Daddy tossed the ball to Harris, and as he hobbled off the field he heard Bo calling out low and cautiously to his players.Then Daddy was certain he had discovered a trick.He called his players around him.
``This game ain't over yet.It ain't any more'n begun.I'll tell you what.Last innin' Bo's umpire switched balls on us.That ball was lively.
An' they tried to switch back on me.But nix!
We're goin' to git a chanst to hit that lively ball, An' they're goin' to git a dose of their own medicine.Now, you dead ones--come back to life!
Show me some hittin' an' runnin'.''
``Daddy, you mean they run in a trick on us?''
demanded Lane, with flashing eyes.
``Funny about Natchez's strong finishes!''
replied Daddy, coolly, as he eyed his angry players.
They let out a roar, and then ran for the bats.
The crowd, quick to sense what was in the air, thronged to the diamond and manifested alarming signs of outbreak.
Sam Wickhart leaped to the plate and bandished his club.
``Sam, let him pitch a couple,'' called Daddy from the bench.``Mebbe we'll git wise then.''
Harris had pitched only twice when the fact became plain that he could not throw this ball with the same speed as the other.The ball was heavier; besides Harris was also growing tired.
The next pitch Sam hit far out over the center fielder's head for a home run.It was a longer hit than any Madden's Hill boy had ever made.
The crowd shrieked its delight.Sam crossed the plate and then fell on the bench beside Daddy.
``Say! that ball nearly knocked the bat out of my hands,'' panted Sam.``It made the bat spring!''
``Fellers, don't wait,'' ordered Daddy.``Don't give the umpire a chanst to roast us now.Slam the first ball!''
The aggressive captain lined the ball at Bo Stranathan.The Natchez shortstop had a fine opportunity to make the catch, but he made an inglorious muff.Tay Tay hurried to bat.Umpire Gale called the first pitch a strike.Tay slammed down his club.``T-t-t-t-to-to-twasn't over,'' he cried.``T-t-t-tay----''
``Shut up,'' yelled Daddy.``We want to git this game over today.''
Tay Tay was fat and he was also strong, so that when beef and muscle both went hard against the ball it traveled.It looked as if it were going a mile straight up.All the infielders ran to get under it.They got into a tangle, into which the ball descended.No one caught it, and thereupon the Natchez players began to rail at one another.
Bo stormed at them, and they talked back to him.
Then when Tom Lindsay hit a little slow grounder into the infield it seemed that a just retribution had overtaken the great Natchez team.
Ordinarily this grounder of Tom's would have been easy for a novice to field.But this peculiar grounder, after it has hit the ground once, seemed to wake up and feel lively.It lost its leisurely action and began to have celerity.When it reached Dundon it had the strange, jerky speed so characteristic of the grounders that had confused the Madden's Hill team.Dundon got his hands on the ball and it would not stay in them.When finally he trapped it Tom had crossed first base and another runner had scored.Eddie Curtis cracked another at Bo.The Natchez captain dove for it, made a good stop, bounced after the rolling ball, and then threw to Kelly at first.The ball knocked Kelly's hands apart as if they had been paper.Jake Thomas batted left handed and he swung hard on a slow pitch and sent the ball far into right field.Runners scored.Jake's hit was a three-bagger.Then Frank Price hit up an infield fly.Bo yelled for Dundon to take it and Dundon yelled for Harris.They were all afraid to try for it.It dropped safely while Jake ran home.