Crack! The batter hit the ball with a force that sent it skipping between short-stop and third base, and the runner was safe at first, with the second safe hit the Benson players had secured. The following batter was given his base on balls, and the runner at first slowly made his way to second. Two on bases and none out! Had Dan’s hand lost its cunning? “Steady, Dan,” called Walter, striving to speak encouragingly. The young pitcher, however, did not even glance in the direction of his short-stop. With increased deliberation he drew back his arm and sent in a slow in-curve. Crack! Dan’s heart sank an instant at the sound, and then he was aware that the ball was coming swiftly toward him. He put up his hands almost instinctively and, scarcely realizing what he was doing, caught the ball. Instantly swinging about he threw the ball to second and the player was out. “First! First! Throw it to first!” shouted Dan almost beside himself in his excitement. “Throw it! Throw it!” he yelled frantically, going through the motion of throwing the ball himself in his eagerness. The second-baseman, at the sharp call, wheeled and sent the ball with all his might to the first-baseman, who had advanced several feet from the base and was standing with outstretched hands awaiting the coming of the sphere. The Benson runner who, at the sound of the bat when it struck the ball, had heedlessly started at full speed for second, now was frantically endeavoring to regain first base. As the baseman caught the ball the runner dove head-foremost, and the two came down in a heap about six feet from the coveted bag. Dan was dimly aware of a mighty shout that went up from the excited spectators, but he instantly ran to the place where the two players were lying. The Rodman player had been struck in the pit of the stomach by the head of the Benson player and was gasping for breath, his face being colorless. “Work his feet, Dan,” called Walter as he himself began to move the arms of the player much after the manner in which the handle of a pump is manipulated. There were expressions of anger to be seen on the faces of the people that instantly rushed upon the field, and for a moment there were signs of serious trouble. Fortunately the Rodman first-baseman quickly recovered and arose, though he stood for a brief time pale and trembling. With his recovery the threatening peril of a conflict was avoided and slowly the assembly began to depart from the field. “Dan, that was a wonderful catch you made,” said Walter quietly, as he joined his friend. “Was it?” laughed Dan, elated by the words of praise. “Yes; though the best thing you did was when you sent the ball like a shot to second,” said Walter. “Nat Carey wasn’t asleep. He got the ball to first in time to catch the runner. Nat played a good game to-day at second.” “That is the first time I ever saw a triple play.” “Is it?” “Yes. It was great.” “It saved the day, I guess.”