Part 24 (2/2)
It was a swift shot and a bull's-eye. The Fordham Inst.i.tute boys had no answer ready for that. Half of them turned to stare at Phin Drayne, whose guilty face, with color coming and going in flashes seemed to admit the truth of Reade's taunt.
”d.i.c.k,” growled Darrin, as they moved forward, after the safety, to Gridley's twenty-five yard line, ”these Fordham fellows are simply ruffians. They're fouling us every second, and they'll smash half our fellows into the hospital.”
”We'll see about that!”
d.i.c.k Prescott's voice was as quiet and cool as ever, but there was an ominous flash in his eyes.
CHAPTER XV
”We'll Play the Gentleman's Game.”
At the next down Dan Dalzell held up his hand, making a dash for the referee.
”I claim a foul!” he called.
”Captain, this is for you,” announced the referee, turning to d.i.c.k. ”Be quick, if you've any complaint to make.”
”Come here, Dalzell,” called Prescott. ”What was the foul?”
The Fordham players crowded about, muttering in an ugly way---all except one man, who skulked at the rear.
”There's the hoodlum,” continued Dan excitedly, one hand over his left breast. He pointed to the Fordham player skulking at the rear. ”That fellow deliberately gave me the elbow over the heart when we came together.”
”What have you to say, Captain Barnes?” demanded the referee, turning to the Fordham leader.
”It's not true,” retorted Barnes hotly. ”Daniels, come here.”
The matter was argued quickly and hotly, Gridley accusing, Fordham hotly denying.
”Can't you Gridley fellows play with anything but your mouths?”
snarled Captain Barnes.
”We play a straight game,” retorted d.i.c.k coldly. ”We play like gentlemen.”
”Do you mean that we're not?” demanded Barnes swaggeringly.
”So far you've played like a lot of sluggers.”
”See here! I've a good mind to thrash you, Prescott!” quivered Barnes.
”It's always the truth that stings,” retorted d.i.c.k, with a cool smile.
”My fist would hurt, too.”
”That's what we're asking you to do---to save all your slugging and bruising tactics until after a straight and gentlemanly game has been played,” retorted d.i.c.k, with spirit.
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