Benton Hammerswell implored Slocum to hold Fairhaven down, and the pitcher promised to do so. He was unequal to the task, however, for with the head of the batting list up, Gardner led off with a savage swat, while Bold lifted a safe one into the field, and Bradley brought them both home with a whistler that went clean to the right-field fence. Billy tried to stretch a handsome two-bagger into a three-base hit, and was thrown out at third. Buckhart lifted a high foul, which was captured by Hunston. Dick Merriwell was cheered as he walked to the plate, and he responded by getting a clean single. He then stole second on the first ball pitched, but died there, for Jolliby put up a fly that was caught. Once more, in the first of the seventh, Dick pitched in his finest form, and before him the batters fell in order. Fairhaven now had its final turn at bat. With two strikes called on him, big Bob dropped the ball over the fence and easily reached third, while two fielders were searching for the sphere. Although he might have trotted home, the big fellow stopped at third at the command of Dick, who had raced down to the coaching line. “It would tie the score, Dick!” grunted Singleton, in astonishment. “We will win this game right here,” said Merriwell. “Stay where you are. One run will tie, but two will win. Let’s worry that pitcher.” Already Slocum was worried. The fact that Singleton had remained on third had annoyed him. Nevertheless, he deceived Tubbs, who hit a weak one into the diamond and was thrown out. Smart struck out quickly, and it began to appear as if Dick had made a bad mistake in stopping Singleton at third. Gardner came to bat, a grim look on his face. He hit a hot one to Connor, who fumbled it. Earl was a great sprinter, and by the time Connor picked up the ball it was seen that Gardner could reach first in safety. Then the Maplewood shortstop threw swiftly to the plate to catch Singleton, who was going home. It was a bad throw. The ball struck Garvin’s mitt as the catcher reached for it and bounded off. Gardner had crossed first, and he heard the coacher yelling for him to take second. Garvin leaped for the ball, caught it up, and threw to Dillard. It was another bad throw, and the ball went into centre field. “Third, Earl—third!” cried Dick, making signals to the runner. Gardner kept on toward third. Mole secured the ball, which was swiftly thrown to Lumley. It struck the ground and took a bad bound over Lumley’s shoulder. “Home!” shouted Dick as Gardner came tearing toward third. Then the wildly excited crowd saw Earl cross third base and go scooting toward the plate. The ball had struck a post to which the rope was tied that held the crowd back. Lumley secured it and threw to Garvin. The throw was a trifle high, and Gardner made a beautiful slide, his hand reaching the plate an instant before he was tagged by Garvin. “Safe!” yelled the umpire.