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He smashed it out on a line, and the crack of ball and bat was followed almost instantly by the smack of ball and mitt as Hodge pulled the sphere down with his left hand. Without losing a moment to transfer the ball from the left hand to his right, Bart snapped it over to Scrogg at third, catching Hollis off the sack, and completing a breathless double play.
"If I had my hat with me, I'd take it off to you, Johnny Bull," said Hodge. "You're clever altogether too clever for us poor unsophisticated Yanks. How long have you been over?" "How long has he been over?" sneered Sim Scrogg from third. "Why, he never saw the Atlantic Ocean. He was born inland, and he has never yet been two hundred miles away from home."
Bubbs followed with the third bunt, while Crowfoot and Barking moved up. Nevertheless, Scrogg managed to secure the ball and throw Towser out. Netterby attempted to bunt, but popped up a little fly to Hodge and followed Bubbs to the bench. "I rather guess it's all over," said Higgins. "The bunting game didn't work." Bemis looked doubtful, but Sparkfair still held to his instructions.
Sparkfair attempted to cut the pan with a swift one, but Higgins hit it. It was a hot grounder to Netterby, who fumbled it long enough for Hungry Sam to arrive at first in safety. Tommy Chuckleson and Sam Scrogg were on the coaching lines. "We're off again!" shouted Scrogg. "Off again, on again, gone again!" piped Chuckleson. "It's up to you, Balloon! Don't take an ascension!"
Barely had he uttered these words when an inspiration came to him. He called his players about him. "Fellows," he said, "neither Scrogg nor Higgins are swift in handling bunts. We won't try sacrificing, but we'll try bunting, with the idea of bothering them. Don't bunt the ball where Hodge can handle it. Drop it toward first or third. Lead off, Crowfoot."
Hiram obeyed and laid down a bunt on the line toward first. Unseen by any one, Scrogg hooked his fingers into Crowfoot's belt and held him at third. The Indian boy was angry and came near hitting Sim. Hodge secured the ball too late to throw Bemis out, and the sacks were full once more.
Graves walked out, held his bat on his shoulder, and stood like a post while Dale pitched. Somehow the very fact that Lawrence seemed so utterly unconcerned appeared to rattle Dale, who finally passed him to first, filling the bases. "Too bad Slick is next," muttered Scrogg, as Oliver took his turn at bat.
Pauline could see dim figures leap into the road waving arms; she could hear them shouting. The figures jumped to either side as Palmer drove through the group. They sprang back into the road, cursing and shaking their fists, only to be routed anew by the rush of the taxicab following. The roadster straightened out on the ledge of Scrogg Hill.
I must stop it I will!" In spite of this determination, another error let in still another run, and Sim Scrogg reached first. At last Sparkfair found a victim, and Shackleton fanned. Still, to most of the boys the game seemed lost, for the second team had a lead of three runs. "It's our last chance, fellows," said Dale gravely. "No fooling now. No sacrificing. We've got to hit the ball."
Young Joe stepped out and bunted handsomely, dropping his bat and scooting down the base line like a flash. Scrogg was seconds too late in securing the ball and sending it to Higgins. Crowfoot was safe. Thad Barking followed with an equally successful bunt. Hodge called Higgins and Scrogg in a bit. "Look out for those tricks," he warned. Bubbs glanced toward Sparkfair inquiringly. Dale nodded.
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