mile.

At the first offer, Prescott struck the leather sphere---crack!
In an instant Greg was in motion, while Dick raced as though
bent on catching his chum. The ball had gone out over the head
of center, who was now faithfully chasing it across outfield.
Greg came in and hit the plate amid a cyclone of Army enthusiasm.
The band was playing in sheer joy. Dick kicked second bag, then
darted back as he saw the ball drop into the hands of the Lehigh
catcher, who promptly sent it spinning straight into the third
baseman's hands.

Then Maitland gained first on called balls, and Furlong did the
same, which advanced Prescott to third.

Now Carson came up with the stick, sending out a slow grounder.

In like an Apache runner came Prescott, kicking the plate just
before the ball dropped.

From the seats of the Army came the triumphant yell:

"North point, east point, south point, West Point---_two points_!"

The next Army man struck out, but West Point was breathing, now,
with score two to one.

"Don't let Lehigh put another dot on the card, Prescott, and you'll
be our pitcher this year," promised Maitland.

"Wait and see if the visitors can get any more from us," laughed
Dick coolly. He felt that he had his old Gridley winning gait
on now. He proved it by striking out three straight in the first
half of the eighth. But West Point did not score, either, in
that inning.

Then came Lehigh, grim and desperate, to bat for the ninth time.
The first man Dick struck out. But even his wrist seemed to
be treacherous now. The second Lehigh man offered at nothing,
and went to first on called balls. So did the second, and a third
man, and the bags were filled.

Maitland glanced appealingly at Dick.

The new batsman, at the second offer, drove a slow grounder.
Greg Holmes raced forward for it, like a deer. As he caught it
up there was no perceptible pause before he sent it straight into
Maitland's hands, and the man headed for the plate was out. But
the three bags were again full.

Another Lehigh man hit one of Dick's drives, but only faintly
with the edge of his bat, and he went out on a foul hit.

"Now, I'm going to strike this new man out," resolved Dick desperately,
steeling nerves and muscles for the effort.

"Strike one!" called the umpire. "Ball one! Ball two! Strike
two! Strike three! Out!"

It was over, and Lehigh, covered with chagrin, gave up the contest,
while a pandemonium of Army cheers we