Even then he did not appear to be doing his best work, and one who watched him in a friendly way fancied he might do still better if forced to make the effort.
Walter Gordon was filled with disgust and dismay.
"He's having great luck," muttered Gordon.

"Why, I don't see how I missed a ball I struck at.

Every one was a dead easy thing, and I should have killed any of them." He squirmed as he heard Burn Putnam--familiarly called Old Put--the manager of the team, compliment Merriwell on his skillful work.
"I fancy I'll be able to use you more than I thought I should at first, Merriwell," said Putnam.

"We can tell more about that in the future." "I've got to strike that fellow out," thought Gordon as he went into the box.
But he did not.

Merriwell came first to bat in the second inning, and he sent a safe single into right field, deliberately placing it, as was evident to every ball player present.
Gordon turned green with anger, and then he became nervous.