Coddling did. He had Allison guessing right from the start. Perhaps that was because the right fielder had not faced him as yet this season, and his enforced layoff had rather weakened his batting eye, for usually Ben was a reliable hitter. When he struck for the third time, and the umpire waved him away, Allison only grinned and trotted back to the bench, shaking his head humorously. “Bones” Shadduck took his place, and was immediately greeted with a series of entreaties to accomplish something. “Hit her out, even if you are caught!” his admirers yelled. Shadduck made ready to do his best. One strike was called, and as yet he apparently had not gauged the delivery of the wizard pitcher, who faced him with that tantalizing smile on his face. Then he bunted, and was off for first like a shot. Coddling made a wild dash for the ball, which had started to roll along the line toward the sack. It looked as though it would go foul, and perhaps that was what kept the agile pitcher from trying to snatch it up. When he did, it was too late, for Bones had galloped over first, and was safe. Jack Comfort’s business was to sacrifice him down along the line. He, too, bunted, and while easily out himself, Bones had seen his signal, and got a lovely start, so that he found himself squatting on second. “That’s the way to do it! Play the game! Now, Lanky, you’re IT!” Lanky managed to knock a grounder that landed him on first, and Shadduck on third. “Coddling, take a brace and put ’em over!” Then stepped up Buster Billings. His appearance always created a ripple of amusement, on account of his ponderous calves. Buster only winked knowingly at the yelling crowd and raised his bat, waving it to and fro, cautiously. “Why, the feller thinks he can bunt now. Say, don’t you know there’s two out?” “Let Buster alone. He knows his business, you’ll see? That’s only his gentle way.” “And he can bat some, fellers, believe me!” Buster heard this last remark. “Thank you awfully for that kindness!” he remarked. “One strike!” said the umpire. “Hey, was that a baseball or a cannon ball that whizzed past?” demanded Buster, pretending to be greatly astonished when he heard the thud of the horsehide sphere in Clay’s old mitt. And then he smote the very next ball that came spinning along, smote it with so much energy that it sailed away toward center field, with Tony Banghardt running like a wild broncho in the endeavor to get under. Of course Shadduck was away at once, since there were already two out. Looking over his shoulder as he bolted like a frightened deer, he saw Banghardt make a gallant effort to spear the descending ball with extended hand; but he lacked a few inches of being in a position to accomplish this. Bones came home and the batter managed to land on second, whereas another player might have reached third, while Lanky perched on third, unable to get home. Still, the crowd forgave Buster for his slow running and assured him he was all right.