Part 45 (1/2)

It was true, Ben had made the second goal. With five minutes more of the half to play the puck was placed in position once again.

”Say, we've got to do something!” growled Nat Poole.

”All right, do it,” answered one of the team, who had seen Nat make several errors, and who was growing disgusted.

Both Nat and Bolton were ugly, and showed it in every movement. The puck was worked down into the Porter territory, but again without avail, and as it commenced to move in the opposite direction Nat and Bolton grew furious. Nat gave his follower a meaning look, and a minute later Bolton swung his hockey stick around, almost on a line with Dave's shoulder.

Had the blow landed as intended, Dave would have been seriously lamed, and possibly his arm might have been broken. But Roger was close at hand, and in a flash the senator's son thrust out his hockey stick, so that the blow glanced off, doing little harm.

”Time!” called Roger, and it was granted, and both teams at once gathered around Dave and Bolton.

”Bolton, that was done on purpose; you can't deny it!” cried Roger. ”You did your best to injure Dave.”

”I did not!” roared Bolton, growing red in the face.

”He did! He did!” was the general cry. ”Put him out!”

There was a great hubbub, in the midst of which Mr. Dodsworth consulted with Andrew Dale, who was a.s.sistant referee. Then Mr. Dodsworth came forward.

”Bolton,” he said, clearly and coldly; ”you are retired.”

”Can't I play any more?” growled the student.

”No. Your conduct is unworthy of a gentleman, and you must leave the field. The game will proceed.”

CHAPTER XXVIII

A DISCOVERY OF INTEREST

It was a stinging rebuke, and everybody within hearing felt its effect.

There was a sudden hush, and then Bolton turned and skated away, muttering savagely under his breath.

Once more the game proceeded, but before the puck could be gotten within striking distance of either goal the whistle blew; and the first half of the game came to an end.

”Wonder what Nat Poole thinks of his team now?” remarked Roger, as the boys gathered in a group to discuss the plays made.

”He is as mad as hops,” reported Plum. ”He says Bolton was not to blame, and that it wasn't fair for Mr. Dodsworth to rule him off.”

”They ought to be satisfied,” said Messmer, who was close by. ”Langley, the subst.i.tute, is as good as Bolton, if not better.”

”Say, we must keep them from scoring in the second half!” cried Ben.

”That will break Nat's heart. He has been blowing constantly that he was going to do us up.”

”Look out for tricks,” cautioned Dave. ”They may have something up their sleeve they haven't tried yet--although I doubt it.”

Promptly on time the second half of the game started. As soon as the puck was put into action it was seen that Nat's team had adopted new tactics. This was to ”worry” the disc along close to the side line, and in such a manner that Dave's seven had to either miss it or run the risk of off-side plays.