Page:Stanwood Pier--Crashaw brothers.djvu/211

Rh the same instant the St. John’s shout of hope broke out behind him. For therein short right field their second baseman had just received  the ball and had turned for the throw to the  plate: Edward saw the ball leave his hand;  then he flung himself head-foremost, on his  chest, with arms outstretched; he felt his  hands on the rubber plate, he felt the impact  of the ball against his shoulder, and he heard  the umpire shout,—

“Safe!”

Before he could rise to his feet he was enveloped in a yelling swarm of St. Timothy’s boys, who pulled and hauled and hoisted him  to their shoulders—a bewildered exhibit in  soiled and dusty flannels and with a dirty  face.

Suddenly into the mob burst Durant, fighting his way.

“Put him down!” commanded Durant, sternly, at the top of his voice. “Put him down!”

His manner was so menacing that he was obeyed, and for a moment there was quiet.