This did not come with good grace from Ned’s lips, as he and Bart were rivals, but he was so overflowing with spleen that he could not hold it back. “It was a good throw,” nodded Capt. Hardy. “I didn’t think he had a chance to catch the man after the start Merriwell gave him. If Hodge can keep up the work he has been doing----” He did not finish, but there was a deep significance in the hiatus. The next batter obtained a single, and again a man was given a chance to play off first by Merriwell, who seemed remarkably careless. Down he went for second on the first pitched ball. “He’ll make it?” “Hodge can’t stop him!” “He’s a runner!” “See him scoot!” “He’s fairly flying.” Hodge did not seem to get excited in the least, but he made a quick, sharp throw for second. Again Diamond came in and took it on the run. Again the runner slid. Again Jack bored the ball into his back. And again---- “Man is out!” cried the umpire. “Hodge is all right!” said several voices. “He is a corker to throw!” Bart was arousing admiration by his cool, steady work. Ned Noon saw this, and ground his teeth in fury. It was Noon’s turn to come to bat. He advanced, resolved to do something or drop dead in the attempt. A gleam entered Frank Merriwell’s eyes. He gathered himself. Two men had been allowed to hit; but if Ned Noon got a hit he would earn it. Then Merriwell sent them over with all kinds of twists and curves. Ned was fooled. He fanned three times, flung his bat to the ground and uttered a curse. The regulars had failed to score in their half of the second inning. CHAPTER XVII. A GOOD FINISH. Walbert did his prettiest. He struck out one of the “scrub,” and then the bases were filled. It looked like several more scores for Merriwell’s side. Walbert set his teeth and pitched. He realized that he was working for a place on the ’varsity nine, and never had he done better. He struck out another man. Then the next batter sent a long one straight out to the center fielder, who gathered it in and the inning ended. The spectators were greatly interested, for it was a hot game, something they had not expected. They began to chaff the regulars. Some of them said Merriwell’s team was the right one to represent Yale on the diamond that season. Browning had not been given much work, but, to his own surprise, he was wide awake. The excitement of the game had aroused him from his lethargy. Up to the close of the fourth inning the score stood 2 to 0 in favor of the “scrub.” Merriwell’s men did not seem able to obtain another score, although they came near it several times. In the fourth inning, aided by a hit, a fumble and a dropped ball, the regulars ran in one score. Then Merriwell put on steam, and shut them off. The fifth inning proved a whitewash for both sides, and the sixth began with the game standing 2 to 1 in favor of Merriwell.