Part 25 (1/2)
”I guess it isn't in him to thank anybody,” was Ben's comment. ”Nat is one of the kind who thinks only of himself.”
”He will have a hard time of it, getting his boat,” said Dave, and so it proved. It took half a day to get the craft from among the rocks, and then it was found that she leaked so badly she had to be sent to a boat-builder for repairs.
That Sat.u.r.day was the day scheduled for the football game with Lemington. As Nat could not take the eleven to that town in his motor-boat, as promised, the school carryall was pressed into service.
This made some of the other students, who had arranged to go in the carryall, find other means of conveyance, and there was considerable grumbling.
”Poole said he would take 'em in the motor-boat,” growled one student.
”He ought to have seen to it that his boat was repaired on time.”
The Old Guard football eleven all had bicycles or motor-cycles, and they went to the Lemington Athletic Grounds in a body on their wheels. All carried the school colors, and many also had horns and rattles.
”We'll show 'em that we can root for Oak Hall even if we are not on the eleven!” declared Dave.
Job Haskers took but little interest in athletics, declaring he thought too much time was wasted over field sports, but Andrew Dale was keenly alive to what was going on. He knew all about the trouble in the football organization, and he watched the departure of Dave and his chums with interest.
”Aren't you going, Mr. Dale?” asked Dave.
”Oh, yes, I am going in the carriage with Doctor Clay. Do you think we shall win, Porter?”
”We'll win if rooting can do it!” cried Dave.
”Then you intend to 'root,' as you call it?”
”Yes, sir--we are going to root for all we are worth.”
”I am glad to know it,” answered Andrew Dale; and then he turned away to attend to some school duties. Later on, when he and the doctor were on the way to the game, he mentioned the trouble in the football club, and told how Dave and his chums had been left out in the cold, and how Dave and the others were now going to cheer for and encourage the school eleven.
”Fine! Grand!” murmured the master of the school, his eye lighting up with pleasure. ”That is the proper school spirit! It does Porter, Morr, and the others great credit.”
”Exactly what I think, Doctor,” answered the first a.s.sistant. ”Many players would have remained away altogether, or gone to the game to throw cold water on the efforts of those on the gridiron. It shows a manliness that cannot be excelled.”
”Yes! yes!” murmured Doctor Clay. ”A fine lot of boys, truly! A fine lot! It seems a pity they were forced off the team.”
”Perhaps they'll be back--before the football season is over,” answered Andrew Dale, gravely.
”What do you mean, Dale?”
”Perhaps the football eleven will need them and be glad to get them back.”
CHAPTER XVI
A STRUGGLE ON THE GRIDIRON
When Dave and his chums reached the athletic grounds they found the grandstand and the bleachers about half filled with people. The Lemington contingent had a good number of rooters, and they were already filling the air with their cries of encouragement. The boys looked around, but saw nothing of Vera Rockwell or Mary Feversham.
”Maybe they didn't think it worth while to come,” suggested the senator's son.