Dick saw Naylor cross the home plate and then he was at third himself. The ball was slowly coming in from the fielder, but the throw was such a long one that the second baseman had to run out to meet it.
"They'll never get it home in time," thought Dick, as he staggered onward, for he had run hard and his legs were trembling. "I can beat it home."
And he did, crossing the rubber before the ball was in the catcher's hands.
Then such cheering as broke out. Naylor's run had put Kentfield one ahead, and Dick's made two. It was sensational playing, with two home runs so close together, and the crowd appreciated it. Kentfield had the championship now.
"Kentfield! Kentfield! Kentfield! Rah! Rah! Rah! Boom! Boom! _Boom!_ Ah! Ah! Ah! Kentfield!"
Thus the school cry was given, coming from a thousand hoarse throats, and then came:
The grandstands rocked and swayed and creaked with the stress of emotion displayed.
"It was great, old man! Great!" cried Paul, clapping his panting chum on the back.
"Thanks. I knew I had to do it to save the game."
"And you did!" exclaimed Beeby. "Somebody punch me--I'm too happy to last!"
Some one obliged him with such force that Beeby stumbled, and to save himself he had to execute a forward somersault, at which trick he was an adept.
"Armstrong up!" called the scorer, when he could make himself heard.
"Oh, what's the use of playing it out?" asked Beeby.
"Let's sweeten the score if we can," urged Dick, who did not like doing anything by halves. But there was little interest in the game now, for Kentfield had won, and nothing could take it from her. Still Armstrong got up, and promptly fanned out, over which fact there was no regret, rather gladness on the part of the champions, who wanted to quit and celebrate.
Dejectedly Blue Hill filed off the field, after they had cheered and been cheered. The great game was over, the crowds thronged down from the grandstands. The Kentfield nine and the substitutes got together, and cheered Dick to the echo. Then with a singing of the song that always followed a victory they dispersed to the dressing rooms. Their baseball season was over.
"You certainly did yourself and us proud, Dick," said Paul, as he and his chum walked away together. "I wish Uncle Ezra could have seen you."