The Pennant

Dan was motionless a moment as he stood facing the next batter, whom he knew to be the heaviest hitter on the opposing nine. It was plain too, that the crowd also was aware of this fact, for loud cheers for White rang out as the batter advanced to the plate. There were repeated appeals for a "home run" and for the player to "bring in everybody. " Indeed, in the prevailing excitement, the call did not appear to be unreasonable. White showed plainly that he was prepared to do his utmost and a moment of weakness on the part of the pitcher would be fatal.

The wild shouts of the spectators sounded in Dan's ears as if they were far away. Even the treble cry that arose alone like a discordant note from the supporters of the Tait School was not heeded by the young pitcher. He removed his cap and wiped his forehead before he stepped into his box. He saw Ned's outstretched hands and read his sign for his best drop. Shaking his head as a sign that he understood, Dan glanced at the men on bases. The runner on second was far from his base and with his arms hanging loose was moving up and down the line as if he were a jumping-jack or a figure strung on wires. The runner on first started as if he were about to speed toward second. Dan responded by a quick throw to first, which just failed to catch the nimble runner as he safely regained his base and immediately began to repeat his tactics when Dan again prepared to pitch.