Part 33 (1/2)

”I think so. He is almost down and out, and will do anything for money,”

answered Nick Jasniff, and then the talk came to an end, as the second half of the game began.

Both elevens had been urged to do their best, and the play was as spirited as before. Rockville was unusually aggressive, and one of the players tackled Phil unfairly, giving his shoulder a severe wrench. A protest was at once made by both Phil and Dave, and amid a general wrangle the Rockville man was retired.

”Never mind, they are going to put Ross in!” was the cry. ”He'll show 'em what he can do!” Ross had been a favorite player in years gone by, but had not been allowed to play before because he was behind in his studies. Now, however, it was seen that he was sorely needed, and the Rockville faculty gave the desired permission to fill the vacancy.

Ten minutes of play found the pigskin near the center of the field.

Then, for the first time, Dave saw a chance to use the right-end trick which Mr. Dodsworth had suggested, and gave the necessary signal. At once the entire eleven was on the alert.

The trick consisted in sending the ball over to the right, back to center, and then to the right again, some players meanwhile rus.h.i.+ng to the left as a blind. The movements were made with rapidity, and Rockville was caught napping. Up came the pigskin in Plum's arms, and he turned it over to another player, who in turn pa.s.sed it to Dave. Then Dave saw a clear s.p.a.ce and dove for it. He was followed and tackled, but shook himself loose, and dropped on the ball directly over the goal line.

A roar went up.

”Another touchdown for Oak Hall!”

”Now for another goal!”

Amid a wild cheering the try for goal was made. But a keen wind had sprung up, and the goal was missed by a few inches.

”Never mind, that makes the score eleven to six in Oak Hall's favor.”

Once again the ball was brought into play. There were but seven minutes of time left, and Rockville played like demons, hurling themselves again and again at their opponents. But Dave felt that enough had been accomplished, and gave the signal to be on the defensive, and thus Rockville was held back, and the most it could do was to get the ball on Oak Hall's thirty-five yard line. And then the fateful whistle sounded, and the great game came to a close.

Final score: Oak Hall 11, Rockville Academy 6.

It was a well-earned victory, and the Oak Hall eleven were warmly praised by their friends and the public in general, while many condemned the military academy for the roughness shown.

”Oh, it was too lovely for anything!” said Vera Rockwell, when Phil and Roger sauntered up, waiting for the carryall to take the eleven back to Oak Hall.

”It was indeed!” added Mary Feversham. ”We compliment you, and we compliment Mr. Porter, too,” she added, her eyes beaming brightly.

”A well-fought game,” was Mr. Rockwell's comment; and then the boys pa.s.sed on, to join their fellows.

Of course the majority of the Rockville supporters felt blue over the outcome of the game, and they lost no time in leaving the grandstand and disappearing from view. Jasniff and Merwell went also, but in another direction.

”This leaves me high and dry,” growled Merwell. ”I won't have a cent to spend for two weeks.”

”Let us see if we can't borrow some money,” suggested Jasniff.

”I'd like to know who from? All the fellows who bet have lost their money.”

”Then we'll have to hit somebody who didn't bet--some of the goody-goody fellows,” and he laughed bitterly.

”Like Porter, eh?”

”Yes, Porter never bets, nor drinks, nor smokes. I can't understand how he makes himself popular, can you?”

”It's his smooth way. But some day he'll be found out and dropped,”