Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/315

Rh. "Now, see me land it for a couple of bases. It's dead easy with such a pitcher."

One ball was called and then a strike on the bully. The next time the sphere came in swiftly.

"Strike two!"

The ball went back rapidly to Dave, who looked at the plate just a second and then sent it in like lightning—before Plum could think about hitting it.

"Strike three! Batter out!"

"Go on with you! That was a ball!" yelled Gus Plum. He dashed the bat to the ground. "It was away out."

"It was directly over the plate," said the umpire, and told the truth.

"You're trying to cheat us out of the game," cried Nat Poole. "Why don't you play fair?"

At once a dozen players were talking, and a number of the outside crowd joined in. The majority sided with the umpire.

"It was certainly a strike," said Dave. "It was one of the best balls I pitched."

"That's a fact," came from Roger, who was catching. "Plum is mad because he was struck out, that's all."

"I ain't going to stay here and be cheated!" roared the bully. "I'll throw up the game first!" and he did. The umpire said the game must go