Part 21 (1/2)

Nor, try as they would, could they gain in the next period against the stonewall defense put up by the ”Greys.” Perhaps the Blue attack was somewhat more savage than their own, but they made up for that by superior weight in the line. Their signals were working perfectly and they moved with the precision of a machine.

Twelve minutes of playing time had elapsed when, with the ball on the ”Greys'” forty yard line, Bert suddenly dropped back for a kick. The ”Greys” burst through, but it got off perfectly. High in the air it soared like a hawk, headed straight for the goal. A groan rose from the ”Grey” stands, while those in the Blue sprang to their feet, in a burst of frantic cheering. But, just as it neared the bar, a stiff gust of wind from the north caught it and deflected it from its course. It curved down and out, striking the post and bounded back into the field, where Ensley fell upon it.

The hearts of the Blues went down into their boots, while their opponents capered about and hugged each other.

”What's the use playing against such luck as that?” growled Drake disgustedly.

”It's tough, all right,” agreed Bert, ”but they can't get all the breaks. It'll be our turn next.”

Before the ball could be put in play the period ended, and the teams went to their quarters for the fifteen minute rest before the final struggle.

”Hard luck, boys,” consoled the coach, ”but things are due to change.

Wilson deserved that goal if he didn't get it, but that's part of the game. You've got their number. Keep on hammering the line, and if you find that won't work, uncork that variation of the forward pa.s.s. Go in now and eat them up.”

As the fellows filed out, they pa.s.sed Dan, the bulldog, dressed in a brand-new suit of blue in honor of the occasion. Tom stooped and patted his head.

”Get on the job, old boy,” he urged. ”Show those fellows that you are the real thing in mascots.”

Dan barked rea.s.suringly. But he took his time in thinking it over. And the hard luck of the Blues still persisted.

A fruitless attempt to buck the line by either team failing to yield the desired gain, there followed a kicking duel between the two fullbacks in which Bert easily carried off the honors. But slips and off-side playing neutralized the advantage.

On the ”Greys” forty yard line they tried out ”Bull” Hendricks' new variation. The ball was pa.s.sed to Bert, apparently for a drop kick, but immediately on receiving the ball, he started on an end run as though the move had been a ”plant” to draw in the end rush. Thinking the whole thing a fake, the halfback at first hesitated to come in, but Bert kept on parallel to the line of scrimmage until the half dared hesitate no longer, as it looked certain that Bert was bent on a run around the ends. In the meantime the long run had given Drake time to get down the field, and Bert, turning swiftly, sent the ball to him in a beautiful spiral swing. It would have worked to a charm had not Drake tripped as he started on his run and been savagely tackled by Livingston before he could regain his feet.

”Another good thing gone wrong,” groaned d.i.c.k. And it certainly seemed as though ”the stars in their courses” were fighting for the ”Greys.”

A moment's breathing s.p.a.ce, and the fourth quarter opened up. With a strength born of desperation the teams went at each other hammer and tongs. The ”Greys” were heartened by the good fortune that had declared so steadily for them and they played like wild men. A brilliant run around left end netted them twenty yards, and a forward pa.s.s gained ten more. Inspired by their success they ”forced” their luck until they were on the Blues fifteen yard line with the ball in their possession. But here the Blues braced savagely.

The crowds were standing now and crazy with excitement. The ”Grey”