" That's  Kleindienst.  He  used  to  play  with
Hillbury.  He  can  hit.  They're  going  to  do  us
right  here.  I  feel  it  in  my  bones."  Duncan
jerked  out  his  words  in  curt  explosives.  " There  I
he's  done  it!':l  he  groaned,  as  the  batsman  drove
the  ball  in  a  long  sweep  over  third  base.
"No,  it  struck  outside  the  foul  line!"  cried
Sam,  eagerly,  as  the  applause  on  the  Yale  side
died  suddenly  away.  "See!  he's  gone  back  to
the  plate!"

"And  got  a  strike  for  it,  too,"  said  the  reviving
Duncan.  "That's  where  the  foul  strike  rule  hits


'em."


While  he  spoke  O'Brien  sent  in  another  pitch.
Kleindienst  hit  another  foul.  This  time  the  ball
careened  over  towards  the  stands  opposite  first
base.  Owen  tipped  off  his  mask  and  ran  headlong
in  pursuit.  He  took  the  descending  ball  with
hands  outstretched;  and  while  the  howl  of  ap-
plause was  yet  at  its  beginning,  he  turned  sharply

[260]


ROBERT  OWEN,  FRESHMAN

and  threw  to  first  base.  The  Yale  man  scrambled
wildly  back,  but  the  ball  was  there  before  him.
Williams  fielded  the  next  man  out  at  first.
"Come  on !  Let's  find  him ! "  sang  out  Duncan,
and  dashed  down  the  aisle  before  the  rising  crowd
got  under  way.  Sam  followed.  They  rushed
out  into  the  field  and  made  for  the  close  circle
gathering  rapidly  round  the  catcher.
"I'll  wait  for  you,"  said  Sam.  "He  won't
care  anything  about  me."

"Won't  he !"  cried  Duncan.  "Come  and  see !':
And  dragging  Sam  along  behind  him,  he  screwed
his  way  into  the  cluster  at  the  centre  of  which
Owen  was  fighting  off  the  vehement  attentions
of  admirers.  At  the  sight  of  Duncan  he  broke
through  the  circle  and  pulled  the  boy  in.
