The ball plunked into Brodie’s mitt, Bradley having missed it cleanly. “Did you see ’im, umpire?” shouted Billy excitedly. “’E ’it my bat! ’E bothered me!” “Oh, go lay down!” sneered Brodie. “Don’t try that game! You’re out! Quit your squealing!” In spite of Billy’s protest, the umpire persisted in declaring him out, having failed to observe Brodie’s action. “Watch that catcher, Mr. Umpire,” urged Dick. “Don’t let him do any of that!” “I will watch him,” promised the umpire. Big Bob now stalked out to hit. As he took his position he glanced over his shoulder at Brodie. “If you fool with my bat,” he said, in a very low tone, “I’ll land you a bunch of fives on the jaw!” “Oh, you wouldn’t hurt anybody!” retorted Brodie sneeringly. “You’re nothing but a big baby! You can’t get a hit off Kennedy if you try.” Singleton quickly convinced Brodie of his mistake by smashing the first ball along the ground so swiftly that Jenners was barely able to touch it with his fingers and deflect its course. Had Jenners failed to touch it at all Gardner would have scored. As it happened Stowe was able to get the ball in time to hold Earl at third, although big Bob reached first safely. It was now Buckhart’s turn to hit, but he sat on the bench without seeming aware of it. “Get your batter out!” sharply ordered the umpire. “No delays!” Dick gave Brad a punch. “Come on, Buckhart!” he exclaimed. “It’s your turn!” The Texan rose slowly to his feet and walked toward the plate without picking up his bat. Those who saw him fancied he would secure the bat dropped by Bradley. This he did not do, but took his position to strike without a bat. Quickly catching up Brad’s pet stick, Dick went out and handed it to him. “Get your eyes open, Buckhart!” he said, in a low tone. “Wake up, old man!” Brad seemed to give himself a shake. He struck at the first ball delivered, missing it by more than a foot. However, it seemed that this swing of his bothered Brodie a little, for Singleton stole second without trouble, the Rockford catcher declining to throw down to the bag. The next ball pitched was too high, but Buckhart again struck at it. “What’s the matter with him?” derisively cried the Rockford spectators. Tom Fernald was watching everything closely, and a faint suggestion of a smile flitted over his face. By the merest accident, it seemed, Buckhart hit the next ball a terrible crack and lined it far into the outfield. The hit seemed good for three bases at least, and it brought a shout of delight from the visiting islanders. A moment later this shout turned to exclamations of surprise and dismay, for instead of running toward first, Buckhart turned in the wrong direction and ran toward third. Gardner, who was trotting home and looking over his shoulder to see how far the ball went, did not observe the Texan until Brad collided with him. Both were knocked down. In astonishment Earl jumped up and seized Buckhart, dragging him to his feet.