The pitcher then tried a drop, which was pronounced a ball, and Kennedy quickly decided to force him to swing on the next one. Earl fouled it. With two strikes and two balls called, the Jersey City pitcher again attempted to deceive Gardner, and again failed. “Three balls!” called the umpire. “Make him put it over, Earl,” urged Dick. “If he does put it over give it a ride.” Kennedy did put it over, using all the speed he could command, without a curve. Gardner snapped his bat round quickly and met the ball full and fair, sending it whistling over the head of the second baseman and bringing the island crowd up with a shout. It was a clean hit for Fairhaven’s centre fielder. “That’s the way to soak ’em, dern their picters!” squealed Obediah Tubbs, as he danced with elephantine grace down the coaching line back of first. “This is a regular three-ring circus!” cried a Rockford man sneeringly. “There goes the clown! Say, fatty, do you know how a fool looks?” “Yep!” promptly answered Obed, turning and facing the speaker. “I noticed you when I first came onto the ground. I’ll bring you a mirror so you can see for yourself.” “Right from the shoulder!” laughed Brick McLane. “How do you like it, man?” The Fairhaven crowd laughed heartily, and, with a very red face, the would-be funny Rockfordite subsided. Owen Bold was the second batter, and he held his bat in a certain position in his left hand as he walked to the plate. Gardner observed the signal and knew Bold would bunt the first ball that Kennedy pitched, in case it was over the plate. Being thus warned, Earl was on his toes and had a fair start when the batter dropped the ball down about four feet in front of the plate. Bold dashed for first, but Torrey maintained his reputation for handling bunts cleverly, and secured the ball in time to make a beautiful throw to Swarton. “Out at first!” shouted the umpire. “Good sacrifice, Owen!” piped Obediah Tubbs. “That’s the way to start her up!” Bradley, the cockney lad from Fardale, was the next batter, and he held his bat straight up against his shoulder, gripping it with both hands, as he walked out. This told Gardner that Billy would try for a hit. “Here’s your victim, Kennedy!” called Brodie. “He can’t touch you in a year.” “’Ow do you know so much?” inquired Bradley. “Your wisdom is hawful surprising!” Kennedy was roused and he used all his skill in fooling Bradley. Billy fouled the first two balls, both of which were declared strikes. “You’re getting a pup-pup-pup-piece of it every time!” cried Jolliby. “Tut-tut-tut-take a good bite now!” Fancying the batter was eager to hit, Kennedy tried to pull him on wide ones. Billy grinned at them and let them pass, with the result that three balls were swiftly called. Brodie then signaled for a straight one. As Billy swung to hit the next ball delivered the catcher swiftly touched the end of the bat and deflected it.