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 reached first on an infield error, the other three batters to face him going the way of all flesh.

"Oh, you Lefty!" was once more the rejoicing cry of the palpitating Kingsbridgers.

Murtel came back with a shut-out, although Hinkey led off with a scratch hit.

"Hold 'em, Lefty—hold 'em!" was the beseeching cry.

Bangs and Murtel faded like morning dew before a burning sun, but Harney got into a speedy one and banged it for two hassocks, setting the shaking Bancrofters off again in a tremendous uproar. Nevertheless, the lucky batter remained at second, where Stark and Labelle kept him dancing back and forth while Locke took Trollop's measure and put him away until the next game should be played.

With no one batting ahead of him, Locke advanced to the pan in the last of the eighth without instructions. The first ball was too close, but the second came slanting over, and he bunted. Again it was the unexpected, and never had a prettier bunt been pulled off. Nevertheless, it was only Tom's wonderful knack of starting at high speed with the first jump and covering the ground like a streak that enabled him to reach the sack a gasping breath ahead of the ball.