Part 31 (2/2)
”I see. And you want me to watch--and report, if I see anything wrong?”
”Yes.”
”I'll do it. I'd like to catch him--for he never treats me decently,”
added Chip.
It had been decided that some of the boys should go to Rockville by boats and others by carriages and on their bicycles and motor-cycles.
The eleven were to go in the school carryall, and Mr. Dodsworth and Andrew Dale were to go with them.
Owing to the change in the academy management, but little had been done to the athletic field, and when the Oak Hall club arrived, they found the grounds rather uneven and poorly marked.
”Bad for really good playing,” remarked Dave.
”You'll have to be on your guard,” warned Andrew Dale. ”This field should have been rolled down after the last storm.”
The grandstand was rather a small affair, and it speedily became filled with visitors, for the annual football game between the two schools was always a great drawing card. Flags and banners were much in evidence, and so were horns and rattles.
”I wonder if any outsiders we know are present?” remarked Roger to his chums, as they walked across the field.
”Somebody is waving from the corner of the stand,” answered Phil. ”I think it is Miss Rockwell.”
”It is, and Miss Feversham is with her, and so is Mr. Rockwell,”
answered Dave, and then the boys took off their caps in salutation. And then they recognized a number of other friends.
The eleven had just turned into its dressing-room, to prepare for the game, when Chip Macklin came running in all out of breath.
”I want to see Dave!” he gasped, and then, as soon as the pair had walked to a corner, he went on: ”I caught Nat.”
”What doing?” demanded Dave, quickly.
”Giving all of your signals away to Merwell, Jasniff, and one of the Rockville football players. He started to tell about your trick plays when he saw me standing near, and shut up.”
”Where is he now?”
”In the grandstand, with some girl.”
”I will attend to this at once, Chip. Come with me.”
Dave led the small student out of the dressing-room, and called Andrew Dale and Mr. Dodsworth. Quickly the situation was explained. The school teacher looked shocked, and the gymnastic instructor was disgusted.
”I will take care of Poole,” said Mr. Dale, in a strained voice. ”Mr.
Dodsworth, you had better arrange for a change of signals.”
”I will,” answered the gymnastic instructor. And then Andrew Dale hurried off, and Dave returned to the dressing-room, accompanied by Mr.
Dodsworth. The signals were re-arranged, and so were the signs for some of the new trick plays.
”Now then, boys, let me give you a bit of advice,” said Mr. Dodsworth, when they were ready to go out on the field for practice. ”From what I have heard Rockville has good staying powers, and will try to tire you out. Your move is to go at them with a jump and make your points early in the game--and then hold them down. Now do your best--and don't give in until the last whistle blows!”
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