Part 14 (1/2)

Here they sought the proprietor, and d.i.c.k showed him the written order from Moore, his friend.

”Oh, yes, that will be all right,” said the garage man. ”Mr. Moore told me that you would call for the car at about this time, so I've been expecting you. There she is, over in the corner, the big gray one there.”

He indicated a big gray touring car, and the three comrades walked over to it. It was, as d.i.c.k had told them, a beautiful machine, and they piled in with many expressions of admiration. As d.i.c.k had procured the car the honor of driving it naturally fell to him. He manoeuvred the big automobile skilfully out of the garage, and they were soon spinning smoothly over an ideal country road. The car behaved perfectly and d.i.c.k was enthusiastic over it.

”We could get twice the speed out of it that we are now,” he exulted, ”but I'm not taking any chances to-day. We owe it to the team to be careful.”

”Right you are,” agreed Bert. ”There's no use taking risks when we don't have to. At this rate we'll eat up the distance in mighty short order anyway.”

And indeed, it was no great time before they reached their destination and were bowling through the streets.

They left the car at the local garage, and made their way to the field, guided thereto by a constant stream of chattering and laughing people evidently bound for the same place. They obtained good seats and sat down to await the beginning of the game.

Before long the ”Grey” players trotted out onto the field, and were shortly followed by the ”Maroons.” Both teams went through their preliminary practice with snap and ”pep,” and received enthusiastic applause from their admirers in the stands. Then the actual play began, and the three comrades noted every play and formation with the greatest attention. They were resolved to justify the coach's confidence in them, and to be able to give him an accurate line of ”dope” when they returned to their Alma Mater.

The game was fast and furious, but at the end of the first half the ”Maroons” were leading by one touchdown. Excitement ran high at the opening of the second half, and a battle royal began. But the ”Greys”

fought fiercely, and by a splendid run down the field made a touchdown and tied the score. Then, in the last three minutes of play, they forced the ball over for another touchdown, and the day was theirs.

”Well!” exclaimed Bert as they filed out with the crowd, ”both those teams have the 'goods,' but I think the 'Greys' are just a shade better than the 'Maroons.'”

”I do, too,” said Tom, and this seemed also to be d.i.c.k's opinion. They made their way to the garage, and as it was now almost dark, d.i.c.k lit the lamps on the car. Then they purred smoothly along the macadam road and after a delightful ride through the crisp autumn air delivered the car safely into its garage before midnight.

The next morning they were received with an uproarious welcome when they made their appearance at the training table. The other members of the team had a pretty good idea of where they had been, and a.s.sailed them from every side with questions. But they kept their own counsel, reserving their information for the ears of the coach, and knowing that he would tell the team all that he thought fit.

After the meal was over they repaired to the training quarters, where they found the coach awaiting them.

”Well,” he said, ”what luck?”

Speaking for his comrades, Bert related the story of the game, and the coach listened attentively. When Bert had finished, he asked a number of crisp questions of each of the three boys, and their answers seemed to satisfy him.

”Well,” he growled, when at last he rose to go, ”I can go ahead now with more certainty. You fellows have done better than I expected.” Which from Hendricks was high praise.

”We've certainly got our work cut out for us,” said Bert after the coach had departed. ”I haven't a doubt in the world but what we can beat them, but just the same we'll have to do our prettiest to get the long end of the decision.”

”Bet your tintype we will,” said Tom; ”both those teams are a tough proposition for anybody to handle. But there will be all the more glory for us when we win.”

”That's the talk!” exclaimed d.i.c.k, ”there's no fun in winning a game where you don't get hard opposition, anyway.”

Meanwhile Hendricks had wended his way back to the training quarters, where he sought out Reddy.

He gave the red-headed trainer a brief outline of what the boys had told him, and Reddy listened attentively, once or twice breaking in with a question or two.

”So it seems,” said Hendricks at last, winding up his discourse, ”that the team we've really got to look out for is the 'Greys.' According to the report of our three boys, they are mighty strong on the attack, and nothing behindhand on their defense.”

”It looks that way,” acquiesced Reddy, nodding his head, ”the lads did pretty well, don't you think?”

”They did,” agreed Hendricks; ”they got just the information that I was after. And what do you think,” he added with a laugh, ”they weren't content to go by the train or trolley, but borrowed an automobile and went in style.”

”Sure, and it's like themselves,” grinned Reddy, ”if I was runnin' a business I'd be afraid to give those byes a job. They'd be ownin' the plant in less than a year.”

”I believe they would,” said Hendricks. ”They're natural born winners.”