Dan stopped abruptly as a treble call, “Dan! Dan!” came from the bleachers not far away. Both Ned and the young pitcher glanced in the direction from which the hail had come and saw little Carlton Hall standing erect and waving his cap frantically as he called the name of his hero. “What does he want?” said Ned. “Has he heard of more ipecac they’re to feed you?” “No,” laughed Dan. “He just can’t contain himself, that’s all.” When at last the game began people were standing several deep behind the seats. On the field back of the ropes the ground was covered with spectators almost as excited as the young players. “Come here, Dan,” called Ned as he beckoned to his pitcher. Near Ned were the two umpires and the captain of the academy nine. “What do you think?” asked Ned. “The crowd is so big that the umpires suggest that a hit into it ought to count for only two bases.” “That’s as fair for one side as the other,” said Dan simply. “All right, we’ll agree,” said Ned quickly. Before the game was ended, however, the captain of the Tait School nine bitterly regretted the assent which he so readily gave to the suggestion. Dan now took his position and as he rubbed the ball in his mitt a final preliminary cheer came from the supporters of his nine. The young pitcher fancied that he could discern the shrill treble of little Carlton Hall in the midst of the shout. Waving his hand a moment as a token that he had heard he stepped into his box and delivered the first ball. A shout went up from the friends of the academy as the ball struck the batter on the shoulder. Two or three of his mates gathered about him and rubbed the injured spot and then the player speedily took first base. “Ball!” “Two balls!” “Strike!” “Three balls!” “Take your base!” called the umpire in quick succession to the second batter who faced Dan. The shouting became a great roar as the runner on first moved to second base, while his successor took his place on first. Two on bases and none out! The loud and continuous cheering changed to a wild incoherent cry of glee when the third player to face Dan sent a slow ball to Walter, which the usually reliable short-stop first fumbled; then started to throw to third base, but speedily changing his decision flung it to first base too late to catch the runner. Meanwhile the other two players had each advanced a base. Three on bases and none out! The Tait School contingent was silent and dazed, but their rivals were more than atoning. People were standing, hats were being thrown in the air, and the deafening shouts were prolonged and continuous. CHAPTER XXXII CONCLUSION