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The ball went out to Swiftwing, who was compelled to run hard, coming straight in. It seemed that the ball would strike the ground before the redskin could get his hands on it, but John sprinted hard and made a forward dive as he ran.

The ball struck in the hands of the fielder when it was not over six inches from the ground. Swiftwing held it.

Teller and Skew were racing round the bases, having been coached to go along. Teller had reached third and was going home, while Skew had passed over to second.

Instead of trying to head off Skew by throwing to third, Swiftwing threw to second. Rattleton took the throw, while Skew reached third. Then Rattleton threw to first.

Frank called the umpire and asked him to announce the batter and two runners ahead of him out.

“What’s the matter with you?” demanded the umpire, as if greatly amazed. “There is nobody out.”

“What?” exclaimed Merry, astounded. “Why, the three men are out, and you know it!”

“Tell me how?”

“O’Grady is out on Swiftwing’s catch of his long drive, and the other men are out for having been caught off their bases on a ball that was caught before it touched the ground.”