“We’ve _got_ to win!” said Cap Smith fiercely. “We need this to help us get the pennant. Don’t get nervous Bill, and you can do ’em. Try that up shoot on Scurry Nelson.” The last half of the ninth inning began. There were agonized appeals from the Vandalia supporters for the nine to cinch the tying run, and then to bring in half a dozen more for good luck. “They shan’t do it, if I can help it!” murmured Bill Smith half-savagely, as he took his place. Noticing the manner in which Bill stung in a few practice balls his brother behind the plate smiled happily. “Bill hasn’t lost any speed,” he thought gleefully. Scurry Nelson swung with all his force at the first ball, and his bat passed neatly under it. “Strike one!” came from the umpire, as if it made no difference to him. “Only two more!” howled the supporters of the Freeport nine. “You can do it, Bill!” Bill tried the same kind of a curve again, and got away with it, but on the third attempt, after giving a ball on purpose, he heard the fatal “ping” and a swift grounder got past Pete. There were groans of dismay from part of the crowd, accompanied by howls of delight from the other half, as Scurry landed on first. Bill felt his heart wildly beating, and Cap thumped his big glove viciously. The Vandalia team on the bench was in transports of joy. Already they saw their enemies vanquished. Bill calmed himself by an effort, and even smiled as he faced Buck Wheeler the next man up. Buck was a notoriously heavy hitter and it seemed as if he would knock the cover off the ball when he swung at the first one Bill sent in. Only he didn’t hit it. And he didn’t hit the next two, either, though he made desperate efforts to do so, and there was not quite so much elation on the faces of the Vandaliaites as the next man got up. He knocked a little pop fly, which Bill caught with ease making two out and, as quick as a flash the pitcher turned and threw to second, toward which bag Scurry was legging it for all he was worth. Bill was just a second too late, however and the runner was safe. “Two down! Only one more, and the game is ours!” came the encouraging yells from the grandstand where the Freeport supporters were crowded. Bill smiled happily and got ready for the next man, at the same time watching Scurry on second. The following player was Will Longton, and had a high batting average. There was a smile of confidence on his face as he stepped to the plate. Bill sent in a puzzling twister, and Will smiled as he refused to bite at it. “Ball,” called the umpire. “Take it easy! He’s afraid, and he’ll walk you,” was the advice Will got. He was still smiling confidently when the next ball whizzed past him. “Strike,” came from the umpire, with obvious reluctance, since he wanted to see his friends win. Will looked an indignant protest at the official, and rubbed some dirt on his hands, so that he might better grip the bat. “Watch him soak the cover off!” howled an enthusiastic admirer.