Squint returned the ball. Almost without a pause, Carson snapped over a hot one across the inside corner. Dan was taken by surprise, and a second strike was called. It was followed by a third. “This bunch of rubes is soft!” chirruped Bangs from third. “Whoop! Down they go!” cried Ironton, as the big Nippen stalked out. “Who’s the cow?” inquired Murray, from second. Carson grinned. “This is an animal show, Bully,” snapped Squint. “Watch the elephant fan his ears!” The crowd could not help laughing at the awkward figure of Nippen. Carson burned a hot one across. Nippen swung, after it had plunked home. “Gone to sleep at the switch!” grunted Squint, while the bleachers roared a storm of advice and criticism. The big fellow flushed angrily. “Hit him in the ribs and wake him up!” cried Murray. Carson grinned again. He sent over a smoking-hot ball that forced Nippen to leap back. The huge fruit-picker looked at him furiously. “You watch out!” he cried warmly. “Shut up, Nippen,” exclaimed Merry. “He doesn’t dare hit you.” As if to disprove this, Carson launched another in the same place. Nippen jumped back, and, as his bat fell, the ball struck against it and rolled out into the diamond. The big fellow leaped out toward first. Bangs darted in to secure the ball, laughing as he did so. He straightened up with it, and slapped it to Burkett, but a cry of amazement went up. Nippen had beaten out the throw! “Watch the elephant run!” shrieked the fans. Clancy walked out to the plate, while Chub went down to coach at first. “Hello, carrot-top!” growled Squint. “Watch out you don’t scorch the ball on his thatch, Bully!” Carson knew that Clancy was dangerous. He put over a fast drop, but Clan refused to bite. Then came a slow fadeaway, and the red-haired chap took it on the nose. There was a groan of dismay. The ball soared high, and Merrell raced back toward the fence. Then he stopped, and waited, and the ball came down into his glove. Nippen, showing poor judgment, had dashed for second as soon as the ball settled softly in Merrell’s glove. The center fielder did not wait an instant, however, and threw the ball to Murray, who made Nippen an easy out. The Clippings were retired. The inning was over, without a run. “We’re holding them, fellows,” said Frank quietly, as they walked out. “Keep up the good work, and we’ll win, sure.” “We’ll do it, Chip,” cried Spaulding. “L-l-look out for Ironton,” snapped Chub, as the Clipper shortstop walked out. “He’s l-l-like-l-ly to start something.” Billy Mac evidently thought the same thing, for he signaled for the double shoot. Merry shook his head, and compromised on the jump ball. Ironton struck vainly. “Hoop-a-la!” sang out Clancy. “He’s going!” “Let him soak it,” pleaded McCarthy. “We’re all behind you, old scout!”