Part 14 (1/2)

Captain Forsythe, in full field toggery, came in, followed by the members of the visiting team, all as completely attired for work.

”We're really not intruding?” asked Forsythe, after he had stepped into the room.

”Not the least in the world,” responded Dave heartily. ”Mr. Forsythe.

let me introduce you to Mr. Morton, our coach, and to Mr. Prescott, the real captain of this tin-pan crowd of pigskin chasers.”

”Oh, I mistook you for Prescott,” replied Forsythe, as he acknowledged the introductions.

”No; I'm Darrin, the pewter-plate second captain---the worst you've got to fear to-day,” laughed Dave, as he held out his hand.

”Why---what----anything happened?” asked Captain Forsythe, looking truly concerned.

”Captain Prescott has had his knee injured, and two of our other crack men are in bed, sick,” replied Mr. Morton cheerfully. ”Otherwise we're all quite well.”

”Your captain and two other good men out?” asked Forsythe in real sympathy. ”That doesn't sound fair, for we came over here prepared to put up the very best we had against you old invincibles. I'm awfully sorry.”

”Captain Forsythe, we all thank you for your sympathy,” d.i.c.k answered, ”but Captain Darrin can lead at least as well as I can. I believe he can do it better. As for the team that we're putting in the field to-day, if you can beat it, you could as easily beat anything we could offer at any other time. So, as far as one may, with such courteous opponents as you are, Gridley hurls back its defiance and throws down the battle gage! But play your very best team, Captain Forsythe, and we'll do our best in return.”

CHAPTER IX

Could Dave Make Good?

Dave Darrin, a good deal disheveled and covered with soil and perspiration on his face and neck, came striding in after time had been called on the first half.

Dave's generals.h.i.+p had kept Hallam Heights from scoring, but Gridley hadn't put away any points, either.

”You saw it all from the side lines, d.i.c.k?” Dave asked, as the chums, arm in arm, strolled into dressing quarters.

”Yes.”

”What are your instructions for the second half.”

”I haven't any.”

”Your advice, then?”

”I haven't any of that, either. Dave, any fellow who can hold those young human cyclones back as you've done doesn't need any pointers in the game.”

”But we simply couldn't score against them,” muttered Darrin.

”So I know there's something wrong with my leaders.h.i.+p. What is it?”

”Nothing whatever, Darrin. It simply means that you're up against the hardest line to get through that I've ever seen Gridley tackle.

Why, yesterday I was looking over the record of these Hallam boys, and I find that they've already whipped two college second teams. But you'll get through them in the next Dave, if there's any human way of doing it. So that's all I've got to say, for I'm not out there on the gridiron, and I can't see things from the side line the same as you can on the ten-yard line. Perhaps Mr. Morton may have something to offer.”

But the coach hadn't.

”You're doing as well as any man of Gridley could do, Darrin,”