Then followed a straight one that was on the level with the top of the batter's head, and Gibson afterward expressed regret that he did not try it.

The third one was low and close to Gibson's knees.
Three balls had been called in succession, and the next one settled the matter, for it stood three to two.
"Has he gone to pieces ?" anxiously asked Collingwood.
"I don't think so," answered Pierson, "but he has wasted good opportunities trying to pull Gibson.

He is in a bad place now." "You have him in a hole, Gibson," cried a voice.

"The next one must be right over, and he can't put it there." "It looks as if you would win, Rattleton," said Harris in mild disgust.
"Merriwell is going to give the batter his base, and so, of course, he will not get a hit." Harry was nettled, and quick as a flash returned: "Four balls hits for a go--I mean goes for a hit in this case." Harris laughed.
"Now I have you sure," he chuckled.
"In your mind, Sport, old boy." Merriwell seemed to be examining the pitcher's plate, then he looked up like a flash, his eyes seeming to sparkle, and with wonderful quickness delivered the ball.
"It's an outcurve," was the thought which flashed through Gibson's mind as he saw the sphere had been started almost directly at him.
If it was an outcurve it seemed certain to pass over the center of the plate, and it would not do to let it pass.

It was speedy, and the batter was forced to make up his mind in a fraction of a second.
He struck at it--and missed! "Three strikes--batter out!" called the umpire, sharply.
Gibson dropped his stick in a dazed way, muttering: "Great Scott! it was a straight ball and close to my fingers!" He might have shouted the words and not been heard, for the Yale rooters were getting in their work for fair.