Part 4 (1/2)
”Not a bit,” he replies cheerily, glancing in surprise at her.
”How do you like it, Mrs Macgregor?” inquires Brown.
”Man, laddie, they are a grand team, and it will be no easy matter to wheep them.”
”Don't you think now that Shock is a little too gentle with them?” asks Brown wickedly.
”Well, it will not do to allow them to have their own way altogether,”
she replies cautiously. ”But run away, Hamish, and get yourself put right. There is much before you yet.”
”Say, old man,” says Brown as they trot off, ”it's no credit to you to be a great centre. You'd disgrace your blood if you were anything else.”
Into the 'Varsity dressing room strolls old Black, the greatest captain of the greatest team 'Varsity has ever seen.
”Well, old chap,” he calls out cheerfully to Campbell, ”how goes it?”
”All right,” says Campbell. ”They are a great team, but I think we are holding them.”
”They are the greatest team McGill ever sent here,” replies Black.
”Oh, thanks, awfully,” says Campbell, ”but they are hardly up to the team of four years ago.”
”Quite, I a.s.sure you, and you are holding them down.”
”Do you think so?” There was no anxiety in the captain's tone, but there was a serious earnestness that somehow caught the ear of all the men in the room.
Black noticed it.
”Yes, you are holding them so far, without a doubt. Their weight tells in the scrimmage, and of course we do not know their back play yet, and that fellow Bunch Cameron is a wonder.”
”That's what!” sings out little Brown. ”But what's the matter with The Don?”
Immediately the roar comes back, ”He's--all--right!”
”Yes,” replies Black quietly, ”Balfour is swifter, and harder in tackle.”
”Have you anything to suggest?” asks Campbell, with a reverence which a man in the struggle feels for one who has achieved. The men are all quiet, listening. But Black knows his place.
”Not in the least. You have a great team, and you are handling them perfectly.”
”Hear that now, will you?” cries little Brown ”We're It!”
”Do you think we had better open up a little?” But Black is a gentleman and knows better than to offer advice.
”I really cannot offer an opinion. You know your men better than I.
Besides, it is better to find out your enemy's tactics than to be too stuck on your own. Remember, those fellows are doing some thinking at this blessed minute. Of course,” he went on hesitatingly, ”if they keep playing the same close game--well--you might try--that is--you have got a great defence, you know, and The Don can run away from any of them.”
”All right,” said the captain. ”We'll feel 'em first, boys. Keep at the old game. Close and steady till we get inside their heads. Watch their quarters. They're lightning in a pa.s.s.”