Part 27 (1/2)

Indeed, those Bellport players did look like a serious proposition as they scampered back and forth across the field before the time for play had arrived. Many a timid heart among Columbia's friends felt as though the chances were very much against such a victory as had been won over Clifford.

Such enthusiasm as abounded! Cheers arose everywhere. Bands of students went about, headed by some valiant cheer captain, and made all other sounds insignificant beside their clamor, as they chanted their school yell in common, or sang the favorite songs of their cla.s.ses.

”We're going to see a hot old game, anyhow!” cried Buster Billings, as he sat on the bench in the grandstand, being reckoned of little account as a football player, however much he might s.h.i.+ne in baseball.

”What's Bellport's line-up? Seems to me nearly every face here is familiar; and I reckon their entire baseball squad has qualified for the gridiron,” remarked another observer.

”Just as you say, there's not a fellow missing,” sighed Buster; ”but then, none of them happens to be gifted with the heft that fastened its fatal clutches on me at an early age. I'd give the world to play football, but though they've tried me several times, it's always back to the sc.r.a.p heap for poor Buster boy.”

”Well, they left me out this time, too; my first half in the game with Clifford wasn't a howling success. But at any rate I'm a sub, and if a few of the boys get carried off the field they may call on me,” and Jack Eastwick patted his chest in antic.i.p.ation of the slaughter to come.

For the concluding tussle of the High School League the contending teams presented this line-up:

_COLUMBIA._

Comfort _F.B._

Allen, Captain. West.

_R.H.B. L.H.B._

Wallace.

_Q.B._

Shadduck. Oakes. Harper. Bird. Daly. Shay. Morris.

_R.E. R.T. R.G. Center. L.G. L.T. L.E._

_BELLPORT._

Clay. Coddling. Smith, Jr. Lacy. Alpers. Macy. Smith, Sr.

_L.E. L.T. L.G. Center. R.G. R.T. R.E._

Snodgra.s.s.

_Q.B._

Banghardt. Bardwell.

_L.H.B. R.H.B._

Lee, Captain.

_F.B._

The same referee officiated who had managed the game with Clifford so well. And the coach of each team was busily engaged giving the last instructions, since the time specified for the opening kick-off was very near.

Columbia was not boisterous, but there was a look of grim determination visible on the faces of Frank Allen and his fellows that counted for much.