Part 25 (1/2)

Coach Morton drew in his breath sharply. Referee Henderson had just signaled to Badger, acting captain for the home team, and Halsey, captain of the Cobbers, to come in for the toss. The players halted in their work to await the result of that toss.

”You call, Halsey,” nodded Ben Badger.

”Up!” warned the referee, and flipped the coin.

”Tails!” sang Captain Halsey.

”Heads it is,” announced Referee Henderson.

Ben Badger grinned.

”It's all starting _our_ way,” clicked d.i.c.k Prescott, in an undertone.

He seemed lost in a transport of ecstasy.

CHAPTER XV

GRIDLEY FACES DISASTER

”We'll kick from the north end,” announced Captain Badger, promptly.

With a grunt of satisfaction, Gridley loped off for its positions.

The band broke loose in a wild hurrah of a tune. Spectators belonging to both sides took up a wild cheer until the referee raised his right hand for silence. The opposing teams were lined up.

Darting forward to center field the referee placed the ball, then ran backwards off the gridiron.

His whistle went to his lips. It was an instant of strained attention.

Trill-ll! It was not a cheer, but a subdued, breathless gasp that rose from the two camps of fans as the opposing lines rushed at each other. d.i.c.k could not help a slight groan, for Adams, of Cobber, reached the pigskin first. But Adams kicked it off over the line. Here was Gridley's prompt chance.

Evans kicked the ball from the twenty-five-yard line. It was stopped by Huddleston, who started to run with it. Luckless plan!

Gridley's line came thundering down upon him almost ere Huddleston had stepped off! b.u.mp! The combatants piled into and over each other. Huddleston was downed on his fifty-yard line. At this instant d.i.c.k bethought himself. Placing his mouth to the megaphone, he roared:

”H.S. cheer!”

It rolled out with full volume while the referee was placing the ball. By the time it died out Cobber's captain could be heard calling:

”Four---nine---thirty-three---eight!”

Trill-ll!

Here, the heavier boys from Cobber began to do their fine work, and Gridley hearts sank.

Cobber made a first down on three plays. It ended in a bad fumble, however, for steady Thompson went down over the ball on the Gridley forty-five-yard line.

”H.S. cheer once more!” bellowed d.i.c.k.

The High School boys and girls answered with a will, drawing it out so long as to cause the referee to frown. When it ended Badger's signals ripped out fast and clear.