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diff --git a/13556-h/13556-h.htm b/13556-h/13556-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b977451 --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/13556-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8227 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Behind the Line, by Ralph Henry Barbour</title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + blockquote {text-align: justify; + margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 15%;} + IMG { + BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; + BORDER-TOP: 0px; + BORDER-LEFT: 0px; + BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px } + .loc { TEXT-ALIGN: right; + margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 15%;} + .ctr { TEXT-ALIGN: center } + .rgt { float: right; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: -5%; + margin-right: 0%; + TEXT-ALIGN: center } + .lft { float: left; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 0%; + TEXT-ALIGN: center } + + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + pre {font-size: 9pt; + margin-left: 10%; } + // --> + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13556 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Behind the Line, by Ralph Henry Barbour, +Illustrated by C. M. Relyea</h1> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<a name="illus-000.jpg"></a> +<p class="ctr"><a href="images/illus-000.jpg"> +<img src="images/illus-000.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></a><br> +<b>A critical moment.</b></p> +<br> + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h1>BEHIND THE LINE</h1> + +<h2>A Story of College<br> +Life and Football +</h2><br> + +<h4>BY</h4> +<h3>RALPH HENRY BARBOUR</h3> +<h5>AUTHOR OF THE HALF-BACK, CAPTAIN OF THE CREW, AND<br> +FOR THE HONOR OF THE SCHOOL</h5> + +<h4><i>Illustrated by C.M. Relyea</i></h4> + +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/illus-002.png" width="15%" alt=""><br></p> + + +<h4>1902</h4> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h4>TO</h4> +<h3>MY MOTHER</h3> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2>PREFATORY NOTE</h2> + +<hr style="width: 25%;"> + +<center>The Author takes pleasure in acknowledging his indebtedness to<br> +Mr. Lorin F. Deland, of Boston, for the football play described in Chapter XV.</center> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<hr style="width: 25%;"> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr> +<td>CHAPTER</td> +<td> </td> +<td> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">I.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_I">HEROES IN MOLESKIN</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">II.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_II">PAUL CHANGES HIS MIND</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">III.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_III">IN NEW QUARTERS</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">IV.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">NEIL MAKES ACQUAINTANCES</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">V.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_V">AND SHOWS HIS METTLE</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">VI.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">MILLS, HEAD COACH</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">VII.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">THE GENTLE ART OF HANDLING PUNTS</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">VIII.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">THE KIDNAPING</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">IX.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">THE BROKEN TRICYCLE</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">X.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_X">NEIL MAKES THE VARSITY</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XI.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">THE RESULT OF A FUMBLE</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XII.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">ON THE HOSPITAL LIST</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XIII.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">SYDNEY STUDIES STRATEGY</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XIV.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">MAKES A CALL</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XV.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">AND TELLS OF A DREAM</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XVI.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">ROBINSON SENDS A PROTEST</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XVII.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">A PLAN AND A CONFESSION</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XVIII.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">NEIL IS TAKEN OUT</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XIX.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">ON THE EVE OF BATTLE</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XX.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">COWAN BECOMES INDIGNANT</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XXI.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">THE "ANTIDOTE" IS ADMINISTERED</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XXII.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">BETWEEN THE HALVES</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XXIII.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">NEIL GOES IN</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">XXIV.--</td> +<td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">AFTER THE BATTLE</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +</table> +</center> + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTKATIONS</h2> + +<hr style="width: 25%;"> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr> +<td><a href="#illus-000.jpg">A critical moment</a></td> +<td align="right"><i>frontispiece</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Getting settled</td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#illus-052.jpg">The vine swayed at every strain</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#illus-081.jpg">Hiding his face, he cried for help</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>"I guess you've broken down," said Neil</td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td><a href="#illus-152.jpg">Mills studied the diagram in silence</a></td> +<td align="right"></td> +</tr> +</table> +</center> + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>HEROES IN MOLESKIN</h3> +<br> + +<p>"Third down, four yards to gain!"</p> + +<p>The referee trotted out of the scrimmage line and +blew his whistle; the Hillton quarter-back crouched again +behind the big center; the other backs scurried to their +places as though for a kick.</p> + +<p>"<i>9--6--12!</i>" called quarter huskily.</p> + +<p>"Get through!" shrieked the St. Eustace captain. +"Block this kick!"</p> + +<p>"<i>4--8!</i>"</p> + +<p>The ball swept back to the full, the halves formed +their interference, and the trio sped toward the right +end of the line. For an instant the opposing ranks heaved +and struggled; for an instant Hillton repelled the attack; +then, like a shot, the St. Eustace left tackle hurtled +through and, avoiding the interference, nailed the Hillton +runner six yards back of the line. A square of the +grand stand blossomed suddenly with blue, and St. Eustace's +supporters, already hoarse with cheering and singing, +once more broke into triumphant applause. The +score-board announced fifteen minutes to play, and the +ball went to the blue-clad warriors on Hillton's forty-yard +line.</p> + +<p>Hillton and St. Eustace were once more battling for +supremacy on the gridiron in their annual Thanksgiving +Day contest. And, in spite of the fact that Hillton was +on her own grounds, St. Eustace's star was in the ascendant, +and defeat hovered dark and ominous over the Crimson. +With the score 5 to 0 in favor of the visitors, with +her players battered and wearied, with the second half +of the game already half over, Hillton, outweighted and +outplayed, fought on with the doggedness born of despair +in an almost hopeless struggle to avert impending defeat.</p> + +<p>In the first few minutes of the first half St. Eustace +had battered her way down the field, throwing her heavy +backs through the crimson line again and again, until she +had placed the pigskin on Hillton's three-yard line. There +the Hillton players had held stubbornly against two attempts +to advance, but on the third down had fallen victims +to a delayed pass, and St. Eustace had scored her +only touch-down. The punt-out had failed, however, and +the cheering flaunters of blue banners had perforce to be +content with five points.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Hillton had surprised her opponents, +for when the Blue's warriors had again sought to hammer +and beat their way through the opposing line they found +that Hillton had awakened from her daze, and their gains +were small and infrequent. Four times ere the half was +at an end St. Eustace was forced to kick, and thrice, having +by the hardest work and almost inch by inch fought +her way to within scoring distance of her opponent's goal, +she met a defense that was impregnable to her most desperate +assaults. Then it was that the Crimson had waved +madly over the heads of Hillton's shrieking supporters +and hope had again returned to their hearts.</p> + +<p>In the second half Hillton had secured the ball on the +kick-off, and, never losing possession of it, had struggled +foot by foot to within fifteen yards of the Blue's goal. +From there a kick from placement had been tried, but Gale, +Hillton's captain and right half-back, had been thrown before +his foot had touched the leather, and the St. Eustace +right-guard had fallen on the ball. A few minutes later a +fumble returned the pigskin to Hillton on the Blue's +thirty-three yards, and once more the advance was taken +up. Thrice the distance had been gained by plunges into +the line and short runs about the ends, and once Fletcher, +Hillton's left half, had got away safely for twenty yards. +But on her eight-yard line, under the shadow of her goal, +St. Eustace had held bravely, and, securing the ball on +downs, punted it far down the field into her opponent's +territory. Fletcher had run it back ten yards ere he was +downed, and from there it had gone six yards further by +one superb hurdle by the full-back. But St. Eustace had +then held finely, and on the third down, as has been told, +Hillton's fake-kick play had been demolished by the +Blue's tackle, and the ball was once more in the hands +of St. Eustace's big center rush.</p> + +<p>On the side-line, his hands in his pockets and his short +brier pipe clenched firmly between his teeth, Gardiner, +Hillton's head coach, watched grimly the tide of battle. +Things had gone worse than he had anticipated. He had +not hoped for too much--a tie would have satisfied him; +a victory for Hillton had been beyond his expectations. +St. Eustace far outweighed his team; her center was almost +invulnerable and her back field was fast and heavy. +But, despite the modesty of his expectations, Gardiner +was disappointed. The plays that he had believed would +prove to be ground-gainers had failed almost invariably. +Neil Fletcher, the left half, on whom the head coach had +placed the greatest reliance, had, with a single exception, +failed to circle the ends for any distance. To be sure, the +St. Eustace end rushes had proved more knowing than he +had given them credit for being, and so the fault was, +after all, not with Fletcher; but it was disappointing +nevertheless.</p> + +<p>And, as is invariably the case, he saw where he had +made mistakes in the handling of his team; realized, now +that it was too late, that he had given too much attention +to that thing, too little to this; that, as things had +turned out, certain plays discarded a week before would +have proved of more value than those substituted. He +sighed, and moved down the line to keep abreast of the +teams, now five yards nearer the Hillton goal.</p> + +<p>"Crozier must come out in a moment," said a voice +beside him. He turned to find Professor Beck, the trainer +and physical director. "What a game he has put up, eh?"</p> + +<p>Gardiner nodded.</p> + +<p>"Best quarter in years," he answered. "It'll weaken +us considerably, but I suppose it's necessary." There +was a note of interrogation in the last, and the professor +heard it.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, quite," he replied. "The boy's on his last +legs." Gardiner turned to the line of substitutes behind +them.</p> + +<p>"Decker!"</p> + +<p>The call was taken up by those nearest at hand, and +the next instant a short, stockily-built youth was peeling +off his crimson sweater. The referee's whistle blew, +and while the mound of squirming players found their +feet again, Gardiner walked toward them, his hand on +Decker's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Play slow and steady your team, Decker," he counseled. +"Use Young and Fletcher for runs; try them +outside of tackle, especially on the right. Give Gale a +chance to hit the line now and then and diversify +your plays well. And, my boy, if you get that ball +again, and of course you will, <i>don't let it go</i>! Give up +your twenty yards if necessary, only hang on to the +leather!"</p> + +<p>Then he thumped him encouragingly on the back and +sped him forward. Crozier, the deposed quarter-back, +was being led off by Professor Beck. The boy was pale +of face and trembling with weariness, and one foot +dragged itself after the other limply. But he was protesting +with tears in his eyes against being laid off, and +even the hearty cheers for him that thundered from the +stand did not comfort him. Then the game went on, the +tide of battle flowing slowly, steadily, toward the Crimson's +goal.</p> + +<p>"If only they don't score again!" said Gardiner.</p> + +<p>"That's the best we can hope for," said Professor +Beck.</p> + +<p>"Yes; it's turned out worse than I expected."</p> + +<p>"Well, you can comfort yourself with the knowledge +that they've played as plucky a game against odds as I +ever expect to see," answered the other. "And we won't +say die yet; there's still"--he looked at his watch-- +there's still eight minutes."</p> + +<p>"That's good; I hope Decker will remember what I +told him about runs outside right tackle," muttered Gardiner +anxiously. Then he relighted his pipe and, with +stolid face, watched events.</p> + +<p>St. Eustace was still hammering Hillton's line at the +wings. Time and again the Blue's big full-back plunged +through between guard and tackle, now on this side, now +on that, and Hillton's line ever gave back and back, slowly, +stubbornly, but surely.</p> + +<p>"First down," cried the referee. "Five yards to +gain."</p> + +<p>The pigskin now lay just midway between Hillton's +ten-and fifteen-yard lines. Decker, the substitute quarter-back, +danced about under the goal-posts.</p> + +<p>"Now get through and break it up, fellows!" he +shouted. "Get through! Get through!"</p> + +<p>But the crimson-clad line men were powerless to +withstand the terrific plunges of the foe, and back +once more they went, and yet again, and the ball was on +the six-yard line, placed there by two plunges at right +tackle.</p> + +<p>"First down!" cried the referee again.</p> + +<p>Then Hillton's cup of sorrow seemed overflowing. +For on the next play the umpire's whistle shrilled, and +half the distance to the goal-line was paced off. Hillton +was penalized for holding, and the ball was on her three +yards!</p> + +<p>From the section of the grand stand where the crimson +flags waved came steady, entreating, the wailing slogan:</p> + +<p>"<i>Hold, Hillton! Hold, Hillton! Hold, Hillton!</i>"</p> + +<p>Near at hand, on the side-line, Gardiner ground his +teeth on the stem of his pipe and watched with expressionless +face. Professor Beck, at his side, frowned anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Put it over, now!" cried the St. Eustace captain. +"Tear them up, fellows!"</p> + +<p>The quarter gave the signal, the two lines smashed together, +and the whistle sounded. The ball had advanced +less than a yard. The Hillton stand cheered hoarsely, +madly.</p> + +<p>"Line up! Line up!" cried the Blue's quarter. "Signal!"</p> + +<p>Then it was that St. Eustace made her fatal mistake. +With the memory of the delayed pass which had won St. +Eustace her previous touch-down in mind, the Hillton +quarter-back was on the watch.</p> + +<p>The ball went back, was lost to view, the lines heaved +and strained. Decker shot to the left, and as he reached +the end of the line the St. Eustace left half-back came +plunging out of the throng, the ball snuggled against his +stomach. Decker, just how he never knew, squirmed past +the single interferer, and tackled the runner firmly about +the hips. The two went down together on the seven +yards, the blue-stockinged youth vainly striving to squirm +nearer to the line, Decker holding for all he was worth. +Then the Hillton left end sat down suddenly on the runner's +head and the whistle blew.</p> + +<p>The grand stand was in an uproar, and cheers for +Hillton filled the air. Gardiner turned away calmly and +knocked the ashes from his pipe. Professor Beck beamed +through his gold-rimmed glasses. Decker picked himself +up and sped back to his position.</p> + +<p>"<i>Signal</i>!" he cried. But a St. Eustace player called +for time and the whistle piped again.</p> + +<p>"If Decker tries a kick from there it'll be blocked, and +they'll score again," said Gardiner. "Our line can't hold. +There's just one thing to do, but I fear Decker won't +think of it." He caught Gale's eye and signaled the captain +to the side-line.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" panted that youth, taking the nose-guard +from his mouth and tenderly nursing a swollen lip. +Gardiner hesitated. Then--</p> + +<p>"Nothing. Only fight it out, Gale. You've got your +chance now!" Gale nodded and trotted back. Gardiner +smiled ruefully. "The rule against coaching from the +side-lines may be a good one," he muttered, "but I guess +it's lost this game for us."</p> + +<p>The whistle sounded and the lines formed again.</p> + +<p>"First down," cried the referee, jumping nimbly out +of the way. Decker had been in conference with the full-back, +and now he sprang back to his place.</p> + +<p>"Signal!" he cried. "<i>14--7--31</i>!"</p> + +<p>The Hillton full stood just inside the goal-line and +stretched his hands out.</p> + +<p>"<i>16--8</i>!"</p> + +<p>The center passed the pigskin straight and true to the +full-back, but the latter, instead of kicking it, stood as +though bewildered while the St. Eustace forwards plunged +through the Hillton line as though it had been of paper. +The next moment he was thrown behind his goal-line +with the ball safe in his arms, and Gardiner, on the side-line, +was smiling contentedly.</p> + +<p>"Touch-back," cried Decker. "Line up on the +twenty yards, fellows!"</p> + +<p>Hillton's ruse had won her a free kick, and in another +moment the ball was arching toward the St. Eustace goal. +The Blue's left half secured it, but was downed on his +forty yards. The first attack netted four yards through +Hillton's left-guard, and the crimson flags drooped on +their staffs. On the next play St. Eustace's full-back +hurdled the line for two yards, but lost the pigskin, and +amid frantic cries of "Ball! Ball!" Fletcher, Hillton's +left half, dropped upon it. The crimson banners waved +again, and Hillton voices once more took up the refrain of +Hilltonians, while hope surged back into loyal hearts.</p> + +<p>"Five minutes to play," said Professor Beck. Gardiner +nodded.</p> + +<p>"Time enough to win in," he answered.</p> + +<p>Decker crouched again, chanted his signal, and the +Hillton full plunged at the blue-clad line. But only a +yard resulted.</p> + +<p>"<i>Signal</i>!" cried the quarter. "<i>8--51--16--5</i>!"</p> + +<p>The ball came back into his waiting hands, was thrown +at a short pass to the left half, and, with right half showing +the way and full-back charging along beside, Fletcher +cleared the line through a wide gap outside of St. Eustace's +right tackle and sped down the field while the Hillton +supporters leaped to their feet and shrieked wildly. +The full-back met the St. Eustace right half, and the two +were left behind on the turf. Beside Fletcher, a little in +advance, ran the Hillton captain and right half-back, Paul +Gale. Between them and the goal, now forty yards away, +only the St. Eustace quarter remained, but behind them +came pounding footsteps that sounded dangerous.</p> + +<p>Gardiner, followed by the professor and a little army +of privileged spectators, raced along the line.</p> + +<p>"He'll make it," muttered the head coach. "They +can't stop him!"</p> + +<p>One line after another went under the feet of the two +players. The pursuit was falling behind. Twenty yards +remained to be covered. Then the waiting quarter-back, +white-faced and desperate, was upon them. But Gale was +equal to the emergency.</p> + +<p>"To the left!" he panted.</p> + +<p>Fletcher obeyed with weary limbs and leaden feet, +and without looking knew that he was safe. Gale and +the St. Eustace player went down together, and in another +moment Fletcher was lying, faint but happy, over +the line and back of the goal!</p> + +<p>The stands emptied themselves on the instant of their +triumphant burden of shouting, cheering, singing Hilltonians, +and the crimson banners waved and fluttered on to +the field. Hillton had escaped defeat!</p> + +<p>But Fortune, now that she had turned her face toward +the wearers of the Crimson, had further gifts to bestow. +And presently, when the wearied and crestfallen +opponents had lined themselves along the goal-line, +Decker held the ball amid a breathless silence, and Hillton's +right end sent it fair and true between the uprights: +Hillton, 6; Opponents, 5.</p> + +<p>The game, so far as scoring went, ended there. Four +minutes later the whistle shrilled for the last time, and +the horde of frantic Hilltonians flooded the field and, led +by the band, bore their heroes in triumph back to the +school. And, side by side, at the head of the procession, +perched on the shoulders of cheering friends, swayed the +two half-backs, Neil Fletcher and Paul Gale.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>PAUL CHANGES HIS MIND</h3> +<br> + +<p>Two boys were sitting in the first-floor corner study +in Haewood's. Those who know the town of Hillton, +New York, will remember Haewood's as the large residence +at the corner of Center and Village Streets, from +the big bow-window of which the occupant of the cushioned +seat may look to the four points of the compass or +watch for occasional signs of life about the court-house +diagonally across. To-night--the bell in the tower of the +town hall had just struck half after seven--the occupants +of the corner study were interested in things other than +the view.</p> + +<p>I have said that they were sitting. Lounging would +be nearer the truth; for one, a boy of eighteen years, with +merry blue eyes and cheeks flushed ruddily with health +and the afterglow of the day's excitement, with hair just +the color of raw silk that took on a glint of gold where +the light fell upon it, was perched cross-legged amid the +cushions at one end of the big couch, two strong, tanned, +and much-scarred hands clasping his knees. His companion +and his junior by but two months, a dark-complexioned +youth with black hair and eyes and a careless, +good-natured, but rather wilful face, on which at the +present moment the most noticeable feature was a badly +cut and much swollen lower lip, lay sprawled at the other +end of the couch, his chin buried in one palm.</p> + +<p>Both lads were well built, broad of chest, and long of +limb, with bright, clear eyes, and a warmth of color that +betokened the best of physical condition. They had been +friends and room-mates for two years. This was their last +year at Hillton, and next fall they were to begin their +college life together. The dark-complexioned youth +rolled lazily on to his back and stared at the ceiling. +Then--</p> + +<p>"I suppose Crozier will get the captaincy, Neil."</p> + +<p>The boy with light hair nodded without removing his +gaze from the little flames that danced in the fireplace. +They had discussed the day's happenings thoroughly, had +relived the game with St. Eustace from start to finish, and +now the big Thanksgiving dinner which they had eaten +was beginning to work upon them a spell of dormancy. It +was awfully jolly, thought Neil Fletcher, to just lie there +and watch the flames and--and--He sighed comfortably +and closed his eyes. At eight o'clock he, with the +rest of the victorious team, was to be drawn about the +town in a barge and cheered at, but meanwhile there was +time to just close his eyes--and forget--everything--</p> + +<p>There was a knock at the study door.</p> + +<p>"Go 'way!" grunted Neil.</p> + +<p>"Oh, come in," called Paul Gale, without, however, +removing his drowsy gaze from the ceiling or changing his +position.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon. I am looking for Mr. Gale, +and--"</p> + +<p>Paul dropped his legs over the side of the couch and +sat up, blinking at the visitor. Neil followed his example. +The caller was a carefully dressed man of +about thirty-five, scarcely taller than Neil, but broader +of shoulder. Paul recognized him, and, rising, shook +hands.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Mr. Brill? Glad to see you. Sit +down, won't you? I guess we were both pretty nigh +asleep when you knocked."</p> + +<p>"Small wonder," responded the visitor affably. +"After the work you did this afternoon you deserve +sleep, and anything else you want." He laid aside his coat +and hat and sank into the chair which Paul proffered.</p> + +<p>"By the way," continued the latter, "I don't think +you've met my friend, Neil Fletcher. Neil, this is Mr. +Brill, of Robinson; one of their coaches." The two shook +hands.</p> + +<p>"I'm delighted to meet the hero--I should say one +of the heroes--of the day," said Mr. Brill. "That run +was splendid; the way in which you two fellows got your +speed up before you reached the line was worth coming +over here to see, really it was."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Paul set a pretty good pace," answered Neil.</p> + +<p>The visitor discussed the day's contest for a few minutes, +during which Neil glanced uneasily from time to +time at the clock, wondered what the visitor wanted there, +and heartily wished he'd take himself off. But presently +Mr. Brill got down to business.</p> + +<p>"You know we've had a little victory in football ourselves +this fall," he was saying. "We won from Erskine +by 17 to 6 last week, and we're feeling rather stuck up +over it."</p> + +<p>"Wait till next year," said Neil to himself, "and +you'll get over it."</p> + +<p>"And that," continued the coach, "brings me to the +object of my call tonight. Frankly, we want you two +fellows at Robinson College, and I'm here to see if we +can't have you." He paused and smiled engagingly at +the boys. Neil glanced surprisedly at Paul, who was +thoughtfully examining the scars on his knuckles. +"Don't decide until I've explained matters more clearly," +went on the visitor. "Perhaps neither of you have been +to Collegetown, but at least you know about where Robinson +stands in the athletic world, and you know that as +an institution of learning it is in the front rank of the +smaller colleges; in fact, in certain lines it might dispute +the place of honor with some of the big ones.</p> + +<p>"To the fellow who wants a college where he can +learn and where, at the same time, he can give some +attention to athletics, Robinson's bound to recommend +itself. I mention this because you know as well as I do +that there are colleges--I mention no names--where a +born football player, such as either of you, would simply +be lost; where he would be tied down by such stringent +rules that he could never amount to anything on the gridiron. +I don't mean to say that at Robinson the faculty is +lax regarding standing or attendance at lectures, but I do +say that it holds common-sense views on the subject of college +athletics, and does not hound a man to death simply +because he happens to belong to the football eleven or +the crew.</p> + +<p>"Robinson is always on the lookout for first-class football, +baseball, or rowing material, and she believes in +offering encouragement to such material. She doesn't +favor underhand methods, you understand; no hiring of +players, no free scholarships--though there are plenty of +them for those who will work for them--none of that sort +of thing. But she is willing to meet you half-way. The +proposition which I am authorized to make is briefly +this"--the speaker leaned forward, smiling frankly, and +tapped a forefinger on the palm of his other hand--"If +you, Mr. Gale, and you, Mr. Fletcher, will enter Robinson +next September, the--ah--the athletic authorities +will guarantee you positions on the varsity eleven. Besides +this, you will be given free tutoring for the entrance +exams, and afterward, so long as you remain on the team, +in any studies with which you may have difficulty. Now, +there is a fair, honest proposition, and one which I sincerely +trust you will accept. We want you both, and +we're willing to do all that we can--in honesty, that is--to +get you. Now, what do you say?"</p> + +<p>During this recital Neil's dislike of the speaker had +steadily increased, and now, under the other's smiling +regard, he had difficulty in keeping from his face some +show of his emotions. Paul looked up from his scarred +knuckles and eyed Neil furtively before he turned to the +coach.</p> + +<p>"Of course," he said, "this is rather unexpected."</p> + +<p>The coach's eyes flickered for an instant with amusement.</p> + +<p>"For my part," Neil broke in almost angrily, "I'm +due in September at Erskine, and unless Paul's changed +his mind since yesterday so's he."</p> + +<p>The Robinson coach raised his eyebrows in simulated +surprise.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he said slowly, "Erskine?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Erskine," answered Neil rather discourteously. +A faint flush of displeasure crept into Mr. Brill's cheeks, +but he smiled as pleasantly as ever.</p> + +<p>"And your friend has contemplated ruining his football +career in the same manner, has he?" he asked politely, +turning his gaze as he spoke on Paul. The latter +fidgeted in his chair and looked over a trifle defiantly at +his room-mate.</p> + +<p>"I had thought of going to Erskine," he answered. +"In fact"--observing Neil's wide-eyed surprise at his +choice of words--"in fact, I had arranged to do so. But--but, +of course, nothing has been settled definitely."</p> + +<p>"But, Paul--" exclaimed Neil.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad to hear that," interrupted Mr. Brill. +"For in my opinion it would simply be a waste of your +opportunities and--ah--abilities, Mr. Gale."</p> + +<p>"Well, of course, if a fellow doesn't have to bother +too much about studies," said Paul haltingly, "he can do +better work on the team; there can't be any question +about that, I guess."</p> + +<p>"None at all," responded the coach.</p> + +<p>Neil stared at his chum indignantly.</p> + +<p>"You're talking rot," he growled. Paul flushed and +returned his look angrily.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I have the right to manage my own affairs?" +he demanded. Neil realized his mistake and, with +an effort, held his peace. Mr. Brill turned to him.</p> + +<p>"I fear there's no use in attempting to persuade you +to come to us also?" he said. Neil shook his head silently. +Then, realizing that Paul was quite capable, in his present +fit of stubbornness, of promising to enter Robinson if +only to spite his room-mate, Neil used guile.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, September's a long way off," he said, "and +I don't see that it's necessary to decide to-night. Perhaps +we had both better take a day or two to think it over. I +guess Mr. Brill won't insist on a final answer to-night."</p> + +<p>The Robinson coach hesitated, but then answered +readily enough:</p> + +<p>"Certainly not. Think it over; only, if possible, let +me hear your decision to-morrow, as I am leaving town +then."</p> + +<p>"Well, as far as I'm concerned," said Paul, "I don't +see any use in putting it off. I'm willing--"</p> + +<p>Neil jumped to his feet. A burst of martial music +swept up to them as the school band, followed by a host +of their fellows, turned the corner of the building.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Paul," he cried; "get your coat on. Mr. +Brill will excuse us if we leave him; we mustn't keep the +fellows waiting. And we can think the matter over, eh, +Paul? And we'll let him know in the morning. Here's +your coat. Good-night, sir, good-night." He was holding +the door open and smiling politely. Paul, scowling, arose +and shook hands with the Robinson emissary. Neil kept +up a steady stream of talk, and his chum could only mutter +vague words about his pleasure at Mr. Brill's call and +about seeing him to-morrow. When the door had closed +behind him the coach stood a moment in the hall and +thoughtfully buttoned his coat.</p> + +<p>"I think I've got Gale all right," he said to himself, +"but"--with a slight smile--"the other chap was too +smart for me. And, confound him, he's just the sort we +need!"</p> + +<p>When he reached the entrance he was obliged to elbow +his way through a solid throng of shouting youths +who with excited faces and waving caps and flags informed +the starlight winter sky over and over that they +wanted Gale and Fletcher, to which demand the band +lent hearty if rather discordant emphasis.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;"> + +<p>A good deal happened in the next two hours, but nothing +that is pertinent to this narrative. Victorious Hillton +elevens have been hauled through the village and out to +the field many times in past years, and bonfires have flared +and speeches have been made by players and faculty, and +all very much as happened on this occasion. Neil and +Paul returned to their room at ten o'clock, tired, happy, +with the cheers and the songs still echoing in their ears.</p> + +<p>Paul had apparently forgotten his resentment toward +Neil and the whole matter of Brill's proposition. But +Neil hadn't, and presently, when they were preparing for +bed, he returned doggedly to the charge.</p> + +<p>"When did you meet that fellow Brill?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"In Gardiner's room this morning; he introduced us." +Paul began to look sulky again. "Seems a decent sort, +I think," he added defiantly. Neil accepted the challenge.</p> + +<p>"I dare say," he answered carelessly. "There's only +one thing I've got against him."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" questioned Paul suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"His errand."</p> + +<p>"What's wrong with his errand?"</p> + +<p>"Everything, Paul. You know as well as I that his +offer is--well, it's shady, to say the least. Who ever heard +of a decent college offering free tutoring in order to get +fellows for its football team?"</p> + +<p>"Lots of them do," growled Paul.</p> + +<p>"No, they don't; not decent ones. Some do, I know; +but they're not colleges a fellow cares to go to. Every +one knows what rotten shape Robinson athletics are in; +the papers have been full of it for two years. Their +center rush this fall, Harden, just went there to play on +the team, and everybody says that he got his tuition +free. You don't want to play on a team like that and +have people say things like that about you. I'm sure I +don't."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you!" sneered Paul. "You're getting crankier +and crankier every day. I'll bet you're just huffy because +Brill didn't ask you first."</p> + +<p>Neil flushed, but kept his temper.</p> + +<p>"You don't think anything of the sort, Paul. Besides--"</p> + +<p>"It looks that way," muttered Paul.</p> + +<p>"Besides," continued Neil calmly, "what's the advantage +in going to Robinson? We've arranged everything; +we've got our rooms picked out at Erskine; there +are lots of fellows there we know; the college is the best +of its class and its athletics are honest. If you play on +the Erskine team you'll be somebody, and folks won't +hint that you're receiving money or free scholarships or +something for doing it. And as for Brill's guarantee of +a place on the team, why, there's only one decent way +to get on a football team, and that's by good, hard work; +and there's no reason for doubting that you'll make the +Erskine varsity eleven."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is, too," answered Paul angrily. +"They've got lots of good players at Erskine, and you +and I won't stand any better show than a dozen others."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to."</p> + +<p>"Huh! Well, I do; that is, I want to make the team. +Besides, as Brill said, if a fellow has the faculty after +him all the time about studies he can't do decent work +on the team. I don't see anything wrong in it, and--and +I'm going. I'll tell Brill so to-morrow!"</p> + +<p>Neil drew his bath-robe about him, and looked +thoughtfully into the flames. So far he had lost, but he +had one more card to play. He turned and faced Paul's +angry countenance.</p> + +<p>"Well, if I should go to Robinson and play on her +team under the conditions offered by that--by Brill I'd +feel disgraced."</p> + +<p>"You'd better stay away, then," answered Paul hotly.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't want to show my face around Hillton +afterward, and if I met Gardiner or 'Wheels' I'd take +the other side of the street."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you would?" cried his room-mate. "You're +trying to make yourself out a little fluffy angel, aren't +you? And I suppose I'm not good enough to associate +with you, am I? Well, if that's it, all I've got to +say--"</p> + +<p>"But," continued Neil equably, "if you accept Brill's +offer, so will I."</p> + +<p>Paul paused open-mouthed and stared at his chum. +Then his eyes dropped and he busied himself with a stubborn +stocking. Finally, with a muttered "Humph!" he +gathered up his clothing and disappeared into the bedroom. +Neil turned and smiled at the flames and, finding +his own apparel, followed. Nothing more was said. Paul +splashed the water about even more than usual and tumbled +silently into bed. Neil put out the study light and +followed suit.</p> + +<p>"Good-night," he said.</p> + +<p>"Good-night," growled Paul.</p> + +<p>It had been a hard day and an exciting one, and Neil +went to sleep almost as soon as his head touched the +pillow. It seemed hours later, though in reality but some +twenty minutes, that he was awakened by hearing his +name called. He sat up quickly.</p> + +<p>"Hello! What?" he shouted.</p> + +<p>"Shut up," answered Paul from across in the darkness. +"I didn't know you were asleep. I only wanted to +say--to tell you--that--that I've decided not to go to +Robinson!"</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>IN NEW QUARTERS</h3> +<br> + +<p>Almost every one has heard of Erskine College. For +the benefit of the few who have not, and lest they confound +it with Williams or Dartmouth or Bowdoin or some +other of its New England neighbors, it may be well to +tell something about it. Erskine College is still in its +infancy, as New England universities go, with its centennial +yet eight years distant. But it has its own share +of historic associations, and although the big elm in the +center of the campus was not planted until 1812 it has +shaded many youths who in later years have by good +deeds and great accomplishments endeared themselves to +country and alma mater.</p> + +<p>In the middle of the last century, when Erskine was +little more than an academy, it was often called "the little +green school at Centerport." It is not so little now, +but it's greener than ever. Wide-spreading elms grow +everywhere; in serried ranks within the college grounds, +in smaller detachments throughout the village, in picket +lines along the river and out into the country. The grass +grows lush wherever it can gain hold, and, not content +with having its own way on green and campus, is forever +attempting the conquest of path and road. The +warm red bricks of the college buildings are well-nigh +hidden by ivy, which, too, is an ardent expansionist. And +where neither grass nor ivy can subjugate, soft, velvety +moss reigns humbly.</p> + +<p>In the year 1901, which is the period of this story, the +enrolment in all departments at Erskine was close to +six hundred students. The freshman class, as had been +the case for many years past, was the largest in the history +of the college. It numbered 180; but of this number +we are at present chiefly interested in only two; and these +two, at the moment when this chapter begins--which, to +be exact, is eight o'clock of the evening of the twenty-fourth +day of September in the year above mentioned--were +busily at work in a first-floor study in the boarding-house +of Mrs. Curtis on Elm Street.</p> + +<p>It were perhaps more truthful to say that one was +busily at work and the other was busily advising and directing. +Neil Fletcher stood on a small table, which +swayed perilously from side to side at his every movement, +and drove nails into an already much mutilated +wall. Paul Gale sat in a hospitable armchair upholstered +in a good imitation of green leather and nodded approval.</p> + +<p>"That'll do for 'Old Abe'; now hang The First Snow +a bit to the left and underneath."</p> + +<p>"The First Snow hasn't any wire on it," complained +Neil. "See if you can't find some."</p> + +<p>"Wire's all gone," answered Paul. "We'll have to +get some more. Where's that list? Oh, here it is. +'Item, picture wire.' I say, what in thunder's this you've +got down--'Ring for waistband'?"</p> + +<p>"Rug for wash-stand, you idiot! I guess we'll have to +quit until we get some more wire, eh? Or we might hang +a few of them with boot-laces and neckties?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, let's call it off. I'm tired," answered Paul with +a grin. "The room begins to look rather decent, doesn't +it? We must change that couch, though; put it the other +way so the ravelings won't show. And that picture +of--"</p> + +<p>But just here Neil attempted to step from the table +and landed in a heap on the floor, and Paul forgot criticism +in joyful applause.</p> + +<p>"Oh, noble work! Do it again, old man; I didn't see +the take-off!"</p> + +<p>But Neil refused, and plumping himself into a wicker +rocking-chair that creaked complainingly, rubbed the dust +from his hands to his trousers and looked about the study +approvingly.</p> + +<p>"We're going to be jolly comfy here, Paul," he said. +"Mrs. Curtis is going to get a new globe for that fixture +over there."</p> + +<p>[Illustration: Getting settled.]</p> + +<p>"Then we will be," said Paul. "And if she would +only find us a towel-rack that didn't fall into twelve separate +pieces like a Chinese puzzle every time a chap put a +towel on it we'd be simply reveling in luxury."</p> + +<p>"I think I can fix that thing with string," answered +Neil. "Or we might buy one of those nickel-plated affairs +that you screw into the wall."</p> + +<p>"The sort that always dump the towels on to the floor, +you mean? Yes, we might. Of course, they're of no +practical value judged as towel-racks, but they're terribly +ornamental. You know we had one in the bath-room at +the beach. Remember? When you got through your +bath and groped round for the towel it was always lying +on the floor just out of reach."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember," answered Neil, smiling. "We +had rather a good time, didn't we, at Seabright? It was +awfully nice of you to ask me down there, Paul; and +your folks were mighty good to me. Next summer I +want you to come up to New Hampshire and see us for +a while. Of course, we can't give you sea bathing, and +you won't look like a red Indian when you go home, but +we could have a good time just the same."</p> + +<p>"Red Indian yourself!" cried Paul. "You're nearly +twice as tanned as I am. I don't see how you did it. I +was there pretty near all summer and you stayed just +three weeks; and look at us! I'm as white as a sheet of +paper--"</p> + +<p>"Yes, brown paper," interpolated Neil.</p> + +<p>"And you have a complexion like a--a football after +a hard game."</p> + +<p>Neil grinned, then--</p> + +<p>"By the way," he said, "did I tell you I'd heard from +Crozier?"</p> + +<p>"About Billy and the ducks? And Gordon's not going +back to Hillton? Yes, you got that at the beach; remember?"</p> + +<p>"So I did. 'Old Cro' will be up to his ears in trouble +pretty soon, won't he? I'm glad they made him captain, +awfully glad. I think he can turn out a team that'll rub +it into St. Eustace again just as you did last year."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and Gardiner's going to coach again." Paul +smiled reminiscently. Then, "By Jove, it does seem +funny not to be going back to old Hillton, doesn't it? I +suppose after a while a fellow'll get to feeling at home +here, but just at present--" He sighed and shook his +head.</p> + +<p>"Wait until college opens to-morrow and we get to +work; we won't have much time to feel much of anything, +I guess. Practise is called for four o'clock. I wonder--I +wonder if we'll make the team?"</p> + +<p>"Why not?" objected Paul. "If I thought I wouldn't +I think I'd pitch it all up and--and go to Robinson!" +He grinned across at his chum.</p> + +<p>"You stay here and you'll get a chance to go <i>at</i> Robinson; +that's a heap more satisfactory."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going to make the varsity, Neil. I've +set my heart on that, and what I make up my mind to +do I sometimes most always generally do. I'm not +troubling, my boy; I'll show them a few tricks about playing +half-back that'll open their eyes. You wait and see!"</p> + +<p>Neil looked as though he was not quite certain as to +that, but said nothing, and Paul went on:</p> + +<p>"I wonder what sort of a fellow this Devoe is?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I've never seen him, but we know that he's +about as good an end as there is in college to-day; and I +guess he's bound to be the right sort or they wouldn't +have made him captain."</p> + +<p>"He's a senior, isn't he?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he's played only two years, and they say he's +going into the Yale Law School next year. If he does, of +course he'll get on the team there. Well, I hope he'll +take pity on two ambitious but unprotected freshmen +and--"</p> + +<p>There was a knock at the study door and Paul +jumped forward and threw it open. A tall youth of +twenty-one or twenty-two years of age stood in the doorway.</p> + +<p>"I'm looking for Mr. Gale and Mr. Fletcher. Have +I hit it right?"</p> + +<p>"I'm Gale," answered Paul, "and that's Fletcher. +Won't you come in?" The visitor entered.</p> + +<p>"My name's Devoe," he explained smilingly. "I'm +captain of the football team this year, and as you two fellows +are, of course, going to try for the team, I thought +we'd better get acquainted." He accepted the squeaky +rocking-chair and allowed Paul to take his straw hat. +Neil thought he'd ought to shake hands, but as Devoe +made no move in that direction he retired to another seat +and grinned hospitably instead.</p> + +<p>"I've heard of the good work you chaps did for Hillton +last year, and I was mighty glad when I learned from +Gardiner that you were coming up here."</p> + +<p>"You know Gardiner?" asked Neil.</p> + +<p>"No, I've never met him, but of course every football +man knows who he is. He wrote to me in the spring that +you were coming, and rather intimated that if I knew +my business I'd keep an eye on you and see that you +didn't get lost in the shuffle. So here I am."</p> + +<p>"He didn't say anything about having written," pondered +Neil.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he wouldn't," answered Devoe. "Well, how do +you like us as far as you've seen us?"</p> + +<p>"We only got here yesterday," replied Paul. "I +think it looks like rather a jolly sort of place; awfully +pretty, you know, and--er--historic."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is pretty; historic too; and it's the finest +young college in the country, bar none," answered Devoe. +"You'll like it when you get used to it. I like it +so well I wish I wasn't going to leave it in the spring. +Very cozy quarters you have here." He looked about +the study.</p> + +<p>"They'll do," answered Neil modestly. "Of course +we couldn't get rooms in the Yard, and we liked this as +well as anything we saw outside. The view's rather good +from the windows."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know; you have the common and pretty much +the whole college in sight; it is good." Devoe brought his +gaze back and fixed it on Neil. "You played left half, +didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What's your weight?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't weighed this summer," answered Neil. +"In the spring I was a hundred and sixty-two."</p> + +<p>"Good. We need some heavy backs. How about +you, Gale?"</p> + +<p>"About a hundred and sixty."</p> + +<p>"Of course I haven't seen the new material yet," continued +Devoe, "but the last year's men we have are a +bit light, take them all around. That's what beat us, you +see; Robinson had an unusually heavy line and rather +heavy backs. They plowed through us without trouble."</p> + +<p>Neil studied the football captain with some interest. +He saw a tall and fairly heavy youth, with well-set head +and broad shoulders. He looked quite as fast on his feet +as rumor credited him with being, and his dark eyes, +sharp and steady in their regard, suggested both courage +and ability to lead. His other features were strong, the +nose a trifle heavy, the mouth usually unsmiling, the chin +determined, and the forehead, set off by carefully brushed +dark-brown hair, high and broad. After the first few +moments of conversation Devoe devoted his attention +principally to Neil, questioning him regarding Gardiner's +coaching methods, about Neil's experience on the gridiron, +as to what studies he was taking up. Occasionally +he included Paul in the conversation, but that youth discovered, +with surprise and chagrin, that he was apparently +of much less interest to Devoe than was Neil. After +a while he dropped out of the talk altogether, save when +directly appealed to, and sat silent with an expression of +elaborate unconcern. At the end of half an hour Devoe +arose.</p> + +<p>"I must be getting on," he announced. "I'm glad +we've had this talk, and I hope you'll both come over +some evening and call on me; I'm in Morris, No. 8. +We've got our work cut out this fall, and I hope we'll +all pull together." He smiled across at Paul, evidently +unaware of having neglected that young gentleman in his +conversation. "Good-night. Four o'clock to-morrow is +the hour."</p> + +<p>"I never met any one that could ask more questions +than he can," exclaimed Neil when Devoe was safely out +of hearing. "But I suppose that's the way to learn, eh?"</p> + +<p>Paul yawned loudly and shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Funny he should have come just when we were talking +about him, wasn't it?" Neil pursued. "What do you +think of him?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if you ask me," Paul answered, "I think he's +a conceited, stuck-up prig!"</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>NEIL MAKES ACQUAINTANCES</h3> +<br> + +<p>Neil's and Paul's college life began early the next +morning when, sitting side by side in the dim, hushed +chapel, they heard white-haired Dr. Garrison ask for them +divine aid and guidance. Splashes and flecks of purple +and rose and golden light rested here and there on bowed +head and shoulders or lay in shafts across the aisles. +From where he sat Neil could look through an open window +out into the morning world of greenery and sunlight. +On the swaying branch of an elm that almost brushed the +casement a thrush sang sweet and clear a matin of his +own. Neil made several good resolutions that morning +there in the chapel, some of which he profited by, all of +which he sincerely meant. And even Paul, far less impressionable +than his friend, looked uncommonly thoughtful +all the way back to their room, a way that led through +the elm-arched nave of College Place and across the common +with its broad expanses of sun-flecked sward and its +simple granite shaft commemorating the heroes of the +civil war.</p> + +<p>At nine o'clock, with the sound of the pealing bell +again in their ears, with their books under their arms and +their hearts beating a little faster than usual with pleasurable +excitement, they retraced their path and mounted +the well-worn granite steps of College Hall for their first +recitation. What with the novelty of it all the day passed +quickly enough, and four o'clock found the two lads +dressed in football togs and awaiting the beginning of +practise.</p> + +<p>There were some sixty candidates in sight, boys--some +of them men as far as years go--of all sizes and ages, +several at the first glance revealing the hopelessness of +their ambitions. The names were taken and fall practise +at Erskine began.</p> + +<p>The candidates were placed on opposite sides of the +gridiron, and half a dozen footballs were produced. Punting +and catching punts was the order of the day, and Neil +was soon busily at work. The afternoon was warm, but +not uncomfortably so, the turf was springy underfoot, the +sky was blue from edge to edge, the new men supplied +plenty of amusement in their efforts, the pigskins bumped +into his arms in the manner of old friends, and Neil was +happy as a lark. After one catch for which he had to +run back several yards, he let himself out and booted the +leather with every ounce of strength. The ball sailed +high in a long arching flight, and sent several men across +the field scampering back into the grand stand for it.</p> + +<p>"I guess you've done that before," said a voice beside +him. A short, stockily-built youth with a round, smiling +face and blue eyes that twinkled with fun and good spirits +was observing him shrewdly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Neil, "I have."</p> + +<p>"I thought so," was the reply. "But you're a freshman, +aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Neil, turning to let a low drive from +across the gridiron settle into his arms. "And I guess +you're not."</p> + +<p>"No, this is my third year. I've been on the team +two." He paused to send a ball back, and then wiped the +perspiration from his forehead. "I was quarter last +year."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Neil, observing his neighbor with interest, +"then you're Foster?"</p> + +<p>"That's me. What are you trying for?"</p> + +<p>"Half-back. I played three years at Hillton."</p> + +<p>"Of course; you're the fellow Bob Devoe was talking +about--or one of them; I think he said there were two of +you. Which one are you?"</p> + +<p>"I'm the other one," laughed Neil. "I'm Fletcher. +That's Gale over there, the fellow in the old red shirt; +he was our captain at Hillton last year."</p> + +<p>Foster looked across at Paul and then back at Neil. +He was evidently comparing them. He shook his head.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing he's got dark hair and you've got +light," he said. "Otherwise you wouldn't know yourselves +apart; you're just of a height and build, and weight, +too, I guess. Are you related?"</p> + +<p>"No. But we are pretty much the same height and +weight. He's half an inch taller, and I think I weigh two +pounds more."</p> + +<p>In the intervals of catching and returning punts the +acquaintance ripened. When, at the end of three-quarters +of an hour, Devoe gave the order to quit and the +trainer sent them twice about the gridiron on a trot, Neil +found Foster ambling along beside him.</p> + +<p>"Phew!" exclaimed the latter. "I guess I lived too +high last summer and put on weight. This is taking it out +of me finely; I can feel whole pounds melting off. It +doesn't seem to bother you any," he added.</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't much flesh about me," panted Neil; +"but I'm glad this is the last time around, just the same!"</p> + +<p>After their baths in the little green-roofed locker-house +the two walked back to the yard together, Paul, +as Neil saw, being in close companionship with a big +youth whose name, according to Foster, was Tom +Cowan.</p> + +<p>"He played right-guard last year," said Foster. +"He's a soph; this is his third year."</p> + +<p>"Third year!" exclaimed Neil. "But how--"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Cowan was too busy to pass his exams last year," +said Foster with a grin. "So they let him stay a soph. +He doesn't care; a little thing like that never bothers +Cowan." His tone was rather contemptuous.</p> + +<p>"Is he liked?" Neil asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; he's very popular among a small and select +circle of friends--a very small circle." Then he dismissed +Cowan with an airy wave of one hand. "By the +way," he continued, "have you any candidate for the +presidency of your class?"</p> + +<p>"No," Neil replied. "I haven't heard anything about +it yet."</p> + +<p>"Good; then you can vote for 'Fan' Livingston. +He's a <i>protégé</i> of mine, you see; used to know him at +St. Mathias; you'll like him. He's an awfully good, +manly, straightforward chap, just the fellow for the place. +The election comes off next Thursday evening. How +about your friend?"</p> + +<p>"Gale? I don't think he has any one in view. I +guess you can count on his vote, too."</p> + +<p>"Thanks; just mention it to him, will you? I'm booming +Livingston, and I want to see him win. Can't you +come round some evening the first of the week? I'd like +you to meet him. And meanwhile just talk him up a bit, +will you?"</p> + +<p>Neil promised and made an appointment to meet the +candidate the following Saturday night at Foster's room +in McLean Hall. The two parted at the gate, Foster +going up to his room and Neil traversing the campus and +the common to his own quarters. As he opened the study +door he was surprised to hear voices within. Paul and his +new acquaintance, Tom Cowan, were sitting side by side +on the window-seat.</p> + +<p>"Hello," greeted the former. "How'd it go? Like +old times, wasn't it? Neil, I want you to meet Mr. Cowan. +Cowan has quarters up-stairs here. He's an old +player, and we've been telling each other how good we +are."</p> + +<p>Cowan looked for an instant as though he didn't quite +appreciate the latter remark, but summoned a smile as +he shook hands with Neil and complimented him on his +playing in Hillton's last game with St. Eustace. Neil replied +with extraordinary politeness. He was always extraordinarily +polite to persons he didn't fancy, and his +dislike of Cowan was instant and hearty. Cowan looked +to be fully twenty-three years old, and owned to being +twenty-one. He was fully six feet two, and apparently +weighed about two hundred pounds. His face was rather +handsome in a coarse, heavy-featured style, and his hands, +as Neil observed, were not quite clean. Later, Neil discovered +that they never were.</p> + +<p>After listening politely for some moments to Cowan's +tales of former football triumphs and defeats, in +all of which the narrator played, according to his +words, a prominent part, Neil broke into the stream +of his eloquence and told Paul of his meeting with +Foster, and of their talk regarding the freshman presidency.</p> + +<p>"Well," answered Paul, smiling at Cowan, "you'll +have to get out of that promise to Foster or whatever his +name is, because we've got a plan better than that. The +fact is, Neil, I'm going to try for the presidency myself!"</p> + +<p>"I suppose you're fooling?" gasped Neil.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit! Why shouldn't I have a fling at it? +Cowan here has promised to help; in fact, it was he that +suggested it. With his help and yours, and with the kind +assistance of one or two fellows I know here, I dare say +I can pull out on top. Anyhow, there's no harm in +trying."</p> + +<p>"I think you'll win," said Cowan. "This chump Livingston +that Foster is booming is a regular milksop; does +nothing but grind, so they say; came out of St. Mathias +with all kinds of silly prizes and such. What the fellows +always want is a good, popular chap that goes in for athletics +and that will make a name for himself."</p> + +<p>"Foster said Livingston was something of a dab at +baseball," said Neil.</p> + +<p>"Baseball!" cried Cowan. "What's baseball? Why +not puss-in-the-corner? A chap with a football reputation +like Gale here can walk all round your baseball man. +We'll carry it with a rush! You'll see! Freshmen are +like a lot of sheep--show 'em the way and they'll fall +over themselves to get there."</p> + +<p>"Well, we're freshmen ourselves, you know," said +Neil sweetly. Cowan looked nonplussed for a moment. +Then--</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you fellows are different; you've got sense. +I was speaking of the general run of freshmen," he explained.</p> + +<p>"Thanks," murmured Neil. Paul scented danger.</p> + +<p>"I'll put the campaign in your hands and Cowan's, +Neil," he said. "You know several fellows here--there's +Wallace and Knowles and Jones. They're not freshmen, +but they can give you introductions. Knowles is a St. +Agnes man and there are lots of St. Agnes fellows in our +class."</p> + +<p>"I think you're making a mistake," answered Neil +soberly, "and I wish you'd give it up. Livingston's got +lots of supporters, and he's had his campaign under way +for a week. If you're defeated I think it'll hurt you; +fellows don't like defeated candidates when--when +they're self-appointed candidates."</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course, if you don't want to help," cried Paul, +with a trace of anger in his voice, "I guess we can get on +without you."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure you won't desert your chum, Fletcher," said +Cowan. "And I think you're all wrong about defeated +candidates. If a fellow makes a good fight and is worsted +no fellow that isn't a cad does other than honor him."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you've made up your mind, Paul," answered +Neil reluctantly, "of course I'll do all I can if Foster will +let me out of my promise to him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, hang Foster!" cried Cowan. "He's a little +fool!"</p> + +<p>"Is he?" asked Neil innocently. "I hadn't noticed +it. Well, as I say, I'll do all I can. And I'll begin now +by going over to see him."</p> + +<p>"That's the boy," said Paul. "Tell Foster there's a +dark horse in the field."</p> + +<p>"And tell him I say the dark horse will win," added +Cowan.</p> + +<p>Neil smiled back politely from the doorway.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I'd better mention your name, Mr. +Cowan." He closed the door behind him, leaving Cowan +much puzzled as to the meaning of the last remark, and +sought No. 12 McLean. He found the varsity quarter-back +writing a letter by means of a small typewriter, his +brow heavily creased with scowls and his feet kicking +exasperatedly at the legs of his chair.</p> + +<p>"Hello," was Foster's greeting. "Come in. And, I +say, just look around on the floor there, will you, and see +if you can find an L."</p> + +<p>"Find what?" asked Neil, searching the carpet with +his gaze.</p> + +<p>"An L. There was one on this pesky machine a while +ago, but I--can't--find--Ah, here it is! 'L-O-V-I-N-G-L-Y, +T-E-D'! There, that's done. I bought this +idiotic thing because some one said you could write letters +on it in half the time it takes with a pen. Well, I +began this letter last night, and I guess I've spent fully +two hours on it altogether. For two cents I'd pitch it +out the window!" He pushed back his chair and glared +vindictively at the typewriter. "And look at the result!" +He held up a sheet of paper half covered with strange +characters and erasures. "Look how I've spelled 'allowance'--alliwzee! +Do you think dad will know what I +mean?"</p> + +<p>Neil shook his head dubiously.</p> + +<p>"Not unless he's looking for the word," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Well, he will be," grinned Foster. "Don't suppose +you want to buy a fine typewriter at half price, do you?"</p> + +<p>Neil was sure he didn't and broached the subject of +his call. Foster showed some amazement when he learned +of Gale's candidacy, but at once absolved Neil from his +promise.</p> + +<p>"Frankly, Fletcher, I don't think your friend has the +ghost of a show, you know, but, of course, if he wants +to try it it's all right. And I'm just as much obliged +to you."</p> + +<p>During the next week Neil worked early and late for +Paul's success. He made some converts, but not enough +to give him much hope. Livingston was easily the popular +candidate for the presidency, and Neil failed to understand +where Cowan found ground for the encouraging +reports that he made to Paul. Paul himself was hopeful +all the way through, and lent ill attention to Neil's predictions +of failure.</p> + +<p>"You always were a raven, chum," he would exclaim. +"Wait until Thursday night."</p> + +<p>And Neil, without much hope, waited.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>AND SHOWS HIS METTLE</h3> +<br> + +<p>The freshman election took place in one of the lecture +rooms of Grace Hall. There was a full attendance of the +entering class, while the absence of sophomores was considered +by those who had heard of former freshman elections +at Erskine as something unnatural and of evil portent.</p> + +<p>Paul, robbed of the support of Tom Cowan's presence, +was noticeably ill at ease, and for the first time appeared +to be in doubt as to his election. Fanwell Livingston +was put in nomination by one of his St. Mathias +friends in a speech that secured wide applause, and the +nomination was duly seconded by a red-headed and very +eloquent youth who, so Neil learned, was King, the captain +of the St. Mathias baseball team of the preceding +spring.</p> + +<p>"Are there any more nominations?" asked the chairman, +a member of the junior class.</p> + +<p>South, a Hillton boy, arose and spoke at some length +of the courage and ability for leadership of one of whom +they had all heard; "of one who on the white-grilled +field of battle had successfully led the hosts of Hillton +Academy against the St. Eustace hosts." (Two St. Eustace +graduates howled derisively.) South ended in a wild +burst of flowery eloquence and placed in nomination +"that triumphant football captain, that best of good fellows, +Paul Dunlop Gale!"</p> + +<p>The applause which followed was flattering, though, +had Paul but known it, it was rather for the speech than +the nominee. And the effect was somewhat marred by +several inquiries from different parts of the hall as to +who in thunder Gale was. Neil secured recognition ere +the applause had subsided, and seconded the nomination. +He avoided rhetoric, and told his classmates in few words +and simple phrases that Paul Gale possessed pluck, generalship, +and executive ability; that he had proved this at +Hillton, and, given the chance, would prove it again at +Erskine.</p> + +<p>"Gale is a stranger to many of you fellows," he concluded, +"but, whether you make him class president or +whether you give that honor to another, he won't be a +stranger long. A fellow that can pilot a Hillton football +team to victory against almost overwhelming odds and +through the greatest of difficulties as Gale did last year +is not the sort to sit around in corners and watch the +procession go by. No, sir; keep your eye on him. I'll +wager that before the year's out you'll be prouder of him +than of any man in your class. And, meanwhile, if you're +looking for the right man for the presidency, a man that'll +lead 1905 to a renown beside which the other classes will +look like so many battered golf-balls, why, I've told you +where to look."</p> + +<p>Neil sat down amid a veritable roar of applause, and +Paul, totally unembarrassed by the praise and acclaim, +smiled with satisfaction. "That was all right, chum," +he whispered. "I guess we've got them on the run, +eh?"</p> + +<p>But Neil shook his head doubtfully. Cries of "Vote! +Vote!" arose, and in a moment or two the balloting began. +While this was proceeding announcement was made +that the annual Freshman Class Dinner would be held on +the evening of the following Monday, October 7th. +When the cheers occasioned by this information had subsided +the chairman arose.</p> + +<p>"The result of the balloting, gentlemen," he announced, +"is as follows: Livingston, 97; Gale, 45. Mr. +Livingston is elected by a majority of 52."</p> + +<p>Shouts of "Livingston! Livingston! Speech! Speech!" +filled the air, and were not stilled until some one arose +and announced that the president-elect was not in the hall. +Paul, after a glance of bewilderment at Neil, had sat +silent in his chair with something between a sneer and +a scowl on his face. Now he jumped up.</p> + +<p>"Come on; let's get out of here," he muttered. +"They act like a lot of idiots." Neil followed, and they +found themselves in a pushing throng at the door. The +chairman was vainly clamoring for some one to put a +motion to adjourn, but none heeded him. The crowd +pushed and shoved, but made no progress.</p> + +<p>"Open that door," cried Paul.</p> + +<p>"Try it yourself," answered a voice up front. "It's +locked!"</p> + +<p>A murmur arose that quickly gave place to cries of +wrath and indignation. "The sophs did it!" "Where +are they?" "Break the door down!" Those at the rear +heaved and pushed.</p> + +<p>"Stop shoving, back there!" yelled those in front. +"You're squashing us flat."</p> + +<p>"Everybody away from the door!" shouted Neil. +"Let's see if we can't get it open." The fellows finally +fell back to some extent, and Neil, Paul, and some of +the others examined the lock. The key was still there, +but, unfortunately, on the outside. Breaking the door +down was utterly out of the question, since it was of solid +oak and several inches thick. The self-appointed committee +shook its several heads.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to yell for the janitor," said Neil. +"Where does he hang out?"</p> + +<p>But none knew. Neil went to one of the three windows +and raised it. Instantly a chorus of derision floated +up from below. Gathered almost under the windows was +a throng of sophomores, their upturned faces just visible +in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"O Fresh! O Fresh!" "Want to come down?" +"Why don't you jump?" These gibes were followed by +cheers for "'04" and loud groans. Neil turned and faced +his angry classmates.</p> + +<p>"Look here, fellows," he said, "we don't want to have +to yell for the janitor with those sophs there; that's too +babyish. The key's in the outside of the lock. I think +I can get down all right by the ivy, and I'll unlock the +door if those sophs will let me. If two or three of you +will follow I guess we can do it all right."</p> + +<p>"Bully for you!" "Plucky boy!" cried the audience. +But for a moment none came forward to share +the risk. Then Paul pushed his way to the window.</p> + +<p>"Here, I'll go with you, chum," he said, with a suggestion +of swagger. "We can manage those dubs down +there alone. The rest of you can sit down and tell stories; +we'll let you out in a minute," he added scathingly.</p> + +<p>"That's Gale," whispered some one. "Fresh kid!", +added another angrily. But the gibe had the desired +effect. Four other freshmen signified their willingness to +die for their class, and Neil climbed on to the broad window-sill. +His reappearance was the signal for another +outburst from the watching sophomores.</p> + +<p>"Don't jump, sonny; you may hurt yourself." +"He's going to fly, fellows! Good little Freshie's got +wings!" "Say, we'll let you out in the morning! Good-night!"</p> + +<p>But when Neil, divesting himself of coat and shoes, +swung out and laid hold of the largest of the big ivy +branches that clung there to the wall, the jeers died away. +The hall where the meeting had been held was on the +third floor, and when Neil stepped from the window-sill +he hung fully twenty-five feet from the ground. The ivy +branch, ages old, was almost as large as his wrist, and +quite strong enough to bear his weight just as long as it +did not tear from its fastenings. Whether it would hold +in place remained to be seen. Neil judged that if he +could lower himself fifteen feet by its aid he could easily +drop the rest of the distance without injury. The window +above was black with watchers as he began his journey, +and many voices cheered him on. Paul, his feet hanging +over the black void, sat on the narrow ledge and waited +his turn.</p> + +<p>"Go fast, chum," he counseled, "but don't lose your +grip. I'll wait until you're down."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered Neil. Then, with a great rustling +of the thick-growing leaves, he lowered himself by +arm's lengths. The vine swayed and gave at every strain, +but held. From below came the sound of clapping. Hand +under hand he went. The oblong of faint light above receded +fast. His stockinged feet gripped the vine tightly. +In the group of sophomores the clapping grew into cheers.</p> + +<br> +<a name="illus-052.jpg"></a> +<p class="ctr"><a href="images/illus-052.jpg"> +<img src="images/illus-052.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></a><br> +<b>The vine swayed at every strain.</b></p> +<br> + +<p>"Good work, Freshie!" "You're all right!"</p> + +<p>Then, with the ground almost at his feet, Neil let go +and dropped lightly into a bed of shrubbery. The fellows +above applauded wildly. With a glance at the near-by +group of sophomores, Neil ran. Several of the enemy +started to intercept him, but were called back.</p> + +<p>"Let him go! He's all right! We've had our fun!" +And Neil sprang up the steps and into the building without +molestation. Meanwhile Paul was making his descent +and receiving his meed of applause from friend and foe. +And as he dropped to earth there came a sound of cheering +from the building, and the freshmen, released by the +unlocking of the door, emerged on to the steps and path.</p> + +<p>"Five this way!" was the cry. "Rush the sophs!"</p> + +<p>But wiser counsels prevailed and, each cheering loudly, +the representatives of the rival classes took themselves +off.</p> + +<p>Neil and Paul were the last to leave the building, +since they had been obliged to return to the room for +their shoes and coats. Paul had forgotten some of his +disappointment during the later proceedings, and appeared +very well satisfied with himself.</p> + +<p>"We showed them what Hillton chaps can do, chum," +he said. "And I'll bet they'll regret electing that fellow +Livingston before I'm through with them! Much I care +about their old presidency! They're a pack of silly little +kids, any way. Let's go to bed."</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>MILLS, HEAD COACH</h3> + +<h3>"TO THE IN-FANTS OF 1905:</h3> + +<h3>"GREETING!</h3> +<br> + +<p>"The class of 1904, an-i-mat-ed by the kind-li-est +of sen-ti-ments, has, at an ex-pen-se of much time and +thought, form-u-lat-ed the fol-low-ing RULES for the +guid-ance of your todd-ling foot-steps at this the out-set +of your col-lege car-eers. A strict ad-her-ence to these +PRE-CEPTS will in-sure to you the ad-mi-ra-tion of your +fond par-ents, the re-spect of your friends, and the love +of the SOPH-O-MORE CLASS, which, in the ab-sence of +rel-at-ives, will, with thought-ful, tender care, stand ever +by to guard you from the world's hard knocks.</p> +<br> + +<p>"ATTEND, INFANTS!</p> + +<p>"1. R-spect for eld-ers and those in auth-or-ity is +one of child-hood's most charm-ing traits. There-for +take off your hat to all SOPH-O-MORES, and when in +their pres-ence al-ways main-tain a def-er-en-tial sil-ence.</p> + +<p>"2. Tall hats and canes as art-i-cles of child-ren's attire +are ex-treme-ly un-be-com-ing, and are there-for +strict-ly pro-hib-it-ed.</p> + +<p>"3. Smok-ing, either of pipes, cig-ars, or cig-ar-ettes, +stunts the growth and re-tards the dev-el-op-ment of in-tel-lect. +Child-ren, be-ware!</p> + +<p>"4. A suf-fic-ien-cy of sleep and plain, whole-some +fare are strong-ly re-com-mend-ed.</p> + +<blockquote> +"Early to bed and early to rise<br> + Makes little Freshie healthy and wise.<br> +</blockquote> + +<p>"Avoid late hours and rich food, es-pec-ial-ly fudge.</p> + +<p>"5. That you may not be tempt-ed to trans-gress the +pre-ceed-ing rule, it has been thought best to pro-hib-it the +Freshman Din-ner, which in pre-vi-ous years has ruin-ed so +many young lives. The hab-it of hold-ing these din-ners +is a per-nic-ious one and must be stamp-ed out. To this +end the CLASS OF 1904 will ex-ert its strong-est ef-forts, +and you are here-by warn-ed that any at-tempt to re-vive +this lam-ent-able cust-om will bring down up-on you severe +chast-ise-ment.</p> + +<blockquote> +"We must be cruel only to be kind;<br> + Pause and reflect, who would be dined.<br> +</blockquote> + +<p>"Heed and prof-it by these PRE-CEPTS, dear child-ren, +that you may grow up to be great and noble men like +those who sub-scribe them-selves,</p> + +<p>"Pa-ter-nal-ly yours,</p> + +<p>"THE CLASS OF 1904.</p> + +<p>"You are ad-ver-tis-ed by your lov-ing friends."</p> + +<p>This startling information, printed in sophomore red +on big white placards, flamed from every available space +in and about the campus the next morning. The nocturnal +bill-posters had shown themselves no respecters of +places, for the placards adorned not fences and walls +alone, but were pasted on the granite steps of each recitation +hall. All the forenoon groups of staid seniors, grinning +juniors and sophomores, or vexed freshmen stood in +front of the placards and read the inscriptions with varied +emotions. But in the afternoon a cheering mob of the +"infants" marched through the college and town and +tore down or effaced every poster they could find. But +they didn't get as far from the campus as the athletic +field, and so it was not until Neil and Paul and one or two +other freshmen reported for practise at four o'clock that +it was discovered that the high board fence surrounding +the field was a mass of the objectionable signs from end +to end.</p> + +<p>"Oh, let them stay," said Neil. "I think they're +rather funny myself. And as for their stopping the freshman +dinner, why we'll wait and see. If they try it we'll +have our chance to get back at them."</p> + +<p>"R-r-revenge!" muttered South, who, with a lacrosse +stick over his shoulder and an attire consisting wholly of a +pair of flapping white trunks, a faded green shirt, and a +pair of canvas shoes, had come out to join the lacrosse +candidates.</p> + +<p>"King suggested our getting some small posters +printed in blue with just the figures ''05' on them, and +pasting one on every soph's window," said Paul, "but +Livingston wouldn't hear of it. I think it would be a good +game, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Faculty'd kick up no end of a rumpus," said +South.</p> + +<p>"I haven't heard that they are doing much about +these things," answered Paul. "If the sophs can stick +things around why can't we?"</p> + +<p>"You'd better ask the Dean," suggested Neil. "Hello, +who's that chap?"</p> + +<p>They had entered the grounds and were standing on +the steps of the locker-house. The person to whom Neil +referred was just coming through the gate. He was a +medium-sized man of about thirty years, with a good-looking, +albeit very freckled face, and a good deal of +sandy hair. The afternoon was quite warm, and he carried +his straw hat in one very brown hand, while over his +arm lay a sweater of Erskine purple, a pair of canvas +trousers, and two worn shoes.</p> + +<p>"Blessed if I know who he is!" murmured South. +They watched the newcomer as he traversed the path and +reached the steps. As he passed them and entered the +building he looked them over keenly with a pair of very +sharp and very light blue eyes.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" muttered Paul. "He looked as though he +was trying to decide whether I would taste better fried +or baked."</p> + +<p>"I wonder--" began Neil. But at that moment +Tom Cowan came up and Paul put the question to him.</p> + +<p>"The fellow that just came in?" repeated Cowan. +"That, my boy, is a gentleman who will have you standing +on your head in just about twenty minutes. Some +eight or ten years ago he was popularly known hereabouts +as 'Whitey' Mills. To-day, if you know your business, +you'll address him as <i>Mister</i> Mills."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Neil, "he's the head coach, is he?"</p> + +<p>"He is, my young friend. And as he used to be one +of the finest half-backs in the country, I guess you'll see +something of him before you make the team. I dare say +he can teach even you something about playing your position." +Cowan grinned and passed on.</p> + +<p>"Oh, go to thunder!" muttered Neil, following him +into the building.</p> + +<p>He found Mills being introduced by Devoe to such of +the new candidates as were on hand.</p> + +<p>"You remember Cowan, I guess," Devoe was saying. +"He played right-guard last year." Mills and Cowan +shook hands. "And this is Fletcher, a new man," continued +the captain, "and Gale, too; they're both Hillton +fellows and played at half. It was Fletcher that made +that fine run in the St. Eustace game. Gale was the captain +last year."</p> + +<p>Mills shook hands with each, but beyond a short nod +of his head and a brief "Glad to meet you," displayed no +knowledge of their fame.</p> + +<p>"Grouchy chap," commented Paul when, the coach +out of hearing, they were changing their clothes.</p> + +<p>"Well, he doesn't hurt himself talking," answered +Neil. "But he looks as though he knew his business. His +eyes are like little blue-steel gimlets."</p> + +<p>"Doesn't look much for strength, though," said Paul.</p> + +<p>But when, a few minutes later, Mills appeared on the +gridiron in football togs, Paul was forced to alter his +opinion. Chest, arms, and legs were a mass of muscle, +and the head coach looked as though he could render a +good account of himself against the stiffest line that could +be put together.</p> + +<p>The practise began with ten minutes of falling on the +ball. The candidates were lined out in two strings across +the field, the old men in one, the new material in another. +Neil and Paul were among the latter, and Mills held their +ball. Standing at the right end of the line, he rolled the +pigskin in front of and slightly away from the line, and +one after another the men leaped forward and flung themselves +upon it, missing it at first as often as not, and rolling +about on the turf as though suddenly seized with fits. +Neil rather prided himself on his ability to fall on the +ball, and went at it like an old stager, or so he thought. +But if he expected commendation he found none. When +the last man had rolled around after the elusive pigskin, +Mills went to the other end of the line and did it all over +again.</p> + +<p>When it came Neil's turn he plunged out, found the +ball nicely, and snuggled it against his breast. To his surprise +when he arose Mills left his place and walked out +to him.</p> + +<p>"Let's try that again," he said. Neil tossed him the +ball and went back to his place. Mills nodded to him and +rolled the pigskin toward him. Neil dropped on his hip, +securing the ball under his right arm. Like a flash Mills +was over him, and with a quick blow of his hand had sent +the leather bobbing across the turf yards away.</p> + +<p>"When you get it, hold on to it," he said dryly. Neil +arose with reddening cheeks and, amid the smiles of the +others, went back to his place trying to decide whether, +if he could have his way, the coach should perish by boiling +oil or by merely being drawn and quartered. But +after that it was a noticeable fact that the men clung to +the ball when they got it as though it were a dearly loved +friend.</p> + +<p>Later, passing down the line in front from end to end, +the head coach threw the ball swiftly at the feet of one +after another of the candidates, and each was obliged to +drop where he stood and have the ball in his arms when +he landed. When Mills came to Neil the latter was still +nursing his resentment, and his cheeks still proclaimed +that fact. After the boy had dropped on the ball and +had tossed it back to the coach their eyes met. In the +coach's was just the merest twinkle, a very ghost of a +smile; but Neil saw it, and it said to him as plainly as +words could have said, "I know just how you feel, my +boy, but you'll get over it after a while."</p> + +<p>The coach passed on and the flush faded from Neil's +cheeks; he even smiled a little. It was all right; Mills +understood. It was almost as though they shared a secret +between them. Alfred Mills, head football coach at +Erskine College, had no more devoted admirer and partizan +from that moment than Neil Fletcher, '05.</p> + +<p>Next the men were spread out until there was a little +space between each, and the coach passed behind the line +and shot the ball through, and they had an opportunity to +see what they could do with a pigskin that sped away +ahead of them. By careful management it is possible in +falling on a football to bring almost every portion of the +anatomy in violent contact with the ground, and this fact +was forcibly brought home to Neil, Paul, and all the +others by the time the work was at an end.</p> + +<p>"I've got bones I never knew the existence of before," +mourned Neil.</p> + +<p>"Me too," growled Paul. "And half a dozen of my +front teeth are aching from trying to bite holes in the +ground; I think they're all loose. If they come out I'll +send the dentist's bill to the management."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later Neil found himself at left half +in one of the six squads of eleven men each that practised +advancing the ball. They lined up in ordinary formation, +and the ball was passed to one back after another for end +runs. Mills went from squad to squad, criticizing briefly +and succinctly.</p> + +<p>"Don't wait for the quarter to pass," he told Paul, +who was playing beside Neil. "On your toes and run +hard. Have confidence in your quarter. If the ball isn't +ready for you it's not your fault. Try that again."</p> + +<p>And when Paul and Neil and the full-back had +plowed round the left end once more--</p> + +<p>"Quarter, don't hold that ball as though your hand +was frozen; keep your hand limber and see that you get +the belly of the ball in it, not one end; then it won't tilt +itself out. When you get the ball from center rise quickly, +put your back against guard, and throw your weight +there. And it's just as necessary for you to have confidence +in the runner as it is for him to have faith in you. +Don't fear that you'll be too quick for him; don't doubt +but that he'll be there at the right instant. Keep that in +mind and you'll soon have things going like clock-work. +Now once more; ball to left half for a run around right +end."</p> + +<p>When practise was over that day the new candidates +were unanimous in the opinion that they had learned +more that afternoon under Mills than they had learned +during the whole previous week. Neil, Paul, and Cowan +walked back to college together.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's a great little coach," said Cowan, "and a +nice chap when you get to know him; no frills on him, +you know. And he's plumb full of pluck. They say that +once when he played here at half-back he got the ball on +Robinson's forty yards and walked down the field and +over the line for a touch-down with half the Robinson +team hanging on to his legs, and said afterward that he +thought he <i>had</i> felt some one tugging at him!" Neil +laughed.</p> + +<p>"But he doesn't look so awfully strong," he objected.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess he was in better trim then," answered +Cowan. "Besides, he's built well, you see--most of his +weight below his waist; when a chap's that way it's hard +to pull him over. I remember last year in the game with +Erstham I got through their tackle on a guard-back play, +and--"</p> + +<p>But Neil had already heard that story of heroic deeds, +and so lent a deaf ear to Cowan's boasting. When they +reached Main Street a window full of the first issue of the +college weekly, The Erskine Purple, met their sight, and +they went in and bought copies. On the steps of the laboratory +building they opened the inky-smelling journals +and glanced through them.</p> + +<p>"Here's an account of last night's election," said +Cowan. "That's quick work, isn't it? And you can read +all about Livingston's brilliant career, Gale. By the way, +have you met him yet?"</p> + +<p>Paul shook his head. "No, and I'm bearing up under +it as well as can be expected."</p> + +<p>"You're not missing much," said Cowan. "Hello, +here's the football schedule! Want to hear it?" Paul +said he did, Neil muttered something unintelligible, and +Cowan read as follows:</p> + +<br> +<center> +"E.C.F.B.A.<br> +<br> +"SCHEDULE OF GAMES<br> +<br> +<table summary=""> +<tr> +<td align="right">"Oct.</td> +<td align="right">12.</td> +<td>Woodby at Centerport.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">16.</td> +<td>Dexter at Centerport.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">23.</td> +<td>Harvard at Cambridge.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">26.</td> +<td>Erstham at Centerport.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="right">Nov.</td> +<td align="right">2.</td> +<td>State University at Centerport.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">6.</td> +<td>Arrowden at Centerport.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">9.</td> +<td>Yale at New Haven.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">16.</td> +<td>Artmouth at Centerport.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">23.</td> +<td>Robinson at Centerport."</td> +</tr> +</table> +</center> +<br> + +<p>"By Jove!" said Cowan. "We've got seven home +games this year! That's fine, isn't it? But I'll bet +we'll find Woodby a tough proposition on the 12th. +Last year we played her about the 1st of November, +and she didn't do a thing to us. And look at the +game they've got scheduled for a week before the +Robinson game! That'll wear us out; Artmouth will +put just about half of our men on the sick-list. +And--Hello!" he said, dropping his voice; "talk of an +angel!"</p> + +<p>A youth of apparently nineteen years was approaching +them. He was of moderate height, rather slimly built, +with dark eyes and hair, and clean-cut features. He +swung a note-book in one hand, and was evidently in deep +thought, for he failed to see the group on the steps, and +would have passed without speaking had not Cowan called +to him. Housed from his reverie, Fanwell Livingston +glanced up, and, after nodding to Cowan and Neil, turned +in at the gate.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you want congratulations," said Cowan. +"Well, you can have mine."</p> + +<p>"And mine," added Neil. "And Gale here will extend +his as soon as he's properly introduced. Mr. Gale--Mr. +Livingston."</p> + +<p>"Victory--Defeat," added Cowan with a grin. The +two candidates for the freshman presidency shook hands, +Paul without enthusiasm, Livingston heartily.</p> + +<p>"Congratulations, of course," murmured the former.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," answered the president. "You're very +generous. After all, I dare say you've got the best of it, +for you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that if the +fellows had chosen you you would have done much better +than I shall. However, I hope we'll be friends, Mr. +Gale." Livingston's smile was undeniably winning, and +Paul was forced to return it.</p> + +<p>"You're very good," he answered quite affably. "I +hope we will." Livingston nodded, smiled again, and +turned to Cowan.</p> + +<p>"Well, they tell me you fellows are in for desperate +deeds this year," he said.</p> + +<p>"How's that?" asked Cowan.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you in on the sophomore councils? Why, I'm +told that if the freshmen don't give up the dinner plan +I'm to be kidnaped."</p> + +<p>"How'd you hear--" began Cowan. Then he paused +with some confusion. "Who told you that rot?" he asked +with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it came in a roundabout way," answered Livingston. +"I dare say it's just talk."</p> + +<p>"Some freshman nonsense," said Cowan. "I guess +we'll do our best to keep you fellows from eating too +much, but--" He shrugged his big shoulders. Livingston, +observing him shrewdly, began for the first time +since intelligence of the supposed project had reached him +to give credence to it. But he laughed carelessly as he +turned away.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, we have to keep you fellows amused, of +course, and if you like to try kidnaping you may."</p> + +<p>"I wish the sophs would try it," said Neil warmly. +Cowan turned to him.</p> + +<p>"Well, if they did--<i>if</i> they did--I guess they'd +succeed," he drawled.</p> + +<p>"Well, if they do--<i>if</i> they do," answered Neil, "I'll +bet they won't succeed."</p> + +<p>"You'd stop us, perhaps?" sneered Cowan.</p> + +<p>"Easily," answered Neil, smiling sweetly; "there are +only a hundred or so of you."</p> + +<p>"There's no one like a week-old freshman for self-importance," +Cowan said, laughing in order to hide his vexation.</p> + +<p>"Unless it's a third-year sophomore," Neil retorted.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well," Paul interposed, "it's all poppycock, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"That's all," said Livingston.</p> + +<p>"Of course," agreed Cowan.</p> + +<p>Neil was silent.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE GENTLE ART OF HANDLING PUNTS</h3> +<br> + +<p>Life now was filled with hard work for both Neil and +Paul. Much of the novelty that had at first invested +study with an exhilarating interest had worn off, and they +had settled down to the daily routine of lectures and recitations +just as though they had been Erskine undergrads +for years instead of a week. The study and the adjoining +bed-room were at last furnished to suit; The First Snow +was hung, the "rug for the wash-stand" was in place, and +the objectionable towel-rack had given way to a smaller +but less erratic affair.</p> + +<p>Every afternoon saw the two boys on Erskine Field. +Mills was a hard taskmaster, but one that inspired the +utmost confidence, and as a result of some ten days' teaching +the half hundred candidates who had survived the first +weeding-out process were well along in the art of football. +The new men were coached daily in the rudiments; were +taught to punt and catch, to fall on the ball, to pass without +fumbling, to start quickly, and to run hard. Exercise +in the gymnasium still went on, but the original twenty-minute +period had gradually diminished to ten. Neil and +Paul, with certain other candidates for the back-field, were +daily instructed in catching punts and forming interference. +Every afternoon the practise was watched by a +throng of students who were quick to applaud good work, +and whose presence was a constant incentive to the players. +There was a strong sentiment throughout the college +in favor of leaving nothing undone that might secure a +victory over Robinson. The defeat of the previous year +rankled, and Erskine was grimly determined to square +accounts with her lifelong rival. As one important means +to this end the college was searched through and through +for heavy material, for Robinson always turned out teams +that, whatever might be their playing power, were beef +and brawn from left end to right. And so at Erskine men +who didn't know a football from a goal-post were hauled +from studious retirement simply because they had weight +and promised strength, and were duly tried and, usually, +found wanting. One lucky find, however, rewarded +the search, a two-hundred-pound sophomore named +Browning, who, handicapped at the start with a colossal +ignorance regarding all things pertaining to the gridiron, +learned with wonderful rapidity, and gave every promise +of turning himself into a phenomenal guard or tackle.</p> + +<p>On the 5th of October a varsity and a second squad +were formed, and Neil and Paul found themselves at +left and right half respectively on the latter. Cowan +was back at right-guard on the varsity, a position which +he had played satisfactorily the year before. Neil had +already made the discovery that he had, despite his Hillton +experience, not a little to learn, and he set about +learning it eagerly. Paul made the same discovery, but, +unfortunately for himself, the discovery wounded his +pride, and he accepted the criticisms of coach and captain +with rather ill grace.</p> + +<p>"That dub Devoe makes me very weary," he confided +to Neil one afternoon. "He thinks he knows it all and +no one else has any sense."</p> + +<p>"He doesn't strike me that way," answered his chum. +"And I think he does know a good deal of football."</p> + +<p>"You always stick up for him," growled Paul. "And +for Mills, too--white-haired, freckle-faced chump!"</p> + +<p>"Don't be an idiot," said Neil. "One's captain and +t'other is coach, and they're going to rub it into us whenever +they please, and the best thing for us to do is to take +it and look cheerful."</p> + +<p>"That's it; we <i>have</i> to take it," Paul objected. "They +can put us on the bench if they want to and keep us there +all the season; I know that. But, just the same, I don't +intend to lick Devoe's boots or rub my head in the dirt +whenever Mills looks at me."</p> + +<p>"Well, it looks to me as though you'd been rubbing +your head in the dirt already," laughed Neil.</p> + +<p>"Connor stepped on me there," muttered Paul, wiping +a clump of mud from his forehead. "Come on; Mills +is yelling for us. More catching punts, I suppose."</p> + +<p>And his supposition was correct. Across the width of +the sunlit field Graham, the two-hundred-and-thirty-pound +center rush, stooped over the pigskin. Beside him were +two pairs of end rushes, and behind him, with outstretched +hands, stood Ted Foster. Foster gave a signal, the ball +went back to him on a long pass, and he sent it over the +gridiron toward where Neil, Paul, and two other backs +were waiting. The ends came down under the kick, the +ball thumped into Paul's hands, Neil and another formed +speedy interference, and the three were well off before +the ends, like miniature cyclones, were upon them and had +dragged Paul to earth.</p> + +<p>The head coach, a short but sturdy figure in worn-out +trousers and faded purple shirt, stood on the edge of the +cinder track and viewed the work with critical eye. +When the ends had trotted back over the field with the +ball to repeat the proceeding, he made himself heard:</p> + +<p>"Spread out more, fellows, and don't all stand in a +line across the field. You've got to learn now to judge +kicks; you can't expect to always find yourself just under +them. Fletcher, as soon as you've decided who is to take +the ball yell out. Then play to the runner; every other +man form into interference and get him up the field. +Now then! Play quick!"</p> + +<p>The ball was in flight again, and once more the ends +were speeding across under it. "Mine!" cried Neil. +Then the leather was against his breast and he was dodging +forward, Paul ahead of him to bowl over opposing +players, and Pearse, a full-back candidate, plunging along +beside. One--two--three of the ends were passed, and +the ball had been run back ten yards. Then Stone, last +year's varsity left end, fooled Paul, and getting inside +him, nailed Neil by the hips.</p> + +<p>"Well tackled, Stone," called Mills. "Gale, you were +asleep, man; Stone ought never to have got through there. +Fletcher, you're going to lose the ball some time when +you need it badly if you don't catch better than that. +Never reach up for it; remember that your opponent +can't tackle you until you've touched it; wait until it +hits against your stomach, and then grip it hard. If you +take it in the air it's an easy stunt for an opponent to +knock it out of your hands; but if you've got it hugged +against your body it won't matter how hard you're +thrown, the ball's yours for keeps. Bear that in +mind."</p> + +<p>On the next kick Neil called to Gale to take the pigskin. +Paul misjudged it, and was forced to turn and run +back. He missed the catch, a difficult one under the +circumstances, and also missed the rebound. By this time +the opposing ends were down on him. The ball trickled +across the running track, and Paul stooped to pick it up. +But Stone was ahead of him, and seizing the pigskin, was +off for what would have been a touch-down had it been +in a game.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Gale?" cried Mills angrily. +"Why didn't you fall on that ball?"</p> + +<p>"It was on the cinders," answered Paul, in evident +surprise. Mills made a motion of disgust, of tragic impatience.</p> + +<p>"I don't care," he cried, "if it was on broken glass! +You've got orders to fall on the ball. Now bring it over +here, put it down and--<i>fall</i>--<i>on</i>--<i>it</i>!"</p> + +<p>Neil watched his chum apprehensively. Knowing +well Paul's impatience under discipline, he feared that the +latter would give way to anger and mutiny on the spot. +But Paul did as directed, though with bad grace, and contented +himself with muttered words as he threw the pigskin +to a waiting end and went back to his place.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward they were called away for a ten-minute +line-up. Paul, still smarting under what in his +own mind he termed a cruel indignity, played poorly, and +ere the ten minutes was half up was relegated to the +benches, his place at right half being taken by Kirk. The +second managed to hold the varsity down to one score +that day, and might have taken the ball over itself had +not Pearse fumbled on the varsity's three yards. As it +was, they were given a hearty cheer by the watchers when +time was called, and they trotted to the bucket to be +sponged off. Then those who had not already been in +the line-up were given the gridiron, and the varsity and +second were sent for a trot four times around the field, the +watchful eye of "Baldy" Simson, Erskine's veteran +trainer, keeping them under surveillance until they had +completed their task and had trailed out the gate toward +the locker-house, baths, and rub-downs.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE KIDNAPING</h3> +<br> + +<p>Fanwell Livingston was curled in the window-seat in +his front room, his book close to the bleared pane, striving +to find light enough by which to study. Outside it was +raining in a weary, desultory way, and the heavens were +leaden-hued. Livingston's quarters were on the front of +that big lemon-yellow house at the corner of Oak and +King Streets, about equidistant from campus and field. +The outlook to-day was far from inspiriting. When he +raised his eyes from the pages before him he saw an empty +road running with water; beyond that a bare, weed-grown, +sodden field that stretched westward to the unattractive +backs of the one-and two-storied shops on Main +Street. Livingston's room wasn't in any sense central, but +he liked it because it was quiet, because aside from the +family he had the house to himself, and because Mrs. +Saunders, his landlady, was goodness itself and administered +to his comfort almost as his own mother would +have done.</p> + +<p>The freshman president laid aside his book, grimaced +at the dreary prospect, and took out his watch. "Ten +minutes after five," he murmured. "Heavens, what a +beastly dark day! I'll have to start to get dressed before +long. Too bad we've got such weather for the affair." +He glanced irresolutely toward the gas-fixture, and from +thence to where his evening clothes lay spread out on the +couch. For it was the evening of the Freshman Class Dinner. +While he was striving to find energy wherewith to +tear himself from the soft cushions and make a light, footsteps +sounded outside his door, and some one demanded +admission.</p> + +<p>"Come in!" he called.</p> + +<p>The door swung open, was closed swiftly and softly +again, and Neil Fletcher crossed the room. He looked +rather like a tramp; his hat was a misshapen thing of felt +from which the water dripped steadily as he tossed it +aside; his sweater--he wore no coat--was soaking wet; +and his trousers and much-darned golf stockings were in +scarcely better condition. His hair looked as though he +had just taken his head from a water-bucket, and his face +bespoke excitement.</p> + +<p>"They're coming after you, Livingston," he cried in +an intense whisper. "I heard Cowan telling Carey in the +locker-room a minute ago; they didn't know I was there; +it was dark as dark. They've got a carriage, and there are +going to be nearly a dozen of them. I ran all the way as +soon as I got on to Oak Street. There wasn't time to get +any of the fellows together, so I just sneaked right over +here. You can get out now and go--somewhere--to our +room or the library. They won't look for you there, eh? +There's a fellow at the corner watching, but I don't think +he saw me, and I can settle with him; or maybe you could +get out the back way and double round by the railroad? +You can't stay here, because they're coming right away; +Cowan said--"</p> + +<p>"For heaven's sake, Fletcher, what do you mean?" +asked Livingston. "You don't want me to believe that +they're really going to run off with me?"</p> + +<p>Neil, gasping for breath, subsided on to the window-seat +and nodded his head vigorously. "That's just what +I do mean. There's no doubt about it, my friend. Didn't +I tell you I heard Cowan--"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Cowan!"</p> + +<p>"I know, but it was all in earnest. Carey and he are +on their way to Pike's stable for the carriage, and the +others are to meet there. They've had fellows watching +you all day. There's one at the corner now--a tall, long-nosed +chap that I've seen in class. So get your things and +get out as soon as you can move."</p> + +<p>Livingston, with his hands in his pockets, stared +thoughtfully out of the window, Neil watching him impatiently +and listening apprehensively for the sound of +carriage wheels down the street.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't seem to me that they could be idiots +enough to attempt such a silly trick," said Livingston at +last. "You--you're quite sure you weren't mistaken--that +they weren't stringing you?"</p> + +<p>"They didn't know I was there!" cried Neil in exasperation. +"I went in late--Mills had us blocking kicks--and +was changing my things over in a dark corner when +they hurried in and went over into the next alley and +began to talk. At first they were whispering, but after +a bit they talked loud enough for me to hear every +word."</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow--and I'm awfully much obliged, +Fletcher--I don't intend to run from a few sophs. I'll +lock the front door and this one and let them hammer."</p> + +<p>"But--"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense; when they find they can't get in they'll +get tired and go away."</p> + +<p>"And you'll go out and get nabbed at the corner! +That's a clever program, I don't think!" cried Neil in intense +scorn. "Now you listen to me, Livingston. What +you want to do is to put your glad rags in a bag and--What's +that?"</p> + +<p>He leaped to his feet and peered out of the window. +Just within his range of vision a carriage, drawn by two +dripping, sorry-looking nags, drew up under the slight +shelter of an elm-tree about fifty yards away from the +house. From it emerged eight fellows in rain-coats, while +the tall, long-nosed watcher whom Neil had seen at the +corner joined them and made his report. The group +looked toward Livingston's window and Neil dodged back.</p> + +<p>"It's too late now," he whispered. "There they are."</p> + +<p>"Look a bit damp, don't they," laughed Livingston +softly as he peered out over the other's shoulder. "I'll go +down and lock the door."</p> + +<p>"No, stay here," said Neil. "I'll look after that; they +might get you. I wish it wasn't so dark! How about the +back way? Can't you get out there and sneak around by +the field?"</p> + +<p>"I told you I wasn't going to run away from them," +replied his host, "and I haven't changed my mind."</p> + +<p>"You're an obstinate ass!" answered Neil. He +scowled at the calm and smiling countenance of the freshman +president a moment, and then turned quickly and +pulled the shades at the windows. "I've got it!" he +cried. "Look here, will you do as I tell you? If you do +I promise you we'll fool them finely."</p> + +<p>"I'm not going out of this room," objected Livingston.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are--into the next one. And you're going +to lock the door behind you; and I'm going to look after +our sophomore callers. Now go ahead. Do as I tell +you, or I'll go off and leave you to be eaten alive!" Neil, +grinning delightedly, thrust the unwilling Livingston before +him. "Now lock the door and keep quiet. No matter +what you hear, keep quiet and stay in there."</p> + +<p>"But--"</p> + +<p>"You be hanged!" Neil pulled to the bed-room door, +and listened until he heard the key turn on the other side. +Then he stole to the window and, lifting a corner of the +shade, peeped out. The group of sophomores were no +longer in sight, but at that moment he heard the front +door close softly. There was no time to lose. He found +a match and hurriedly lighted one burner over the study +table. Then, turning it down to a mere blue point of +light, he flung himself back among the cushions on the +window-seat, and with a heart that hammered violently +at his ribs waited.</p> + +<p>Almost in the next moment there were sounds of +shuffling feet outside the study door, a low voice, and then +a knock. Neil took a long breath.</p> + +<p>"Come in," he called drowsily.</p> + +<p>The door opened. Neil arose and walked to the gas-fixture, +knocking over a chair on his way.</p> + +<p>"Come in, whoever you are," he muttered. "Guess +I was almost asleep." He reached up a hand and turned +out the gas. The room, almost dark before, was now +blackness from wall to wall. "Pshaw," said Neil, "I've +turned the pesky thing out! Just stand still until I find +a match or you'll break your shins." He groped his way +toward the mantel. Now was the sophomores' opportunity, +and they seized it. Neil had done his best to imitate +Livingston's careful and rather precise manner of +speaking, and the invaders, few of whom even knew the +president of the freshman class by sight, never for an instant +doubted that they had captured him.</p> + +<br> +<a name="illus-081.jpg"></a> +<p class="ctr"><a href="images/illus-081.jpg"> +<img src="images/illus-081.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></a><br> +<b>Hiding his face, he cried for help.</b></p> +<br> + +<p>Neil found himself suddenly seized by strong arms. +With a cry of simulated surprise, he struggled feebly.</p> + +<p>"Here, what's up, fellows?" he remonstrated. "Look +out, I tell you! <i>Don't do that</i>!"</p> + +<p>Then he was borne, protesting and kicking, feet foremost, +through the door, out into the hall and down the +stairs. When the front door was thrown open Neil was +alarmed to find that although almost dark it was still light +enough for his captors to discover their mistake. Hiding +his face as best he could, he lifted his voice in loud cries +for help. It worked like a charm. Instantly a carriage +robe was thrown over his head and he was hurried down +the steps, across the muddy sidewalk, and into the waiting +vehicle which had been driven up before the house. Once +inside, Neil was safe from detection, for the hack, the +shades drawn up before the windows, was as dark as +Egypt. Neil sighed his relief, muttered a few perfunctory +threats from behind the uncomfortable folds of +the ill-smelling robe, and, with one fellow sitting on his +chest and three others holding his legs, felt the carriage +start.</p> + +<p>Despite the enveloping folds about his head he could +hear quite well; hear the horses' feet go <i>squish-squash</i> in +the mud; hear the carriage creak on its aged hinges; hear +the shriek of a distant locomotive as they approached the +railroad. His captors were congratulating themselves on +the success of their venture.</p> + +<p>"Easier than I thought it'd be," said one, and at the +reply Neil figuratively pricked up his ears.</p> + +<p>"Pshaw, I knew we'd have no trouble; Livingston was +so cock-sure that we wouldn't try it that he'd probably +forgotten all about it. I guess that conceited little fool +Fletcher will talk out of the other side of his mouth for +a while now. What do you think? He had the nerve to +tell me last week that he guessed <i>he</i> could prevent a +kidnaping, as there were only about a hundred of us sophs!"</p> + +<p>The others laughed.</p> + +<p>"Well, he is a chesty young kid, isn't he?" asked a +third speaker. "I guess it's just as well we didn't have +to kidnap <i>him</i>, eh? By the way, our friend here seems ill +at ease. Maybe we'd better get off of him now and give +him a breath of air. We don't want a corpse on our +hands."</p> + +<p>The sophomores found seats and the robe was unwound +from about Neil's head, much to that youth's delight. +He took a good long breath and, grinning enjoyably +in the darkness, settled himself to make the best of +his predicament. Now that he had discovered Tom Cowan +to be one of his abductors, he was filled with such glee +that he found it hard work to keep silent. But he did, and +all the gibes of his captors, uttered in quite the most polite +language imaginable, failed to elicit a reply.</p> + +<p>"Beautiful evening for a drive, is it not?" asked one.</p> + +<p>"I trust you had not planned to attend the freshman +dinner to-night?" asked another. "For I fear we shall +be late in reaching home."</p> + +<p>"You are quite comfortable? Is there any particular +road you would like to drive? any part of our lovely +suburbs you care to visit?"</p> + +<p>"Surly brute!" growled a fourth, who was Cowan. +"Let's make him speak, eh? Let's twist his arm a bit."</p> + +<p>"You sit still or I'll punch your thick head," said the +first speaker coldly. "What I dislike about you, Cowan, +is that you are never able to forget that you're a mucker. +I wish you'd try," he continued wearily, "it's so monotonous."</p> + +<p>Cowan was silent an instant; then laughed uncertainly.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you fancy you're a wit, Baker," he said, +"but I think you're mighty tiresome."</p> + +<p>"Don't let it trouble you," was the calm reply. Some +one laughed drowsily. Then there was silence save for +the sound of the horses' feet, the complaining of the well-worn +hack and the occasional voice of the driver outside +on the box. Neil began to feel rather drowsy himself; +the motion was lulling, and now that they had crossed the +railroad-track and reached the turnpike along the river, +the carriage traveled smoothly. It was black night outside +now, and through the nearest window at which the +curtain had been lowered Neil could see nothing save an +occasional light in some house. He didn't know where he +was being taken, and didn't much care. They rolled +steadily on for half an hour longer, during which time +two at least of his captors proclaimed their contentment +by loud snoring. Then the carriage slowed down, the +sleeping ones were awakened, and a moment later a flood +of light entering the window told Neil that the journey +was at an end.</p> + +<p>"Far as we go," said some one. "All out here and +take the car ahead!" A door was opened, two of his +captors got out, and Neil was politely invited to follow. +He did so. Before him was the open door of a farm-house +from which the light streamed hospitably. It was +still drizzling, and Neil took shelter on the porch unchallenged; +now that the abductors had got him some five +miles from Centerport, they were not so attentive. The +others came up the steps and the carriage was led away +toward the barn.</p> + +<p>"If your Excellency will have the kindness to enter +the house," said Baker, with low obeisance, "he will find +accommodations which, while far from befitting your Excellency's +dignity, are, unfortunately, the best at our command."</p> + +<p>Neil accepted the invitation silently, and entering the +doorway, found himself in a well-lighted room wherein a +table was set for supper. The others followed, Cowan +grinning from ear to ear in anticipation of the victim's +discomfiture. In his eagerness he was the first to catch +sight of Neil's face. With a howl of surprise he sprang +back, almost upsetting Baker.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you?" cried the latter. +Cowan made no answer, but stared stupidly at Neil.</p> + +<p>"Eh? What?" Baker sprang forward and wheeled +their victim into the light. Neil turned and faced them +smilingly. The four stared in bewilderment. It was +Baker who first found words.</p> + +<p>"<i>Well, I'll--be--hanged</i>!" he murmured.</p> + +<p>Neil turned placidly to the discomfited Cowan.</p> + +<p>"You see, Cowan," he said sweetly, "one against a +hundred isn't such big odds, after all, is it?"</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE BROKEN TRICYCLE</h3> +<br> + +<p>As soon as Livingston heard the kidnapers staggering +down-stairs with their burden he unlocked the bed-room +door and stole to the window. He saw Neil, his head +hidden by the carriage robe, thrust into the hack and +driven away, and saw the conspirators for whom the vehicle +afforded no room separate and disappear in the gathering +darkness. Livingston's emotions were varied: admiration +for Neil's harebrained but successful ruse, distaste +for the sorry part taken by himself in the affair, and +amusement over the coming amazement and discomfiture +of the enemy were mingled. In the end delight in the +frustration of the sophomores' plan gained the ascendency, +and he resolved that although Neil would miss the freshman +dinner he should have it made up to him.</p> + +<p>And so in his speech an hour or so later Fanwell Livingston +told the astonished company of the attempted kidnaping +and of its failure, and never before had Odd Fellows' +Hall rang with such laughter and cheering. And a +little knot of sophomores, already bewildered by the +appearance of the freshman president on the scene, were +more than ever at a loss. They stood under an awning +across the street, some twenty or thirty of them, and asked +each other what it meant. Content with the supposed success +of the abduction, they had made no attempt to prevent +the dinner. And now Livingston, who by every law +of nature should be five miles out in the country, was presiding +at the feast and moving his audience to the wildest +applause.</p> + +<p>"But I helped put him in the hack!" Carey cried over +and over.</p> + +<p>"And I saw it drive off with him!" marveled another.</p> + +<p>"And if that's Livingston, where's Baker, and Morton, +and Cowan, and Dyer?" asked the rest. And all +shook their heads and gazed bewildered through the +rain to where a raised window-shade gave them occasional +glimpses of "Fan" Livingston, a fine figure +in dinner jacket and white shirt bosom, leading the +cheering.</p> + +<p>"<i>Rah-rah-rah, Rah-rah-rah, Rah-rah-rah, Fletcher</i>!"</p> + +<p>The group under the awning turned puzzled looks +upon each other.</p> + +<p>"Who's Fletcher? What are they cheering Fletcher +for?" was asked. But none could answer.</p> + +<p>But over in the hall it was different. Not a lad there, +perhaps, but would have been glad to have exchanged +places with the gallant confounder of sophomore plots, +who was pictured in most minds as starving to death somewhere +out in the rain, a captive in the ungentle hands of +the enemy.</p> + +<p>However, starving Neil certainly was not. For at that +very moment, seated at the hospitable board of Farmer +Hutchins, he was helping himself to his fifth hot biscuit, +and allowing Miss Hutchins, a red-cheeked and admiring +young lady of fourteen years, to fill his teacup for the +second time. From the role of prisoner Neil had advanced +himself to the position of honored guest. For +after the first consternation, bewilderment, and mortification +had passed, his captors philosophically accepted the +situation, and under the benign influence of cold chicken +and hot soda biscuits found themselves not only able to +display equanimity, but to join in the laugh against themselves +and to admire the cleverness displayed in their out-witting. +Of the four sophomores Cowan's laughter and +praise alone rang false. But Neil was supremely indifferent +to that youth's sentiments. The others he soon discovered +to be thoroughly good fellows, and there is no +doubt but that he enjoyed the hospitality of Farmer +Hutchins more than he would have enjoyed the freshman +class dinner.</p> + +<p>At nine o'clock the drive back to Centerport began, +and as the horses soon found that they were headed toward +home the journey occupied surprisingly little time, +and at ten Neil was back in his room awaiting the return +of Paul. To Neil's surprise that gentleman was at first +decidedly grumpy.</p> + +<p>"You might have let me into it," he grumbled.</p> + +<p>But Neil explained and apologized until at length +peace was restored. Then he had to tell Paul all about +it from first to last, and Paul laughed until he choked; +"I--I just wish--wish I had--seen Cowan's--face when--he--found +it--out!" he shrieked.</p> + +<p>One result of that night's adventure was that the Class +of 1905 was never thereafter bothered in the slightest +degree by the sophomores; it appeared to be the generally +accepted verdict that the freshmen had established their +right to immunity from all molestation. Another result +was that Neil became a class hero and a college notable. +Younger freshmen pointed him out to each other in admiring +awe; older and more influential ones went out of +their way to claim recognition from him; sophomores +viewed him with more than passing interest, and upper-class +men predicted for him a brilliant college career. +Even the Dean, when he passed Neil the following afternoon +and returned his bow, allowing himself something +almost approaching a grin. Neil, however, bore his +honors modestly even while acknowledging to himself the +benefit of them. He learned that his chances of making a +certain society, membership in which was one of his highest +ambitions, had been more than doubled, and was glad +accordingly. (He was duly elected and underwent rigorous +initiation proudly and joyfully.)</p> + +<p>The kidnaping affair even affected his football standing, +for Mills and Devoe and Simson, the trainer, spoke +or looked applause, while the head coach thereafter displayed +quite a personal interest in him. Several days subsequent +to the affair Neil was taking dummy practise +with the rest of the second eleven. Mills had appropriated +the invention of a Harvard trainer, rigging the +dummy with hook and eye-bolt, so that when properly +tackled the stuffed canvas effigy of a Robinson player +became detached from its cable and fell on to the soft loam +much after the manner of a human being. But to bring +the dummy from the hook necessitated the fiercest of +tackling, and many fellows failed at this. To-day Neil +was one of this number. Twice the dummy, bearing upon +its breast the brown R of Robinson, had sped away on its +twenty-foot flight, and twice Neil had thrown himself +upon it without bringing it down. As he arose after the +second attempt and brushed the soil from his trousers +Mills "went for him."</p> + +<p>"You're very ladylike, Fletcher, but as this isn't +crewel-work or crochet you'll oblige me by being so rude +as to bring that dummy off. Now, once more; put some +snap into it! Get your hold, find your purchase, and then +throw! Just imagine it's a sophomore, please."</p> + +<p>The roar of laughter that followed restored some of +Neil's confidence, and, whether he deceived himself into +momentarily thinking the dummy a sophomore, he tackled +finely, brought the canvas figure from the hook, and triumphantly +sat on the letter R.</p> + +<p>Signal practise followed work at the dummy that +afternoon, and last of all the varsity and second teams +had their daily line-up. Neil, however, did not get into +this. Greatly to his surprise and disappointment McCullough +took his place at left half, and Neil sat on the bench +and aggrievedly watched the lucky ones peeling off their +sweaters in preparation for the fray. But idleness was +not to be his portion, for a moment later Mills called to +him:</p> + +<p>"Here, take this ball, go down there to the fifteen-yard +line, and try drop-kicking. Keep a strict count, and +let me know how many tries you had and how many +times you put it over the goal."</p> + +<p>Neil took the ball and trotted off to the scene of his +labors, greatly comforted. Kicking goals from the fifteen-yard +line didn't sound very difficult, and he set to work +resolved to distinguish himself. But drop-kicks were not +among Neil's accomplishments, and he soon found that the +cross-bar had a way of being in the wrong place at the +critical moment. At first it was hard to keep from turning +his head to watch the progress of the game, but presently +he became absorbed in his work. As a punter he +had been somewhat of a success at Hillton, but drop-kicking +had been left to the full-back, and consequently it was +unaccustomed work. The first five tries went low, and +the next four went high enough but wide of the goal. +The next one barely cleared the cross-bar, and Neil was +hugely tickled. The count was then ten tries and one +goal. He got out of the way in order to keep from being +ground to pieces by the struggling teams, and while he +stood by and watched the varsity make its first touch-down, +ruminated sadly upon the report he would have to +render to Mills.</p> + +<p>But a long acquaintance with footballs had thoroughly +dispelled Neil's awe of them, and he returned to his labor +determined to better his score. And he did, for when the +teams trotted by him on their way off the field and Mills +came up, he was able to report 38 tries, of which 12 were +goals.</p> + +<p>"Not bad," said the coach. "That'll do for to-day. +But whenever you find a football, and don't know what to +do with it, try drop-kicking. Your punting is very good, +and there's no reason why you shouldn't learn to kick +from drop or placement as well. Take my advice and put +your heart and brain and muscle into it, for, while we've +got backs that can buck and hurdle and run, we haven't +many that can be depended on to kick a goal, and we'll +need them before long."</p> + +<p>Neil trotted out to the locker-house with throbbing +heart. Mills had as good as promised him his place. That +is, if he could learn to kick goals. The condition didn't +trouble Neil, however; he <i>could</i> learn to drop-kick and +he <i>would</i> learn, he told himself exultantly as he panted +under the effects of a cold shower-bath. For a moment +the wild idea of rising at unchristian hours and practising +before chapel occurred to him, but upon maturer thought +was given up. No, the only thing to do was to follow +Mills's advice: "Put your heart and brain and muscle into +it," the coach had said. Neil nodded vigorously and +rubbed himself so hard with the towel as to almost take +the skin off. He was late in leaving the house that evening, +and as all the fellows he knew personally had already +taken their departure, he started back toward the campus +alone. Near the corner of King Street he glanced up and +saw something a short distance ahead that puzzled him. +It looked at first like a cluster of bicycles with a single +rider. But as the rider was motionless Neil soon came up +to him.</p> + +<p>On nearer view he saw that the object was in reality a +tricycle, and that it held beside the rider a pair of crutches +which lay in supports lengthwise along one side. The machine +was made to work with the hands instead of the +feet, and a bow-shaped piece of steel which fitted around +the operator's knee served as steering apparatus. The +youth who sat motionless on the seat was a rather pale-faced, +frail-looking lad of eighteen years, and it needed +no second glance to tell Neil that he was crippled from +his waist down. As Neil approached he was pulling the +handles to and fro and looking perplexedly at the gear. +The tricycle refused to budge.</p> + +<p>"I guess you've broken down," said Neil, approaching. +"Stay where you are and I'll have a look."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, but you needn't bother," said the lad.</p> + +<p>But Neil was already on his knees. The trouble was +soon found; the chain had broken and for the present was +beyond repair.</p> + +<p>"But the wheels will go round, just the same," said +Neil cheerfully. "Keep your seat and I'll push you back. +Where do you room?"</p> + +<p>"Walton," was the answer. "But I don't like to +bother you, Mr. Fletcher. You see I have my crutches +here, and I can get around very well on them."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, there's no use in your walking all the way +to Walton. Here, I'll take the chain off and play horse. +By the way, how'd you know my name?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, every one knows you since that kidnaping business," +laughed the other, beginning to forget some of his +shyness. "And besides I've heard the coach speak to you +at practise."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Neil, who was now walking behind the +tricycle and pushing it before him, "then you've been out +to the field, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I like to watch practise. I go out very nearly +every day."</p> + +<p>[Illustration: "I guess you've broken down," said Neil.]</p> + +<p>"Come to think of it, I believe I've seen you there," +said Neil. "It's wonderful how you can get around on +this machine as you do. Isn't it hard work at times?"</p> + +<p>"Rather, on grades, you know. But on smooth roads +it goes very easily; besides, I've worked it every day +almost for so long that I've got a pretty good muscle now. +My father had this one made for me only two months ago +to use here at Erskine. The last machine I had was very +much heavier and harder to manage."</p> + +<p>"I guess being so light has made it weak," said Neil, +"or it wouldn't have broken down like this."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I fancy that was more my fault than the tricycle's," +answered the boy. As Neil was behind him he +did not see the smile that accompanied the words.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll take you home and then wheel the thing +down to the bicycle repair-shop near the depot, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, indeed," protested the other. "I'll--I'll +have them send up for it. I wouldn't have you go way +down there with it for anything."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! that's no walk; besides, if you have them +send, it will be some time to-morrow afternoon before you +get it back."</p> + +<p>"I sha'n't really need it before then," answered the +lad earnestly.</p> + +<p>"You might," said Neil. There was such a tone of +finality in the reply that the boy on the seat yielded, but +for an instant drew his face into a pucker of perplexity.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," he said; "it's awfully nice of you to take +so much trouble."</p> + +<p>"I can't see that," Neil replied. "I don't see how I +could do any less. By the way, what's your name, if you +don't mind?"</p> + +<p>"Sydney Burr."</p> + +<p>"Burr? That's why you were stuck there up the +road," laughed Neil. "We're in the same class, aren't +we?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>At the middle entrance of Walton Hall Neil helped +Burr on to his crutches, and would have assisted him up +the steps had he not objected.</p> + +<p>"Please don't," he said, flushing slightly. "I can get +up all right; I do it every day. My room's on this floor, +too. I'm awfully much obliged to you for what you've +done. I wish you'd come and see me some time--No. 3. +Do you--do you think you could?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," Neil answered heartily, "I'll be glad to. +Three, you said? All right. I'll take this nag down to the +blacksmith's now and get him reshod. If they can fix +him right off I'll bring him back with me. Where do you +stable him?"</p> + +<p>"The janitor takes it down-stairs somewhere. If I'm +not here just give it to him, please. I wish, though, +you wouldn't bother about bringing it back."</p> + +<p>"I'll ride him back," laughed Neil. "Good-night."</p> + +<p>"Good-night. Don't forget you're coming to see me."</p> + +<p>Sydney Burr smiled and, turning, climbed the steps +with astonishing ease, using his crutches with a dexterity +born of many years' dependence upon them. His lower +limbs, slender and frail, swung from side to side, mere +useless appendages. Neil sighed as he saw his new acquaintance +out of sight, and then started on his errand +with the tricycle.</p> + +<p>"Poor duffer!" he muttered. "And yet he seems +cheerful enough, and looks happy. But to think of having +to creep round on stilts or pull himself about on this +contrivance! I mustn't forget to call on him; I dare say +he hasn't many friends. He seems a nice chap, too; +and he'd be frightfully good-looking if he wasn't so +white."</p> + +<p>It was almost dark when he reached the repair-shop +near the railroad, and the proprietor, a wizened little bald-headed +man, was preparing to go home.</p> + +<p>"Can't fix anything to-night," he protested shrilly. +"It's too late; come in the morning."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you think I'm going to wheel this thing +back here to-morrow you've missed your guess," said Neil. +"All it needs is to have a chain link welded or glued or +something; it won't take five minutes. And the fellow +that owns it is a cripple and can't go out until this machine's +fixed. Now go ahead, like a good chap; I'll hold +your bonnet."</p> + +<p>"Eh? What bonnet?" The little man stared perplexedly.</p> + +<p>"I meant I'd help," answered Neil unabashed.</p> + +<p>"Help! Huh! Lot's of help, you'd be to any one! +Well, let's see it." He knelt and inspected the tricycle, +grumbling all the while and shaking his head angrily. +"Who said it was broke?" he demanded presently. +"Queer kind of break; looks like you'd pried the link +apart with a cold-chisel."</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't; nor with a hot chisel. Besides, I've +just told you it didn't belong to me. Do I look like a +cripple?"</p> + +<p>"More like a fool," answered the other with a +chuckle.</p> + +<p>"You're a naughty old man," said Neil sorrowfully, +"and if you were my father I'd spank you." The other +was too angry to find words, and contented himself with +bending back the damaged link and emitting a series of +choking sounds which Neil rightly judged to be expressions +of displeasure. When the repair was finished he +pushed the machine angrily toward the boy.</p> + +<p>"Take it and get out," he said.</p> + +<p>"Thanks. How much?"</p> + +<p>"Fifty cents," was the reply, given with a toothless +grin and a chuckle. "Twenty-five cents for the job and +twenty-five cents for working after hours."</p> + +<p>"Cheap enough," answered Neil, laying a quarter +on the bench. "That's for the job; I'll owe you the +rest."</p> + +<p>When he reached the first corner the proprietor of the +repair-shop was still calling him names and shaking his +fist in the air.</p> + +<p>"Looked just like a he-witch or something," chuckled +Neil, as he propelled his steed toward the campus. "Maybe +he will put a curse upon me and my right foot will +wither up and I won't be able to kick goals!"</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>NEIL MAKES THE VARSITY</h3> +<br> + +<p>On the 12th of October, Woodby College sent a team +of light but very fast football players to Erskine with full +determination to bring back the pigskin. And it very +nearly succeeded. It was the first game of the season for +Erskine, but Woodby had already played two, and was +consequently rather more hardened. The first half ended +with the score 6 to 6, and the spectators, fully three hundred +supporters of the Purple, looked glum. Neil and +Paul were given their chance in the second half, taking +the places of Gillam and Smith. Many other changes +were made, among them one which installed the newly +discovered Browning at left guard vice Carey, removed +to the bench.</p> + +<p>There was no use in attempting to disguise the fact +that Woodby literally played all around the home team. +Her backs gained almost at will on end runs, and her punting +was immeasurably superior. Foster, the Erskine +quarter-back, sent kick after kick high into the air, and +twenty yards was his best performance. On defense +Woodby was almost equally strong, and had Erskine not +outweighted her in the line some five pounds per man, +would have forced her to kick every time. As it was, the +purple-clad backs made but small and infrequent gains +through the line, and very shortly found that runs outside +of tackle or end were her best cards, even though, as was +several times the case, her runners were nailed back of her +line for losses.</p> + +<p>Team play was as yet utterly lacking in the Erskine +eleven, and though the men were as a rule individually +brilliant or decidedly promising, Woodby had far the best +of it there. Fumbles were many on both sides, but Erskine's +were the most costly. Stone's fumble of a free +kick soon after the second half began gave Woodby her +second touch-down, from which, luckily, she failed to kick +goal. The veterans on the team, Tucker at left tackle, +Graham at center, Cowan at right-guard, Foster at +quarter, and Devoe at right end, played well with the +glaring exception of Cowan, whose work in the second +half especially was so slipshod that Mills, with wrath in +his eye, took him out and put in Bell, a second eleven man.</p> + +<p>With the score 11 to 6 against her, Erskine braced +up and fought doggedly to score. Neil proved the best +ground-gainer, and made several five-and ten-yard runs +around right end. Once, with the ball on Woodby's +twelve yards and the audience shouting vehemently for a +touch-down, Foster called on Paul for a plunge through +right tackle. Paul made two yards, but in some manner +lost the ball, a fumble that put Erskine back on her fifty-yard +line and that sent her hopes of tying the score down +to zero.</p> + +<p>The second half was to be but fifteen minutes long, +and fully ten of the fifteen had gone by when Erskine +took up her journey toward Woodby's goal again. Mason, +the full-back, and Neil were sent plunging, bucking, hurdling +at the enemy's breastworks, and time after time just +managed to gain their distance in the three downs. Fortune +was favoring Erskine, and Woodby's lighter men +were slower and slower in finding their positions after +each pile-up. Then, with the pigskin on Woodby's twenty-eight +yards, Neil was given the ball for a try outside of +right tackle, and by brilliantly leaving his interference, +which had become badly tangled up, got safely away and +staggered over the line just at the corner. The punt-out +was a success and Devoe kicked goal, making the score +12 to 11 in Erskine's favor. For the rest of the half the +home team was satisfied to keep Woodby away from its +goal, and made no effort to score. Woodby left the field +after the fashion of victors, which, practically, they were, +while the Erskine players trotted subduedly back to the +locker-house with unpleasant anticipations of what was +before them--anticipations fully justified by subsequent +events. For Mills tore them up very eloquently, and +promised them that if they were scored on by the second +eleven before the game with Harvard he'd send every +man of them to the benches and take the second to Cambridge.</p> + +<p>Neil walked back to college beside Sydney Burr, insisting +that that youth should take his hands from the levers +and be pushed. Paul had got into the habit of always +accompanying Cowan on his return from the field, and +as Neil liked the big sophomore less and less the more +he saw of him, he usually fell back on either Ted Foster +or Sydney Burr for company. To-day it was Sydney. +On the way that youth surprised Neil by his intelligent +discussion and criticism of the game he had just +watched.</p> + +<p>"How on earth did you get to know so much about +football?" asked Neil. "You talk like a varsity coach."</p> + +<p>"Do I?" said Sydney, flushing with pleasure. "I--I +always liked the game, and I've studied it quite a bit +and watched it all I could. Of course, I can never +play, but I get a good deal of enjoyment out of it. Sometimes"--his +shyness returned momentarily and he hesitated--"sometimes +I make believe that I'm playing, +you know; put myself, in imagination, in the place of one +of the team. To-day I--to-day I was you," he added with +a deprecatory laugh.</p> + +<p>"You don't say?" cried Neil. Then the pathos of it +struck him and he was silent a moment. The cripple's +love and longing for sport in which he could never hope +to join seemed terribly sad and gave him a choking sensation +in his throat.</p> + +<p>"If I had been--like other fellows," continued Sydney, +quite cheerfully, "I should have played everything--football, +baseball, hockey, tennis--everything! I'd +give--anything I've got--if I could just run from here to +the corner." He was silent a minute, looking before him +with eyes from which the usual brightness was gone. +Then, "My, it must be good to run and walk and jump +around just as you want to," he sighed.</p> + +<p>"Yes," muttered Neil, "but--but that was a good +little run you made to-day." Sydney looked puzzled, +then laughed.</p> + +<p>"In the game, you mean? Yes, wasn't it? And I +made a touch-down and won the game. I was awfully +afraid at one time that that Woodby quarter-back was +going to nab me; that's why I made for the corner of the +field like that."</p> + +<p>"I fancied that was the reason," answered Neil +gravely. Then their eyes met and they laughed together.</p> + +<p>"Your friend Gale didn't play so well to-day," said +Sydney presently. Neil shook his head with a troubled +air.</p> + +<p>"No, he played rotten ball, and that's a fact. I don't +know what's got into him of late. He doesn't seem to care +whether he pleases Mills or not. I think it's that chap +Cowan. He tells Paul that Mills and Devoe are imposing +on him and that he isn't getting a fair show and all that +sort of stuff. Know Cowan?"</p> + +<p>"Only by sight. I don't think I'd care to know him; +he looks a good deal like--like--"</p> + +<p>"Just so," laughed Neil. "That's the way he strikes +me."</p> + +<p>After dinner that evening Paul bewailed what he +called his ill luck. Neil listened patiently for a while; +then--</p> + +<p>"Look here, Paul," he said, "don't talk such rot. +Luck had nothing to do with it, and you know it. The +trouble was that you weren't in shape; you've been shilly-shallying +around of late and just doing good enough work +to keep Mills from dropping you to the scrub. It's that +miserable idiot Tom Cowan that's to blame; he's been filling +your head with nonsense; telling you that you are so +good that you don't have to practise, and that Mills +doesn't dare drop you, and lots of poppycock of that kind. +Now, I'll tell you, chum, that the best thing to do is to +go honestly to work and do your best."</p> + +<p>Paul was deeply insulted by this plain speaking, and +very promptly took himself off up-stairs to Cowan's room. +Of late he spent a good deal of his time there and Neil +was getting worried. For Cowan was notably an idler, +and the wonder was how he managed to keep himself in +college even though he was taking but a partial course. +To be sure, Cowan's fate didn't bother Neil a bit, but he +was greatly afraid that his example would be followed by +his roommate, who, at the best, was none too fond of +study. Neil sat long that evening over an unopened book, +striving to think of some method of weakening Cowan's +hold on Paul--a hold that was daily growing stronger +and which threatened to work ill to the latter. In the +end Neil sighed, tossed down the volume, and made ready +for bed without having found a solution of the problem.</p> + +<p>The following Monday Neil was rewarded for his good +showing in the Woodby game by being taken on to the +varsity. Paul remained on the second team, and Cowan, +greatly to that gentleman's bewilderment and wrath, +joined him there. The two teams, with their substitutes, +went to training-table that day in Pearson's boarding-house +on Elm Street, and preparation for the game with +Harvard, now but nine days distant, began in earnest.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THE RESULT OF A FUMBLE</h3> +<br> + +<p>Sydney Burr had trundled himself out to the field +and had drawn his tricycle close up to the low wooden +fence that divides the gridiron from the grand stand and +against which the players on the benches lean their +blanketed backs. From there he had an uninterrupted +view. It was a perfect afternoon. Overhead a few white +clouds drifted lazily about against a warm blue sky. The +sun shone brightly and mocked at light overcoats. But +for all that there was an October sparkle in the air, and +once in a while a tiny breeze from the north came across +the yellowing field and whispered that winter was not far +behind.</p> + +<p>Sydney had a rug thrown over his lower limbs and +wore a warm white woolen sweater. There was quite a +dash of color in his usually pale cheeks, and his blue eyes +flashed with interest as he watched the men at practise. +Near at hand a panting group of fellows were going +through the signals, the quarter crying his numbers with +gasps for breath, then passing the ball to half-or full-back +and quickly throwing himself into the interference. Sydney +recognized him as Bailey, the varsity substitute. +Sydney knew almost all the players by sight now and the +names of many.</p> + +<p>Near the east goal two lines of heaving, charging men +were being coached by Mills in breaking through. Stowell, +the big, good-natured substitute center, was bending +over the ball. Sydney could hear Mills's sharp voice:</p> + +<p>"Now draw back, defense, and lunge into them! Get +the start on them!"</p> + +<p>Then the ball was snapped and the two ranks heaved +and pitched a moment before the offense broke through +and scattered the turf with little clumps of writhing +players.</p> + +<p>"That was good, Tucker, good!" cried Mills. "You +did just as I told you. Now give the ball to the other side. +Weight forward, defense, every one of you on his toes. +<i>Browning, watch that ball!</i> Now get into them, every +one! Block them!"</p> + +<p>At the other end of the field six fellows were kicking +goal and six others, stretched upon the turf, were holding +the balls for them. Devoe was coaching. Sydney could +see Neil, the farthest away of any, lifting the leather +toward the posts from a difficult angle on the twenty-yard +line. Even as he watched, the ball sailed away from Neil's +toe and went fair over the cross-bar, and Sydney silently +applauded. He set himself to recognizing the other kickers. +There was Gale, the tall and rather heavy fellow in +the crimson sleeves; and Mason, equally tall but all corners +and angles; and Smith, and Gillam, and Foster. +Devoe seemed to be laying down the law forcibly to Gale; +he was gesticulating with his hands and nodding his head +like a Chinese mandarin. Sydney could not hear what he +was saying, nor could he see Gale's face; but in the attitude +of the captain there was exasperation, and in that of +Gale sullen impatience.</p> + +<p>Another group at signal practise drew nigh, and +Sydney gave his attention to it. Reardon, the second +eleven quarter, sang his signals in a queer, shrill voice +that was irresistibly funny. In front of Sydney he raised +himself, wiped his palms on his stained trousers, grimaced +at one of the halves, and took a deep breath. +Then--</p> + +<p>"<i>Signal</i>!" he cried. "<i>7--8--4--6!</i>"</p> + +<p>Eight half bounded by him, full-back fell in behind +and took the ball, left half dashed after, and the group +trotted away to line up again ten yards down the field. +But presently the lines at the east goal broke up and +trotted toward the benches, and Mills called the players +in from all parts of the field. The water-pail was surrounded +and the thirsty players rinsed out their mouths, +well knowing the reprimand that awaited should they be +rash enough to take even one swallow. Sweaters were +hurriedly donned, Simson dealing them out from the pile +on the ground, and the fellows sank on to the benches. +Neil saw Sydney, and talked to him over the fence until +he heard his name called from the line-up.</p> + +<p>"I think I shall make a touch-down to-day," said Sydney. +Neil shook his head, smiling:</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that; you're not feeling so fit +to-day, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that doesn't matter," answered the cripple. +"You just watch me."</p> + +<p>Neil laughed, and hurrying off, was fitted with his +head harness and trotted out to his place. Sydney was +mistaken, as events proved, for he--in the person of +Neil Fletcher--failed to get over the second's goal-line in +either of the short halves; which was also true of all the +other varsity players. But if she didn't score, the varsity +kept the second at bay, and that was a good deal. The +second played desperately, being convinced that Mills +would keep his promise and, if they succeeded in scoring +on their opponents, give them the honor of facing Harvard +the following Wednesday. But the varsity, being +equally convinced of the fact, played quite as desperately, +and the two teams trotted off with honors even.</p> + +<p>"Sponge off, everybody!" was the stentorian command +from the trainer, and one by one the players leaned +over while the big, dripping sponge was applied to face +and head. Then sweaters were again donned and the +four laps around the field began, the men trotting by twos +and threes, or, in the case of the injured ones, trailing +along behind.</p> + +<p>The next day, Wednesday, October 16th, Erskine +played Dexter. Dexter is a preparatory school that has +a way of turning out strong elevens, many of which in +previous years had put up excellent fights against Erskine. +On the present occasion Erskine went into the game with +a line largely composed of substitutes and a back-field by +no means as strong as possible. During the first half +Dexter was forced to give all her attention to defending +her goal, and had no time for incursions into Erskine territory. +The home college ran up 17 points, Devoe missing +one goal. In the second half Erskine made further +changes in her team. Cowan took Witter's place at right-guard, +Reardon went in at quarter in place of Bailey, and +Neil, who had watched the first half greedily from the +side-line, went in at left half.</p> + +<p>It was Dexter's kick-off, and she sent the ball fully +forty yards. Reardon called to Neil to take it. That +youth got it on his ten yards, and by fine dodging ran it +back to the eighteen-yard line. From there it was advanced +by straight line-plunging to Erskine's forty yards, +and it seemed that a procession down the field to another +touch-down had begun. But at this point Fate and Tom +Cowan took a hand. Cowan was taken back of the line +for a plunge through tackle. With right half and full +lined up in tandem behind him he was given the ball and +shot through easily for several yards. Then, his support +gone, he staggered on for five yards more by sheer force +of weight with two Dexter backs dragging at him, and +there, for no apparent cause, dropped the pigskin. The +Dexter quarter-back, running in to stop Cowan, was on +it in a twinkling, had skirted the right end of the <i>mêlée</i> +and was racing toward Erskine's goal. It had happened +so quickly and unexpectedly that the runner was fifteen +yards to the good before pursuit began. Devoe and Neil +took up the chase, but it was a hopeless task, and in +another minute the little band of crimson-adorned Dexter +supporters and substitutes on the side-line were yelling +like mad. The Dexter quarter placed the ball nicely +behind the very center of the west goal, and when it was +taken out none but a cripple could have failed to kick it +over the cross-bar. As Dexter's left-end was not a cripple +her score changed from a 5 to a 6.</p> + +<p>But that was the end of her offensive work for that +afternoon. Erskine promptly took the ball from her after +the kick-off, and kept it until Neil had punctured Dexter's +line between left-guard and tackle and waded through a +sea of clutching foes twelve yards for a touch-down. +Devoe once more failed at goal, and five minutes later +the game came to an end with the final score 22 to 6. +Dexter was happy and Erskine disgruntled.</p> + +<p>In the locker-house after the game Mills had some +sharp things to say, and didn't hesitate to say them in his +best manner. There was absolutely no favoritism shown; +he began at one end of the line and went to the other, +then dropped back to left half, took in quarter on the +way, and ended up with full. Some got off easy; Neil +was among them; and so was Devoe, for it is not a good +policy for a coach to endanger a captain's authority +by public criticism; but when it was all over no one +felt slighted. And when all were beginning to breathe +easier, thinking the storm had passed, it burst forth +anew.</p> + +<p>"Cowan, I don't see how you came to drop that ball," +said Mills, in fresh exasperation. "Why, great Scott, +man, there was no one touching you except a couple of +schoolboys tugging at your legs! What was the matter? +Paralysis? Vertigo? Or haven't you learned yet, after +two years of football playing, to hang on to the ball? +There's a cozy nook waiting on the second scrub for fellows +like you!"</p> + +<p>Cowan, his pride already sorely wounded, found the +last too much for his temper.</p> + +<p>"No one can help an occasional accident," he blurted. +"If I did fumble, there's no reason why you should insult +me. Lots of fellows have fumbled before and got off +without being walked on. I've played my position for two +years, and I guess I know how to do it. But when a +fellow is singled out as a--a scapegoat--"</p> + +<p>"That will do, Cowan," interrupted Mills quietly. +"You've lost your temper. We don't want men on this +team who can't stand criticism--"</p> + +<p>"Criticism!" sneered Cowan, looking very red and +ugly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, criticism!" answered Mills sharply, "and scolding, +too, my friend. I'm here to turn out a team that will +win from Robinson and not to cater to any one's vanity; +when it's necessary, I'm going to scold and say some hard +things. But I've never insulted any fellow and I never +will. I've had my eye on you ever since practise began, +Cowan, and let me tell you that you haven't at any time +passed muster; your playing's been slovenly, careless, and +generally mean. You've soldiered half the time. And +I think we can get along without you for the rest of the +season."</p> + +<p>Mills, his blue eyes sparkling, turned away, and Stowell +and White, who for a minute past had been striving +to check Cowan's utterances, now managed to drag him +away.</p> + +<p>"Shut up!" whispered White hoarsely. "Don't be +a fool! Come out of here!" And they hauled him outside, +where, on the porch, he gave vent anew to his wrath +until they left him finally in disgust.</p> + +<p>He slouched in to see Paul after dinner that evening, +much to Neil's impatience, and taking up a commanding +position on a corner of the study-table, recited his tale of +injustice with great eloquence. Paul, who had spent the +afternoon with other unfortunates on the benches, was +full of sympathy.</p> + +<p>"It's a dirty shame, Tom," he said. "And I'm glad +you waded into Mills the way you did. It was fine!"</p> + +<p>"Little white-haired snake!" exclaimed Cowan. +"Drops me from training just because I make a fumble! +Why, you've fumbled, Paul, and so's Fletcher here; lots +of times. But he doesn't lay <i>you</i> off! Oh, dear, no; +you're swells whose names will look well in the line-up +for the Robinson game! But here I've played on the +team for two years, and now off I go just because I +dropped a ball. It's rank injustice!</p> + +<p>"I suppose he thinks I've got to play football here. +If he does he's away off, that's all. I could have gone to +Robinson this fall and had everything I wanted. They +guaranteed me a position at guard or tackle, and I +wouldn't have needed to bother with studies as I do here, +either." The last remark called a smile to Neil's face, +and Cowan unfortunately glanced his way and saw it.</p> + +<p>"I dare say if I was willing to toady to Mills and +Devoe, and tell everybody they're the finest football leaders +that ever came down the pike, it would be different," +he sneered angrily. "Maybe then Mills would give me +private instruction in goal-kicking and let me black his +boots for him."</p> + +<p>Neil closed his book and leaned back in his chair, a +little disk of red in each cheek.</p> + +<p>"Now, look here, Tom Cowan, let's have this out," +he said quietly. "You're hitting at me, of course--"</p> + +<p>"Oh, keep out, chum," protested Paul. "Cowan +hasn't mentioned you once."</p> + +<p>"He doesn't need to," answered Neil. "I understand +without it. But let me tell you, Cowan, that I do not +toady to either Mills or Devoe. I do treat them, however, +as I would any one who was in authority over me. +I don't think merely because I've played the game before +that I know all the football there is to know."</p> + +<p>"Meaning that I do?" growled Cowan.</p> + +<p>"I mean that you've got a swelled head, Cowan, and +that when Mills said you hadn't been doing your best he +only told the truth, and what every fellow knows."</p> + +<p>"Shut up, Neil!" cried Paul angrily. "It isn't necessary +for you to pitch into Cowan just because he's down +on his luck."</p> + +<p>"I don't mind him," said Cowan, eying Neil with +hatred. "He's sore about what I said. I dare say I +shouldn't have said it. If he's Mills's darling--"</p> + +<p>Neil pushed back his chair, and rose to his feet with +blazing eyes.</p> + +<p>"Kindly get out of here," he said. "I've had enough +of your insults. This is my room; please leave it!" +Cowan stared a moment in surprise, hesitated, threw a +glance of inquiry at Paul's troubled and averted face, and +slid from the table.</p> + +<p>"Of course you can put me out of your room," he +sneered. "For that matter, I'm glad to leave it. I did +think, though, that part of the shop was Paul's, but I +dare say he has to humor you."</p> + +<p>"The room's as much mine as his," said Paul, "and I +want you to stay in it." He looked defiantly over at his +friend. Neil had not bargained for a quarrel with Paul, +but was too incensed to back down.</p> + +<p>"And I say you sha'n't stay," he declared. "Paul and +I will settle the proprietorship of the room after you're +out of it. Now you get!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe you'll put me out?" asked Cowan with a show +of bravado. But he glanced toward the door as he spoke. +Neil nodded.</p> + +<p>"Maybe I will," he answered grimly.</p> + +<p>"Cowan's my guest, Neil!" cried Paul. "And +you've no right to put him out, and I sha'n't let you!"</p> + +<p>"He'll go out of here, if I have to fight him and you +too, Paul!" Paul stared in wonderment. He was so +used to being humored by his roommate that this declaration +of war took his breath away. Cowan laughed with +attempted nonchalance.</p> + +<p>"Your friend's a bit chesty, Paul," he said. "Perhaps +we'd better humor him."</p> + +<p>"No, stay where you are," said Paul. "If he thinks +he's boss of me he's mistaken." He glared wrathfully at +Neil, and yet with a trifle of uneasiness. Paul was no +coward, but physical conflict with Neil was something so +contrary to the natural order that it appalled him. Neil +removed the gorgeous bottle-green velvet jacket that he +wore in the evenings, and threw open the study door. +Then he faced Cowan. That gentleman returned his gaze +for a moment defiantly. But something in Neil's expression +caused his eyes to drop and seek the portal. He +laughed uneasily, and with simulated indifference laid his +hand on Paul's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Come on, old chap," he said, "let's get out before +we're torn to bits. There's no pleasure in staying with +such a disagreeable fire-eater, anyhow. Come up to my +room, and let him cool off."</p> + +<p>Paul hesitated, and then turned to follow Cowan, who +was strolling toward the door. Angry as he was, deep in +his heart he was glad to avoid conflict with his chum.</p> + +<p>"All right," he answered in a voice that trembled, +"we'll go; but"--turning to Neil--"if you think I'm +going to put up with this sort of thing, you're mistaken. +You can have this room, and I'll get another."</p> + +<p>"I'd suggest your rooming with Cowan," answered +Neil, "since you're so fond of him."</p> + +<p>"Your friend's jealous," laughed Cowan from the +hall. Paul joined him, slamming the door loudly as he +went.</p> + +<p>Neil heard Cowan's laughter and the sound of their +steps as they climbed the stairs. For several moments he +stood motionless, staring at the door. Then he shook his +head, donned his jacket, and sat down again. Now that +it was done, he was intensely sorry. As for the quarrel +with Cowan, that troubled not at all; but an open breach +with Paul was something new and something which, just +at this time especially, might work for ill. Paul was +already so far under Cowan's domination that anything +tending to foster their friendship was unfortunate. Neil +was ashamed, too, of his burst of temper, and the remainder +of the evening passed miserably enough.</p> + +<p>When Paul returned he was cold and repellent, and +answered Neil's attempts at conversation in monosyllables. +Neil, however, was glad to find that Paul said nothing +further about a change of quarters, and in that fact found +encouragement. After all, Paul would soon get over his +anger, he told himself; the two had been firm friends for +three years, and it would take something more than the +present affair to estrange them.</p> + +<p>But as the days passed and Paul showed no disposition +to make friends again, Neil began to despair. He knew +that Cowan was doing all in his power to widen the breach +and felt certain that left to himself Paul would have forgotten +his grievance long ago. Paul spent most of his +time in Cowan's room when at home, and Neil passed many +dull hours. One thing there was, however, which pleased +him. Cowan's absence from the field worked a difference +from the first in Paul's playing, and the latter was now +evidently putting his heart into his work. He made such +a good showing between the day of Cowan's dismissal and +the following Wednesday that he was scheduled to play +right half against Harvard, and was consequently among +the little army of players and supporters that journeyed +to Cambridge on that day.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>ON THE HOSPITAL LIST</h3> +<br> + +<p>Harvard's good showing thus far during the season +convinced Erskine that could she hold the crimson warriors +down to five scores she would be doing remarkably +well, and that could she, by any miracle, cross Harvard's +goal-line she would be practically victorious. The team +that journeyed to Cambridge on October 23d was made +up as follows:</p> + +<p>Stone, l.e.; Tucker, l.t.; Carey, l.g.; Stowell, c.; +Witter, r.g.; White, r.t.; Devoe, r.e.; Foster, q.b.; +Fletcher, l.h.b.; Gale, r.h.b.; Mason, f.b.</p> + +<p>Besides these, eight substitutes went along and some +thirty patriotic students followed. Among the latter was +Sydney Burr and "Fan" Livingston. Neil had brought +the two together, and Livingston had readily taken to the +crippled youth. In Livingston's care Sydney had no difficulty +in making the trip to Soldiers Field and back comfortably +and safely.</p> + +<p>There is no need to tell in detail here of the Harvard-Erskine +contest. Those who saw it will give Erskine credit +for a plucky struggle against a heavier, more advanced, +and much superior team. In the first half Harvard scored +three times, and the figures were 17-0. In the second +half both teams put in several substitutes. For Erskine, +Browning went in for Carey, Graham for Stowell, Hurst +for Witter, Pearse for Mason, and Bailey for Foster. In +this half Harvard crossed Erskine's goal-line three more +times without much difficulty, while Erskine made the +most of a stroke of rare good luck, and changed her goose-egg +for the figure 5.</p> + +<p>On the Purple's forty yards Harvard fumbled, not for +the first time that day, and Neil, more by accident than +design, got the pigskin on the bounce, and, skirting the +opposing right end, went up the field for a touch down +without ever being in danger. The Erskine supporters +went mad with delight, and the Harvard stand was ruefully +silent. Devoe missed a difficult goal and a few minutes +later the game ended with a final score of 34-5. +Mills, however, would gladly have yielded that five points, +if by so doing he could have taken ten from the larger +score. He was disappointed in the team's defense, and +realized that a wonderful improvement was necessary if +Robinson was to be defeated.</p> + +<p>And so the Erskine players were plainly given to +understand the next day that they had not acquired all the +glory they thought they had. The advance guard of the +assistant coaches put in an appearance in the shape of +Jones and Preston, both old Erskine football men, and +took hold with a vim. Jones, a former guard, a big man +with bristling black hair, took the line men under his +wing and made them jump. Neil, Paul, and several others +were taken in hand by Preston, and were daily put +through a vigorous course of punting and kicking. Neil +was fast acquiring speed and certainty in the art of kicking +goals from drop and placement, while Paul promised to +turn out a fair second choice.</p> + +<p>Jones, as every one soon learned, was far from satisfied +with the line of material at his disposal. He wanted +more weight, especially in the center trio, and was soon +pleading with Mills to have Cowan reinstated. The head +coach ultimately relented, and Devoe was given to understand +that if Cowan expressed himself decently regretful +and determined to do good work he could go back into the +second. The big sophomore, who, by his frequent avowals, +was in college for no other purpose than to play football, +had simply been lost since his dismissal, and, upon hearing +Devoe's message, eagerly came off his high horse and made +a visit to Mills. What he said and what Mills said is not +known; but Cowan went back into the second team at +right-guard, and on Saturday was given a try at that position +in the game with Erstham. He did so well that Jones +was highly pleased, and Mills found it in his heart to forgive. +The results of the Erstham game were both unexpected +and important.</p> + +<p>Instead of the comparatively easy victory anticipated, +Erskine barely managed to save herself from being played +to a standstill, and the final figures were 6-0 in her +favor. The score was made in the last eight minutes +of the second half by fierce line-bucking, but not before +half of the purple line had given place to substitutes, and +one of the back-field had been carried bodily off the +gridiron.</p> + +<p>With the ball on Erstham's twenty-six yards, where it +had been desperately carried by the relentless plunging and +hurdling of Neil, Smith, and Mason, Erstham twice successfully +repelled the onslaught, and it was Erskine's third +down with two yards to gain. To lose the ball by kicking +was the last thing to be thought of, and so, despite the +fact that hitherto well-nigh every attempt at end running +had met with failure, Foster gave the ball to Neil for a try +around the Erstham left end. It was a forlorn hope, and +unfortunately Erstham was looking for it. Neil found his +outlet blocked by his own interference, and was forced +to run far out into the field. The play was a failure from +the first. Erstham's big right half and an equally big +line man tackled Neil simultaneously for a loss and threw +him heavily.</p> + +<p>When they got off him Neil tried to arise, but, with a +groan, subsided again on the turf. The whistle blew and +Simson ran on. Neil was evidently suffering a good deal +of pain, for his face was ashen and he rolled his head from +side to side with eyes half closed. His right arm lay outstretched +and without movement, and in an instant the +trouble was found. Simson examined the injury quickly +and called for the doctor, who probed Neil's shoulder with +knowing fingers, while the latter's white face was being +sopped with the dripping sponge.</p> + +<p>"Right shoulder's dislocated, Jim," said Dr. Prentiss +quietly to the trainer. "Take hold here; put your hands +here, and pull toward you steadily. Now!"</p> + +<p>Then Neil fainted.</p> + +<p>When he regained consciousness he was being borne +from the field between four of his fellows. At the locker-house +the injured shoulder was laid bare, and the doctor +went to work.</p> + +<p>The pain had subsided, and only a queer soreness remained. +Neil watched operations with interest, his face +fast regaining its color.</p> + +<p>"Nothing much, is it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Not a great deal. You've smashed your shoulder-blade +a bit, and maybe torn a ligament. I'll fix you up in +a minute."</p> + +<p>"Will it keep me from playing?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, for a while, my boy."</p> + +<p>Bandage after bandage was swathed about the +shoulder, and the arm was fixed in what Neil conceived +to be the most unnatural and awkward position +possible.</p> + +<p>"How long is this going to lay me up?" he asked +anxiously. But the doctor shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Can't tell yet. We'll see how you get along."</p> + +<p>"Well, a week?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe."</p> + +<p>"Two?"</p> + +<p>"Possibly."</p> + +<p>"But--but it can't! It mustn't!" he cried. The +door opened and Simson entered. "Simson," he called, +"he says this may keep me laid up for two weeks. It +won't, will it?"</p> + +<p>"I hope not, Fletcher. But you must get it well +healed, or else it may go back on you again. Don't worry +about--"</p> + +<p>"Don't worry! But, great Scott, the Robinson game's +only a month off!"</p> + +<p>The trainer patted his arm soothingly.</p> + +<p>"I know, but we must make the best of it. It's hard +lines, but the only thing to do is to take care of yourself +and get well as soon as possible. The doc will get you out +again as soon as it can be done, but you'll have to be doing +your part, Fletcher, and keeping quiet and cheerful--"</p> + +<p>"Cheerful!" groaned Neil.</p> + +<p>"And getting strong. Now you're fixed and I'll go +over to your room with you. How do you feel?"</p> + +<p>"All right, I suppose," replied Neil hopelessly.</p> + +<p>Simson walked beside him back to college and across +the campus and the common to his room, and saw him +installed in an easy-chair with a pillow behind the injured +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"There you are," said the trainer. "Prentiss will look +in this evening and I'll see you in the morning. You'd +better keep indoors for a few days, you know. I'll have +your meals sent over. Don't worry about this, but keep +yourself cheerful and--"</p> + +<p>Neil leaned his head against the pillow and closed his +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, go 'way," he muttered miserably.</p> + +<p>When Paul came in half an hour later he found Neil +staring motionless out of the window, settled melancholy +on his face.</p> + +<p>"How bad is it, chum?" asked Paul. He hadn't +called Neil "chum" for over a week--not since their +quarrel.</p> + +<p>"Bad enough to spoil my chances for the Robinson +game," answered Neil bitterly. Paul gave vent to a low +whistle.</p> + +<p>"By Jove! I am sorry, old chap. That's beastly, isn't +it? What does Prentiss say?"</p> + +<p>Neil told him and gained some degree of animation +in fervid protestation against his fate. For want of another, +he held the doctor to account for everything, only +admitting Simson to an occasional share in the blame. +Paul looked genuinely distressed, joining him in denunciation +of Prentiss and uttering such bits of consolation as +occurred to him. These generally consisted of such original +remarks as "Perhaps it won't be as bad as they +think." "I don't believe doctors know everything, after +all." "Mills will make them get you around before two +weeks, I'll bet."</p> + +<p>After dinner Paul returned to report a state of general +gloom at training-table.</p> + +<p>"Every one's awfully sorry and cut up about it, chum. +Mills says he'll come and look you up in the morning, and +told me to tell you to keep your courage up." After his +information had given out, Paul walked restlessly about +the study, taking up book after book only to lay it down +again, and behaving generally like a fish out of water. +Neil, grateful for the other's sympathy, and secretly delighted +at the healing of the breach, could afford to be +generous.</p> + +<p>"I say, Paul, I'll be all right. Just give me the +immortal Livy, will you? Thanks. And you might put +that tray out of the way somewhere and shove the drop-light +a bit nearer. That's better. I'll be all right now; +you run along."</p> + +<p>"Run along where?" asked Paul.</p> + +<p>"Well, I thought maybe you were going out or--somewhere."</p> + +<p>Paul's face expressed astonishment. He took up a +book and settled himself firmly in the wicker rocking-chair.</p> + +<p>"No," he said, "I'm not going anywhere."</p> + +<p>Neil studied in silence a while, and Paul turned several +pages of his book. Then footsteps sounded on the +stairs and Cowan's voice hailed Paul from beyond the +closed door.</p> + +<p>"O Paul, are you coming along?"</p> + +<p>Paul glanced irresolutely from the door to Neil's face, +which was bent calmly over his book. Then--"No," +he called gruffly, "not to-night!"</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>SYDNEY STUDIES STRATEGY</h3> +<br> + +<p>Neil was holding a levee. Livingston shared the +couch with him. Foster reclined in Paul's armchair. +Sydney Burr sat in the protesting wicker rocker, his +crutches beside him, and South, his countenance much disfigured +by strips of surgeon's plaster, grinned steadily +from the table, where he sat and swung his feet. Paul +was up-stairs in Cowan's room, for while he and Neil had +quite made up their difference, and while Paul spent much +of his leisure time with his chum, yet he still cultivated +the society of the big sophomore at intervals. Neil, however, +believed he could discern a gradual lessening of +Paul's regard for Cowan, and was encouraged. He had +grown to look upon his injury and the idleness it enforced +with some degree of cheerfulness since it had brought +about reconciliation between him and his roommate, and, +as he believed, rescued the latter to some extent from the +influence of Cowan.</p> + +<p>"Doc says the shoulder is 'doing nicely,' whatever +that may mean," Neil was saying, "and that I will likely +be able to get back to light work next week." The +announcement didn't sound very joyful, for it was now only +the evening of the fourth day since the accident, and +"next week" seemed a long way off to him.</p> + +<p>"It was hard luck, old man," said South.</p> + +<p>"Your sympathy's very dear to me," answered Neil, +"but it would seem more genuine if you'd stop grinning +from ear to ear."</p> + +<p>"Can't," replied South. "It's the plaster."</p> + +<p>"He's been looking like the Cheshire cat for two +days," said Livingston. "You see, when they patched +him up they asked if he was suffering much agony, and he +grinned that way just to show that he was a hero, and before +he could get his face straight they had the plaster +on. He gets credit for being much better natured than he +really is."</p> + +<p>"Credit!" said South. "I get worse than that. +'Sandy' saw me grinning at him in class yesterday and +got as mad as a March hare; said I was 'deesrespectful.'"</p> + +<p>"But how did it happen?" asked Neil, struggling with +his laughter.</p> + +<p>"Lacrosse," replied South. "Murdoch was tending +goal and I was trying to get the ball by him. I tripped +over his stick and banged my face against a goal-iron. +That's all."</p> + +<p>"Seems to me it's enough," said Foster. "What did +you do to Murdoch?" South opened his eyes in innocent +surprise.</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>"Nothing be blowed, my boy. Murdoch's limping to +beat the band."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" grinned South. "That was afterward; he got +mixed up with my stick, and, I fear, hurt his shins."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Neil, when the laughter was over, +"football seems deadly enough, but I begin to think +it's a parlor game for rainy evenings alongside of lacrosse."</p> + +<p>"There won't be many fellows left for the Robinson +game," said Sydney, "if they keep on getting hurt."</p> + +<p>"That's so," Livingston concurred. "Fletcher, +White, Jewell, Brown, Stowell--who else?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not feeling well myself," said Foster.</p> + +<p>"We were referring to <i>players</i>, Teddy, my love," +replied South sweetly.</p> + +<p>"Insulted!" cried Foster, leaping wildly to his feet. +"It serves me right for associating with a lot of freshmen. +Good-night, Fletcher, my wounded gladiator. Get +well and come back to us; all will be forgiven."</p> + +<p>"I'd like the chance of forgiving the fellow that +jumped on my shoulder," said Neil. "I'd send him to +join Murdoch."</p> + +<p>"That's not nice," answered Foster gravely. "Forgive +your enemies. Good-night, you cubs."</p> + +<p>"Hold on," said Livingston, "I'm going your way. +Good-night, Fletcher. Cheer up and get well. We need +you and so does the team. Remember the class is looking +forward to seeing you win a few touch-downs in the Robinson +game."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll be all right," answered Neil, "and if they'll +let me into the game I'll do my best. Only--I'm afraid +I'll be a bit stale when I get out again."</p> + +<p>"Not you," declared Livingston heartily. "'Age +can not wither nor custom stale your infinite variety.'"</p> + +<p>"That's a quotation from--somebody," said South +accusingly. "'Fan' wants us to think he made it up. +Besides, I don't think it's correct; it should be, 'Custom +can not age nor wither stale your various interests.' Hold +on, I'm not particular; I'll walk along with you two. But +fortune send we don't meet the Dean," he continued, as +he slid to the floor. "I called on him Monday; a little +affair of too many cuts; 'Mr. South,' said he sorrowfully, +'avoid two things while in college--idleness and evil +associations.' I promised, fellows, and here I am breaking +that promise. Farewell, Fletcher; bear up under your +great load of affliction. Good-night, Burr. Kindly see +that he gets his medicine regularly every seven minutes, +and don't let him sleep in a draft; pajamas are much +warmer."</p> + +<p>"Come on, you grinning idiot," said Foster.</p> + +<p>When the door had closed upon the three, Sydney +placed his crutches under his arms and moved over to the +chair beside the couch.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Neil, you don't really think, do you, that +you'll have any trouble getting back into your place?"</p> + +<p>"I hardly know. Of course two weeks of idleness +makes a big difference. And besides, I'm losing a lot of +practise. This new close-formation that Mills is teaching +will be Greek to me."</p> + +<p>"It's simple enough," said Sydney. "The backs are +bunched right up to the line, the halfs on each side of +quarter, and the full just behind him."</p> + +<p>"Well, but I don't see--"</p> + +<p>"Wait," interrupted Sydney, "I'll show you."</p> + +<p>He drew a folded sheet of paper from his pocket and +passed it to the other. Neil scowled over it a moment, +and then looked up helplessly.</p> + +<br><p class="ctr"><img src="images/illus-153.png" width="80%" alt=""></p><br> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked. "Something weird in geometry?"</p> + +<p>"No," laughed Sydney, "it's a play from close-formation. +I drew it this morning."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Neil. "Let's see; what--Here, explain +it; where do I come in?"</p> + +<p>"Why, your position is at the left of quarter, behind +the center-guard, and a little farther back. Full stands +directly behind quarter. See?"</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! if we get into a crowd like that," said Neil, +"we'll get all tied up."</p> + +<p>"No you won't; not the way Mills and Devoe are +teaching it. You see, the idea is to knife the backs +through; there isn't any plunging to speak of and not +much hurdling. The forwards open up a hole, and almost +before the ball's well in play one of the backs is +squirming through. Quarter gives you the ball at a hand-pass, +always; there's no long passing done; except, of +course, for a kick. Being right up to the line when +play begins it only takes you a fraction of a second to +hit it; and then, if the hole's there you're through +before the other side has opened their eyes. Of +course, it all depends on speed and the ability of the +line-men to make holes. You've got to be on your +toes, and you've got to get off them like a streak of +lightning."</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe it's all right," said Neil doubtfully, +"but it looks like a mix-up. Who gets the ball in this play +here?"</p> + +<p>"Right half. Left half plunges through between left-guard +and center to make a diversion. Full-back goes +through between left tackle and end ahead of right half, +who carries the ball. Quarter follows. Of course the play +can be made around end instead. What do you think +of it?"</p> + +<p>"All right; but--I think I'd ought to have the +ball."</p> + +<p>"You would when the play went to the right," +laughed Sydney. "The fact is, I--this particular play +hasn't been used. I sort of got it up myself. I don't +know whether it would be any good. I sometimes try my +hand at inventing plays, just for fun, you know."</p> + +<p>"Really?" exclaimed Neil. "Well, you are smart. +I could no more draw all those nice little cakes and pies +and things than I could fly. And it--it looks plausible, +I think. But I'm no authority on this sort of thing. Are +you going to show it to Devoe?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; I dare say it's no use. It may be as old as +the hills; I suppose it is. It's hard to find anything new +nowadays in football plays."</p> + +<p>"But you don't know," said Neil. "Maybe it's a +good thing. I'll tell you, Syd, you let me have this, and +I'll show it to Mills."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'd rather not," protested Sydney, reddening. +"Of course it doesn't amount to anything; I dare say +he's thought of it long ago."</p> + +<p>"But maybe he hasn't," Neil persuaded. "Come, let +me show it to him, like a good chap."</p> + +<p>"Well--But couldn't you let him think you did +it?"</p> + +<p>"No; I'd be up a tree if he asked me to explain it. +But don't you be afraid of Mills; he's a fine chap. Come +and see me to-morrow night, will you?"</p> + +<p>Sydney agreed, and, arising, swung himself across the +study to where his coat and cap lay.</p> + +<p>"By the way," he asked, "where's Paul to-night?"</p> + +<p>"He's calling on Cowan," answered Neil.</p> + +<p>Sydney looked as though he wanted to say something +and didn't dare. Finally he found courage.</p> + +<p>"I should think he'd stay in his room now that you're +laid up," he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he does," answered Neil. "Paul's all right, +only he's a bit--careless. I guess I've humored him too +much. Good-night. Don't forget to-morrow night."</p> + +<p>Mills called the following forenoon. Ever since +Neil's accident he had made it his duty to inquire daily +after him, and the two were getting very well acquainted. +Neil likened Mills to a crab--rather crusty on the outside, +he told himself, but all right when you got under the +shell. Neil was getting under the shell.</p> + +<p>To-day, after Neil had reported on his state of health +and spirits, he brought out Sydney's diagram. Mills examined +it carefully, silently, for some time. Then he +nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"Not bad; rather clever. Who did it; you?"</p> + +<p>"No, I couldn't if I was to be killed. Sydney Burr +did it. Maybe you've seen him. A cripple; goes around +on a tricycle."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've seen the boy. But does he--has he +played?"</p> + +<p>"Never; he's been a crip all his life." Mills opened +his eyes in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Well, if that's so this is rather wonderful. It's a +good play, Fletcher, but it's not original; that is, not altogether. +But as far as Burr's concerned it is, of course. +Look here, the fellow ought to be encouraged. I'll see +him and tell him to try his hand again."</p> + +<p>"He's coming here this evening," said Neil. "Perhaps +you could look in for a moment?"</p> + +<p>"I will. Let me take this; I want Jones to see it. +He thinks he's a wonder at diagrams," laughed Mills, +"and I want to tell him this was got up by a crippled +freshman who has never kicked a ball!"</p> + +<p>And so that evening Mills and Neil and Sydney +gathered about the big study-table and talked long about +gridiron tactics and strategy and the art of inventing +plays. Mills praised Sydney's production and encouraged +him to try again.</p> + +<p>"But let me tell you first how we're situated," said +the head coach, "so that you will see just what we're +after. Our material is good but light. Robinson will +come into the field on the twenty-third weighing about +eight pounds more to a man in the line and ten pounds +more behind it. That's bad enough, but she's going to play +tackle-back about the way we've taught the second eleven +to play it. Her tackles will weigh about one hundred and +eighty-five pounds each. She will take one of those men, +range him up in front of our center-guard hole, and put +two backs with him, tandem fashion. When that trio, +joined by the other half and the quarter, hits our line +it's going right through it--that is, unless we can find +some means of stopping it. So far we haven't found that +means. We've tried several things; we're still trying; +but we haven't found the play we want.</p> + +<p>"If we're to win that game we've got to play on the +defensive; we've got to stop tackle-back and rely on an +end run now and then and lots of punting to get us within +goal distance. Then our play is to score by a quick run or +a field-goal. The offense we're working up--we'll call it +close-formation for want of a better name--is, we think, +the best we can find. The idea is to open holes quickly +and jab a runner through before our heavier and necessarily +slower opponents can concentrate their weight at +the point of attack. For the close-formation we have, I +think, plays covering every phase. And so, while a good +offensive strategy will be welcome, yet what we stand in +greatest need of is a play to stop Robinson's tackle-tandem. +Now you apparently have ability in this line, Mr. +Burr; and, what's more, you have the time to study the +thing up. Supposing you try your hand and see what +you can do. If you can find what we want--something +that the rest of us can't find, by the way--you'll be doing +as much, if not more, than any of us toward securing a +victory over Robinson. And don't hesitate to come and +see me if you find yourself in a quandary or whenever +you've got anything to show."</p> + +<p>And Sydney trundled himself back to his room and +sat up until after midnight puzzling his brains over the +tackle-tandem play, finally deciding that a better understanding +of the play was necessary before he could hope +to discover its remedy. When he crawled into bed and +closed his tired eyes it was to see a confused jumble of +orange-hued lines and circles running riot in the darkness.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>MAKES A CALL</h3> +<br> + +<p>Despite Neil's absence from Erskine Field, preparation +for the crowning conflict of the year went on with +vigor and enthusiasm. The ranks of the coaches were +swelled from day to day by patriotic alumni, some of +whom were of real help, others of whom merely stood +around in what Devoe called their "store clothes" and +looked wonderfully wise. Some came to stay and took +up quarters in the village, but the most merely tarried +overnight, and, having unburdened themselves to Mills +and Devoe of much advice, went away again, well pleased +with their devotion to alma mater.</p> + +<p>The signals in use during the preliminary season had +now been discarded in favor of the more complicated +system prepared for the "big game." Each day there +was half an hour of secret practise behind closed gates, +after which the assistant coaches emerged looking very +wise and very solemn. The make-up of the varsity +eleven had changed not a little since the game with +Woodby, and was still being changed. Some positions +were, however, permanently filled. For instance, Browning +had firmly established his right to play left-guard, +while the deposed Carey found a rôle eminently suited +to him at right tackle. Stowell became first choice for +center, and the veteran Graham went over to the second +team. Stone at left end, Tucker at left tackle, Devoe +at right end, and Foster at quarter, were fixtures.</p> + +<p>The problem of finding a man for the position of +left half in place of Neil had finally been solved by moving +Paul over there from the other side and giving his +place to Gillam, a last year substitute. Paul's style of +play was very similar to Neil's. He was sure on his feet, +a hard, fast runner, and his line-plunging was often brilliant +and effective. The chief fault with him was that +he was erratic. One day he played finely, the next so +listlessly as to cause the coaches to shake their heads. +His goal-kicking left something to be desired, but as yet +he was as good in that line as any save Neil. Gillam, +although light, was a hard line-bucker and a hurdler +that was afraid of nothing. In fact he gave every indication +of excelling Paul by the time the Robinson game +arrived.</p> + +<p>One cause of Paul's uneven playing was the fact that +he was worried about his studies. He was taking only the +required courses, seven in all, making necessary an attendance +of sixteen hours each week; but Greek and mathematics +were stumbling-blocks, and he was in daily fear +lest he find himself forbidden to play football. He knew +well enough where the trouble lay; he simply didn't give +enough time to study. But, somehow, what with the all-absorbing +subject of making the varsity and the hundred +and one things that took up his time, the hours remaining +for "grinding" were all too few. He wondered how +Neil, who seemed quite as busy as himself, managed to +give so much time to books.</p> + +<p>In one of his weekly evening talks to the football +men Mills had strongly counseled attention to study. +There was no excuse, he had asserted, for any of the candidates +shirking lessons.</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, the fact that you are in training, +that you are living with proper regard for sleep, good +food, fresh air, and plenty of hard physical work, should +and does make you able to study better. In my experience, +I am glad to say, I have known not one football +captain who did not stand among the first few in his class; +and that same experience has proved to me that, almost +without exception, students who go in for athletics are +the best scholars. Healthful exercise and sensible living +go hand in hand with scholarly attainment. I don't mean +to say that every successful student has been an athlete, +but I do say that almost every athlete has been a successful +student. And now that we understand each other in +this matter, none of you need feel any surprise if, should +you get into difficulties with the faculty over your studies, +I refuse, as I shall, to intercede in your behalf. I want +men to deal with who are honest, hard-working athletes, +and honest, hard-working students. My own experience +and that of other coachers with whom I have talked, +proves that the brilliant football player or crew man who +sacrifices class standing for his athletic work may do for +a while, but in the end is a losing investment."</p> + +<p>And on top of that warning Paul had received one +afternoon a printed postal card, filled in here and there +with the pen, which was as follows:</p> + +<p>"Erskine College, <i>November 4, 1901</i>.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Paul Gale.</p> + +<p>"Dear Sir: You are requested to call on the Dean, +Tuesday, November 5th, during the regular office hours.</p> + +<p>"Yours respectfully,</p> + +<p>"Ephraim Levett, <i>Dean</i>."</p> + +<p>Paul obeyed the mandate with sinking heart. When +he left the office it was with a sensation of intense relief +and with a resolve to apply himself so well to his studies +as to keep himself and the Dean thereafter on the merest +bowing acquaintance. And he was, thus far, living up to +his resolution; but as less than a week had gone by, perhaps +his self-gratulation was a trifle early. It may be +that Cowan also was forced to confer with the Dean at +about that time, for he too showed an unusual application +to text-books, and as a result he and Paul saw each other +less frequently.</p> + +<p>On November 6th, one week after Neil's accident and +just two weeks prior to the Robinson game, Erskine +played Arrowden, and defeated her 11-0. Neil, however, +did not witness that contest, for, at the invitation +of and in company with Devoe, he journeyed to Collegetown +and watched Robinson play Artmouth. Devoe had +rather a bad knee, and was nursing it against the game +with Yale at New Haven the following Saturday. Two +of the coaches were also of the party, and all were eager to +get an inkling of the plays that Robinson was going to +spring on Erskine. But Robinson was reticent. Perhaps +her coaches discovered the presence of the Erskine emissaries. +However that may have been, her team used ordinary +formations instead of tackle-back, and displayed +none of the tricks which rumor credited her with having +up her sleeve. But the Erskine party saw enough, nevertheless, +to persuade them one and all that the Purple +need only expect defeat, unless some way of breaking up +the tackle-back play was speedily discovered. Robinson's +line was heavy, and composed almost altogether of last +year material. Artmouth found it well-nigh impregnable, +and Artmouth's backs were reckoned good men.</p> + +<p>"If we had three more men in our line as heavy and +steady as Browning, Cowan, and Carey," said Devoe, +"we might hope to get our backs through; but, as it is, +they'll get the jump on us, I fear, and tear up our offense +before it gets agoing."</p> + +<p>"The only course," answered one of the coaches, "is +to get to work and put starch into the line as well as we +can, and to perfect the backs at kicking and running. +Luckily that close-formation has the merit of concealing +the point of attack until it's under way, and it's just possible +that we'll manage to fool them."</p> + +<p>And so Jones and Mills went to work with renewed +vigor the next day. But the second team, playing tackle-back +after the style of Robinson's warriors, was too much +for any defense that the varsity could put up, and got +its distance time after time. The coaches evolved and +tried several plays designed to stop it, but none proved +really successful.</p> + +<p>Neil returned to practise that afternoon, his right +shoulder protected by a wonderful leather contrivance +which was the cause of much good-natured fun. He +didn't get near the line-up, however, but was allowed to +take part in signal practise, and was then set to kicking +goals from placement. If the reader will button his right +arm inside his coat and try to kick a ball with accuracy +he will gain some slight idea of the difficulty which embarrassed +Neil. When work was over he felt as though he +had been trying, he declared, to kick left-handed. But he +met with enough success to demonstrate that, given opportunity +for practise, one may eventually learn to kick goals +minus anything except feet.</p> + +<p>That happened to be one of Paul's "off days," and +the way he played exasperated the coaches and alarmed +him. He could not hide from himself the evident fact +that Gillam was outplaying him five days a week. With +the return of Neil, Paul expected to be ousted from the +position of left half, and the question that worried him +was whether he would in turn displace Gillam or be sent +back to the second eleven. He was safe, however, for +several days more, for Simson still laughed at Neil's demand +to be put into the line-up, and he was determined +that before the Yale game he would prove himself superior +to Gillam.</p> + +<p>The following morning, Friday, Mills was seated at +the desk in his room making out a list of players who +were to participate in the Robinson game. According +to the agreement between the rival colleges such lists +were required to be exchanged not later than two weeks +prior to the contest. The players had been decided upon +the evening before by all the coaches in assembly, and +his task this morning was merely to recopy the list before +him. He had almost completed the work when he heard +strange sounds outside his door. Then followed a knock, +and, in obedience to his request, Sydney Burr pushed +open the door and swung himself in on his crutches.</p> + +<p>The boy's face was alight with eagerness, and his eyes +sparkled with excitement; there was even a dash of color +in his usually pale cheeks. Mills jumped up and wheeled +forward an easy-chair. But Sydney paid no heed to it.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Mills," he cried exultantly, "I think I've got +it!"</p> + +<p>"Got what?" asked the coach.</p> + +<p>"The play we want," answered Sydney, "the play +that'll stop Robinson!"</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>AND TELLS OF A DREAM</h3> +<br> + +<p>Mills's face lighted up, and he stretched forth an +eager hand.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Burr! Let's see it. Hold on, +though; sit down here first and give me those sticks. +There we are. Now fire ahead."</p> + +<p>"If you don't mind, I'd like to tell you all about it +first, before I show you the diagram," said Sydney, his +eyes dancing.</p> + +<p>"All right; let's hear it," replied the head coach +smiling.</p> + +<p>"Well," began Sydney, "it's been a puzzler. After +I'd seen the second playing tackle-back I about gave up +hopes of ever finding a--an antidote."</p> + +<p>"'Antidote's' good," commented Mills laughingly.</p> + +<p>"I tried all sorts of notions," continued Sydney, "and +spoiled whole reams of paper drawing diagrams. But it +was all nonsense. I had the right idea, though, all the +time; I realized that if that tandem was going to be +stopped it would have to be stopped before it hit our line."</p> + +<p>Mills nodded.</p> + +<p>"I had the idea, as I say, but I couldn't apply it. +And that's the way things stood last night when I went +to bed. I had sat up until after eleven and had used up +all the paper I had, and so when I got into bed I saw +diagrams all over the place and had an awful time to get +to sleep. But at last I did. And then I dreamed.</p> + +<p>"And in the dream I was playing football. That's +the first time I ever played it, and I guess it'll be the last. +I was all done up in sweaters and things until I couldn't +do much more than move my arms and head. It seemed +that we were in 9 Grace Hall, only there was grass +instead of floor, and it was all marked out like a gridiron. +And everybody was there, I guess; the President and the +Dean, and you and Mr. Jones, and Mr. Preston and--and +my mother. It was awfully funny about my mother. +She kept sewing more sweaters on to me all the time, +because, as she said, the more I had on the less likely I +was to get hurt. And Devoe was there, and he was saying +that it wasn't fair; that the football rules distinctly +said that players should wear only one sweater. But +nobody paid any attention to him. And after a bit, when +I was so covered with sweaters that I was round, like a +big ball, the Dean whistled and we got into line--that +is," said Sydney doubtfully, "it was sort of like a line. +There was the President and Neil Fletcher and I on one +side, and all the others, at least thirty of them, on the +other. It didn't seem quite fair, but I didn't like to +object for fear they'd say I was afraid."</p> + +<p>"Well, you <i>did</i> have the nightmare," said Mills. +"Then what?"</p> + +<p>"The other side got into a bunch, and I knew they +were playing tackle-back, although of course they weren't +really; they just all stood together. And I didn't see any +ball, either. Then some one yelled 'Smash 'em up!' and +they started for us. At that Neil--at least I think it was +Neil--and Prexy--I mean the President--took hold of +me, lifted me up like a bag of potatoes, and hurled me +right at the other crowd. I went flying through the air, +turning round and round and round, till I thought I'd +never stop. Then there was an awful bump, I yelled +'Down!' at the top of my lungs--and woke up. I was +on the floor."</p> + +<p>Mills laughed, and Sydney took breath.</p> + +<p>"At first I didn't know what had happened. Then I +remembered the dream, and all on a sudden, like a flash +of lightning, it occurred to me that <i>that</i> was the way to +stop tackle-back!"</p> + +<p>"That? What?" asked Mills, looking puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Why, the bag of potatoes act," laughed Sydney. +"I jumped up, lighted the gas, got pencil and paper +and went back to bed and worked it out. And here +it is."</p> + +<p>He drew a carefully folded slip of paper from his +pocket and handed it across to Mills. The diagram, just +as the head coach received it, is reproduced here.</p> + +<br><p class="ctr"><img src="images/illus-171.png" width="80%" alt=""></p><br> + +<p>Mills studied it for a minute in silence; once he +grunted; once he looked wonderingly up at Sydney. In +the end he laid it beside him on the desk.</p> + +<p>"I think you've got it, Burr," he said quietly, "I +think you've got it, my boy. If this works out the way it +should, your nightmare will be the luckiest thing that's +happened at Erskine for several years. Draw your chair +up here--I beg your pardon; I forgot. I'll do the moving +myself." He placed his own chair beside Sydney's +and handed the diagram to him. "Now just go over this, +will you; tell me just what your idea is."</p> + +<br> +<a name="illus-152.jpg"></a> +<p class="ctr"><a href="images/illus-152.jpg"> +<img src="images/illus-152.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></a><br> +<b>Mills studied the diagram in silence.</b></p> +<br> + +<p>Sydney, still excited over the night's happenings, drew +a ready pencil from his pocket, and began rather breathlessly:</p> + +<p>"I've placed the Robinson players in the positions +that our second team occupies for the tackle-tandem. +Full-back, left tackle, and right half, one behind the +other, back of their guard-tackle hole. Now, as the ball +goes into play their tandem starts. Quarter passes the +ball to tackle, or maybe right half, and they plunge +through our line. That's what they would do if we +couldn't stop them, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"They would, indeed," answered Mills grimly. +"About ten yards through our line!"</p> + +<p>"Well, now we place our left half in our line between +our guard and tackle, and put our full-back +behind him, making a tandem of our own. Quarter +stands almost back of guard, and the other half over +here. When the ball is put in play our tandem starts +at a jump and hits the opposing tandem just at the +moment their quarter passes the ball to their runner. +In other words, we get through on to them before they +can get under way. Our quarter and right half follow +up, and, unless I'm away off on my calculations, that +tackle-tandem is going to stop on its own side of the +line."</p> + +<p>Sydney paused and awaited Mills's opinion. The +latter was silent a moment. Then--</p> + +<p>"Of course," he said, "you've thought of what's +going to happen to that left half?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Sydney, "I have. He's going to get +most horribly banged up. But he's going to stop the +play."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think he is--if he lives," said Mills with a +grim smile. "The only objection that occurs to me this +moment is this: Have we the right to place any player +in a position like this where the punishment is certain to +be terrific, if not absolutely dangerous?"</p> + +<p>"I've thought of that, too," answered Sydney readily. +"And I don't believe we--er--you have."</p> + +<p>"Well, then I think our play's dished at the start."</p> + +<p>"Why, not a bit, sir. Call the players up, explain +the thing to them, and tell them you want a man for that +position."</p> + +<p>"Ah, ask for volunteers, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. And you'll have just as many, I'll bet, as +there are men!"</p> + +<p>Mills smiled.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a desperate remedy, but I believe it's the +only one, and we'll see what can be done. By the way, +I observe that you've taken left half for the victim?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; that's Neil Fletcher. He's the fellow for +it, I think."</p> + +<p>"But I thought he was a friend of yours," laughed +Mills.</p> + +<p>"So he is; that's why I want him to get it; he won't +ask anything better. And he's got the weight and the +speed. The fellow that undertakes it has got to be mighty +quick, and he's got to have weight and plenty of grit. +And that's Neil."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so too. But I don't want him to get +used up and not be able to kick, for we'll need a field-goal +before the game is over, if I'm not greatly mistaken. +However, we can find a man for that place, I've no doubt. +For that matter, we must find two at least, for one will +never last the game through."</p> + +<p>"I suppose not. I--I wish I had a chance at it," said +Sydney longingly.</p> + +<p>"I wish you had," said Mills. "I think you'd stand +all the punishment Robinson would give you. But don't +feel badly that you can't play; as long as you can teach +the rest of us the game you've got honor enough."</p> + +<p>Sydney flushed with pleasure, and Mills took up the +diagram again.</p> + +<p>"Guard and tackle will have their work cut out for +them," he said. "And I'm not sure that left end can't +be brought into it, too. There's one good feature about +Robinson's formation, and that is we can imagine where +it's coming as long as it's a tandem. If we stop them +they'll have to try the ends, and I don't think they'll make +much there. Well, we'll give this a try to-morrow, and +see how it works. By the way, Burr," he went on, "you +can get about pretty well on your crutches, can't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Sydney answered.</p> + +<p>"Good. Then what's to prevent you from coming out +to the field in the afternoons and giving us a hand with +this? Do you think you could afford the time?"</p> + +<p>Sydney's eyes dropped; he didn't want Mills to see +how near the tears were to his eyes.</p> + +<p>"I can afford the time all right," he answered in a +voice that, despite his efforts, was not quite steady, "if +you really think I can be of any use."</p> + +<p>Perhaps Mills guessed the other's pleasure, for he +smiled gently as he answered:</p> + +<p>"I don't think; I'm certain. You know this play +better than I do; it's yours; you know how you want it +to go. You come out and look after the play; we'll +attend to the players. And then, if we find a weak place +in it, we can all get together and remedy it. But you +oughtn't to try and wheel yourself out there and back +every day. You tell me what time you can be ready +each afternoon and I'll see that there's a buggy waiting +for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, really!" Sydney protested. "I'd rather +not! I can get to the field and back easily, without getting +at all tired; in fact, I need the exercise."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you're certain of that," answered the coach. +"But any time you change your mind, or the weather's +bad, let me know. If you can, I'd like you to come +around here again this evening. I'll have Devoe and the +coaches here, and we'll talk this--this 'antidote' over +again. Well, good-by."</p> + +<p>Sydney swung himself to the door, followed by Mills, +and got into his tricycle.</p> + +<p>"About eight this evening, if you can make it, Burr," +said Mills. "Good-by." He stood at the door and +watched the other as he trundled slowly down the street.</p> + +<p>"Poor chap!" he muttered. And then: "Still, I'm +not so sure that he's an object of pity. If he hasn't any +legs worth mentioning, the Almighty made it up to him +by giving him a whole lot of brains. If he can't get about +like the rest of us he's a great deal more contented, I +believe, and if he can't play football he can show others +how to. And," he added, as he returned to his desk, "unless +I'm mistaken, he's done it to-day. Now to mail this +list and then for the 'antidote'!"</p> + +<p>That night in Mills's room the assembled coaches and +captain talked over Sydney's play, discussed it from start +to finish, objected, explained, argued, tore it to pieces +and put it together again, and in the end indorsed it. +And Sydney, silent save when called on for an explanation +of some feature of his discovery, sat with his crutches +beside his chair and listened to many complimentary remarks; +and at ten o'clock went back to Walton and bed, +only to lie awake until long after the town-clock had +struck midnight, excited and happy.</p> + +<p>Had you been at Erskine at any time during the +following two weeks and had managed to get behind the +fence, you would have witnessed a very busy scene. Day +after day the varsity and the second fought like the bitterest +enemies; day after day the little army of coaches +shouted and fumed, pleaded and scolded; and day after +day a youth on crutches followed the struggling, panting +lines, instructing and criticizing, and happier than he had +been at any time in his memory.</p> + +<p>For the "antidote," as they had come to call it, had +been tried and had vindicated its inventor's faith in it. +Every afternoon the second team hammered the varsity +line with the tackle-tandem, and almost every time the +varsity stopped it and piled it up in confusion. The call +for volunteers for the thankless position at the front of +the little tandem of two had resulted just as Sydney +had predicted. Every candidate for varsity honors had +begged for it, and some half dozen or more had been +tried. But in the end the choice had narrowed down +to Neil, Paul, Gillam, and Mason, and these it was that +day after day bore the brunt of the attack, emerging +from each pile-up beaten, breathless, scarred, but happy +and triumphant. Two weeks is short time in which to +teach a new play, but Mills and the others went bravely +and confidently to work, and it seemed that success was +to justify the attempt; for three days before the Robinson +game the varsity had at last attained perfection in +the new play, and the coaches dared at last to hope for +victory.</p> + +<p>But meanwhile other things, pleasant and unpleasant, +had happened, and we must return to the day which had +witnessed the inception of Sydney Burr's "antidote."</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>ROBINSON SENDS A PROTEST</h3> +<br> + +<p>When Sydney left Mills that morning he trundled +himself along Elm Street to Neil's lodgings in the hope +of finding that youth and telling him of his good fortune. +But the windows of the first floor front study +were wide open, the curtains were hanging out over the +sills, and from within came the sound of the broom and +clouds of dust. Sydney turned his tricycle about in disappointment +and retraced his path, through Elm Lane, by +the court-house with its tall white pillars and green shutters, +across Washington Street, the wheels of his vehicle +rustling through the drifts of dead leaves that lined the +sidewalks, and so back to Walton. He had a recitation +at half-past ten, but there was still twenty minutes of +leisure according to the dingy-faced clock on the tower +of College Hall. So he left the tricycle by the steps, +and putting his crutches under his arms, swung himself +into the building and down the corridor to his +study. The door was ajar and he thrust it open with +his foot.</p> + +<p>"Please be careful of the paint," expostulated a +voice, and Sydney paused in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said; "I've just been over to your room +looking for you."</p> + +<p>"Have you? Sorry I wasn't--Say, Syd, listen to +this." Neil dragged a pillow into a more comfortable +place and sat up. He had been stretched at full length +on the big window-seat. "Here it is in a nutshell," he +continued, waving the paper he was reading.</p> + +<blockquote> +"'First a signal, then a thud,<br> + And your face is in the mud.<br> + Some one jumps upon your back,<br> + And your ribs begin to crack.<br> + Hear a whistle. "Down!" That's all.<br> + 'Tis the way to play football.'"<br> +</blockquote> + +<p>"Pretty good, eh? Hello, what's up? Your face +looks as bright as though you'd polished it. How dare +you allow your countenance to express joy when in another +quarter of an hour I shall be struggling over my +head in the history of Rome during the second Punic +War? But there, go ahead; unbosom yourself. I can +see you're bubbling over with delightful news. Have +they decided to abolish the Latin language? Or has +the faculty been kidnaped? Have they changed their +minds and decided to take me with 'em to New +Haven to-morrow? Come, little Bright Eyes, out +with it!"</p> + +<p>Sydney told his good news, not without numerous +eager interruptions from Neil, and when he had ended +the latter executed what he called a "Punic war-dance." +It was rather a striking performance, quite stately and +impressive, for when one's left shoulder is made immovable +by much bandaging it is difficult, as Neil breathlessly +explained, to display <i>abandon</i>--the latter spoken +through the nose to give it the correct French pronunciation.</p> + +<p>"And, if you're not good to me," laughed Sydney, +"I'll get back at you in practise. And I'm to be treated +with respect, also, Neil; in fact, I believe you had better +remove your cap when you see me."</p> + +<p>"All right, old man; cap--sweater--anything! You +shall be treated with the utmost deference. But seriously, +Syd, I'm awfully glad. Glad all around; glad +you've made a hit with the play, and glad you've found +something to beat Robinson with. Now tell me again +about it; where do I come in on it?"</p> + +<p>And so Sydney drew a chair up to the table and +drew more diagrams of the new play, and Neil looked +on with great interest until the bell struck the half-hour, +and they hurried away to recitations.</p> + +<p>The next day the varsity and substitutes went to New +Haven. Neil wasn't taken along, and so when the result +of the game reached the college--Yale 40, Erskine 0--he +was enabled to tell Sydney that it was insanity for +Mills and Devoe to expect to do anything without his +(Neil's) services.</p> + +<p>"If they will leave me behind, Syd, what can they +hope for save rout and disaster? Of course, I realize +that I could not have played, but my presence on the +side-line would have inspired them and have been very, +very helpful. I'm sure the score would have been quite +different, Syd."</p> + +<p>"Yes," laughed the other; "say fifty to nothing."</p> + +<p>"Your levity and disrespect pains me," mourned +Neil.</p> + +<p>But despite the overwhelming nature of the defeat, +Mills and Devoe and the associate coaches found much +to encourage them. No attempt had been made to try +the new defensive play, but Erskine had managed to +make her distance several times. The line had proved +steady and had borne the severe battering of the Yale +backs without serious injury. The Purple's back-field +had played well; Paul had been in his best form, Gillam +had gained ground quite often through Yale's wings, and +Mason, at full-back, had fought nobly. The ends had +proved themselves quick and speedy in getting down +under punts, and several of the Blue's tries around end +had been nipped ingloriously in the bud. But, when all +was said, the principal honors of the contest had fallen +to Ted Foster, Erskine's plucky quarter, whose handling +of the team had been wonderful, and whose catching and +running back of punts had more than once turned the +tide of battle. On the whole, Erskine had put up a +good, fast, well-balanced game; had displayed plenty of +grit, had shown herself well advanced in team-play, and +had emerged practically unscathed from a hard-fought +contest.</p> + +<p>On Monday Neil went into the line-up for a few +minutes, displacing Paul at left-half, but did not form +one of the heroic tandem. His shoulder bothered him a +good deal for the first minute or two, but after he had +warmed up to the work he forgot about it and banged +it around so that Simson was obliged to remonstrate and +threaten to take him out. On the second's twenty yards +Neil was given a chance at a goal from placement, and, +in spite of his right shoulder, and to the delight of the +coaches, sent the leather over the bar. When he turned +and trotted back up the field he almost ran over Sydney, +who was hobbling blithely about the gridiron on his +crutches.</p> + +<p>"Whoa!" cried Neil. "Back up! Hello, Board of +Strategy; how do you find yourself?"</p> + +<p>"That was fine, Neil," said Sydney.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"That goal."</p> + +<p>"Glad you liked it. I was beastly nervous," he +laughed. "Had no idea I could do it. It's so different +trying goals in a game; when you're just off practising it +doesn't seem to bother you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll do. Gale is growling like a bear because +they took him out."</p> + +<p>"Is he?" asked Neil. "I'm sorry. Do you know +whether he stands a good show for the game? Have you +heard Mills or Devoe say anything about it?" Sydney +shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid Gillam's got us both boxed," continued +Neil. "As for me, I suppose they'll let me in because +I can sometimes kick a goal, but I'm worried about Paul. +If he'd only--Farewell, they are lining up again."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe Gale will get into the Robinson +game," thought Sydney as he took himself toward the +side-line. "He seems a good player, but--but you never +can tell what he's going to do; half the time he just sort +of slops around and looks as though he was doing a favor +by playing. I can't see why Neil likes him so well; I +suppose it's because he's so different. Maybe he's a +better sort when you know him real well."</p> + +<p>After practise was ended and the riotous half-hour in +the locker-house was over, Neil found himself walking +back to the campus with Sydney and Paul. Paul entertained +a half-contemptuous liking for Sydney. To Neil +he called him "the crip," but when in Sydney's presence +was careful never to say anything to wound the boy's +feelings--an act of consideration rather remarkable for +Paul, who, while really kind at heart, was oftentimes +careless about the sensibilities of others. This afternoon +Paul was evidently downcast, too downcast to be even +cross.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess it's all up with me," he said as they +passed through the gate and started down Williams Street +toward college. "I'm glad you're back, chum, but I can +see my finish."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said Neil, "you'll be back to-morrow. +Gillam is putting up a star game, and that's a fact; but +your weight will help you, and if you buckle down for +the next few days you'll make it all right."</p> + +<p>But Paul refused to be comforted and remained silent +and gloomy all the way home. Knowing how Paul had +set his heart upon making the varsity for the Robinson +game, Neil began to be rather worried himself. He felt, +unnecessarily of course, in a measure responsible for the +crowning of his friend's ambition. When he had prevailed +on Paul to relinquish the idea of going to Robinson, +he had derided the possibility of Paul failing to +make the Erskine team; and now that possibility was +rapidly assuming the appearance of a probability. Certainly +the fault was Paul's, and not his; but the thought +contained small comfort.</p> + +<p>Next day's practise, in preparation for Erskine's last +game before the Robinson contest, proved Paul's fears +far from groundless. Gillam, Neil, and Mason started +work when the line-up was formed, and Paul looked on +heart-brokenly from the bench. It was not until Neil +had failed twice and succeeded once at field-goals, and +Gillam had been well hammered by the second's tandem +plays, that Paul secured a chance. Then Neil was taken +out and his friend put in.</p> + +<p>Neil wrapped a frayed gray blanket about his shoulders +and reflected ruefully upon events. He knew that +he had played poorly; that he had twice tied up the +play by allowing his thoughts to wander; that his end-running +had been slow, almost listless, and that his performance +at goal-kicking had been miserable. He had +missed two tries from placement, one on the twenty yards +and another on the twenty-seven, and had only succeeded +at a drop-kick by the barest of margins. He couldn't +even lay the blame on his injured shoulder, for that was +no longer a factor in his playing; the bandages were off +and only a leather pad remained to remind him of the +incident. No, he had simply worried his stupid head +over Paul's troubles, he told himself, and had thereby +disappointed the coaches, the captain, and himself. Simson +found him presently and sent him trotting about the +field, an exercise that worked some of his gloom off and +left him in a fairly cheerful frame of mind when he ran +up the locker-house steps.</p> + +<p>But at dinner he found that his appetite had almost +deserted him. Simson observed him gravely, and after +the meal was over questioned closely. Neil answered +rather irritably, and the trainer's uneasiness increased; +but he only said:</p> + +<p>"Go to bed early to-night and lay off to-morrow. +You'll be better by Monday. And you might take a +walk to-morrow afternoon; go off into the country somewhere; +see if you can't find some one to go with you. +How's the shoulder? No trouble there, is there?"</p> + +<p>"No, there's no trouble anywhere; I just wasn't +hungry."</p> + +<p>"Well, you do what I've told you and you'll get your +appetite back, my boy."</p> + +<p>Neil turned away frowning and took himself to his +lodging, feeling angry with Simson because he was going +to keep him off the field, and angry with himself because--oh, +just because he was.</p> + +<p>But Neil was not the only person concerned with +Erskine athletics who was out of sorts that night. A +general air of gloom had pervaded the dinner-table. +Mills had been even silenter than usual; the three other +coaches present had been plainly worried, and Simson, +in spite of his attempts to keep the conversation cheerful, +had showed that he too was bothered about something. +A bomb-shell had landed in the Erskine camp +and had exploded in Mills's quarters.</p> + +<p>On the front steps Neil met Cowan. The two always +nodded to each other, but to-night Neil's curt salutation +went unheeded. Cowan, with troubled face, hurried by +him and went up the street toward Mills's rooms.</p> + +<p>"Every one's grouchy to-night," muttered Neil. +"Even Cowan looks as though he was going to be shot."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the athletic authorities of Erskine and +the coaches were met in extraordinary session. They +were considering a letter which had arrived that afternoon +from Collegetown. In the letter Robinson announced +her protest of Thomas L. Cowan, right-guard on +the Erskine football team, on the score of professionalism.</p> + +<p>"It just means," wailed Foster, who had brought the +tidings to Neil and Paul, "that it's all over with us. I +don't know what Cowan has to say, but I'll bet a--I'll +bet my new typewriter!--that Robinson's right. And +with Cowan gone from right-guard, where are we? We +haven't the ghost of a show. The only fellow they can +play in his place is Witter, and he's a pygmy. Not that +Witter doesn't know the position, for he does; but he's +too light. Was there ever such luck? What good is +Burr's patent, double-action, self-inking, cylindrical, +switch-back defense if we haven't got a line that will hold +together long enough for us to get off our toes? It--it's +rotten luck, that's what it is."</p> + +<p>And the varsity quarter-back groaned dolorously.</p> + +<p>"But what does Cowan say?" asked Neil.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me," said Foster. "I don't know what +he says, and I don't believe it will matter. He's got professional +written all over his face."</p> + +<p>"But he played last year," said Paul. "Why didn't +they protest him then?"</p> + +<p>"I'll pass again," answered Foster. "Maybe they +hadn't discovered it--whatever it is--then; maybe--"</p> + +<p>"Listen!" said Neil.</p> + +<p>Some one stamped up the steps and entered the front +door. Foster looked questioningly at Neil.</p> + +<p>"Cowan?" he whispered. Neil nodded.</p> + +<p>Foster sprang to the study door and threw it open. +The light from the room fell on the white and angry +countenance of the right-guard.</p> + +<p>"Cowan," said Foster, "for heaven's sake, man, tell +us about it! Is it all right?"</p> + +<p>But Tom Cowan only glared as he passed on up the +stairs.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>A PLAN AND A CONFESSION</h3> +<br> + +<p>Robinson's protest set forth succinctly that Cowan had, +three years previous, played left tackle on the football +team of a certain academy--whose right to the title of +academy was often questioned--and had received money +for his services. Dates and other particulars were liberally +supplied, and the name and address of the captain +of the team were given. Altogether, the letter was discouragingly +convincing, and neither the coaches, the captain, +nor the athletic officers really doubted the truth of +the charge.</p> + +<p>Professor Nast, the chairman of the Athletic Committee, +blinked gravely through his glasses and looked +about the room.</p> + +<p>"You've sent for Mr. Cowan?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Mills answered; "he ought to be here in a +minute. How in the world was he allowed to get on to +the team?"</p> + +<p>"Well, his record was gone over, as we believed, very +thoroughly year before last," said Professor Nast; "and +we found nothing against him. I think--ah--it seems +probable that he unintentionally misled us. Perhaps he +can--ah--explain."</p> + +<p>When, however, Cowan faced the group of grave-faced +men it was soon evident that explanations were +far from his thoughts. He had heard enough before the +summons reached him to enable him to surmise what +awaited him, and when Professor Nast explained their +purpose in calling him before them, Cowan only displayed +what purported to be honest indignation. He +stormed violently against the Robinson authorities +and defied them to prove their charge. Mills listened +a while impatiently and then interrupted him +abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Do you deny the charge, Cowan, or don't you?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"I refuse to reply to it," answered Cowan angrily. +"Let them think what they want to; I'm not responsible +to them. It's all revenge, nothing else. They tried to +get me to go to them last September; offered me free +coaching, and guaranteed me a position on the team. I +refused. And here's the result."</p> + +<p>Professor Nast brightened and a few of those present +looked relieved. But Mills refused to be touched by +Cowan's righteousness, and asked brusquely:</p> + +<p>"Never mind what their motive is, Cowan. What +we want to know is this: Did you or did you not accept +money for playing left tackle on that team? Let us have +an answer to that, please."</p> + +<p>"It's absurd," said Cowan hotly. "Why, I only +played three games--"</p> + +<p>"Yes or no, please," said Mills.</p> + +<p>For an instant Cowan's gaze faltered. He glanced +swiftly about the room and read only doubt or antagonism +in the faces there. He shrugged his broad shoulders +and replied sneeringly:</p> + +<p>"What's the good? You're all down on me now; +you wouldn't believe me if I told you."</p> + +<p>"We're not all down on you," answered Mills. Professor +Nast interrupted.</p> + +<p>"One moment, Mr. Mills. I don't think Mr. Cowan +understands the--ah--the position we are in. Unless +you can show to our satisfaction that the charge is untrue, +Mr. Cowan, we shall be obliged, under the terms +of our agreement with Robinson, to consider you ineligible. +In that case, you could not, of course, play against +Robinson; in fact, you would not be admitted to any +branch of university athletics. Now, don't you think +that the best course for you to follow is to make a +straightforward explanation of your connection with the +academy in question? We are not here to judge the--ah--ethics +of your course; only to decide as to whether +or no you are eligible to represent the college in +athletics."</p> + +<p>Cowan arose from his seat and with trembling fingers +buttoned his overcoat. His brow was black, but when +he spoke, facing the head coach and heedless of the rest, +he appeared quite cool.</p> + +<p>"Ever since practise began," he said, "you have been +down on me and have done everything you could to get +rid of me. No matter what I did, it wasn't right. +Whether I'm eligible or ineligible, I'm done with you +now. You may fill my place--if you can; I'm out of it. +You'll probably be beaten; but that's your affair. If +you are, I sha'n't weep over it."</p> + +<p>He walked to the door and opened it.</p> + +<p>"It's understood, I guess, that I've resigned from +the team?" he asked, facing Mills once more.</p> + +<p>"Quite," said the latter dryly.</p> + +<p>"All right. And now I don't mind telling you that +I did get paid for playing with that team. I played +three games and took money every time. It isn't a +crime and I'm not ashamed of it, although to hear you +talk you'd think I'd committed murder. Good-night, +gentlemen."</p> + +<p>He passed out. Professor Nast blinked nervously.</p> + +<p>"Dear me," he murmured, "dear me, how unpleasant!"</p> + +<p>Mills smiled grimly, and, rising, stretched his limbs.</p> + +<p>"I think what we have left to do won't take very +long. I hardly think that it is necessary for me to reply +to the accusations brought by the gentleman who has +just left us."</p> + +<p>"No, let's hear no more of it," said Preston. "I +propose that we reply to Robinson to-night and have an +end of the business. To-morrow we'll have plenty to +think of without this," he added grimly.</p> + +<p>The reply was written and forwarded the next day +to Robinson, and the following announcement was given +out at Erskine:</p> + +<blockquote> +The Athletic Committee has decided that Cowan +is not eligible to represent the college in the football +game with Robinson, and he has been withdrawn. A +protest was received from the Robinson athletic authorities +yesterday afternoon, and an investigation was at +once made with the result stated. The loss of Cowan +will greatly weaken the team, it is feared, but that fact +has not been allowed to influence the committee. The +decision is heartily concurred in by the coaches, the captain, +and all officials, and, being in line with Erskine's +policy of purity in athletics, should have the instant +indorsement of the student body.<br> +<br> +H.W. NAST, <i>Chairman</i>.<br> +</blockquote> + +<p>The announcement, as was natural, brought consternation, +and for several days the football situation +was steeped in gloom. Witter and Hurst were seized +upon by the coaches and drilled in the tactics of right-guard. +As Foster had said, Witter, while he was a good +player, was light for the position. Hurst, against whom +no objection could be brought on the ground of weight, +lacked experience. In the end Witter proved first choice, +and Hurst was comforted with the knowledge that he +was practically certain to get into the game before the +whistle sounded for the last time.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Artmouth came and saw and conquered +to the tune of 6-0, profiting by the news of Cowan's +withdrawal and piling their backs through Witter, Hurst, +and Brown, all of whom took turns at right-guard. The +game was not encouraging from the Erskine point of +view, and the gloom deepened. Foster declared that it +was so thick during the last half of the contest that he +couldn't see the backs. Neil saw the game from the +bench, and Paul, once more at left-half, played an excellent +game; but, try as he might, could not outdo Gillam. +When it was over Neil declared the honors even, but +Paul took a less optimistic view and would not be +comforted.</p> + +<p>All the evening, save for a short period when he +went upstairs to sympathize with Cowan, he bewailed +his fate into Neil's ears. The latter tried his best to comfort +him, and predicted that on Monday Paul would +find himself in Gillam's place. But he scarcely believed +it himself, and so his prophecies were not convincing.</p> + +<p>"What's the good of being decent?" asked Paul dolefully. +"I wish I'd gone to Robinson."</p> + +<p>"No, you don't," said Neil. "You'd rather sit on +the side-line at Erskine than play with a lot of hired +sluggers."</p> + +<p>"Much you know about it," Paul growled. "If I +don't get into the Robinson game I'll--I'll leave college."</p> + +<p>"But what good would that do?" asked Neil.</p> + +<p>"I'd go somewhere where I'd stand a show. I'd go +to Robinson or one of the smaller places."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you'd do anything as idiotic as that," +answered Neil. "It'll be hard luck if you miss the big +game, but you've got three more years yet. What's +one? You're certain to stand the best kind of a show +next year."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how. Gillam doesn't graduate until +1903."</p> + +<p>"But you can beat him out for the place next +year. All you need is more experience. Gillam's been +at it two years here. Besides, it would be silly to leave +a good college just because you couldn't play on the football +team. Don't be like Cowan and think football's +the only thing a chap comes here for."</p> + +<p>"They've used him pretty shabbily," said Paul.</p> + +<p>"That's what Cowan thinks. I don't see how they +could do anything else."</p> + +<p>"He's awfully cut up. I'm downright sorry for him. +He says he's going to pack up and leave."</p> + +<p>"And he's been trying to make you do the same, +eh?" asked Neil. "Well, you tell him I'm very well +satisfied with Erskine and haven't the least desire to +change."</p> + +<p>"You?" asked Paul.</p> + +<p>"Certainly. We hang together, don't we?"</p> + +<p>Paul grinned.</p> + +<p>"You're a good chap, chum," he said gratefully. +"But--" relapsing again into gloom--"you're not losing +your place on the team, and you don't know how it feels. +When a fellow's set his heart on it--"</p> + +<p>"I think I do know," answered Neil. "I know how +I felt when my shoulder went wrong and I thought I +was off for good and all. I didn't like it. But cheer +up, Paul, and give 'em fits Monday. Slam 'round, let +yourself loose; show 'em what you can do. Down with +Gillam!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I dare say," muttered Paul dejectedly.</p> + +<p>Neil laid awake a long time that night; he was full +of sympathy for his room-mate. With him friendship +meant more than it does to the average boy of nineteen, +and he was ready and eager to do anything in his power +that would insure Paul's getting into the Robinson game. +The trouble was that he could think of nothing, although +he lay staring into the darkness, thinking and thinking, +until Paul had been snoring comfortably across the room +for more than an hour.</p> + +<p>The next afternoon, Sunday, Neil, obeying the trainer's +instructions, went for a walk. Paul begged off from +accompanying him, and Neil sought Sydney. That youth +was delighted to go, and so, Neil alternately pushing +the tricycle and walking beside it while Sydney propelled +it himself, the two followed the river for several +miles into the country. The afternoon was cold but +bright, and being outdoors was a pleasure to any healthy +person. Neil forgot some of his worries and remembered +that, after all, he was still a boy; that football is not +the chief thing in college life, and that ten years hence +it would matter little to him whether he played for his +university against her rival or looked on from the bench. +And it was that thought that suggested to him a means +of sparing Paul the bitter disappointment that he +dreaded.</p> + +<p>The plan seemed both simple and feasible, and he +wondered why he had not thought of it before. To be +sure, it involved the sacrificing of an ambition of his +own; but to-day, out here among the pines and beeches, +with the clear blue sky overhead and the eager breeze +bringing the color to his cheeks, the sacrifice seemed +paltry and scarcely a sacrifice at all. He smiled to himself, +glad to have found the solution of Paul's trouble, +which was also his own; but suddenly it occurred to him +that perhaps he had no right to do what he contemplated. +The ethics were puzzling, and presently he +turned to Sydney, who had been silently and contentedly +wheeling himself along across the road, and sought +his counsel.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Syd, you're a level-headed sort of chump. +Give me your valuable opinion on this, will you? Now--it's +a supposititious case, you know--here are two fellows, +A and B, each trying for the same--er--prize. +Now, supposing A has just about reached it and B has +fallen behind; and supposing I--"</p> + +<p>"Eh?" asked Sydney.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I meant A. Supposing A knows that B is +just as deserving of the prize as he is, and that--that +he'll make equally as good use of it. Do you follow, +Syd?"</p> + +<p>"Y--yes, I think so," answered the other doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, now, the question I want your opinion on is +this: Wouldn't it be perfectly fair for A to--well, slip +a cog or two, you know--"</p> + +<p>"Slip a cog?" queried Sydney, puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Yes; that is," explained Neil, "play off a bit, but +not enough for any of the fellows to suspect, and so let B +get the plum?"</p> + +<p>"Well," answered Sydney, after a moment's consideration, +"it sounds fair enough--"</p> + +<p>"That's what I think," said Neil eagerly.</p> + +<p>"But maybe A and B are not the only ones interested. +How about the conditions of the contest? Don't +they require that each man shall do his best? Isn't it +intended that the prize shall go to the one who really is +the best?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, in a manner, maybe," answered Neil. He +was silent a moment. The ethics was more puzzling than +ever. Then: "Of course, it's only a supposititious case, +you understand, Syd," he assured him earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course," answered the other readily. +"Hadn't we better turn here?"</p> + +<p>The journey back was rather silent. Neil was struggling +with his problem, and Sydney, too, seemed to have +something on his mind. When the town came once more +into view around a bend in the road Sydney interrupted +Neil's thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Say, Neil, I've got a--a confession to make." His +cheeks were very red and he looked extremely embarrassed. +Neil viewed him in surprise.</p> + +<p>"A confession? You haven't murdered the Dean, +have you?"</p> + +<p>"No. It--it's something rather different. I don't +believe that it will make any difference in our--our +friendship, but--it might."</p> + +<p>"It won't," said Neil. "Now, fire ahead."</p> + +<p>"Well, you recollect the day you found me on +the way from the field and pushed me back to college?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. Your old ice-wagon had broken down +and I--"</p> + +<p>"That's it," interrupted Sydney, with a little embarrassed +laugh. "It hadn't."</p> + +<p>"What hadn't? Hadn't what?"</p> + +<p>"The machine; it hadn't broken down."</p> + +<p>"But I saw it," exclaimed Neil. "What do you +mean, Syd?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that it hadn't really broken down, Neil. +I--the truth is I had pried one of the links up with a +screw-driver."</p> + +<p>Neil stared in a puzzled way.</p> + +<p>"But--what for?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Don't you understand?" asked Sydney, shame-faced. +"Because I wanted to know you, and I thought +if you found me there with my machine busted you'd +try to fix it; and I'd make your acquaintance. It--it was +awfully dishonest, I know," muttered Sydney at the last.</p> + +<p>Neil stared for a moment in surprise. Then he +clapped the other on the shoulder and laughed uproariously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, to think of guileless little Syd being so foxy!" +he cried. "I wouldn't have believed it if any one else +had told me, Syd."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Sydney, very red in the face, but joining +in the laughter, "you don't mind?"</p> + +<p>"Mind?" echoed Neil, becoming serious again, "why +of course I don't. What is there to mind, Syd? I'm +glad you did it, awfully glad." He laid his arm over +the shoulders of the lad on the seat. "Here, let me +push a while. Queer you should have cared that much +about knowing me; but--but I'm glad." Suddenly his +laughter returned.</p> + +<p>"No wonder that old fossil in the village thought +it was a queer sort of a break," he shouted. "He knew +what he was talking about after all when he suggested +cold-chisels, didn't he?"</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>NEIL IS TAKEN OUT</h3> +<br> + +<p>The Tuesday before the final contest dawned raw +and wet. The elms in the yard <i>drip-dripped</i> from every +leafless twig and a fine mist covered everything with +tiny beads of moisture. The road to the field, trampled +by many feet, was soft and slippery. Sydney, almost +hidden beneath rain-coat and oil-skin hat, found traveling +hard work. Ahead of him marched five hundred +students, marshaled by classes, a little army of bobbing +heads and flapping mackintoshes, alternately cheering and +singing. Dana, the senior-class president, strode at the +head of the line and issued his commands through a big +purple megaphone.</p> + +<p>Erskine was marching out to the field to cheer the +eleven and to practise the songs that were to be chanted +defiantly at the game. Sydney had started with his class, +but had soon been left behind, the rubber tires of the +machine slipping badly in the mud. Presently the head +of the procession, but dimly visible to him through the +mist, turned in at the gate, the monster flag of royal +purple, with its big white E, drooping wet and forlorn +on its staff. They were cheering again now, and Sydney +whispered an accompaniment behind the collar of his +coat:</p> + +<p>"Erskine! Erskine! Erskine! Rah-rah-rah, rah-rah-rah, +rah-rah-rah! Erskine! Erskine! Erskine!"</p> + +<p>Suddenly footsteps sounded behind him and the tricycle +went forward apparently of its own volition. Sydney +turned quickly and saw Mills's blue eyes twinkling +down at him.</p> + +<p>"Did I surprise you?" laughed the coach.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I thought my wheel had suddenly turned into +an automobile."</p> + +<p>"Hard work for you, I'm afraid. You should have +let me send a trap for you," said Mills. "Never mind +those handles. Put your hands in your pockets and I'll +get you there in no time. What a beast of a day, +isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Y--yes," answered Sydney, "I suppose it is. But I +rather like it."</p> + +<p>"Like it? Great Scott! Why?"</p> + +<p>"Well, the mist feels good on your face, don't you +think so? And the trees down there along the railroad +look so gray and soft. I don't know, but there's something +about this sort of a day that makes me feel good."</p> + +<p>"Well, every one to his taste," Mills replied. "By +the way, here's something I cut out of the Robinson +Argus; thought you'd like to see it." He drew a clipping +from a pocketbook and gave it to Sydney, who, +shielding it from the wet, read as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> +Erskine, we hear, is crowing over a wonderful new +play which she thinks she has invented, and with which +she expects to get even for what happened last year. +We have not seen the new marvel, of course, but we +understand that it is called a "close formation." It is +safe to say that it is an old play revamped by Erskine's +head coach, Mills. Last year Mills discovered a form of +guards-back which was heralded to the four corners of +the earth as the greatest play ever seen. What happened +to it is still within memory. Consequently we +are not greatly alarmed over the latest production of his +fertile brain. Robinson can, we think, find a means of +solving any puzzle that Erskine can put together. +</blockquote> + +<p>"They're rather hard on you," laughed Sydney as +he returned the clipping.</p> + +<p>"I can stand it. I'm glad they haven't discovered +that we are busy with a defense for their tackle-tandem. +If we can keep that a secret for a few days longer I +shall be satisfied."</p> + +<p>"I do hope it will come up to expectations," said +Sydney doubtfully. "Now that the final test is drawing +near I'm beginning to fear that maybe we--maybe we're +too hopeful."</p> + +<p>"I know," answered Mills. "It's always that way. +When I first began coaching I used to get into a regular +blue funk every year just before the big game; used to +think that everything was going wrong, and was firmly +convinced until the whistle sounded that we were going +to be torn to pieces and scattered to the winds. It's +just nerves; you get used to it after a while. As for the +new defense for tackle-tandem, it's all right. Maybe it +won't stop Robinson altogether, but it's the best thing +that a light team can put up against a heavy one playing +Robinson's game; and I think that it's going to surprise +her and worry her quite a lot. Whether it will keep +her from scoring on the tackle play remains to be seen. +That's a good deal to hope for. If we'd been able to +try the play in a game with another college we would +know more about what we can do with it. As it is, we +only know that it will stop the second and that theoretically +it is all right. We'll be wiser on the 23d.</p> + +<p>"Frankly, though, Burr," he continued, "as a play +I don't like it. That is, I consider it too hard on the +men; there's too much brute force and not enough science +and skill about it; in fact, it isn't football. But as long +as guards-back and tackle-back formations are allowed +it's got to be played. It was a mistake in ever allowing +more than four men behind the line. The natural formation +of a football team consists of seven players in the +line, and when you begin to take one or two of those +players back you're increasing the element of physical +force and lessening the element of science. More than +that, you're playing into the hands of the anti-football +people, and giving them further grounds for their charge +of brutality.</p> + +<p>"Football's the noblest game that's played, but it's +got to be played right. We did away with the old mass-play +evil and then promptly invented the guards-back +and the tackle-back. Before long we'll see our mistake +and do away with those too; revise the rules so that the +rush-line players can not be drawn back. Then we'll +have football as it was meant to be played; and we'll +have a more skilful game and one of more interest both +to the players and spectators." Mills paused and then +asked:</p> + +<p>"By the way, do you see much of Fletcher?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, quite a bit," answered Sydney. "We were +together for two or three hours yesterday afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Indeed? And did you notice whether he appeared +in good spirits? See any signs of worry?"</p> + +<p>"No, not that I recall. I thought he appeared to +be feeling very cheerful. I know we laughed a good +deal over--over something."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, then," answered the coach as they +turned in through the gate and approached the locker-house. +"I had begun to think that perhaps he had something +on his mind that troubled him. He seemed a bit +listless yesterday at practise. How about his studies? +All right there, is he?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. Fletcher gets on finely. He was saying +only a day or two ago that he was surprised to find them +going so easily."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't mention our talk to him, please; he +might start to worrying, and that's what we don't want, +you know. Perhaps he'll be in better shape to-day. +We'll try him in the 'antidote.'"</p> + +<p>But contrary to the hopes of the head coach, Neil +showed no improvement. His playing was slow, and he +seemed to go at things in a half-hearted way far removed +from his usual dash and vim. Even the signals appeared +to puzzle him at times, and more than once Foster turned +upon him in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Say, what the dickens is the matter with you, Neil?" +he whispered once. Neil showed surprise.</p> + +<p>"Why, nothing; I'm all right."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad you told me," grumbled the +quarter-back, "for I'd never have guessed it, my +boy."</p> + +<p>Before the end of the ten minutes of open practise was +over Neil had managed to make so many blunders that +even the fellows on the seats noticed and remarked upon +it. Later, when the singing and cheering were over and +the gates were closed behind the last marching freshman, +Neil found himself in hot water. The coaches descended +upon him in a small army, and he stood bewildered while +they accused him of every sin in the football decalogue. +Devoe took a hand, too, and threatened to put him off +if he didn't wake up.</p> + +<p>"Play or get off the field," he said. "And, hang it +all, man, look intelligent, as though you liked the game!"</p> + +<p>Neil strove to look intelligent by banishing the expression +of bewilderment from his face, and stood patiently +by until the last coach had hurled the last bolt +at his defenseless head--defenseless, that is, save for the +head harness that was dripping rain-drops down his neck. +Then he trotted off to the line-up with a queer, half-painful +grin on his face.</p> + +<p>"I guess it's settled for me," he said to, himself, as +he rubbed his cold, wet hands together. "Evidently I +sha'n't have to play off to give Paul his place; I've done +it already. I suppose I've been bothering my head about +it until I've forgotten what I've been doing. I wish +though--" he sighed--"I wish it hadn't been necessary +to disgust Mills and Bob Devoe and all the others who +have been so decent and have hoped so much of me. But +it's settled now. Whether it's right or wrong, I'm going +to play like a fool until they get tired of jumping on me +and just yank me out in sheer disgust.</p> + +<p>"Simson's got his eagle eye on me, the old ferret! +And he will have me on the hospital list to-morrow, I'll +bet a dollar. He'll say I've gone 'fine' and tell me to +get plenty of sleep and stay outdoors. And the doctor +will give me a lot of nasty medicine. Well, it's all in +the bargain. I'd like to have played in Saturday's game, +though; but Paul has set his heart on it, and if he doesn't +make the team he'll have seven fits. It means more to +him than it does to me, and next fall will soon be here. +I can wait."</p> + +<p>"<i>Fletcher! Wake up, will you</i>?"</p> + +<p>Foster was glaring at him angrily. The blood rushed +into Neil's face and he leaped to his position. Even Ted +Foster's patience had given out, Neil told himself; and +he, like all the rest, would have only contempt for him +to-morrow. The ball was wet and slimy and easily fumbled. +Neil lost it the first time it came into his hands.</p> + +<p>"Who dropped that ball?" thundered Mills, striding +into the back-field, pushing players left and right.</p> + +<p>"I did," answered Neil, striving to meet the coach's +flashing eyes and failing miserably.</p> + +<p>"You did? Well, do it just once more, Fletcher, +and you'll go off! And you'll find it hard work getting +back again, too. Bear that in mind, please." He turned +to the others. "Now get together here! Put some life +into things! Stop that plunging right here! If the +second gets another yard you'll hear from me!"</p> + +<p>"First down; two yards to gain!" called Jones, who +was acting as referee.</p> + +<p>The second came at them again, tackle-back, desperately, +fighting hard. But the varsity held, and on the +next down held again.</p> + +<p>"That's better," cried Mills.</p> + +<p>"Use your weight, Baker!" shrieked one of the second's +coaches, slapping the second's left-guard fiercely on +the back to lend vehemence to the command.</p> + +<p>"Center, your man got you that time," cried another. +"Into him now! Throw him back! Get through!"</p> + +<p>Ten coaches were raving and shrieking at once.</p> + +<p>"Signal!" cried the second's quarter, Reardon. The +babel was hushed, save for the voice of Mills crying:</p> + +<p>"Steady! Steady! Hold them, varsity!"</p> + +<p>"<i>44--64--73--81!</i>" came Reardon's muffled voice. +Then the second's backs plunged forward. Neil and Gillam +met them with a crash; cries and confusion reigned; +the lines shoved and heaved; the backs hurled themselves +against the swaying group; a smothered voice gasped +"Down!" the whistle shrilled.</p> + +<p>"Varsity's ball!" said the referee. "First down!"</p> + +<p>The coaches began their tirades anew. Mills spoke +to Foster aside. Then the lines again faced each other. +Foster glanced back toward Neil.</p> + +<p>"<i>14--12--34--9!</i>" he sang. It was a kick from +close formation. Neil changed places with full-back. +He had forgotten for the moment the rôle he had set +himself to play, and only thought of the ball that was +flying toward him from center. He would do his best. +The pigskin settled into his hands and he dropped it +quickly, kicking it fairly on the rebound. But the second +was through, and the ball banged against an upstretched +hand and was lost amidst a struggling group of players. +In a moment it came to light tightly clutched by Brown +of the second eleven.</p> + +<p>"I don't have to make believe," groaned Neil. +"Fate's playing squarely into my hands."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later the leather went to him for a run +outside of left tackle. He never knew whether he tried +to do it or really stumbled, but he fell before the line +was reached, and in a twinkling three of the second +eleven were pushing his face into the muddy turf. The +play had lost the varsity four yards. Mills glared at +Neil, but said not a word. Neil smiled weakly as he +went back to his place.</p> + +<p>"I needn't try any more," he thought wearily. +"He's made up his mind to put me off."</p> + +<p>A minute later the half ended. When the next one +began Paul Gale went in at left half-back on the varsity. +And Neil, trotting to the locker-house, told himself that +he was glad, awfully glad, and wished the tears wouldn't +come into his eyes.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>ON THE EVE OF BATTLE</h3> +<br> + +<p>Neil was duly pronounced "fine" by the trainer, +dosed by the doctor, and disregarded by the coaches. +Mills, having finally concluded that he was too risky a +person for the line-up on Saturday, figuratively labeled +him "declined" and passed him over to Tassel, head +coach of the second eleven. Tassel displayed no enthusiasm, +for a good player gone "fine" is at best a poor +acquisition, and of far less practical value than a poor +player in good condition. It made little difference to +Neil what team he belonged to, for he was prohibited +from playing on Wednesday, and on Thursday the last +practise took place and he was in the line-up but five +minutes. On that day the students again marched to +the field and practised their songs and cheers. Despite +the loss of Cowan and the lessening thereby of Erskine's +chance of success, enthusiasm reigned high. Perhaps +their own cheers raised their spirit, for two days before +the game the college was animated by a totally unwarranted +degree of hopefulness that amounted almost to +confidence. The coaches, however, remained carefully +pessimistic and took pains to see that the players did +not share the general hopefulness.</p> + +<p>"We may win," said Mills to them after the last +practise, "but don't think for a moment that it's going +to be easy. If we do come out on top it will be because +every one of you has played as he never dreamed he +could play. You've got to play your own positions +perfectly and then help to play each other's. Remember +what I've said about team-play. Don't think that +your work is done when you've put your man out; that's +the time for you to turn around and help your neighbor. +It's just that eagerness to aid the next man, that +stand-and-fall-together spirit, that makes the ideal team. I +don't want to see any man on Saturday standing around +with his hands at his sides; as long as the ball's in play +there's work for every one. Don't cry 'Down' until you +can't run, crawl, wriggle, roll, or be pulled another inch. +And if you're helping the runner don't stop pulling or +shoving until there isn't another notch to be gained. +Never mind how many tacklers there are; the ball's in +play until the whistle sounds. And, one thing more, +remember that you're not going to do your best because +I tell you to, or because if you don't the coaches will +give you a wigging, or because a lot of your fellows are +looking on. You're going to fight your hardest, fight +until the last whistle blows, fight long after you can't +fight any more, because you're wearing the Purple of +old Erskine and can't do anything else but fight!"</p> + +<p>The cheer that followed was good to hear. There +was not a fellow there that didn't feel, at that moment, +more than a match for any two men Robinson could set +up against him. And many a hand clenched involuntarily, +and many a player registered his silent vow to +fight, as Mills had said, long after he couldn't fight any +more, and, if it depended on him, win the game for old +Erskine.</p> + +<p>On Friday afternoon the men were assembled in the +gymnasium and were drilled in signals and put through +a hard examination in formations. Afterward several +of the coaches addressed them earnestly, touching each +man on the spot that hurt, showing them where they +failed and how to remedy their defects, but never goading +them to despondency.</p> + +<p>"I should be afraid of a team that was perfect the +day before the game," said Preston; "afraid that when +the real struggle came they'd disappoint me. A team +should go into the final contest with the ability to play +a little better than it has played at any time during the +season; with a certain amount of power in reserve. And +so I expect to-morrow to see almost all of the faults that +we have talked of eliminated. I expect to see every man +do that little better that means so much. And if he +does he'll make Mr. Mills happy, he'll make all the other +coaches happy, he'll make his captain and himself happy, +and he'll make the college happy. And he'll make Robinson +unhappy!"</p> + +<p>Then the line-up that was to start the game was read. +Neil, sitting listlessly between Paul and Foster, heard +it with a little ache at his heart. He was glad that Paul +was not to be disappointed, but it was hard to think +that he was to have no part in the supreme battle for +which he had worked conscientiously all the fall, and +the thought of which had more than once given him +courage to go on when further effort seemed impossible.</p> + +<p>"Stone, Tucker, Browning, Stowell, Witter, Carey, +Devoe, Foster, Gale--"</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Paul," whispered Neil. Then he +sighed as the list went on--</p> + +<p>"Gillam, Mason."</p> + +<p>Then a long string of substitutes was read. Neil's +name was among these, but that fact meant little enough.</p> + +<p>"Every man whose name has been read report at +eleven to-morrow for lunch. Early to bed is the rule for +every one to-night, and I want every one to obey it." +Mills paused; then he went on in softer tones: "Some +of you are disappointed. Some of you have worked +faithfully--you all have, for that matter--only to meet +with disappointment to-day. But we can't put you all +in the line-up; I wish we could. But to those who have +tried so hard and so honestly for positions in to-morrow's +game, and who have of necessity been left out, I can +only offer the sympathy of myself and the other coaches, +and of the other players. You have done your share, +and it no doubt seems hard that you are to have no +better share in the final test. But let me tell you that +even though you do not play against Robinson, you have +nevertheless done almost as much toward defeating her as +though you faced her to-morrow. It's the season's work +that counts--the long, hard preparation--and in that +you've had your place and done your part well. And for +that I thank you on behalf of myself, on behalf of the +coaches who have been associated with me, and on behalf +of the college. And now I am going to ask you fellows +of the varsity to give three long Erskines, three-times-three, +and three long 'scrubs' on the end!"</p> + +<p>And they were given not once, but thrice. And then +the scrub lustily cheered the varsity, and they both +cheered Mills and Devoe and Simson and all the coaches +one after another. And when the last long-drawn "Erskine" +had died away Mills faced them again.</p> + +<p>"There's one more cheer I want to hear, fellows, and +I think you'll give it heartily. In to-morrow's game we +are going to use a form of defense that will, I believe, +enable us to at least render a good account of ourselves. +And, as most of you know, this defense was thought out +and developed by a fellow who, although unfortunately +unable to play the game himself, is nevertheless one of +the finest football men in college. If we win to-morrow +a great big share of the credit will be due to that man; +if we lose he still will have done as much as any two of +us. Fellows, I ask for three cheers for Burr!"</p> + +<p>Mills led that cheer himself and it was a good one. +The pity of it was that Sydney wasn't there to hear it.</p> + +<p>The November twilight was already stealing down +over the campus when Neil and Paul left the gymnasium +and made their way back to Curtis's. Paul was +highly elated, for until the line-up had been read he had +been uncertain of his fate. But his joy was somewhat +dampened by the fact that Neil had failed to make the +team.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't seem just right for me to go into the +game, chum, with you on the side-line," he said. "I +don't see what Mills is thinking of! Who in thunder's +to kick for us?"</p> + +<p>"I guess you'll be called on, Paul, if any field-goals +are needed."</p> + +<p>"I suppose so, but--hang it, Neil, I wish you were +going to play!"</p> + +<p>"Well, so do I," answered Neil calmly; "but I'm not, +and so that settles it. After all, they couldn't do anything +else, Paul, but let me out. I've been playing perfectly +rotten lately."</p> + +<p>"But--but what's the matter? You don't look stale, +chum."</p> + +<p>"I feel stale, just the same," answered Neil far from +untruthfully.</p> + +<p>"But maybe you'll get in for a while; you're down +with the subs," said Paul hopefully.</p> + +<p>"Maybe I will. Maybe you'll get killed and Gillam'll +get killed and a few more'll get killed and they'll take +me on. But don't you worry about me; I'm all right."</p> + +<p>Paul looked at him as though rather puzzled.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, I don't believe you care very much whether +you play or don't," he said at last. "If it had been me +they'd let out I'd simply gone off into a dark corner +and died."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad it wasn't you," answered Neil heartily.</p> + +<p>"Thunder! So'm I!"</p> + +<p>The college in general had taken Neil's deflection +philosophically after the first day or so of wonderment and +dismay. The trust in Mills was absolute, and if Mills +said Fletcher wasn't as good as Gale for left half-back, +why, he wasn't; that was all there was about it. There +was one person in college, however, who was not deceived. +Sydney Burr, recollecting Neil's "supposititious +case," never doubted that Neil had purposely sacrificed +himself for his room-mate. At first he was inclined to +protest to Neil, even to go the length of making Mills +cognizant of the real situation; but in the end he kept his +own counsel, doubtful of his right to interfere. And, +in some way, he grew to think that Paul was not in the +dark; that he knew of Neil's plan and was lending his +sanction to it; that, in fact, the whole arrangement +was a conspiracy in which both Neil and Paul shared +equally. In this he did Paul injustice, as he found out +later.</p> + +<p>He went to Neil's room that Friday night for a few +minutes and found Paul much wrought up over the disappearance +of Tom Cowan. Cowan's room looked as +though a cyclone had struck it, Paul declared, and Cowan +himself was nowhere to be found.</p> + +<p>"I'll bet he's done what he said he'd do and left," +said Paul. But Sydney had seen him but an hour +or so before at commons, and Paul set out to hunt +him up.</p> + +<p>"I know you chaps don't like him," he said; "but +he's been mighty decent to me, and I don't want to seem +to be going back on him just now when he's so down +on his luck. I'll be back in a few minutes."</p> + +<p>Sydney found Neil quite cheerful and marveled at +it. He himself was oppressed by a nervousness that +couldn't have been worse had he been due to face Robinson's +big center the next day. He feared the "antidote" +wouldn't work right; he feared Robinson had +found out all about it and had changed their offense; he +feared a dozen evils, and Neil was kept busy comforting +him. At nine o'clock Paul returned without tidings of +Cowan, and Sydney said good-night.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I'll go out to the field to-morrow," +he said half seriously. "I'll stay in my room and +listen to the cheering. If it sounds right toward the +end of the game I'll know that things have gone our +way."</p> + +<p>"You won't be able to tell anything of the sort," +said Neil, "for the fellows are going to cheer just as +hard if we lose as they would had we won. Mills insists +on that, and what he says goes this year."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Paul; "and it's the way it ought +to be. If ever a team needs cheering and encouragement +it's when things are blackest, and not when it's +winning."</p> + +<p>"And so, you see, you'll have to go to the field, +Syd," said Neil as he followed the other out to the +porch. "By Jove, what a night, eh? I never saw so many +stars, I believe. Well, we'll have a good clear day +for the game and a good turf underfoot. Good-night, +Syd."</p> + +<p>"Good-night," answered the other. Then, sorrowfully, +"I do wish you were going to play, Neil."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Syd; but don't let that keep you awake. +Good-night!"</p> + +<p>The room-mates chatted in a desultory way for half +an hour longer and then prepared for bed. Paul was +somewhat nervous and excited, and displayed a tendency +to stop short in the middle of removing a stocking to +gaze blankly before him for whole minutes at a time. +Once he stood so long on one leg with his trousers half +off that Neil feared he had gone to sleep, and so brought +him back to a recollection of the business in hand by +shying a boot at him.</p> + +<p>As for Neil, he was untroubled by nervousness. He +believed Erskine was going to win. For the rest, the +eve of battle held no exciting thoughts for him. He +could neither win the game nor lose it; he was merely a +spectator, like thousands of others; only he would see +the contest from the players' bench instead of the big +new stand that half encircled the field.</p> + +<p>But despite the feeling of aloofness that possessed +and oppressed him, sleep did not come readily. For a +long time he heard Paul stirring about restlessly across +the little bedroom and the occasional cheers of some party +of patriotic students returning to their rooms across the +common. His brain refused to stop its labors; and, in +fact, kept busily at them long after he had fallen asleep. +He dreamed continually, a ceaseless stream of weird, unpleasant +visions causing him to turn and toss all through +the night and leaving him when dawn came weary and +unrefreshed.</p> + +<p>Out of doors the early sun was brushing away the +white frost. The sky was almost devoid of clouds, and +the naked branches of the elms reached upward unswayed +by any breeze. It was an ideal day, that 23d of November, +bright, clear, and keen. Nature could not +have been kinder to the warriors who, in a few short +hours, were to meet upon the yellowing turf, nor to the +thousands who were to assemble and cheer them on to +victory--or defeat.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>COWAN BECOMES INDIGNANT</h3> +<br> + +<p>Breakfast at the training-table that morning was a +strange meal, to which the fellows loitered in at whatever +hour best pleased them. Many showed signs of +restless slumber, and the trainer was as watchful as +an old hen with a brood of chickens. For some there +were Saturday morning recitations; those who were free +were sent out to the field at ten o'clock and were put +through a twenty-minute signal practise. Among +these were Neil and Paul. A trot four times around +the gridiron ended the morning's work, and they were +dismissed with orders to report at twelve o'clock for +lunch.</p> + +<p>Neil, Paul, and Foster walked back together, and it +was the last that suggested going down to the depot +to see the arrival of the Robinson players. So they +turned down Poplar Street to Main and made their way +along in front of the row of stores there. The village +already showed symptoms of excitement. The windows +were dressed in royal purple, with here and there a touch +of the brown of Robinson, and the sidewalk already held +many visitors, while others were invading the college +grounds across the street. Farther on the trio passed +the bicycle repair-shop. In front of the door, astride +an empty box, sat the proprietor, sunning himself and +keeping a careful watch on the village happenings. With +a laugh Neil left his companions and ran across the +street.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning," he said. The little man on the box +looked up inquiringly but failed to recognize his tormentor.</p> + +<p>"Mornin'," he grunted suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to tell you," said Neil gravely, "that your +diagnosis was correct, after all."</p> + +<p>"Hey?" asked the little man querulously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it <i>was</i> a cold-chisel that did it," said Neil. +"You remember you said it was."</p> + +<p>"Cold-chisel? Say, what you talkin'--" Then a +light of recognition sprang into his weazened features. +"You're the feller that owes me a quarter!" he cried +shrilly, scrambling to his feet.</p> + +<p>Neil was off on the instant. As the three went on +toward the station the little man's denunciations followed +them:</p> + +<p>"You come back here an' pay me that quarter! If +I knew yer name I'd have ther law on yer! But I know +yer face, an' I'll--"</p> + +<p>"His name's Legion," called Ted Foster over his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Hey? What?" shrieked the repair man.</p> + +<p>"Legion!"</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you say, but I'll report that +feller ter th' authorities!"</p> + +<p>Then a long whistle broke in upon the discussion, and +the three rushed for the station platform.</p> + +<p>From the vantage-point of a baggage-truck they +watched the Robinson players and the accompanying contingent +descend from the train. There were twenty-eight +of the former, heavily built, strapping-looking fellows, +and with them a small army of coaches, trainers, +and supporters. Neil dug his elbow against Paul.</p> + +<p>"Look," he said, "there's your friend Brill."</p> + +<p>And sure enough, there was the Robinson coach who +had visited the two at Hillton a year before and tried +to get them to go to the rival college.</p> + +<p>"If you'd like to make arrangements for next year, +Paul," Neil whispered mischievously, "now's your time."</p> + +<p>But Paul grinned and shook his head.</p> + +<p>The players and most of the coaches tumbled into +carriages and were taken out to Erskine Field for a short +practise, and the balance of the arrivals started on foot +toward the hotel. The three friends retraced their steps. +Luckily, the proprietor of the bicycle repair-shop was +so busy looking over the strangers that they passed unseen +in the little stream. There remained the better part +of an hour before lunch-time, and they found themselves +at a loss for a way to spend the time. Foster finally +went off to his room, as he explained airily, "to dash +off a letter on his typewriter," a statement that was +greeted with howls of derision from the others, who, +for want of a better place, went into Butler's bookstore +and aimlessly looked over the magazines and +papers.</p> + +<p>It was while thus engaged that Paul heard his name +spoken, and turned to find Mr. Brill smilingly holding +out his hand.</p> + +<p>"I thought I wasn't mistaken," the Robinson coach +said as they shook hands. "And isn't that your friend +Fletcher over there?"</p> + +<p>Neil heard and came over, and the three stood and +talked for a few minutes. Mr. Brill seemed well pleased +with the football outlook.</p> + +<p>"I'll wager you gentlemen will regret not coming to +us after to-day's game is over," he laughed. "I hear +you've got something up your sleeve."</p> + +<p>"We have," said Neil.</p> + +<p>"So I heard. What's the nature of it?"</p> + +<p>"It's muscle," answered Neil gravely.</p> + +<p>The coach laughed. "Of course, if it's a secret, I +don't want to hear it. But I think you're safe to get +beaten, secret or no secret, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" said Paul. "You won't know what +struck you when we get through with you."</p> + +<p>Mr. Brill laughed good-naturedly but didn't look +alarmed.</p> + +<p>"By the way," he said, "I saw one of your players +a while ago--Cowan--the fellow we protested. He +seemed rather sore."</p> + +<p>"Where was he?" asked Paul eagerly.</p> + +<p>"In a drug-store down there toward the next corner. +Have your coaches found a good man for his place?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, it wasn't hard to fill," answered Neil. +"Witter's got it."</p> + +<p>"Witter? I don't think I've heard of him."</p> + +<p>"No, he's not famous--yet; you'll know him better +later on."</p> + +<p>Paul was plainly anxious to go in search of Cowan, +and so they bade the Robinson coach good-by. Out on +the sidewalk Neil turned a troubled face toward his +friend.</p> + +<p>"Say, Paul, Cowan knows all about the 'antidote,' +doesn't he?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, I suppose so; he's seen it played."</p> + +<p>"And he knows the signals, too, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. Why?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I've been wondering whether--You heard +what Brill said--that Cowan was feeling sore? Well, +do you suppose he'd be mean enough to--to--"</p> + +<p>"By thunder!" muttered Paul. Then: "No, I don't +believe that Cowan would do a thing like that. I don't +think he's a--a traitor!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you know him better than I do," said Neil, +"and I dare say you're right. Only--only I wish we +could be certain."</p> + +<p>"I'll find him," answered Paul determinedly. "You +wait here for me; or, no, I may have to hunt; I'll see +you at lunch. I'll find out all right."</p> + +<p>He was off on the instant. As he had told Neil, he +didn't believe that Cowan would reveal secrets to Brill +or any other of the Robinson people; but--well, he realized +that Cowan was feeling very much aggrieved, and +that he might in his present state of mind do what in a +saner moment he would not consider. At the drug-store +he was told that Cowan had left a few minutes before. +The only place that Paul could think of where Cowan +was likely to be was his room, so thither he went. He +found the deposed guard engaged in replacing certain +of his pictures and ornaments which had been taken +down.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" he said. "Thought you'd cut my acquaintance +too."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," answered Paul, "I've been trying to +find you ever since last night. Where've you been?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, just knocking around. I got back late last +night."</p> + +<p>"I was afraid you had left college. You know you +said you might."</p> + +<p>"I know. Well, I've changed my mind. I guess +I'll stay on until recess anyway; maybe until summer. +What's the use going anywhere else? If I went to Robinson +I couldn't play; Erskine would protest me. I +wish to goodness I'd had sense enough to let that academy +team go hang! Only I needed some money, and it seemed +a good way to make it. After all, there wasn't anything +dishonest about it!"</p> + +<p>"N--no," said Paul.</p> + +<p>"Well, was there?" Cowan demanded, turning upon +him fiercely. Paul shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No, there wasn't. Only, of course, you'd ought +to have remembered that it disqualified you here." +Cowan looked surprised.</p> + +<p>"My, but you're getting squeamish!" he said. "The +first thing you know you'll be as bad as Fletcher." There +was a moment's silence. "What does he say about it?" +Cowan asked carelessly.</p> + +<p>"Who, Neil? Oh, he--he sympathizes with you," +answered Paul vaguely. "Says it's awfully hard lines, +but doesn't think the committee could do anything else."</p> + +<p>"Humph!"</p> + +<p>"By the way," said Paul, recollecting his errand, "I +met Brill of Robinson a while ago. He said he'd seen +you."</p> + +<p>"Yes," grunted Cowan. "I'd like to punch him. +Made believe he was all cut up over my being put off. +Why--why it was he that knew about that academy +business! Last September he tried to get me to go to +Robinson; offered me anything I wanted, and I refused. +After all a--a fellow's got some loyalty! He asked all +sorts of questions as to whether I was eligible or not, and +I--I don't know what made me, but I told him about +taking that money for playing tackle on that old academy +team. He said that wouldn't matter any. But after I +decided not to go to Robinson he changed his tune; said +he wasn't sure but that I was ineligible!"</p> + +<p>"He's a cad," said Paul."</p> + +<p>"And then to-day he tried to get sympathetic, but I +shut him up mighty quick. I told him I knew well +enough he was the one who had started the protest, and +offered to punch his nose if he'd come over back of the +stores; but he wouldn't," added Cowan aggrievedly.</p> + +<p>"You--you didn't let out anything to him that would--er--help +them in the game, did you?" asked Paul, +studying the floor with great attention.</p> + +<p>"Let out anything?" asked Cowan in puzzled tones. +"What do you--" He put down the picture he held +and faced Paul, the blood dying his face. "Look here, +Paul, what do you mean by that?"</p> + +<p>"Why, why--"</p> + +<p>"You want to know if I turned traitor? If I gave +away our signals or something like that, eh?" There +was honest indignation in his voice and a trace of pain, +and Paul regretted his suspicions on the instant.</p> + +<p>"Oh, come now, old man," he began, "what I +meant--"</p> + +<p>"Now let me tell you something, Gale," said Cowan. +"I may not be so nice as you and Fletcher and Devoe +and a lot more of your sort, but I'm not an out-and-out +rascal and traitor! And I didn't think you'd put that +on me, by Jove! I've no love for some of the fellows +in this college, nor for Mills, and I wouldn't care if we +got beaten--" He paused. "Yes, I would, too; I want +Robinson to get done up so hard that they'll throw that +cheat Brill out of there. But I want you to understand +right here and now that I'm not cad enough to sell +signals."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, Tom," said Paul earnestly. "I +didn't think it of you. Only, when Brill said he'd seen +you and that you were feeling sore, we--I--"</p> + +<p>"Oh, so it was Fletcher that suspected it, was it?" +demanded Cowan.</p> + +<p>"No more than I," answered Paul stoutly. "We +neither of us really thought you'd turn traitor, but I +was afraid that, feeling the way you naturally would, +you might thoughtlessly say something that Brill could +make use of. That's all"</p> + +<p>Cowan looked doubtful for a moment, then he sniffed.</p> + +<p>"Well, all right," he said finally. "Forget it."</p> + +<p>"You're going out to the game, aren't you?" Paul +asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess so. What's Fletcher think of being +laid off?"</p> + +<p>"Well, he doesn't seem to mind it as I thought he +would. I--I don't know quite what to make of him. +It almost seems that he's--well, glad of it!"</p> + +<p>"Huh! You've got another guess, my friend."</p> + +<p>"How's that? What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing much; only I guess I've got better eyes +than you," responded Cowan with a grin. After a +pause during which he rearranged the objects on the +mantel-shelf to his satisfaction, he turned to Paul +again:</p> + +<p>"Say, do you think Fletcher and I could get on +together if--well, if we knew each other better?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure you could," answered Paul eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I think I'd like to try it. He--he's not a +bad sort of a chap. Only maybe he wouldn't care to--er--"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, he would," answered Paul. "You'll see, +Tom."</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe so. Going? Good luck to you. I'll +see you on the field."</p> + +<p>Paul hurried around the long curve of Elm Street +toward Pearson's boarding-house, where the players were +already gathering for luncheon. He found Neil on the +steps and dragged him off and down to the gate.</p> + +<p>"It's all right," he said. "I found him and asked +him, and I wish I hadn't. He was awfully cut up about +it; seemed hurt to think I could suspect such a thing. +Though, really, I didn't quite suspect, you know."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry we hurt his feelings," said Neil. "It +was a bit mean of me to suggest it."</p> + +<p>"He's going to stay for a while," went on Paul. "And--and--Look +here, chum, don't you think that if--er--you +tried you could get to like him better? From +something he said to-day I found out that he thinks +you're a good sort and he'd like to get on with you. +Maybe if we kind of looked after him we could--oh, I +don't know! But you see what I mean?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see what you mean," replied Neil thoughtfully. +"And maybe we'd get on better if we tried again. +Anyhow, Paul, you ask him down to the room some +night and--and we'll see."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said Paul gratefully. "And now let's get +busy with the funeral baked beans--I mean meats. Gee, +I've got about as much appetite as a fly! I--I wish the +game was over with!"</p> + +<p>"So do I," answered Neil, as with a sigh he listlessly +followed his chum into the house.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>THE "ANTIDOTE" IS ADMINISTERED</h3> +<br> + +<br><p class="ctr"><img src="images/illus-237.png" width="80%" alt=""></p><br> + +<p>High up against a fair blue sky studded with fleecy +clouds streamed a banner of royal purple bearing in its +center a great white E--a flare of intense color visible +from afar over the topmost branches of the empty elms, +and a beacon toward which the stream of spectators set +their steps. In the tower of College Hall the old bell +struck two o'clock, and the throngs at the gates of Erskine +Field moved faster, swaying and pushing past the ticket-takers +and streaming out onto the field toward the big +stands already piled high with laughing, chattering humanity. +Under the great flag stretched a long bank of +somber grays and black splashed thickly with purple, +looking from a little distance as though the big banner +had dripped its dye on to the multitude beneath. Opposite, +the rival tiers of crowded seats were pricked out +lavishly with the rich but less brilliant brown, while at the +end of the enclosure, where the throngs entered, a smaller +stand flaunted the two colors in almost equal proportions.</p> + +<p>And between stretched a smooth expanse of russet-hued +turf ribbed with white lines that glared in the afternoon +sunlight.</p> + +<p>The college band, augmented for the occasion from +the ranks of the village musicians, played blithely; some +twelve thousand persons talked, laughed, or shouted +ceaselessly; and the cheering sections were loudly contending +for vocal supremacy. And suddenly on to this +scene trotted a little band of men in black sweaters with +purple 'E's, nice new canvas trousers, and purple and +black stockings; and just as suddenly the north stand +arose and the Robinson cheers were blotted out by a +mighty chorus that swept from end to end of the structure +and thundered impressively across the field:</p> + +<p>"<i>Erskine! Erskine! Erskine! Rah-rah-rah, rah-rah-rah, +rah-rah-rah! Erskine! Erskine! Erskine!</i>"</p> + +<p>It was repeated over and over, and might, perhaps, +have been sounding yet had not the Robinson players, +sturdy, brown-clad youths, ambled onto the field. Then +it was Robinson's turn to make a noise, and she made +it; there's no doubt about that.</p> + +<p>"<i>Rah-rah-rah! Robinson! Rah-rah-rah! Robinson! +Rah-rah-rah! Robinson! Robinson! Robinson!</i>"</p> + +<p>The substitutes of both teams retired to the benches +and the players who were to start the game warmed up. +Over near the east goal three Erskine warriors were trying--alas, +not very successfully!--to kick the ball over +the cross-bar; they were Devoe and Paul and Mason. +Nearer at hand Ted Foster was personally conducting a +little squad around the field by short stages, and his +voice, shrilly cheerful, thrilled doubting supporters of the +Purple hopefully. Robinson's players were going through +much the same antics at the other end of the gridiron, +and there was a business-like air about them that caused +many an Erskine watcher to scent defeat for his college.</p> + +<p>The cheers had given place to songs, and the leader +of the band faced the occupants of the north stand and +swung his baton vigorously. Presumably the band was +playing, but unless you had been in its immediate vicinity +you would never have known it. Many of the popular +airs of the day had been refitted with new words for +the occasion. As poetic compositions they were not remarkable, +but sung with enthusiasm by several hundred +sturdy voices they answered the purpose. Robinson replied +in kind, but in lesser volume, and the preliminary +battle, the war of voices, went on until three persons, +a youth in purple, a youth in brown, and a man in everyday +attire, met in the middle of the field and watched +a coin spin upward in the sunlight and fall to the ground. +Then speedily the contesting forces took their position, +the lines-men and timekeeper hurried forward, and the +great stands were almost stilled.</p> + +<p>Erskine had the ball and the west goal. Stowell +poised the pigskin to his liking and drew back. Devoe +shouted a last word of caution. The referee, a well-known +football player and coach, raised his whistle.</p> + +<p>"Are you ready, Erskine? All ready, Robinson?"</p> + +<p>Then the whistle shrilled, the timekeeper's watch +clicked, the ball sped away, and the game had begun.</p> + +<p>The brown-clad skirmishers leaped forward to oppose +the invaders, while the pigskin, slowly revolving, arched in +long flight toward the west goal. It struck near the ten-yard +line and the wily Robinson left half let it go; but +instead of rolling over the goal-line it bumped erratically +against the left post and bobbed back to near the first +white line. The left half was on it then like a flash, but +the Erskine forwards were almost upon him and his run +was only six yards long, and it was Robinson's ball on +her ten-yard line. The north stand was applauding vociferously +this stroke of fortune. If Erskine could get +possession of the ball now she might be able to score; but +her coaches, watching intently from the side-line, knew +that only the veriest fluke could give the pigskin to the +Purple. And meanwhile, with hearts beating a little +faster than usual, they awaited the first practical test of +the "antidote."</p> + +<p>Robinson lined up quickly. Left tackle dropped from +the line, and taking a position between full-back and +right half, formed the center of the tandem that faced +the tackle-guard hole on the right. Left half stood well +back, behind quarter, ready to oppose any Erskine players +who managed to get around the left of their line. +The full-back who headed the tandem was a notable line-bucker, +although his weight was but 172 pounds. The +left tackle, Balcom, tipped the scales at 187, while the +third member of the trio was twenty pounds lighter. +Together they represented 525 pounds.</p> + +<p>Opposed to them were Gillam and Mason, whose combined +weight was 312 pounds. Gillam stood between +left-guard and tackle, with Mason, his hands on the other's +shoulders, close behind.</p> + +<p>The Robinson quarter stared for an instant with interest +at the opposing formation, and the full-back, crouched +forward ready to plunge across the little space that +divided him from the opponents' territory, looked uneasy. +Then the quarter stooped behind the big center.</p> + +<p>"<i>Signal!</i>" he called. "<i>12--21--212!</i>"</p> + +<p>The ball came back to him. At the same instant +the tandem moved forward, the Erskine guard and tackle +engaged the opposing guard and tackle, and Gillam and +Mason shot through the hole, the former with head down +and a padded shoulder presented to the enemy, and the +latter steadying him and hurling him forward. Then +two things happened at the same moment; the ball passed +from quarter to tackle, and Gillam and the leader of the +tandem came together.</p> + +<p>The shock of that collision was plainly heard on the +side-lines. For an instant the tandem stopped short. +Then superior weight told, and it moved forward again, +reenforced by quarter and right end; but simultaneously +the Erskine quarter and left half made themselves +felt back of Mason and Gillam, and then chaos reigned. +The entire forces of each side were in the play, and for +nearly half a minute the swaying mass moved inch by +inch, first forward, then backward, the Robinson left +tackle refusing to believe that their famous play was for +once a failure and so clinging desperately to the ball, +the center of a veritable maelstrom of panting, struggling +players. Then the whistle sounded and the dust +of battle cleared away. Robinson had gained half a +yard.</p> + +<p>The north stand cheered delightedly. It had only +seen the Robinson tandem stopped in its tracks, and did +not know that in the struggle just passed Erskine had +used a new and novel defense for the first time on any +football field, had vindicated her coaches' faith in it, and +brought surprise and dismay to the brown-clad warriors +and their adherents. If it had known as much as Mills +and Jones and Sydney about the "antidote" it would +have shouted itself hoarse.</p> + +<p>Gillam trotted back to his place. His extra-padded +head-harness and heavy shoulder-pads had brought him +forth unscathed. On the side-line the Erskine coaches +talked softly to each other, trying hard to look unconcerned, +but nevertheless showing their pleasure. Sydney +Burr, rather pale, was among them, and was, perhaps, +the happiest of all. The bench whereon the substitutes +sat was one long grin from end to end. But Robinson +was far from being beaten, and the game went on.</p> + +<p>Again the tandem was hurled at the same point, and +again Gillam met the shock of it. This time the defense +worked better, and Robinson lost the half-yard of gain +and another half-yard on top of that.</p> + +<p>"Six yards to gain," said the score-board. And the +purple-decked stand voiced its triumph.</p> + +<p>Robinson wisely decided to yield possession of the ball +and get away from such a dangerous locality. On the +next play she punted and Paul was brought to earth on +Robinson's fifty yards. Now was the time for Erskine +to test her offensive powers. On the first play, using +the close-formation, Gillam slashed a hole between the +opposing center and right-guard and Mason went through +for two yards. The next play netted them another yard +in the same place. Then Paul was given the pigskin for +a try outside of right tackle and reeled off four yards +more before he was downed. It was quick starting and +fast running, and for the moment Robinson was taken +off her feet; but the next try ended dismally, for in +an attempt to get through the left of the line between +guard and tackle Mason was caught and thrown back for +a two-yard loss. Another try outside of tackle on that +side of the line netted but a bare three feet, and Foster +dropped back for a kick. His effort was not very successful, +and the ball was Robinson's on her twenty-seven +yards.</p> + +<p>Now she tried the tackle-tandem on the other side +of center, hurling right tackle, followed by left half with +the ball, and full-back at the guard-tackle hole. Paul +led the defense this time, and again Robinson was brought +up all standing. Another try at the same point with +like results, and Robinson changed her tactics. With +the tandem formation, the ball went to full-back, and +with left end and tackle interfering he skirted Erskine's +right for seven yards and brought the wearers of the +brown to their feet shouting wildly. Perhaps no one was +more surprised than Bob Devoe, for it was his end that +had been circled. Certainly no one was more thoroughly +disgusted than he. The Robinson left end had put him +out of the play as neatly as though he had been the +veriest tyro. Devoe sized up that youth, set his lips together, +and kept his eyes open.</p> + +<p>Robinson now had the ball near her thirty-five yards +and returned to the tackle-tandem. In two plays she +gained two yards, the result of faster playing. Then another +try outside of right tackle brought her five yards. +Tackle-tandem again, one yard; again, two yards; a try +outside of tackle, one yard; Erskine's ball on Robinson's +forty-three yards. The pigskin went to Gillam, who got +safely away outside Robinson's right end and reeled off +ten yards before he was caught. Again he was given +the ball for a plunge through right tackle and barely +gained a yard. Mason found another yard between left-guard +and tackle and Foster kicked. It was poorly done, +and the leather went into touch at the twenty-five yards, +and once more Robinson set her feet toward the Erskine +goal.</p> + +<p>So far the playing had all been done in her territory +and her coaches were looking anxious. Erskine's defense +was totally unlooked for, both as regarded style and +effectiveness, and the problem that confronted them was +serious. Their team had been perfected in the tackle-tandem +play to the neglecting of almost all else. Their +backs were heavy and consequently slow when compared +with their opponents. To be sure, thus far runs outside +of tackle and end had been successful, but the coaches +well knew that as soon as Erskine found that such plays +were to be expected she would promptly spoil them. +Kicking was not a strong point with Robinson this year; +at that game her enemy could undoubtedly beat her. +Therefore, if the tackle-back play didn't work what was +to be done? There was only one answer: Make it! +There was no time or opportunity now to teach new +tricks; Robinson must stand or fall by tackle-tandem. +And while the coaches were arriving at this conclusion, +White, their captain and quarter-back, had already +reached it.</p> + +<p>He placed the head of the tandem nearer the line, +put the tackle at the head of it, and hammered away +again. Mills, seeing the move, silently applauded. It +was the one way to strengthen the tandem play, for by +starting nearer the line the tandem could possibly reach +it before the charging opponents got into the play. Momentum +was sacrificed and an instant of time gained, and, +as it proved, that instant of time meant a difference of +fully a yard on each play. Had the two Erskine warriors +whose duty it was to hurl themselves against the +tandem been of heavier weight it is doubtful if the change +made would have greatly benefited their opponents; but, +as it was, the two forces met about on Robinson's line, +and after the first recoil the Brown was able to gain, sometimes +a bare eighteen inches, sometimes a yard, once or +twice three or four.</p> + +<p>And now Robinson took up her march steadily toward +the Purple's goal. The backs plowed through for short +distances; Gillam and Paul bore the brunt of the terrific +assaults heroically; the Erskine line fell back foot by +foot, yard by yard; and presently Robinson crossed the +fifty-five-yard line and emerged into Erskine territory. +Here there was a momentary pause in her conquering +invasion. A fumble by the full-back allowed Devoe to +get through and fall on the ball.</p> + +<p>Erskine now knifed the Brown's line here and there +and shot Gillam and Paul through for short gains and +made her distance. Then, with the pigskin back in Robinson +territory, Erskine was caught holding and Robinson +once more took up her advance. Carey at right +tackle weakened and the Brown piled her backs through +him. On Erskine's thirty-two yards he gave place to +Jewell and the tandem moved its attack to the other side +of the line. Paul and Gillam, both pretty well punished, +still held out stubbornly. Yard by yard the remaining +distance was covered. On her fifteen yards, almost under +the shadow of her goal-posts, Erskine was given ten yards +for off-side play, and the waning hopes of the breathless +watchers on the north stand revived.</p> + +<p>But from the twenty-five-yard line the steady rushes +went on again, back over the lost ground, and soon, with +the half almost gone, Robinson placed the ball on Erskine's +five yards. Twice the tandem was met desperately +and hurled back, but on the third down, with her +whole back-field behind the ball, Robinson literally +mowed her way through, sweeping Paul and Mason, and +Gillam and Foster before her, and threw Bond over between +the posts with the ball close snuggled beneath him.</p> + +<p>The south stand leaped to its feet, blue flags and +streamers fluttered and waved, and cheers for Robinson +rent the air until long after the Brown's left half had +kicked a goal. Then the two teams faced each other +again and the Robinson left end got the kick-off and ran +it back fifteen yards. Again the battering of the tackle-tandem +began, and Paul and Gillam, nearly spent, +were unable to withstand it after the first half dozen +plays. Mason went into the van of the defense in place +of Gillam, but the Brown's advance continued; one yard, +two yards, three yards were left behind.</p> + +<p>Mills, watching, glanced almost impatiently at the +timekeeper, who, with his watch in hand, followed the +battle along the side-line. The time was almost up, but +Robinson was back on Erskine's thirty-five yards. But +now the timekeeper walked on to the gridiron, his eyes +fixed intently on the dial, and ere the ball went again +into play he had called time. The lines broke up and +the two teams trotted away.</p> + +<p>The score-board proclaimed:</p> + +<p>Erskine 0, Opponents 6.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>BETWEEN THE HALVES</h3> +<br> + +<p>Neil trotted along at the tail-end of the procession +of substitutes, so deep in thought that he passed through +the gate without knowing it, and only came to himself +when he stumbled up the locker-house steps. He barked +his shins and reached a conclusion at the same instant.</p> + +<p>At the door of the dressing-room a strong odor of +witch-hazel and liniment met him. He squeezed his way +past a group of coaches and looked about him. Confusion +reigned supreme. Rubbers and trainer were hard +at work. Simson's voice, commanding, threatening, was +raised above all others, a shrill, imperious note in a rising +and falling babel of sound. Veterans of the first half +and substitutes chaffed each other mercilessly. Browning, +with an upper lip for all the world like a piece of +raw beef, mumbled good-natured retorts to the charges +brought against him by Reardon, the substitute quarter-back.</p> + +<br><p class="ctr"><img src="images/illus-250.png" width="80%" alt=""><br> +<b>Erskine vs. Robinson--The First Half.</b></p> + +<p>"Yes, you really ought to be careful," the latter was +saying with apparent concern. "If you let those chaps +throw you around like that you may get bruised or +broken. I'll speak to Price and ask him to be more +easy with you."</p> + +<p>"Mmbuble blubble mummum," observed Browning.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say that," Reardon entreated.</p> + +<p>Neil was looking for Paul, and presently he discovered +him. He was lying on his back while a rubber was +pommeling his neck and shoulders violently and apparently +trying to drown him in witch-hazel. He caught +sight of Neil and winked one highly discolored eye. Neil +examined him gravely; Paul grinned.</p> + +<p>"There's a square inch just under your left ear, Paul, +that doesn't appear to have been hit. How does that +happen?"</p> + +<p>Paul grinned more generously, although the effort +evidently pained him.</p> + +<p>"It's very careless of them, I must say," Neil went +on sternly. "See that it is attended to in the next half."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry," answered Paul, "it will be." Neil +smiled.</p> + +<p>"How are you feeling?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Fine," Paul replied. "I'm just getting limbered +up."</p> + +<p>"You look it," said Neil dryly. "I suppose by the +time your silly neck is broken you'll be in pretty good +shape to play ball, eh?" Simson hurried up, closely followed +by Mills.</p> + +<p>"How's the neck?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"It's all right now," answered Paul. "It felt as +though it had been driven into my body for about a +yard."</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can start the next half?" asked +Mills anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Sure; I can play it through; I'm all right now," +replied Paul gaily. Mills's face cleared.</p> + +<p>"Good boy!" he muttered, and turned away. Neil +sped after him.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Mills," he called. The head coach turned, +annoyed by the interruption.</p> + +<p>"Well, Fletcher; what is it?"</p> + +<p>"Can't I get in for a while, sir?" asked Neil earnestly. +"I'm feeling fine. Gillam can't last the game, +nor Paul. I wish you'd let--"</p> + +<p>"See Devoe about it," answered Mills shortly. He +hurried away, leaving Neil with open mouth and reddening +cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's what I get for disappointing folks," +he told himself. "Only he needn't have been <i>quite</i> so +short. What's the good of asking Devoe? He won't let +me on. And--but I'll try, just the same. Paul's had +his chance and there's no harm now in looking after Neil +Fletcher."</p> + +<p>He found Devoe with Foster and one of the coaches. +The latter was lecturing them forcibly in lowered tones, +and Neil hesitated to interrupt; but while he stood by +undecided Devoe glanced up, his face a pucker of anxiety. +Neil strode forward.</p> + +<p>"Say, Bob, get me on this half, can't you? Mills +told me to see you," he begged. "Give me a chance, +Bob!"</p> + +<p>Devoe frowned impatiently and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Can't be done, Neil. Mills has no business sending +you to me. He's looking after the fellows himself. I've +got troubles enough of my own."</p> + +<p>"But if I tell him you're willing?" asked Neil +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I'm not willing," said Devoe. "If he wants you +he'll put you on. Don't bother me, Neil, for heaven's +sake. Talk to Mills."</p> + +<p>Neil turned away in disappointment. It was no use. +He knew he could play the game of his life if only +they'd take him on. But they didn't know; they only +knew that he had been tried and found wanting. There +was no time now to test doubtful men. Mills and Devoe +and Simson were not to be blamed; Neil recognized that +fact, but it didn't make him happy. He found a seat on +a bench near the door and dismally looked on. Suddenly +a conversation near at hand engaged his attention.</p> + +<p>Mills, Jones, Sydney Burr, and two other assistant +coaches were gathered together, and Mills was talking.</p> + +<p>"The 'antidote's' all right," he was saying decidedly. +"If we had a team that equaled theirs in weight +we could stop them short; but they're ten pounds heavier +in the line and seven pounds heavier behind it. What +can you expect? Without the 'antidote' they'd have +had us snowed under now; they'd have scored five or six +times on us."</p> + +<p>"Easy," said Jones. "The 'antidote's' all right, +Burr. What we need are men to make it go. That's +why I say take Gillam out. He's played a star game, +but he's done up now. Let Pearse take his place, play +Gale as long as he'll last, and then put in Smith. How +about Fletcher?"</p> + +<p>"No good," answered Mills. "At least--" He +stopped and narrowed his eyes, as was his way when +thinking hard.</p> + +<p>"I think he'd be all right, Mr. Mills," said Sydney. +"I--I know him pretty well, and I know he's the sort +of fellow that will fight hardest when the game's going +wrong."</p> + +<p>"I thought so, too," answered Mills; "but--well, +we'll see. Maybe we'll give him a try. Time's up now.--O +Devoe!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, coming!"</p> + +<p>"Here's your list. Better get your men out."</p> + +<p>There was a hurried donning of clothing, a renewed +uproar.</p> + +<p>"All ready, fellows," shouted the captain. "Answer +to your names: Kendall, Tucker, Browning, Stowell, +Witter, Jewell, Devoe, Gale, Pearse, Mason, Foster."</p> + +<p>"There's not much use in talk," said Mills, as the +babel partly died away. "I've got no fault to find with +the work of any of you in the last half; but we've got +to do better in this half; you can see that for yourselves. +You were a little bit weak on team-play; see if you +can't get together. We're going to tie the score; maybe +we're going to beat. Anyhow, let's work like thunder, +fellows, and, if we can't do any more, tear that confounded +tackle-tandem up and send it home in pieces. +We've got thirty-five minutes left in which to show that +we're as good if not better than Robinson. Any fellow +that thinks he's not as good as the man he's going to +line up against had better stay out. I know that every +one of you is willing, but some of you appeared in the +last half to be laboring under the impression that you +were up against better men. Get rid of that idea. +Those Robinson fellows are just the same as you--two +legs, two arms, two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Go at +it right and you can put them out of the play. Remember +before you give up that the other man's just as +tuckered as you are, maybe more so. Your captain says +we can win out. I think he knows more about it than +we fellows on the side-line do. Now go ahead, get together, +put all you've got into it, and see whether your +captain knows what he's talking about. Let's have a cheer +for Erskine!"</p> + +<p>Neil stood up on the bench and got into that cheer +in great shape. He was feeling better. Mills had half +promised to put him in, and while that might mean much +or nothing it was ground for hope. He trotted on to +the field and over to the benches almost happily.</p> + +<p>The spectators were settling back in their seats, and +the cheering had begun once more. The north stand +had regained its spirit. After all, the game wasn't lost +until the last whistle blew, and there was no telling what +might happen before that. So the student section +cheered and sang, the band heroically strove to make +itself heard, and the purple flags tossed and fluttered. +The sun was almost behind the west corner of the stand, +and overcoat collars and fur neck-pieces were being snuggled +into place. From the west tiers of seats came the +steady tramp-tramp of chilled feet, hinting their owners' +impatience.</p> + +<p>The players took their places, silence fell, and the +referee's whistle blew. Robinson kicked off, and the last +half of the battle began.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>NEIL GOES IN</h3> +<br> + +<p>But what a dismal beginning it was!</p> + +<p>Pearse, who had taken Gillam's place at right half-back, +misjudged the long, low kick, just managed to tip +the ball with one outstretched hand as it went over his +head, and so had to turn and chase it back to the goal-line. +But Mason had seen the danger and was before +him. Seizing the bouncing pigskin, he was able to reach +the ten-yard line ere the Robinson right end bore him +to earth. A moment later the ball went to the other +side as a penalty for holding, and it was Robinson's first +down on Erskine's twelve yards. Neil, watching intently +from the bench, groaned loudly. Stone, beside him, +kicked angrily into the turf.</p> + +<p>"That settles it," he muttered glumly. "Idiots!"</p> + +<p>Pearse it was who met that first fierce onslaught of +the Brown's tandem, and he was new to the play; but +Mason was behind him, and he was sent crashing into +the leader like a ball from the mouth of a cannon. The +tandem stopped; a sudden bedlam of voices from the +stands broke forth; there were cries of "Ball! Ball!" and +Witter flung himself through, rolled over a few times, +and on the twenty-yard line, with half the Erskine team +striving to pull him on and all the Robinson team trying +to pull him back, groaned a faint "Down!" Robinson's +tackle had fumbled the pass, and for the moment Erskine's +goal was out of danger.</p> + +<p>"Line up!" shouted Ted Foster. "Signal!"</p> + +<p>The men scurried to their places.</p> + +<p>"<i>49--35--23!</i>"</p> + +<p>Back went the ball and Pearse was circling out +toward his own left end, Paul interfering. The north +stand leaped to its feet, for it looked for a moment as +though the runner was safely away. But Seider, the +Brown's right half, got him about the knees, and though +Pearse struggled and was dragged fully five yards farther, +finally brought him down. Fifteen yards was netted, +and the Erskine supporters found cause for loud acclaim.</p> + +<p>"Bully tackle, that," said Neil. Stone nodded.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me we can get around those ends," he +muttered; "especially the left. I don't think Bloch is +much of a wonder. There goes Pearse."</p> + +<p>The ends were again worked by the two half-backs +and the distance thrice won. The purple banners waved +ecstatically and the cheers for Erskine thundered out. +Neil was slapping Stone wildly on the knee.</p> + +<p>"Hold on," protested the left end, "try the other. +That one's a bit lame."</p> + +<p>"Isn't Pearse a peach?" said Neil. "Oh, but I wish +I was out there!"</p> + +<p>"You may get a whack at it yet," answered Stone. +"There goes a jab at the line."</p> + +<p>"I may," sighed Neil. He paused and watched +Mason get a yard through the Brown's left tackle. "Only, +if I don't, I suppose I won't get my E."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, you will. The Artmouth game counts, +you know."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't in it."</p> + +<p>"That's so, you weren't; I'd forgotten. But I think +you'll get it, just the--Good work, Gale!" Paul had +made four yards outside of tackle, and it was again +Erskine's first down on the fifty-five-yard line. The +cheers from the north stand were continuous; Neil and +Stone were obliged to put their heads together to hear +what each other said.</p> + +<p>For five minutes longer Erskine's wonderful good fortune +continued, and the ball was at length on Robinson's +twenty-eight yards near the north side-line. Foster was +waving his hand entreatingly toward the seats, begging +for a chance to make his signals heard. From across the +field, in the sudden comparative stillness of the north +stand, thundered the confident slogan of Robinson. The +brown-stockinged captain and quarter-back was shouting +incessantly:</p> + +<p>"Steady now, fellows! Break through! Break through! +Smash 'em up!" He ran from one end to the other, +thumping each encouragingly on the back, whispering +threats and entreaties into their ears. "Now, then, +Robinson, let's stop 'em right here!"</p> + +<p>Foster, red-faced and hoarse, leaned forward, patted +Stowell on the thigh, caught the ball, passed it quickly +to Mason as that youth plunged for the line, and then +threw himself into the breach, pushing, heaving, fighting +for every inch that gave under his torn and scuffled shoes.</p> + +<p>"Second down; four to gain!"</p> + +<p>Robinson was awake now to her danger. Foster saw +the futility of further attempts at the line for the present +and called for a run around left end. The ball went +to Pearse, but Bloch for once was ready for him, and, +getting by Kendall, nailed the runner prettily four yards +back of the line to the triumphant pæans of the south +stand.</p> + +<p>When the teams had again lined up Foster dropped +back as though to try a kick for goal, a somewhat difficult +feat considering the angle. The Robinson captain +was alarmed; he was ready to believe that a team who +had already sprung one surprise on him was capable of +securing goals from any angle whatever; his voice arose +in hoarse entreaty:</p> + +<p>"Get through and block this kick, fellows! Get +through! Get through!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Signal</i>!" cried Foster. "<i>44--18--23!</i>"</p> + +<p>The ball flew back from Stowell and Foster caught it +breast-high. The Erskine line held for a moment, then +the blue-clad warriors came plunging through desperately, +and had Foster attempted a kick the ball would never +have gone ten feet; but Foster, who knew his limitations +in the kicking line as well as any one else, had entertained +no such idea. The pigskin, fast clutched to Paul's +breast, was already circling the Brown's left end. Devoe +had put his opponent out of the play, thereby revenging +himself for like treatment in the first half, and Pearse, +a veritable whirlwind, had bowled over the Robinson left +half. There is, perhaps, no prettier play than a fake +kick, when it succeeds, and the friends of Erskine recognized +the fact and showed their appreciation in a way +that threatened to shake the stand from its foundations.</p> + +<p>Paul and Pearse were circling well out in the middle +of the field toward the Robinson goal, now some thirty +yards distant measured by white lines, but far more than +that by the course they were taking. Behind them +streamed a handful of desperate runners; before them, +rapidly getting between them and the goal, sped White, +the Robinson captain and quarter. To the spectators a +touch-down looked certain, for it was one man against +two; the pursuit was not dangerous. But to Paul it +seemed at each plunge a more forlorn attempt. So far +he had borne more than his share of the punishment +sustained by the tackle-tandem defense; he had worked +hard on offense since the present half began, and now, +wearied and aching in every bone and muscle, he found +himself scarce able to keep pace with his interference.</p> + +<p>He would have yielded the ball to Pearse had he been +able to tell the other to take it; but his breath was too far +gone for speech. So he plunged onward, each step slower +than that before, his eyes fixed on the farthest white +streak. From three sides of the great field poured forth +the resonance of twelve thousand voices, triumphant, +despairing, appealing, inciting, the very acme of sound.</p> + +<p>Yet Paul vows that he heard nothing save the beat +of Pearse's footsteps and the awful pounding of his own +heart.</p> + +<p>On the fifteen-yard line, just to the left of the goal, +the critical moment came. White, with clutching, outstretched +hands, strove to evade Pearse's shoulder, and +did so. But the effort cost him what he gained, for, +dodging Pearse and striving to make a sudden turn +toward Paul, his foot slipped and he measured his length +on the turf; and ere he had regained his feet the pursuit +passed over him. Pearse met the first runner squarely +and both went down. At the same instant Paul threw +up one hand blindly and fell across the last line.</p> + +<p>On the north stand hats and flags sailed through the +air. The south stand was silent.</p> + +<p>Paul lay unmoving where he had fallen. Simson +was at his side in a moment. Neil, his heart thumping +with joy, watched anxiously from the bench. Presently +the group dissolved and Paul emerged between Simson +and Browning, white of face and stumbling weakly on +his legs, but grinning like a jovial satyr. Mills turned +to the bench and Neil's heart jumped into his throat; +but it was Smith and not he who struggled feverishly +out of his sweater, donned a head-harness, and sped on to +the field. Neil sighed and sank back.</p> + +<p>"Next time," said Stone sympathetically. But Neil +shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I guess there isn't going to be any 'next time,'" +he said dolefully. "Time's nearly up."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it; the last ten minutes is longer than +all the rest of the game," answered Stone. "I wonder +who'll try the goal."</p> + +<p>"We've got to have it," said Neil. "Surely Devoe +can kick an easy one like that! Why, it's dead in the +center!" Stone shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I know, but Bob's got a bad way of getting nervous +times like this. He knows that if he misses we've lost +the game, unless we can manage to score again, which +isn't likely; and it's dollars to doughnuts he doesn't come +anywhere near it!"</p> + +<p>Paul staggered up to the bench, Simson carefully +wrapping a blanket about him, and the fellows made +room for him a little way from where Neil sat. He +stretched his long legs out gingerly because of the aches, +sighed contentedly, and looked about him. His eyes fell +on Neil.</p> + +<p>"Hello, chum!" he said weakly. "Haven't you gone +in yet?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet," answered Neil cheerfully. "How are +you feeling?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm--ouch!--I'm all right; a bit sore here and +there."</p> + +<p>"Devoe's going to kick," said Stone uneasily.</p> + +<p>The ball had been brought out, and now Foster was +holding it directly in front of the center of the cross-bar. +The south stand was cheering and singing wildly +in a desperate attempt to rattle the Erskine captain. +The latter looked around once, and the Robinson supporters, +taking that as a sign of nervousness, redoubled +their noise.</p> + +<p>"Muckers!" groaned Neil. Stone grinned.</p> + +<p>"Everything goes with them," he said.</p> + +<p>The referee's hand went down, Devoe stepped forward, +the blue-clad line leaped into the field, and the +ball sped upward. As it fell Neil turned to Stone and +the two stared at each other in doubt. From both stands +arose a confused roar. Then their eyes sought the score-board +at the west end of the field and they groaned in +unison.</p> + +<p>"NO GOAL."</p> + +<p>"What beastly luck!" muttered Stone.</p> + +<p>Neil was silent. Mills and Jones were standing near +by and looking toward the bench and Neil imagined they +were discussing him. He watched breathlessly, then his +heart gave a suffocating leap and he was racing toward +the two coaches.</p> + +<p>"Warm up, Fletcher."</p> + +<p>That was all, but it was all Neil asked for. In a +twinkling he was trotting along the line, stretching his +cramped legs and arms. As he passed the bench he tried +to look unconcerned, but the row of kindly, grinning +faces told him that his delight was common property. +Paul silently applauded.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the teams had again faced each other. +Twelve minutes of play remained and the score-board +said: Erskine 5, Opponents 6. Both elevens had made +changes. For Erskine, Graham, immense of bulk but +slow, had replaced Stowell at center, and Reardon was +in Foster's position. Robinson had put in new men at +left tackle, right end, and full-back. The game went on +again.</p> + +<p>Devoe got the kick-off and brought the ball back to +his thirty yards; but he was injured when thrown and +Bell took his place. Smith and Mason each made two +yards around the ends and Pearse got through left-guard +for one. Then a plunge at right tackle resulted disastrously, +Mason being forced back three yards, and Smith +took the pigskin for a try outside of right tackle. He +was stopped easily and Mason kicked. Robinson got the +ball on her fifty yards and ran it back to Erskine's forty-three. +Once more the tackle-tandem was brought into +play. Smith failed to stop it, and the head of the defense +was given to Pearse; but Robinson's new left tackle was +a good man, and yard by yard Erskine was borne back +toward her goal. The south stand blossomed anew with +brown silk and bunting.</p> + +<p>On her thirty yards Erskine was penalized for off-side +and the ball was almost under her goal. The first +fierce plunge of the tandem broke the Purple line in +twain and the backs went through for three yards. +Mason was hurt and the whistle shrilled. A cheer arose +from the north stand and a youth running into the field +from the side-line heard it with fast-beating heart.</p> + +<p>"<i>Erskine! Erskine! Erskine! Rah-rah-rah, rah-rah-rah, +rah-rah-rah! Fletcher! Fletcher! Fletcher!</i>"</p> + +<p>Mason was taken off, protesting feebly, and on the +next plunge of the tackle-tandem Neil, with Pearse behind +him, brought hope back to Erskine hearts, for the +"antidote " worked to perfection again. All the pent-up +strength and enthusiasm of Neil's body and heart were +turned loose, and he played, as he had known he could +if given the opportunity, as he had never played before, +either at Erskine or Hillton. The spirit of battle held +him; he was perfectly happy, and every knock and bruise +brought him joy rather than pain. His chance had come +to prove to both the coaches and the fellows that their +first estimate of him was the correct one.</p> + +<p>Robinson made her distance and gained the twenty-yard +line by a trick play outside of left tackle; but that +was all she did on that occasion, for in the next three +downs she failed to advance the ball a single inch, and +it went to Erskine. Neil dropped back and the pigskin +settled into his ready hands. When it next touched earth +it was in Robinson's possession on her own fifty yards. +That punt brought a burst of applause from the north +seats. Robinson tried tackle-tandem again and Neil and +Pearse stopped it short. Again, and again there was no +advance; but when Neil picked himself out of the pile-up +he made the discovery that something was radically +wrong with his right arm and shoulder. He sat down +on the trampled turf to think it over and closed his eyes. +He heard the whistle and Reardon's voice above him:</p> + +<p>"Hurt?"</p> + +<p>Neil looked up and shook his head. His gaze fell on +Simson headed toward him followed by the water-carrier. +He staggered to his feet, Reardon's arm about him.</p> + +<p>"Keep 'Baldy' away," he muttered. "I'm all right; +but don't let him get to me."</p> + +<p>Reardon looked at his white face for a second in +doubt. Simson was almost up to them. He wanted to +win, did Reardon, and--</p> + +<p>"All right here," he cried.</p> + +<p>Neil went to his place, Simson retreated, suspicion +written all over his face, and the whistle sounded.</p> + +<p>Neil met the next attack with his left shoulder fore-most. +And it was Erskine's ball on Robinson's fifty-yards.</p> + +<p>On the first try around the Brown's left end Smith +took the leather twenty yards, catching Bloch napping. +The north stand was on its feet in an instant. Cheer +after cheer broke forth encouraging the Purple warriors +to fight their way across those six remaining white lines +and wrest victory from defeat. But there was no time +to struggle over the thirty yards that intervened. A +long run might bring a touch-down if Erskine could again +get a back around an end, but two minutes was too short +a time for line-bucking; and, besides, Reardon had his +orders.</p> + +<p>On the side-line the timekeeper was keeping a careful +eye upon his stop-watch.</p> + +<p>A try by Neil outside of right tackle netted but a +yard and left him half fainting on the ground. Pearse set +off for the left end of the line on the next play, but +never reached it; the Robinson right tackle got through +on to him and stopped him well back of his line.</p> + +<p>"Third down," called the referee, "five to gain!"</p> + +<p>The teams were lined up about half-way between the +Robinson goal and the south side of the field, the ball +just inside the thirty-yard line. Reardon had been +directed to try for a field-goal as soon as he got inside +the twenty-five yards. This was only the thirty yards, +and the angle was severe. There was perhaps one chance +in three of making a goal from placement; a drop-kick +was out of the question. Moreover, to make matters +more desperate, Neil was injured; just how badly Reardon +didn't know, but the other's white, drawn face told +its own story. If the attempt failed he would be held +to blame by the coaches, if it succeeded he would be +praised for good generalship; it was a way coaches had. +His consideration of the problem lasted but a fraction +of a minute. He glanced at Neil and their eyes met. +The quarter-back's mind was made up on the instant.</p> + +<p>"<i>Signal</i>!" he cried. "<i>Steady, fellows; we want this; +every one hold hard</i>!"</p> + +<p>He trotted back to the thirty-five-yard line and +dropped to his knees, directly behind and almost facing +center. Neil took up his position three yards from him +and facing the goal. Pearse and Smith stood guard between +him and the line. The Robinson right half turned +and sped back to join the quarter, whose commands to +"Get through and stop this kick!" were being shouted +lustily from his position near the goal-line.</p> + +<p>"Signal!" Reardon repeated. Graham stooped +over the ball. Neil, pale but with a little smile about +his mouth, measured his distance. Victory depended +upon him. From where Reardon knelt to the goal was +nearly forty yards on a straight line and the angle was +severe. If he made it, well and good; if he missed--He +recalled what Mills had told him ere he sent him in:</p> + +<p>"I think you can win this for us, Fletcher. Once +inside their twenty-five Reardon will give you the ball +for a kick from drop or placement, as you think best. +Whatever happens, don't let your nerves get the best +of you. If you miss, why, you've missed, that's all. +Don't think the world's coming to an end because +we've been beaten. A hundred years from now, when +you and I aren't even memories, Erskine will still be +turning out football teams. But if we can, we want to +win. Just keep cool and do your level best, that's all +we ask. Now get in there."</p> + +<p>Neil took a deep breath. He'd do his best. If the +line held, the ball ought to go over. He was cool enough +now, and although his shoulder seemed on fire, the smile +about his mouth deepened and grew confident. Reardon +stretched forth his hands.</p> + +<p>"<i>Signal!</i>" he cried for the third time; but no signal +was forthcoming. Instead Graham sped the ball back to +him, steady and true, and the Robinson line, almost +caught napping, failed to charge until the oval had settled +into Reardon's hands and had been placed upon the ground +well cocked at the goal. Then the Brown's warriors broke +through and bore down, big and ugly, upon Pearse and +Smith; but Neil was stepping toward the ball; a long +stride, a short one, a long one, and toe and pigskin came +together. Pearse was down and Smith was shouldering +valiantly at a big guard. Two blue-clad arms swept +upward almost into the path of the rising ball; there +was a confused sound of crashing bodies and rasping +canvas, and then a Robinson man bounded against Neil +and sent him reeling to earth.</p> + +<p>For an instant the desire to lie still and close his +eyes was strong. But there was the ball! He rolled +half over, and raising himself on his left hand looked +eagerly toward the posts. The pigskin, turning lazily +over and over, was still in flight. Straight for the goal +it was speeding, but now it had begun to drop. Neil's +heart stood still. Would it clear the cross-bar? It +seemed scarcely possible, but even as despair seized him, +for an instant the bar came between his straining eyes +and the dropping ball!</p> + +<p>A figure with tattered purple sleeves near at hand +leaped into the air, waving his arms wildly. On the stand +across the field pandemonium broke loose.</p> + +<p>Neil closed his eyes.</p> + +<p>A moment later Simson found him there, sitting on +the thirty-five-yard line, one arm hanging limply over +his knee, his eyes closed, and his white face wreathed +in smiles.</p> + +<p>Erskine 10, Opponents 6, said the score-board.</p> + + + +<br><br><hr style="width: 35%;"><br><br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>AFTER THE BATTLE</h3> +<br> + +<p>"You'll not get off so easily this time," said the +doctor.</p> + +<p>"No, sir," replied Neil, striving to look concerned.</p> + +<p>He was back on the couch again, just where he had +been four weeks previous, with his shoulder swathed about +in bandages just as it had been then.</p> + +<p>"I can't see what you were thinking about," went on +the other irritably, "to go on playing after you'd bust +things up again."</p> + +<p>"No, sir--that is, I'm sure I don't know." Neil's +tone was very meek, but the doctor nevertheless looked +at him suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Humph! Much you care, I guess. But, just the +same, my fine fellow, it'll be Christmas before you have +the use of that arm again. That'll give you time to see +what an idiot you were."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>The doctor smiled in spite of himself and looked +away.</p> + +<br><p class="ctr"><img src="images/illus-273.png" width="80%" alt=""><br> +<b>Erskine vs. Robinson--The Second Half.</b></p> + +<p>"Doesn't seem to have interfered with your appetite, +anyhow," he said, glancing at the well-nigh empty +tray on the chair.</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I--I tried not to eat much, but I was +terribly hungry, Doc."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess you'll do." He picked up his hat; +then he faced the couch again and its occupant. "The +trouble with you chaps," he said severely, "is that +as long as you've managed to get a silly old leather +wind-bag over a fool streak of lime you think it +doesn't matter how much you've broke yourselves to +pieces."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's very thoughtless of us," murmured Neil +with deep contriteness.</p> + +<p>"Humph!" growled the doctor. "See you in the +morning."</p> + +<p>When the door had closed Neil reached toward the +tray and with much difficulty buttered a piece of Graham +bread, almost the only edible thing left. Then he settled +back against the pillows, not without several grimaces +as the injured shoulder was moved, and contentedly +ate it. He was very well satisfied. To be sure, a month +of invalidism was not a pleasing prospect, but things +might have been worse. And the end paid for all. Robinson +had departed with trailing banners; the coaches +and the whole college were happy; Paul was happy; +Sydney was happy; he was happy himself. Certainly +the bally shoulder--ouch!--hurt at times; but, then one +can't have everything one wants. His meditations were +interrupted by voices and footsteps outside the front +door. He bolted the last morsel of bread and awaited +the callers.</p> + +<p>These proved to be Paul and Sydney and--Neil stared--Tom Cowan.</p> + +<p>"Rah-rah-rah!" shouted Paul, slamming the door. +"How are they coming, chum? Here's Burr and Cowan +to make polite injuries after your inquiries--I mean +inquiries--well, you know what I mean. Tom's been +saying all sorts of nice things about your playing, and +I think he'd like to shake hands with the foot that kicked +that goal."</p> + +<p>Neil laughed and put out his hand. Cowan, grinning, +took it.</p> + +<p>"It was fine, Fletcher," he said with genuine +enthusiasm. "And, some way, I knew when I saw you +drop back that you were going to put it over. I'd have +bet a hundred dollars on it!"</p> + +<p>"Thunder, you were more confident than I was!" +Neil laughed. "I wouldn't have bet more than thirty +cents. Well, Board of Strategy, how did you like the +game?"</p> + +<p>Sydney shook his head gravely.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't care to go through it again," he answered. +"I had all kinds of heart disease before the +first half was over, and after that I was in a sort of +daze; didn't know really whether it was football or +Friday-night lectures."</p> + +<p>"You ought to have been at table to-night, chum," +said Paul. "We made Rome howl. Mills made a +speech, and so did Jones and 'Baldy,' and--oh, every +one. It was fine!"</p> + +<p>"And they cheered a fellow named Fletcher for +nearly five minutes," added Sydney. "And--"</p> + +<p>"Hear 'em!" Cowan interrupted. From the direction +of the yard came a long volley of cheers for Erskine. +Dinner was over and the fellows were ready for the +celebration; they were warming up.</p> + +<p>"Great times to-night," said Paul happily. "I wish +you were going out to the field with us, Neil."</p> + +<p>"Maybe I will."</p> + +<p>"If you try it I'll strap you down," replied Paul +indignantly. "By the way, Mills told me to announce +his coming. He's terribly tickled, is Mills, although he +doesn't say very much."</p> + +<p>"He's still wondering how you went stale before the +game and then played the way you did," said Sydney. +"However, I didn't say anything." He caught himself +up and glanced doubtfully toward Cowan. "I don't +know whether it's a secret?" He appealed to Neil, who +was frowning across at him.</p> + +<p>"What's a secret?" demanded Paul.</p> + +<p>"Don't mind me," said Cowan. "It may be a secret, +but I guessed it long ago, didn't I, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"What in thunder are you all talking about?" asked +that youth, staring inquiringly from one to another. +Sydney saw that he had touched on forbidden ground +and now looked elaborately ignorant.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing, Paul," answered Neil. "When are +you all going out to the field?"</p> + +<p>"But there is something," his chum protested warmly. +"Now out with it. What is it, Cowan? What did you +guess?"</p> + +<p>"Why, about Fletcher going stale so that you could +get into the game," answered Cowan, apparently ignorant +of Neil's wrathful grimaces. "I guessed right away. +Why--"</p> + +<p>"Oh, shut up, won't you?" Neil entreated. "Don't +mind them, Paul; they're crazy. Sydney, you're an ass, +if you only knew it."</p> + +<p>"But I thought he knew--" began Sydney.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't know," said Paul, quietly, his eyes on +Neil's averted face. "I--I must have been blind. It's +plain enough now, of course. If I had known I wouldn't +have taken the place."</p> + +<p>"You're all a set of idiots," muttered Neil.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry I said anything," said Sydney, genuinely +distressed.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad," said Paul. "I'm such a selfish brute +that I can't see half an inch before my nose. Chum, +all I've got to say--"</p> + +<p>"Shut up," cried Neil. "Listen, fellows, they're +marching across the common. Some one help me to the +window. I want to see."</p> + +<p>Paul strode to his side, and putting an arm under +his shoulders lifted him to his feet. Sydney lowered +the gas and the four crowded to the window. Across +the common, a long dark column in the starlight, +tramped all Erskine, and at the head marched the +band.</p> + +<p>"Gee, what a crowd!" muttered Cowan.</p> + +<p>The head of the procession passed through the gate +and turned toward the house, and the band struck up +'Neath the Elms of Old Erskine. Hundreds of voices +joined in and the slow and stately song thundered up +toward the star-sprinkled sky.</p> + +<p>Paul's arm was still around his room-mate; its clasp +tightened a little.</p> + +<p>"Say, chum."</p> + +<p>"Well?" muttered Neil.</p> + +<p>"Thanks."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't bother me," Neil grumbled. "Let's get +out of this; they're stopping."</p> + +<p>Sydney had stolen, as noiselessly as one may on +crutches, to the chandelier, and suddenly the gas flared +up, sending a path of light across the street and revealing +the three at the window. Neil, exclaiming and protesting, +strove to draw back, but Paul held him fast. From +the crowd outside came the deep and long-drawn <i>A-a-ay!</i> +and grew and spread up the line.</p> + +<p>And then the cheering began.</p> +<br> +<br> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13556 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/13556-h/images/illus-000.jpg b/13556-h/images/illus-000.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c7a929 --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/images/illus-000.jpg diff --git a/13556-h/images/illus-002.png b/13556-h/images/illus-002.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..55dcab4 --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/images/illus-002.png diff --git a/13556-h/images/illus-052.jpg b/13556-h/images/illus-052.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6537dad --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/images/illus-052.jpg diff --git a/13556-h/images/illus-081.jpg b/13556-h/images/illus-081.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..952d2f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/images/illus-081.jpg diff --git a/13556-h/images/illus-152.jpg b/13556-h/images/illus-152.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8ec7737 --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/images/illus-152.jpg diff --git a/13556-h/images/illus-153.png b/13556-h/images/illus-153.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7167f31 --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/images/illus-153.png diff --git a/13556-h/images/illus-171.png b/13556-h/images/illus-171.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d08b1ff --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/images/illus-171.png diff --git a/13556-h/images/illus-237.png b/13556-h/images/illus-237.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f3fbbb1 --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/images/illus-237.png diff --git a/13556-h/images/illus-250.png b/13556-h/images/illus-250.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d29c3c --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/images/illus-250.png diff --git a/13556-h/images/illus-273.png b/13556-h/images/illus-273.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..21a964f --- /dev/null +++ b/13556-h/images/illus-273.png |
