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@@ -1,39 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Football Team, by Howard R. Garis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Dick Hamilton's Football Team - Or, A Young Millionaire On The Gridiron - -Author: Howard R. Garis - -Release Date: November 19, 2012 [EBook #41410] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41410 *** DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM @@ -7665,7 +7630,7 @@ League. Two of the best teams that had ever been represented playing such fast football, and the score tied at such a critical moment meant something. Add to it that the elevens were not on the most friendly feeling, because of what had taken place early in the season, and there -was a situation that would make even a blase football enthusiast "sit up +was a situation that would make even a blasé football enthusiast "sit up and take notice," as Innis Beeby said. The slightest turn of events might send the scale up or down now, @@ -8083,359 +8048,4 @@ An ideal series for girls from nine to sixteen. End of Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Football Team, by Howard R. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Dick Hamilton's Football Team - Or, A Young Millionaire On The Gridiron - -Author: Howard R. Garis - -Release Date: November 19, 2012 [EBook #41410] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - - - DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM - - OR - - A YOUNG MILLIONAIRE ON THE GRIDIRON - - BY HOWARD R. GARIS - - AUTHOR OF "DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE," "DICK HAMILTON'S CADET DAYS," - "DICK HAMILTON'S STEAM YACHT," "FROM OFFICE BOY TO REPORTER," "LARRY - DEXTER'S GREAT SEARCH," ETC. - - - _ILLUSTRATED_ - - THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING CO. - CLEVELAND - - MADE IN U. S. A. - - Copyright, 1912, by - GROSSET & DUNLAP - - PRESS OF - THE COMMERCIAL BOOKBINDING CO. - CLEVELAND - - - - -[Illustration: "GRAB HIM! DON'T LET HIM GET PAST YOU!" CALLED TOM -COLETON.] - - - - -PREFACE - - -MY DEAR BOYS: - -In writing this, the fourth volume of the "Dick Hamilton Series," -telling of the doings of the young millionaire on the gridiron, I have -had one particular thought in mind. That was to make as interesting a -story as possible for you. Now that it is finished, it is for you to say -whether or not you like it. I trust I may be pardoned if I say I hope -that you will. - -When Dick returned to the Kentfield Military Academy after his vacation -on his steam yacht, he found the football team of which he was a member, -in poor shape. In fact the eleven was laughed at by other military -schools, one of which refused to accept a challenge that Kentfield sent. - -How Dick hired a coach from Princeton and one from Yale, and how they -"whipped" the team into shape, how championship material was made from -them, you will find told of in this book. - -There is also related how Dick worked to save his father's wealth by -getting possession of certain electric road stock, which was held by a -crabbed old man who disliked cadets and football. Of course there is -also something about the bulldog, Grit, in this book, and about Uncle -Ezra Larabee, and the doings of our hero's friends and enemies are fully -set forth. - -Again expressing the hope that you will find this story interesting, and -that you will care to hear more of Dick Hamilton, I remain, - -Yours cordially, - -HOWARD R. GARIS. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. TURNED DOWN 1 - - II. WAR ON MR. HAMILTON 8 - - III. DICK'S PLAN 15 - - IV. FOOTBALL PRACTICE 26 - - V. DISQUIETING NEWS 36 - - VI. MR. DUNCASTER AGAIN 45 - - VII. THE COACHES ARRIVE 54 - - VIII. THE TRY-OUT 64 - - IX. THE ACCUSATION 72 - - X. DICK IS REBUFFED 78 - - XI. A RIVALRY 89 - - XII. THE MIDNIGHT ALARM 96 - - XIII. THE RESCUE OF DUTTON 101 - - XIV. THE ELECTION 111 - - XV. THE GAME WITH DUNKIRK 118 - - XVI. A DARING PLAN 126 - - XVII. UNCLE EZRA ARRIVES 135 - - XVIII. ANOTHER FRUITLESS ATTEMPT 142 - - XIX. A GREAT STRUGGLE 151 - - XX. JOINING THE LEAGUE 169 - - XXI. READY FOR BLUE HILL 175 - - XXII. THE BLUE HILL GAME 182 - - XXIII. SORE HEARTS 199 - - XXIV. TREACHERY 205 - - XXV. A DESPERATE RACE 212 - - XXVI. ANOTHER GAME 222 - - XXVII. DICK IS SUMMONED 231 - - XXVIII. "LINE UP!" 238 - - XXIX. HAMMER AND SMASH 246 - - XXX. THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN 255 - - XXXI. THE TROLLEY STOCK--CONCLUSION 264 - - - - -DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM - - - - -CHAPTER I - -TURNED DOWN - - -"Well, if those fellows haven't got nerve!" - -"I should say so! Why it's a direct insult!" - -"We ought to challenge 'em to a sham battle. I know we could put it all -over 'em at that game, if we can't at football; eh, fellows?" - -"Sure thing!" came in a chorus from a group of cadets who surrounded a -rather fat, good-natured companion. The latter held an open letter in -his hand, and had just finished reading it, the contents causing the -various exclamations. - -"Say, Beeby," spoke Paul Drew, "are you sure it isn't a joke? Maybe -they're just trying to have fun with us." - -"Fun! This is serious enough," replied the stout youth, "Frank Anderson, -manager of the Blue Hill Academy eleven, takes pains to be very -explicit. Listen." - -Once more Beeby read the note. - - "In reply to your challenge for a series of football games, in the - Military League, and your request that we give you a contest at an - early date, we regret to say that our team cannot play yours. To be - frank, we do not think that your eleven is in the same class with - ours. We won nearly every game we played last season, and, you - know, as well as do we, that Kentfield was away down at the tail - end. - - "It is the sense of the Athletic Committee of Blue Hill Military - Academy that we must play with teams of greater strength and in a - better class than the one that represents Kentfield. If you wish, - perhaps I can arrange some games with our second team, but not with - the first. - - "Regretting very much that we cannot accept your challenge, I - remain, - - "Yours very truly, - - "FRANK ANDERSON, Manager." - -"Well, wouldn't that put a crimp in your bayonet?" demanded John Stiver. - -"They'll condescend to let their second team come over and beat us!" -exclaimed Ray Dutton sarcastically. "Bur-r-r-r-r!" - -"Oh, say, this makes me mad!" spluttered Beeby, and he made as though to -tear the letter to shreds. - -"Don't! Wait a minute!" begged Paul Drew. "Let's talk this over a bit, -first. Something's got to be done about it. We can't let this insult -pass. I wish Dick Hamilton was here." - -"Where is he?" asked Beeby, as he folded the crumpled letter. - -"He went to town to send a message home, I guess. He'll soon be back." - -"Let's go to the Sacred Pig, and talk this over," suggested Dutton, as -he opened a few buttons on his tightly fitting parade coat, for drill -among the cadets was just over, and they had not yet gotten into their -fatigue uniforms. - -"Yes, let's plan some scheme to get even with those Blue Hill snobs," -added Paul. "Say Toots," he went on to one of the janitors about the -academy, "if you see Mr. Hamilton, just send him over to the Sacred Pig, -will you?" - -"I sure will, Mr. Drew," and Toots, so called because he was generally -whistling some military air, saluted. - -The cadets still talking among themselves about the churlish letter they -had received, passed on toward a society chapter house--that of the -Sacred Pig--one of the most exclusive organizations among the cadets of -Kentfield. - -"If Anderson wanted to turn us down why didn't he simply say that all -their dates were filled?" demanded Beeby, on whom the blow fell -especially heavy, as he was manager of the eleven. - -"Well, if the truth _had_ to be told I suppose it might as well come out -first as last," spoke Paul frankly. - -"The truth!" demanded Innis Beeby, half indignantly. - -"Yes! Kentfield hasn't a good team, and we all know it. It's no one's -fault in particular," went on Paul, "but we don't practice enough, we -don't play well enough together, and we were the tail-enders last year. -We might as well face the music." - -"Even if it isn't particularly harmonious," commented Innis bitterly, as -he walked up the steps of the handsome society house. "Well, let's see -what we can do." - -The rest of the cadets followed, to be greeted by a number of other -students who were already gathered in the pleasant reading room. There -was a general movement toward the newcomers when the news quickly -flashed around, and the letter was passed from hand to hand. - -There were more comments, caustic ones in the main, and had Manager -Anderson been present he would probably have had several challenges to -fight, for the feeling was bitter against him. - -"You can't beat this for nerve!" declared Jim Watkins. - -"I say, let's get up a good team, and force 'em to play us," suggested -Teddy Naylor. - -"How are you going to force 'em?" demanded Frank Rutley. - -"Why, play such fast and snappy games that they can't refuse us--get in -the champion class--_make_ 'em recognize us." - -"Oh, it's easy enough to talk," murmured Innis, "but when it comes to a -football team----" - -"What's the matter with the football team?" demanded a new voice, and a -tall, good-looking cadet, bronzed almost to a copper color, came in. -"Are we going to have practice to-day?" - -"Hello, Dick!" - -"Glad you came in, Hamilton." - -"You're just in time to hear the news." - -These were some of the expressions that greeted the advent of the -newcomer. Dick Hamilton pressed up into the group of indignant lads, and -accepted the letter which Innis held out to him. - -"Read that!" spluttered the stout lad. - -As Dick read a dull flush crept up under his coat of tan. - -"Um!" was his only comment for a moment. Then he said: "Well, he didn't -soften it any. But how about it; isn't it almost true?" - -"That's what I say," cried Paul Drew. - -"We haven't a very good team, that's a fact," admitted Jim Watkins, who -played centre. - -"Oh, bosh! You fellows make me tired," declared Innis. "You are almost -as bad as Anderson." - -"Well, we ought to perk up." - -"Oh pshaw! We can play all right." - -"All we need is practice." - -"And a little harder work against the scrub." - -These and other comments flew back and forth. Dick Hamilton strolled -toward an easy chair near a table. Casually he picked up a paper, and -glanced over it as the discussion waxed warmer. There were two sides, -one set of cadets holding that the eleven was not so bad, and the others -maintaining that the players should not shut their eyes to facts, but -endeavor to correct their faults. Both factions numbered members of the -team, so it could not be said that prejudice shaped the opinions. - -"Well, what do think about it, Dick?" asked Paul at length, as he sat -down beside his roommate. - -"About what?" asked the young millionaire, somewhat absently-mindedly. - -"Well, for the love of mustard! Have you been dreaming while all this -racket was going on? And you read that letter, too! I say, Dick, what's -up?" - -"Oh, yes, I remember now. I was thinking of something else," and Dick -recovered himself with an effort, seeming to bring his thoughts back -from some distant point. "The football team." - -"Of course, the eleven--or, rather, the woeful lack of one. What's to be -done, Dick? I rather thought you might have a scheme, when you heard the -news." - -There was silence in the room for a moment, and nearly all eyes were -turned on Dick Hamilton. - -"A plan--yes--I might--by Jove, fellows, I believe I have a plan!" he -exclaimed suddenly. "It ought to work, too. We've got to have the best -team on the gridiron in the Military League, and just now I thought of -something that will bring it about." - -"Then in the name of the two-horned rhinoceros speak it quickly!" begged -Innis. "Say something so I can get back at this dub Anderson. I'll write -him a hot one!" - -"Oh, it will take a little while to put it through," went on the young -millionaire, "but I believe I can do it. Now my plan is----" - -At that moment one of the pages employed at the society house, which was -sort of cadet club, approached the eager group of students. - -"Beg pardon," the page said, "but here is a telegram that just came for -Mr. Hamilton." - -Dick tore open the yellow envelope. He read the message at a glance and -seemed to start as at the receipt of unwelcome news. - -"I've got to go out for a while," he said to his chums. "I'll be back as -soon as possible. This is important." - -"But your football plan," begged Innis. - -"I'll tell it when I come back," called Dick Hamilton as he hurried out, -leaving a much-wondering group of cadets looking after him. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -WAR ON MR. HAMILTON - - -"The rumor is true then," mused Dick, as he hurried out of the chapter -house, and started toward the telegraph office. "I rather hoped it would -prove to be _only_ a rumor, but if dad has heard it also, there must be -something in it. Now I wonder if I can get hold of any more news, so I -can wire him? Let's see, what is it he says." - -Dick glanced again at the telegram that had been brought to him. It was -from his father, Mortimer Hamilton, a multi-millionaire, and was in -answer to a message the youth had sent his parent that day. - - * * * * * - -"Have heard rumor you speak of," the father's message read, "see if you -can learn more. Wire me at once. Our trolley interests are threatened. -They are trying to get me out of control." - - * * * * * - -"If they do that it will be a hard blow for dad," said Dick, as he -hurried along. - -Of late Mr. Hamilton had put much money in an important trolley line, -and had called in several other investments so that he might buy more -of the stock. A large part of his fortune was now involved in the -electric road, and if he lost the controlling interest it might mean his -ruin. - -Consequently our hero was not a little alarmed. Only that day he had -heard the disquieting rumor. It came from a fellow cadet, Sam Porter, -whose father was very wealthy. In the hearing of Dick, Sam had -accidently mentioned a deal his father was putting through, involving -the very electric line in which Mr. Hamilton was so vitally interested. -But then Sam did not know how much of the stock Mr. Hamilton owned, in -fact he did not know that Dick's parent was at all interested. - -But the young millionaire--for Dick was that in his own right--had taken -alarm at once, and had immediately wired his father. - -"And now I must see if I can get any further information," mused the -lad. "It will hardly be safe to ask Porter directly. I wonder if I could -pump him through Jake Weston, his crony? I'll try it, after I wire dad -that I'm on the job." - -While Dick is on his way to send the message I will take the opportunity -to explain to you something more about him, and also something about the -previous books in this series. As I told you in the first volume, -entitled "Dick Hamilton's Fortune," he was left a large sum by his -mother, who had been dead some years. But he must comply with certain -conditions of Mrs. Hamilton's will, before he could get control of his -millions. - -One stipulation was that he must use his funds to make some sort of a -paying investment. If he failed in this he would have to spend some time -with a crabbed old uncle, Mr. Ezra Larabee, who lived in a gloomy place -called Dankville. - -Dick tried several schemes to make money for himself, but, as may be -imagined from a lad who had had no experience, one plan after another -failed. But, at the last moment a small investment he had made, to help -a poor, but fine-charactered lad, named Henry Darby, start in the junk -and iron business, proved wonderfully successful, and Dick fulfilled the -conditions of the will. Uncle Ezra was much provoked that he was not to -get control of his dead sister's son, and his millions, but he was -routed, and had to flee from Grit, the prize bulldog Dick owned. - -"Dick Hamilton's Cadet Days," was the title of the second volume. In -that I told how Dick, to further comply with the instructions in his -mother's will, went to the Kentfield Military Academy. There he was to -make his way, unaided by any influence of his millions. - -He had an up-hill struggle, for there was a prejudice against him. But -he was delighted with the military life. He took part in the drills, in -the cavalry exercises, he helped to win a victory in a big sham battle, -and he fought a duel that had a curious outcome. He was wounded in a -broad sword combat, and was the means of saving the life of his enemy -Dutton, who later became his friend. - -Kentfield Academy was located in one of the middle western states, near -Lake Wagatook. Colonel James Masterly was superintendent, Major Henry -Rockford, commandant, and Major Franklin Webster, of the United States -Army, was the instructor in military tactics. Captain Hayden was head -master, Captain Grantly in charge of the science classes, and Captain -Nelton of those in mathematics. - -Dick, while attending there, was the means of solving the mystery of the -identity of "Toots," the whistling janitor, and when the society house -of the Sacred Pig burned down, and it was found that the insurance had -expired, Dick rebuilt the meeting place in much handsomer style than -formerly, thereby gaining the everlasting admiration of the cadets. - -Dick and his chums had many social pleasures, and if you care to know -how well they could dance, Miss Nellie Fordice, Mabel Hanford, Nettie -French or Mildred Adams could tell you. - -Dick spent his first summer's vacation at Hamilton Corners, a town named -after his father, who was the principal citizen there, as well as owner -of many local enterprises, including a bank. In the fall Dick returned -to the academy, and was promoted to a captaincy. - -In the third volume of the series, entitled "Dick Hamilton's Steam -Yacht," I told of a long trip our hero took in a steam yacht which he -purchased from his ample fortune. With a party of friends he went to -Cuba. - -Uncle Ezra Larabee thought that Dick did very wrong to spend so much -money, so the crabbed old man conceived a plan of kidnapping the youth, -and taking him in charge, to "teach him frugal ways," as he said. - -Mr. Larabee hired a small steamer, and set off after his nephew. He did -kidnap a youth--or, rather the men he hired did--but it was not Dick, -and that made all the confusion. However, Dick had trouble enough, for -his yacht was stolen, and he was left marooned with his friends on a -lonely island. How they built a raft, set out to sea, how they were -rescued, and the pursuit after Dick's yacht, aboard which was his mean -uncle--all this you will find set down in the book. - -After his trip Dick came back up north. All too soon the academy opened, -and our hero had to dock his fine vessel, don his uniform, and get back -to his studies. But he did not mind, once he was among his classmates -again, and he had been "buckling down to hard work" as he expressed it, -for a few weeks, when the events narrated in the first chapter took -place. - -Dick's interest was divided between anxiety over the plight that might -befall his father, and the "slump" that hung over the football eleven. - -"I hope my football scheme works," he said. "But I can't think about -that now. I must help out dad. It's too bad, after all the work he put -in on getting that trolley line in shape, to be threatened with the loss -of it. I must do all I can to stop it. I'll just wire him that I'll be -on the lookout, and then I'll see what I can pick up from Porter or -Weston." - -Dick knew where to find the two cadets in question. They were first-year -students, and were not members of the Sacred Pig, though they would have -given much to join. Dick was not especially friendly with them, but he -now resolved to cultivate their acquaintance, at least long enough to -see if he could get on the track of the men who were seeking to wrest -the control of the trolley line from Mr. Hamilton. - -After sending his second message, Dick strolled toward a "fashionable" -pool club in town, where many of the more "sporty" cadets spent much of -their time, when not at study. - -"Hello, Hamilton!" greeted Porter. "Have a cue. I'm tired of playing -Weston. He's too easy." - -Dick was a good pool and billiard player, and had two fine tables at -home. But somehow he did not play well on this occasion. Porter easily -beat him. - -"I'll try again," said the young millionaire, and when the second game -was well under way he gradually led the talk around to business matters. - -"My dad is great on business, and deals," chuckled Porter as he made a -good shot, and finished up with a run of six. "He's got a deal on now -that will put a few crimps in a couple of people that think themselves -some pumpkins." - -"Yes?" queried Dick, as he missed what seemed to be an easy shot. - -"Sure. That trolley deal I mentioned. But I forgot, I'm not supposed to -talk about it. Only there's some gazabo of a millionaire, down east or -somewhere, that will get the gaff all right. Say, I hear your dad is -pretty well up in business, Ham?" - -"Yes, he has a number of interests," spoke Dick, as he chalked his cue -for a billiard game. He was hoping it would not develope that he was the -son of the "gazabo" in question. - -"Well, my dad is the limit," went on Porter. "When this trolley deal -goes through, as it will, he'll be several millions better off. It's war -to the knife, so he told me. I don't know who he's fighting, but it's -some one." - -Dick knew, but he kept still. - -"It sure is war," he reflected as he made ready to shoot. "I must learn -all I can about the plans of Porter's father, and the men who are in -with him. Then I can help dad. And then--there's the football trouble. -Well, Dick Hamilton," and he paused for a serious moment before making a -nice shot that required plenty of "English" on it, "you sure have your -hands full." - - - - -CHAPTER III - -DICK'S PLAN - - -Rain was coming down heavily when Dick finished the game, and he looked -out from the poolroom with rather a rueful face as he heard the -downpour. - -"I'll run you back in my car," offered Porter. "We can stop at Martin's -on the way in, and have a jolly little supper. What do you say, Ham?" - -Dick rather resented being called "Ham" by a youth who had known him but -a short time. Likewise he did not care to stop at Martin's. So he -covered his dislike as best he could, and answered: - -"No, thank you. I have some business to attend to, and I don't want to -keep you. Go on back to Kentfield, and I'll take a taxicab when I've -finished with my matters." - -"Oh, I suppose you follow in the footsteps of the governor, and are in -business too," almost sneered Weston. - -"Well, I help my father whenever I can," answered Dick, as the blood -surged up under his coat of tan. "Sorry I couldn't beat you, Mr. -Porter. I hope to have better luck next time." - -"You want to bring along all the luck you have, Hamilton," declared the -rich lad, as he put on his coat, while Dick settled for the games, which -he had almost purposely lost in order that he might have a better excuse -for talking to Porter. "I'm a pretty good shot," and he laughed in -Dick's face. - -"So I see," agreed Dick. - -"Then you won't motor back with us?" asked Porter, for he had an -expensive machine, which was in the repair shop a good part of the time, -owing to his reckless driving. - -"No, I've got several matters to attend to," answered Dick, and he -watched the two cronies going out together. - -The storm continued, the rain coming down harder than ever, and, as Dick -had no umbrella he decided to go down to the telegraph office in a -taxicab, a service but newly installed in the college town, but which -was taken advantage of by many students. - -Dick was not a spendthrift, and he knew the value of money. Still, when -he did not have to count his dollars, he did not see the harm in -spending a few in hiring an auto cab, when he had no umbrella. - -A few minutes later he was bowling along the rain-swept streets toward -the telegraph office which he had but recently left. - -"Dad will think I'm making the wires hot," he mused, as the taxicab -careened along, "but I guess I'd better keep him informed right up to -date. That Mr. Porter means business, if I'm any judge. Probably he has -a syndicate of rich men back of him, and they are trying to get control -of father's interests. But we'll put a stop to that if possible. - -"What a cad that Porter fellow is, with his billiard shots, and his -cigarettes! I could have beaten him easily, if I'd wanted to, but if I -had he might have turned sulky, and wouldn't have talked so much. As it -is I've gotten some good information out of him." - -Dick leaned back on the cushions and let his thoughts wander free. As he -had said, there were two big problems ahead of him. He wanted to see the -cadet football team triumph on the gridiron, and he wanted to help his -father get ahead of his enemies. - -Both matters were important to Dick, for he realized that his father's -interests, being now so much bound up in the trolley line, would suffer -seriously if antagonists got in control. - -As for football, our hero, who was one of the best members of the team, -wanted to see his eleven at the head of the Military League. - -And, for several seasons past Kentfield had been the tail-ender, and -practically out of the league. True, they had won some games, and big -ones, too, but it was more like a sudden spurt, and then the cadets -seemed to go "stale," and played in such poor form that inferior teams -beat them. - -"It's got to stop," said Dick to himself. "We've got to win, and if I -can put my plan through, and I don't see why I can't, we'll be at the -top of the heap pretty soon. That is if the fellows will work. And -they've got to! By Jove I'm not going to stay at a college where a -little dinky team like the one from Blue Hill, can put it all over us, -and write such letters as Beeby got to-day. - -"Poor Beeby! He felt it a heap. It was like the time when we were -marooned on that island, and he managed to snap-shot a lot of birds, and -came in to tell us about them. We thought he meant he had killed them -for dinner. Oh, that was a time all right!" and Dick fell to thinking of -the adventures he had gone through when he was taking the first voyage -in his steam yacht. - -The taxicab came to a sudden stop. The young millionaire looked out, and -through the rain he saw the telegraph office. - -"I guess the man will think I'm running a regular brokerage business," -he reflected as he alighted and went in. He sent a message to his -father, telling what he had heard from Porter during the billiard game, -and warning Mr. Hamilton to be on the watch for treachery. - -"There, I guess that will make dad get busy," said the lad. "Now I'll -wait for further instructions, and devote a little time to planning out -what I want to do for the football team. We've got to be champions of -the league or I'll know the reason why. What's the good of money if it -can't get you what you want?" - -"Where to now, sir?" asked the taxi-driver, as Dick got in the machine -again. "Like to go around town for a while? Most of the cadets do when -they get out." - -"Back to the college," ordered Dick a bit curtly, for he did not like -the familiar tone of the man. - -"Hum, he must be one of those tight-wads," thought the driver, as he -threw in his gears and started off. "I like a fellow that spends money." - -If he had known how much Dick Hamilton _could_ have spent had our hero -been so inclined, the taxi-man might have had a different opinion of -him. - -The machine was bowling along at a good speed, through the principal -street of the town, preparatory to turning off on the road that led to -the military academy. It was a cab with the front of glass, and Dick -could look out at one side of the driver, and observe what was going on. - -Suddenly, as they crossed a side street, an elderly man, with a big, -old-fashioned umbrella held low over his head, ran out directly in front -of the cab. - -"Look out! Stop!" cried Dick, involuntarily jumping up. "You'll run him -down!" - -The driver was on the alert, however, and jammed on the brakes with a -practiced hand, and a quick foot. With a shudder of springs and a -shriek of metal the cab came to a stop. Not before, however, it had run -into the man with the big umbrella, upsetting him, though so gently that -he was not hurt. His rain-shield however, was crumpled up and his legs -were entangled in it. - -Before the driver could leave his seat, Dick had jumped out and gone to -the aid of the pedestrian. - -"I hope you're not hurt!" the lad exclaimed, as he helped the aged man -to arise. "I'm very sorry it happened. I guess you held your umbrella so -low that you couldn't see us coming." - -For clearly it was not the fault of the driver that the accident had -occurred. - -"Ha! Hum! So that's what you think, eh?" demanded the man in a rasping -voice, as he fairly grabbed the broken umbrella from Dick's hand. "Here -I be, walking peaceably along the street, trying to protect myself from -the rain, when you reckless military students come along in one of those -fire-snorting new-fangled automobiles, and run me down. It was all your -fault, and if I could see a policeman I'd have you both locked up! How -many of those tin soldiers from the military academy have you in there -anyhow? Cadets! Humph! Much better be at some honest business instead of -learning to kill folks! Are there any more of you? If there are, come -out, and I'll give you a piece of my mind! Learning murder as a fine -art! How many in there?" and he glared at the taxicab. - -"I'm the only one," said Dick modestly. - -"Hum! Too mean to let some one else ride with you, I reckon. Well, it -was all your fault, and you'll have to settle with me. Duncaster is my -name, Enos Duncaster, and I don't intend to be imposed upon." - -Dick could not help thinking how like his uncle Erza Mr. Duncaster was. - -"It was your fault, you old hayseeder!" cried the taxicab man with a -nervous voice, for he had been mortally afraid of a fatal accident. -"What do you want to run under a machine that way for? Hey? Why can't -you look where you're going?" - -"Young man!" exclaimed Mr. Duncaster in a calm voice, "if I didn't know -that you were excited you'd pay dearly for this. You don't know me, but -I'll say, for your information, that I own enough stock in this taxicab -company to have you discharged. I'm sorry I ever invested in it, but I -didn't know them machines were so rip-snorting. Now you can go on, but -first give me your names." - -"What for?" demanded the driver suspiciously. - -"Oh, in case I find I have worse injuries than a broken umbrella," -replied the elderly man with a half-smile. "I may want to bring suit -against the company in which I hold stock." - -"Well, my name is Martin," replied the driver, "James Martin. I -certainly didn't mean to run you down, Mr. Duncaster. But the rain was -in my eyes, and----" - -"That will do," said the man with an air of authority. "Now who are -you--my young soldier lad? I don't believe in this war business, but the -country seems to be going crazy over it, so I might as well keep still. -Who are you?" - -"Hamilton--Dick Hamilton is my name." - -"Hum--Hamilton--no relation to Mortimer Hamilton; are you?" - -"He is my father." - -"What." - -"I say he is my father." - -"Why that's odd--I'm--no, never mind--so you're Mortimer Hamilton's son; -eh? I heard he had one, and that he was going to some sort of military -school. I'm sorry to see it. And so you're the one who ran me down? And -you haven't a crowd of roistering students with you?" - -"No, I'm all alone. I've been attending to some business for my father." - -"Hum! Business, yes. That's about all Mortimer Hamilton does. Well, you -may go. I know where to find both of you in case I want you." - -The odd old man gathered up what was left of his umbrella, and, -declining the aid of a policeman who came up to see what the gathering -crowd meant, Mr. Duncaster walked off. - -"We got out of that lucky," commented the taxi-driver, as Dick -re-entered the vehicle. "I sure thought he would fire me. Who'd think -old man Duncaster would be up here?" - -"Is he really a wealthy man?" asked Dick. - -"You bet he is. He lives away down in the country somewhere, and all he -does is to cut off the interest coupons from his bonds. He's a -millionaire, but you'd never think it to look at him. The idea of -walking, when he could hire a machine and ride. But he's close--awful -close." - -"I hope he doesn't make trouble," commented our hero. "If he does, let -me know. In spite of who he is I think it was his own fault that we hit -him." - -"Sure it was," declared the driver heartily. - -Dick was soon back at school and his first visit was to the society -house of the Sacred Pig. He found only a few of his cadet chums there, -as it was nearing mess time, and they had gone to dress for the meal. - -"Well, you're a fine fellow to run off and desert us the way you did!" -cried Innis Beeby, as he clapped Dick on the shoulder. "What's your -great scheme about a football team? The fellows are half wild trying to -guess. Couldn't you explain before you hiked away?" - -"No, didn't have time." - -"Then tell me now." - -"No, I'd like all the fellows to be together when they hear it and then -they won't get it twisted. I'll meet you all here after grub, and tell -you what I think of doing." - -"All right; it's a go." - -Dick found a goodly crowd waiting for him in the main room of the club -house, for word had gone around of what was about to take place. Our -hero wasted no time on preliminaries. - -"Boys," he began, "you know as well as I do, that we have received an -insulting letter from the Blue Hill academy. Our football team, of which -I have the honor to be a member----" - -"Hurray for the team!" cried Paul Drew. "Long may she wave, o'er the -land----" - -"Order in the ranks!" cried Innis Beeby, who was presiding. - -"Our team needs strengthening," went on Dick. "There is no use ignoring -the facts before us. We never have had a first class team--that is, to -judge by the records of the past. We have not a good team now, and I'm -as bad as the worst member, so I'm not shielding myself. That being the -case, what's to be done?" - -"Get a new team!" called someone. - -"Revamp the old one," cried another. - -"That's my idea exactly," went on Dick. "We must use the material we -have, but with this restriction--there must be a fair field and no -favors. The best men must be picked on the team." - -"Sure!" cried someone. - -"But who's going to do the picking?" demanded Beeby. - -"That's what I'm coming to," went on Dick. "I was going to tell you my -plan, when I had to leave this afternoon." - -"Tell it now!" was the general shout. - -"This is it!" replied the young millionaire. "You know what good -coaching can do for a team. I think that's what we need, and it is -casting no reflection on the present coaches, for we all know they can -devote only a little time to the work. Now what I propose is this: We -can get two of the best coaches in the country--say one from Yale and -one from Princeton. They can come here, and in a few weeks I'm sure they -can whip our team into shape. We have the material--all it needs is to -be developed." - -"That's right--but how can we afford to pay for a Yale and a Princeton -coach?" demanded George Hall. - -"I'll attend to that end," replied Dick calmly. "This is my treat. I -want Kentfield to have the best eleven in the league, and if coaching -can do it we'll have it. Then we can win some games. I'll pay for the -coaches, and we'll see what they can do. That was my football scheme. -What do you think of it, fellows?" - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -FOOTBALL PRACTICE - - -For a few seconds no one spoke after Dick Hamilton had mentioned his -plan for improving the Kentfield eleven. But at length, with a -long-drawn sigh of satisfaction, Innis remarked: - -"Dick; you're a trump!--a brick!--an ice-cream brick on a hot -day!--you're all to the mustard!--a----" - -"Cut it out!" cried our hero, "can't you see how I'm blushing? But -seriously, fellows, is my plan all right?" - -"I should say it was!" exclaimed Paul Drew. - -"But look at what it's going to cost," objected George Hall. "Those Yale -and Princeton coaches are high-fliers--that is, if you can get them to -come--and then besides their salary, we'll have to board 'em. Though I -s'pose we could put 'em up at the Pig, provided they won't scrap all the -while over different training plans." - -"Oh, I fancy that part will be all right," remarked Teddy Naylor. - -"But do you think you can get any Yale or Princeton coaches to come -here--to Kentfield--with her poor, old, broken-down team--that is -according to Anderson," spoke Frank Rutley. - -"Well, of course we'll have to take a chance on that," replied Dick. "If -we can't get men from those two colleges we can try some others. But dad -is an old Princeton grad. and I have sort of a distant forty-second -cousin who was once a star half-back at Yale. I might get them to put in -a good word for us." - -"Hurray!" cried Innis in the excitement and exuberance of the moment. -"That's the stuff! Now we'll wipe up the ground with those Blue Hill -snobs! Whoop-la!" - -He shot out a sturdy fist, and squarely hit a football that Teddy Naylor -was balancing on his hand. The spheroid flew straight and true across -the room, and caught John Stiver on the chin. Stiver at that moment -happened to be looking at the sporting page of a paper and did not see -the ball coming. Consequently it was quite a surprise, and he went over -backward against Paul Drew, both going down in a heap. - -"I say, who did that?" cried John, as he arose with the symptoms of -wrath in his eyes. - -"I did, old chap!" confessed Innis contritely. "You see I felt so good I -wanted to start something. I beg your pardon." - -"Granted. But you certainly started something all right," remarked John -grimly. "There goes Drew's nose bleeding. You sure started something all -right." - -"Oh, I don't mind," responded Dick's roommate, as he went to a toilet -room to staunch the flow of blood. "If we get a good team and play some -stiff games I'll probably have worse than this before the season is -over." - -Innis went out with Paul to assist in attending to the bleeding member, -and the others resumed their football talk. There was but one opinion -about Dick's plan--everybody said it was just what was needed, and to -all suggestions that it would cost a mint of money, the young -millionaire declared that it would be worth all it cost him. - -"What's the use of having a fortune if you don't spend it?" he asked -with a smile. "Though I suppose if my Uncle Ezra hears about my latest -scheme he'll try again to kidnap me, to stop me from carrying it out. -But he isn't here, is he Grit, old boy?" and Dick stooped over to pet -his bulldog, who crouched at his feet, the animal being an honorary -member of the Sacred Pig Society. - -Grit growled at the mention of the name of Uncle Ezra. He had a deep -antipathy to that gentleman, and with reason, for Mr. Larabee hated -dogs, and kicked Grit on the sly every time he got the chance. - -"Then it's all settled," remarked Dick, when Paul and Innis had come -back to the general room. "I'll get busy writing some letters, and we'll -see what we can do. It's lucky the season hasn't started yet, for we -have plenty of time to get into shape." - -"Yes, and we'll not only do up Blue Hill good and brown, but we'll put -it all over Mooretown and some of the other teams in the Military -League," declared Innis. "But you fellows must get at practice, and try -and harden yourselves. I wish Bert Cameron was here--I don't know how -he's going to take to this new coaching idea." - -"Oh, Bert won't mind," declared Jim Watkins. "He'll be only too glad to -be relieved of the coaching, for I heard him say he was trying for an -extra exam. in maths, and he needs all the time he can get." - -Bert, who was a star football player, had given up active participation -in the game to act as coach for Kentfield. But, as his chums well knew, -he had not the necessary time to devote to the work of telling them what -to do and how to do it, and the team suffered in consequence. - -However, the mention of this gave Dick an idea. He did not want to hurt -the feelings of Bert, and, when the coach entered the club a little -later the matter was mentioned to him. - -"Go ahead, grand idea," he declared and his enthusiasm was not forced. -"I know I haven't been keeping you fellows up to the mark, and I'll be -glad to see some one here who can. Besides, I need all the time I can -get to bone away at my maths." - -"Then I'll go ahead," declared the young millionaire. "I'll have the new -coaches here in a week if I can get them, and I'll meet any financial -demand they make." - -"That's the way to talk!" cried Paul, clapping his chum on the back with -such energy that Dick uttered a protest. - -When our hero turned in at taps that night, his mind was filled with two -main thoughts. One was the future of the football team, and the other -was the trouble that threatened his father. Then another remembrance -came to him. - -"I wonder who that Mr. Duncaster is that we so nearly ran over?" mused -Dick. "He must know dad. He's a queer sort of a character, I guess." - -Dick little thought of what an important part in the future of himself -and his father this same Mr. Duncaster was to play. - -"Well, I'll see if I can get any more information from Porter about the -deal his father is in," said Dick to himself, as he turned over to -compose himself for sleep. "There must be more than one man in the game, -and it's up to me to find out who the others are, so dad can be on his -guard. I hope he doesn't lose control of the trolley, for a lot of small -investors have put all their money in it, and if other interested men -get hold of it the investors might lose all they have. I guess that's -why dad is so worried. I'll cultivate the acquaintance of Porter and -Weston, though I don't care much for them." - -A better day for football practice could not have been desired. There -was just enough crispness in the air, and the gridiron, newly marked -with its chalk-lines was green under the autumn sun as a crowd of cadets -released from drill and studies, flocked over the campus, shouting and -laughing. - -"Line up there, you scrubs!" called Paul Drew. "This is where we walk -all over you. Here, Dick, catch this!" and he kicked a puzzling spiral -toward the young millionaire. - -Dick made a jump for the ball, but it slipped through his fingers. - -"Wow! Rotten!" he cried. "That wouldn't do in a game." - -"That's right," agreed Innis. "But you're no worse than the rest. Look -at Watkins miss that drop kick he tried to make." - -Shouts of derision from the scrub greeted the effort of Watkins to boot -the pigskin. The scrub, in spite of its unenviable position, had been -doing better in practice than the regular team. Captained by Tom Coleton -the lads had scored many a touchdown on their superiors, and they were -proud of it. - -"Line up, fellows!" called Teddy Naylor, the Varsity captain. "We'll see -what we can do." - -The game at Kentfield was played under the old rules of halves, instead -of quarters, and, in fact, all the teams in the Military League -preferred that style. - -Goals were chosen, and it was announced that two ten minute halves would -be played. Dick was to play at quarter-back, John Stiver at left -half-back, Ray Dutton at right half-back, Paul Drew at left guard, -George Hall at right tackle, Teddy Naylor at full-back, Frank Rutley at -left tackle, Jim Watkins at centre, Innis Beeby at right guard, Sam -Porter as left end, and his crony, Jake Weston, at right end. - -The scrub were to kick off, as Teddy wanted to see how well his men -could rush back the ball. Not that he expected much, but somehow, under -the stimulus of the new plan proposed by Dick, there was a more -confident feeling among members of the Varsity eleven, than had existed -in some time. - -"I think we'll surprise 'em to-day," remarked Paul Drew, as he took his -place beside Jim. - -The signal was given, and Hal Foster made a big dent in the side of the -ball. It came sailing toward the spread-out Varsity team, and was caught -by Dick. He started back over the chalk marks, well protected by -interference. - -"Grab him! Don't let him get past you!" called Tom Coleton, who was in -charge of the scrub. Dick's helpers shoved aside several impetuous lads -who tried to break through to tackle him, and it looked as though he -might make a sensational run. But when Bart Gerard slipped past Paul -Drew, and got in to the running lad, there was a quick, fierce tackle, -and Dick went down heavily. - -"Not so bad! Line up!" cried Bert Cameron, who stole a few minutes from -his studies to come out and see how the play was going. - -"Get ready, fellows!" cried Dick, as he took his place behind Jim, while -the big centre leaned over and prepared to snap back the ball when the -signal was given. - -Dick called out a string of numbers which indicated that Ray Dutton was -to take the ball between the left guard and tackle of the scrub. The -ball came back, and with all his might Dutton leaped for a hole that -Beeby and Hall made for him. On and on he struggled pushing and being -pushed. - -"Brace, fellows! Brace!" implored Coleton, and his men tried, but there -was no withstanding the fierce rush of the Varsity. Through they went, -and when Dutton was finally stopped he had gained five yards. - -"It's been some time since we did that," commented Dick, as he looked -back at the ground covered--ground whereon were strewn fallen players -for the rush had been a fierce one. - -Again came the line up, and again the advance with the ball, Stiver -taking it this time for a run around end. He made a good gain. Then -followed more rushing tactics, until, when in reasonable distance of -the goal, Dick gave the signal for a try for one from the field. - -Straight and true the ball came back to Teddy Naylor, and the next -instant it was booted over the crossbar. - -"Wow!" cried Beeby capering about. "That's the stuff. Now if that was -against Blue Hill I'd stand on my head!" - -"Impossible, old chap--I mean impossible to stand on your head--you're -not balanced right," panted Dick, for the last few minutes of play had -been strenuous. "But it was good work all the same." - -"You can't repeat it," declared Coleton, half chagrined yet glad that -the Varsity was picking up. - -But the Varsity did even better, for they rolled up two touchdowns in -that half, a thing they had been unable to do since practice started. - -They did not have things all their own way, however, for the scrub -played so fiercely and with such desperate energy in the next half, that -they, too, got a touchdown, and would have had another but for a -splendid tackle Porter made. - -"Good!" cried Teddy encouragingly, for Porter was not a good player, and -would not train properly. But he had been picked on the team early in -the season, when available material was scarce, and the captain did not -like to drop him now. His fine stopping of the man with the ball, -however, showed what he could do when he tried. - -The play was resumed. There were only a few more minutes left, and the -scrubs were trying with all their might to score again, while, on their -part, the Varsity was trying to stop them. The scrub had the ball on the -Varsity twenty-five yard line, when the signal came for a play through -centre. - -Dick half guessed that it was coming, and when the man with the ball -made his appearance in the hole torn for him, our hero met him with a -suddenness that shocked them both. - -"I've got you!" cried the young millionaire. There was a revolving -struggle, and then something hit Dick on the head. It became black all -around him, and he went down in a limp heap, while he heard some one -crying: - -"Get up, fellows, Hamilton's hurt!" - - - - -CHAPTER V - -DISQUIETING NEWS - - -There was a singing in Dick's ears. He seemed to be on a heaving, -rolling sea, and he dimly wondered how he happened to be back on board a -boat. Then he felt a dash of water on his face--cold, stinging -water,--and he half imagined himself back on the raft with a sea -breaking over him. Next he felt some one lifting him to his feet, and he -heard the murmur of voices. - -"That was a nasty blow." - -"Yes. Who did it?" - -"Shall we send for the doctor?" - -"I'm--I'm all right," protested Dick feebly, as he opened his eyes. He -came back to earth with a shock, and the boatlike motion suddenly -ceased. "I--I----" - -"Are you sure you're all right?" asked Paul anxiously. - -Dick put his hand up to his head. A big lump was beginning to form, and -was tender to the touch. His head started to ache and hum. - -"That was my fault," contritely confessed Hal Foster, of the scrub. "I -was trying to stop you from making that tackle, when my feet slipped -from under me, and shot right at your head, Hamilton. I hope you're not -much hurt. I'm awfully sorry." - -He took hold of Dick's arm in a brotherly fashion. - -"It's all right--don't mention it old chap. It was no one's fault. I -shouldn't have jumped in so quickly. I'm all right again. Come on, we'll -finish the game." - -"No, the time's about up," announced Teddy. "We've had enough for -to-day. And it's been better practice than we've had in a long while. I -guess we're all anxious to get on Hamilton's team." - -"Hamilton's team?" asked Sam Porter, in a curious tone. "Since when has -it been _his_ eleven?" - -"Oh, I forgot you hadn't heard the news," went on Teddy. "Why Dick is -going to pay for two of the best coaches in the country, and we're going -to have a team as _is_ a team. That's why we all played so well to-day, -I guess--even the scrub." - -"Thanks!" exclaimed Tom Coleton. "We'll do you up good and proper -to-morrow just the same." - -"Not with Dick Hamilton's team," cried Teddy with a laugh. - -"It isn't going to be my team at all," declared Dick, as he supported -himself on Paul's shoulder and walked along, after his head had again -been bathed in the cold water. "I don't want it known as that. I'm only -doing what any fellow would do--putting up some cash to help out. It -isn't my team at all." - -"I should say not!" sneered Porter. "Hamilton's team--that sounds like -playing favorites all right." - -"Yes, if it keeps on this will be known as the Kentfield-Hamilton -Military Academy," added his crony. - -Dick heard, and his face flushed. He took a step toward the two lads, -but he was unsteady on his feet, for the blow on his head had been -severe. - -"You'll have to take that back Mr. Porter," said our hero a bit stiffly, -"and you too, Mr. Weston." - -It was seldom that the cadets addressed each other thus, and only when -there was some feeling engendered. - -"Take what back?" demanded Porter. - -"What you said about favorites," went on Dick. "I won't stand for that." - -There was that in his look and manner, and in his words that impressed -not only his friends but the two cronies as well. They realized that -Dick as an upper classman, had considerable influence, and, though they -had their own following, due to their wealth and their willingness to -spend money, they doubtless felt that they had gone too far. - -"Oh, well, I didn't mean anything," said Porter, half sulkily. "I--I was -only joking." - -"I don't like such jokes," declared Dick grimly, and he looked at -Weston. - -"Same here," muttered Porter's crony. "I was only fooling." - -"Your apologies are accepted," was Dick's reply. He walked on, half -supported by Paul, and when his chums saw how evidently weak he was they -wanted him to go to the doctor's office. But Dick would not. - -"I'll be all right in the morning," he said. "All I need is a little -rest. We're getting right into football good and proper," he added with -an attempt at a smile. - -"Yes, starting off with a hospital list," added Teddy. "Don't have too -much of it, though." - -Dick was rather lame and stiff the next morning, and his head was in -poor shape for study, so he cut some lectures, and got excused from -drill and artillery practice. In the afternoon however, he was much -better, and insisted on going through light practice in signals playing -one half against the scrub, his place being taken by a substitute in the -second period. - -Whether it was because Dick was off the team, or because the scrub -played with fiercer energy, due to their defeat of the day before, was -not manifested, but the Varsity was beaten by a score of fourteen to -eleven, and once more there was a feeling of gloom in the ranks of the -first eleven. - -"Oh, it's all right," Teddy assured his players. "We will make up for -it to-morrow. By the way, Dick, when are your coaches coming?" - -"I've written, and I expect an answer some time this week. It may take a -little longer than I hoped, but I told them not to let money stand in -the way. I have made an offer to Burke Martin of Yale, and Wilson -Spencer of Princeton." - -"Martin and Spencer!" cried Teddy in delight. "Say, if we get them here -they'll make even the goal posts play the game. There aren't any two -better coaches living." - -"It pays to get the best," said Dick, with a smile. "I have had my -father send a line to the athletic committee of the Tigers, and I told -him to write to our distant relative who once went to Yale, and get him -to put in a good word for us." - -"Fine!" cried the captain. "I fancy they'll make the team all over again -when they get here. I may lose my place." - -"Nonsense!" declared Dick. "But the way I feel about it is this--we want -the best men to represent Kentfield, and we'll let the coaches do the -picking. I don't want to play unless they say I'm better, in my -particular place, than some other fellow. It's a fair field and no favor -for me." - -"Same here," declared Naylor. "I'll step out the minute I'm asked to. -It's for the honor of Kentfield, not for any particular player. But it -would be rubbing it in if they turned you down Dick, after what you've -done--putting up all that money." - -"Say, look here, that's a matter I want to speak about!" exclaimed Dick -with sudden energy. "I don't want the coaches to know who is putting up -the money--I don't want it known that I am doing it. They are both fair -men, and I know you couldn't influence them with a million dollars. But -let this matter be kept quiet, and have it given out that the athletic -committee of Kentfield is supplying the funds. Then there can't be -anything said against me." - -"I guess that would be the best way," assented Teddy. "I'll call a -meeting right away and we'll settle it. But you say you have already -written to the coaches." - -"I did, but I wrote in the name of the committee," said Dick. "I took -that liberty, as I wanted to conceal my part in the affair. I thought it -would be all right." - -"Sure. I'll see that it is." - -The athletic committee at a meeting that night, endorsed the action of -our hero, and the members were bound to secresy in the matter as to who -was supplying the money with which to pay the coaches. - -For the next few days practice went on, and there was a distinct -improvement in the playing of the Varsity team, to the disquieting of -the scrub, for those unfortunate players were shoved all over the -gridiron, and several were laid up with bruises, as the first eleven -was playing for touchdowns, and secured several. Still their playing was -anything but what it should be, and the lads themselves realized it. But -they were willing to learn, and anxiously awaited the arrival of the -coaches. - -Dick, meanwhile, had spent some time with Porter and his crony, though -he did not like their companionship. He played many games of pool and -billiards with them, losing occasionally, and again, by some brilliant -cue work, making the two gasp with astonishment and chagrin. - -"I don't see how it is that you don't win oftener," spoke Porter a bit -suspiciously one day. - -"Oh, well, it's luck I guess," declared Dick, and then he steered the -conversation around to the topic on which he wanted information--the -plan to wrest the control of the trolley line from his father. - -But Porter either did not want to tell more, or could not. He declared -that his father's plans were coming along in great shape, and that Mr. -Porter was a wonder as a financier. - -"There'll be some surprised millionaires when my dad gets through with -them," he boasted. - -"Is he doing it all alone--I mean hasn't he some men associated with -him?" asked Dick as carelessly as he could as he made a neat carom shot. - -"Oh, I guess there are some pikers in along with my governor, but he's -the main squeeze," declared Porter. "He lets some fellows trail along -so he can use 'em when he wants to. But he gets most of the dough, and -he keeps it too. I hope the deal soon goes through, for I want my -allowance increased, and the governor promised to raise the ante as soon -as he gets control of this electric road. By the way, it's somewhere out -your way, Hamilton. You must have heard of it." - -"I have," answered Dick as quietly as before. - -"Is your dad interested? I hear he has scads of money. Maybe he's in -with my father." - -"No, I fancy not. It's your turn, Weston," and Dick turned aside to -conceal a grim smile on his face. - -That night there was a letter for Dick from his father. It contained -disquieting news, for it bore the information that the enemies of the -millionaire were getting more active. - - * * * * * - -"There is some other man besides Mr. Porter who is in this matter," -wrote Mr. Hamilton. "I can't just learn who he is, but he holds a large -number of shares, that he has bought up in little lots from the original -holders. If I could learn who he is, and get in touch with him, I might -persuade him to sell me some stock, so I would have the controlling -interest. Then I could bid these others defiance. If you can learn who -this man is, Dick wire me at once. I'll do the same for you, but as -things are now they certainly look bad for the Hamilton family. But -keep up your spunk." - - * * * * * - -"Poor dad," mused Dick, "I guess managing finances is about as hard as -trying to re-shape a slumping football team. But we'll both do our best. -I wonder who that unknown man is?" - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -MR. DUNCASTER AGAIN - - -"I say, Dick, are you in?" - -It was a cautious voice making this inquiry after a gentle knock at the -door of the room where our hero and Paul Drew lived when they were not -playing football, drilling with the other cadets, or reciting their -lessons. - -"Who is it?" whispered Dick to his chum. - -"Blessed if I know. Sounds like Beeby, and again it might be Teddy. -Going to let him in?" - -"Sure. No one's around this early and it's safe. Unbolt the door. I've -done enough boning to-night." - -It was shortly after Dick had received the letter from his father, in -which the disquieting news was given, and the two cadets were preparing -their lessons for the morrow. - -But as this was ever-wearying work, to be disposed of as quickly as -possible in case any pleasure was available, the two friends welcomed -the disturbing knock. - -"Come on in," invited our hero as his chum opened the portal. "What's -up, anyhow." - -"Something doing," replied Innis Beeby cheerfully as he slid inside the -room, and carefully closed the door. "Are you fellows ready for a little -fun?" - -"It depends on what kind," answered Dick. "Are you going to run one of -the six-pounders up on the chapel steps, or turn the flag upside down?" - -"Neither. But did you know that Porter and Weston were giving a little -spread to-night?" - -"A spread? No! And those fellows only freshmen of the freshest kind," -answered Paul. "Say, we ought to take 'em down a peg." - -"Exactly what I think," agreed Beeby. "I came over to see if you didn't -want to join in the fun. We're going to invade their spread, take Porter -and Weston captive, and carry them into town." - -"Then what?" inquired Paul eagerly. He was always ready for fun. - -"We'll make them do 'sentry-go' in front of the town jail. Have them -march up and down with wooden guns on their shoulders. Maybe they won't -feel sick!" - -"But will they do it?" asked Paul. - -"They'll have to if we make a freshman matter of it. Otherwise they'll -go to Coventry for the rest of the term. Oh, they'll do it all right. -How about it, Dick?" - -Now our hero had shown a curious lack of interest in the matter of -hazing Porter and Weston, from the time their names were mentioned. He -seemed to cool down all at once, though he had always done his share -heretofore in making the first year men feel their inferior positions. - -"Well?" asked Innis Beeby, after a pause, as he glanced at the young -millionaire. - -"Oh, what's the use?" inquired Dick. "Can't we let 'em alone? It might -make trouble in the football team if we put them through the third -degree too strong." - -"Bosh!" cried Innis. "They need it. Besides, if any fellows take offense -at a little hazing they're not fit to play on the football team. Eh, -Paul?" - -"Sure not." - -But Dick was thinking what effect his participation in the affair would -have, especially when he still wanted to get some information from -Porter, and depended on keeping in with that worthy in order to secure -it. - -"Come along, Dick," urged Innis. - -"Oh, I don't know," and the young millionaire paused before a case full -of books--a case seldom opened. "I ought to do some boning, and----" - -"What!" cried Beeby aghast. "Don't speak of such a thing again. You -nearly gave me heart disease. Come along and have some fun. We don't -often have a chance at it, but there is a faculty pow-wow to-night, and -the coast is unusually clear. That's why Porter had his spread I guess. -We'll go over, make a rough house, and take him and his friend out for -an airing. Then we'll all feel better. Come on, Dick." - -There was no help for it, and, somewhat against his will, our hero made -ready to accompany his chums. He did not like to go, as he feared to get -on bad terms with Porter. - -It was a very much surprised party of surreptitious midnight feasters on -which our hero and his chums burst half an hour later. The spread was -being held in the apartments of Porter, for he had hired a sitting room -as well as a dormitory chamber. Both were well filled with most of the -members of the "sporting" set. - -"What does this mean?" demanded Porter indignantly, as the upper -classmen made their appearance. "I think I did not invite you to my -little affair." - -"No, we didn't wait for a bid, Porter, though it was mighty careless of -you to overlook us," retorted Beeby. "But we came, anyhow. Now I guess -you can come with us, Porter and Weston. We're going to initiate you -into the mysteries of the gun club." - -There were significant glances from the other cadets for they knew what -this meant. Many of them had been through it on previous occasions. - -"We're not coming!" exclaimed Porter aggressively. - -"No, and you haven't any right to interrupt us in this manner," -declared his crony with dignity. "Leave here at once." - -"With you, dear friend, and not otherwise," put in Teddy Naylor. "Come -on, it's part of the game." - -But Porter and Weston could not see it that way. They protested, and -made a show of fighting. They appealed to the other cadets, but the -latter said they had better comply with the demands of the upper -classmen. - -Even then the two cronies remained ugly, and made a show of resistance, -until Beeby and the others, tired of the delay, made a sudden rush, tied -the captives with ropes that had been brought for the purpose, and -marched them quietly from the building. - -"Here, you let go of that rope, Hamilton!" cried Porter, as he saw Dick -holding one end of the cords that bound the hands of the two captives -together. - -"Can't do it--nohow," was the grim answer, and yet Dick wished that he -might, for he was afraid that this would prove an insurmountable barrier -to future talks with the son of the man who was seeking to ruin Mr. -Hamilton. - -"Then I'll get even with you," threatened Porter. "I'll make you fellows -sorry for this night's work, you see if I don't." - -"Don't mind him--he's talking like a cannon-swab," said Beeby with a -chuckle. - -In a little while the two captives had been placed in front of the town -jail, with instructions to march up and down before it, bearing on their -shoulders grotesque wooden guns made for the hazing purpose. - -"And if you desert inside of an hour, you know what it means," -threatened Jim Watkins. "You'll belong to the Down and Out Club after -that. So keep on the job." - -Porter and Weston knew better than to disobey, for their chums, who had -been present at the spread, had whispered to them of the dire penalties -that would follow a disregard of the hazing instructions of the upper -classmen. So the two cronies marched gravely up and down the dark -street, while occasional pedestrians paused to gaze, chuckle silently as -they realized what was in progress. - -"I'm not going to stand it!" indignantly declared Porter after a half -hour of the ordeal. - -"We'd better," counseled Weston. "I don't want to stay at Kentfield for -a month with not a soul to speak to but you. We've got to do it." - -"All right. But I'll get even with Hamilton for this. I think he started -it. I'll get square with him." - -"Same here," and Weston shifted his gun to the other shoulder, and -marched forward wearily. - -The night wore on, and in the shadows of several buildings the upper -classmen who had originated the joke on the two freshmen, looked on and -chuckled in mirth. Occasionally they called out a remark to the -sentries. More people passed, and some paused to laugh, to the anger of -Porter and Weston. Policemen walked by, but they were familiar with that -form of hazing and did not make any complaint of the odd sight. Some of -the prisoners in the jail peered out from their barred windows and -jeered. All this was bitterness to the two. - -After a time Beeby and his chums wearied of the joke, and on the -invitation of George Hall went to a nearby soda fountain for some -chocolate. - -"They'll skip out as soon as we're gone," declared Ray Dutton. - -"No, I think they'll stick," declared Innis. "Anyhow, Dick, you go back -and take a look. We'll keep your chocolate for you." - -Our hero did not relish the task, but did not want to object. -Accordingly, he walked back to the corner where he could look down the -street and catch a glimpse of the two cadet jail-sentries. They were -still on their posts. - -Dick turned back to join his chums, and, as did so he almost collided -with a man coming around the corner in an opposite direction. - -"I beg your pardon!" exclaimed the cadet. "I didn't see you." - -"Very evidently," was the rasping reply. "That's the trouble with you -young men, you never look where you're going. Ah! I see, another one of -the soldiers--and if it isn't the same one who nearly ran me down the -other night in an automobile." - -Dick recognized the aged Mr. Duncaster. - -"I--I'm afraid it is," our hero faltered. "I--I didn't mean to, I'm -sure. I didn't hurt you this time." - -"No, but it's not your fault that you didn't. You came around that -corner under a full head of steam. Have you run down any more persons in -your auto?" Enos Duncaster asked sarcastically. - -"No, and that time it wasn't my fault." - -"Hum--let's see--your name is Hamilton--son of Mortimer Hamilton--I know -him--a hard man in a bargain. Well, I'll let you off this time. Who are -those two young men marching up and down over there--chums of yours?" - -"Yes--we--we're hazing them," faltered Dick. - -"Ha! Hazing! A senseless and foolish proceeding! But just what I would -expect of you soldier lads--heartless and cruel. Well, let me pass, I've -wasted enough time on you." - -Mr. Duncaster's voice was grim and harsh. He brushed by Dick roughly and -passed on down the street, muttering to himself about the foolishness of -youths in general, and in particular regarding those boys who attended -military schools. - -Dick, having assured himself that the hazed ones were still patrolling -their post, returned to his chums and helped get away with some -chocolate soda. - -There was a telegram awaiting our hero when he reached his room later -that night, Porter and Weston having been released from their hazing -duties. - -"Hum, I guess that's from dad," mused Dick. "I wonder what the new -developments are?" - -Rapidly he scanned the few words. They were these: - - "Dear Dick: Enos Duncaster is the name of the man who holds a lot - of trolley stock. See if you can locate him for me. I understand he - lives somewhere in the vicinity of your academy. Trouble is - thickening. I need help." - -"Whew!" whistled Dick. "Enos Duncaster! He's the man who holds the -stock, and whom both sides are after. And I'm in his bad books if ever a -fellow was! Whew! I can see the finish of this without any spectacles!" - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -THE COACHES ARRIVE - - -Cavalry evolutions were ordered for the next day, followed by a field -drill, and a service march of several miles, so that there was no chance -for football practice. - -"And we need all we can get, too," remarked Dick to Paul. - -"Let's suggest to Colonel Masterly that he give up lessons and drill -while the gridiron season is on," suggested Paul with a smile. - -"Yes, I can see him doing it," cried the young millionaire. "Which horse -are you going to ride, Paul?" - -"The little black--I'm fond of him, though he is a bit vicious." - -The boys were on their way to the cavalry barracks, and in their wake, -and ahead of them, were other cadets hastening to secure their mounts, -for the bugle was impatiently calling. - -"Do you think Spitfire is safe?" asked Dick, naming the steed Paul had -said he would use. "Why don't you take the little gray I used to ride? -He's a good steady mount, though a bit slow." - -"That's the trouble," was the answer, as Dick's roommate tightened the -belt of his sabre. "I want to keep up with the rest of the bunch. No, -I'll take Spitfire. I reckon you'll ride Rex; eh?" - -"Sure," for Dick had brought his own fine horse to Kentfield with him, -together with his bulldog, and Grit was now ambling along behind the two -chums, occasionally uttering a low bark of satisfaction, for the dog -loved to go along on the practice "hikes." - -"Well, be careful," cautioned the wealthy youth, as Paul went in to -saddle up. - -"All right," laughed his chum, but there was a serious look on the face -of our hero, and he resolved to keep near his chum that day. - -Artillery practice followed the cavalry drill, and the cadets, sitting -as straight as ramrods on the caissons while the horses galloped around -at full speed, leaped off the moment the sudden halt was made, -unlimbered, fired rapid shots and, limbering up again, went off at a mad -gallop to repeat the operation. - -"Forward march!" signalled the bugler when arrangements had been made -for the "hike," and the eager horses, astride of which were the no less -eager cadets, started off. - -It was a pleasant day, though a trifle cool, and the service overcoats, -with their flashily yellow linings, showing gaily in the sun when they -flapped back, felt very comfortable. - -At first the march was in orderly array, while Major Webster, and some -of the other military instructors, passed here and there among the new -cadets, telling them the proper way to manage their horses. Dick and his -chums, however, having passed several terms at the academy, needed no -hints. - -"Don't hold your snaffle reins that way, Mr. Porter," said the major to -the new lad as he rode up beside him. "You can't control your horse in -an emergency. Let me show you," which he did, also correcting a fault he -noticed in the way Weston sat on his steed. - -"Humph! I guess I know something about horses," complained Porter, when -the instructors had passed on. "I straddled one before I came here. I -had a German riding master, and what he didn't know about horses wasn't -worth putting on ice. I'll ride as I please." - -As he spoke, he put spurs to his horse, digging them in viciously, and -as the startled animal leaped forward, the cruel lad wrenched the poor -brute's mouth open with the strong curb bit. There was a momentary -confusion among the horses immediately surrounding Porter, and several -of the older cadets called sharply to him to "stop his funny work." - -"Oh, you fellows make me tired!" Porter grumbled. "Why don't you do some -fast riding." - -"You'll get all the fast riding you want if you stay long enough," spoke -Paul sharply. - -A little later the order was given to ride at will, and Major Webster, -galloping back to Dick, said: - -"Captain Hamilton, you and Lieutenant Drew take several of the new -cadets and ride around by the long lake road. Give them some points. -Take about ten--Mr. Porter and Mr. Weston, fall in with Captain -Hamilton's squad." - -"Hum! I guess Captain Hamilton thinks he knows it all," sneered Weston. - -"Not a bit of it," answered Dick good naturedly. "But orders are orders -you'll find. Come ahead, and I'll show you a fine bit of road, some -magnificent scenery, and we'll have a good gallop. Look out there, Paul, -I don't like the way Spitfire is acting!" The young millionaire called -this suddenly as he saw his chum's steed waltzing up to another animal, -with ears laid back as though to bite, and so cause trouble. - -"I can manage him," answered Paul confidently, as he put the restless -steed about in a rapid circle. - -Dick's little squad, himself and Paul the only really military -experienced riders in it, set off along a cross road that would bring -them to the shore path of Lake Wagatook. There, as the young captain had -said, was a fine road with scenery that one would have to travel many -miles to equal. - -"Now for some fast riding!" called Dick, when they came to a long open -stretch. "You can go as far as you like, Porter." - -"Good! Then here I go!" - -Viciously he again spurred his horse, and his example was followed by -his crony. The two animals sprang away together, but Porter's stepped on -a round stone, stumbled, and almost fell. The boastful lad proved that -he did know something about animals, for he pulled up the beast's head -sharply, and got him in hand again. Not before, however, the frightened -steed had collided with some force into Spitfire. - -Paul's horse lashed out instantly with its hind hoofs, and then, with a -shake of the head bolted. The cadet attempted to pull him in, but, a -moment later, uttered a startled cry. - -"My curb rein is broken!" - -It flashed through Dick's head in an instant what that meant. Naturally -ugly, Spitfire, now unusually frightened, was practically beyond -control. Paul was doing his best but was rapidly being carried down the -broad highway, with Porter and Weston galloping after him, their own -steeds none too well in hand. - -"I've got to stop him!" exclaimed Dick. "I've got to catch Spitfire and -stop him, or Paul may be hurt! That brute isn't fit to ride. Come, Rex!" - -Rex needed no spur. Off he started like a racer, and Dick, looking back, -flung over his shoulder at the other cadets: - -"Come on, fellows, keep up as well as you can!" - -Rex soon fell into his stride, and fairly skimmed along the smooth -road. But Paul was quite a distance ahead, and Spitfire was running -hard. Dick could see his chum sitting easily in the saddle, now and then -leaning forward trying to grasp the broken and flapping end of the curb -rein. - -"Don't do it! Wait! I'll catch you!" shouted Dick, but it is doubtful if -Paul heard him. - -"Come on, Rex old man, we must do better than this. We can beat -Spitfire," spoke Dick gently, patting his horse on the neck. Rex -understood and let out a few more "kinks" of his speed. - -The young millionaire soon reached and passed Porter and Weston, whose -steeds had soon tired of the speedy spurt. But not so with Spitfire. -Dick knew he would have a race. On galloped Rex, and before him sped -Spitfire. - -"A little better, boy, a little better," urged Dick. And a little better -Rex went. - -Dick could now see that he was overhauling the uncontrolled steed, and -he was glad of it, for he feared Paul might be flung off, in spite of -the lad's skill in horsemanship. - -"I'll have him in another minute," reflected Dick, when there suddenly -loomed in sight a big touring car, and right at a point where the road -narrowed. Spitfire was viciously shaking his head, now and then holding -it low. - -"Jove, he'll crash into that car!" cried Dick aloud. "Why don't they -keep that infernal horn still? It's making him wilder," for the -autoists were frantically tooting away. - -"I've got to get in ahead of him, and ride him off to one side," thought -our hero. "Rex, old boy, I hate to do it, but--just a touch." - -Gently Dick pricked his pet animal with the spurs--just a touch, for -voice was not quite incentive enough. Like a shot Rex sprang forward, -and covered the ground so rapidly that in another brief instant the -young millionaire was ahead of his friend, and between Spitfire and the -now stationary auto. Then, with the skill of long practice, Dick urged -Rex up to Spitfire, who was losing speed, and a moment later the -frightened steed had been forced off the road, into the grassy side -path, and headed toward a fence, which effectually stopped farther -progress. - -"Well ridden! Excellently well ridden!" cried the man at the wheel of -the auto. Dick saluted, for there were several ladies in the car, and -then turned to Paul. - -"All right, old man," he asked anxiously. - -"Yes, but I might not have been a little later. I should have looked to -my reins. Thanks--for coming as you did," and Paul warmly grasped Dick's -hand. - -"You knew I'd come. Now let's see if we can mend that leather and ride -back. Are you game?" - -"Oh, sure. I fancy Spitfire has had all he wanted for to-day." In fact -the animal was much subdued after his run. The auto passed on, not even -the tooting of the horn causing Paul's steed to prance. Then he and Dick -managed to patch up the curb leather, and rode back to meet the other -cadets. - -"Don't spur up so suddenly when other horses are too near you," advised -the young captain to Porter, who seemed a bit ashamed of the trouble he -had caused. - -"I beg your pardon, old man--and yours, Captain," spoke the lad, who -though impulsive, was not a bad fellow at heart. - -"All right," answered Dick easily. "We'll take it a little more slowly -now." - -They finished the ride in about two hours, reaching the academy as the -last of the other riding squads came in. Dick made no report of the -little incident which, but for his promptness, might have had a fatal, -or at least a serious, ending. - -Rifle practice, and field telegraph work occupied the rest of the day, -and there was a final drill and inspection in the late afternoon. - -"A pretty strenuous day," remarked Paul to Dick, as they went to their -room that evening. - -"Yes, and there'll be another to-morrow." - -"How so?" - -"We must get in some good football practice, for I expect the two -coaches soon, perhaps to-day." - -"Then Martin and Spencer are both coming?" - -"Yes, the good salary and the influence of the old grads, including dad, -brought them around." - -"I'm glad of it. Now Kentfield will do something." - -Out on the gridiron were a score or more of the mole-skin clad warriors, -doing all sorts of things to a harmless pigskin spheroid. It was booted -and passed about. - -"Line up! Line up!" called Teddy Naylor. "Get together fellows! Where -are you scrubs? We're going to send all of you to the hospital. Come on, -Dick, run through some signals." - -Eleven panting youths faced eleven others, and the ball went sailing -into the midst of the Varsity. George Hall caught it, and ran back with -it, well protected by interference. But some of the scrub managed to get -through, and downed him before he had gone far. - -"Down!" panted George, as he tried to rise from underneath a mound of -human forms. - -"Down indeed, but too soon," remarked a strange voice, to one side of -the scrimmaging lads. They all looked up. Two young men stood looking at -the heap of humanity. They were strangers to all the cadets. - -"May I ask--perhaps you don't know it, but only members of the academy -are allowed out here," spoke Teddy Naylor a bit stiffly. - -"Oh, but we were sent for," remarked one of the strangers. "We just -came, and we were interested in seeing you play." - -"You were sent for?" repeated the captain. - -"Yes, that is----" - -"Oh, isn't this Mr. Martin?" asked Dick, striding forward and holding -out his hand. - -"Yes," was the answer from the man with a small black moustache. "I'm -Mr. Martin and this is Mr. Spencer," and he indicated his companion. - -"Fellows, the coaches have come!" cried Dick. "Now to learn how to play -football!" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -THE TRY-OUT - - -Scores of expectant lads sat in the meeting room of the Kentfield -Academy gymnasium. They faced two quiet gentlemen, who, from time to -time, whispered to each other. Beside the two gentlemen were Teddy -Naylor and Innis Beeby, who also, as the minutes passed, conferred in -low voices. - -"Hadn't we better start?" asked Innis, of the football captain. - -"No, we'll wait a few minutes longer. Porter and Weston aren't here, and -I want them to come." - -"Those fellows will never train for the eleven." - -"Yes they will. There is good material in both of them. Here they are -now. I guess we've got enough. Will you start her off, or shall I?" - -"Oh, you'd better, Teddy. I'll say something later if it's necessary. -Better introduce 'em formally first, and let 'em do most of the -talking," and the stout cadet looked at the two coaches. - -"Fellows," began Teddy, arising and moving forward a bit nervously, "you -all know why we are here--that is I suppose--we are here--we came----" - -"Good, Teddy!" called someone encouragingly. "Say it over, we missed -part of it." - -"We are here----" - -"Because we're here!" interpolated another tormentor. - -"Oh, hang it all! We've met to discuss football!" cried the captain in -desperation. "The athletic committee feels that something should be -done--you all know how Blue Hill turned us down--we've got to play -better. We now have two of the best coaches in the country, and they're -going to have charge. I take pleasure in introducing to you Mr. Burke -Martin of Yale, and Mr. Wilson Spencer of Princeton." - -"Three cheers for both of 'em!" cried someone, and the big gymnasium -reverberated with the shouts. Mr. Martin nodded to his colleague to -speak first, and the Princeton coach arose. - -"I am glad to see you all so enthusiastic," he began. "You know why the -services of Mr. Martin and myself were secured, and I assure you that we -will do our best to get your team into shape. To do this we may have to -tell you some unpleasant truths, and some of you who imagine yourself -good players may find that you cannot make the team--at least not at -once. But I hope there will be no hard feelings. Now to begin with, I -want to say something about training, as that is my specialty, and -afterward Mr. Martin will give you a little talk about playing the game -to win." - -Thereupon the Princeton coach touched briefly on the more important -points of the training system. It was soon evident to the Kentfield lads -that they had not done enough of this in times past, and perhaps this -was the cause of some of their defeats--at least they ascribed it to -that. - -"Football men, among other things, need quickness," said Mr. Spencer, -"and beyond all else, according to Michael Murphy of Pennsylvania, than -whom there is no better trainer, the players on the gridiron need to -have plenty of superfluous energy to draw on. That is you need a sort of -reserve stock to use at the time of a big match. Your mental condition -is no less important than your physical. You must _want_ to win, and you -must feel that you are _going_ to win. - -"The care a player takes of himself in the summer determines in a great -measure how soon he can get into condition in the fall." - -"We had pretty good training on Dick's yacht," whispered Innis to Teddy. - -"Now, I propose that we start at the beginning," went on the coach. -"We'll have some setting-up exercises, some track work, and general -gymnastics, and then we'll get in a position to pick the men for the -Varsity by a series of try-outs." He made some special references to the -details of training, and then yielded to Mr. Martin. - -The latter went into the fine points of the game, emphasizing the needs -of the individual players, laying stress on what the backs, tackles, -ends and guards should do, and urging on the lads the necessity for -fast, snappy playing. - -"Demoralize your opponents by the quickness with which you jump into -formations," said the Yale man. "As soon as one play is finished be -ready for the next. In defense, never give up, no matter how the game -seems to be going against you. Hold hard, tire out the other side, and -then you may have a chance to get the ball and--win!" - -He spoke at some length, and his remarks were eagerly listened to. Then -Innis got up, and, after a trifling show of nervousness, and two or -three false starts, which gave the cadets a chance to "rig" him, he -said: - -"I want to say that I'm sure none of us will feel any resentment if, -after a fair trial, it is decided by the two new coaches that he isn't -fit for the team," went on the stout lad. "I know my own failings and -I'll be trying to get my weight down----" - -"Don't eat so much," urged Jim Watkins, and there was a laugh, whereat -Innis blushed. - -"And I'm going to train hard," he concluded. "I guess that will be all -this evening." - -The meeting broke up, but the boys lingered to talk with each other, -many surrounding the coaches, and asking all sorts of questions. - -It had been arranged with Colonel Masterly that Mr. Martin and Mr. -Spencer could occupy rooms in the Senior dormitory, and Dick, through -the athletic committee, had provided for paying the bills. - -Preliminary work of training started the next day, and though some of -the boys thought it useless, they went through the exercises. But the -two coaches were too wise to keep the cadets at mere gymnasium work too -long, and so some field work with the ball, and some running exercises, -were arranged. - -Several candidates could not stand the pace and the grind and dropped -out, but their places were eagerly taken by others. The scrub members -were enthusiastic, and each one hoped to make the Varsity. - -"Now we'll try a little practice game, between the first and second -teams," proposed Mr. Martin, about a week after the arrival of himself -and his colleague. "It will be in the nature of a try-out, for probably -those who do the best work will be put in the first squad, and from that -the men for the Varsity will be picked. That does not mean, however, -that those who fail to make good this time will be barred. We will keep -on the lookout for good material all the while." - -"And I want you boys to feel that you are always being watched," added -Mr. Spencer. "We'll have our eyes on you when you least expect it." - -"That's what we want," declared Dick with a laugh. "We want the best -team possible." - -"Yes--Hamilton's team," sneered Porter to Weston. - -"He'll be sure to make it, anyhow," added the latter. - -"If he does, and I don't, I'll kick up a row," threatened the rich lad. - -"So will I. Come on let's go to town and have a pool game. I'm pretty -dry, too. - -"Better not get caught with any of that bottled stuff," cautioned -Porter. - -"Don't worry. They will have to be pretty foxy to spot me, but I'm not -going to be a temperance crank just because those coaches say so. Come -ahead and we'll have some fun. It will be stiff enough work to-morrow." - -The practice game was a hard one. Each player did his best, and on -several occasions, after a hard scrimmage, time had to be taken out -while some cadet had the wind pumped back into him, or a twisted ankle -vigorously rubbed. - -Slowly but surely the Varsity pushed back the luckless scrub. Slowly but -surely a touchdown seemed about to be made. Dick gave a signal for a -fake kick. John Stiver, the left half-back was to take the ball, run -wide toward his own right end, pass the pigskin to Teddy Naylor, at -full-back and the latter was to try and advance it for a touchdown. - -All went well until Teddy got the ball. Then, as he was charging around -the end, with Dick and Stiver forming interference for him, he dropped -the ball. Something like a groan came from the young millionaire, for he -saw their chance to score lost. Tom Coleton, of the scrub, came charging -through, but the next instant Dick had made a grab for the pigskin, -picked it up, and, dodging Coleton, made a dash toward the goal line. - -The day was saved, for our hero, making a splendid run, planted the ball -squarely between the posts, and behind the final chalk mark. - -"Touchdown! Touchdown!" came the triumphant cry. "Varsity touchdown!" - -"But it wouldn't have been one except for Hamilton," remarked Mr. Martin -grimly. "Naylor, how did it happen that you couldn't hold the ball?" - -"I don't know," answered the luckless captain. - -"We can't have that," remarked Mr. Spencer with a dubious shake of his -head. "Well, try for goal." - -It was an easy shot, and Innis made it quickly. Then the game went on, -but the Varsity could not score again, and the scrub was equally unable -to advance the ball when they had it. - -"That will be enough for to-day," announced the coaches. "We are going -to make some changes to-morrow. The list of the first squad will be -posted in the gym." - -There were anxious looks among the players. Who would be on the -preliminary Varsity team. It was a question every cadet asked himself. - -"Well, if I don't make it," reflected Dick, "I will have so much more -time to try and get on the trail of Mr. Duncaster. But--I want to play -football." - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE ACCUSATION - - -"Come on, Dick!" cried Paul excitedly, as he burst into the room where -his chum was industriously boning away over the pages of his -trigonometry. "Hurry up!" - -"What's the rush, son?" calmly asked the young millionaire. - -"Haven't you heard? The list of the Varsity players has just been posted -in the gym." - -"Who told you?" - -"Toots. He was whistling 'Just Before the Battle, Mother,' when I -spotted him, and he sung out that the list was up. I want to see if my -name is there." - -"It sure is--you played your head off yesterday," declared Dick. - -"That's no sure sign. I wish I had your chances." - -"Nonsense!" exclaimed Dick. Yet, deep down in his heart he could not -help feeling that perhaps, after all, he might be put on the scrub. He -had played his best, but he had made some errors, and one fumble. Yet -it would seem that his run and touchdown would count for much. - -"Aren't you ever coming?" asked Paul. "Jove! I can't wait." - -"Sure I'm coming," answered his roommate, as he tossed the book upon a -heap of others. "No use getting excited though." - -It was the day after the try-out game, and the coaches after a long and -none too easy process of elimination had arrived at some definite -results. They had made up a tentative Varsity team. - -As Dick and Paul hurried across the campus toward the gymnasium, they -saw many other students bent on the same errand as themselves, for the -news had quickly spread, and each cadet who had football aspirations was -anxious to see if he was one of the lucky eleven. - -There was such a crowd about the bulletin board that for a time Dick and -his chum could not get near it. They heard many names called out though, -for the second team was posted as well as the first. - -"There's Beeby--lucky dog--he's made it!" exclaimed someone. - -"I thought he was too fat," came in disappointed tones from Roy Haskell, -who coveted the centre rush's place. - -"And Hall--he's on." - -"Yes, and there's Dutton and Stiver, both on the first team." - -"Say--look--Teddy hasn't made it!" - -"Get out!" - -"Sure not! Look, he's on the scrub." - -"Poor Teddy. That's because of that fumble yesterday. Who's got his -place?" - -"I can't see. Oh, yes, it's Coleton!" - -"Say, did you hear that?" asked Paul in a low voice of his chum. - -"Yes, it's bad news. But Teddy will be on before we get through the -season. He's a better all around player than Coleton. Can you get up -there now?" - -"I guess so. Come on. Say, let a fellow up, will you?" begged Paul of -those about him. - -As they were worming their way up they heard another piece of news. - -"Porter is off," remarked one lad. - -"I thought he'd be," came from Jim Watkins. "He made two bad fumbles -yesterday, and he isn't quick enough for an end." - -"Can you see, Dick?" asked Paul, as he clung to the side of his -companion. "Is your name there." - -"I don't know yet--Hey, Frank, get your head out of my way for a second; -will you?" - -"Sure thing, Dick. Tough about Teddy; isn't it?" - -"Yes, but don't worry. We'll have him back." - -"I hope so." - -"Now can you see?" implored Paul. - -"Yes, your name----" - -Dick paused a moment. - -"Well!" panted his roommate. - -"Is there all right. You're on the Varsity." - -"What position?" - -"Left guard--where you wanted to play." - -"But what about you, Dick?" - -"Oh, I'm down at quarter all right," and from the calm way in which he -said it those who heard him would never have imagined that Dick's heart -had almost stopped beating when, for a brief moment, he thought he had -caught sight of his name on the second list. - -"Good, old man!" cried Paul fervently as he clasped his chum's hand. "I -knew you'd make it. Now we'll see what sort of a team we'll have with -the two changes. Are those the only ones made?" - -"Yes, Porter and Naylor are off." - -"Who's got Porter's place?" - -"Hal Foster--a good fellow, too." - -The throng surged about the bulletin board, newcomers arriving every -minute, and all the cadets making various observations as they were -pleased or disappointed. Teddy Naylor was not in sight. He had heard the -news, and in the bitterness of his heart he kept to himself for a while. - -Yet he did not complain. Teddy played the game fairly, and he was a -loyal son of Kentfield. He was willing to defer to the judgment of the -coaches--yet no one but himself knew how he longed to be among the first -squad, and with a grim setting of his lips he resolved to make it -before the big games were played. - -"Well, come on," invited Paul to Dick. "I'll treat you to a soda on the -strength of this." - -"Don't you think it will put us out of training?" - -"One can't. We've got to celebrate in some way." - -The two chums strolled across the campus arm in arm, toward a spot where -an enterprising dealer, well aware of the desire for sweets on the part -of the students, had set up a little confectionery shop. - -As Paul and his chum neared it they saw, walking toward them, Porter and -Weston. The cronies were talking earnestly together. - -"I wonder if Porter's heard?" ventured Paul. - -"If he hasn't he soon will. I'm sorry for him. He's a brilliant player, -but careless. He may come back before the season is over." - -"He isn't much of an addition to the team--too snobby for me," spoke -Paul in a low voice. - -Porter suddenly seemed to become aware of Dick's presence, for Weston -called his attention to it. Glancing up quickly, a black look passed -over the features of the rich youth. Then striding ahead of his -companion, he confronted our hero. - -"Well, you've heard the news I suppose?" he snarled. - -"About the announcements being made?" inquired Dick gently. - -"No--about me being off the team." - -"Yes, I'm sorry, but perhaps----" - -"Oh, yes; you're sorry!" snapped Porter. "But I notice that _your_ name -is down all right." - -"Yes," and Dick controlled himself by an effort, for the tone was -insulting. - -"We all know why you're on the Varsity. It isn't because of your star -playing." - -"I never claimed to be a star," was the calm answer, "but I probably -played well enough to be picked." - -"No, you didn't!" fairly shouted Porter. "You were picked because it is -your money that's paying the salaries of the coaches and they were -afraid if they didn't pick you that they'd lose their jobs. That's why -you're on the Varsity, Dick Hamilton, and you can put that in your pipe -and smoke it!" - -Porter, with a sneer on his puffed and red face, swung around angrily, -and started off. - -"Wait one minute, Mr. Porter," called Dick in a strangely quiet voice. -"I want to say something to you." - -"No, let me say it," begged Paul quickly, as Porter turned and faced -them. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -DICK IS REBUFFED - - -For a moment the four cadets--two on one side and two on the -other--stared at each other. The face of Dick Hamilton was rather pale, -but he held himself well in control. As for Paul, he had one hand on the -shoulder of his chum, and had taken an eager step forward to confront -Porter. - -That bully regarded the two friends with a sneer on his face, and the -countenance of Weston wore an amused smile. - -"Well, I thought you were going to say something," half-snarled Porter. -"If you are, put some steam on. We're in a hurry." - -"You made an accusation just now," went on Paul, making a motion to Dick -to keep silent. - -"I did, and I think I can back it up. Why it's plain to everybody how -the thing is worked. It's even known as Hamilton's football team, and no -wonder he is picked to play on it." - -"It isn't my team at all!" burst out the young millionaire. - -"Well, you're paying for the coaches," put in Weston. "That's why -they----" - -"They don't know a thing about it!" cried Paul Drew. "That's what I want -to say. From the beginning it was feared that something like this might -crop up, and so Dick arranged to hand the money to the athletic -committee, of which I happen to be a member. Our committee pays the -salaries of the coaches, and also for their board, and the coaches -themselves only know that much. They have no more idea that Dick is -footing the bills than that an inhabitant of Mars is doing it, and if -any one makes a statement to the contrary--well, we have a way of -dealing with such persons at Kentfield," and Paul looked significantly -at Porter and Weston. - -"Does that satisfy you?" asked Dick quietly, as Paul paused. "I would -have told you the same thing, but perhaps it is just as well to come -from a member of the committee. I am only too glad to help out the team -by hiring the coaches, but they don't know me from any other player, and -I took my chances with all of you. If I had been turned down, as I half -expected to be, it would have made no difference." - -"Wait until you get turned down, and then you'll sing a different tune," -remarked Porter bitterly, and Dick realized how he must feel. - -"I'm sorry," said the young millionaire gently, "and if I had any -influence at all you should be on the Varsity, for I think you are a -good player." - -"The coaches don't," and Porter laughed sarcastically. - -"There's plenty of chance yet," went on Dick. "We are to have another -practice game this week, and there may be a turn about in some players." - -"I have a large sized gold framed picture of 'em naming me," exclaimed -Porter with sarcasm. "But I take back what I said about your money -getting you on. It did seem so, at first." - -"Perhaps naturally," agreed Dick. "But your apology is accepted," and he -held out his hand. "I hope we can be friends," he concluded. - -"I guess so," mumbled Porter, with rather a shamed air. - -"I presume Mr. Weston seconds what his friend says," spoke Paul -significantly. - -"Oh, yes," and it was with rather an obvious effort that the crony made -reply. "Come on, Porter, or the best billiard tables will all be -occupied." - -"Well, I'm glad that's over," remarked Dick to Paul, as they turned -away. "I was afraid this would crop up, and it's just as well to settle -it. I only hope it does settle it, and that no other fellows will think -as Porter and Weston did." - -"Oh, some of them are bound to think it anyhow," said Paul easily. -"Don't mind it, for it will wear away sooner or later. I'm afraid, -though, that the team will be known as yours." - -"I don't want that, Paul." - -"Can't be helped, old man. After all it's a high honor. I wish I could -afford a football team, and a steam yacht." - -"Maybe you will some day. And, come to think of it I may not have a -steam yacht much longer." - -"Why, are you going to sell it?" - -"No, but dad's finances are in a bad way, and may become worse." - -"You don't mean to say he's lost all his money?" and Paul gave Dick a -startled glance. - -"Oh, we have enough to keep the wolf from howling under the parlor -windows, and I don't expect to have to go to work in Uncle Ezra's woolen -mill right away, but dad is involved in some trolley deal, and it's -'crimping' him, as he says. He's got most of his money tied up in it -now, and some men, of whom Porter's father is one are trying to get the -road away from dad." - -"Does Porter know this?" - -"He doesn't know it's my father whom his father is fighting, and I'd -just as soon he wouldn't. But I've got to do something to help out, and -one thing is to locate a Mr. Duncaster," and Dick told of his encounters -with the eccentric man, and how he held a large block of stock in the -trolley line. - -"I'll help if I can," agreed Paul. Then they got their ice cream sodas, -and strolled back to the academy. - -That night Dick wrote his father a long letter, explaining about the -football team, and also detailing his meetings with Mr. Duncaster. - - * * * * * - -"He lives in a place called Hardvale," wrote Dick, "and he seems to be -as hard as the place is named. However, I'll try to see him, and get him -to sell you the stock. You had better write me some specific -instructions, and say how high I can go in bidding for it. If Mr. -Porter, whose son is here at Kentfield, learns that Duncaster has the -stock, he may have a try for it, so I'll have to go at it quietly. But -I'll do my best." - - * * * * * - -Then, having done as much as he could in his father's business matters, -our hero resumed his interrupted studies. - -There was more football practice the next day, and the coaches now put -the Varsity team through some rigorous work. The cadets were a little -inclined to find fault at the strenuous tasks assigned to them, but the -experts were exacting, and said that if Kentfield expected to be in the -championship class she must work for it. - -Meanwhile the scrub was being moulded into shape, for a good opponent is -a necessary element in practice, and unless there is something to fight -against practice goes for little. - -And how eager that same scrub was to make touchdowns against the -Varsity! How they did work, taking desperate chances all the while, and -the individual players making names for themselves by brilliant dashes. -For they all wanted to get on the first team, and they bore in mind what -the coaches had said about giving them a chance if they did well. - -"We certainly have our work cut out for us," remarked Dick, after a -particularly gruelling day. "I'm as lame as a fellow who's tumbled -downstairs." - -"Same here," agreed Paul. "Some one walked all over me in that last -scrimmage." - -But the effect of the hard work was fast becoming noticeable, for the -team was getting to be like "nails" as Mr. Martin said, and the players -were working more in unison. - -There was a practice game between the Varsity and scrub on Saturday, and -it was the best one yet, from a critical football viewpoint. The coaches -nodded their heads in approval when the first team made six touchdowns. -And, though the scrub did manage to get a field goal, it was not to the -discredit of the Varsity. - -"We're picking up," declared Dick, as he ducked under a shower bath in -the gymnasium. "We'll be able to challenge Blue Hill again, and they -won't dare turn us down." - -"I think we're going to try on some other team first," said Paul. "I -heard the coaches talking about it. But say, who's going to be our -captain--have you heard?" - -"Not a word about it. Maybe it will fall on you, since Teddy is out." - -"Jove! it would be an honor, but I don't hope for it. I'd like to see -you fill that berth," went on Paul unselfishly. - -"Nonsense!" exclaimed Dick. "I guess--blub--glub--ugh!" for he turned -his head up and the shower from the spray filled his mouth and nose -unexpectedly. - -"Wow! That was a wet one!" he cried when he had caught his breath. - -"Dutton would like to be captain, I hear," put in George Hall, who was -in the next shower to Paul. "He says he's going to try for it." - -"And he'd be a good one," declared Dick heartily, for he and his former -enemy were now firm friends, though not exactly chums. - -There were many speculations as to who would head the eleven, but the -coaches had advised the cadets to wait until the Varsity team was -definitely selected before holding an election, and this had been agreed -to. - -There came a long telegram for Dick late that Saturday night. It was -from his father, and showed more plainly than anything else how anxious -the financier was. For he did not wait to write a reply to Dick's -letter, preferring the speed of the wire. - - * * * * * - -"See Duncaster by all means," read part of the message, "and offer him -ten points above par for the stock--all he has. It's a big price, but it -will soon be worth more. See him soon." - -"I'll make a trip out there Monday," decided Dick. "Whew! Things are -beginning to happen evidently." - -With Paul for a companion our hero hired an auto and made the journey to -Hardvale. Grit sat on the floor of the tonneau, with a contented look on -his ugly but honest countenance. - -"Grit may come in handy if Duncaster sets his dogs on us," remarked Dick -with a grim smile, as they bowled along at good speed. - -"Why, do you expect trouble?" asked Paul. - -"Not exactly, but I imagine he hasn't much use for me. He didn't act -very friendly the last time we met, and then the sight of the auto may -make him angry, remembering how we ran him down. But it's too slow to -take a horse. I hope we find him at home." - -It was rather a lonesome part of the country through which they were -traveling--a sparsely settled district that, somehow, reminded the young -millionaire of the gloomy landscape at Dankville where his Uncle Ezra -lived. - -Mr. Duncaster was at home, a fact which a crabbed old housekeeper -conveyed to the boys in no very cheerful voice. - -"But I don't believe he'll see you," she added. "He's just woke up from -his afternoon nap, and he's always a little riled then." - -"Hum," mused our hero, "rather an unfavorable time to call, but it can't -be helped. Will you tell him Dick Hamilton wants to see him?" he -requested of the housekeeper. - -"Oh, I s'pose so," and the woman went off grumbling, leaving the two -lads standing on the doorstep. - -"Polite," commented Paul with a short laugh. - -The woman came back presently. - -"He wants to know what you want," she said. - -"I'd like to see him, and explain in person," said the young -millionaire, "but will you tell him it is about the stock of the Midvale -Electric Road he holds. I wish to purchase it for my father." - -"Oh, you do; eh?" snarled a voice behind the housekeeper, and the -wizzened and rather scowling face of Mr. Duncaster was thrust out. "So -that's why you called on me, Dick Hamilton? I haven't forgotten you, as -you'll note. Ha! There's another of the tin soldiers," he sneered as he -caught sight of Paul. "If I had my way you'd all be breaking stone on -the road, and you wouldn't have those soldier suits on, either," and he -chuckled hoarsely. Clearly he was none the better for his nap. - -"I called in reference to the Midvale stock," explained Dick, trying -hard to keep down his anger and speak politely. "My father told me to -offer you ten above par for it." - -"Ten; eh?" and Mr. Duncaster chuckled. "Did he say you were to go higher -in case I refused that offer?" - -"No, he did not." - -"Well then you can go back where you came from and tell your father that -I won't sell." - -"Do you mean for that price? Do you want more money? I can wire my -father, and say----" - -"You needn't say anything for me!" snapped the crabbed man. "I won't -sell at that price, nor any other he can offer me. I've had a better -offer than his, you can tell him, but I won't do business with him. Now -get away from here! This isn't war time and I don't want a couple of tin -soldiers on my front steps," and once more the old man chuckled at his -insulting words. - -Dick and Paul flushed, but made no retort. - -"Won't you consider any offer at all from my father?" asked the young -millionaire, wondering if the other bid for the stock had come from Mr. -Porter. "I will send him a message, telling him you----" - -"I told you that you needn't tell him anything from me!" snapped Mr. -Duncaster. "I won't sell, and that's all there is to it! Now get out!" -and he slammed shut the door. - -For a moment Dick paused irresolutely on the steps. Then, with a shrug -of his shoulders, he said: - -"Turned down! Well I'll have to try some other way. It will be a -disappointment for dad though." - -As the two chums walked out of the yard the chauffeur came toward them -with a small pail. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Dick. - -"Get some water for the radiator. It's almost out. I see a well over -here." - -He approached it to draw up the bucket, when a window was raised, and -the head of Mr. Duncaster was thrust out. - -"Here! Keep away from that well!" he cried. "You shan't have any of my -water for your old rip-snorting contraption. I believe you are the -fellow who ran into me the other night. Get away from there and water -your machine somewhere else." - -"Hum! You're a cheerful companion for yourself in your old age," -remarked the chauffeur, as he turned back. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -A RIVALRY - - -"What are you going to do?" asked Dick of the auto driver, as the three -walked out of the yard of the mean man, watched all the way by the -squinting eyes of Mr. Duncaster. - -"Oh, I'll go to some place down the road where they're not so careful of -their water," was the answer. - -"Have you enough to run on?" asked Paul, and the chauffeur assured them -that he had. The next resident was a cheerful farmer, who not only gave -permission for them to take all the water they needed, but even drew it -from the well for them. - -"And if your machine needs a drink, perhaps you will too," said the -farmer's wife. "I've just made some hot coffee, and I'd like you all to -come in and have some." - -"We will!" assented Dick, and most grateful was the beverage, for riding -in the open car was chilly. - -"What a difference in people," commented Paul, as they started off -again. - -The young millionaire felt almost as badly at sending the discouraging -news to his father as Mr. Hamilton must have felt on receiving it. But -he immediately wired back a cheerful telegram to his son. - - * * * * * - -"Don't worry," he advised, "we'll try some other way, and perhaps you -may be able to get around Duncaster later. I'd come on and tackle him -myself, but I can't spare the time." - - * * * * * - -Thereupon Dick began to devise ways and means of inducing the miserly -and crabbed financier to part with the stock. He even thought of taking -part of the money that was in his own right, and making an offer higher -than the one authorized by his father, but he reflected since Mr. -Hamilton had not told him to go more than ten points above par value, -perhaps there might be a special reason for this. - -"I might take a crowd of the fellows out to his house some night and -haze him," ventured our hero. - -"Let me go along if you do," begged Paul eagerly. "I'd like to get even -with him for calling us tin soldiers." - -"I'm afraid it can't be done," and Dick sighed. "I'll have to think of -something else." - -Football practice now occupied all the spare time the cadets had. Early -and late they were on the gridiron, playing under the watchful eyes of -the two coaches, who still found many faults to correct. - -"No team is perfect," declared Mr. Spencer, "but we want Kentfield to be -as nearly so as possible. You boys must do better on kicking though, for -you may meet some team where you'll have to depend on your -leg-and-foot-work to pull you out of a hole." - -"And they're not quite as fast as I'd like to see them," added Mr. -Martin. "They don't snap back into place quickly enough after each play. -Now try it again. Get in the habit of running back into place instead of -walking. Be lively!" - -They lined up again, to run through some new plays and formations, and -then were ready for the scrub, against whom they made such a good -showing that both coaches warmly congratulated their charges. - -"I wish poor Teddy was back on the Varsity," confided Dick to Paul, as -they finished the day's practice. "He's feeling it very much, and he's -falling off in form." - -"Yes, I was afraid of that. I wonder if we couldn't do something?" - -"I'm afraid not. Porter is playing well on the scrub though. He's much -faster than he was in getting down on kicks, and he tackles fiercely. -Did you ever have him come at you?" - -"Indeed I have," answered Paul ruefully. "I've got a lump on my head -yet where he threw me down last week. But that's the way to play the -game." - -"Sure. Say, don't you think it's rather queer not to have a captain?" - -"Yes, and it's evident that Teddy isn't going to stand any show for it -now. It will be some one of the present team, I fancy." - -"Probably. Have you heard any rumors?" - -"Well, George Hall would like it--in fact every fellow would, but Dutton -is the hottest after it. He's pulling wires all he can--in a legitimate -way, of course, and lots of the fellows like him." - -"I don't blame him. Well, I'll vote for him, when the election is held." - -"I won't!" declared Paul stoutly. - -"Why not?" - -"Because I'm going to vote for you, old man." - -"Nonsense! I don't know as I want it." - -"You deserve it, which is more. No one has done as much for the -Kentfield eleven since the academy was started as you have this one -season, and you ought to be captain. Then you couldn't kick when they -called it Dick Hamilton's football team." - -"Oh, get out!" cried the young millionaire, yet he was not displeased at -his chum's sincere words. And what normal healthy lad would not want to -be captain of an eleven? - -There was much buzzing talk the next few days concerning the captaincy, -and when the coaches announced that the present Varsity eleven would -stand, at least for the present, and that in order to play match games a -captain would be needed, the excitement grew apace. - -"Nominations to-morrow night!" cried Paul one afternoon as he burst into -the room he and Dick shared. "Dutton's name is sure to go up. I'm going -to nominate you and I've got the promise of nearly enough votes to put -you through." - -"Look here!" began Dick, "I don't want----" - -"It doesn't matter what you want!" cried Paul, clapping his chum on the -back, and doing a sort of war dance around him, "you haven't anything to -say in this matter. You just come to the meeting and see what happens." - -It was a lively session, for several matters cropped up that needed to -be settled. There was also a manager to be chosen, and, as Beeby did not -want the place, preferring to spend more time in practice and training, -it was practically decided to have some one not on the team to look -after business ends. - -Dan Hatfield was talked of for manager, and his name met with such -instant favor that none other was considered. But when it came to the -captaincy that was a different matter. - -The little boom that started in favor of George Hall was so feeble that -he himself saw that he had no chance, and nipped it. There was much -talking and putting together of heads when Mr. Martin arose to announce -that nominations for captain were in order, and that the names would be -posted three days, and then voted on. - -"I nominate Ray Dutton!" sung out John Stiver, who was the particular -chum of the former. - -It was quickly seconded, and then up jumped Paul Drew. - -"I nominate Dick Hamilton!" he sung out. - -"Second it!" came promptly from Dutton himself, a courtesy that Dick -acknowledged with a bow. - -The former rivals--now rivals again--faced each other with smiles, but -there were anxious feelings in the hearts of both. - -"Three cheers for the candidates!" cried Jim Watkins, and they were -given heartily, with a tiger added. - -"Any more nominations?" asked Mr. Martin. - -"Well there's luck in odd numbers, I nominate Frank Rutley!" called out -Porter with a laugh. "We might as well have a good choice while we're at -it." - -Weston seconded this name, and there were no comments. Thereupon the -three names were posted on the bulletin board, and the meeting -adjourned. - -"Well, what do you think of it, Dick?" asked Paul, as they strolled back -to their room. - -"I'm glad I'm nominated, of course, but----" - -"Well, but me no buts, what is it?" - -"Dutton is very popular, and I can't help remembering how he was against -me when I first came here. But I'll take my chance with him!" - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE MIDNIGHT ALARM - - -Wire-pulling extraordinary went on at Kentfield for the next two days. -Each candidate had his particular friends, who worked hard to gain votes -for him. - -It was soon seen that Rutley had no chance, and though he would poll -several votes, the main contest was between Dutton and Dick Hamilton. - -"And you're going to win!" declared Paul with enthusiasm, as he clapped -his chum on the back. "I've got nearly enough votes promised right now, -and I know I can gain over more of the fellows." - -"But say, old man, don't make such a fuss. You make me feel----" - -"No matter how you feel, you're going to be captain! I'm sure of it!" - -"Well, there's no use saying I don't care how the election goes, for I -do," declared Dick honestly. "I'd rather it was some one else than -Dutton though, who was against me." - -"Why, you're not afraid of him; are you?" - -"No, but you remember the old rivalry. I'm afraid it will make talk, but -I want to say right here and now that if he is elected he won't have -any better friend than I, and I'll play my head off to help his team -win!" - -"We all know that!" cried Paul, looking at his chum admiringly. "It goes -without saying. Now I'm off to see some more of the first year fellows." - -"Don't make too much of a fuss about it," begged Dick. "Don't make it -look as though I'd give my head to be elected. I want it, of course, -but----" - -"I understand!" cried Paul lightly as he hurried off. - -As the time for election drew nearer the excitement increased and there -were all sorts of rumors floating around. Votes were openly bought and -sold, but in a friendly, boyish fashion, the inducements being nothing -more important than "treats" or some special favors. Some even traded -the horses assigned to them in the cavalry drills, one cadet getting a -handsome black he coveted in exchange for a rather poor roan, but Dick -gained a vote thereby. - -Paul Drew was a faithful lieutenant in his chum's cause, and he did -valiant work. As for the young millionaire and Dutton, they kept -discreetly out of it. They met several times during the course of the -first day's electioneering, and gaily chaffed each other on the chances -they stood. - -"I hear you won't have one vote, 'Ham,'" laughingly declared Dick's -former enemy. - -"That's right," half-seriously assented our hero. "I told all my friends -to vote for you." - -"So I heard. Kind of you. Come on over and I'll buy you a soda." - -"No. They're on the forbidden training menu now." - -"That's so, I nearly forgot. Well, come on up to the Sacred Pig, and -we'll have some toast and tea," for there was a lunch room in the -society house. The two rivals went off arm in arm, watched by an -admiring throng of cadets, for they were both great favorites with their -schoolmates. - -At the close of the first day it was generally admitted by the workers -on both sides that the two candidates for captain had about the same -number of votes. Rutley was "not in it," as Paul said, and the lad -himself laughingly admitted this. Still Porter and his particular set -were working in his interests, not so much because they really wanted -him, as that they did not want Dick to win, and they took this means of -deflecting votes from him. At the last minute, it was rumored, the -Rutley votes would be swung to Dutton. - -"But you've got heaps of chances yet, Dick," declared Paul, "and there's -lots more time to canvass." - -But not much electioneering could be done on the next day, for a -competitive drill was ordered and after that was to come artillery -practice. There was barely a chance for some football work, and it had -to be cut short. - -What little was done, however, demonstrated that the team was shaping up -well, and the coaches were more than pleased. - -"We'll have them play the Dunkirk Military Academy next Saturday," -announced Mr. Spencer, "and we'll see what they can do in a real -contest." - -"I have great hopes of them," declared Mr. Martin. "Of course they ought -to beat Dunkirk, for it's a smaller academy than this, but if they roll -up a big score, bigger than Blue Hill did against the same team last -year, Blue Hill can hardly refuse to play our boys, and I understand -that their refusal to meet Kentfield is a sore point." - -"It certainly is. Oh, we'll whip our lads into shape yet, and then Blue -Hill can look to her laurels." - -The two coaches walked over to the gymnasium, for they kept themselves -in condition by hard physical work on the apparatus, as well as by -out-door practice. - -All through the academy that night went the buzz and hum of talk about -the election. Several votes changed hands, so to speak, though it could -not be said that Dick's chances were increased thereby. In fact Paul was -a little downcast as he reckoned up the number he was sure of for his -chum, and thought of the number needed. - -"But I'll get them!" he told himself fiercely as he looked at the list -in his hand. "There are some new fellows I haven't seen yet." - -"Oh, go to bed," advised Dick, who was tired with the day's duties, but -Paul would not. - -The young millionaire was sleeping soundly when Paul came in a little -later. - -"Well?" asked Dick, half awake. - -"Not very well," answered Paul dubiously, "but it may be in the morning. -Dutton certainly has lots of friends." - -"All right," announced Dick as cheerfully as he could. - -It was after midnight when the two chums, as well as several other -cadets, were awakened by an alarm wildly shouted. - -"Fire! Fire! Fire!" came in startled tones from a voice they recognized -as that of Toots. "Fire in the ammunition house!" - -Paul and Dick were out of bed in the same instant, and rushed to the -window. They saw a red glare, and the cry of Toots was echoed by other -janitors. - -"By Jove! The ammunition house is blazing!" cried Paul aghast. "If that -goes up----" - -"It's far enough removed from the main buildings," cried Dick, as he -began hurriedly to dress, "but it may damage the Sacred Pig. Besides, -there are some valuable guns in there--and Paul--I forgot--Grit is in -there! Come on!" and Dick raced from the room, half attired as he was. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE RESCUE OF DUTTON - - -"What do you mean? Grit in there--in the ammunition house?" cried Paul, -hurrying after his chum. He wondered whether he had understood Dick -rightly. - -"Yes, he's there," came the reply, and the young millionaire never -turned around as he sped down the corridor that was rapidly filling with -half-dressed cadets who had been aroused by the cries of the janitors. -"They're repairing the stable where I keep him nights, and as it was -unlocked I put Grit in the powder house so no one would steal him. Now -it's on fire!" - -"We'll get him!" cried Paul. "Come on, fellows, Dick's dog is in there!" - -The flames were now more plainly visible, and they were gaining rapidly. -Two of the janitors, one of whom was Toots, had pails of water and were -dashing the fluid on the fire, while others were unreeling a hose. - -The ammunition house was a large one, made in the main of concrete, but -there was built on it a small, wooden shed under which some empty -packing boxes and cases were stored, and where some garden tools were -kept. It was this shed which had caught fire, and unless it was quickly -put out the flames might communicate to the wooden door of the powder -house proper. There could be but one result then--an explosion. - -Everyone realized this as he rushed on to fight the fire. Some of the -professors were now up and were issuing orders, but there was so much -excitement that no one paid much attention to them. - -"Is there a good water pressure?" panted Paul. - -"I don't know," answered Dick, as he ran on. "There was the other day -when we had fire drill, but maybe just when we want it there won't be -any." - -"Hurry! Hurry!" shouted Toots, as he and the others dashed pail after -pail of water on the fire. - -"Use the hose! Turn on the water!" cried Ray Dutton, who was just ahead -of Dick. "Why don't you turn on the pressure?" - -"Guess they don't know how to do it," answered the young millionaire. -"One of those men is a new hand. Come on, boys, I can't see Grit burned -to death!" - -"He's howling now," cried Paul. - -Indeed the frightened yelping of the imprisoned animal could be heard -above the roar and crackle of the flames, and Dick increased his speed. - -"I'm coming, Grit! I'm coming!" he shouted, but it is doubtful if the -dog heard him. - -The burning shed was in front of the only door to the ammunition house, -and the fire must first be extinguished before the portal could be -reached. To go through the flames now was out of the question. - -"Keep back, boys! Keep back!" cried Major Webster. "There may be an -explosion any moment. Keep back!" - -"But my dog is in there!" shouted Dick. "I must get Grit out!" - -"You can't. It's madness to go too close!" - -"I'm going to!" replied Dick grimly. "We'll put out the fire." - -"Then use the hose--don't go too close with the buckets. That wooden -shed should never have been built where it is." - -"Come on! Get the hose into action!" yelled Dutton, and taking the -nozzle from the hands of puzzled and inexperienced men, the cadet -directed it at the fire, while Dick and Paul, aided by some of their -companions, turned on the water, the supply coming from a big storage -tank, raised high on metal supports to give the necessary force. - -A moment later the water spurted from the nozzle and sprayed on the fire -with a hiss of steam. - -"That's the stuff!" shouted Dick. "We'll soon have you out of there, -Grit! Wait a minute, old boy!" - -This time the dog heard his master's voice, and a joyful bark replaced -his howls of fear. - -It was high time that there be used some more effective means of putting -out the fire than buckets of water, for the flames were burning -fiercely. - -"It's lucky that the door of the powder house is thick," murmured Major -Webster. "It will take some time to burn through. But if it does----" - -He did not finish his half-spoken thought, but shuddered as he looked at -the cadets grouped around the burning structure. He wanted to order them -away, but he knew the only safety lay in putting out the flames to -prevent the explosion. And the cadets seemed to be the only ones capable -of handling the situation, for the janitors had completely lost their -heads and were so confused that they could not obey the simplest order. - -"Get the other hose into action!" cried the major, for there were two -small lines available for use at the powder house. "You'll never get it -out with one." - -"I'll attend to it!" answered Dick, and, leaving Dutton and Paul to -manage the one line, he and John Stiver ran to the other and began -unreeling that. - -The flames were now at their height, and were blazing high, the loose -and light wood of the packing boxes making excellent fuel. - -"Hurry! Hurry!" nervously ordered the major, doing all he could. -Colonel Masterly and some of the other instructors now arrived, but -there was little they could do. - -"If we can only keep the fire away from the door a little longer," -murmured the colonel. "They are subduing it, don't you think, Major?" - -"They are doing good work--plucky lads. It takes an emergency like this -to show their mettle." - -"Do you think the door will catch?" - -"I hope not, but----" - -It was a vain hope, as they could see a moment later. - -A puff of wind blew the smoke and flames aside for a second, and the two -men could look plainly at the thick door of the ammunition building. -What they saw caused them to start back, for a tiny whisp of fire was -eating away at the edge of the portal. - -"Too late!" groaned the colonel. "We must get the boys back! We shall -have to let it burn. Get back, boys! Get back!" - -"We'll have it out in another minute!" yelled Dick, as he turned on the -water from his line. "I'm going to save Grit!" - -The fire died down for a few seconds, owing to the increased amount of -water poured on it, but it was only for a moment, and then it flared up -again. But the cadets fought on grimly. Some were even using pails, -dipping water from a nearby cistern, and they would not obey the orders -of the teachers to keep back. They did little good, however, as they -could not get near enough to make much of the fluid effective. - -The door of the powder house was now burning in a larger area, and it -seemed that the explosion might come at any moment. All saw it, and -while they knew that they themselves could get a safe distance away, and -while they realized that even if the powder did blow up, none of the -college buildings would be damaged, it was different in the case of -their favorite club house--the Sacred Pig--for it was close to the -blazing structure. - -"It will be 'roast pig' in a few minutes," murmured Paul Drew ruefully. - -"I should say yes," agreed Dutton. "But we won't let it happen. If only -the water holds out!" - -Once more came a howl from the imprisoned Grit. - -"Poor dog!" cried Dick, stooping down to see if there was a chance to -get in and save his pet. But there seemed to be none. - -Almost at that instant the roof of the burning shed fell in, carrying -with it part of the half consumed structure. This gave a better view of -the powder house door, which was seen to be on fire in several places. -Grit's howls of anguish became louder. - -"I can't stand that--I'm going to save him!" cried Dutton to George -Hall. - -"But how can you? You can't get near the place." - -"Yes, I can--there's a side window. I wonder some of us didn't think of -it before. I can reach it by a short ladder, and break open the window -with an axe. Here goes. You handle the hose in my place." - -Before George could make any objection, Dutton had thrust the nozzle -into his friend's hand and was running toward the powder house. On his -way he caught up a light ladder and a fire axe that was on one of the -hose reel carts. - -"Where are you going, Dutton?" called Major Webster. - -"To get Dick's dog--out through the window. I can do it all right." - -"Come back!" cried the major, but the cadet did not heed. - -Dick was having his hands full with the hose and for a moment he did not -see what his former enemy had done. The fire was a little less fierce -now, as the material on which it fed had been nearly all consumed, but -the door was blazing in spots. They played water on it, but as fast as -one area of fire was extinguished it would break out in another. - -There came a crash of glass and a cry from Dutton. - -"I'm in! Look out for Grit. Here he comes--through the window!" - -"Grit! Through the window!" cried Dick in amazement. "Why--how----?" - -"Ray went in after him!" called George Hall. - -"There's the dog." - -At that instant the cadet inside the powder house thrust Grit out of the -window. The brute fell harmlessly in a heap on the grass, but sprang up -a moment later and rushed toward the fire-fighting cadets. - -"Here, old man!" cried Dick, and the dog went into a demonstration of -joy, fawning all over his master, while the youth hugged the ugly but -loving animal close in his arms, the hose being grasped by ready hands -as he let go of it. - -"Come out, Dutton, come out!" cried Major Webster. "Come out at once." - -Hardly had he spoken than there sounded from within the powder house a -dull explosion. It was not a hard one, and no evidences of it could be -observed outside the structure. But the cadets and professors looked at -each other in alarm, their faces lighted up by the dancing flames. They -all knew what it meant. - -"The beginning of the end!" remarked the colonel gravely. "Get back, -everyone! I order it!" - -"But Ray Dutton is in there!" cried Dick. "He may be injured and can't -get out. I'm going to save him!" - -The young millionaire sprang away. Grit started to follow. - -"Come back at once!" ordered the colonel. - -"Not until I save him!" answered Dick. "He risked his life to save my -dog, and now I'll rescue him! Go back, Grit. Wait for me." - -The dog whined but obeyed, and Dick ran on. As he passed by the second -hose reel he grasped from it an axe. Straight for the door of the powder -house he ran, the water from the two lines of hose falling in a spray -around him. - -The fire was now sufficiently out to permit of reaching the portal over -the wet embers which still glowed faintly. The shed had fallen apart and -what was left of it was burning on one side. Little tongues of flame -spurted here and there on the main door. - -Dick rushed up and with the axe began raining blows on the portal. His -fellow cadets cheered lustily, and then devoted all their energies to -keeping the water playing about their brave comrade. He was soaked -through but in this lay his only safety, for the flames still were -dangerously close. - -There came another slight explosion inside the powder house. Evidently -small cases of the gun cartridges were going off, but as they were all -blanks there was no danger from bullets. - -"Ray--are you alive--are you all right?" cried Dick, as he paused for a -moment. There was no answer, and he rained the blows from the axe more -madly than before. - -With a crash the door gave way. Flinging his implement aside, Dick -sprang into the powder house. There was an anxious moment, and the -cadets and instructors waited in fear and trembling. - -"He may be overcome by the powder fumes," said the colonel. "Poor -lads--they may both be killed." - -An instant after the colonel had spoken a form appeared in the blackened -doorway. One form? No, two, for in his arms Dick Hamilton bore the limp -body of Dutton. - -"He's got him! He's got him!" yelled Paul Drew, and a great shout -followed his words. - -On staggered Dick with his burden. Grit saw his master in the now -dimming light from the fire, and barked joyfully. - -"Back! Get back everybody!" panted the young millionaire. "She's going -up! There's a fire inside! Get back--quick!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE ELECTION - - -Dick was seen to stagger, and it was no wonder, for Ray Dutton was no -light weight. - -"Let me help you!" shouted Paul, as he ran toward his chum. He grasped -the limp legs of the unconscious cadet, while Dick carried the -shoulders, and together they hastened on. - -"Back! Get back!" cried Dick again, as his schoolmates crowded up around -him and Paul. "The explosion will come any minute! There's fire in -there!" - -"Back this instant, every one of you! You can't do anything more!" cried -Colonel Masterly sternly, and the boys knew it was now time to obey. -Those holding the hose lines dropped them, and the crowd of -fire-fighters surged back. - -"Is Dutton dead?" gasped Paul. - -"Not dead--and not hurt much, I hope," answered Dick. "He was overcome -by the powder fumes--there was a little explosion almost as soon as he -got inside--some sparks must have blown in the window. But he saved -Grit." - -"And you saved him." - -"Come on, we'd better get farther back!" cried the young millionaire as -Paul hesitated, and was about to lay Dutton down. "The force of it -will----" - -His voice was drowned in a detonating report, and the darkness of the -night was lighted by an intense glare. The powder house had blown up, -and the wind of the concussion knocked down Paul and Dick in a heap with -the unconscious Dutton. Other cadets who had not run far enough back -were also bowled over. - -Then came intense blackness, following the bright flash and this was -succeeded by the patter of small missiles tossed into the air by the -force of the powder. - -"Jove, I hope none of the chunks of concrete come this way!" cried Paul -as he got up. "Are you hurt, Dick?" - -"Not a bit of it. Look at Dutton though." - -"He doesn't seem to be," answered Paul, as he looked at the unconscious -cadet as well as he could in the dim light that came from a few -scattered and burning embers blown here and there by the explosion. - -"Oh--I'm--I'm all right," gasped Dutton, as he slowly sat up. "What -happened?" - -"My it sounds good to hear you speak again!" cried Dick, as he put his -arms around his friend and assisted him to arise. "You were overcome in -there when you went in to get Grit, and I took you out. Now the whole -thing has gone up, but it doesn't seem to have done much damage." - -Scores of cadets now crowded around the three lads. The rain of missiles -had ceased, and quick inquiries showed that beyond a few scratches or -bruises no one was seriously hurt. The heavy concrete side of the walls -of the powder house had merely toppled outward, almost in four solid -pieces, and it was only the light wooden roof, purposely made so, that -had been much shattered. It was the fragments of this that had rained -down. - -The fire was effectually scattered by the explosion and what little -remained was quickly extinguished by the janitors with pails of water, -and one hose line. The other had been blown apart and was useless. - -Colonel Masterly and the other instructors went about among the lads, -making sure that none needed hospital treatment. They came to where -Dick, Paul and Ray stood. - -"Hamilton, let me congratulate you on your pluck and daring in saving -your comrade's life," said the colonel gravely, as he shook hands with -Dick in the light of several lanterns that had been brought up. "It was -a brave act." - -"Well, he saved Grit, and it was the only way I could pay him back," -replied our hero simply, as he fondled the dog that leaped up on him -with demonstrative affection. - -"I couldn't bear to hear Grit howl," explained Ray, who had now -recovered from the powder fumes. "Let's go see if the Sacred Pig is -much damaged," he added quickly, for neither he nor Dick liked to pose -as heroes. - -"I fancy the building is not much harmed," spoke the colonel. "Most of -the force of the explosion was upward. You young gentlemen deserve a -vote of thanks from the faculty for the manner in which you acquitted -yourselves to-night, and I will see that you get it. Now we had better -go back to the dormitories. The night is rather chilly." Indeed it was, -lightly clad as everyone was. - -Beyond a few shattered windows, and some broken glassware in the pantry, -the society house of the Sacred Pig was not damaged, at which the cadets -were very glad. The excitement quieted down, and after the doctor had -looked over Dutton, and pronounced him safe and sound, the students went -back to their beds, but hardly to sleep much. - -An investigation was made the next day, to discover if possible the -cause of the fire, but beyond the fact that it had started in some -refuse of the shed nothing could be learned. - -"It was careless on my part to allow the shed to be there," said the -colonel. "When we rebuild the ammunition house I will have it placed -farther off, and there will be no wooden structures attached to it. We -must not risk another accident like this." - -In view of the fire, lessons were suspended that day, and only a short -drill ordered. When this was over the electioneering began again, for -in the afternoon the selection of the football captain was to be made. - -There was quite a change of sentiment, and Paul Drew found that he had -to do very little pleading now to get the promise of votes for Dick. - -"It was the pluckiest and nerviest thing I ever saw done," declared -Harvey Nolan, one of the new cadets, who had hitherto resisted Paul's -pleadings, being firm for Dutton. "I like Ray immensely, but I think -I'll vote for Hamilton." - -"If this keeps on it will be unanimous for him," said Paul in delight. -He was hardly prepared for what followed. - -The cadets were assembled in the gymnasium, and Mr. Martin, by request, -was presiding over the important session. - -"I understand you are now ready to proceed with the election for a -captain and a manager," began the Yale coach. - -"Sure," came the inelegant but hearty reply from several. - -"There are three candidates," went on the coach. "Mr. Hamilton, Mr. -Dutton and Mr. Rutley. How will you vote, by ballot or acclimation?" - -"Ballot--ballot!" came the cry. - -"Very well, then I will appoint the tellers, and you----" - -"One moment, if you please," interrupted Dutton, as he arose. "There -has been a slight mistake made. There are only two candidates in the -field--Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Rutley. I wish to withdraw in favor of Mr. -Hamilton. You--you all know what he did last night--for me," faltered -Ray, and his voice was a trifle husky. "After that I could not stand -against him in the election." - -"Yes, you will--I insist!" cried Dick, jumping up. "I don't want you to -withdraw." - -"You can't help yourself, old man!" cried Ray heartily, playfully -shaking his fist at Dick. "I want all you fellows who were going to vote -for me to vote for Dick Hamilton--that is unless you are committed to -Frank Rutley," and he bowed in the direction of that cadet. - -"No one can vote for me--I'm out of it!" called out Frank. "I'm for -Hamilton." - -"Hurray!" cried Paul Drew. - -"Three cheers for Dick Hamilton!" sung out someone, and how those cheers -were given! - -"Do I understand that both you young gentlemen withdraw?" asked Mr. -Martin. - -"I do," answered Ray. - -"Same here!" called Frank. - -"Then, as there is but one candidate in the field, perhaps it is -unnecessary----" - -"I move that Dick Hamilton be unanimously elected captain of the -Kentfield football eleven, by acclimation, and long may he wave o'er -the team of the strong and the team of the brave!" cried Dutton. - -"Second it!" cried Frank. - -"All those in favor of this motion will signify it by saying 'yes,'" -called the coach. - -"YES!" was the reverbrating shout that fairly made the walls ring. - -"Then Dick Hamilton is the football captain, and I beg to extend him my -congratulations," said Mr. Martin. - -"And I, also," added his colleague, and the two coaches stepped from the -platform, and advanced toward the blushing young millionaire, while his -friends crowded around him to do him honor. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE GAME WITH DUNKIRK - - -There was little else to do at the meeting in the way of business. Dan -Hatfield was unanimously named for manager, and then the coaches -announced that after a few more days of practice the team would be ready -for the first game of the season, to be played on the grounds of the -Dunkirk Military Academy, a school similar to that of Kentfield, and -situated about twenty miles away. - -"It is rather a disadvantage not to open on your own grounds," said Mr. -Spencer, "but it cannot be helped. I hope you will play all the better -for the slight handicap, and I am sure you can win if you try." - -"Yes, Dunkirk is hardly in your class," put in Mr. Martin, "but it was -the best arrangement we could make under the circumstances. You really -need practice against other opponents than your own scrub eleven, and -this will give it to you. If you roll up a good big score, then it will -be time to talk of taking on Blue Hill, and some of the larger teams." - -"Blue Hill beat Dunkirk twenty-six to nothing last year," remarked Dick. - -"Then you want to take their measure about forty-six to nothing," -remarked Mr. Martin, "and I trust you do it." - -There was some hard practice in the next few days, harder practice than -any the cadets had yet experienced, but the effects of it were -noticeable. They had more confidence in themselves, they were better -kickers, quicker in getting down the field, and in offensive work they -played together like clockwork. On the defense there was still something -to be desired, but that would come with practice the coaches knew. - -"Well I guess I'd better go to the railroad station and arrange about -getting the tickets for the team to go to Dunkirk to-morrow," remarked -Manager Hatfield, the day before the game. - -"You needn't get any tickets for the team and substitutes," spoke Dick. - -"Why not?" - -"Because I've hired some touring automobiles that will take us over and -bring us back." - -"You have! Say, Hamilton, there's class to you all right! You're a -brick! This will be great, and we'll save the money in the treasury. We -need it, too. I hope we get a good crowd to swell the gate receipts." - -The team that was to open the season was the same that had been -practicing against the scrub lately. Teddy Naylor could not make good, -and so was not to play, but he was promised by the coaches that he -would be the first substitute called on, and this was some consolation. -Porter was warned that unless he trained and practiced better he would -be dropped altogether, and his sullen answer was that he "didn't much -care." - -As many of the Kentfield cadets as could manage it went on the train to -see the game. Four big cars, which Dick generously hired, transported -the team and substitutes, and they started off amid cheers and songs, -with the auto gaily decorated with flags. - -"It's a good start all right," remarked Paul to Dick, as they flew down -the road. - -"Yes, and I hope the coming back will be even better." - -"Why, you're not afraid of not beating them; are you?" - -"Not exactly afraid, but I never was captain of a big football eleven -before, and I guess I'm a bit nervous. Of course we'll beat Dunkirk, but -I want it to be by a big score." - -"Oh, don't worry. We'll make out all right." - -There was a big crowd in the grandstands when the team and substitutes -drove up, and they were received with cheers as they alighted from the -autos. The Dunkirk team had not yet appeared, but their manager met -Hatfield, was introduced to Dick, and then the lads were escorted to -their dressing rooms. - -"There come our fellows," remarked Dutton a little later when, as he -was slipping into his jersey, a great cheer was heard, followed by the -Kentfield cry. - -"Yes, and they've got their voices with them," said Dick. "They're great -shouters." - -When the Kentfield team trotted out they were met with a rousing welcome -of vocal sounds, not only from their own cohorts, but from the Dunkirk -sympathizers. - -"They're friendly all right," remarked Dick. "Come on, fellows, we'll -line up and run through some signals." - -He and his men were soon in practice, and the young captain was glad to -note that no one had gone stale. Everyone seemed on the alert. - -A little later the Dunkirk team trotted out, to be met with a salvo of -cheers, and then they, too, lined up and began to work with the ball. - -"They are a fast, snappy, little lot, but I think we have them for -weight," remarked Paul, looking critically at their opponents. - -Dunkirk won the toss, and elected to defend the north goal. Kentfield -was to kick off, and on the whole Dick was rather glad, as he could thus -early get the measure of the offensive tactics of their enemies. - -Beeby sent the ball spinning well down the field as the echoes of the -whistle died away. The pigskin was neatly caught, and one of the Dunkirk -players began running back with it. - -"Nail him, fellows," cried Dick. "Don't let him gain much!" George Hall -broke through the interference and had the man down before he had -covered ten yards. Then came the line up. - -"Watch out now, boys," warned the captain, as the Dunkirk quarter-back -began giving the signal. - -At the line of Kentfield came a man, hurling himself toward a hole that -had been partly opened between Paul Drew and George Hall. Into the -opening the man went, but no further, for he was neatly stopped. Only a -yard was gained. - -"That's the way to do it!" cried Dick in delight. "Hold 'em, boys! Hold -'em!" - -Once more Dunkirk made a gallant try, this time around left end, but -again the man with the ball was nailed, and thrown for a loss. - -"They'll have to kick," cried Dick. "Watch out!" - -The backs retreated, and it was well they did for Dunkirk had a powerful -ball-booster in the shape of their full-back, and the leather went well -into the territory of our friends. - -Hal Foster caught it, and protected by excellent interference he rushed -it well back before he was downed. - -"Now to see what we can do!" exclaimed Dick, as he knelt down back of -Jim Watkins, to pass the ball. He signalled for Frank Rutley to take the -ball through right tackle, and it was executed to perfection. In vain -did the Dunkirk captain beg and plead with his men to hold. Dick's -players pushed and shoved Frank through for a ten yard gain. - -"That's going some!" panted the left tackle as he took his place again. - -Dunkirk was saddened by the advance, thus easily made, though she was -not discouraged. But when Ray Dutton went through the line for another -substantial gain, and when, without the necessity for kicking in the -next scrimmage, John Stiver got through between tackle and guard for -eight yards, then there were anxious hearts. - -"Walk up for a touchdown!" called several in the crowd of Kentfield -supporters in the grand stand. - -"We'll do it!" cried Dick. - -The coveted touchdown came a few minutes later, the ball having been -carried down the field in a series of whirlwind rushes. Paul Drew was -shoved over the line, and then Jim Watkins kicked goal. - -"Our first points!" cried Dick in delight. "Now the team is beginning to -play." - -And play they did. It was a foregone conclusion after that, and Dunkirk -had no chance. They realized it, and when, after the first half, there -were thirty points in favor of Kentfield, and none for their opponents, -the captain of Dunkirk said to Dick: - -"Our only hope now is to hold you down. You're better off now than Blue -Hill was against us." - -"That's what we're after," declared the young millionaire. "We're going -to wallop Blue Hill when we get the chance, too." - -The second half was a repetition of the first. Once on a fumble Dunkirk -got the ball, and another time as a penalty for holding on the part of -too eager George Hall. The home team tried desperately hard to score, -and several of their men were knocked out, but it was not to be. - -Once, when because of a miscalculation, the man with the ball got -through Dick's line, the young captain had a momentary fear lest his -team be scored against. But Hal Foster was on the alert and nailed the -panting man with the ball. - -There came some fierce scrimmages for Dunkirk was desperate, and Hal was -knocked out. This gave Teddy Naylor a chance to get in the game, and he -rushed in with eager impetuosity. - -"I'm going to make a touchdown!" he declared. "Let me try, Dick." - -He was given a chance, and made good, bursting through the line of -Dunkirk players, shaking off a fierce tackle by the full-back, and -making a score after a forty yard run amid frantic cheers. - -After that the Kentfield lads took it a little easier, for which their -opponents were duly grateful. Teddy Naylor kicked a beautiful field -goal, and then time was called, with the score fifty to nothing in favor -of "Dick Hamilton's team," as his chums insisted on calling it. - -"Oh, but I feel good!" cried our hero as he ran to the dressing rooms. - -"You look like a peach," said Paul. "One eye is half closed and your -nose looks as if some one had hammered brass work on it." - -"They did, I guess. But you're no picture either. Look at your left -ear." - -"Wish I could. But never mind. We beat 'em!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -A DARING PLAN - - -"Well, what do you boys think of yourselves?" asked Coach Martin the day -after the game with Dunkirk, when the football eleven and its supporters -had gathered in the gymnasium preparatory to going out to practice. - -"Why, did we do so rotten?" asked Innis. - -"Had we ought to have piled up a bigger score?" inquired George Hall. - -"We did make a few fumbles--at least I did, and once I didn't take care -of my man," admitted Jim Watkins. "But----" - -"No, I haven't a bit of fault to find," went on Mr. Martin. "I was just -wondering whether you felt more confident of your playing ability than -you did before we came. I want to get a sort of line on my ability." - -"Yes," put in Mr. Spencer, "we are far from finding fault with you, for, -on the contrary I think you did exceptionally well. We couldn't ask for -any better results, but what Mr. Martin means is whether or not you -yourselves feel satisfied." - -There was a moment's hesitation. The boys did not know exactly how to -take the questions. - -"I wish we could beat Blue Hill to a standstill," murmured Captain Dick. - -"And then wallop Mooretown," added Ray Dutton. - -"Say, can't we challenge Blue Hill now?" asked John Stiver eagerly. - -"Yes, let's do it!" came a chorus of voices. - -"Better wait," advised Mr. Martin with a laugh and a quick look at his -colleague. "If you sent Blue Hill another challenge so soon, they'd only -laugh at you, and very likely they would say you arranged the whole -coaching plan merely to beat them. If you will permit us to suggest -something, we have another scheme." - -"What is it?" sung out Innis with engaging frankness. - -"We will play some other strong team before we again ask Blue Hill to -let us have a chance at them," suggested Mr. Martin. "Then, if we win, -as I hope we shall, we will be more in their class. Beating Dunkirk -hardly put us there, even though we made a bigger score against them -than Blue Hill did. And then, after you get your second wind, so to -speak, we will consider getting into the Military League. Do you agree -to that plan?" - -"Sure!" came instantly from all present. The boys would have agreed to -anything that would have paved the way to tackling Blue Hill. - -"Then we'll go ahead on that understanding," proceeded the coach. "And -now for the second part of the plan. You know it is of little benefit to -play some team weaker than you are. What you want to do is to take on -some eleven that you know is going to be hard to beat. That will bring -out whatever good points we have not yet discovered. Is that clear?" - -Once more the boys looked at each other in some astonishment. What was -the coach leading to? - -"Am I making myself clear?" he asked again. - -"Yes. Sure. Go ahead," were some of the answers. - -"Then the plan of Mr. Spencer and myself is this," went on Mr. Martin. -"We will put you through some hard practice in the next week, and then -we will challenge Haskell University." - -For a moment there was a period of intense silence in the room. Then -several half-astonished gasps could be heard. Once more the boys looked -at one another, but this time, instead of with puzzled glances, it was -more with looks of fear, or at least uncertainty. - -"Haskell University," murmured Dick Hamilton. - -"Champions of the Military League year before last," added Innis. - -"And likely to be again this year," put in George Hall. - -"And he wants us to tackle them--us the tail-enders," muttered Jim -Watkins. "It can't be did! We'd all be in the hospital, fellows, and -our team would be crippled." - -Talk was flying thick and fast now, and almost every remark seemed to be -against the daring plan of the coaches. Then Dick realized that he, as -captain, ought to say something. It would not do to knuckle under in -this craven fashion. A team to do anything must do or dare. - -"If Haskell will take us on, we'll play them," he said simply, as he -arose in his seat. "But will they, after Blue Hill turned us down?" - -"I'm glad that at least your captain isn't afraid," spoke Mr. Spencer, -for he and his colleague had heard the half-suppressed whispers of -objection. "I know it sounds like a big thing to you, for I know what a -strong team Haskell has. But I believe it will do you good to play that -eleven. Of course if you don't feel that you could stand the pace, -or----" - -"Go on! Challenge 'em! We'll play 'em." - -"Of course we will." - -"And beat 'em, too!" - -These expressions took the place of those heard a few minutes before. It -argued a good change of heart. - -"I'm glad to hear that," commented Mr. Martin. "Then if Manager Hatfield -will confer with us after the meeting and practice, we will arrange to -get a date with them." - -"But will they play us?" asked Dick. "You know they always like to -arrange big games, and they may not want to take us on." - -"Oh, I fancy that can be arranged," spoke Mr. Martin easily. "Mr. -Spencer and I know the coach there and he is a good friend of ours. I am -acquainted with the captain, too, and I am almost sure they will give us -a game. Now let me congratulate you once more on the showing you made -yesterday, and suggest that we get out to practice. We can't get any too -much if we are to play Haskell--and beat them." He concluded his remarks -with a grim smile. - -"Beat 'em! We'll be lucky if we hold 'em down to as much as the score by -which we beat Dunkirk," remarked George Hall, as he stepped out beside -Captain Dick. - -"Here! None of that!" cried the young millionaire, half seriously. - -"None of what?" asked George. - -"That treason talk," replied Dick. "I want you all to feel that we're -going to win, or there isn't much use playing." - -"Oh, well, just as you say," agreed George with a laugh. "Do you think -we'll win, Paul Drew?" - -"Of course," was the answer, for Paul was always loyal to his chum. - -As several of the cadets were lame and stiff from the unusual exertion -in the Dunkirk game, only light practice was indulged in. Several minor -faults were corrected, and then the coaches put their charges through -some wing-shift plays, and gave them a chance to improve their work in -the on-side kick and the forward pass, in both of which the Kentfield -lads were a trifle uncertain. - -"Oh, we'll have you in shape to tackle Haskell before you know it," said -Mr. Martin encouragingly. - -If any of the players were doubtful about this they did not say so, and -they took heart from the confident air Dick Hamilton assumed. - -In the days that followed the practice gradually became more and more -rigorous, and, as a result, fast, snappy playing became the order of the -day. - -"Have you heard whether or not Haskell will play us?" asked Paul of Dick -one night, as they sat in their room studying and waiting for "taps" to -sound. - -"No, I haven't. I meant to ask Hatfield to-day whether he had heard from -their manager, but I was so busy drilling a squad of raw recruits that I -didn't get a chance. Guess I'll go to his room now and ask him. I'll -have time I think." - -As Dick arose there sounded the mournful yet sweet notes of the bugle -that was a signal for "lights" out. - -"Too late!" exclaimed Paul. - -"I'll chance it," ventured Dick. "I can cross to his dormitory by the -rear path, and the sentries are hardly posted yet. Besides, I guess they -won't report me when they know it's football matters. I'm anxious to -know." - -"Better stay here--morning will do," counseled Paul. - -"No, I'm going, I'll be right back," replied his roommate, and off Dick -started before the last notes of the bugle had died away. - -Rules regarding being out of the academy after taps were very strict, -except at certain times when more liberty was allowed. But this was not -one of those occasions, and Dick knew he would have to be careful. He -did not mind indulging in a few pranks occasionally, but now, as he was -on the eleven, and captain as well, it behooved him to be careful, so -that he would not be barred from athletics. - -He swung quietly along the tree-shaded path leading to the dormitory -where Hatfield had his rooms. The path was not so well shaded now as in -summer, for the trees were almost leafless save for certain oaks, the -brown foliage of which rustled in the night wind. - -"Sounds like a storm," mused the young millionaire. "I hope it keeps -clear long enough for the Haskell game--that is if they'll play us." - -As he strolled along he kept a lookout for any sentries, for sometimes -new cadets were picked for this duty, and they took delight in reporting -their older comrades. But the coast seemed to be clear. - -"Guess I'll go see how Grit is, before I go to Hatfield's room," said -Dick half aloud, for his pet was now kept in one of the stable barracks. -"Poor old fellow, I wish they'd let me keep him with me nights; but they -won't." - -He swung off in the direction of the building where the cavalry horses -were kept, and, as he neared the one where his dog slept he saw a dark -figure step out from behind a tree. The figure was that of a cadet with -a rifle. - -"Hope that's a friend of mine," mused Dick grimly. - -A moment later came the command: - -"Halt!" - -Dick obeyed. - -"Who goes there?" was the inquiry as the rifle was swung around. - -"Friend." - -"Advance friend, and give the countersign." - -Dick was startled. Though this was strictly in accordance with the -rules, it was something that was seldom enforced. And, to tell the -truth, Dick did not have the countersign. - -"Well?" came the impatient query. Dick wondered who his challenger could -be, for the face was in the shadow. - -"I--I'm afraid I haven't the countersign," faltered Dick, who was -somewhat annoyed. "Is it actually necessary?" - -"Of course it is," was the snapping answer. "Otherwise I shouldn't have -asked for it. If you haven't it, you're under arrest." - -"I'm Dick Hamilton," said our hero, "and I was on my way to see Hatfield -about some football matters. Besides taps have only just sounded." - -"Some time ago," was the curt reply. "Besides Hatfield's rooms aren't in -the stable." - -"I know, but I wanted to see if my dog Grit was safely fastened." - -"Oh. Well, I'm sorry," but there was no contrition expressed in the -voice, "but I'll have to place you under arrest for trying to run guard, -Captain Hamilton," and with that the sentry stepped out from under a -tree, revealing himself as Sam Porter. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -UNCLE EZRA ARRIVES - - -For a moment Dick half thought it was a joke, and he was about to laugh -it off. The idea of a member of the football squad--even though -temporarily deposed from the team, stopping another team member when on -athletic business, even though against the rules, was almost unheard of. - -"I guess it's all right--you might remember the countersign for me," -said Dick lightly. - -"Not much!" snapped Porter. - -"Why not?" - -"Because I don't choose to. You're under arrest and you will so report -to Major Webster. - -"Do you mean it?" - -"I certainly do." - -"But it's--it's so unusual." - -"That's just the reason I'm doing it. They make a fellow do guard duty -on a frosty night, to catch guard-runners, and then some one kicks when -he does it. No, I'm in earnest, and if some of the other fellows who do -sentry-go would be the same, they'd stop this. I don't care enough -about war tactics to be a sentry, but as long as I am here no one can -run the guard on me." - -"I wasn't running the guard. I told you where I was going. I want to see -if Hatfield had heard from the Haskell team yet." - -"And I find you headed toward the stable where your dog is kept, so I -can believe you or not as I choose." - -Dick started. It was, in a measure telling him that he had not spoken -the truth and for a brief moment he felt the hot blood mount to his -head. Then he calmed down as he remembered that he was captain of the -eleven, and, in a measure responsible to his men for his conduct. -Besides, he reflected quickly, Porter might be trying to force him into -a quarrel, and that would never do. - -"Very well," answered Dick, as quietly as he could, "I'll report to the -major. Good night!" He swung on his heel and turned aside. - -"Um!" was the only reply that Porter grunted out, as he resumed the -patrolling of his post. - -"Well?" asked Paul, as his chum entered. - -"Not well--bad. I was caught." - -"By whom?" - -"Porter." - -"Porter. Hum! Was he in earnest about it?" - -"He seemed so," and Dick recounted the conversation. - -"Well, there's something in what he says," agreed Paul. "Sentry-go is no -fun, but as long as we're at a military school we have to do it once in -a while. Still if enough of us enforced the rules, as I suppose we ought -to do, there'd be one of two things happen. They'd either abolish it, or -running the guard would stop, and there wouldn't be anything for the -sentries to do." - -"That's so. Well, I'm the goat to-night. Might as well have a bad job -over with. I'm going to report." - -"Then you didn't see Hatfield?" - -"No, we'll have to wait until morning to hear." - -Dick went off in no very happy frame of mind, and he was a little uneasy -as to what form of punishment the major would mete out. But he was -fortunate in finding that old soldier entertaining a war comrade in his -room, and swapping campaign stories. The major was, therefore, in a very -amiable mood, and after listening to Dick's frank report said: - -"Hum! Well, don't do it again. You may write me out a page of field -tactics and consider yourself relieved of arrest. Don't do it again. -Good night, Captain Hamilton." - -Dick saluted and swung away, highly pleased at the lightness of his -task. He heard the major and his comrade-in-arms laughing as he strode -away, and the instructor in tactics exclaimed: - -"That's not a circumstance to what we used to do, eh, Ned, when we were -camped near some city and wanted to go in and have a good time?" - -"That's right," agreed his friend. - -Dick's little escapade was known all over the academy next morning, and -there was almost universal condemnation of Porter's act. But Dick, to -the no small astonishment of his chums, declared that the deposed -left-end had done just right. - -"What are you sticking up for him for?" asked Paul in some indignation. -"It'll get so all the other sentries will do the same thing." - -"Well, that might not be so bad. Besides, I do think he did right--even -though class custom is against it. Then, too, I don't want to get on -unfriendly terms with him. I hope to keep in touch with that old miser -Duncaster through Porter." - -"Oh, yes, about your father's business. How is it coming on?" - -"Not very well. I hear that the other side has made a very good offer to -Mr. Duncaster, but he has turned them down the same as he did me. There -are other matters cropping up, however, that make things complicated in -the electric road business, and poor dad is worried to death. I don't -know what his next move will be." - -"Did you hear whether or not we'll have a game with Haskell?" - -"No, but here comes Hatfield now. We'll ask him. He has some mail, -perhaps he just heard." - -"It's all right!" joyfully called the manager, waving a letter at Dick. -"They'll play us next Saturday. Those coaches must have quite a pull." - -"Will they put in their first team?" asked Dick anxiously, for there -would be little glory in beating the Haskell scrub. - -"They'll do that, and also come here to give us a game." - -"On our own grounds? Good!" cried Paul. "We'll play our heads off!" - -"It's great!" declared Dick. "I only hope we--but there of course we're -going to win!" and he changed his sentence with an assumed confidence he -hardly felt. - -"Will we work any of the new plays on 'em?" asked Paul. "I like the wing -shifts and the sequence plays." - -"We'll work 'em if we get a chance," said Dick. "It will all depend on -what sort of a game they put up. We may have to kick a lot." - -"Well, we're up to snuff on that line," declared the manager. "Now I -must arrange the details. I hope we get out a big crowd and make some -money." - -"And I hope the fellows come out to practice this afternoon," spoke -Dick. "Come on Paul, we've got the science lecture on now." - -The scrub, against whom the Varsity matched forces that afternoon, had -been having some secret practice of their own, and they worked a couple -of tricks on the rather surprised first team that netted a good gain, -and eventually a touchdown. - -"That's something you must be on the lookout for," said Mr. Martin, who -was a bit chagrined over what had happened. "It isn't enough to play -well on your own team, you must watch what the other fellow is doing. -Now try again, and put some ginger into your work." - -"Yes, you're getting a bit stale I'm afraid," declared Mr. Spencer, and -he added some rather sharp words of correction. - -The Varsity members were somewhat hurt. They did not know that the words -were spoken intentionally, and to force them to do a little better. - -The rebuke had the desired effect, and thereafter the unfortunate scrub -team was shoved all over the gridiron, not only not getting within -striking distance of their opponents' goal line, but having three -touchdowns rolled up against them in short order. - -"That's something like!" cried Mr. Martin in approval. "Now, Hamilton, -try that wing shift," he whispered to Dick. "I think we can fool them." - -It was a well executed play, and when the man with the ball got safely -away, and through the scrub line Dick slipped and fell, for the ground -was soft from a recent rain. Down he went at full length into a puddle, -with another player on top of him, and when he arose he was rather a -sorry-looking sight, but not injured. - -Time was called directly after that, and as the players filed off the -field, passing through a little knot of spectators, Dick heard his name -called. - -"Well, of all the disgraceful sights, you certainly present one!" -exclaimed a rasping voice. There was a menancing growl from Grit, whom -one of Dick's friends held in leash. Our hero looked toward where the -voice had sounded. - -"Uncle Ezra!" he faltered, as he saw his grim-visaged relative. - -"Yes, I'm here, and I must say of all the brutal exhibitions I ever saw, -this is the worst. I never saw a bull fight, but it can't be much -worse!" - -There was some laughter at this, and Dick looked at his crabbed uncle in -some alarm. - -"Have you come to see me?" he asked. - -"Not exactly. I came because your father is in trouble, and I want to -help him." - -"Trouble? What kind--the--" began our hero. - -"If you'll go somewhere and get washed up, and put some clean clothes -on, so you won't look so much like a tramp, I'll talk to you," said Mr. -Larabee stiffly. "I've come to take you back home, Nephew Richard." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -ANOTHER FRUITLESS ATTEMPT - - -For a moment the young millionaire did not know what to say or think. -His father in trouble! Uncle Ezra had come to take him away from -Kentfield! And in the height of the football season just before the -first big game! - -"Is my father ill?" asked Dick. - -"No, not ill, only worrying over business. I always said he had too many -irons in the fire, and now some have burned him," declared the old man -as he walked along beside his nephew out of ear-shot of the crowd. "I've -come on to try my hand at helping him." - -"But what can you do here?" asked Dick. "And why must I leave -Kentfield?" - -"To help your father. I should think you'd be glad to. He needs money. -It costs money to stay here and play those silly, dangerous games." - -"Not very much money, Uncle Ezra." - -"Don't tell me! You ought to be in my woolen mill earning four dollars -and a quarter a week, instead of wasting cash here. Now I want to have a -serious talk with you, Nephew Richard. Your father is in trouble, and -it's your duty to leave here and help him." - -"I think I can help him by staying here just as well. But did he tell -you to take me away from Kentfield--just when I have the football team -in good shape? Did he say I was to leave?" - -"No, he didn't exactly say so, but I know it would help. Besides, you -might get injured playing this game, and then you'd be a cripple for -life. You ought to be at work. Now I can make a place for you in the -mill. In time you could work up to twelve or fifteen dollars a week, and -of course, being my nephew, and the son of my only sister, I'd give you -a chance. Better come, Dick. You might be hurt here." - -"And I might be hurt in the mill, Uncle Ezra. I have heard of people -being caught in the machinery." - -"Well, of course it's possible," admitted the crabbed man. "But you must -be careful. Besides if you got hurt in the mill it would be in a good -cause. Though I warn you I carry accident insurance for all my employees -and you can't collect any damages from me." - -"Then I think I'll stay and play football, Uncle Ezra." - -"Oh, the perversity and foolishness of the rising generation!" groaned -Mr. Larabee. "But hurry on and get cleaned up. It is a disgrace for me -to be seen walking with you, and I have on my best black suit that I -don't want to get spoiled. Besides I must hurry back. I have a lazy -hired man that loafs when I'm away." - -Dick thought that any hired man who would not take a little chance of -resting when his taskmaster was away from home would not show much -spirit. But there was Mrs. Larabee to reckon with, and she was almost as -much of a "driver" as her husband. - -"There, now I am ready to hear all about it," said Dick, when he had led -his uncle to one of the reception rooms of the academy, and had removed -most of the traces of the recent football conflict. "Are father's -affairs in much worse shape?" - -"I should say they were!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra. "This man Porter--why -Nephew Richard--what is that on your nose?" and the horrified old man -sprang from his chair and approached our hero. - -"Nose? What's the matter with it?" asked Dick in some alarm. - -"There's a great big cut on it! How did it happen?" - -"Oh, that's where I tried to stop Hal Foster's shoe with my nose, I -expect. That's nothing. It's only a little cut. You should have seen the -one I had last year. And when Teddy Naylor broke his collar bone----" - -"That's enough! Not another word about the brutalities of football! I've -heard enough! It's disgraceful. Let us talk about something else." - -"I'm anxious to hear about father's affairs," said Dick. - -"I don't know very much," replied his uncle, "but I know that his -enemies are pressing him hard to get the control of the trolley line -away from him, and it is paying well, too. I never thought it would, but -your father insisted that he was right. But he has too many irons in the -fire, I'm sure. This time this Mr. Porter is fighting him, and when I -saw your father yesterday he said he did not know what to do, because a -Mr. Duncaster would not sell his stock." - -"Yes, I know that Mr. Duncaster," said Dick, with a grim smile at the -recollection of the interview with the man. - -"I came here to argue with him," said Mr. Larabee. - -"You did?" cried Dick. - -"Yes, your father consented. He said you had been unable to do anything -with him, and it would do no harm if I tried. I'm a fighter, I am!" and -Uncle Ezra squared his jaw aggressively. "I'll make him do as we want -him to." - -Dick had his doubts about this, but said nothing. He had, moreover, a -little feeling against his uncle. - -"I want to help dad myself," reflected the young millionaire, "and I -believe I can do more with this Mr. Duncaster than Uncle Ezra can. I -don't like him 'butting in,' but if dad told him to it must be all -right. But I don't believe he'll have much success." - -"Now I thought if you could take me to see this person who has the -stock," went on Mr. Larabee, "I can induce him to sell it. Once your -father has possession of it matters will be all right. Could we go out -to his place this afternoon?" - -"Oh, yes," agreed Dick. "It is not much of a run to Hardvale." - -"I'm glad of it, for then I can start back home to-night. If I take -along some sandwiches, which perhaps you can get from the kitchen here -for me, I can ride all night in a day coach, and so save a hotel bill. -We'll start for Hardvale at once. It is within walking distance, I -presume." - -"No," answered Dick, and he felt a secret delight in his answer, "the -only way to get out there and back in time for you to make an early -start for home is to take an auto." - -"An auto!" cried Uncle Ezra in horror. "Never! I'll never waste money on -one of those affairs, and when I undertook to come here on your father's -business I stipulated that I would pay all expenses. He is to give me a -commission for doing the work, provided I get the trolley stock, and the -less expenses I have the more money I can make." - -"But if you don't hire an auto you'll be here so long that you'll have -to stay over and pay a hotel bill," said Dick, trying not to smile. - -"Couldn't we hire a horse and carriage, or go in a trolley car--trolleys -are cheap." Mr. Larabee looked hopeful. - -"There is no trolley line to Hardvale," said Dick, "and a horse and -carriage would be too slow. It's an auto or a hotel bill, Uncle Ezra." - -"Oh dear! What a hard world this is! Well, let us go and get a cheap -auto. I'll bargain with the driver." - -The chauffeur wanted six dollars to go out to Hardvale and back with his -taxicab. At the first mention of the price Dick thought his uncle would -have a fit. Then, with a grim tightening of his lips, the old man began -to bargain. - -"I'll give you two dollars," he said. - -"It wouldn't pay for my time, oil and gasolene," declared the man. - -"I'll make it three, and not a cent more!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra firmly, -with his hand on his pocketbook as if afraid it would be taken away from -him. - -"You'd better walk!" said the chauffeur. "I haven't any more time to -bother with you." - -Uncle Ezra begged and pleaded, but the driver was firm. - -"Well, I'll tell you what I'll do," said the crabbed old man finally. -"I'll pay your price, though I want you to understand that I think it's -robbery, but will you throw in some sandwiches for my supper. I'm going -to travel all night." - -"Oh, yes, I suppose so," finally agreed the chauffeur. "Though it's the -first time I've ever given a tip in my own cab. Hop in." - -They arrived at Mr. Duncaster's house a little before dusk, and Uncle -Ezra rapped on the door. There was a long silence and he knocked again. - -"Nobody home I guess," ventured the chauffeur, who was lighting his -lamps, preparatory for the trip back. - -"Let me try," suggested Dick, and he gave several vigorous blows on the -door. Uncle Ezra had rapped lightly, probably so as not to unduly wear -out the pair of ancient gloves he was wearing. - -This time a window over the front door was opened, and the head of Mr. -Duncaster, graced with a nightcap and a tassle, was thrust out. - -"What do you want? Go away from here! I've gone to bed!" he shouted. -"I'll have you arrested for disturbing the peace! Get away!" - -He started to close the window. - -"Here! Wait!" cried Mr. Larabee. "I want to talk to you about your -trolley stock." - -At the mention of stock the window was opened again, and once more the -head came out. - -"Stock is it? Trolley stock? I suspected it was something like that when -I smelled your gasolene wagon coming to my door. Well, that stock isn't -for sale, and don't you bother me any more about it. I won't sell to -either side. Now you get away. I always go to bed early and it's past my -sleeping time now. Get away!" - -"But you don't understand!" cried Mr. Larabee in desperation. "We want -your stock, and I am authorized to offer you----" - -"I won't listen to you! Get away, I'm going to sleep!" The head was -drawn in and the window came down with a bang. - -"Wait! Hold on! I'll increase the price! I must talk to you!" cried -Uncle Ezra, but Mr. Duncaster was firm, and there was no reply to -repeated knockings. - -"I guess we'd better go," said Dick gently. He had surmised how it would -be. - -"I'm going to try the back door," said Uncle Ezra craftily. "Maybe I can -surprise him." But he had his knocking for his pains, and came back -crestfallen. - -"Come on," suggested the chauffeur. "I want to get back and do some -business where I can make something." - -"Humph! You made enough out of us," declared Mr. Larabee as the man -cranked up. "Now don't you forget my sandwiches." - -They were bowling along through the outskirts of the town when suddenly, -around the corner swung another auto. The driver of the one containing -Dick and his uncle tried to get out of the way, but it was impossible. - -The next instant there was a crash of glass, and Dick found himself -sitting on the curbstone, while his uncle with a slight cut over his eye -from which the blood was coming, was holding to a street lamppost. Both -autos were slightly damaged, but the drivers were not hurt and they -proceeded to lay the blame one on the other. - -"I'll sue you for this! I'll have damages! I'm an injured man!" cried -Uncle Ezra, as he put his handkerchief to his cut eye, while Dick tried -to get up, but found that he could not. - -"By Jove! I hope my leg isn't broken!" he thought in dismay. "And the -Haskell game Saturday! Whew, this is tough luck!" - -Once more he made an effort to get up, but fell back in a faint as a -sharp pain shot through his ankle. He was conscious of a horrible fear -of being disabled, as he felt some one lift his head while a girl's -voice exclaimed: - -"Why, it's Dick Hamilton! Call a doctor, Mildred." Then Dick lost -consciousness. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -A GREAT STRUGGLE - - -"Don't worry, he'll be all right presently. No, his leg isn't -broken--only a slightly sprained ankle. He lost his senses because of -the collision shock, as much as from the pain. He's coming around all -right." - -Dick heard these words as if in a dream. He felt a soft hand on his -head--he knew it was that of some girl, but for the life of him he could -not tell who it was. He was aware of the smell of pungent drugs, and -then he felt some one take hold of his ankle. He uttered a little moan -of pain. Then he heard another voice saying, as he opened his eyes: - -"Oh, Mildred, he's conscious now." - -"Yes, Mabel," answered another girl, and then Dick knew who she was -without looking up into the face of the young lady who hastily withdrew -her hand from his head. - -"Miss Hanford," murmured the young millionaire, as he recognized the -girl over whom he and Dutton had so nearly fought a duel in our hero's -early cadet days. - -"Oh, I'm so glad you know me!" she exclaimed. "Mildred Adams and I were -passing along the street just when that dreadful automobile crash came. -It's a mercy you weren't all killed." - -"Indeed it is!" chimed in Miss Adams. "But Mabel kept her nerves -splendidly. She lifted your head, and then she sent me for a doctor." - -Dick looked around to observe that he was in the rear room of a drug -store, and that a man, evidently a physician, was standing by, regarding -him with a professional air. - -"Well, young man, how do you find yourself?" asked the doctor. - -"Pretty well, as long as nothing is broken." - -"No, you're all right that way. You had a lucky escape." - -"How is my uncle?" asked the lad anxiously. - -"Only a slight cut. The drug clerk is putting some plaster on it. Shall -I call him in?" - -"Will I be able to play football Saturday?" There was a querulous note -in Dick's voice. - -"Humph! That's all you lads care about. As soon as you crawl through a -knot hole without getting killed you want to rush off to battle. Play -Saturday? Well----" The doctor paused. - -"I've just _got_ to!" cried Dick. "We meet Haskell--it means a lot to my -team. I've got to play!" - -"Well, I guess we can fix you up if you wear a leather bandage on that -ankle. It might be a good deal worse. I'll take another look at it." - -"We'll tell that elderly gentleman--your uncle--that you are all right, -and ask him to come in here," said Miss Hanford. "Come, Mildred." - -They withdrew, and as the physician was tightening the bandages on -Dick's ankle Mr. Larabee entered. His appearance was not improved by a -large piece of sticking plaster over his right eye, and he looked more -aggressive than ever. - -"I told you how it would be if we rode in one of them automobiles!" he -exclaimed. "It's all your fault, Nephew Richard, and you'll have to pay -the doctor bills. I shan't, and what's more I shan't pay that driver -either. He ought to be more careful." - -"Please don't get excited," begged the doctor, with a regard for Dick's -nerves. - -"I'm not excited!" cried Uncle Ezra, "but I know my rights and I want -'em, too! I'm not excited, but I'll have the law on that murdering -villain of an automobile man! I'll sue 'em both. I'll collect damages. -We'll see if there's any justice in this land!" and he smote his -clenched right fist into the open palm of his left hand. "I'll have my -rights. I'm not excited, but I'll have justice." - -"All right, Uncle Ezra," spoke Dick calmly. "Is the chauffeur hurt?" - -"I don't care whether he is or not. I'll have the law----" - -"I'm all right--only some bruises. It was that other fellow's fault, he -was on the wrong side of the street. Are you all right, Mr. Hamilton?" -asked the chauffeur, at that moment entering the room. He knew Dick, -having driven him about many times. - -"Glad you're not injured," spoke the lad. "Is your machine in shape to -run? I want to get back to the academy. The fellows may hear about this -and think I'm worse hurt than I am. Can you take me back?" - -"Sure. Only my front lights, and some of the glass windows were smashed. -I'll run you back." - -"Nephew Richard, do you mean to say you're going to ride back in that -miserable man's machine?" demanded Mr. Larabee. - -"Why certainly," replied the young millionaire calmly, as he arose from -the couch on which he had been lying. The doctor assisted him. "Why -shouldn't I go back that way. I don't want to use my ankle more than I -have to before the game." - -"Well, all I've got to say is that you're more foolhardy than I thought -you were, and I wash my hands of the whole affair," said Uncle Ezra -bitterly. "I'm going back home and report to your father. I'm sorry I -couldn't do anything with Mr. Duncaster, but he is an obstinate man. And -what's more, I won't pay hire for that automobile, either." - -"Yes, you will!" cried the driver. - -"That will be all right," spoke Dick quickly, making the driver a -concealed motion, which the man understood. - -"I'm going back to Dankville," went on the crabbed old man, "and I hope -I never have to leave it again. My nerves are all shattered by what I've -gone through, and if I'm a physical wreck as I expect to be after this -accident I'll sue you for heavy damages," he threatened, to the auto -driver. - -"Go ahead," was the calm reply. Then, after he had bidden Dick a rather -cool good-bye, Uncle Ezra departed. He did not ask for the sandwiches -for his lunch, and Dick wondered at it. - -"A strange character--rather strong-willed I should say," observed the -physician, when Uncle Ezra had gone. - -"Yes," agreed Dick simply. He rather thought his uncle might have -remained to see that he got to his room safely. But since the attempted -kidnapping affair there had been more coldness than ever between Dick -and his aged relative. - -"Are you feeling strong enough to be moved?" asked the doctor. - -"Oh, yes, and I'm much obliged to you." - -"You also have the young ladies to thank," spoke the medical man with a -smile. - -"Oh, of course," assented our hero. He managed by the help of the -chauffeur to limp out to the waiting taxicab. Miss Hanford and Miss -Adams were in the drug store. - -"I can't thank you enough for your first-aid-to-the-injured services," -said Dick with a smile, as he shook hands with the young ladies. "It -was very good of you." - -"Oh, you're not done with us yet," said Miss Hanford gaily. "I've -telephoned for my cousin Harold, and he's going to go to the academy -with you. He'll be here in a few minutes. Here he is now," she added, as -a tall, good-looking lad entered the store. Mabel introduced him to -Dick, and though our hero insisted that he could get along well enough -with the help of the chauffeur, Harold Johnson insisted on accompanying -him in the cab. - -"Let us know how you are?" called Mabel after them, as they started off, -the crowd that had gathered dispersing, now that the excitement was -over. - -"Well old man, you certainly had a time of it!" exclaimed Paul Drew, -when young Johnson had safely delivered his charge and departed. "What -are you trying to do, anyhow?" - -"I don't know. It all came so suddenly there was no time to do anything. -I'm sorry about Mr. Duncaster though. I wish Uncle Ezra had not butted -in, for now it will make it all the harder for me when I try again to -get that stock." - -"Are you going to try again?" - -"Surely. Dad needs it. But I'm not going to worry about that now. We've -got to devote all our attention to the Haskell game." - -"Do you think you can play?" - -"I'm going to!" declared Dick fiercely. - -He received visits from every member of the eleven and most of the -substitutes before taps that night, and they were all relieved when they -found that the young captain's injuries were not as severe as had at -first been reported. - -Dick was not able to practice the next day, but the following one he was -on the gridiron, and he was delighted to find that, aside from a little -stiffness, his ankle did not trouble him. - -"Fellows, this is your last chance," declared Coach Martin, the day -previous to the great Haskell game. "Make good now and----" - -"To-morrow," put in Mr. Spencer with a smile. "And don't forget that -you're going to win!" - -In spite of a slight pain in his ankle, Dick never ran the team to -better advantage than he did in practice that day. - -"Oh, for to-morrow!" he exclaimed to Paul in their room that night. - -What crowds there were! They overflowed the grandstands and surged upon -the space around the Kentfield gridiron. They stood several deep along -the ropes stretched to keep them back, and still they poured through the -entrance gates to the delight of the cadets. - -"We'll make some money all right off this game!" exulted Manager -Hatfield. "And we need it, even if we have a millionaire on the team." - -"No, we can't expect Dick to do it all," said Paul. - -"He's mighty good to hire the coaches," commented George Hall. "Oh, -say, if we can only win! Has the Haskell bunch arrived yet?" - -"No, but they'll soon be here. Come on, our fellows are going to get in -practice." - -Out on the field trotted the Kentfield eleven, with the score of -substitutes, wrapped, Indian-like in blankets, squatting on the side -lines, until such time as they would be needed to form some opposition -for the Varsity. - -This soon came, for the coaches, after putting the boys through some -recently evolved formations, called on the scrub. Then the practice was -harder. - -A roar burst from a thousand throats as the Haskell team trotted out, -for they had brought many supporters with them. Then came cheer after -cheer--cheers for Kentfield and for their opponents. - -"They're a husky lot all right," observed Dutton grimly, as the -Kentfield cadets ceased their practice to "size-up" their foes. - -"And beefy," added John Stiver. - -"Oh, say, don't get heart-disease so soon," advised Dick with a laugh. -"Wait until you see us walk through 'em." - -The preliminaries were soon arranged, and luck was with Dick for he won -the toss and selected the east goal, with what wind there was in his -favor. This gave the ball to Haskell to be kicked off, and a few minutes -later, the twenty-two sturdy youths took the field. Dick placed his men -with care, and gave an anxious look all about him, as the Haskell centre -"teed" the new yellow ball on a little mound of earth on the middle -line. - -Shrilly blew the whistle, and a moment later there was a dull "thump!" -as the toe of the big centre rush found the pigskin, and sent it well -into Kentfield's territory. Ray Dutton caught it, and, tucking the -spheroid under his arm he sprinted down over the chalkmarks, gathering -speed at every stride. - -"Cover him, fellows! Cover him!" yelled Dick, and the right half-back's -supporters gathered in front of him as well as they could. But the -opposition streamed through. Dutton ran on until in front of him loomed -Peters, the gigantic right guard of Haskell, and then the plucky cadet -ran no more, for he was heavily thrown. But the ball had been carried -back to Kentfield's forty-yard mark. - -"Line up, boys!" yelled Dick. "Go through 'em now." - -He stooped down behind Jim Watkins, and began calling the signal for -Stiver to circle Haskell's right wing. Back came the ball, and Stiver -got it on the jump, but so fast did the opponents of Kentfield stream -around to meet him that he did not gain more than three yards. - -"They're strong!" murmured Dick with a bit of despondency in his voice, -for he had seen how in vain his men hurled themselves against the -stone-wall-like line of Haskell. - -"So much the more credit if we beat them!" whispered Paul. - -The captain was half decided on a try around the other end, but a -movement in the line told him this was almost suspected so he called for -a fake kick with Dutton to take the ball. - -The spheroid came back true, and John tucked it against his chest as, -with head well down, he hurled himself forward. But the hole was not -there, and once more the enemies of Kentfield got through so that only -two yards were made. - -"We've got to punt," thought Dick, as he gave the signal. - -Straight and true the ball sailed from the toe of Hal Foster's shoe--far -into the territory of Haskell, so far indeed that their full-back had to -retreat to gather it in. Back he sprinted, protected by his eager mates. - -"Get to him, boys! Get to him!" pleaded Dick, and into the knot of -players rushed Beeby, Drew and Hall. Hall was shoved aside and Paul Drew -was put out of business, but Beeby dodged through, and, a moment later, -his powerful arms circled his man--the man with the ball. Down they went -in a heap. - -A few seconds later the offensive tactics of Haskell were in operation, -and powerful they were. First came a smashing attack between left guard -and centre that netted five yards. Once more the line was bucked, and -through left guard and tackle came hurtling the man with the ball. -Another gain was netted around right end, and then came a line play on -the other side. Kentfield was being pushed back, and thus far her -opponents had found no necessity for kicking. - -"Hold 'em! Hold 'em!" pleaded Dick. "Brace!" - -His men tried, and with such power on the next play that only one yard -was made. - -"That's it!" cried the captain gleefully. - -On the side lines the coaches watched the struggle. - -"I'm afraid they're too much for 'em," murmured Mr. Martin regretfully. - -"Yes, perhaps, but the game is young yet, and it's full of chances. -Besides, did you note the brace they took?" - -"Yes--it's great--we'll have a fine team before the season is over." - -Smash and bang went the attack on Dick's line. He did all that mortal -captain could do to infuse some of his own strength and courage into his -men, but it seemed that it was not to be. Down the field the ball was -rushed until it was within thirty yards of the Kentfield goal. - -"Touchdown! Touchdown!" demanded the crowd in sympathy with Haskell. - -"Hold boys, hold!" yelled the Kentfield adherents and they sang cheering -songs and gave their school war-cries. - -"Don't let 'em through!" almost tearfully pleaded Dick, though it seemed -that a score was inevitable. "Brace! Brace!" - -Once more a hammer-like attack, and the ball was on Kentfield's -twenty-two yard line. Then it looked as if at the next play either a try -for goal would be made, or that some lucky player on Haskell would smash -through and dodge his way to a touchdown. - -But something happened. Through some miscalculation when Haskell's -quarter got ready to pass the ball on the next play he found his man -missing, through inattention to the signal. Thereupon the quarter ran -with it himself, without having covered the necessary five yards to one -side. This carried with it a penalty which sent the ball back to -Kentfield's thirty-seven yard line, and Dick breathed easier. The almost -inevitable was postponed for a little while. - -A forward pass was next attempted by Haskell, but the memory of the -recent fizzle must have been on the minds of her players, for the ball -was juggled. Perkins, the left guard fell on it, and then, after a -hurried line-up, Matthews, the full-back, tried for a goal from the -thirty-five yard line. - -The ball rose well, for he was amply protected, and a yell of delight -came from a thousand throats as Haskell's supporters thought they saw -their side scoring. But Matthews did not have good aim, and the ball -struck the posts and bounded back where Dick got it. - -"Our ball!" cried Dick in delight, as the pigskin was brought out to -the Kentfield twenty-five yard line. - -"Are you going to kick?" whispered Paul. - -"No, we'll buck the line again. I think they're tired." - -The captain's judgment was vindicated, for on a wing shift Ray Dutton -went through for ten yards, and at this unexpected breaking up of the -powerful line of Haskell there were roars of delight from the home -crowd. - -Again Dick sent a man smashing through with the ball, and the opponents -were tumbled to one side, for the Kentfield guards and tackle were -fierce now with the desire for revenge, and they tore great gaps in the -ranks of the men before them. - -A fake kick gained another substantial distance, and then misfortune -came, for there was holding by some of Dick's men, and they lost the -ball on a penalty. But so far had they advanced it into the territory of -their enemies that the Haskell captain ordered a kick. Dick saw their -game now. - -"They think to tire us, for, they think I'll begin smashing their line -again. Then, at the close of the half they'll knock us all apart," he -reasoned as he helped form interference for Foster, who had caught the -ball. - -"Instead of that we'll kick!" instantly decided Dick. "That will keep -the ball in their territory, but if they send it back I'll chance some -more smashes." - -He called to the full-back to boot the leather forward, and back it came -with unerring aim. It was somewhat of a surprise to Haskell, and they -were a bit demoralized, for they had not expected such fierce playing, -nor such good generalship. Then followed another punt from the Haskell -full-back, and Stiver caught the ball. - -"Rush it back!" ordered Dick, his voice scarcely heard above the tumult. - -Stiver was shortly downed, but Kentfield had the ball, and once more -began to smash at the line with all the fierceness of which she was -capable. Haskell was plainly taken by surprise, but they held their -opponents to advantage and in two downs only ten yards were gained. A -kick was inevitable, and it came. - -This time, after rushing the ball back until downed Haskell tried some -new tactics. They worked a neat forward pass, and an adaptation of the -wing shift so that in a few minutes Kentfield's goal was again menaced. - -"Now's the time to hold again!" cried Dick, and hold they did, until -Stiver was injured and had to leave the game. Ford Endton was called in, -and then the smashing went on once more. - -Slowly Kentfield was being pushed back, and about all Dick could hope -for was the whistle that would announce the end of the half, for that -would save being scored on. - -Once more fate came to his aid. There was off-side play on the part of -Haskell, and one of her men was detected "slugging". As a result -Kentfield got the ball, and her opponent was penalized ten yards. Dick -promptly ordered a kick, and the pigskin was sent whizzing down the -field into Haskell territory. - -Haskell at once kicked back, but gained little, and then Dick called for -some more line plays. It was a bad move, as the ball could not be -advanced and Dick had to kick again. Then back at the wearied Kentfield -players came burrowing and boring their enemies, until our friends were -shoved back up the field. - -Nearer and nearer to their own goal they were pushed, until the ball was -within five yards of it. Dick begged and pleaded, but it is likely that -not all the urging in the world could have prevented a touchdown, only -that the whistle blew, ending the half, and the tired players rushed -from the field. - -"Well, we didn't score," remarked Dick somewhat gloomily to the coaches -who hurried out to him. - -"Score? Nobody expected you would against that team!" cried Mr. Martin. -"But look what you did. You equaled them all around, and they couldn't -score on you." - -"They feel worse than you do!" exclaimed Mr. Spencer. "You boys did -nobly. I fancy Blue Hill is trembling at this moment." - -"I hope so," said Dick. "But I want to score next half." - -The rest, and the words of praise showered on them from all sides at the -plucky game they had put up, did much to put heart into our heroes. They -went back into the contest with an eagerness that was a delight to the -coaches and their captain. - -An exchange of kicks followed the second half initial send-off, and when -Dick's team got the ball they once more tried their bucking. The first -try, however showed that Haskell's line had been much strengthened, and -this was because several new players had gone in, whereas, with the -exception of two, the Kentfield team was the same. - -"They're afraid of us!" Dick whispered in delight to Paul. "They held -out some of their best players--now they have them in. We're up against -the strongest team they have," and this was so. - -Wishing to save his men as much as possible, Dick called for some -wing-shift and fake-kick plays that proved to be good ground-gainers. -But there was a fumble in one, and Haskell got the ball. - -Her smashing attack proved the virtue of the new players, and in less -than ten minutes of play in the second half the ball had been shoved -over for a touchdown, and the goal was kicked. - -"Oh, but that's tough!" sighed Innis. - -"It might be worse!" said Dick, as cheerfully as he could. "We're -holding them well, considering the new men they have, but we're going -to score now." - -He and his men made a good try for it. They got the ball on a fumble -after some play following the touchdown, and began to rush it back. For -a moment their attack was so irresistible that Haskell crumpled to -pieces. Then, maddened and ashamed at having a smaller-sized team treat -them thus, they braced, and the advance of Kentfield was stopped. - -Again Haskell came smashing at Dick's line. He knew what it meant. They -were determined to have another touchdown and the plucky captain was -just as determined not to let them get it. But it seemed as if it must -come. - -Smash, bang! Smash, bang! came the heart-breaking attack. Haskell was so -sure of herself now that she did not kick. But she was a little too -sure, for she held in the line again, and the ball came to our friends. -It was promptly punted out of danger, but instead of returning the punt -Haskell once more came back to the banging tactics. - -"Another touchdown!" was the demand. - -"Never! Never!" thought Dick in desperation. - -The ball was within ten yards of his line. He knew there could be but a -few minutes more of play. - -"Hold 'em fellows, hold!" he implored. "If we can keep 'em down to one -touchdown it's as good as a victory for us!" - -Hold the Kentfield cadets did, though slowly but surely they were being -shoved back. They even dug their hands into the dirt until their nails -bled, but it seemed useless. - -"Now boys for a touchdown!" called the Haskell captain with a laugh. -"We're going to get it, too!" he added, looking Dick straight in the -face. - -The signal came. Into the line came smashing the man with the -ball--straight through a hole that had been torn with savage energy -between Drew and Watkins. Straight at Dick the man came, Haskell's big -guard. Dick tackled him like a tiger, and felt himself being bowled -over. A sharp pain shot through his injured ankle, and he knew the -bandage had slipped. But he also knew something else, for the ball had -bounced from the grasp of the guard and lay within reach of our hero. - -He pulled himself from underneath the husky guard, though the pain in -his foot was excruciating, and like a flash was up. Then, before any one -knew what he was doing, he had booted the ball well down the field, -though the kick cost him unbearable pain. But he had saved another -touchdown against his team, for at that moment the final whistle blew, -and the great game was over. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -JOINING THE LEAGUE - - -They had to carry Dick off the field, but there was a happy smile on his -face in spite of the terrible pain of his injured ankle. - -"Only one touchdown and a goal against us, and the best team Haskell -could put in the field, fellows!" exulted the plucky captain. "It's -almost as good as a victory." - -"There could be no more honorable defeat," murmured Coach Martin. - -"I should say not!" exclaimed his colleague. "Our work hasn't gone for -nothing." - -"Let me congratulate you, Captain Hamilton!" cried the captain of -Haskell, as he strode up to shake Dick's hand. "We sure thought we would -wipe up the earth with you, but--well, we were astonished, to put it -mildly." - -"We'll beat you next time," said Dick simply. - -"I shouldn't be surprised but what you did," he agreed. "You certainly -have improved wonderfully. Where'd you get those coaches?" for the two -had walked on in advance. - -"Oh, they were a sort of an experiment," answered the young -millionaire, "but it worked out all right. Kentfield needed some -improvement and----" - -"She's more than got it!" cried the other captain. "Boys, three cheers -for the pluckiest team we ever went up against!" he called, and how the -cries rang out; bringing joy and a mist of tears to the eyes of our -injured hero. - -"Three cheers for Haskell!" called Dick in return, and the compliment -was given. - -"We'd have scored again but for that plucky tackle of yours, and your -kick," said the guard whom Dick had thrown in the nick of time. "Hurt -yourself much?" - -"No, it's only where I twisted my ankle before. I'll be all right in a -few days, and ready for more games." - -The crowd was thronging from the field, as Dick was carried into the -dressing room. There some hot applications, and skillful bandaging, put -his ankle in such shape that he could manage to get around on a cane -that some one provided. - -"It was great! Great, old man!" cried Paul, circling in delight about -his chum. "I never thought we could do it. Did you really think we would -win? I hope you're not disappointed." - -"Only a little," admitted Dick. "I hoped we might win up to the time I -saw their team come out on the field. Then I knew they were too much for -us. But we held them down!" - -"Indeed we did." - -"And the next thing to do is to get into the Military League, and wipe -out the unnecessary insult that Blue Hill handed to us, by giving them -the worst drubbing they ever had." - -"Sure," assented Paul. - -There was quite a crowd of hero-worshippers outside the dressing rooms, -waiting to get a sight of Dick and his men, and cheer them. Among the -throng our hero espied a pretty face he knew, and straightway he made -for it as well as he was able. - -"Congratulations!" called Miss Hanford. "Oh, it was a glorious game! but -I'm so sorry you were hurt." - -"It's nothing," murmured Dick gamely, though as he spoke a spasm of pain -shot through him. - -There were not a few on the hospital list as a result of the -Haskell-Kentfield game and in view of that, and the great work that had -been done, practice was omitted for a few days. When it was resumed it -was light, for there were several of the best players, besides the -captain, to be considered, and good men were scarce. - -On all sides among the various groups of cadets there was heard nothing -but praise for Dick's team. Only one little crowd had anything -unpleasant to say, and this was the faction headed by Porter. - -"If Porter had played there wouldn't have been so many gains around left -end," said one of the rich lad's cronies. - -"That's right," added Weston. "Porter was our mainstay before he got -put off by Hamilton's influence." - -"Who says by Dick's influence?" demanded Paul Drew hotly. - -"I do!" - -"Then you don't know what you're talking about, and I advise you not to -repeat it," spoke Dick's chum grimly, and Weston slunk away. - -But what little feeling there was died away in the memory of the -glorious game that had been played, and even some of the instructors -were enough interested in athletics to congratulate Dick and his chums. - -"What's the next move?" asked Paul of his roommate, as they sat in the -precincts of the Sacred Pig one night, talking over matters of the -gridiron. - -"Well, we ought to join the Military League, I think. We are practically -out of it through the refusal of Blue Hill to accept our challenge, and -I presume we'll have to join over again," was the opinion of Dutton. - -"That's right!" cried Dick. - -"Will they let us in?" asked George Hall. - -"They'll have to," was what Manager Hatfield said. "I am going to have a -consultation with the coaches to-morrow, and we'll decide on what to do. -If we are admitted, as I have no doubt we will be, we'll challenge Blue -Hill Academy again." - -A correspondence was at once begun with the necessary officers of the -league, and it was carried on to such advantage that inside of a week -Kentfield was formally notified of her election to the organization. -This was composed of several military academies, as I have said, and the -winning of the football championship carried with it the possession of a -gold loving cup. - -Hard practice was the rule for the next few days, and then came a game -with Mooretown which Kentfield won. The next week she played a small -team, not in the league, and the week following came a contest with -Richmore, one of the tail-enders of the league. This resulted in a big -victory for Kentfield, and further advanced her prestige. - -"Have you challenged Blue Hill yet?" asked Dick of the manager one day. - -"I'm going to this week. I think we've won our spurs now. How is your -ankle, if we do play?" - -"Fine as a fiddle. I've taken the bandage off. Oh, we'll play for our -lives when we meet those fellows!" - -Blue Hill could now have no reason for refusing to meet Kentfield, and -though they offered no apology for their former sarcastic letter, they -accepted the challenge. - -Dick was with Manager Hatfield when the answering missive was received. - -"That's the stuff!" cried the young millionaire. "Now we'll practice -harder than ever." - -Toots, the janitor, approached our hero, whistling "In the Prison Cell I -Sit." He saluted and seemed to want to say something. - -"What is it?" asked Dick. - -"I've just got word, Mr. Hamilton, that your dog Grit has been -arrested--or, that is, taken to the pound for going about without his -license tag on, which is against the law," said the janitor. - -"Grit taken to the pound! Who did it?" cried Dick. - -"Some fellow by the name of Duncaster," was the unexpected reply. "He -had a policeman take the dog in, and you have to pay ten dollars to get -him out. Half of it goes to that Duncaster man for causing the dog to be -taken in." - -"Duncaster!" murmured Dick. "He's fighting us all along the line! I'm -going to town!" he called to a group of his chums who had gathered about -him. - -"I'll go with you," and Paul hastened after his friend. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -READY FOR BLUE HILL - - -Dick was half wrathful over the action of Mr. Duncaster, and half -because of the action of some cadet who must have enticed Grit to town, -for a few students, admiring the bulldog had, in times past, often led -him off with them. Nor was Grit unwilling to go, for he loved action, -and by reason of his lessons and his football practice his master had -little time to take him out. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Paul, as his chum swung around toward -the stable. - -"I'm going to find out who took my dog to town, and then I'm going after -him," was the answer. "He had nerve, who ever he was." - -"Do you think Duncaster did it? Because he knew it was your animal?" - -"He may have done so, but I doubt it. He's just naturally mean and -cranky, and when he found Grit wandering about the street he probably -notified a dog-catcher. I didn't think they were so strict when cool -weather set in. Poor Grit! In a pound with a lot of curs! His feelings -will be hurt." - -In answer to Dick's inquiries one of the stable men stated that Cadet -Porter had come and gotten Grit, leading him off by a leash attached to -his collar. - -"Did he say I said for him to take Grit?" asked the young millionaire. - -"No, sir, I can't say as how he did. But he's been real friendly with -the dog, Mr. Porter has, and Grit knows him. Mr. Porter and Mr. Weston -went off together with him. I hope you don't blame me, Mr. Hamilton," -and the man seemed a bit alarmed. - -"No, it wasn't your fault. But, after this, please don't let any one -take Grit without my permission. First thing I know he'll be stolen, and -then Uncle Ezra will be as happy as a lark." - -On the way to town Dick and Paul met Porter and Weston returning. The -faces of both were flushed, and they were smoking cigarettes. Porter -seemed ill at ease as he encountered Dick, and the latter resolving to -settle the matter once and for all said: - -"What right had you to take my dog, Porter?" - -"I'm mighty sorry, Ham," was the contrite answer, and for a change -Porter was not blustering and overbearing as he usually was. "You see I -took him in, as I've done once before, and you didn't mind, but----" - -"Yes, but this time I _do_ mind!" exclaimed Dick sharply. "He got away -from you, didn't he?" - -"Yes, I tied him to the leg of the billiard table, while I shot a match -with Weston. Beat him, too, and I must have felt so jolly over it that I -forgot about Grit. When I went to look for him he was gone--he'd slipped -out of his collar. I guess he was lonesome for you. He got home all -right, I hope." - -"No, he didn't!" replied Dick in no gracious tones. - -"He didn't?" Porter was manifestly surprised. - -"He's in the pound, and I have to pay ten dollars to get him out." - -"Whew! That's tough luck! I'm mighty sorry about it. If I wasn't so -counfoundedly short of funds now I'd give you the money for the fine -right away. As it is I'll owe it to you." - -"No, you won't!" cried our hero sharply. "I'll pay it myself, but don't -take Grit away again--please." He added the last as he happened to -remember that he was captain of the football team, and that Weston, -Porter's crony, was a member of the eleven, and that Porter might also -play later. It would not do to be on bad terms with them, for the sake -of the team. - -"Oh, well, you needn't be stiff about it," murmured Porter. "I didn't -mean any harm. How did I know the dog would get away." - -"You didn't, I presume," agreed Dick, a little mollified. "But don't do -it again. Come on, Paul." - -"You cad!" muttered Porter, as Dick swung around. "I'm beginning to -hate you! I'll get even, some day too. You put me off the team!" - -"Oh, I wouldn't feel that way," suggested Weston, who was not a half-bad -chap. "You may get a chance yet." - -"Not after this blamed dog incident. Why didn't you have an eye on the -brute?" - -"Why should I? It was your affair." - -"Oh, well, if that's the way you feel about it, don't come with me -again!" snapped Porter, who was in ill humor. - -The pound of the town was in a stable back of one of the police -stations, and there Dick found Grit chained up with several other dogs -of much lower degree. - -"Hello, old boy!" greeted the lad, and Grit nearly broke the chain to -leap upon his master. - -"Be careful," warned the poundkeeper. "He's got an ugly temper." - -"Not when he's treated right," was the answer. "I'll take him along. -Here's his collar," for Porter had handed it over before parting from -Dick. "I'll take him home. To whom do I pay the ten dollars?" - -"To me. Half goes to the town and the other half to the man who caused -the dog to be taken in. Rumcaster is his name, or something like that. -He's been here several times since the dog was brought in, asking if the -fine was paid. He wants his share, Mr. Rumcaster does." - -"Duncaster is my name! Duncaster!" exclaimed a rasping voice, and the -man who had been so unpleasant to Dick made his appearance. "And so the -dog's owner is here, is he? I guess this will be a lesson to him. -Where's my five dollars?" - -"Here!" exclaimed Dick suddenly stepping forward. - -"Ah, ha! So it's that Hamilton soldier fellow!" exploded Enos Duncaster, -as he saw our hero. "It was your dog; eh? You should know better than to -let unmuzzled and unlicensed dogs run loose in the streets. But it's -what might be expected of a young man who goes to school to learn a -murdering trade. Bah! I'm glad it _was_ your dog!" - -"The dog is licensed, and was running loose because the cadet who took -him without my permission did not take care of him," answered Dick -quietly. - -"Hum! I can't help that young man! The law is the law and I'm entitled -to my five dollars. It will keep me in groceries for a week. I don't eat -much!" and the old man chuckled grimly as he pocketed the bill, and -tottered off on his cane. - -"Come on Grit, old boy!" called Dick, as he paid over the other five -dollars, and led the now rejoicing animal away. - -The young millionaire tried not to feel any resentment against Porter, -but it was hard work. Not so much on account of the ten dollars, as -because of what might have happened to Grit. On his part Porter was -cooler than ever toward Dick, but it did not so much matter as our hero -had learned all he could about the financial operations of the rich -lad's father,--and since he knew who held the large number of shares of -electric stock. - -"Not that it's doing dad much good to know," mused the young -millionaire, "for Duncaster will be more against me than ever now, I'm -afraid. He won't even listen to me." - -Fortunately the necessity for hard work on the gridiron gave Dick so -much to think about that he did not have much time to worry over this -matter, though he made up his mind to aid his father whenever -opportunity presented. - -Hard practice was called for, in preparation for the Blue Hill game, and -the young captain and the coaches were glad to see the snappy playing, -and the aggressive spirit manifested. - -"I think we can defeat them, after what we did to Haskell," said Dick. - -"I do also," agreed Mr. Martin, and Mr. Spencer was no less positive. - -It was three days before the game, and the boys were "on edge" and -fit to make the battle of their lives. That night Dick was paying a -visit in the rooms of Innis Beeby, when George Hall came in. - -"What's the matter up in your bungalow?" asked Jim Watkins, coming in -during a deep discussion of a new wing shift play. - -"Nothing--why?" asked Dick quickly. - -"I thought you might be sick. I just saw Dr. Fenwick going in there," -was the answer. "But you seem healthy enough." - -"Dr. Fenwick--going to our room!" cried Dick, starting up. "It must be -Paul. He wasn't feeling well this evening, and wouldn't come out with -me. I'll go see!" and he hastened away. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -THE BLUE HILL GAME - - -The thoughts of the young captain were rather alarming as he made his -way to the apartment he shared with his chum. He had paid little -attention to the complaint Paul made of not feeling well, thinking it -was only a temporary indisposition. That had been several hours before, -for time had passed quickly in the room of Innis, with the spirited talk -of football. - -"And he had to send for a doctor when I wasn't there with him!" -exclaimed Dick to himself regretfully. "That was tough. But I kept -thinking he'd join us every minute or I'd gone back. I hope it isn't -anything serious." - -Then he recalled several stories he had read of football players being -secretly "doped" before big games in order that they would go "stale" -and not be in form. - -"That may have happened to Paul!" half-gasped the young captain. "Some -of those Blue Hill fellows, fearing we will beat them, may have sent him -some dope. If they have----" - -Then Dick laughed at his preposterous fears, and by this time he was at -his room. Behind the closed door he heard the murmur of voices. One he -recognized as that of his chum, and the other was Dr. Fenwick's. - -"Well, he's alive at any rate," thought the young millionaire. "He can't -be so bad." - -Nevertheless it was rather an alarmed countenance of Dick Hamilton that -gazed in on his chum a moment later. Paul was in bed, and in the room -was one of the academy orderlies, while the physician was bending over a -table, mixing some medicine in a glass. - -"Paul!" cried Dick impulsively. "What's the matter? Jim Watkins just -told me Dr. Fenwick was here. How did it happen? What is the matter? I'm -so sorry I left you alone, but I thought every minute that you'd be -over. I'm all cut up about it." - -"It's all right, Dick, old man," replied Paul, but in fainter tones than -he was in the habit of using. "I'm just a little under the weather I -guess. I'll be on the active list again soon." - -"I hope so," murmured the captain, with the memory of the impending Blue -Hill game. Paul was one of his best players--one who could always be -depended on in an emergency--one who always had some "go" left in him, -when it seemed that mortal flesh and bone could do no more. He could -tear through the line, and break up interference better than any guard -Dick had ever seen, and for nailing the man with the ball Paul was a -star. No wonder the young captain did not want to lose him. - -"Is it anything serious, Doctor?" asked Dick. - -"I hope not," replied Dr. Fenwick. "I don't like some of his symptoms, -but they may pass away." - -"How did it happen--how did it come on?" inquired the young millionaire. - -"Oh, I hadn't felt well all day," replied the plucky left guard, "but I -didn't think anything of it. Then a little while ago I suddenly felt -dizzy, and before I knew what was happening I keeled over--fell on the -floor. Brooks, in the next room, heard me, and came rushing in. He got -the doctor--that's all I know." - -"And I wasn't here?" exclaimed Dick reproachfully. - -"I fancy it is only due to an upset condition of the stomach," put in -the physician. "He has an attack of vertigo, which is not uncommon. -There, Mr. Drew, I'll leave this medicine, and look in on you in the -morning. If you need me in the night don't hesitate to send for me." - -"I'll look after him," promised Dick. The physician and orderly were -about to leave when several of the cadets who had been in Beeby's room, -and who wondered at Dick's sudden desertion, came trooping in, to ask -all sorts of questions concerning Paul. - -"Now, young gentlemen, this won't do!" insisted the doctor cheerfully -but firmly. "Mr. Drew must be kept quiet. He is in no danger, and -you'll have to leave." - -They did, after nodding pleasantly to the sick lad, and then Dick began -a vigil of the night. - -"Jove! I hope Drew doesn't go back on us in the Blue Hill game," -remarked Dutton. - -"It would sort of break us up, even though Berkfeld fills in pretty well -at guard," spoke George Hall. - -As for the worriment of the young captain, only he himself realized the -depth of it. - -Paul was restless all night, and had a slight fever. Dick was a faithful -nurse, administering the medicine regularly. Once his patient was -delirious, and murmured something about matters at home. Again he -fancied himself on the gridiron, and called out: - -"Touchdown! Touchdown! We've got to make a touchdown! That's it. Go -through the line now!" - -"Poor Paul," murmured Dick. "I'm afraid it will be quite a while before -you play again." - -Twice, when the lad's condition seemed worse, Dick was on the point of -sending for Dr. Fenwick, but he refrained and the spell passed over. - -Morning came, pale and wan, shining in the room where the electric -lights burned with a sickly glow. Dick turned them out and softly laid -his hands on Paul's cheek. - -"He seems cooler," he whispered. "I believe the fever has gone down. I -hope it has. He's sleeping soundly. I--I believe I'll lie down for a -moment." - -Dick himself felt weak, for he had been up nearly all night, and the day -before he had practiced strenuously. He stretched out on the lounge, and -before he knew it he was sleeping soundly. He awakened as a voice called -faintly: - -"Is there any water handy, Dick?" - -"Paul! How are you?" he cried, springing up. "Oh, I must have dozed off! -That was careless of me. Are you all right? I'm a swell nurse, I am." - -"Oh, don't worry. I'm much better, and I'm hungry and thirsty." - -"That's a good sign. I'll get some fresh water." - -Paul drank eagerly, and Dick, taking his temperature with the -thermometer the physician had left, was glad to note that the little -silver column was at ninety-eight and three-fifths, or normal. - -"Your fever's gone!" he announced, with a thrill in his tired voice. - -Dr. Fenwick came in a little later, and seconded the opinion Dick had -formed. Paul was weak, but the danger had passed, he announced. - -"It must have been something he ate," was what the doctor said, and Dick -thought no more about "dope." - -"Will I be able to play Saturday?" asked Paul eagerly. - -"Humph! Yes, I think so, if you get back your strength. You lost -considerable in a short time. But take it easy at first." - -They missed Paul at practice that day, and as Dick was somewhat worn -with his sleepless night, the coaches did not insist on very strenuous -work. What was done, however, showed that the Kentfield eleven was -holding its own. - -Paul was out the next day, and did light work. He was a bit "off his -feed" as he expressed it, but he was sure he would be all right when it -came to the big game. - -Little was talked of in the academy but the coming contest, which was to -take place on the Kentfield gridiron. Some of the sporting crowd had -what they called "big money" up on the game, but few of the football -contingent indulged in this practice. - -"I got odds of two to one from some of the Blue Hill crowd," boasted -Porter, who had a liking for betting. "I could have gotten bigger odds -before the Haskell fight, but the Blue Hill fellows are a bit shy now. I -should think you'd back your own team, Hamilton," he said, with a half -sneer at Dick. - -"It isn't in my line," was the answer, "though I've no objections to you -fellows backing us for all you're worth. We'll come in winners, I'm -sure." - -"I wish I could play," spoke Porter more earnestly than he was in the -habit of doing. "Is there any chance for me, Hamilton?" He had -effectually put his pride in his pocket to thus appeal to the lad who -for no cause he disliked. - -"I wish there was," answered the captain. "Of course you will have the -same chance as the other subs, and if the fight is as rough as I expect -it will be, we may be playing all of you before it's over." - -"Then I can't go in at the opening?" - -"I don't see how you can very well. Of course I haven't it all to say. -Why don't you go see the coaches?" - -"What good would that do. They're in your pay, and----" - -"That will do!" cried Dick sharply, and Porter knew enough to stop that -sort of talk. He turned away, a bitter look on his face and a bitter -feeling in his heart. - -"I'll get even with you yet," he muttered. "I'll fix you and your -football team, Dick Hamilton!" - -Dick was like some anxious mother the night before the game. He went to -the rooms of each of his players and saw that they were in. Inquiries as -to how they felt met with the reply that they were all "fit." - -Paul Drew seemed himself again, and assured Dick that he was ready to do -battle with their common foe. - -"Wouldn't it be great if we could shut them out altogether?" he asked -exultingly. "After the fuss they made about not wanting to play us, and -the record they've made, if we could bar them from crossing our -line--wouldn't it be immense?" - -"'Dreams--idle dreams,'" quoted Dick with a smile. "I shouldn't ask -anything better, but I'm afraid they're too strong for us. Why they came -within an ace of beating Haskell the other day." - -"That was on a fumble." - -"I know, but fumbles count in football. No, if we beat them by a good -score I'll be satisfied, even if they cross our line." - -It was the day of the great game, a great game in the sense that -Kentfield had made a record for herself in a remarkably short time under -the skillful coaching of Mr. Martin and Mr. Spencer, and because she was -to meet a foe who had despised her--meet a team that, hitherto had not -considered our cadet heroes worthy of their steel. In a sense it was a -triumph for Kentfield even before the game was started. As for Dick he -was modestly proud. - -There was a record-breaking crowd in attendance, for the word had gone -around among lovers of football that Kentfield was putting up a great -game, and the grandstands that in years past had held only a scattering -throng, now overflowed. - -"We'll be able to pay all our debts and close the season with a -balance," exulted the manager and treasurer together. - -"I'd rather win this game and lose every dollar!" cried Dick, as he ran -to join his comrades on the gridiron. - -Blue Hill was to kick off, and after the preliminary arrangements the -pigskin was "teed" in midfield and there came a hush while each captain -looked to see if his men were all placed. - -"Are you ready?" came the call. - -"Ready," answered Dick. - -"Ready," answered Ford Haskell, the Blue Hill captain. - -The whistle blew, and hardly had the echoes died away than there sounded -the soul-stirring "ping" and the toe of Tod Kester's shoe dented the -leather as the big centre sent the ball well into the territory of our -friends. - -"Now boys, back with it!" cried Dick. "Shove for all you are worth when -it comes to a line up!" - -Jake Weston caught the ball, and the speedy right end was down the field -with it like a shot. He dodged several of the Blue Hill men, but at last -Ned Buchanan, the husky right guard, got his arms around him, and Weston -went down hard. - -"Ready boys--come on," cried Dick, and this was the signal for a fake -kick without any other word being given. They lined up and before the -surprised Blue Hill team was aware of what was happening, and when their -startled full-back had begun a retreat ready to catch the ball John -Stiver had the pigskin, had passed it to Hal Foster and the latter -smashed through the line for a ten yard gain. - -"That's going some!" cried Innis Beeby when the scrimmage was over. - -Indeed it was a good gain for that play, and Dick and his men rejoiced. -Quickly they lined up again, and this time Dutton was sent smashing -through between left guard and tackle. But this was not so successful, -for the Blue Hill lads massed at that point, and blocked the advance -after four yards had been covered. - -But the ball had been advanced enough so that Dick felt he need not call -for a punt, and this time he gave the signal for a play around right -end. John Stiver got the ball and got into the play on the jump but to -his own surprise and that of his comrades, he was almost nailed in his -tracks by Lem Gordon, the husky left guard who broke through Innis -Beeby. - -Instead of a gain there was a loss of a few feet, and, seeing it, Dick -felt his heart sink. Blue Hill had developed unexpected strength. - -A kick was now necessary, and the ball was sent spinning into the -enemy's territory. They ran it back a short distance, and then came -their line up. - -"Now, boys, see how we can hold 'em!" cried Dick cheerfully. "We'll have -the pigskin in a couple of downs." - -"Not much!" cried Captain Haskell, of the Blues. - -Against the Kentfield line came smashing Rud Newton, the left half. He -tried for a hole between Frank Rutley and Paul Drew at left tackle and -guard respectively. Rutley held like a stone fence, but Paul, after a -moment of opposition, gave way and Newton came smashing through. Dick -and Hal Foster managed to nail him, however, but not before five yards -were gained. - -"You've got to hold better than that, boys!" called Dick, but they all -knew it was Paul who had given way, and there was not one of them but -what feared he would not hold out through the game. His recent illness -was doubtless responsible. - -Again Blue Hill tried a smashing play in the same place, hoping they had -found a weak spot, but Dick and his men were ready, and Paul was -supported to such advantage that not a foot was made. - -There came a try for around the left end, but Tom Coleton and his -colleagues were there ready to nab the man, and he actually ran back and -was downed for a loss. Then came the inevitable kick, and Dick's side -had the ball, practically where it had been in the first scrimmage. - -"Do or die!" murmured our hero, and he called for some line-smashing -plays. They were given with a will, but there was a defense that was -well-nigh impregnable, and murmurs of astonishment began to go around -among the spectators. - -"They're as evenly matched teams as have ever played!" declared Coach -Martin. "There may be no score." - -"Oh, our boys have _got_ to score!" cried Mr. Spencer. - -Back and forth the game see-sawed, the ball most of the time, save when -there was an exchange of kicks, being in the centre of the field. It was -a kicking game, and Dick rejoiced that he had men who could be depended -on to punt. - -Again and again did the opposite sides hurl themselves against each -other in the line, neither team being able to gain. Then a kick would be -called for. This made it interesting for the spectators, but it was -wearing on the players. - -At last Dick, in desperation, decided on some sequence plays. These were -three maneuvers to come one after the other at a certain signal, there -being no word given for each individual play. Usually this was not done -until the ball was within about twenty-five yards of the goal, when -desperate work, to disconcert the opponents was necessary, but our hero -thought he might now gain some ground in this way. - -"We've got to do it! Pull together now!" called Dick. This meant that -three plays, previously decided on were to come without further word -from the quarter-back. - -The plays were right half-back through right tackle, left tackle through -right tackle and left half-back through right tackle, thus directing -three smashing attacks in quick succession against the same place in the -Blue Hill line. - -The first attempt did not gain much, but when Frank Rutley came at the -unfortunate Jean Trainor, who had just sustained one tremendous smash, -there was a clean ten yards reeled off. Then, without a word being -uttered, John Stiver jumped for the same breach on the next line up, and -fifteen yards were gained. - -Kentfield's supporters nearly went wild, for her boys were now within -striking distance of the enemy's goal. But there was an enraged crowd of -opponents to be reckoned with, for the Blue Hill cadets were half -frenzied with the trick that had been played on them, and Dick knew he -could not hope to work it again. - -He called for an end run, and it seemed as if it would result in a good -gain, but George Hall was downed before he had gone far. Then came a -smash at the Blue Hill centre, and to the dismay of Dick, Paul Drew -fumbled the ball. In an instant one of the Blue Hill players fell on it, -and quickly booted it out of danger. - -There was a groan, and Dick felt his heart sink. All their brilliant -work in the sequence had gone for naught. The Blue Hill crowd went wild -with delight. - -"Line up!" called Dick grimly, and once more he began his line-smashing -tactics. But there was no gain, and a kick was called for. Similarly -the opponents of Kentfield could not advance the ball, and they punted. -Then after some see-sawing work, time was called for the ending of the -first half, with the ball on Blue Hill's forty-yard line. Neither side -had scored. - -"Well, what do you think of 'em?" asked Mr. Martin of Dick. - -"Hard as nails," was the reply. - -"I fancy they have the same opinion of you," said Mr. Spencer. "But I -think you can get one touchdown the next half. They are tiring. Do you -think you can risk another sequence play?" - -"I believe so. I'll try it on the other side next time." - -"I would, but wait until you're nearer their goal." - -The rest period seemed all too short for the tired players, but they -came out on the gridiron again leaping, laughing and shouting, though -some showed the marks of the conflict. - -There were shrill cries from many girls and women in the grandstands and -Dick, giving a quick glance up saw Nellie Fordice, Mabel Hanford and -some of their friends. - -The second half began with a rush that meant business. Each side tried -the line-smashing, but found it as before, and there was much kicking. - -Blue Hill finally had the ball, and there was a moment's consultation -before the signal was given. Then came a terrific smashing play at Paul -Drew. Dick saw one of the Blue Hill players deliberately strike Paul in -the stomach with his elbow. Poor Drew went down in a heap, and over him -climbed the man with the ball, making a six yard gain before he could be -stopped. - -"A foul!" cried Dick, and reported to the umpire what he had witnessed. -But that official had seen nothing, or at least said he had not. - -"Watch 'em!" warned Dick to his players, while Paul had some wind pumped -back into him. - -"Can you play?" asked Mr. Martin. - -"Yes--of course!" was the half-fierce reply. - -Once more came a smashing attack at the unfortunate left guard. His -opponents had discovered his weakness. Though he was not struck, the -attack was so merciless that he could do nothing, and he had to be -carried off the field, his weak condition being partly responsible, for -his stomach still troubled him. - -"Get in the game, Natron," called Dick, to the substitute guard, and -then the Blue Hill attack was directed on the other side of the -Kentfield line. But there Innis Beeby was ready for them, and he tackled -his man with such fierceness that time had to be taken out to restore -his half-scattered senses. - -"They won't try any more slugging here," said the right guard grimly. - -But Blue Hill was evidently "out for blood," and the slugging went on. -The umpire saw it once, and ordered the offender out of the game. - -All this while, however, the ball had been steadily advanced toward the -Kentfield goal, and after Tom Coleton had been knocked out, giving -Porter a chance to get back on his old position of left end, the advance -was even faster. - -Then, in one black and disheartening moment, came the fatal play. It was -around Porter's end, in spite of the desperate effort Hal Foster made -to tackle the man, the ball was touched down, and the goal kicked. - -There were tears in the eyes of more than one Kentfield player, and Dick -felt his heart sinking. But he grimly called on his men to respond, and -for a time they had the ball in their enemy's territory. - -Another of Dick's men was knocked out, and two of the Blue Hill players -had to retire. The time was getting short, and Dick once more decided to -use the sequence work, for with so many new cadets on the other side, he -figured that they would not be prepared for them. - -The plays were rattled through, and this time with such relentlessness -that in a short time the ball was within ten yards of the Blue Hill -goal. - -"Touchdown! Touchdown!" came the imploring call from the Kentfield -grandstands. - -"Touchdown it shall be!" thought Dick fiercely. He sent Innis Beeby -smashing through centre for three yards, and then, hoping Dutton could -make the remaining distance, passed the ball to him. - -Right into the line smashed the big right half-back, but someone tackled -him with a fierceness that sent him unconscious to the ground, the ball -rolled from his arms, and a moment later a Blue Hill man had it, and was -racing down the field with all the speed left in him. - -There was not a player to stop him, for all of Dick's team had been -drawn close in, hoping for the touchdown, and before they were aware of -what was happening the man with the ball was on the forty-yard line. - -"Catch him! We've got to catch him!" yelled Dick. "It's another -touchdown if we don't!" - -After him sprinted every man on the Kentfield team, save Dutton who was -still stretched on the ground, and then, straggling after their -opponents, came the Blue Hills in scattered formation. - -It was a foregone conclusion, for the Kentfield players were so wearied -with their recent line-smashing attack that they could hardly run, and -with tears in their eyes they saw the ball again touched down back of -their goal posts. They had been so near to scoring, only to see their -hopes dashed from them, and on what was nearly a fumble. - -The goal was kicked and the score stood twelve to nothing against our -friends. Dutton was revived, but was unable to resume play, and a -substitute went in. There were only a few moments of the game left. - -Desperately Dick called on his men for those last few minutes, and they -did play to fierce advantage. There was some kicking, and when the -Kentfields had the ball they rushed it down the field so fast that they -were soon within striking distance of their opponents' goal. - -Then fate, in the shape of the time whistle blew, and the contest was -ended. Blue Hill had won. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -SORE HEARTS - - -"Dick, I'm so sorry." - -It was Paul Drew who spoke, and he limped around the room where his chum -sat staring gloomily out of the window into a mist of rain. The weather -was in keeping with the hearts of the cadets of Kentfield academy. - -"It was tough, wasn't it, Dick?" - -"It was--very. I suppose I counted too much on winning that game. Others -didn't seem so much to matter. But Blue Hill----" - -"I know, Dick," and Paul spoke softly. "But they didn't play fair." - -"That's what lots of the fellows say, and I saw you hit once. I've no -doubt but what there was more slugging--but that doesn't excuse us for -not winning." - -"No, of course not, but----" - -Paul was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in," called Dick, but -there was no welcome in his tones. - -"Say, old man, you act as though your best girl had sent back your -letters unopened!" exclaimed Ray Dutton as he came in, wearing a -bandage on his head, where he had been kicked in that last -heart-breaking attack on the Blue Hill goal line. "Don't be so down and -out about it. Kentfield has lost before, and lived through it." - -"Yes, I suppose so," and Dick turned aside from the contemplation of the -gloomy weather outside. "But it--hurts." - -"Of course it does, but all is not lost yet. We have a chance for the -championship." - -"A mighty poor one." - -"Well, it's a chance, isn't it? If we hadn't had so many men knocked out -we could have won, even at that. Blue Hill made one touchdown against us -by straight playing. We were about to do the same to her. Then they got -one on a fumble. It was my fault for being so silly as to be knocked -out, but----" - -"It wasn't your fault at all!" cried Dick. "No one could have played -better than you did. That whack on the head was enough to bowl anyone -over." - -"Yes, I guess it was," admitted Ray, as he gently felt of a lump the -bandage covered. - -"And the way they handled Paul was rotten," went on the captain. - -"Oh, I'm not kicking," declared the plucky guard. "I'll be ready for 'em -next time." - -"I'm glad there is a next time," spoke Dick. "How do we stand, anyhow?" - -"There are several games yet," said Dutton, "and we can win most of -them easily. The only hard ones are with Mooretown and the next one with -Blue Hill. That's the last, and we need to win that and the Mooretown -contest to get the championship." - -"It's a big contract," said the young millionaire with a sigh. - -"Oh, brace up!" cried Dutton as cheerfully as he could. "Here come some -of the fellows. Don't let 'em see you in the dumps, Dick." - -Our hero tried to look cheerful, but it was hard work. Several of his -players filed in. It was the day after the defeat by Blue Hill and there -were sore bodies as well as sore hearts, for there had been more men -knocked out in that desperate conflict than in any previous one. And, so -said the senior cadets, there was no game ever played by Kentfield in -all the years of her history that was more fiercely fought. - -"Blue Hill has the best team in years," said Innis Beeby. - -"So have we!" cried Jim Watkins. - -"Granted, and we're going to be the champions," went on the big guard. -"But it sure does make me sore to be licked after we practically made -all our preparations to do Blue Hill." - -Dick brightened up when he saw that he was not the only one who took the -defeat to heart, and the talk drifted to the various incidents of the -game. It was agreed that Blue Hill had not played exactly fair in a -number of instances, but it was decided to keep quiet about this. - -"They'll say we're soreheads if we kick," said Paul. - -"I know one 'sorehead,'" remarked Ray with a grimace as he felt of his -wound. "But wait until next time!" - -The two coaches were disappointed but not discouraged. They had hoped, -not only for their own prestige, but for the sake of the team, that Blue -Hill would be defeated. - -"But I'm glad there's another chance at them," remarked Mr. Martin -grimly to his colleague. - -"Yes, I fancy Blue Hill will have to bring along plenty of substitutes -when we meet them again," and Mr. Spencer smiled. - -"Oh, the next game is at their grounds, you know." - -"Well, that isn't so good for our chances, but even at that I have no -fear of the result. If we can get our boys into shape, and their -injuries heal, I would be willing to stake a good sum on our side, if I -were a betting man." - -Porter was one of the disappointed ones, because he had lost a large sum -of money on the result. He talked much about it, and even seemed -inclined to blame Dick for the defeat. - -"If he had let me go in earlier they wouldn't have gained so much on -us," he said boastfully. - -"Oh, get out!" cried Dutton in disgust. "Why, one of the biggest gains -they made was around your end, and it resulted in a touchdown. - -"Well, my foot slipped." - -"And I guess the fellow's did who kicked me," said Ray grimly. "But -don't make any cracks like that Porter. You're no better than the rest -of us." - -"I'm not saying I am, but I want to play from the start of the game next -time." - -He importuned Dick to this end, as soon as active practice was resumed, -but Tom Coleton was again available and the captain did not feel like -displacing him. - -"He'd better look out, or I'll fix him!" threatened Porter to his crony -Weston. - -"What do you mean?" - -"Dick Hamilton. He ought to let me play. I'll get square somehow." - -"Oh, I wouldn't talk that way," said Weston weakly. He wanted to be -loyal to his team, yet he was under obligations to Porter for he owed -him a large sum of money. "You wouldn't do anything mean, would you?" he -asked. - -"Why doesn't Hamilton let me play then?" inquired Porter, not answering -the question. - -"I don't know. You may have a chance for one half of the Mooretown -game." - -"I want to play the whole game--not half, and if I get knocked out it's -my fault. But I'd like to see the fellow try to do any funny business -with me," and Porter shot out his jaw aggressively. He was quite a boxer -in an amateur way. - -"Well, don't do anything rash," cautioned his crony, but Porter walked -off, muttering to himself. - -Gradually the soreness and stiffness of the players wore off toward the -end of the week and they were practicing with their usual vim. Though -many had been on the hospital list, almost the entire Varsity was -available for a game the next Saturday, when one of the league contests -was played with Ralston Academy. Kentfield won easily, and further -clinched her chances for being the champion. But the hardest -games--those of Blue Hill and Mooretown were yet to come. - -Of Mooretown, Dick had no fear as to the result, but Blue Hill was -another matter. Still he strengthened his heart when he saw his men in -vigorous practice. - -"They certainly are a great team!" he exulted, "and they are as hard as -nails." - -Even in the gloom of defeat and in the preparation for gridiron battles -yet to come, Dick had not forgotten his father's troubles. He kept in -communication with Mr. Hamilton, and learned that matters were -temporarily at a standstill. - -"They can't get the controlling lot of stock from Mr. Duncaster, and -neither can I," wrote Dick's father. "So matters stand. But I have a new -plan. I am coming to Kentfield soon, and I'll see that obstinate -gentleman myself." - -"Dad coming here!" cried Dick in delight as he read the letter to Paul. -"I hope he's in time for the Mooretown game." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -TREACHERY - - -Mr. Hamilton arrived at Kentfield the day before the game with -Mooretown. Dick welcomed his parent enthusiastically, and introduced him -to all his chums, with whom the millionaire was soon on friendly terms. - -"You'll have a chance to see us play, dad!" cried the captain. "You'll -go Mooretown with us; won't you?" - -"To see you beaten?" asked Mr. Hamilton quizzically. - -"Not much! We'll wipe up the gridiron with them!" cried Ray Dutton. -"We've got to, if we want that loving cup," he added with a laugh, "and -Blue Hill, too." - -"Well, I guess I'll come," assented Dick's father. "But I have some -business to transact first." - -"I'm afraid you won't transact much of it," spoke Dick in a low voice. -"Mr. Duncaster is very obstinate." - -"How are you going to Mooretown?" inquired Mr. Hamilton. - -"By special train. Our manager has arranged for one. I did think of -autos, but the roads are pretty poor and then we want to take a big -crowd with us to 'root' for a win. So we'll go by train." - -"Then I'll come along. Now tell me about this Mr. Duncaster," and Dick -proceeded to do so, detailing his own visit, and that of Mr. Larabee. - -"Hum! A hard man to do business with. Still I've got to try, for it -means a lot to me," and Mr. Hamilton sighed. Dick noticed with regret -that his father's face was much more wrinkled than it had been, and the -gray hairs were more numerous. - -"The strain is telling on him," mused the lad. "I wonder what would -happen if he lost all his money--and if I lost mine," for of late Dick -had transferred most of his funds to his father, to use in the electric -road deal. In fact most of the Hamilton fortune was now tied up in that -line. - -"But I guess dad will make out," concluded our hero. "He has been in -tight places before, and has always pulled through." - -Mr. Hamilton set off to see Enos Duncaster, and Dick made his father -promise to take dinner with him that night at the Sacred Pig where an -impromptu spread had been arranged in honor of the visit of the -millionaire. Major Webster Colonel Masterly, and several of the academy -faculty had promised to attend. - -"It won't be much on the 'eat' line for you fellows and me," Dick had -warned them, "we can't break training until after we have wiped out the -disgrace of the Blue Hill defeat, and that won't be for two weeks. Then -we'll have a feast that is a feast." - -"Good!" cried Innis Beeby for he was fond of feasts, and suffered under -the rigorous football regime. - -Dick was waiting for his father's return from Mr. Duncaster's house that -evening, sitting in his room trying to study. He was not making much -headway for he was thinking of many things--of the game on the -morrow--of the one with Blue Hill, and of what success his father would -meet with. Paul Drew was out at a society meeting. - -There came a knock on the door, a timid hesitating sort of a knock, and -Dick, wondering who it could be, called out: - -"Come in!" - -Sam Porter entered, first looking around the apartment to see that -Dick's roommate was not present. - -"Are you busy, Hamilton?" he asked, and there was that in his voice that -caused Dick to wonder at him. There was a thickness and a sort of -leering familiarity that was unusual. - -"No, I'm not busy. Come in and make yourself comfortable. There's an -easy chair," and Dick knocked a pile of books from one to make room for -his visitor. - -"I want to ask a favor of you, Hamilton, and I want you to grant -it--understand?" and Porter looked sharply at the captain. "I want you -to promise." - -"I can't promise, until I hear what it is," said the young millionaire -good-naturedly. - -"Yes you can--if you want to--un'stand?" Sam Porter leaned forward. - -"You want to grant me this favor--un'stand," went on Porter, "or you'll -be sorry. Sorry, see?" - -"What is it?" asked Dick, trying not to show the disgust he felt. - -"I want to play in that Mooretown game to-morrow--play full -game--un'stand? I don't want to sit on side lines like some poor Indian -wrapped up in a blanket--I want to go in from start an' wallop them -fellers. Un'stand? I want to play. You can put me in as well as not. -Will you? It's favor, Ham, an' if you don't do it, you'll be sorry!" - -"Why?" asked Dick, for there was a vague threat in the tones of his -caller. - -"Well, nev' min'. Will you let me play?" - -Porter was not himself. Dick had never seen him thus, and he feared lest -some of the teachers discover his condition. He thought it best to -temporize with him. - -"I'll see what I can do," he promised good-naturedly. "Come and see me -in the morning. You'd better go to bed now." - -"Go to bed?" and Porter's voice rose. "Why, wha's matter me? Ain't I -a'right?" - -"Yes, but if you are to play to-morrow you'll need a rest. See me in the -morning." - -"All right. I'll go. But if I can't play whole game you be sorry, Ham. -You're good feller--you let me play--be sorry if you don't--tha's all," -and Porter lurched from the room, while Dick shook his head sorrowfully. - -Mr. Hamilton came up to Dick's room about an hour later. It needed but a -look at his face to see that his errand had proven a failure. - -"Well?" asked Dick, but he knew what the answer would be. - -"Mr. Duncaster wouldn't even talk to me when he learned what my object -was," said the millionaire wearily. "I guess we can't do anything with -him, Dick. But never mind," he added more brightly, "I can try another -scheme. They haven't got us beaten yet, Dick, my boy!" - -Dick put his father up in an apartment in the Sacred Pig after the -little banquet. It was a gay affair in spite of the millionaire's -disappointment, and the boys voted him a brick. - -Porter approached the captain the next morning. He did not seem at all -ashamed of his condition of yesterday. - -"Well, Hamilton, am I to play?" was the somewhat sharp question. - -"You'll have to take your chances with the other subs," was the young -captain's answer. "I can't make any changes in the Varsity now. I may -after the first half, if we find Mooretown easy enough." - -"Yes, that's it!" sneered Porter. "You'll only put me in on the easy -games. I won't stand for it. Either I play the full game, or off comes -my suit for the season." - -"You can please yourself about that," and Dick turned aside. - -"You'll be sorry for this!" muttered Porter, as he walked away. - -The last arrangements had been made, the team and substitutes surrounded -by the crowd of students who could not go to Mooretown, had been cheered -again and again, and Grit had been decorated as a mascot. - -The crowd which was to accompany the players on the special train had -all gathered, and the march to the depot was begun. Mr. Hamilton was -with Dick. - -"Humph! Our special hasn't pulled in yet," observed Manager Hatfield -when the station was reached, and there were no cars in waiting "That's -funny. The agent said it would be surely here ready for us. I'll ask him -about it." - -Dick was standing near the manager when he questioned the station -master. That official seemed greatly surprised at the crowd of players -and spectators. - -"Your special train?" he exclaimed. "Why you countermanded the order for -it. The game was off, I understood, so I sent the engine and cars -back." - -"Sent them back!" cried Dick. "How was that?' - -"Why, I had them all here, and the engineer had steam up, waiting for -you. About an hour ago one of your students came down here and said -Mooretown had cancelled the game, and that you weren't going to play. -So, as I didn't want the special standing here in the way of the regular -trains, I sent it back to the yard." - -"Can we get it again?" asked Hatfield, wondering what had happened. - -"Not inside of several hours." - -"What sort of a student told you we didn't want it?" asked Dick, -excitedly. - -"A tall lad, rather stout, and with quite a good color--you know--sort -of beefy." - -"Porter!" whispered Dick, involuntarily, and several heard him. - -"The special has been sent back, we can't get a train in several hours, -and we're due at Mooretown at two o'clock," spoke the manager. "They'll -claim the game by forfeit if we don't show up, and then----" - -"Good-bye to our chances for the championship," put in Beeby gloomily. - -"There's been treachery here," murmured Dick, as he gazed at the blank -faces of his companions. "Treachery! This is what Sam Porter meant when -he said I'd be sorry." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -A DESPERATE RACE - - -For a few moments the surprise of the cadets was such that they could -think of nothing to do. It seemed almost impossible that their plans -should be defeated by such a simple means, yet such was the case. A look -down the empty tracks showed not a sign of their special train, and -further appeals to the agent only confirmed what he had first said. - -"It's no use, boys," he declared. "That special has been sent back and -it will take a long time to get it again, even if I could. The train -dispatcher made a certain schedule for it, and once that is busted it's -hard to get it in shape again." - -"Isn't there a regular train they can take?" asked Mr. Hamilton. - -"Not for three hours." - -"And that will be too late," said Paul dismally. - -"Whew!" whistled George Hall. "This is tough! Let's wire Mooretown and -tell them what happened. They'll call the game off I'm sure, and not -make it a forfeit for us." - -"What good would it do if they did?" asked Jim Watkins. "There are only -two more games for us to play in the championship series. This one with -Mooretown and the one next Saturday with Blue Hill. This is our only -chance, and if we can't take it we won't get another one at Mooretown, -as they break training to-day, after this contest. No boys, it's all up -with Kentfield's chance at the trophy, I reckon." - -There was silence for a moment, but the cadets were doing some hard -thinking. - -"That cad Porter!" exclaimed Innis Beeby. "What could have induced him -to play such a contemptible trick?" - -"I suppose because I wouldn't promise to let him go in for the full game -to-day," replied Dick reluctantly. - -"Are you sure it was Porter?" inquired Paul. - -"He's about the only one who is capable of such a thing as this," said -Innis, looking at Weston. - -"I'm going to make sure," spoke Dick, and he inquired particularly of -the agent as to the appearance of the cadet who had given the false -information about there being no need of the special train. The detailed -description left no room for doubt. It was Porter. - -"And, now I come to think of it, the young man laughed as he was going -away, after he heard me give the engineer of the special the orders that -he wouldn't be needed," said the station agent. - -"He laughed; eh?" repeated Dick. - -"Yes, and I think he said something about a joke, but I can't be sure. -Anyhow I thought it was sort of funny to hear him chuckle when he was -walking away, for I know how set you boys are on football, and I -reckoned you'd be sorry if a game was cancelled. But I had other things -to think of, getting the trains on their regular schedule after the -special was out of the way, so I didn't pay much attention." - -"Well, Porter has put us in bad," declared Ray Dutton. "The sneak! I -wish I had him here now." - -Several glances were turned in the direction of the crony of Porter, as -if he might know something of him. Weston flushed uneasily, but he rose -to the situation. - -"Fellows," he said earnestly, "I hope you don't think that I had any -hand in this. Porter and I have been thick, I know, but of late he -hasn't had so much to do with me. But, on my honor, I never knew a thing -about this. He never hinted it to me, or if he had I hope you will -believe me when I say that I wouldn't have stood for it, and that I'd -have told Hamilton right away, so his mean plan could have been stopped. -I hope you believe me." - -"Of course we do, Weston," said Dick. "I'm afraid Porter hasn't been -himself lately. But let's forget about that now. The thing to do is to -consider how we are going to get to Mooretown." - -"How can we, without a train available?" asked Beeby. - -"I don't know--I'm going to think," declared the captain with a brave -effort to keep cheerful against heavy odds. - -"Suppose you let me try," suggested Mr. Hamilton. "I know some of the -higher railroad officials, and if I telegraph them they may be able to -get a special back here in time for you to play." - -The boys brightened up at this, and the millionaire wrote several -messages which the agent clicked off to headquarters. There was barely -time, if a special arrived inside of half an hour, for the cadets to get -to Mooretown in season to play the game, but it was a small margin. - -"If we had carriages enough we could drive," said Hal Foster. "The wagon -road to Mooretown is shorter than the railroad line." - -"We never could do it in time," objected Frank Rutley. - -At this moment the agent came out from the office with several telegrams -in his hand. - -"I'm sorry," he announced, "but they say at headquarters, Mr. Hamilton, -that they'd like to oblige you and the boys, but two hours is the -shortest time in which they can get the special in shape again. No -engineer is available." - -Once more dull hopelessness fell upon the boys. Dick was almost in -despair. He saw all his plans of being captain of a championship -football team being dashed to the ground. It was a bitter blow. - -The two coaches, likewise, were much disappointed, for it would be not a -little to their credit to have whipped into first class shape a team -that, the season before, was the tail-ender of the military colleges. - -The young captain was pacing up and down the depot platform. His -companions left him alone for a space for they knew how he felt. - -"Well," began Dick after a pause, "I guess----" - -He did not finish the sentence, but stood in a listening attitude. From -down the road there came a steady hum and roar that told of some -approaching vehicles. - -"Automobiles," remarked Paul Drew. "If we had enough of them----" - -An instant later there swung into view around the bend in the road four -big auto trucks, new ones, each in charge of a man. The trucks were -powerful ones, designed to carry heavy loads a long distance and they -glistened with new paint, while in gold letters on their sides was the -name of a business firm in a large city just beyond Mooretown. - -At the sight of these--of their ample capacity--large enough to take the -team and the crowd with them, Dick's heart gave a bound. He made up his -mind instantly. - -"Fellows!" he cried, "if those men will hire me those trucks we'll play -Mooretown yet. I'm going to see!" - -"Hurray!" cried George Hall, and Mr. Hamilton smiled in a gratified way -at the quick wit of his son. - -"I say!" cried the young millionaire, stepping out in front of the first -truck and holding up his hand, "will you do us a favor?" - -"What's this--a--hold up?" asked the man good-naturedly, as he jammed on -the brakes. - -"Yes, we're held up--our special has gone--we've got to get to Mooretown -soon or we forfeit the championship game. Will you take us in those -trucks? I'll pay you well, and stand for all damage. Will you?" - -His voice was eager, and the man, who had been a boy himself once, and -fond of sport, was visibly impressed. - -"I'd like to oblige you," he said slowly, "but I don't know as I can. -You see I'm in charge of these four trucks. I work for the auto firm -that built them, and the flour company in Denville that purchased them -made an agreement that before they would accept them, the machines must -be run from the factory to their place. That's what I and my men are -doing now. The flour concern wanted to test the running gear, and it -will be a good test all right." - -"It will be a better test with a load of us fellows in," said Dick with -ready wit. - -"I suppose so," admitted the man, scratching his head, "but I don't know -as the flour firm would like it. There might be some damage, and----" - -"I'll stand for it!" put in Mr. Hamilton quickly. "I'm Mortimer -Hamilton, of Hamilton Corners." - -Though he spoke quietly his words had an instant effect for the man had -evidently heard of the millionaire. - -"Is that so?" asked the chief auto driver quickly. "I know you. I own -two shares of stock in your electric road. Simpson is my name--Ruddy -Simpson. I hope the rumors that the road is going to fail aren't true, -Mr. Hamilton." - -"The road will never fail, if I have to sink in it every dollar I own!" -cried Mr. Hamilton. "But we've got other business in hand now. Can you -take these boys to the game?" - -"I'll do it!" suddenly cried Mr. Simpson. "I'll take a chance. Hop in -boys, and I'll get you there on time if the gasolene holds out. We've -got to pass through Mooretown to Denville. Hop in!" - -"Hurrah!" cried the now hopeful cadets, and they piled into the four big -trucks. They had to stand up, and there was considerable crowding, but -they did not mind this, and there was room for all. - -"Now for the game!" cried Dick as the ponderous machines started off, -the station agent waving a farewell. - -"I guess this will put a spoke in Porter's wheel," murmured Beeby. -"He'll feel sick to think that we got to the game after his mean -trick." - -"We're not there yet," remarked Dick a bit dubiously, for he knew the -eccentricities of autos. "We've got to make pretty good time, and there -are several hills to climb." - -"Don't let them hills worry you," said Mr. Simpson. "I helped build -these trucks, and I know what they can do. We'll take any hill you can -give us, with a heavier load than this on. Only, of course, we haven't -an awful lot of speed. But I'll push them to the limit. Turn on all you -can!" he called back to the three men. - -"Sure!" they shouted in reply, and the motors hummed and throbbed under -the strain. - -For the first few miles the roads were good, and speedy time was made, -so that Dick ceased some of his worry lest they arrive too late. Then a -sandy stretch was encountered, and the motors whined out a protest, but -they kept on. - -"Think you can do it?" asked the captain of the man in charge. Dick and -the team and substitutes, together with his father, were in the first -machine. - -"Oh, we'll do it," was the reply, and Mr. Simpson's voice had a -confidence he did not altogether feel. It was no small responsibility, -for it was a desperate race against the fleeting minutes and hours. - -After the sand, came a good piece of highway, and then a stiff hill, but -the trucks made it safely and at fair speed. - -"We'll do it!" announced Mr. Simpson after about two hours. "There's -one long hill now after this one we're climbing and then we can coast -down into Mooretown." - -"Good!" cried Dick, and he felt some of the strain of anxiety leaving -him. - -A few minutes later, when the foremost auto had reached the crest of the -rise, the driver of the truck containing Dick and the team remarked, as -he pointed ahead: - -"There's Mooretown, but you can't see the cadet football field yet." - -"Oh, I guess they'll be there expecting us," replied the young captain. - -Down the other side of the long slope started the first truck, the -others following in procession. - -"Well, we did better than I expected we would," remarked Mr. Simpson. -"These trucks----" - -He stopped suddenly, as a sharp jar and crash came from somewhere in the -mechanism of the machinery. The brakes had been set as the descent was -begun, and the car had been traveling slowly, but now a sudden increase -in speed was noticed. - -"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Hamilton quickly. - -"Aren't we going a bit too fast down hill?" inquired Mr. Martin. - -The driver shut his lips with a grim tightening. He yanked back on the -brake handle with all his force. Then a startled look came over his -face. - -"The brake rod is broken!" he cried. - -Gathering speed the ponderous truck, with its load of humanity--the -cadet football team shot down hill, bumping over stones and hollows, -swerving from side to side, the steering wheel making the firm hands of -the driver tremble. - -"Haven't you got two brakes?" gasped Dick. - -"Yes--got the foot on one--she won't hold her with this load," was the -panting answer. - -"Can't we jump out before it goes any faster?" asked Hal Foster. - -"Stay where you are!" fairly shouted the man. "Maybe I can guide her -down." - -He was tooting the horn frantically to warn possible approaching -vehicles that his was out of control. Fortunately the hill was straight, -and a level stretch at the bottom gave promise of a long coast that -might check the awful speed the car would have when it reached the foot -of the declivity. - -Faster and faster went the runaway truck, and now from behind came the -frantic calls of the other cadets who realized the danger to their -football team. And there was grave danger--danger that could not be -avoided, for Simpson, yanking again and again on the brake lever, only -made more certain that it would not work, and the foot brake was -pitifully inadequate to check the now rushing vehicle. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -ANOTHER GAME - - -There was silence for a time among the cadets of the football -team--silence broken only by the whirr and hum of the machinery as it -ran free, for the gasolene had been shut off. Under the big tires -crunched the small stones and gravel of the road. - -"Can't you start the motor and hold her back on the reverse?" shouted -Dick above the noise. - -Simpson shook his head. - -"I'd rip her all to pieces if I did," he answered. "Queer about that -brake rod snapping. That's not in my department, but I'd like to get -hold of the man that inspected and tested it," he added grimly. "I'd -break him!" - -Dick looked into the faces of his chums. There was a quiet, strained -look in all of them, but none of them showed craven fear. He glanced at -his father, and Mr. Hamilton smiled at his son. - -"I guess we won't be behind hand now," he said. - -"No," and Dick shook his head. Then he glanced over the side of the -truck and noted how the trees were slipping by. They were going at -ever-increasing speed. - -Luckily they met no other vehicles on the hill, or there might have been -trouble. The auto drivers in the rear, finding they could do nothing -were keeping up as close as they could, to render any assistance if -possible. - -It was well that the speeding truck was strongly and ponderously made, -and that it was hung low, otherwise it would have toppled over. As it -was they all swayed from side to side dangerously, tossing the occupants -against one another. - -"Good practice for the coming game," remarked Dutton. - -"I hope it doesn't take their nerve," said Mr. Martin in a low voice to -his colleague. "This may have a fearful effect." - -"Their nerves are good," declared the Princeton coach, "but I wish this -was over. There's a good bit yet to go, and we'll travel faster at the -end, for the hill is steeper there." - -Mr. Martin silently nodded, and then looked ahead. As he did so he could -not refrain from a startled cry, for the hill took a sudden, steep dip, -and it seemed impossible for any auto not under control to make it -successfully. - -Before any one could do anything, had it been possible, the car was at -the dangerous descent. Simpson drew in his breath sharply and grasped -the steering wheel with firmer grip. - -"Whew!" whistled Paul Drew. "This is awful!" - -Dick said nothing, but he moved up closer to his father. Fear was -clutching his heart, for he dreaded lest that all be killed. - -"This is about the end!" gasped the driver, as the steeper part of the -hill came to an end. "The worst is over." - -The cadets could now look ahead, and see a level stretch. They were -beginning to breathe easier. - -"Once I'm on that I'll be all right," went on the driver. He reached it -a moment later, but the speed of the ponderous car was not checked much. -It had too great momentum. - -Suddenly Dick gave a cry of fear, and pointed forward. They all saw it -at the same time. Three hundred feet away was a narrow bridge and at -that moment there appeared on it, turning in from a side road, a man -driving a team of horses attached to a light carriage. And, as the -cadets looked, the horses seemed possessed with sudden fright at the -view of the oncoming auto. They reared, and the driver had all he could -do to hold them in. - -Then one animal, worse than its mate, kicked over the traces and, coming -down, got tangled in the harness. It fell heavily, right in the centre -of the bridge, dragging down its mate. The man leaped out to go to the -heads of the horses, and, as he saw the approaching auto he held up his -hand and shouted a warning. - -"Stop! Stop!" he cried. - -"I can't!" yelled back Simpson. "Cut the harness! Push the horses off -the bridge!" - -The man was working frantically. Simpson gave a last desperate yank on -the brake lever. It was still out of commission, as he knew it would be. -There seemed to be no escape from the impending crash which might mean -death for a number of them. - -"I'm going to jump!" cried George Hall, worming his way to the rear of -the truck, which was going almost as fast as when on the hill. - -"Don't you do it!" cried Dick, with all the energy he possessed. "Here, -Simpson, turn into that hayfield! Make for the stack! Run the auto into -it! That will stop us without damage!" - -"By gasolene! I believe you're right!" yelled the driver. "I'll do it. -It's our only hope." - -"But the fence! The fence!" shouted Paul. "We'll smash into it!" for a -rail fence shut off from the road the field at which Dick had pointed. - -"That fence!" yelled Simpson in supreme contempt. "I'll smash it into -kindling wood! Hold fast everybody! Here we go!" - -A moment later he had swung the car toward the hayfield. Fortunately it -was on a level with the road, or the front part of the auto would never -have sustained the shock. Through the fence the ponderous machine -crashed as if it were paper. The next instant the big car plowed -straight into a big stack of hay. - -Like so many rubber balls, the football players were thrown forward -against one another, and Dick and the two coaches were tossed out into -the fragrant timothy. - -Then a cheer burst from the other cadets in the three following trucks -which had come to a stop. For they saw that their comrades were safe. -The man on the bridge had succeeded in disentangling his horses and they -were now quiet. - -Simpson leaped from his seat, which he had managed to maintain, and -looked under the truck. - -"I knew it!" he cried. "Brake rod busted. Oh, if I had the man who made -that!" - -"Can we go on?" asked Dick anxiously as he picked himself up from the -hay. - -"Wouldn't dare to without this brake rod being fixed" replied the -driver. "There are more hills." - -"Here, you football fellows get in one of these other trucks. We'll pile -out and walk to the grounds--it's not far," called Percy Haddon. - -"That's the stuff!" shouted Manager Hatfield. "We haven't any too much -time. Are you boys all right?" - -"Sure," answered Paul with a laugh. "We're ready to play the game of our -lives." - -"That's right!" came in a chorus from the others. Now that the strain -was over there was a bit of hysterical feeling, but it soon passed -away. - -Little time was lost in making the transfer. The football team and the -substitutes got in one of the other trucks and were soon being whizzed -off to the grounds. The other two trucks, containing as many of the -remaining cadets as could squeeze into them, pressed on, and only a few -had to walk the remaining distance. - -Simpson backed his truck out of the hayfield which had practically saved -a number of lives that day. Then the driver began work at repairing the -brake rod, his companions promising to return for him when they had -taken the cadets to the grounds. - -Nor would Simpson accept any pay for the services he had rendered that -day. - -"I've got stock in your road, Mr. Hamilton," he said, "though it is only -two shares. This was a good test of the trucks, and I'm glad only a -brake rod busted. It was better to happen now than after I had delivered -'em. I'm satisfied." - -The Mooretown cadets were becoming anxious about the non-appearance of -their opponents, for the hour for the game was fast approaching, when -Dick and his players came running out on the gridiron. They were greeted -with a rousing cheer, for, though the rules called for the forfeiting of -a contest to the non-appearing team, the Mooretown cadets were true -sportsmen and hated to take this advantage. - -"Jove! But I'm glad you fellows came!" cried the Mooretown captain as he -wrung Dick's hand. "We were horribly afraid you wouldn't show up. What -was the matter? I thought you were coming by special train." - -"We were, but there was a mix-up and we had to charter these autos. But -we're here and we're going to beat you!" - -"Yes, you are!" and the home captain laughed. "Well, I'll show you the -dressing rooms. We've got a smashing big crowd here to-day and the -weather is just right. It would have been a shame to disappoint 'em." - -"Well, it's too bad to have 'em see you defeated, but it can't be -helped," said Dick with mocking seriousness and they both laughed. The -fright of the dangerous ride was fast passing away from all of the -Kentfield team. - -They were soon in their suits and out on the gridiron practicing. -Meanwhile the Mooretown lads were at work with the ball, and the -Kentfield coaches were critically sizing them up. - -"Not nearly as fast as our lads," declared Mr. Martin. - -"That's right. I don't expect a walkover, but there ought to be no -question as to who is going to win--unless this auto affair has got on -the nerves of our lads." - -The crowd continued to arrive. The grandstands were like some gorgeous -sunset in appearance, with the hats of the pretty girls, and the waving -of flags and banners. Cheers and songs, made music in keeping with the -day. - -"Line-up!" came the cry, and when the whistle blew, and the ball was -kicked off, twenty-two figures clad in earth-stained suits made a mad -dash for each other. The game was on. - -From the time of the first scrimmage Dick knew that his team had the -contest safe, for one smashing through the line of Mooretown told the -story. The men had over-trained and had gone "stale." On the other hand -the Kentfield lads were as fresh as the proverbial daisies. - -"Take her along for a touchdown, boys!" ordered the captain, and down -the field the ball was worked in a steady succession of rushes. In vain -did Mooretown try to stem the tide against them. Once, when their goal -line was almost reached, they did brace, and Dick began to plan a trick -play. But it was not needed, for the next moment Dutton was shoved over -for the touchdown, and the crowd of Kentfield students went wild with -delight. The goal was kicked easily, and then began the hammer and tongs -work again. - -Once again that half Kentfield made a touchdown, not as easily as at -first, for Mooretown had waxed desperate, but it was made. Not that it -was all "pie" to quote Dick, but they had the "measure" of their -opponents, and they began to see the championship looming clearly before -them. - -Twelve to nothing was the score in favor of Kentfield at the end of the -first half, which came to a close with the ball once more almost over -the Mooretown line. - -There were sore hearts among the players on the home team, and Dick and -his lads knew just how their opponents felt, but it was a fair game, -with no quarter and it was the fortunes of war. - -"I'm afraid you're going to make good," said the Mooretown captain to -the young millionaire, as the second half started. - -"We've just _got_ to," answered Dick. "We want that gold cup." - -Hammering away again, the Kentfield lads advanced the ball. Mooretown -got it on a fumble once, and did some pretty work in punting, but it was -of no avail. Again they had the pigskin because of the penalty inflicted -on a too eager Kentfield player, and they made a desperate try for a -field goal, but it fell short. - -After that there was no more danger to our friends, and they kept the -ball advancing by steady rushes, or, to rest his men, Dick would call -for a forward pass. Again and yet again was the Mooretown goal line -crossed, amid the frantic cheers of the Kentfield contingent, and when -the final whistle blew the score was twenty-nine to nothing. - -"Victory!" cried Dick in exultation, as he hugged as many of his players -as he could. "Now for Blue Hill next Saturday and we'll have such a -feast as never was at Kentfield before!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -DICK IS SUMMONED - - -The Kentfield cadets accepted the invitation of their late opponents, to -stay and see them break training. - -"As long as we didn't have a chance at the championship I'm glad you -fellows have," confided Captain Russell of Mooretown to Dick. "Of course -we'd have liked to have beaten you chaps, but I guess we over-trained. -We haven't any regular coaches, and we did the best we could." - -"You sure did," assented Dick heartily. "It's too bad you went back. You -were fine early in the season." - -"I know it, and that shows that it pays to have regular coaches who know -their business. How in the world did you fellows manage to get Martin -and Spencer?" - -"Oh, we worked it by a forward pass," replied the young millionaire with -a laugh. - -There was jolly fun at Mooretown that night, in spite of the defeat. The -team burned their suits at a big bonfire, and danced around the blaze -like Indians, singing college songs and cheering their opponents who, -in turn shouted for their plucky but unfortunate enemies. - -Then came a long and rather dreary ride back to Kentfield in a way-train -that stopped at every station. But the boys enlivened the trip by songs -and cheers so that they were not very lonesome. - -"Well Dick, I must get back in the morning," said Mr. Hamilton to his -son when they said good-night in Dick's room. - -"You won't try to see Duncaster again?" - -"No, it would be of little use. He is evidently set in his ways. My only -hope is that he doesn't turn over to the other side. If he does----" - -The millionaire paused. - -"Well?" asked Dick suggestively. - -"The Hamilton fortune will be a thing of the past, son." - -"As bad as that?" - -Mr. Hamilton nodded. - -"But I'm not going to give up," he declared. "I have some other irons in -the fire, and I may be able to forge them to the shape I want. It's -going to be hard work, though, and it would be much easier if I had the -Duncaster stock. By the way, you say that Porter chap, whose father is -working against us, attends here?" - -"Yes, but I fancy he won't after to-morrow," said Dick significantly. - -He was right. Sam Porter's room was vacant the next day, and he left no -word of where he had gone. He knew his trick had been discovered, and -that it had gone for naught. - -Several days later he sent a note to his former crony Weston, asking to -see him, but Weston refused. - -"I was his friend once," he said to Dick, "but I'm done with him now. -I'm for the football team first, last and forever!" - -"And you're one of our best players!" exclaimed the young captain -heartily, for he appreciated what it meant to break with Porter. - -Football matters at Kentfield were now drawing to a close. There was but -one more game to play--that of Blue Hill, but in the eyes of the cadets -it was the most important of the season because of what the outcome -carried with it. There was a tie for the championship between our hero's -football eleven and that of the academy which had sent the insulting -letter that resulted in such a change of policy. - -"Get ready for the last week of practice," ordered Coach Martin, on the -Monday following the Mooretown game. "It's going to be hard, too, but I -don't want any one to over-train. Take it a bit easy when you find -yourself tiring." - -"Yes, we want you in the pink of perfection Saturday," added Mr. -Spencer. - -There followed days of the most careful preparation. It was like getting -ready for the final great battle between two rival armies. Football -suits were looked to, for a rip in a jacket or a sweater might spoil a -play at a critical point. The lads replaced the worn cleats on their -shoes, that they might brace themselves when the Blue Hill players -hurled themselves at the Kentfield line. - -As for their physical condition, the cadets were looked over by the -trainers and coaches as if they were race horses. Tender ankles were -carefully treated and bandaged. Sprains were rubbed in the most -scientific manner, and did any one complain of a little indisposition -the coaches were up in alarm. - -And the boys were in the "pink of condition." Never had they felt finer -nor more able to do battle for the championship. Never were they more -confident, for, somehow, Dick had talked them into the firm belief that -they were going to win. - -As for our hero, he had a worry that he kept to himself, and, now that -his father had returned to Hamilton Corners, the lad let it prey on his -mind even more than he had when the millionaire was at the academy. - -"Our fortune in danger," mused Dick. "That sure is tough luck. Not that -money is everything, or really much in this world. But, after you've -gotten used to having it, I guess it's hard to spin along without it. -But perhaps it won't be so bad as dad fears. I would certainly hate to -give up my steam yacht, and I may have to leave Kentfield. Whew! That -would pull a lot!" and he sat staring in moody silence at the walls of -his tastefully decorated room. - -There was a movement at Dick's feet and Grit half arose to poke his cold -nose into his master's listless hand. The lad started. - -"Grit, old boy!" he murmured and the animal whined in delight. "Whatever -happens they can't take you from me," went on the young millionaire. -"But there's Rex. Maybe I can't afford to keep a horse. Oh, but I'd hate -to part with him!" - -He could not keep back just a suspicion of tears from his eyes, as he -stroked the short ears of the bulldog, who seemed to know that something -was amiss. - -"Oh, well, what's the use of crying over spilled milk before you come to -the bridge!" Dick exclaimed at length. "I'm not going to worry until -it's time; and that isn't yet. Guess I'll go for a canter on Rex. That -will clear the cobwebs away." - -He was soon galloping over the country, glad to be alone for a little -while to think over the problems that were bothering him. As the noble -animal galloped along around the lake path, and Dick felt the cool -November wind on his cheeks, somehow there came to him a feeling of -peace. - -"After all, it may come out right," he whispered as he patted the neck -of the horse. "And I'm going to have one more try at Duncaster. I won't -undertake to see him. I'll write him a letter and explain some things -he doesn't understand. Maybe it will just pull him the right way." - -The thought was an inspiration to him, and he turned Rex about and -galloped to the stables. - -"Well, what's all the correspondence about Dick?" asked Paul that -evening, as his chum was busily scratching away in their room. "I -thought you answered Miss Hanford's last letter yesterday." - -"Humph! Seems to me you've been doing something in the way of writing -letters yourself. But this is business. I'm making a last appeal to -Duncaster." - -Dick was not very hopeful as he mailed the epistle to Hardvale. - -It was the day of the Blue Hill Game, and final practice, save for a -little "warm-up" on the gridiron, just before time should be called, had -been held. The coaches had issued their last instructions, Dick had -given his men a little talk, and all that could be done had been done. - -"It's do or die now," grimly remarked the young captain. "We're fit to -the minute." - -"Have you heard from Duncaster?" asked Paul. - -"No, and I don't expect to. He'll keep the stock I expect, or trade it -to the Porter crowd. It was a slim chance, but it didn't make good." - -"Well," remarked Paul, a little later, when Dick had been nervously -pacing about the room. "I suppose we might as well go out on the -gridiron." - -"It's a bit early," objected Dick. "The Blue Hill crowd won't be here -for an hour yet." - -There came a knock on the door, and Toots stood there saluting between -the strains of "Marching Through Georgia." - -"Telegram for you, Mr. Hamilton--it came collect," announced the -janitor. - -"Humph. Can't be from dad, he always pays his messages," remarked Dick, -as he handed over the money, and tore open the envelope. When he had -read the few words he gave a gasp of astonishment. - -"What's the matter?" asked Paul quickly. "Bad news." - -"No. Good!" cried Dick. "Listen. This is from Mr. Duncaster--no wonder -he sent it collect. He says: 'Have your letter. I will grant your -request and sell you the stock. Come and see me at once, as I am leaving -for Europe for my health. I go to-night.'" - -"Then you'd better hustle out to Hardvale!" cried Paul. "Hurray! That's -great." - -Slowly Dick crushed the telegram in his hand. - -"I can't go," he said slowly. - -"Why not?" - -"I haven't time to go out there and get back to play the game--and--I'm -going to play the game!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -"LINE UP!" - - -Paul, looked at Dick Hamilton with something a little short of -open-mouthed wonder. He could not understand him. He realized the vital -necessity of the Hamilton forces getting control of the trolley stock -that Mr. Duncaster held. Now, when the opportunity offered, Dick calmly -turned it down. - -"Do you know what you're saying, Dick?" asked his roommate. "This is the -only chance you'll have--perhaps to save your father's fortune." - -"I know it." - -"And you're not going?" - -"What? And desert the team in the face of the biggest game of the year? -I guess not. Dad wouldn't want me to." - -"Some one can play in your place--perhaps for half the game. You could -go out in an auto and back in a short time." - -"Of course I might, but I'm not going to," and the young millionaire, -who might not be a lad of wealth much longer, calmly looked to see if -his canvas jacket needed any last attention. "If I went out there it -would take some time to arrange about the transfer of the stock, and I -never could get back in season to play the game. Besides I want to start -off with the boys from the first kick against Blue Hill." - -"I don't blame you--but--it's a big price to pay." - -"I know it, but it's worth all it will cost. Why I couldn't leave now, -practically in the face of the enemy. I may not be a whole lot to the -team, and probably there are fellows on the scrub who can play -quarter-back as well, if not better, than I can. But I've trained with -the boys all season. I'm their captain, however unworthy, and I've got -to stick by 'em. It would be treason to go now. I've got to stick." - -"But can't you do something? Can't you send Duncaster some word? He says -he leaves to-night. Telegraph him that you'll see him directly after the -game. Explain how things stand, and maybe he'll make allowances." - -"I will," decided Dick, "but I haven't much hope. He is very much set -against football, and he has no especial love for me. I can't understand -why he should give in about the stock. Perhaps he feels that he must -close up some of his business matters if he is going away. Then, too, -dad's offer may be better than the one Porter made him. I can't -understand it, but I'll take a chance and send him a wire, asking him to -meet me after the game." - -"Have you got the cash to pay for the stock?" asked Paul. - -"Oh, I can give him a check to bind the bargain, and dad can settle with -him later. I haven't as much in the bank as I had, for I let dad invest -it in the electric line." - -"Then you stand to lose too, if you don't get Duncaster's stock." - -"Yes, but what of it? If we win this game, and Kentfield is the champion -of the league, I'd be willing to lose almost all I had. I fancy dad left -an offer with Mr. Duncaster, better than his first one, of an advance of -ten per cent., and instructed the crabbed old chap to let him know when -he was ready to accept it. Instead, he sends me word, and I--well, I'm -not going--that's all. That is not until after the game. It's what dad -would want me to do--he'll understand," said Dick softly. - -"Well, you've got nerve--that's all I've got to say," complimented Paul -admiringly. - -Dick wrote his telegram, and he took the precaution to give Toots the -money to prepay it. - -"Duncaster might refuse it, if it went collect," he remarked with a grim -smile. "I can't take any chances. Then, Toots, arrange to have a speedy -taxicab waiting for me at the end of the game. I'll make a bee-line for -Hardvale as soon as the last whistle blows," he explained to Paul. "Want -to come along?" - -"Sure." - -It was almost time to go out on the gridiron now. Dick gave one brief -and half-regretful thought to the opportunity he might be missing. Then -he murmured: - -"Well, the game--from now on!" - -He had no idea of wiring his father the news, but he felt that after all -it would be better to explain it personally. - -"If dad was only where he could make a jump to Hardvale he could clinch -the deal," he mused, "but it's impossible." - -"Hark! What's that?" cried Paul as they were about to leave their room. -It was the sound of a swelling, boisterous cry--a joyful shout--a -challenge. - -"The Blue team has arrived!" exclaimed Dick. "Come on! Now for the -battle!" - -Already there was quite a crowd in the grandstands, and more people were -arriving every minute. The ticket takers had their hands full, and the -ushers were as busy as bees. For rumors of the fierce game that was -likely to be played had prevailed for the last two weeks, and there was -every indication of a record-breaking crowd. - -"Our treasury will be filled!" cried the manager of Kentfield with -exultation. "This is a great day for us--even if we don't win." - -"We're going to!" declared Dick with conviction. - -As Dick turned around he saw a tall, well-formed young man approaching -him. Something about the face seemed familiar, and, as the newcomer -smiled, Dick remembered. - -"Hello, Larry Dexter!" he exclaimed. "Where in the world did you blow -from? Sent to report the game?" - -"No, but I wish I was. I'm up here on a mystery case and, as I had a -little time to spare I thought I'd see you fellows win. I heard about -the game. Go in and beat!" - -"Thanks! We're going to try. Say, but I am glad to see you, Larry. Come -on over here and I'll see that you get a good seat. Or would you rather -be on the side lines?" - -"On the side lines I think." And Dick soon arranged so that his reporter -friend would have a good place. - -"See you later," he called as he went back on the field. - -"I'm afraid not," answered Larry. "I'll have to get away in a hurry. -I've got an appointment, but I'll stay long enough to see you pile up a -good score," and though Dick looked for his friend after the game, he -did not see him. - -"Who is that?" asked Paul, as Dick joined him. - -"That's Larry Dexter. One of the best reporters in New York. I met him -when I was there, right after I got my fortune. He's a fine chap. But -it's about time for the Blue Hill crowd to arrive." - -Those of you who have read my Larry Dexter Series need no introduction -to the hero of those books. Larry was a farm boy, who had an ambition to -become a reporter on a big New York paper. In the book "From Office Boy -to Reporter," I told how he did this, and in the other books of the -series I related some of his strange adventures. - -The Blue Hill cadets had come on a special train, and the team drove up -from the station in a large carry-all that had been provided for them by -Dick and his chums. A few days before the game the plans had been -changed so as to bring the contest to Kentfield instead of having it on -the Blue Hill gridiron. - -"Well, you're on time, I see," said our hero, as he shook hands with -Captain Haskell of Blue Hill. Haskell had been newly elected, to take -the place of a friend who had unexpectedly been called away. - -"Yes, and we're got our winning suits on." - -"Well, we'll see about that," responded Dick with a quiet smile. "Now if -you'll step over here we can arrange the details, and then both sides -can have some practice." - -"Sure," and a little later with the two coaches representing Kentfield, -and two from Blue Hill, the captains conferred. - -"I presume Blake will be all right for umpire," said Mr. Norton one of -the visiting coaches. - -"You mean George Blake--who umpired in our last game?" asked Mr. Spencer -quickly. - -"That's the one." - -"We'd prefer some one else," said Mr. Spencer quietly, before Dick could -interpose the objection that was on his lips. - -"You don't like him? Why?" asked Captain Haskell quickly, with some -wrath. - -"Because he doesn't see all that goes on in the line," was the calm -answer of the Princeton coach. "I don't believe it is necessary to say -more." - -"Well, if I----" - -"It's all right," broke in Coach Norton for Blue Hill. "If you object to -him, we'll take some one else. How will Jacob Small do?" - -"Of Lehigh?" - -"Yes." - -"We'll accept him gladly," assented Mr. Spencer. "Now as to the other -officials," and they were quickly settled upon. - -"Heads or tails?" asked Dick, as he prepared to spin the coin for choice -of goals. - -"Um--heads," spoke Captain Haskell quickly, as the quarter went spinning -into the air. - -"Heads it is," announced Dick without a tremor in his voice. The first -little indication of fate had gone against him, but it could not be -helped. He hoped to get the choice, as there was no wind blowing, and -naturally no advantage in goals, so that the winner of the toss could -elect to have the other side kick off if he liked. Dick had planned to -let Blue Hill kick if he had won the say of the spinning coin, but it -was not to be. Which would Haskell select? - -There was a moment's hesitation as the rival captain tested the wind -with a moistened, up-lifted finger. Then he announced his choice. - -"We'll take the north goal. You fellows can kick off!" - -"All right," spoke Dick and he tried not to show the little -disappointment in his voice. "Then as it's all settled we can get to -practice." - -Dick had hoped to get possession of the ball immediately after the kick -off and by a series of whirlwind rushes demoralize his opponents. Now he -would have to change his plans. - -"Well, we'll see how we can hold them," he said to Paul, as they went -over to their side of the field to run through some plays. - -There was fast, snappy, preliminary work. Dick paused once or twice to -observe his opponents. - -"No sign of them going stale," he reflected. - -The hour for play had come. The officials had settled all the details. -The new ball had been blown up, and the cover laced tightly. Carrying it -in his hand the referee advanced to the centre of the field and handed -it to Dick. - -"Are you ready?" the official asked. - -The young millionaire nodded. - -"Line up!" called the referee as Dick handed the ball to Innis Beeby to -kick off. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -HAMMER AND SMASH - - -With a graceful curve the pigskin sailed down the field, high over the -heads of the eager, waiting Blue Hill lads, beyond even their full-back -who had not stationed himself far enough in the rear. He had to do a -nimble sprinting act before he was ready to receive the spheroid on his -ten yard line. Then, tucking the leather close to his chest, and with -head well down he ran low back toward the Kentfield goal. - -"Get to him, boy, get to him!" cried Dick. "We mustn't let 'em gain an -inch if we can help it." - -Like hounds from the leash, the young millionaire and his companions -raced toward their quarry, and an instant later the two eager advancing -lines met, eleven straining lads trying to bore in through ten others -and get at the man with the ball. - -Frank Rutley got him--it was Tod Kester, the big centre and Tod went -down, a young mountain of flesh piling on top of him and the plucky left -tackle. Now the real battle was about to begin, and the engagement was -not long in opening. - -"All ready. Kansas City--four hundred--six--eleven--twenty-six!" - -Thus the sharp tones of Joe Bell the Blue Hill quarter, as he signalled -his men. Then came a rush and there was a terrific impact on that part -of the Kentfield line guarded by Paul Drew and Frank Rutley. It was a -strain, but they stood it, and the wave of struggling humanity, in the -centre of which was the Blue Hill left-half with the ball, was dashed -back. - -"No gain! That's good!" muttered Dick. "We're holding 'em!" - -Again came the signal, and once more that terrific impact, but this time -on the other side tackle and guard. Evidently Blue Hill was trying to -find the weak spots. - -Still again did Kentfield withstand it, and tossed back into their own -territory their aggressive enemies. - -"Watch out for a fake kick," Dick warned his chums, and they closed -in--all but Hal Foster the full-back, who would not be drawn in to his -disadvantage. - -There was a quick signal, and a forward pass was tried. It came at a -time when Dick and his chums were expecting either a kick or a fake -kick, and showed what chances Blue Hill was willing to take. But they -made good, for they gained several yards, and had the ball this much -nearer Kentfield's goal. Dick felt a little sinking feeling at his -heart, but he smiled bravely. - -"We'll stop 'em next time," he said grimly. - -Hammering and smashing again became the order of play, and at -Kentfield's line came the Blue Hill lads with bulldog tenacity. But they -had no weaklings to meet, and after a try through Drew and Rutley again, -they endeavored to circle Weston's end. But the former crony of Porter -was on the alert and like a snake he wiggled through the protecting -interference and got his man when only one yard had been gained. Then to -give his men a breathing spell Captain Haskell called for a kick, the -ball being punted to Kentfield's fifteen yard line. Tom Coleton ran it -back five yards before he was downed by a fierce tackle from Ned -Buchanan, and then Dick and his mates had a chance to show what they -could do. - -"Smash 'em! Smash 'em!" murmured Paul in memory of his former game. - -"Everybody keep cool," counseled Dick. "We don't want any penalties. -Play a clean game. Get ready now." - -In snapping tones he called the signal. It indicated that some sequence -plays were to be tried--plays for which no further intimation would be -given. - -Between left tackle and guard plunged Ray Dutton, and before he could be -stopped he had planted the ball five yards in advance toward Blue Hill's -goal. - -Another line up, and Hal Foster came plunging through a big hole that -had been torn for him between centre and right guard. On and on he -came, wiggling and squirming to gain every inch. In vain did Captain -Haskell call on his men to stop the play. Kentfield seemed irresistible, -and eight yards were reeled off, the grandstand contingent of our -friends going wild with delight. - -But Dick and his mates paid little attention to this. They had other -matters to occupy them. There was another play to be made. - -In silence, broken only by their panting breaths, the cadets again lined -up, and as Jim Watkins passed the ball back to Dick, the latter shoved -it into the waiting arms of John Stiver. John was on the run and with -the aid of Rutley he sprang eagerly into the hole between the opposing -left tackle and end, being preceded by Dutton who saw that the way was -clear. It was a smashing attack, delivered at the right moment, Tom -Coleton following in to see that no fumble was made. But none was, and -ten clean yards were ripped off, a bigger gain than Blue Hill had yet -made. - -"Now, again, boys!" yelled Dick in delight, and now he gave the signal -for an end run, that his panting lads might have some relief. It was -Dutton's cue to take the ball around to the Blue Hill right end. But -this was not so successful, as several of the opposing players were on -the alert and were ready to nail him. He ran to one side and was -actually forced back a yard before he went down. - -"It might be worse," said Dick cheerfully. "We'll try it differently -this time." - -An on-side kick netted a good gain, and then came a forward pass, which -was not so successful. There was a fumble--just whose fault it was could -not be said--and one of the Blue Hill players fell on the ball while -wild yells from their supporters told of the joy in their camp. - -"Watch out now!" warned Dick again. But there was no kicking or trick -play. Blue Hill was evidently going to depend on her slightly superior -weight, and retain her line-smashing tactics. At Kentfield she came with -a rush that carried her opponents off their feet for the time. - -"Hold! Hold!" yelled Dick desperately, and his men tried to do so. - -"Go on! Go on!" screamed Haskell. "Smash 'em to bits, but get through!" - -Dick was watching for any slugging, but his opponents seemed to be -playing a clean game. On came the man with the ball, and twelve yards -had been ripped out through the very centre of the line of our heroes -before they managed to nail Tom Hughes, who was worming his way forward -with the pigskin. - -So terrific was the next impact that Paul Drew went down and out and a -pail of water was hastily called for. He was well soaked and massaged, -until his breath came back with a gasp. - -"Can you stay in?" asked Dick anxiously. - -"Sure!" panted Paul, but his voice was not as strong as his captain -would liked to have heard it. - -"Stand by him," whispered the young millionaire to Frank Rutley. "They -may try to put him out again." - -Full two minutes were taken out to enable Paul to feel more like -himself, and Dick was not mistaken when the next play was made. It was a -terrific attack at Paul's place in the line. But sturdy Frank Rutley was -ready for them, and John Stiver was also on the alert, so that when the -Blue Hill's right half came plunging forward this time, he was met with -such opposition that he reeled back gasping. - -"Don't try here again!" called Frank to him significantly, and Paul -breathed a bit easier. He was rapidly regaining his strength. - -But though the attack had thus been hurled back once, the next time was -not so successful and through a wide gap came the man with the ball with -such fierceness and speed, that he reeled off fourteen yards, and now -the pigskin was on Kentfield's thirty yard line. - -"Look out for a try for goal," warned the captain, for he heard reports -that Blue Hill had been practicing that for the past week, putting in a -new man who had great abilities in the kicking line. - -But the kick did not come, though the visitors made a fake attempt. It -was only partially successful, however, and there was a fumble which -enabled Dick to slip in and get the ball on a bounce. He was in two -minds about what to do, but having sized up the mode of his opponents' -playing, and reckoning the time left in the half, he decided to punt the -ball back instead of keeping it and trying to advance it by rushing -tactics. - -"That will tire them if they want to begin smashing at our line again," -he reasoned, "and will let Paul have a little more time. We're holding -them all right, and maybe we can tire them more than they will us." - -Thus in a flash he outlined his policy and sent the leather hurling back -over the heads of the half-maddened Blue Hill lads who were chagrined at -their fumbling. - -"Come on!" cried the captain of the Kentfield lads. "We want to down -their man in his tracks if we can." - -It was almost done, and in fact the runner only managed to gain a few -yards before he was fiercely thrown by Innis Beeby. - -Again came that seemingly wearying, and never-ceasing attack on the -line. But Dick's men were on the alert, and though another attempt was -made through Paul he held firmly. - -The pace was beginning to tell though, and panting breaths and -palpitating hearts murmured their story. Dick resolved on more kicking -if he got a chance at the ball. But it seemed that he was not to get -it--at least right away. Once more up the field it was being advanced by -short sharp rushes. Blue Hill seemed content to keep on with her bulldog -playing, perhaps trusting that her men would last longer than would -Dick's. - -There was no denying the strength of the opponents of Kentfield. They -were trained to the second, and the two coaches whom Dick's money had -secured began to be a little direful of the result. - -"Can they stand it?" asked Mr. Spencer of his colleague. - -"Well, if they don't they're not what I think them to be," was the -convincing answer. - -The cheers and songs of the Blue Hill contingent seemed to give them -added strength. They still had the ball, in spite of all the efforts of -Dick and his men to hold them, to force a kick, or to get through and -block the plays. Steadily and surely the leather was nearing the fatal -line. - -"Look out boys! Look out!" warned Dick. "Play hard." - -He himself was working like a Trojan, getting into every opening, taking -all kinds of hard knocks, really doing more than his share. Nor were -there any shirkers in all the eleven. Hal Foster, at full, instead of -staying back to be on the watch for kicks, or to block men who got -through his mates, played well in. There was need of it, for Kentfield -was being shoved back, and every ounce of weight to back her up told. - -"Hold boys, hold!" begged and pleaded Dick desperately. He saw his goal -line being menaced and it seemed as if Blue Hill, as she came nearer -striking distance, grew wild with desire to cross it. - -The fatal play came with such suddenness that it almost took the heart -from Dick's cadets. After a smash at centre, which was hurled back, and -a try between left tackle and guard, which netted only a yard, there was -a quick shift to one side on the part of the Blue Hill players. - -An instant later Dick saw Rud Newton, the stocky left half-back burst -through with the ball under his arm. Like a flash the young millionaire -sprang to tackle him, but he was not quite heavy enough, and Rud broke -away. Full-back Foster was now Dick's only hope, but to his dismay he -saw that Hal had been drawn in, and was now hopelessly entangled in the -mass of his own and the opposing players. - -There was not a soul between Newton and the Kentfield goal, and toward -it the left half was now sprinting with all his speed. Dick gave a gasp, -sprang to his feet and was off after him like a flash. But Newton had -too much of a start, and the best the captain could do was to vainly -touch him with outstretched hand a yard from the goal line. In another -second Newton was over and had touched down the ball. - -The first score had been made against Kentfield and the heart of Dick -was sore as he slackened his pace and watched his own men and those of -Blue Hill running up to witness the first act of the drama that meant so -much to all of them. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN - - -Wild cries of delight, victorious shouts, the shrill voices of the -girls, mingling with the hoarser tones of the men and youths, the waving -of flags and banners, the shaking of canes adorned with the Blue Hill -colors, showed the appreciation of the first gain in the battle. - -"Yah! I thought your team was such a much!" yelled an ardent Blue Hill -supporter to some Kentfield cadets in the stand next to him. - -"So it is," was the cool answer, though there was a sore heart back of -it. "We never play our best until the other team gets a touchdown. -That's the only look-in your fellows will have." - -"Oh, it is; eh?" demanded the other with a hoarse laugh. "Well, just -watch our boys rip you all to pieces from now on." - -The goal was kicked, making the score six to nothing against our -friends, and Dick saw dubious looks on the faces of his chums. - -"This is nothing!" he cried gaily. "It's the only taste of the honey-pot -that we'll let them have. Come on now, we've got time to make a -touchdown this half." - -Play was resumed after the kick-off, and an exchange of punts followed, -both sides seeming willing to take this method of regaining their -strength, which had been almost played out. - -When Blue Hill got the ball after a series of brilliant kicks that had -delighted the spectators, she once more began her rushing tactics. But -either some of her men were careless, or they were too eager, for they -got off side, and there was some slugging which the alert umpire saw, -and as a penalty the ball went to Dick's side. - -"Now rush it up," he called eagerly, and then began such a whirlwind -attack that Blue Hill was fairly carried off her feet. Right up the -field from her own thirty-five yard line did Dick's men carry the -pigskin, until on Blue Hill's twenty yard mark the young millionaire -decided for a try for a field goal. It was a magnificent attempt but -failed, and before any more playing could be started the whistle blew, -ending the half. - -Rather dejectedly Dick and his team filed to the dressing rooms. The two -coaches met them. - -"It's all right! It's all right!" cried Mr. Spencer. "You boys couldn't -do better. You haven't made any mistakes. Keep on the same way next half -and you'll have them." - -"I hope so," murmured Dick. - -"I know it!" declared Mr. Martin with conviction. "They can't keep up -their pace, and they haven't any good subs to put in." - -"That's right," agreed his colleague. "The way you carried the ball up -the field after their touchdown showed what you could do. If there had -been time you'd have scored. They can't stand that smashing attacking -business, but you can hold them if you try. Then, at the right time, get -the ball and take it up. One touchdown and goal will tie the score, and -another touchdown will win the championship for you." - -"Boys, will we do it?" cried Dick, turning to his cadets as they -surrounded him in the dressing rooms under the grandstand. - -"Will we?" cried Innis Beeby. "Will a duck eat corn meal, boys?" - -"Sure!" came the enthusiastic answer. - -Back again on the gridiron trotted the twenty-two sturdy lads to indulge -in a little limbering-up practice before the second half should start. -Then came the warning whistle. - -"They'll kick off this time," said Dick to his men, "and that will give -us the ball. We want to rush it right up the field without giving 'em -time to catch their breaths. Try the sequence plays again, they worked -well." - -With a resounding "pung" the leather sailed into Kentfield territory. -Beeby caught it and began a rush back that was not destined to last -long, for with great fierceness he was tackled by Lem Gordon, and -heavily thrown. But Beeby was as hard as nails, and arose smiling, -keeping his foot on the ball. - -"Now boys, play like mustard," called Dick, as a signal for the -sequence plays, none other being given. The successive rushes that -followed fairly carried the Blue Hill players off their feet, and so -impetuously did Dick and his men smash into the line, going through -centre, between guards and tackles, and around the ends that, inside of -five minutes of play, the ball was on Blue Hill's ten yard line. - -"Wow! Wow! Wow!" yelled enthusiastic Kentfield "rooters," and from being -glum they were now wild with delight and eagerness. - -"Touchdown! Touchdown!" came the imperative demand. - -"Hold! Hold 'em!" pleaded the Blue Hill throng. - -"They ought to make it now or never," said a gray-haired man as he half -rose to watch the next play. "They must shove it over if they work as -they have all the way up the field." - -Dick paused for a moment. He was deciding on the next play. Blue Hill -was frantic and might take any unfair advantage. The Kentfield men were -like hounds after a stag--it seemed that nothing could keep them back. -Dick sent Ray Dutton through centre for five yards. - -He came back into the line gasping, for he had been tackled hard. - -"Only a little more now, fellows!" yelled the captain. "Nothing can stop -us now." - -"Yes, we can!" cried Haskell in desperation. "Don't let 'em through, -boys!" - -His half-wild players managed to stop Stiver with the ball after a three -yard gain. But two more yards were needed--six feet. - -Dick gave the signal for big Beeby to take the ball, and the next -instant the sturdy guard had hurled himself into the gap made for him. -For a second or two it seemed that he could not make it, so fiercely did -Blue Hill brace. Then, slowly but surely they began giving way under the -terrific pressure of the eager Kentfield cadets, and then came a wild -yell from Beeby, who was half smothered under a mass of players. - -"Down!" he gasped, and with his last strength cried "Touchdown!" - -The heap of players slowly dissolved. For a moment the spectators were -in doubt, and then, as the meaning of the joyous dancing about of -Kentfield, and the glum appearance of her opponents was borne to them, -the sympathizers of Dick's team burst into a frenzy of shouts and cheers -while the flags and banners were riotously waved in the maze of color. - -The score was tied a moment later as the goal was kicked. Who would make -the next points? - -Quickly the ball was put into play again, and there followed an exchange -of punts--a grateful relief from the line-smashing tactics that had -carried the pigskin over the goal mark. It was a rest for both sides for -Blue Hill had been played almost to a standstill and Dick's men were -panting and gasping from their terrific efforts. But it seemed worth all -it cost. - -Seldom had there been such a situation in the annals of the Military -League. Two of the best teams that had ever been represented playing -such fast football, and the score tied at such a critical moment meant -something. Add to it that the elevens were not on the most friendly -feeling, because of what had taken place early in the season, and there -was a situation that would make even a blasé football enthusiast "sit up -and take notice," as Innis Beeby said. - -The slightest turn of events might send the scale up or down now, -bringing victory or defeat. For a time both sides played warily, taking -no chances for the championship hung on the next few minutes. - -Then, as Dick's side got the spheroid, he called for some more of the -terrific playing. Nobly his men responded and eagerly. Almost too -eagerly it seemed for there was a fumble at a critical point and one of -the Blue Hill men seized the ball. Back toward the Kentfield goal he -sprinted with it, and for a moment Dick nearly had "heart disease" as he -said afterward. But this time Teddy Naylor, who had gone in to replace -Hal Foster at full, because Hal's weak ankle went back on him, tackled -the man, and the danger was over. But Blue Hill had the ball, and took -advantage of it by kicking it far enough away so that Kentfield would -have to work hard to regain the lost ground. - -"Smash 'em! Smash 'em!" ordered Dick, as his men lined up. So fierce was -the attack and the offense that Paul Drew was knocked out, and could not -come back in time to play. Ford Baker went in. - -This was rather a blow to Dick, and when John Stiver keeled over a -little later, from a blow on the head, the chances of Kentfield were not -improved. Sam Wilson went in at left half, and his playing was a -distinct revelation, for he jumped into the line with such energy that -he tore off ten yards on his first play. - -"Good!" cried Dick. "A few more like that and we'll have the game." - -The half was nearing a close. There had been more kicking, and several -scrimmages. Then Blue Hill had the ball, and Haskell called on his -cadets for a last desperate effort. They responded nobly, and Dick's -team, weakened as they were by the extraordinary hard pace, began to -give way. - -Up the field they were shoved until they made a stand on their twenty -yard line. - -"We've got to hold if we want the championship," said Dick simply, but -his words meant much. - -And then came one of the surprises of football. The people on the stands -were holding their breaths in anxiety, each individual almost praying -for his particular team. It looked bad for Kentfield, as she was being -steadily shoved back, and the time was fast passing. It seemed that she -would either be beaten, or that a tie game would result, necessitating -another conflict. - -Haskell gave orders for a fake kick, and so often had he worked that -play during the game that Dick's men at once were aware of what was -going to happen. Around the end of the line came smashing the Blue Hill -full-back who had taken the ball from his left half-back. Right around -he came, but Dick was there to tackle him. With all the fierceness and -energy of which he was capable the young millionaire sprang at his man. -They came down together. - -The ball rolled from the full-back's arms at his impact with the earth, -and like a flash Dick saw his chance. He was up in an instant, had -grabbed the leather, tucked it under his arm and was racing down the -field toward the goal of his enemies. - -He had a ninety yard run ahead of him, and the Blue Hill full back was -waiting for him with open arms. How he got past Dick never knew, but -those watching saw him fiercely bowl over his opponent like a tenpin. -Then on and on he sprinted, while a wild riot of yells from the -grandstands urged him forward. - -On and on he ran--on and on. His breath was rasping through his clenched -teeth--his legs seemed like sticks of wood, that were somehow actuated -by springs which were fast losing their power. - -"Can I do it?" he gasped. Then he answered himself. "I'm _going to do -it_!" - -He heard the pounding of feet behind him, but he dared not look back. On -he kept. Chalk mark after chalk mark passed beneath his vision. At last -he ceased to see them. He looked for the goal posts. They seemed miles -away, but were gradually coming nearer through a mist. - -He felt someone touch him from behind. He heard the panting breath of a -runner--he felt his jacket scraped by eager fingers, but he kept on. - -Then, when he had no more breath left; when it was all black before his -eyes, he crossed the last line--fairly staggered over it and fell with -the ball in the final touchdown--the score that won the game--for the -whistle blew as his men and their enemies were running up. - -Dick had won the championship. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -THE TROLLEY STOCK--CONCLUSION - - -The grandstands were trembling and swaying under the foot-stamping, -yelling crowd that enthusiastically cheered the victorious Kentfield -cadets. Dick felt as if it was all a dream until he found himself half -lifted to his feet and felt his comrades clapping him on the back, -yelling congratulations in his ears, while a dozen or more were trying -to shake his hand at once, for the gridiron had been overwhelmed by a -riotous throng of substitutes and spectators as soon as the final -whistle blew. - -"Oh, Dick! Dick!" cried Paul, limping up to his chum. - -"We--we did 'em!" gasped the captain. - -"_We_ did 'em?" questioned Dutton, also among the cripples. "_You_ did -'em you mean, Dick Hamilton. It's your team from start to finish!" - -"Oh, bosh!" cried our hero. - -There was a lull in the cheering on the stands, and suddenly, in the -silence, there broke out the shrill voice of an old man--evidently one -unused to football games. - -"By heck!" he cried, "That was a great run! I never see a better one! -Golly, but he scooted. This is the first time I ever see one of these -games, but it won't be the last! Who was it made that home run." - -So still was it that Dick could hear the question and answer for he was -not far from the stand. - -"It wasn't a home run," some one informed the old man, "it was a run for -a touchdown, and Dick Hamilton, the Kentfield captain, made it." - -"Dick Hamilton? Where is he now? I want to see him. I've got something -to say to him." - -As in a dream Dick wondered where he had heard that voice before. Then -like a flash it came to him--Enos Duncaster! But Mr. Duncaster at a -football game--one between teams of the "tin soldiers" whom he affected -to despise. It seemed impossible. Dick looked to where the old man was -now vigorously applauding though every one else was quiet. There could -be no mistake. It _was_ Mr. Duncaster--the holder of the trolley stock. -Yet how came he at the game? - -"I want to see him. I want to see that Dick Hamilton!" Mr. Duncaster was -saying. "I came to see him--I've got important news for him, and I'm in -a hurry." - -"You'd better go to him, Dick," advised Paul. "Maybe it isn't too late -about that stock." - -Dick felt a thrill of hope. At intervals of the game he had half -regretted his decision to play instead of going to keep the appointment -with the eccentric rich man. He had feared it would be too late, and -that his message to Mr. Duncaster would set that peculiar individual -against him. - -Dick turned his steps toward where Mr. Duncaster stood in the -grandstand. As the youth passed along he was congratulated on all sides. - -"Great run, Hamilton! Great!" was called again and again. - -"I want to shake hands with you, Dick Hamilton!" exclaimed Mr. Duncaster -heartily. "And I want to say I've got a different opinion of you boys -than I had. I guess I was mistaken. - -"Just after I sent you that message, saying your father could have the -stock, I picked up a magazine and read an account of a football game. It -was the first I'd ever read, and thinks I to myself I'd like to see it. -Then, when I got your message saying you were going to play, and -couldn't come to see me I made up my mind to come to see you. I did, and -by heck! it was great--great! But your run was the best of all. - -"First I was a little put out because you didn't come to see me, and I -half made up my mind to give the stock to Mr. Porter. But I see now why -you wanted to stay and play the game. You couldn't desert, and by heck! -I'm glad you won! Shake hands again!" - -Dick did so, in a mist of tears that would not be kept back. The -reaction was almost too much for him. To win the championship, and in -the next breath to be told that his father's plans need not fail, was -almost too much. - -He managed to stammer out his thanks to Enos Duncaster, whom many -spectators were regarding curiously. - -"You cadets are all right!" the old man was saying. "It takes more spunk -than I imagined to smash into each other that way. I'm coming to all the -football games after this--that is as soon as I get my health back. I'm -off for Europe now. I've just about got time to catch my train. - -"Here's the stock your father wants, Dick Hamilton. I've got it all -ready for you in a bundle, and inside is the address of my lawyers. You -can----" - -"But the pay----" stammered Dick. - -"That's all right--you can send it to my lawyers. I'm in a hurry. Now -good-bye--I'm off to the hot springs!" And once more he wrung Dick's -hand. "That was a great run--great!" cried Mr. Duncaster, as he made his -way off the stand. - -"Three cheers for Dick Hamilton!" called Ray Dutton. - -And how the people did cheer! - -"And three for Mr. Duncaster--a convert to football!" shouted Paul Drew, -and if they were not as loud as the first cheers they must have warmed -the old man's heart. - -Dick sent a telegram to his father conveying double good news--about the -football victory and about the possession of the stock. - -"I guess your troubles will be over now dad," wired Dick. - -They were seemingly for a time, but later other financial matters -involved Dick and his father, and how they turned out, and how Dick met -them will be told in the next volume of this series, to be called "Dick -Hamilton's Touring Car; Or, A Young Millionaire's Race for a Fortune." -In it we shall meet Dick and his friends and some of his enemies, and -learn how he triumphed over the latter. - - * * * * * - -There was great rejoicing in Kentfield that night when the team broke -training and the suits were burned. True to his word, Dick provided the -finest banquet the cadets had ever had spread in their honor. There were -speeches innumerable, and the coaches were given their full share of -praise. - -But it was toward Dick that most eyes were turned and he was called on -again and again to respond to a toast. - -"Well, which do you feel better over, Dick?" asked Paul that night, as -they went to their room, "winning the championship or getting the stock -from Mr. Duncaster?" - -"Both," replied the young millionaire with a smile. "But it certainly -was great to convert Mr. Duncaster into a gridiron rooter; eh, Grit?" - -And Grit whined in delight, jumping up on Dick, while the two chums sat -down in the little room and played the great game all over again. - - -THE END. - - * * * * * - - - - - THE DICK HAMILTON SERIES - BY HOWARD R. GARIS - -A NEW LINE OF CLEVER TALES FOR BOYS - - -DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE - -Or The Stirring Doings of a Millionaire's Son - -Dick, the son of a millionaire, has a fortune left to him by his mother. -But before he can touch the bulk of this money it is stipulated in his -mother's will that he must do certain things, in order to prove that he -is worthy of possessing such a fortune. The doings of Dick and his chums -make the liveliest kind of reading. - - -DICK HAMILTON'S CADET DAYS - -Or The Handicap of a Millionaire's Son - -The hero, a very rich young man, is sent to a military academy to make -his way without the use of money. A fine picture of life at an -up-to-date military academy is given, with target shooting, broad-sword -exercise, trick riding, sham battles, and all. Dick proves himself a -hero in the best sense of the word. - - -DICK HAMILTON'S STEAM YACHT - -Or A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers - -A series of adventures while yachting in which our hero's wealth plays a -part. Dick is marooned on an island, recovers his yacht and foils the -kidnappers. The wrong young man is spirited away, Dick gives chase and -there is a surprising rescue at sea. - - -DICK HAMILTON'S AIRSHIP - -Or A Young Millionaire in the Clouds - -This new book is just brimming over with hair-raising adventures of Dick -Hamilton in his new airship. - - -DICK HAMILTON'S TOURING CAR - -Or A Young Millionaire's Race for Fortune - -A series of thrilling adventures. Dick and his friends see the country -in a huge touring car. Their exciting trip across the country, how they -saved a young man's fortune and other exciting incidents are very -cleverly told. - - * * * * * - - - -THE BOY-SCOUTS - -BANNER-SERIES - -By GEORGE A. WARREN - -Author of the "Revolutionary Series" - - -The Boy Scouts movement has swept over our country like wildfire, and is -endorsed by our greatest men and leading educators. No author is better -qualified to write such a series as this than Professor Warren, who has -watched the movement closely since its inception in England some years -ago. - - - THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS - _or The Struggle for Leadership_ - -This initial volume tells how the news of the scout movement reached the -boys and how they determined to act on it. They organized the Fox -Patrol, and some rivals organized another patrol. More patrols were -formed in neighboring towns and a prize was put up for the patrol -scoring the most points in a many-sided contest. - - - THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS ON A TOUR - _or The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain_ - -This story begins with a mystery that is most unusual. There is a good -deal of fun and adventure, camping, fishing, and swimming, and the young -heroes more than once prove their worth. - - - THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS AFLOAT - _or The Secret of Cedar Island_ - -Here is another tale of life in the open, of jolly times on river and -lake and around the camp fire, told by one who has camped out for many -years. - - - THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS SNOWBOUND - or A Tour on Skates and Iceboats - -The boys take a trip into the mountains, where they are caught in a big -snowstorm and are snowbound. A series of stirring adventures which will -hold the interest of every reader. - - * * * * * - - - - -THE NAN SHERWOOD SERIES - -By Annie Roe Carr - - -In Annie Roe Carr we have found a young woman of wide experience among -girls--in schoolroom, in camp and while traveling. She knows girls of -to-day thoroughly--their likes and dislikes--and knows that they demand -almost as much action as do the boys. And she knows humor--good, clean -fun and plenty of it. - - - NAN SHERWOOD AT PINE CAMP - or The Old Lumberman's Secret - - NAN SHERWOOD AT LAKEVIEW HALL - or The Mystery of the Haunted Boathouse - - NAN SHERWOOD'S WINTER HOLIDAYS - or Rescuing the Runaways - - NAN SHERWOOD AT ROSE RANCH - or The Old Mexican's Treasure - - NAN SHERWOOD AT PALM BEACH - or Strange Adventures Among the Orange Groves - - * * * * * - - - - -THE JANICE DAY SERIES - -By HELEN BEECHER LONG - - -A series of books for girls which have been uniformly successful. Janice -Day is a character that will live long in juvenile fiction. Every volume -is full of inspiration. There is an abundance of humor, quaint -situations, and worth-while effort, and likewise plenty of plot and -mystery. - -An ideal series for girls from nine to sixteen. - - JANICE DAY, THE YOUNG HOMEMAKER - JANICE DAY AT POKETOWN - THE TESTING OF JANICE DAY - HOW JANICE DAY WON - THE MISSION OF JANICE DAY - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Football Team, by Howard R. 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Garis. @@ -172,45 +172,7 @@ table { </style> </head> <body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Football Team, by Howard R. Garis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Dick Hamilton's Football Team - Or, A Young Millionaire On The Gridiron - -Author: Howard R. Garis - -Release Date: November 19, 2012 [EBook #41410] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41410 ***</div> <div class="figcenter"> <img src="images/tp.jpg" alt=""/> @@ -7823,7 +7785,7 @@ League. Two of the best teams that had ever been represented playing such fast football, and the score tied at such a critical moment meant something. Add to it that the elevens were not on the most friendly feeling, because of what had taken place early in the season, and there -was a situation that would make even a blasé football enthusiast "sit up +was a situation that would make even a blasé football enthusiast "sit up and take notice," as Innis Beeby said.</p> <p>The slightest turn of events might send the scale up or down now, @@ -8216,379 +8178,6 @@ THE TESTING OF JANICE DAY<br /> HOW JANICE DAY WON<br /> THE MISSION OF JANICE DAY</p> - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Dick Hamilton's Football Team, by Howard R. Garis - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK HAMILTON'S FOOTBALL TEAM *** - -***** This file should be named 41410-h.htm or 41410-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/4/1/41410/ - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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