe" declared the umpire.

Hi Martin flashed a warning look at the catcher for his nine,
then sent a sweeping glare around the bases. Greg and Dick smiled
sweetly back.

"Play ball!" ordered Umpire Tozier.

Dan Dalzell was now at bat, tingling with anxiety, though his
grin seemed a yard wide.

"Oh, you Danny Grin! Eat the leath