Page:Stanwood Pier--Crashaw brothers.djvu/198

178 legs. Wells sped on to second base and then on to third; Morton, who was coaching there,  rushed out, and, embracing him, fairly held  him upon the base. St. John’s were whooping and dancing; St. Timothy’s were smitten into  silence.

Morton was next at bat, and after him came the other good batters for St. John’s; the outlook was desperate. Wells stole cautiously down along the third-base line. Bell watched him anxiously, Jim Payne behind the bat  thumped his big mitt nervously. Two balls were called, then a strike.

Then Morton swung at the ball; Wells saw it go in a high swift line towards right field,  put down his head and ran for the plate.

But just off first base Keating leaped and reached, and that swiftly-driven liner struck  and stuck fast in his glove; he turned and  hurled the ball across the diamond to Stearns,  a beautiful low throw; and Stearns caught it  and touched third base. Then there was a burst of shouting from St. Timothy’s and a most  jubilant convulsion; the voices of St. John’s